THE WORLDS OF HAYAO MIYAZAKI: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films

THE WORLDS OF HAYAO MIYAZAKI: The Influences and Inspiration Behind the Iconic Films
NICOLAS RAPOLD
Frances Lincoln Ltd (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$35.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: An in-depth collection of the rich influences and sources of inspiration behind one of animated cinema’s all-time greats, and Japanese cinema’s most popular cultural export. Explore the inspirations behind the work of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, one of animated cinema’s all-time great creators.

Often called the godfather of animation, Miyazaki is able to imagine and populate worlds like no other director or animator. His films, from My Neighbour Totoro to the Oscar-winning Spirited Away and The Boy and The Heron, are deeply original, each conjuring up their own complete and entrancing version of reality.

This book journeys through the rich mix of cultural, historical and artistic influences that shape Miyazaki’s storytelling. From Japanese folklore and childhood memories to architecture, classic cinema, literature and political commentary, it reveals how Miyazaki’s deeply personal vision creates layered worlds that somehow feel both fantastical and grounded in truth.

With insight into his process, visual language and recurring themes—including nature, flight, girlhood, resistance and renewal —The Worlds of Hayao Miyazaki offers fans and film lovers a deeper understanding of the imagination behind the magic.

A celebration of creative freedom, storytelling without limits, and the enduring power of animation.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: If you are not a Miyazaki fan already, this book could make you one. (But seriously, how can anyone not be a fan after seeing Spirited Away?) I'm willing to bet most all of us have at least one film fan, animation fan, Japanese-culture maven, in our gifting circle. Any of them will appreciate this beauty.

what we'll see on the journey

I'm sure we're all aware of animation's tremendous popularity. A safe bet to give a teen giftee is this lovely, immersive story of how the art of Miyazaki sprang from th art Miyazaki has seen and spoken lovingly about.

The publisher doesn't offer lots of spreads for publicity, understandably, but there are some lovely ones to take a look at:

It's great value for money spent, assuming you opt for the tree book version; the ebookmis a bit cranky and not as fluidly designed.

A very exciting gift to get, and one you'll be thanked for in longer terms than most gifts.

FILM NOIR COMPENDIUM: Key Selections from the Film Noir Reader Series, essays about great art

FILM NOIR COMPENDIUM: Key Selections from the Film Noir Reader Series
ALAIN SILVER & JAMES URSINI, editors
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books/Limelight (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$29.99 paperback, available now

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: In this essential study of film noir, editors Alain Silver and James Ursini select the most significant and influential articles on the movement from their highly respected Film Noir Reader series and assemble them into a single, convenient, heavily illustrated volume. Still included, of course, are many rare early articles and such seminal essays as:

Borde and Chaumeton's "Towards a Definition of Film Noir" from Panorama du Film Noir Americain

Paul Schrader's "Notes on Film Noir"

"Paint It Black: the Family Tree of the Film Noir" by Raymond Durgnat

...with newer studies such as:

"Lounge Time" by Vivian Sobchack

"Manufacturing Heroines in Classic Noir Films" by Sheri Chinen Biesen

"Voices from the Deep: Film Noir as Psychodrama" J. P. Telotte

This collection of over 30 articles probes this most influential American film movement from varying angles: formalist, feminist, structuralist, sociological, and stylistic; narrative-thematic historical, and even from the point of view of a pure aficionado. There is something in this volume for every student or devotee of film noir. Plus like the readers that have proven an invaluable tool for academics planning a syllabus, it can serve as the most complete core text for any of the myriad of film noir courses taught throughout the world.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Let me show you a few pictures from the book:

...among many others pepper the text, bringing the much-needed visual element to these learnèd essays about visual storytelling. This is a book of educated devotees delving deep into their passion, not a coffee-table book.

But it's Turkey Day. No better time to be reminded that crime is always, in the end, punished...put the carving knife down, Mom; empty the poisoned wine now, Dad; beating your older sibling to death with the candlestick is best left to the Clue board, kids. (Of all ages.) Togetherness is, I know, overrated, so get those urges met by reading about them. Family togetherness...work parties...club meetings can all get a little too too much when packed into a short span. Blow off some emotional steam in the pursuit of understanding why killing does not solve the problem just creates more.

Oh, and SOMEone out there has/is a film buff, a noirista, a lover of moodily lit, elegantly appointed period pieces like these, on their gifting list.

HORROR UNMASKED: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope, great way to thrill your horror-movie fan

HORROR UNMASKED: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope
BRAD WEISMANN
becker&mayer! books
$24.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Horror Unmasked offers a general introduction to the popular film genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.

From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.

The horror film’s pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today’s most significant and exciting developments in the genre. Since 1990, the production of horror films has risen exponentially worldwide, resulting in impressive ticket sales in the modern day, not to mention how the genre has expanded into books, fashion, music, and other media throughout the world.

Horror has long been the most popular film genre, and more horror movies have been made than any other kind. We need them. We need to be scared, to test ourselves, laugh inappropriately, scream, and flinch. We need to get through them and come out, blinking, still in one piece. This comprehensive guide features:

A thorough discussion on monster movies and B-movies (The Thing; It Came from Outer Space; The Blob)

The destruction of the American censorship system (Blood Feast; The Night of the Living Dead; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

International horror, zombies, horror comedies, and horror in the new millennium (Matango; Suspiria; Ghostbusters)

A dissection of the critical reception of modern horror (Neon Demon; Pan’s Labyrinth; Funny Games)

Stunning movie posters and film stills, plus fan-made tributes to some of the most lauded horror franchises in the world (Aliens; The Evil Dead; The Hills Have Eyes; Scream)

A perfect reference and informational book for horror fans and those interested in its cultural influence worldwide, Horror Unmasked provides a general introduction to the genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: It is astonishing how important the horror-movie industry has grown to be. It began with a bang...pardon the wordplay...and pretty much reliably made money for the film industry for decades. Its reach into pop culture has never stopped making the puckerhole set very, very, very anxious and uncomfortable. The trends in horror-film making have huge impacts on things from politics to design aesthetics. It's all in here, though of course not in great, or academically sourced, depth. This is an exciting gift book, not a film studies text.

That is a feature, not a bug. My enjoyment of the read was thorough while we were in the past; in the modern day, I felt...impatient...this is current events! Do we really need to go into the stuff from day-before-yesterday? Yes, of course, said my old-man common sense. Not everyone sees the same information I do. Still, I'm docking a half-star for it because I'm giving *my* impression, and it might match up with your possible giftee's. Forewarned is still forearmed.

The Table of Contents, and the Introduction, are typical excitement-building spreads:


The Chapter One opening spread, and first text spread, gives us the basic format's development into the informative delivery medium for the deep-enough dive into the development and trends in horror film from the initial efforts through our present era of splatters in place of scares.

Gross oversimplification on my part, and not universally true; like all generalizations, exceptions abound. Go look into Bollywood horror...go learn about the reason we've seen such an explosion of horror franchises...find out who directed a horror film that you'd swear an oath would never have done such a thing.

Here's your chance to thrill the horror aficionado in your life with a hardcover book that will teach about the genre while pleasing the eyes and teasing the memory. Believe me, you'll never lose at trivia if you read this one.

A really great graphic representation of the interconnectedness of the global horror industry.