Customer Reviews

Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science

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I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but was impressed from the beginning! It is not only easy to read, but had me thinking about so many films that I had seen that are discussed in the book. I'm now interested in seeing other movies that the book analyses. There are a variety of wonderful movie photos throughout the book to enhance the text. Areas covered include nightmares, dream symbols, interpretation, and more. You can see that the author has put a lot of thought and research into this book. I highly recommend it!

DREAMS ON FILM is an effective and entertaining exploration of how dreams and art coexist. From Freud to Freddy Kreuger, Ms. Halpern examines the scientific reality of dreams while analyzing hundreds of movies from mainstream Hollywood to low-budget indie fare. The result is a unique combination of art and science that appeals to a wide demographic. Whether you are a film buff or a psychologist, this book is definitely a must read that not only gave me a better appreciation for the art of film, but also a deeper understanding about how our minds work.
This would be a great book for film studies as well as psychology classes. After reading DREAMS ON FILM, my video rental wish list expanded tremendously. If you're looking for a book that is both entertaining as well as edifying, check it out.

Anyone who wants to know anything about sleeping and dreaming in the movies MUST read this book. It is insightful and extremely well written. It was a fun read that was also educational. I can't wait to read Halpern's other book "Reel Romance."

Leslie Halpern's "Dreams on Film" is a masterful and provokative book that explores the dreamlike quality of movies. Drawing upon her expertise in both psychology and film studies, Halpern creates a spellbinding analysis of what makes films function the way they do, and she answers many of the questions that we have upon leaving a darkened theater: Why do certain movies literally cast a spell over us? In what ways are dreams and movies a fundamentally similar experience? How successful are certain films in depicting the dream state? This book will be an important addition to any movielover's library. I highly and passionately recommend it.

After reading this book you will feel a new enlightenment about your own dreaming and relate better to how you see it portrayed in movies. The details from the research show thousands of hours of study. As you turn each page there is a new movie scene to talk about with friends. I really liked sharing the director's views and relating to the 'How best to entertain the audience' challenges. I learned about interesting physiology of dreaming and why I need sleep. Complete your 'Wish Fulfillment!' Pick this book up and read it NOW!

My son is a Film School graduate and I picked up this book with him in mind. I'm a mental health/philosophy nerd and was pleasantly surprised to find much of interest for myself. Dream Theory and film representation is explicated and we get to talk about Freud, Jung and the Bible. I now have an expanded DVD rental list and I'm sending a copy of this book to my son. There's a college course here but don't let that spoil your fun.

As someone interested in filmmaking I started reading Dreams on Film to learn how dreams are used as a technique in movies. But the book's payoff surprised me. I got an easy to understand overview of how science views the psychology of dreams, from Freud and Jung to modern researchers. Really fascinating. The more I read the more I began to understand my own dream life (sleeping I mean). If you are intrigued by the mystery of dreams don't waste your time on scientific publications, this book lays it all out and entertains along the way. It'll open your mind to your own dreams and illuminate the dream scenes in some of your favorite films. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in what it means to dream.
Gary Broughman, author of the novel Which One of You?Which One of You?

What I found in reading this book is that I learned as much about how and why we dream as I did about the use of dreams in films. The detail and information it contains suggests a tremendous amount of research and care in its production. I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it for anyone interested in dreams and/or movies.