The Rough Guide To American Independent Film

This guide gives the lowdown on maverick filmmaking, from sleazy exploitation flicks and satirical documentaries to chilling horror movies and quirky suburban dramas.

Edited and written by leading authors in the field, this book offers an examination of American independent cinema through four sections that range in focus from broad definitions to close focus on particular manifestations of independence.

The perfect companion to cinema's most spectacular genre, The Rough Guide to Film Musicals reveals how an escapist entertainment became Hollywood's most ingenious art form. From such enduring classics as Singin' In The Rain and West Side Story to recent successes like Evita and Chicago, this book reviews 50 essential musicals, including several forgotten gems. There are profiles of musical icons such as Fred Astaire, Judy Garland and George Gershwin and details of musicals from around the world. Complete with a list of the best soundtracks, websites and books for further reading, this Rough Guide takes a behind the scenes look at this magical movie genre.

This revised and updated new edition provides a guide to 100 of the most interesting and influential American independent films, from Bonnie and Clyde to Junebug by way of Reservoir Dogs and The Blair With Project with an introduction to the genre and a rich selection of images from the films discussed, plus key credits.

With high-profile Academy Award nominations and an increasing number of big-name actors eager to sign on to promising projects, independent films have been at the forefront in recent years like never before. But the roots of such critical and commercial successes as The Hurt Locker and Precious can be traced to the first boom of independent cinema in the 1960s, when a raft of talented filmmakers emergedto capture the attention of a rapidly growing audience of young viewers. A thorough overview of a thriving area of cultural life, Directory of World Cinema: American Independent chronicles the rise of the independent sector as an outlet for directors who challenge the status quo, yet still produce accessible feature films that not only find wide audiences but enjoy considerable box office appeal—without sacrificing critical legitimacy. Key directors are interviewed and profiled, and a sizeable selection of films are referenced and reviewed. More than a dozen sub-genres—including African American cinema, queer cinema, documentary, familial dysfunction, and exploitation—are individually considered, with an emphasis on their ability to engage with tensions inherent in American society. Copious illustrations and a range of research resources round out the volume, making this a truly comprehensive guide. At a time when independent films are enjoying considerable cultural cachet, this easy-to-use yet authoritative guide will find an eager audience in media historians, film studies scholars, and movie buffs alike.

Get the lowdown on the best fiction ever written. Over 230 of the world’s greatest novels are covered, from Quixote (1614) to Orhan Pamuk’s Snow (2002), with fascinating information about their plots and their authors – and suggestions for what to read next. The guide comes complete with recommendations of the best editions and translations for every genre from the most enticing crime and punishment to love, sex, heroes and anti-heroes, not to mention all the classics of comedy and satire, horror and mystery and many other literary genres. With feature boxes on experimental novels, female novelists, short reviews of interesting film and TV adaptations, and information on how the novel began, this guide will point you to all the classic literature you’ll ever need.

Rock legends Led Zeppelin remain a colossal music force with songs at once mystical, heavy, traditional and highly original. The Rough Guide to Led Zeppelin tells the story of the life and afterlife of this most extraordinary supergroup. Features include: The Story: from the first meeting of Plant and Page to the untimely death of John Bonham, detailing the magic, mayhem and excesses of the era. The Music: the band’s fifty best songs unpicked, plus coverage of blues influences, bootlegs, solo careers, and the best Jimmy Page guitar solos and most outstanding Robert Plant vocals. The Passengers: profiles of collaborators and colleagues including Roy Harper and Mickie Most. The Cargo: Zeppelin films, places, myths and memorabilia, books, websites and the afterlife of “Stairway to Heaven.”

Discover the city that never sleeps with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook onthe market. Whether you planto climb the Statue of Liberty, walk the High Line or visit a jazz club in Harlem, The Rough Guide to New York City will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drinkand shop along the way. Inside The Rough Guide to New York City - Independent, trusted reviews written in Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help youget the most out of your visit. - Full-colour maps throughout and ahandy city plan - navigate the backstreets of the MeatpackingDistrict or Brooklyn's artsy Williamsburg without needing to get online. - Stunning, inspirational images - Things not tomiss - Rough Guides' rundown of New York's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully plannedroutes to help you organise your trip. - Detailed city coverage - whethervisiting the big sights orventuring off the tourist trail, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include:the Harbor Islands; the Financial District; Tribeca; Soho;Chinatown; Little Italy; Nolita; Lower East Side; the East Village;the West Village; Chelsea; the Meatpacking District; Union Square;Gramercy Park; the Flatiron District; Midtown East; Midtown West;Central Park; the Upper East Side; the Upper West Side; Morning sideHeights; Harlem; north Manhattan; Brooklyn; Queens; the Bronx; Staten Island.Attractions include: theMetropolitan Museum of Modern Art; the Statute of Liberty; theEmpire State Building; 9/11 Museum; Grand Central; Museum of Modern Art; the High Line; the Whitney Museum of American Art. - Listings - honest and insightful reviews of all the best places to stay, eat, drink and shop,with options to suit every budget, along withthe latest on New York's clubs, live-music venues, theatres, galleriesand LGBT scene, plus in-depth sections on the city's sports andoutdoor activities, festivals and events, and children's attractions. - Basics - essential pre-departurepractical information includinggetting there, local transport, the media; tourist information; entryrequirements and more - Background information - aContexts chapter devoted to history, books and film.