Girls on Film [Paperback]

Lise Carrigg (Author), Andrea Pyros (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1999

This is not your father's film guide! And you won't find any of this on the Web site!

The creators of the Web site Girls on Film bring you the ultimate video guide, featuring:

More than 360 recommendations and reviews from every film genre for every movie-watching mood

Personal stories from the Girls

Intelligent and fun film chat

Side-splitting sidebars

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Who hasn't found themselves staring dully at the shelves of a local video outlet without a clue as to what to rent? Never again! Girls on Film is packed with thoughtful yet lighthearted advice on movies from blockbusters to indies, from tearjerkers to horror flicks. The girls of Girls on Film are four friends who shared cinematic aspirations in college, and who since then have decided to "stick to something we're good at: watching movies and talking about them endlessly." The quartet--Clare Bundy, Lise Carrigg, Sibyl Goldman, and Andrea Pyros--first created their own Web site offering movie advice (www.girlson.com), and have now collected their funny, frank suggestions in this delightful guide. You won't find any snobby mandates insisting on letterboxed surrealist films from Holland. Rather, the girls sound like your friends--offering opinions as diverse as you'd hear in the real world.

These film femmes don't pull any punches in their book, subtitled The Highly Opinionated, Completely Subjective Guide to the Movies. For example, regarding Baraka: "If you can't find something to love in this gorgeously shot 70mm film with no dialogue, then you should get your head checked." In addition to listing countless movie suggestions by genre, the girls share their philosophy and humor on everything from cheesy guilty pleasures to foreign films for discussion at your next cocktail party. If you still aren't convinced that this book is a must-have for movie buffs and novices alike, you need only read this wise and accurate appraisal of Christopher Walken's hair in The Prophecy: "Beyond distracting. It was... disturbing. It looked like a wig made out of Michael Jackson's hair. Michael Jackson's ironed hair." 'Nuff said. --Brangien Davis

From Library Journal

A harbinger of things to come, this book has its genesis in the popular web site "Girls on Film." The brainchild of four Vassar College alumnae, the site originally featured corrosive movie reviews and breezy discussions. Currently, the "Girls On" network (www.girlson.com) also covers television and books. In a way, this print condensation resembles a web site in layout, content, and attitude. The layout features transparent background graphics, sans serif fonts, thumbnail portraits, and lists of recommended movies grouped by topic. The short chapters are arranged by themes like "Horror Films: Eek! Sleeping with the Lights On," "Coming of Age Movies: Braces and Beyond," and "Tearjerkers: Truly Moving Moving Pictures." The commentary is spirited, by turns insightful and inane, and seemingly geared toward short attention spans. Inasmuch as the book format really adds nothing to the "Girls On" content, libraries are advised to direct their patrons to the free web site.ANeal Baker, Earlham Coll., Richmond, IN
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1st edition (May 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060953101
• ISBN-13: 978-0060953102
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,773,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect guide for any movie buff!, June 21, 2000

By 

Sara (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girls on Film (Paperback)

At first glance, this is a book you think you might want to pass up, but it's the perfect guide! These four girls have very different tastes, but each of them have a lot to offer. With little side-bars, and essays, this book is as fun as they come! They have made some very good recommendations for me. If it weren't for these four, I wouldn't be able to expand my horizons. But they're the type who make you open your mind. I mean, I hadn't even heard of 'Gas, Food, Lodging' before this book and let me tell you, it's a good movie! So get this book and see what these girls have to say. You might find a gem of a movie that you enjoy just as much as they say you will.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As entertaining as the films..., January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Girls on Film (Paperback)

This can be read as a reference guide OR for just plain pure pleasure--for me the latter...these woman have a great, unigue voice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Witty, Informative, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Girls on Film (Paperback)

I first became familiar with the Girls on Film through their Website. Amazingly, I almost always agree with their movie critiques. That's why I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with this guide. It's more of the same conversational tone and is filled with a lot of movies I know, but also a fair ammount I haven't seen (yet). I'm looking forward to making my way to the video store. The Girls are friends who make you feel welcome- a great movie guide with multiple gen-x style blurbs which are very amusing!