There are two ages in the history of television: before HBO and after HBO. Before the launch of Home Box Office in 1972, the industry had changed little since the birth of broadcast network television in the late 1940s. The arrival of the premium cable channel began a revolution in the business and programming of TV. For the generation that has grown up with the vast array of viewing choices available today, it is almost inconceivable that our ever-expanding media universe began with a few hours of unimpressive programming on a single cable channel. This is the story of HBO's reconfiguration of television and the company's continual reinvention of itself in a competitive and dynamic industry.

An industry professional's insider's look at the craft, practice, and business of screenwriting, exploding some of the most popular myths about writing for the movies by showing how little relevance they have to actual working conditions. Analytical essays stand side by side with not only the author's own in-the-field experiences, but commentary offered by veteran industry pros including Josh Sapan, CEO of AMC Networks; bestselling author and writer/director Adriana Trigiani; and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicholas (Goodfellas) Pileggi.

One of the most controversial films of its time, The Wild Bunch is the epitome of the no-holds-barred filmmaking of the 1960s and 1970s. Since its 1969 release, it has come to be recognized not only as an iconic Western, but as one of the most important films in the American cinematic canon. Over the years a parade of filmmakers have tried to imitate its gut-punch effects but none have equaled it. The Wild Bunch revived the floundering career of volatile, self-destructive director Sam Peckinpah-it also hung on him the label him "Bloody Sam." This book tells the complete story of the film's production, reception and legacy.

There is cinema . . . and there are the movies. This is a book for movie junkies: salutes to the once great but now forgotten stars, to the acknowledged behind-the-scenes movers and shakers, and to the movies themselves-the classics major and minor, the overlooked gems, the guiltiest of guilty pleasures. If you're old enough to remember Saturday matinees or late night fright flicks on your local TV channels-or just wish you were-grab a bag of popcorn, a soft seat, and enjoy the show. This book synopsizes dozens of films, and includes a variety of personal and critical essays written by Bill Mesce, Jr.