Fargo - that bloody tale of greed, kidnapping and murder set in the freezing tundra of Minnesota - was the Coen brothers' break-out film, scooping two Oscars and a towering snowdrift of critical and commercial acclaim. On the 25th anniversary of its release, former Minnesota resident Nige Tassell slips on his snowboots to revisit the film and its landscape. The result is a leisurely stomp around Fargo's intricate plot, its snappy dialogue and its unforgettable characters. Insightful, revealing, entertaining and esoteric, And It's A Beautiful Day strips back the film's multiple layers to pose intriguing questions. What has made car salesman Jerry Lundegaard such a desperate man? Does Carl Showalter deserve to be fed into a woodchipper? And just how much food can police chief Marge Gunderson put away in a single sitting? Sharp and snappy and full of quirkiness and humour, And It's A Beautiful Day is perfect companion to one of the all-time great cult movies.

Celebrate the season with this officially licensed gift set, which includes a photo scrapbook, interactive journal, Ron Weasley's wand pen, gift cards, and more. A perfect gift for fans of the Wizarding World!

Photo scrapbook: Includes album modeled after the one Hagrid gives to Harry Potter, highlighting Christmas scenes and inviting the reader to add their own photo memories; Book is 8-3/8 x 5-3/4 inches and includes 32 scrapbook-style heavy stock pages
Festive frame:2 x 3-inch ceramic picture frame
Weasley-inspired journal: Record your year-end reflections in a journal measuring 4-1/4 x 7 inches, complete with quotes, writing prompts, and full-color images throughout; inspired by the Weasley Christmas sweaters, the exterior is flocked and fuzzy; write in it with the included pen replica of Ron's wand
Gift cards: Includes a set of 5 full-color printed cards with blank interior that can be given alongside gifts or sent as thank-you notes; cards are approximately 5-3/4 x 4-1/2 inches when folded; envelopes included
Keepsake box: Items packaged in a sturdy, festively designed full-color printed box measuring 10 inches long x 9 inches wide, and 3 inches high

This one-of-a kind, ultra-deluxe, Wizarding World kit is a perfect gift or self-purchase for the Harry Potter fan or collector.

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes the New York Times bestselling account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with the cast and crew. The Princess Bride has been a family favourite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories. With a foreword by Rob Reiner and limited edition original artwork by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film.

The introduction of film study or analysis into the school curriculum, along with the presentation of courses on the art of cinema at technikons, universities and film and television schools, has led to more and more students becoming cinema literate at an early age. It is not intended as a text on film criticism, film theory or communication studies. Instead it sets out to provide practical answers to questions confronted by newcomers to courses on film analysis and appreciation. The contemporary examples, case studies and many photographs enhance the student-driven approach of this interesting publication.

For 100s of years, scientists at Weyland-Yutani Corp. have been monitoring the behaviour of an alien life-form whose potential for military application appears limitless. Though all attempts to harness its abilities have ended in bloodshed, acquisition of the Xenomorph remains a priority. As such, Weyland-Yutani has granted you access to their files on the alien in the hope that you will be able to help capture this fascinating, deadly creature.

The incredible, uncensored full story of the number one male porn star and legend, told in his own words. Here's the long and the short of it. Porn legend Ron Jeremy is known all over the world as a true icon of the porn industry, and as the most recognizable personality in the history of adult films. Ron Jeremy has been through every era of the industry's development and he has only grown in stature. And just like he does in his films, he delivers the goods in his book by dishing the dirt on over 20 years of Hollywood scandal, telling about the inner workings of the porn industry, and revealing a life filled with celebrities, gossip and international fame. Ron Jeremy is a born storyteller. In this uncensored memoir he tells the naked truth about his life, his career, and his adventures in Hollywood and around the world. He has also had a lot of success outside the XXX world, and he has stories on every major Hollywood celebrity. He does have a policy, however - "First you show me yours and then I'll show you mine. No exceptions." In addition to starring in over 1700 films, and directing 250 of them, Ron Jeremy has starred in the UK-based reality show The Farm, was on VH1 with The Surreal Life, has acted in mainstream films like Detroit Rock City, Orgazmo, Rodney Dangerfield's Meet Wally Sparks, and Rules of Attraction. He has appeared on Fox's The Family Guy, Just Shoot Me, The Weakest Link, and Nash Bridges. Ron had a hit single with DJ Polo ("Freak of the Week"), which spent 25 weeks on the Billboard charts. Pornstar, the documentary based on his life, met with huge critical acclaim.

