Publisher: Tales of Terror
Horror critic Steve Hutchison analyzes 34 Dracula movies. How many have you seen? Each article includes a synopsis, five different ratings, and a review.
The Tokugawa Shogunate, which had ruled Japan for over two centuries, faced a gradual but inevitable decline in the mid-19th century. Although the regime had maintained stability and peace through strict social hierarchy and isolationist policies, internal weaknesses and external pressures ultimately led to its downfall. The combination of economic struggles, social unrest, and increasing foreign intervention exposed the shogunate’s vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a dramatic political transformation. One of the major factors behind the decline was Japan’s rigid economic system. The Tokugawa rulers relied heavily on a feudal structure in which the daimyo, or regional lords, maintained their own domains under the authority of the shogun. However, the economy began to shift from an agrarian-based system to one influenced by commerce and trade. The samurai class, who traditionally depended on fixed stipends from their lords, found themselves in financial hardship as inflation and economic instability grew. Meanwhile, wealthy merchants gained power, disrupting the established social order and creating tensions between classes. In addition to economic issues, political dissatisfaction increased within Japan. Many daimyo and samurai resented the centralized control of the shogunate, believing it had become ineffective in governing the country. Corruption and inefficiency within the government further weakened public trust. While some reform-minded leaders proposed changes, the rigid nature of the Tokugawa system made meaningful reform difficult to achieve. This frustration contributed to the rise of movements advocating for a return to imperial rule under Emperor Meiji.Show book
Soulful romance/ erotica: Elle fed my spirit. She was smart, funny & compassionate, but also insanely desirable. Our chemistry was undeniable and when she opened up, I struck something deep inside of her too.Show book
A look at the many Black and Queer contributions to Design and Art Growing up in Seale, Alabama as a Black Queer kid, then attending the Rhode Island School of Design as an undergraduate, Jon Key hungered to see himself in the fields of Art and Design. But in lectures, critiques, and in the books he read, he struggled to see and learn about people who intersected with his identity or who GOT him. So he started asking himself questions: What did it mean to be a graphic designer with his point of view? What did it mean to be a Black graphic designer? A Queer graphic designer? Someone from the South? Could his identity be communicated through a poster or a book? How could identity be archived in a design canon that has consistently erased contributions by designers who were not white, straight, and male? In Black, Queer & Untold, acclaimed designer and artist Jon Key answers these questions and manifests the book he and so many others wish they had when they were coming up. He pays tribute to the incredible designers, artists, and people who came before and provides them an enduring, reverential stage—and in so doing, gifts us a book that takes its place among the creative arts canon.Show book
The Zen of Art starts with the premise that making art is akin to what happens when wind engages with a set of chimes. The chance encounter of source and instrument generates a song that enriches and elevates the moment. Author and artist Carolyn Schlam draws a parallel with what she calls the "Zen of Art"-the process of allowing creative expression to manifest in a natural and unencumbered fashion. Schlam tells her personal story of making art while applying the knowledge she has gained to live an "artful life" in chapters on courage, joy, beauty, love, and more. Whether practicing artists or not, readers will be encouraged to examine their own lives in the context of her insights. There is much to ponder and savor in this beautifully written, wise, and warm account of a life filled with art. The Zen of Art is a book to treasure as it paints a pathway to being your best self and living your best life.Show book
Read by the author. Foreword read by Heni Zoutomou. How long will you wait to live your dreams? Maybe you're just starting out and are unsure where to invest your time and energy. Maybe you've started and stopped so much already that your fallback plan has become the only plan. Maybe you've simply lost touch with your creative self. In Hollywood Confidential, Steve Jones shares his twelve secrets to success accrued from working alongside some of today's most powerful voices in entertainment. Known for production successes such as Jennifer Lopez's first holiday visual and the Oprah Winfrey Network's record-breaking #1 docuseries Black Love, Steve knows the endurance and optimism it takes to pursue your passion. In Hollywood Confidential, he dishes out inspiration from his two-decade L.A. career and what he has learned from the megastars he's worked with and admired. Inside you'll find:Practical suggestions for silencing your inner critic, making the most of failures, and giving yourself permission to shineMotivating ideas to help you live out your purpose, extracted from the case studies and success stories of twelve of Hollywood’s top actors and personalities that Steve has produced in TV/Media, or interviewed on his platform including Issa Rae, Tabitha Brown, Regina King, Angela Bassett, and moreAffirmations to keep you going as you cast a vision for who you want to becomeThought-provoking questions for reflection at the end of every chapterStrategies for anyone dreaming of moving out of the shadows, into the spotlight and leading role of their life Full of unforgettable wisdom and powerful perspective from industry leaders, Hollywood Confidential is the perfect gift for:Those who are looking to discover their purpose in lifeEveryone who has a dream to live their best, most authentic lifeThe self-made creative looking to make their mark on the worldAnyone eager to break into the entertainment or music industriesFans of Steve Jones’s popular event series Hollywood Confidential Readers who enjoy anecdotes and advice from today’s industry leaders It's time to take your place at the center of your life's stage. Hollywood Confidential is the jolt of encouragement you need to embrace your creative self, your biggest dreams, and your innate desire to live a fulfilled, satisfying life. Questions for reflection can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.Show book
The 1860s were marked by a strong realistic movement in Russian painting. Artists became interested in depicting the lives and customs of their fellow countrymen. This new art form was mostly the work of the Itinerants group, who wanted to take art to the people and paint the outdoors. Mikhail Guerman traces the converging lines of Russian and French art in the immensely fertile period of the late 19th and early 20th century.Show book
