Talking pictures : how to watch movies
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Whether we are trying to impress a date after an art-house film screening or discussing Oscar nominations with friends, we all need ways to watch and talk about movies. But given the vast differences between an Alfred Hitchcock thriller and a Nora Ephron romantic comedy, how can any of us decide for ourselves what makes a good movie? In Talking Pictures, veteran film critic Ann Hornaday guides us through the aesthetic and technical elements that comprise a typical movie--from writing the script and casting to the final sound edit--and explains how to evaluate them as pieces of a larger whole. How do we know if a film is well-written, above and beyond snappy dialogue? What constitutes a great screen performance? What goes into praiseworthy cinematography, editing, and sound design? And what does a director really do? Full of engaging anecdotes and interviews with actors and filmmakers, Talking Pictures will help us see movies in a whole new light-not just as fans, but as film critics in our own right.--,excerpted from summary on dust jacket.