The Dark Crystal Bestiary is the definitive in-depth exploration of the flora and fauna found in the world of Thra. Created by Jim Henson for his 1982 puppet masterpiece, Thra is a remarkable realm in which all living things are connected and the lines between animal, vegetable, and mineral are blurred-rocks can sing and trees can walk! For the first time, this deluxe volume delves into the many creatures, plants, and beings created for the Dark Crystal universe, from the original film through to the expanded universe of novels and comics, and Netflix's TV series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Filled with beautiful illustrations of the many specimens, each accompanied by in-world commentary on their unique biology, The Dark Crystal Bestiary is the ultimate guide to the world of Thra and its inhabitants.

The behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic film's original release. The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie's fiery creation have been told-sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others for irresistible insights into how the movie whose success some initially doubted roared to glory. On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy's car was found riddled with bullets, men with "connections" vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles. As Seal notes, this is the tale of "a classic movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob." Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is the lively and complete story of how a masterpiece was made, perfect for anyone who loves the movies.

Right now, you're wondering, "Gee, what kind of information is in this cute yet stylish guide?" Sure, there are a bunch of other books that will take you through the filmmaking process, and if your name is Beaver Cleaver, you might be interested in them.

But you should know that filmmaking is a war, and this book will lead you through it like no other. These pages contain information learned from years spent in the filmmaking trenches.

Anyone with a credit card can rent a camera and buy film stock -- but who can:

• Rent a camera for two weeks and pay for only two days?
• Set the exposure on the camera without a light meter?
• Feed a crew of twenty with yesterday's chicken soup?

Not many.

You want more? Then turn the book over and crack her open.

Still here?

Fine -- we'll do it the hard way: This book will tell you how to shoot a sex scene, tell you what a stinger is. And if you need help writing your script, we'll give you some scenes to copy right into your screen-play -- and yes, we even provide the characters.

In short, everything you need to know about filmmaking in the real world is in this book. Everything. We'll even help you select the proper baseball cap so you can look like a big-time director.

Now start reading. Let's make film history.

'The "Fever Pitch" of telly.' Scotland on Sunday 'Like Linus' blanket in Charlie Brown, like breast fixations among men in their fifties, television can become an embarrassing addiction.' But for most of us, sitting in our living rooms looking for an excuse not to talk to each other of a Thursday night, a million million miles away from moon landings and Cold War tension and Third World famine, it is this addiction to a queer little flickering box in the corner that has shaped our lives since the late 1950s.

Discover hundreds of stormtrooper helmet designs with a deluxe art book, and customize your own unique helmet with this collector's set! In 2014, creatives from Lucasfilm, Disney, Industrial Light & Magic, Pixar, and Marvel Studios joined forces for an incredible artistic endeavor, the Star Wars Legion project. The task was simple--decorate, adorn, or transform a blank, vinyl stormtrooper helmet--but the result was extraordinary, with artists creating more than 200 radically unique helmets that were put on display at the Robert Vargas Gallery in 2014. Now, you can experience the Star Wars Legion project through a deluxe art book showcasing incredible helmet designs, and a customizable stormtrooper helmet. - BE INSPIRED BY MORE THAN 200 HELMET DESIGNS: Includes a deluxe, hardcover photography book that showcases the hundreds of stunning helmet designs created for the Legion project. - EXERCISE YOUR CREATIVITY: This collector's kit includes a blank helmet, based on the stormtrooper design from the beloved television show Star Wars Rebels, which is ready for customization, display, or even signing at conventions. - THE PERFECT GIFT FOR STAR WARS FANS: A great value for fans of any age, this kit is the perfect way to celebrate the boundless inventiveness of the Star Wars galaxy. - COMPLETE YOUR STAR WARS COLLECTION: This kit stands alongside fan-favorite Star Wars books, including Star Wars: The Life Day Cookbook, Star Wars: The Secrets of the Sith, and Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection.

The World of The Dark Crystal invites fans to delve into the creation and lore of the Jim Henson classic through the evocative illustrations of Brian Froud, concept designer on the original film. Since its original release in 1982, Jim Henson's brilliant film The Dark Crystal has gone on to become a beloved cult classic. The World of Dark Crystal--the original companion art book to the film--was created by Henson and internationally renowned artist Brian Froud to showcase the gorgeous conceptual artwork created for the film and delve deeper into the lore that underpins Thra, the magical world at the heart of the film. Now, for the first time in over a decade, The World of Dark Crystal is back in print, featuring an abundance of striking art and all of the bonus material from the 2003 Collector's Edition. Also included in this exclusive volume is a fascinating essay by Froud on the creative process behind the making of the film and a facsimile of a booklet presented to the film's early backers--a gorgeous overview of the story so rare only a few original copies exist. Beautiful, imaginative, and powerful, The World of The Dark Crystal celebrates the landmark fantasy film that continues to win new fans more than three decades after its release.

