Ty Burr

Burr, the film critic for The Boston Globe, does a great job listing movies from the golden age of cinema that kids of different ages will appreciate. He also has a good approach to introducing children to these movies. He suggests starting with comedies, and I agree with him. In fact, the day I bought the book I came home and put in Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush without telling the kids or inviting them to watch. Like a moth to flame, all four of our kids eventually drifted into the TV room to see what was on, and they all ended up watching most of it.

I like most of Burr’s film suggestions, and his comments on the films are very helpful. He gives little bits of trivia that might interest the kids (the shoe that Chaplin ate was made of licorice) and occasionally guides the reader to the best DVD version to buy.

If you like old movies and want your kids to like them, you need this book. And if you think you don’t like old movies and want to see what all the fuss is about, buy this book for yourself and pretend you’re young again. You won’t be disappointed.… (meer)

Burr's book begins as a fascinating history of the early years of film, spending a lot of time on the silents and the first big Hollywood stars. As we transition into the "talkies", the stars are emulated by adoring masses. Slowly Burr takes us through "stardom" and into contemporary "celebrity" discussing what the differences are. Although I will be shelving it with the movie books in my library, Gods Like Us is a much broader look at society and the meaning of celebrity than its title might suggest. An intriguing and thought-provoking study, well-written and very readable. Highly recommended!… (meer)