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TLA Video & DVD Guide 2004

Written by David Bleiler

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4,479 pages, about 90 hours of reading

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About this book

The TLA Film, Video and DVD Guide 2004 is the absolutely indispensable guide to worthwhile cinema. It includes over 10,000 entries on the best of film and video that a real film lover might actually want to see. Unlike some of the other mass market guides that tend to be clogged with unenlightening entries on even more unenlightening films, TLA focuses on independent, foreign as well as the best of Hollywood to bring the cineaste an opinionated guide that is both fun to read and easy to use. The guide includes: * Reviews of more than 10,000 entries * Four detailed indexes--by star, director, country of origin, and theme. * More than 300 photos throughout * A listing of all the major film awards of the past quarter century, as well as TLA Bests and recommended films *A comprehensive selection of cinema from over 50 countries. From one of the finest names in video retailing and a growing rental chain comes the latest edition of one of the most respected film, video, and DVD guides. The TLA Film, Video and DVD Guide is perfect for anyone with an eclectic taste in cinema.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in TLA Video & DVD Guide 2004, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 10 hours
  • intermediate
  • Informative
  • Comprehensive
  • Authoritative

The 'TLA Video & DVD Guide 2004' by David Bleiler is an exhaustive compendium serving as an essential resource for film enthusiasts navigating the home video landscape of the early 2000s. It meticulously catalogs thousands of films available on both VHS and DVD, offering concise synopses, cast and crew information, genre classifications, and critical assessments. More than just a list, the guide functions as a curated snapshot of cinematic offerings, reflecting the tastes and trends of its era and providing a valuable tool for discovering new and classic films across a vast spectrum of genres, including independent, foreign, and mainstream cinema.

N/A - As a reference guide, it does not contain narrative dialogue or 'quotes' in the traditional literary sense. Its 'quotes' would be the concise, evaluative descriptions of individual films, which are too numerous and specific to single out as 'key quotes' of the book itself.

Key themes

Film Curation and Criticism
This guide inherently explores the theme of film curation through its selection of films and the critical lens applied to each. It highlights the role of critics (like Bleiler) in sifting through vast cinematic output to identify, evaluate, and recommend films, thereby shaping public perception and guiding consumption. The act of compiling such a guide is itself an act of cultural curation, deciding what is worthy of inclusion and attention.
The Democratization of Cinema through Home Media
The guide serves as a testament to the era when VHS and DVD made cinema more accessible than ever before. It illustrates how home media platforms allowed audiences to explore a wider range of films beyond theatrical runs, fostering a deeper engagement with film history and international cinema. The guide itself is a tool for this democratization, providing the information needed to navigate this vast new home library.
Cultural Snapshot of Early 2000s Cinema
The 'TLA Video & DVD Guide 2004' acts as a time capsule, preserving a specific cultural moment in film. It reflects the popular tastes, emerging genres, and critical preoccupations of the early 21st century. By examining its contents, one can discern the cinematic landscape, the prominence of certain directors or actors, and the types of stories being told and consumed during that period.

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