{"product_id":"2940014271325","title":"Guide to the 2012 Best Picture Oscar Nominees","description":"This book is part of Hyperink's best little books series. Our best little books are 3,500-5,000 words of fast, entertaining information on a highly demanded topic. Based on reader feedback (including yours!), we may expand this book in the future. If we do so, we'll send a free copy to all previous buyers. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT THE BOOK \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYour exclusive guide to the Oscar nominated films of 2012!  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMEET THE AUTHOR \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePennies, Blacktop, and Words  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEXCERPT FROM THE BOOK  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#1: The Artist \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSynopsis \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Artist is a sincere, grayscale homage to the lost art of silent filmmaking. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the debonair, grin-happy, camera-mugging hero of the silent picture industry. The man is a ham sandwichaffable, charmingbut a ham all the same. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt the photocall for his latest caper,A Russian Affair, George meet-cutes Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). Peppy accidentally bumps through the crowd barrier and into George. The gaggle of reporters falls into awkward silence (well, more silent). Peppy freezes. George laughs and the crowd relaxes. Photograph bulbs flash and Peppy poses for the camera. She kisses George on the cheek. The next days headline for Variety reads Whos that girl? \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1929 arrives. Peppys star has risen. Georges latest swashbuckler sees him fighting sword-wielding Frenchmen in a wig. The head of Kinograph takes George aside and plays a scene from the studios first talkie. George scoffs. He returns to the studio the next day to find that Kinograph has shut down production on all silent films. Talkies or bust. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCut from the studio, George bankrolls his own silent jungle epic, Tears of Love. The movie tanks. Peppy becomes a bona fide movie star of the audible movie industry. George loses his wife, his house, his money (it is The Great Depression after all), and his butler. In an episode of depressed rage, George sets fire to reels of film. He nearly burns alive. Peppy reads of Georges misfortune in the paper and visits him in the hospital. George recuperates in Peppys house. Love connection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne day, George accidentally stumbles upon a dark room in Peppys house that contains all of the items from his estate sale (sold off for $$ during Hard Times). George Valentins pride is dangerously wounded. He returns to his scorched apartment and puts a gun in his mouth. Peppy appears. Crisis averted. Cue more strings. Such swelling strings. The movie concludes with a joyous and exuberant dance number. George and Peppy are making a movie. Yes! Its a talkie! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOscar Odds \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFront runner. Hollywood loves Hollywood. Michel Hazanaviciuss The Artist is a winsome nostalgia piece that celebrates, in perfect proportion, both the unshakable delight and the basic human tragedy of original cinema. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBuy a copy to keep reading!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e CHAPTER OUTLINE\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGuide to the 2012 Best Picture Oscar Nominees\u003cbr\u003e  + #1: The Artist\u003cbr\u003e  + #2: The Tree of Life\u003cbr\u003e  + #3: The Descendants\u003cbr\u003e  + #4: The Help\u003cbr\u003e  + ...and much more","brand":"Hyperink","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47176406237424,"sku":"2940014271325","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940014271325_p0.jpg?v=1763604327","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940014271325","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}