In the mid-1970s, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Andy Kaufman, Richard Lewis, Robin Williams, Elayne Boosler, Tom Dreesen, and several hundred other shameless showoffs and incorrigible cutups from all across the country migrated en masse to Los Angeles, the new home of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." There, in a late-night world of sex, drugs, dreams and laughter, they created an artistic community unlike any before or since. It was Comedy Camelot--but it couldn't last.

William Knoedelseder, then a cub reporter covering the scene for the "Los Angeles Times," was there when the comedians--who were not paid for performing--tried to change the system and incidentally tore apart their own close-knit community. In "I'm Dying Up Here" he tells the whole story of that golden age, of the strike that ended it, and of how those days still resonate in the lives of those who were there.

Comprehensive and insightful, , is the ultimate companion to the master director's latest work. Inspired by William Lindsay Gresham's cult 1947 novel, Nightmare Alley stars Bradley Cooper as Stanton "Stan" Carlisle, a talented but troubled drifter who takes up with a travelling carnival. Ingratiating himself with its troupe of misfits, Stan swindles his way to fortune and fame, but when he meets psychiatrist Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett), his greed and duplicity will put him on the path to self-destruction. Also starring Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, and Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley is del Toro's most ambitious film to date, an engrossing yet disturbing journey into the psyche of a tragic swindler whose own nature seals his fate. This deluxe volume delves into the creation of all aspects of the film through extensive interviews with del Toro and his cast and crew, including writer Kim Morgan, with whom he collaborated closely on the script. This incisive commentary is illustrated with a broad range of striking visuals from the production-including concept art and unit photography-that illuminate the film's two distinct worlds: the ramshackle life of the travelling carnival and the sophisticated art deco trappings of 1940s Buffalo, New York.

Dancing Motherhood explores how unique factors about the dance profession impact mothers working in it. Ali Duffy introduces the book by laying a foundation of social and cultural histories and trends leading to the issues mothers in dance negotiate today. This study then reveals perspectives from mothers in dance working in areas such as performance choreography, dance education, writing, and advocacy though survey and interview data. Based on participant responses, recommendations for changes in policy, hiring, evaluation, and other work practices to better support working mothers in dance are outlined and discussed. Finally, essays from five working mothers in dance offers more intimate, personal stories and guidance geared to mothers, future mothers, and colleagues and supervisors of mothers in the dance field. By describing lived experiences and offering suggestions for improved working conditions and self-advocacy, this book initiates expanded discussion about women in dance and promotes change to positively impact dancing mothers, their employers, and the dance field.

When Jeff Buckley drowned at the age of thirty in 1997, he not only left behind a legacy of brilliant music -- he brought back haunting memories of his father, '60s troubadour Tim Buckley, a gifted musician who barely knew his son and who himself died at twenty-eight. Both father and son made transcendent music that mixed rock, jazz, and folk; both amassed a cadre of obsessive, adoring fans.

This absorbing dual biography -- based on interviews with more than one hundred friends, family members, and business associates as well as access to journals and unreleased recordings -- tells for the first time the intriguing, often heartbreaking story of these two musicians. It offers a new understanding of the Buckleys' parallel lives -- and tragedies -- while exploring the changing music business between the '60s and the '90s. Finally, it tells the story of a father and son, two complex, enigmatic men who died searching for themselves and each other.

He came to mainstream prominence as a machine more human than his creators in Blade Runner, terrified us as a hitchhiker bent on his own death and the death of anyone who got in his way in The Hitcher, and unforgettably portrayed a lonely king roaming the night as a wolf and pining for the love of a hawk during the day in Ladyhawke, Rutger Hauer has dazzled audiences for years with his creepy, inspiring, and villainous portrayals of everyone from a cold-blooded terrorist in Nighthawks to a blind martial arts master in Blind Fury, but his movie career was nothing compared to his real-life adventures of riding horses, sword fighting, and leaving home at fifteen to scrub decks on a freighter and explore the world. From poverty to working with a traveling theater troupe to his breakout European performance in Turkish Delight and working with legendary directors such as Paul Verhoeven (RoboCop and Basic Instinct) and Ridley Scott (Alien and Gladiator), Hauer has collected All Those Moments here.

