Days After I Buy This The Hugo Movie Companion Beloved
I agree enthusiastically with all the reviews here, but just want to add one thing. The book is written for the same age level as Selnick's original book. But that doesn't mean it "talks down" to adults. Quite the contrary, like the movie itself, it will appeal, educate, and entertain readers of all ages. I'm 67, a college grad, and have read many 'making of' movie books - and this is one of the best in explaining all the background and behind-the-scenes information. I especially loved the last chapter where he describes filming the final scene, and his experiences in being an extra in it.
His postscript references of books, locations, movies, and websites for further study and information on will give any reader lots more to enjoy if they want.
Anyone who owns the DVD should own this book as well!
I agree enthusiastically with all the reviews here, but just want to add one thing. The book is written for the same age level as Selnick's original book. But that doesn't mean it "talks down" to adults. Quite the contrary, like the movie itself, it will appeal, educate, and entertain readers of all ages. I'm 67, a college grad, and have read many 'making of' movie books - and this is one of the best in explaining all the background and behind-the-scenes information. I especially loved the last chapter where he describes filming the final scene, and his experiences in being an extra in it.
ReplyDeleteHis postscript references of books, locations, movies, and websites for further study and information on will give any reader lots more to enjoy if they want.
Anyone who owns the DVD should own this book as well!
As a film educator, I am a big fan of books which take the reader "behind-the-scenes" revealing the process and procedures of film-making. This book is a winner. The author is the perfect person to have written this text, since the film is based on his highly illustrated children's book. It is easy to see how the film-makers tried to stay loyal to his vision, and director Scorsese's own embracing of 3D technology, and love of early film-making, shine through here.
ReplyDeleteFor K-12 educators, I highly recommend this as an addition to your in-school library...all too often, young movie audiences don't have a clue how films are made: this book will help "pull back the curtain."
Frank W. Baker, Media Literacy Clearinghouse [...]
If you were in awe of the film like everyone else who bought and enjoyed this book, well then buy it. Really, it made the dream Scorsese showed me in Hugo continue on well after I took off my 3d glasses and walked out of the theater, with the magic of the film still tugging at my heart, moving my mind to places it had never been.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time (actually, it was 1946) David O. Selznick produced a great movie called DUEL IN THE SUN. A 5-year-old boy named Martin Scorsese saw that movie. It was his first. He grew up to become a great director and a champion of film preservation. Decades later, Brian Selznick (a distant cousin of David) wrote a heavily-illustrated novel, THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET, about a fictional boy in 1931 Paris who is fascinated by the films of the silent era and plays a part in the belated recognition of Georges Melies, a great French film pioneer. Brian Selznick put in a great deal of research to make his novel historically accurate, and the story, while aimed at kids, is a great read for adults, particularly film buffs. The ghosts of film pioneers must have been at work to bring author Selznick and filmmaker Scorsese together to make HUGO, a superb film based on the novel. And now we have another book ABOUT the making of the film. It's much better than the vast majority of "making of" books which are frequently thrown together to make a fast buck off a popular film. Indeed, this book was released before the film.
ReplyDeleteIf you love movies, love Scorsese's work, or if you just love to have a good time, buy the novel and read it (if you borrow it you'll want your own copy later,) see the movie (preferably on the big screen as the ghosts of film pioneers would wish) and buy this book. Read/watch them in any order you choose. I guaranty you'll be happy.
I have read the book and saw the trailers for the movie. However I thought I would read this book before watching the movie. Sort of like watching the DVD extras, it enhances the movie to know what they are trying to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteWell I was surprised to see that this book can hold its own. It is more than a just how-to change a book into a movie. And the added drawings and pictures are worth the purchase. I do not want to go too much into detail as that is why you want the book. However we get a mini biography of Martin Scorese, a synopsis of the story, and a lot about what 3D should and should not be.
Just a side not it feels, looks, and smells like a real book.
ReplyDeleteA true movie. It's the Wizard of Oz and more for this century. The movie was shot in 3d, however my guess is when we see it on our flat screens at home - little will be missing. The final scene is nothing short of movie magic - the audience doesn't realize what it took to shoot ( in fact watching the movie you'll be too engrossed to wonder how they did it - thus buying the book helps!) how this seemless ending is shot. If Camera operators could be given a award - this one really should be standing next to Martin on the stage in Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteThis book is the ultimate addition to any fan of Hugo's library. Not only do you get a behind the scenes look at the making of a movie, but you get an in-depth look at the people behind the movie and what it took to make the book into a movie also. The book is beautifully laid out and I loved how they incorporated images from the movie as well as production images like drawings of costumes and pictures of the actors in the actual costumes. I also enjoyed getting to know the people within the movie and what brought them to making and being a part of this film. The book was very good, so I am looking forward to actually seeing the movie itself once it is released!
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