REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2

REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2 offer a wide variety of enjoyable popular movies (all of them rated G, PG or PG-13 for full family accessibility - there are no R-rated movies here) and an abundance of discussion questions to get everybody expressing thoughts, feelings and reactions to the video moments that have brought them closer together. There are no 'right' answers here - just questions that invite people to open up and give their personal reactions to a shared experience. A perfect opportunity for everyone to learn from each other, an opportunity for all to enjoy and enrich each other as we hear how similarly...and differently... each of us perceives the same lifetime moments.

Movies are the most powerful communicators we have in our society. They not only entertain, but they subtly educate and edify, passing on to us ideas, feelings and values. A 'good' movie is not one that teaches by preaching, but one that arouses our interest and feelings so that we pursue the movie afterwards in our heads or, better yet, with friends, classmates and family, as we think about and talk over the pros and cons of specific decisions and actions. The 'education' comes from both the feelings we get while watching the movie and from our thoughts and discussion after it. That is why the REELTALK books are subtitled '....making the movie magic last!'

Look over the titles of movies included in REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2 - some of these movies will be familiar to you, some may be new to discover. The two books offer a wide variety of viewing and discussion opportunities, running the gamut from the animated excitement of Mulan to the low-key heroism of Casablanca, from the madcap insanity of Dr. Strangelove to the historical and moving Dances with Wolves, from the captivating magic of Field of Dreams to the vital realism of The Long Walk Home. Each movie here has very real entertainment and enrichment value for every member of its audience, regardless of age, sex, education, race, politics or religion.

Look over the sample selection To Sir, with Love to get an idea of how the books are laid out. Each movie is given two pages in the book including sections on 'Talking It Over; 'Digging into Ideas; 'Digging into Feelings' and 'Doing Something New,' the latter topic suggesting that 'the movie magic' is also a spingboard to creativity and personal expression that can involve each of the viewers in the days and weeks that follow,

Traditionally, adults have had their movies and often used movies as 'babysitters' for kids to watch alone without adult attention or involvement, REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2 offer adults, children and teenagers the chance to share 'moving' picture experiences and feelings, moments that often become the communication touchstones of their future relationship together, Adults will also find that all of these movies can make for wonderful evenings of adult-to-adult conversation; anyone who enjoys movies and life will find a lot to enjoy and discuss in REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2. The books here aren't about 'going back to school'; they're about having fun by learning more about life and each other - and really enjoying the shared experience of a movie together.

'In this day and age, a family is much more likely to sit down and watch a movie than read a book together. Society now embraces moments from TV and movies, and makes them part of popular culture. Watching movies together gives families the opportunity to talk. Jivin' Johnny's REELTALK books are divided into subject sections, like Growing Up, Our Dreams, Life and Death, Heroes, World History, Nature and Religion. Each selection is then followed by thought-provoking questions, explorations of feelings and suggested activities. Readers will find both well-known established movies and lesser-known selections in Philip's books, and he hopes you'll find some gems not in the plot but in the emotional moments that move you. These books encourage talk about movies.'
- 'The Entertainment Files', The Mirror (February 7, 2003)

For a printable PDF version of this press release please click here: http://www.jjohnnypress.com/pressrelease.html

Here's what you'll find in REELTALK 1 and REELTALK 2:

Click here to view table of contents of both books.
Click here to see a sample To Sir with love.