For whatever reasons, call it fate, call it luck, call it karma, I believe things happen for a reason. I believe that we were destined to love Ghostbusters. From the long tradition of horror comedies (including two personal favorites, Bob Hope in The Ghost Chasers and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein), Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote, not only a perfect comedy, but a film that will forever be considered a masterpiece in the eyes of generations of viewers.
The movie is one of the most quotable of all time. And what makes it even better is that every character has quotable lines. How many movies can claim that? The new book, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History, is a love letter to the film (though there’s a fair amount of coverage to all parts of the franchise) and shouldn’t be missed by any fan of the series. And like many other of Insight Editions beautiful books, there’s plenty of ephemera stuffed within including a Ghostbusters business card, Star Magazine cover “Ghostbusters Save Mayor”, Gozer temple plans and a Stay-Puft Marshmallows sticker.
Here’s the publisher’s take on the book:
The official franchise legacy book, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History looks back at three decades of ghostbusting fun. Covering the production of the first two films in extensive detail, this deluxe book includes rare behind-the-scenes images and in-depth commentary from cast and crew, including director Ivan Reitman and stars Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver.
In the introduction, Reitman reflects back on the beginnings of the franchise, a time that he calls “the happiest creative experience of my life.” He writes, “I’m often asked if I had any idea that Ghostbusters would turn into the record-breaking financial success and worldwide cultural phenomenon that it became. I often answer by recalling the moment that I first witnessed Bill, Dan, Harold, and Ernie fully outfitted in ghostbusters gear, walking casually down Madison Avenue just as I was lining up the first shot of the movie. There was something remarkably iconic about the way they looked together on that street. It sent a shiver up my spine, and I instantly felt that something special was about to happen.”
The book also explores the entire Ghostbusters universe, including comics, toys, video games, and the animated shows The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters. Filled with removable items, as well as never-before-seen photographs and concept art from the Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. archives, Ghostbusters: The Ultimate Visual History mixes an in-depth narrative with stunning visuals to deliver the last word on one of the most popular franchises of all time.
After the jump check out some excerpts from the book and find out how you can win one of the two copies that we’re giving away courtesy of our friends at Insight Editions.
To enter, please send an email with the subject header “GHOSTBUSTERS” to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following:
Please include your name and address (U.S. Residents only. You must be 18 years old).
Only one entry per person and a winner will be chosen at random.
Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 13th, 2015.
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