2024 the best film noir movies review
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An Esquire Best Book About Hollywood
A USA TODAY Best Book of 2021
“A lovely and loving book.”—Will Schwalbe, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Your Life Book Club
"I'm not sure I have ever read a book about movies that is as tender and open-hearted as Films of Endearment."—Mark Harris, New York Times bestselling author of Mike Nichols: A Life
A poignant memoir of family, grief and resilience about a young man, his dynamic mother and the '80s movies they shared together
Michael Koresky's most formative memories were simple ones. A movie rental. A mug of tea. And a few shared hours with his mother. Years later and now a successful film critic, Koresky set out on a journey with his mother to discover more about their shared cinematic past. They rewatched ten films that she first introduced to him as a child, one from every year of the '80s, each featuring women leads.
Together, films as divergent as 9 to 5, Terms of Endearment, The Color Purple and Aliens form the story of an era that Koresky argues should rightly be called "The Decade of the Actress."
Films of Endearment is a reappraisal of the most important and popular female-driven films of that time, a profound meditation on loss and resilience, and a celebration of the special bond between mothers and their sons.
Publisher : Hanover Square Press; Original edition (May 4, 2021)
Language : English
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 1335773797
ISBN-13 : 978-1335773791
Item Weight : 14.4 ounces
Dimensions : 6.4 x 0.93 x 9.2 inches
Reviewer: Dale
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Touching and well- written!
Review: Had been highly recommended to me- not disappointed! Interesting idea of how movies form our opinions!
Reviewer: Pageturner in NYC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Empowering & Moving Memoir & Tribute to Strong Women in Films
Review: In this charming and moving mix of memoir and movie appreciation, film critic Michael Koresky (Terence Davies) and his mother, Leslie, decide to meet monthly to rewatch and discuss films from the 1980s with strong women in leading roles. Ten films: one for each year of the decade. Each film brings up memories from their lives."Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" reminds Koresky of coming out and how the lack of gay characters in films from his youth made him feel invisible. "For me, movies were an escape, not a mirror," he writes. Both watch "Mommie Dearest" as if it were a comedy, but their conversation turns more serious when they discuss how the film hobbled Faye Dunaway's career (and how female stars are often counted out after one flop while male stars are not). And Leslie remembers childhood abuse from her mother. "Terms of Endearment" brings back memories of Koresky's father's early onset dementia and how the family dealt with their grief over his early death.Not all the movies bring up traumatic memories. The Jane Fonda-produced comedy "9 to 5" brings back anecdotes of Leslie rejoining the workforce. It's also fascinating to discover that despite the film's feminist leanings, screenwriter Patricia Resnick was all but pushed out of the production process once the film's male director was hired. Other films include "The Color Purple", "Aliens", "Baby Boom", "Country", "Crossing Delancey" and "The Fabulous Baker Boys."FILMS OF ENDEARMENT is an empowering, surprising and unforgettable tribute to strong women in films--and in the audience. Memoir and movie appreciation merge in this unforgettable and moving tale of a mother and son reliving their past by rewatching favorite films from the 1980s.
Reviewer: Asha Phelps
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A compelling memoir that will resonate with everyone!
Review: Michael Koresky has woven the threads of family history, the themes and narratives of ten important films and the poetic nostalgia for both into such a beautiful tapestry that is Films of Endearment. If you are interested in a smart, moving memoir, this is the book for you.(Note - if you are merely interested in skimming a book for movie trivia, consider approaching this book instead as an opportunity to expand your understanding of the shape and style of a memoir and how movies influence, inform and provide a portal through which to explore emotions, sense of history, and our relationships to each other. This is a book meant to be read, pondered and enjoyed.)I'd love to see lots of people - not just mothers and children, but groups of all types - inspired to try out a similar film "experiment." In a time when the need and yearning for connection is so strong, sharing experience and sharing that experience with others is a gift. I want to thank the author and his mother for sharing this gift with us.
Reviewer: Jeff Reichert
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Totally slays.
Review: yes.
Reviewer: JNMEgan
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Heartfelt and Informative
Review: Michael Koresky provides the dual perspective of a professional movie critic and a loving son in his warm-hearted memoir Films of Endearment: A Mother, A Son and the 80âs Films that Defined Us. As Koresky delves into his upbringing and major life events, he uses the films he and his mother share together to contemplate their relationship and shared experience. He draws on the personal to illuminate the cultural significance of his favorite movies and uses family history to provide context for his selections. The author candidly reveals his early-on sexual identity bewilderment, his wavering ties with Judaism, and his experiences of grief. He uses these anecdotes to initiate a discussion about representation and identity issues as reflected in films of that decade. At its core, this book is first and foremost an homage to his mother. Films of Endearment veers often into oversentimentality, but Koreskyâs expertise as a film critic with a sharp sense of humor saves it from becoming too saccharine. With this book, the author is talking to a niche audienceâthose of his own generation that share his passion for movies. The included reviews raise (and answer) questions about Koreskyâs own development and expose his deep fondness for reminiscence and insight. Warning: Films of Endearment may encourage readers to explore their own beloved films in a search for a similar self-understanding.
Reviewer: R. Meckley
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful mother-son bond
Review: As a movie lover, I should love a nonfiction book about movies from the 1980s and, although I didn't "love" this book, I did enjoy it, with reservations. The 40-something NYC film critic/gay man/author joins his 70-something Jewish mother from outside Boston as they re-watch films from the 1980s that they originally watched when the author was a child. Each chapter covers a single film from each year in the decade. I think I was hoping for more information about the movies and less about their lives together, but the subtitle of "A Mother, a Son and the 80s Films that Defined Us" does give a hint of what is to come. The author's personal struggles with faith and sexual identity absorb much of each chapter, but there are also fascinating looks at movie backgrounds and actors that I really enjoyed and yearned for more. The beautiful mother/son bond that is portrayed is one to be envied and replicated whenever possible. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Hanover Square Press for providing an ARC.
Reviewer: susie stangland
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Inspires you to do the same
Review: I gifted this book as well. Loved it!! I chose it not only for the movie selections mentioned in the description but my sons and I also love our time watching movies together. Also reminds us how fast life goes. If you love the movies and have someone special you enjoy them with, this book is for you!!