The Color of Our Future
by Perennial
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 February, 2000)
list price: $12.00 -- our price: $9.00
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Editorial Review

In her penetrating cross-country tour of the United States, gifted media star-on-the-rise and cultural critic Farai Chideya reveals how America's young people are deconstructing the white/black definition of race and constructing a new pluralistic paradigm that encompasses the country's white, black, Hispanic, Asian, and native peoples. Chideya shows us the trials and triumphs of several young adults who dare to brave the new multicultural world, including Earl, a New York City-born, Spanish-speaking, Chinese/Panamanian/African American college sophomore; Nicole, a biracial 15-year-old Californian; Jaime and Bubba, a persecuted interracial couple in the Deep South whose dead daughter was disinterred from an all-white cemetery because of her bloodlines; Beth, a Washington State blueblood and member of a skinhead organization; and B.J., a high school "wigger"--a white person who adopts black hip-hop culture (hence the derivation from the hated N word). Chideya also scrutinizes affirmative action, mixed-race census categories, and bilingual education with wisdom and accuracy beyond her years. "We do not obey the laws of race. We make them," she writes. "Now is the time for us to chose wisely what we will preserve about our racial and cultural history, and what destructive divisions we need to leave behind." --Eugene Holley Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

I wanted to like this book
I really wanted to like this book.Ms. Chideya is very likable and connects to many of the kids in her book. The problem is she dismisses people who don't share her view points out of hand.My biggest problem with her book is that she is adamant that Affirmative Action is the only possible solution to racism, but she fails to provide any proof and dismisses those who think otherwise as racist.With one notes exception she failed to discuss schools in which white students were the minority.(She did discuss the singular white student in an Oakland school, but thats not really multi-racial because one is not a group).

If i could speak with Ms. Chideya, I would suggest that for her next book she studies the relative successes and failures of her multi-ethnic gradutating class and study the benefits of affirmative action on that group.I think that she, and most affirmative action pundits, would be suprised to find out how much more class effects sucess than any factor.I suspect that there will be more commonalities in the demographics of her high-school class than differences because white, black or asian they all come from the same lower-middle class background.

Keep'n it Real
Farai Chideya has written a very honest account of what she feels the future holds for this country and race.She travelled America and met with a diversre spectrum of young people and allowed their voices to be heard via this book.In many ways this text reads like an on going report or newspaper article and I feel that this format serves Ms. Chideya well.

Here in Atlanta the signs of a multicultural America are abundant.Afro-Americans, Whites, Southerns, Asian, Caribbeans, Jews and a host of other people now populate this once southern strong.This diversity has made all of our live richer and better.Ms. Chideya's book is reflection of this reality.The Color of our Future is Now.

Boring
I saw the author during a book signing on television.I saw a young, intelligent, articulate lady who had some very interesting ideas about American culture.I picked up the book to learn more about her and her ideas.Unfortunately, though there is a lot of meat in this book, simply put, I was bored...bored...bored.This is not a subject I take lightly and believe me, I wanted to like this book because I like the author.I have to agree with a lot of the reviewers here.There is a lot of data and no real point.A lousy effort and there are few people more disappointed than me. ... Read more

Isbn: 0688175805
Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Discrimination & Racism    3. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    4. General    5. Minority Studies - Race Relations    6. Social Science    7. Sociology   

Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women
by Warner Books
Average Customer Review:
Mass Market Paperback (01 May, 1996)
list price: $7.50 -- our price: $7.50
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Editorial Review

Michael Gross exposes the day-to-day business of beautiful young women, sex and drugs. Through hundreds of in-depth interviews with models, photographers and agents, he develops a flowing narrative history of the modeling industry from its birth to the present day supermodel craze. It's a story of serendipitous careers like that of industry creator Richard Powers, an out-of-work actor who created a niche for himself by providing beautiful people for the newly-developed fields of photography and advertising. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent book for anybody interested in the subject
Heard and enjoyed the taped version of MODEL by Michael
Gross . . . its subtitle says it all: The ugly business of beautiful
women . . . methinks that this is an excellent book for anybody
thinking of entering the profession--or if you know somebody who
is . . . although the field may seem glamorous, in reality, it is
anything but that.

