Customer Reviews

The Big Book of Biker Flicks: 40 of the Best Motorcycle Movies of All Tiime

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Award-wining writers who ar especially known for their insightful movie commentaries, John Wooley and Michael H. Price present The Big Book Of Biker Flicks, an erudite scrutiny of 40 of the best motorcycle movies of all time. Black-and-white and a handful of color photographs illustrate the discussions of biker movies such as "Angels Die Hard!", "Werewolves on Wheels", "Rebel Rousers". The reflections not only discuss plot and themes, but also the conditions behind the movies' creation, the models of bikes portrayed, the level and useage of violence in such films, and more. A fascinating tour of how Hollywood has glamorized and demonized motorcycles and the people who ride them, The Big Book of Biker Flicks is a welcome addition to personal and academic Cinematic History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

I picked this book up at the local library and I must get my own copy. Tons of pictures and movie posters and sufficient commentary information, including background information. A lot of research was expended to obtain many interesting inside tidbits and on the film-making process. Best of all, there are many sexy pictures of the actresses of these films. In fact, I believe there are more pictures of the women than the men. That's a plus for me.

The author makes no attempt to trash any of the films. For example, for the film She-Devils on Wheels, the author writes, "among those who love low-budget and exploitation films ...". I am old enough to have seen the films of the 60's-70's-80's, low budget films that are barely made anymore. Thanks to Blockbuster (or Lackluster) that stopped stocking these films to concentrate on just the hits. And high ticket prices hurt as well. But, what you saw on the screen was more real than the special effects laden, blue screen, whimpy men & women, boring stuff we now get geared for the 13 year old. I was never a big fan of biker flicks, but now we have 40 cult films because nothing has come on line in the past 30 years to make these films obsolete. Afterall, what studio is going to put a $5 million actor on a motorcycle?

Back to the book, the 40 films are listed by release date. An alphabetical cross-reference of film titles is missing, my only nitpick.

This is a terrific table top book, that actualy provides very interesting , in-depth reviews of each biker film, providign lots of unkown triva, and numerous photos. A great purchase!

It had movie pictures and talks about movies I had forgot about. Was A nice trip back. If you ever went to drive in. Remember what that was? Lot of the movies in this book were double and triple features there. Movie poster and cuts or movie trailers pictures. Yes a lot of the bikes change for Harley to what ever before they crash in to lake or what ever. That is one of the many reasons they call it HOLLYWEIRD HOLLWEED ECT...Back them we even spotted it.
It was something glad I got. But I still have wentworth wrenches and no BSA. Ride others brands.

forgive the bad spelling

Wing nut That is what I am called --don't ask

Overall, this a pretty fine book on the subject of biker flicks, one of my favorite genres back in the 70's. You get a comprehensive list of the films, some really good stills and plot summaries, list of actors and anecdotes that are interesting to anyone interested enough to read this book.
My only beef is that it is written by a pair of movie freaks and reflects that perspective--- meaning all of the questions that another film fan would have are answered, but the questions that would interest a BIKE FREAK are not. In fact those questions are totally ignored... For instance- a lot of real club guys were used in those movies as extras and supporting characters, after all, they were the ones who built those cool choppers on which the whole movie was based! Who were those club guys? Nothing. Details on the bikes themselves? Nothing. Back of the camera beefs with the clubbers? ( There were plenty) Nothing. Answer those questions and you would have had a helluva book-- still worth it, though!