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Rating: 
Summary: An indispensable film resouce
Review: A survey of both American and International cinema, the text provides a thoroughly illustrated history of film ranging from the early works of the Lumiere brothers to the recent Magnolia. Authored by an English professor, the writing is organized, concise, and most importantly, interesting. Upon finishing the book, I garnered a certain respect and appreciation for film and filmmakers, something that had not occurred to me with others texts. For example, it details the struggle of the German cinema during the time of the Third Reich. The reasons such acclaimed artists such as Fritz Lang and Leni Riefenstahl were being exploited for their abilities, and conversely how other talents were being suppressed for their rebellion. As I read more, I learned how political figures and movements often parallel cinematic output, and the awesome power that the silver screen can have on influencing the masses. I highly recommend Flashback to anyone who has even the slightest interest in film. The copious amounts of photographs breaks up the text nicely, and there is certainly something for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Very well organized, well beyond your average reviewer...
Review: I just finished checking out this book. Very well layed out: breaks down the history of film in a decade-by-decade fashion, further distinguishing american films from international cinema (which I particularly found a little pointless, but...) In general, I found the author's criteria to be well in line with those of a "smart" (or critical, if you may) moviegoer. Not a table book or a bed-side book, however: it is a textbook for a college-level film class.
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