Videohound's Independent Film Guide

by Monica Sullivan

Book Overview

Presents a guide to movies made outside of the Hollywood system, including films by the Coen brothers, John Sayles, and Krzysztof Kieslowski. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578590183
• ISBN13: 9781578590186
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press
• Length: 558 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 7.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Rich and wonderful

It is clear that Sullivan has seen everything she reviewed and for that reason it makes the book very special. Even if she dislikes a film, its worth it to me to have this reference when I see it. I certainly agreed with what she wrote about 'A Boy and a Dog. After all, Don Johnson begs for ridicule, and its funny to hear that the press attaché begged her to go back in! And that's an example of a film that people seemed to like. The same went for'Cold Feet' when the press kit included instructions on what to laugh at or not. I enjoy these insides to a reviewers life, just as all aspects of the movie business. I particularly loved Sullivan's review of 'Jackie Brown'!That was what I was thinking exactly. Pam Grier rocked in 'Coffie' but in Tarantino's film, she remains only an icon. I was also disappointed with the film 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! by Almodovar after his brilliant 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown', and the insights of the review point to some reasons why it didn't work. Check out the review on 'Good Will Hunting' and you can imagine the effects of media bombardment that tells the public to like something, through sheer advertising. How about 'The Player', which Sullivan cryptically warns us if its a case book study: 'Heaven help Hollywood in the 21st Century'. ( And we 'were' warned! I am not looking forward to the Oscars 2002!). And I want to see Altman's 'The Delinquents' now, which she suggests. I will confess to being a movie reviewer". Further, she says 'I don't want a film to reinforce an opinion I already have. I want to see and hear the world from a perspective other than my own. I love it when a filmmaker shares a world that is wildly different from the one I've experienced up till now. Indies fill that need".Monica's website 'Movie Magazine International' lives on in between reprints where I can keep up on independent film. I enjoy being a Monica Sullivan fan, she deserves her own cult and I sign up!

Rich and wonderful

I enjoy reading books by movie buffs and I think that this book reveals the spirit of a reviewer who sees a lot films and is not afraid to like or dislike what she sees. She puts it out boldly in her review on 'Valentino'. That is a film most people clearly disliked-- but she loved it. It is clear that Sullivan has seen everything she reviewed and for that reason it makes the book very special. Even if she dislikes a film, its worth it to me to have this reference when I see it. I certainly agreed with what she wrote about 'A Boy and a Dog' ( and I would say BARF, not just WOOF). After all, Don Johnson begs for ridicule, and its funny to hear that the press attaché begged her to go back in! And that's an example of a film that people seemed to like. The same went for'Cold Feet' when the press kit included instructions on what to laugh at or not. I enjoy these insides to a reviewers life, just as all aspects of the movie business. I particularly loved Sullivan's review of 'Jackie Brown'! That was what I was thinking exactly. Pam Grier rocked in 'Coffie' but in Tarantino's film, she remains only an icon. I was also disappointed with the film 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! by Almodovar after his brilliant 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown', and the insights of the review point to some reasons why it didn't work. Check out the review on 'Good Will Hunting' and you can imagine the effects of media bombardment that tells the public to like something, through sheer advertising. How about 'The Player', which Sullivan cryptically warns us if its a case book study: 'Heaven help Hollywood in the 21st Century'. ( And we 'were' warned! I am not looking forward to the Oscars 2002!). And I want to see Altman's 'The Delinquents' now, which she suggests. Sullivan demythologizes film demagogues even in the Indie scene for us. I can understand that this is controversial but I love it!. With so much information (and since this in second reprint) I'm sure that any small discrepancies can be patched in for a third book, and I'm waiting. 1000 films are reviewed, and the special inserts are colorful and interesting for example on Lawrence Tierney, Ida Lupino and Sandra Goldbacher, to name only a few. Sullivan reveals so many aspects of independent film history which are valuable such as production code indies. ( 'Who Killed Teddy Bear') and Mary Pickford's work ( 'The Sparrow'). How about an overrated enigma indie like 'Spanking the Monkey', my sentiments exactly. And plots are revealed. 'Take Clay Pigeons' and 'The Journals of Jean Seberg' for example I have to say this is an excellent and personal review book. Critics have to dare to speak their truth, and I can't imagine their lives are always fun when their work is questioned. As Monica says "under threat of social torture, I will confess to being a movie reviewer". Further, she says 'I don't want a film to reinforce an opinion I already have. I want to see and hear the world from a perspective other than my own

Exercise Your Own Judgement

There are over 355 reviews of 'American Psycho' on websites. Some people loved it, others hated it. What is interesting about this debate on 'Videohounds Independent Film Guide' is that it raises gender differences on how women and men perceive film! Because film is so much 'a male territory', I don't hesitate to give the book a read. That it is written by a knowledgeable woman alone compelled me to have a look. It seems that critical reviewers having one thing in common: resentment that their sacred territory has been encroached upon by an alternative thought system. This is an upfront and personal anthology. And I definitely recommend it!

Buy the book

I liked the book because of its personal nature. Its a good step in the right direction. I think Sullivan is funny and knows her stuff. A true film buff is rare. Its also outrageously comprehensive. What a way to spend your life--watching fabulous movies or not even so fabulous, and then writing your piece. The reviews are short--and I liked that--also, makes me want to dig deeper. A lot of worthwhile info!

This is a fabulous book!

Sometimes I think that reviewers must be from different planets. Well, they are if you go by any of the below reviews. This is a book by a film buff that knows her stuff. Her reviews make absolute sense, and I enjoyed her sense of humor. I thought out loud that her ideas agree with a lot of mine, so readers be the judge yourself. It is a plus that as a woman she sees through the crap of a lot of female roles out there, and that is only one of the fringe benefits to the collection. Sullivan puts us in touch with a lot of information that I could never fathom anyone know. And lets face it, all reviewers have a style. Looks like some leather jacketed thugs who all want to be Spielberg are having a personality clash with a woman, who knows more than them. Sullivan shoots a lot of holes in the glamour of this business. She is a powerful voice and one I hope to hear from in another book soon!