Step right up for the most captivating read of the year . . . Filled with the sights and sounds of Victorian England, Circus of Wonders is the instant Sunday Times bestseller from Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory. 'Intensely satisfying' - Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars England, 1866. When Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders arrives in a coastal village, Nell soon catches the showman's eye. Shunned by her community because of the birthmarks speckling her skin, to Jasper she is a prize - she could be his very own leopard girl. But how to make her his? Soon Nell finds herself the star of Jasper's show. Suddenly she is famous. Crowds rush to watch her soar through the air. Figurines are cast in her image. Even Queen Victoria wants to see her perform. But is Nell free to live and love as she chooses? And when her fame begins to eclipse Jasper's own, could she be in danger? After all, the higher you fly, the steeper the fall . . . 'Filled with character and life' - The Times 'Utterly beguiling' - Daily Mail 'Brilliantly involving' - Daily Express 'Exhilarating' - Sunday Times, Books of the Year 'An immersive gem' - Red 'Joyous, frightening, heartbreaking' - Independent 'Deliciously vivid' - Woman & Home

No woman in the three-hundred-year history of the karyukai has ever come forward in public to tell her story -- until now.

"Many say I was the best geisha of my generation," writes Mineko Iwasaki. "And yet, it was a life that I found too constricting to continue. And one that I ultimately had to leave." Trained to become a geisha from the age of five, Iwasaki would live among the other "women of art" in Kyoto's Gion Kobu district and practice the ancient customs of Japanese entertainment. She was loved by kings, princes, military heroes, and wealthy statesmen alike. But even though she became one of the most prized geishas in Japan's history, Iwasaki wanted more: her own life. And by the time she retired at age twenty-nine, Iwasaki was finally on her way toward a new beginning.

Geisha, a Life is her story -- at times heartbreaking, always awe-inspiring, and totally true.

The ultimate lesson for the successful One Minute Manager: teaching how a healthy lifestyle is the key to success. The One Minute Manager is a book that has sold a staggering 12 million copies in 27 languages and has become the world's most popular management method. Unfortunately, it is easy for a One Minute Manager to be so successful in every way that he or she forgets one important thing: to look after number one. This book, published now for the first time outside the USA, tells the story of a One Minute Manager who is so much in demand that he eats on the run, doesn't take time to exercise, and never puts himself, his family or his well-being top of his list of priorities. He soon discovers that his life is out of balance and that success in business is endangering his health. For all those busy, achieving people with overcrowded schedules, this useful blueprint shows how to manage stress and keep healthy. By following four important strategies for balancing a complicated life, everyone can get their lives into proper perspective. For the millions of readers of Ken Blanchard's bestselling books, The One Minute Manager Balances Work and Life offers a way to achieve not only a new, healthier style of living but increased productivity as well.

'Fearsome wit' Elle 'Charming' Buzzfeed 'Ridiculously entertaining' Associated Press 'Endearingly honest' Guardian A collection of humorous autobiographical essays by the Academy Award-nominated actress and star of Pitch Perfect, Twilight, Up in the Air, Into the Woods and Trolls. Even before she made a name for herself on the silver screen, Anna Kendrick was unusually small, weird, defiant, and '10 per cent weird'. When she was thirteen, a classmate dropped by her house unexpectedly and discovered written evidence of Anna's social ineptitude. From then on she decided to 'keep the crazy inside my head where it belonged. Forever. But here's the thing about crazy: It. Wants. Out.' In Scrappy Little Nobody, she invites her readers inside her brain, sharing extraordinary and charmingly ordinary stories with candour and winningly wry observations. With her razor-sharp wit, Anna recounts the absurdities she's experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture as only she can - from her unusual path to the performing arts (her older brother's affinity for Vanilla Ice may have inadvertently launched her career) to her double life as a middle-school student who also starred on Broadway to her initial 'dating experiments' (including only liking boys who didn't like her back) to the perils of reading The Shining while filming Twilight in the isolated Canadian wilderness to reviewing a binder full of butt doubles to her struggle to live like an adult woman instead of a perpetual 'man-child'. Enter Anna's world and follow her rise from 'scrappy little nobody' to someone who dazzles on the stage, the screen, and now the page - with an electric, singular voice, at once familiar and surprising, sharp and sweet, funny and serious (well, not that serious).

Who would have thought that participating in group improv could be so enlightening and rewarding? Peter Gwinn and his colleagues at the i.O. Theatre in Chicago developed The Group Mind to create a new awareness in the mind and spirit of any group or team. The Group Mind, the Holy Grail of improvisation, is created by a synergy among improv participants. It's like ESP. It's the feeling of being part of a greater entity, a sense of excitement, belonging, importance that takes teamwork to a new level. Over forty improv games are included for developing group chemistry: creation, bonding, dynamics, energy, focus and more. Techniques are discussed for breaking the ice, agreement, listening and support, teawork, quick thinking and having fun! Sample chapters: An Introduction to Mind Reading. The Morale Majority. The Games and Their Explanations, Bonding, Focus, Awareness, Creation, Energy, Dynamics, Party Games and more.