Though the book was non-fiction, it sounded like I was listening
to a novel . . . also, I liked hearing about the backgrounds of such
famous models as Twiggy and Cindy Crawford.

The edition I heard was from the mid-1990s . . . I understand
that a paperback edition in 2002 has since updated MODEL
and might be worth getting if you find the subject of interest.

Informative historic review of modeling
The strong points of this book become easily evident if even one only looks at the several-page-long bibliography. Mr. Gross has done a commendable job of research and has presented a voluminous material, including multiple interviews, pictures, etc. From a historical standpoint, there is probably no better book written on the modeling business (particularly in the US).( There is actually and afterward to the paperback edition, which brins some current news as of 2002.)

The weak points of the book are rooted in its failure to discuss what its title promises -- "business". Yes, there are salary numbers, but that is about where Mr. Gross stops. In describing the business he talks at length about modelling agencies, magazines and the like, only it happens in a somewhat gossipy style (describing personalities, political battles, etc.), while failing to provide any financial (or any other business) information so as to give the reader an idea of, for example, of how big this business is. As a result, after reading the book, one is short of truly understanding how the business really works, including the interaction of its multiple participants, such as publihhers, designers, etc.

Interesting read
This book does exactly what the title says, it reveals the ugly side of the modeling business.However, it is an older book so you won't hear any recent names.There is another book out there, "Shut up and Smile" that covers more recent models.But the writing from that book is no comparison to this one.This book is by someone that knows how to write and the stories are very in-depth which can only make the book better.The pictures are also better in this book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0446603465
Subjects:  1. Advertising & Promotion    2. Business/Economics    3. Careers - General    4. Careers / Job Opportunities    5. General    6. Modeling agencies    7. Models (Persons)   

Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk
by Penguin Books
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 September, 1997)
list price: $16.00 -- our price: $10.88
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Editorial Review

Though Britain's notorious Sex Pistols shoved punk rock into the face of mainstream America, the movement was already brewing in the U.S. in the 1960s with bands like the Velvet Underground and Iggy and the Stooges. Through hundreds of interviews with forgotten bands as well as the ones that made names for themselves--including Blondie and the Ramones--Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain chronicle punk rock history through the people who really lived it. Please Kill Me is a thrash down memory lane for those hip to punk's early years and an enlightening history lesson for youngsters interested in the origins of modern "alternative" music. ... Read more

Reviews (93)

Count to four . . .
This book should be required reading for anyone who thinks Blink 182 is a punk band (don't let their appearance fool you). It is an obsolutely awesome book. It tells it how it was and gives the reader a good understand of where punk music came from and what bands truly define this genre.

I'm not a big believer in categorizing bands (rock, pop, heavy metal, etc.) b/c it can insult a group's uniqueness (for example, what type of band is Jane's Addiction?); however, I think punk is a little different b/c it not only decribes the music, but a lifestyle as well. And no, you don't have to have a purple mohawk and a crappy attitude to be punk. It is really more about individuality and raw (often misguided) brilliance. Look at the pioneers of punk (Ramones, Velvet Underground, the Stooges, Patti Smith, etc.) they were all very different from one another and none of them fit the sterotype of what a "punk" should look like -- and yet they had so much in common through this passionate, yet flawed music. It is just like the back of the book states . . . "America's most misunderstood pop movement."

I definitely recommend this book if you even have a slight curiousity about punk music. One warning . . . if you are even a little uptight about sex and drugs -- don't touch this book. Like I said, it tells it like it was -- and the stories get both graphic and intense.

Before I conclude this reveiw I want to leave you with two quotes by one of the authors, Legs McNeil, that are brilliant and truly capture the fundamental difference between punk music and all of the corporate, MTV crap that is out today. They're about Dee Dee Ramone.

Enjoy. And remember to Count to Four . . .

"In a time when rock stars have become neatly packaged products trading on twenty-five-year old ideas and music they neither originated nor improved on, Dee Dee stands as a reminder as to why rock & roll stars used to be so compelling . . ."

"In a time when the only voice around originates from the corporate instead of the heart, and kids are lining-up to conform to the mediocrity, then wake-up in the sludge of the brutal sameness . . . Dee Dee's life and work seems more valid than ever."

Excellent
This is one of the best books I've ever read about music (and punk rock. A must.

Brillant!
This book is wonderful and brillant! It wasn't what I expected. While reading it it seems like you are witnessing the history being revealed before you, right then in there.Its fast and crazy, and you can hear the music in your head while your reading.I could not let this book go!Please kill me and kill me again!!! ... Read more

Isbn: 0140266909
Subjects:  1. Genres & Styles - Punk    2. Genres & Styles - Rock    3. History & Criticism - General    4. History and criticism    5. Interviews    6. Music    7. Punk culture    8. Punk rock music    9. Punk rock musicians   

Rounders
by Miramax Home Entertainment
Average Customer Review:
DVD (02 April, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $17.99
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Editorial Review

A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development, relationships, that sort of thing. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can't put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)--and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process--Damon's character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it. Norton appears to be living out every young actor's fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro's prototypical head case in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon's charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they're still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (133)

Under rated
What can I say about this movie?It is one of the more under appreciated movies of the past 20 years in this guy's opinion.This movie can arguably be held responsible for starting the recent Texas Hold em' craze that's sweeping the world at the moment.I know it got me into Poker, when before I was just your regular house player.
As for this particular DVD, it's not too much of an improvement on the original DVD.It has a few goodies added on there like the audio commentaries.One commentary has a few pros doing the talking, and while this is interesting, you can't help but get a little annoyed with some of Phil Hellmuth's comments.
The added in Texas Hold em' game too is also a joke.I beat the computer on the 2nd try.Not very challanging.
All in all though, this movie is always going to be a 5 star in my book, and while they could have done more in my opinion for a SE, anyone that doesn't already own it should buy it.Ed Norton and Matt Damon at there best.John Tutturo is also pretty darn good, as is John Malkovich as Teddy KGB.

Ok film...but not all that great
This film has several great things about it: First, the acting is excellent, the direction is also commendable with some unique shots of allies and early morning New York, and it has a decent storyline with some exceptions.

Unfortunately, there are some things that I noticed which prevented me from loving the film, and making it an even bigger success critically as well as in sales.

There is a pivotal scene in the movie where Matt Damon's character is commended by some of his professors for his remarkable capability of reading poker players. Although he is a keen observer, any armature or pro player will tell you that there is no way that one can infallibly predict the cards of five players at a poker table, just impossible. I get it he has a talent for recognizing what's going on, but they made it too far-fetched.

Another hole in the storyline was how he went broke in the beginning of the film when he made a "run at it," put a lot of his money on the line to win much more. In the beginning of the film he has over 30,000 dollars, and his goal is to play in the World Poker Championships, which only costs, 10 thousand and the payoff is over a million (it's more now, but when the movie takes place it's accurate).

Granted some of these loopholes, which will bug you a bit in the movie, you can except to like the film because it's entreating with some very good performances. And most importantly of all, it is not an esoteric film for poker buffs only, anyone can watch it and be entertained.

It's not worth owning...eh... maybe rent it first and see if you like it. But hey, I'm pretty critical of my movies so...

In My Humble Opinion

You'll Flop a Set.
But it's no Full House or Flush.I loved the poker action in this movie and that is what made it worthwhile.It has an authentic feel with its snapshots of "Super System" and "Poker Tells" and its cameo with Johnnie Chan. Norton plays a great character but most of Damon's real life activities are cliched and boring.He's an old ace trying to go straight and a blue collar working man among lawschool types...yawn.That's been done a million times.The stuff with his professors and girlfriend were rather contrived. The actual poker battles are why its worth seeing.Malkovitch is great as KGB and even seeing them in the Taj Mahal was enjoyable. Oh well, see it for the poker. ... Read more

Asin: 6305268789
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama