Movie News, Reviews, and More

Leslie Halpern, Author and Speaker

Overview -- Public Speaking -- Poetry -- Books -- My Store -- Dreams on Film Update -- On Television -- Reel Romance Update -- Links -- Appearances


OVERVIEW

Based in Central Florida, Leslie Halpern has worked as a newspaper editor, magazine columnist, advertising copywriter, technical editor, radio station publicist, and education coordinator for a Shakespearean acting company.  Her book, Reel Romance: The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies, (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2004) guides readers through a list of romantic movies that appeal to both sexes. Her book, Dreams on Film (McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003), is an in-depth analysis of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 movies. She also co-wrote the multiple award-winning book, Windows to the World (Cablevision, 1990), a collection of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for adult reading students.

More than 1,500 of Leslie Halpern’s articles, reviews, essays, and poems have appeared online and in publications including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Markee Magazine, Just For Laughs, Location Update, Storytelling Magazine, Bluegrass Unlimited, True Romance, Country Almanac, Fitness, Collector’s News & The Antique Reporter, Small Business Opportunities, Journal of Graduate Liberal Studies, Salt Lake City Tribune, Tallahassee Democrat, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly, Freelance Writer’s Report, The Florida Palm, Writers’ Journal, and New Writer’s Magazine. She is the 1997 grand prize winner of "The Mentor Award," a national essay contest about personal mentoring experiences sponsored by Mentor & Protégé. Leslie received her M.L.S. degree from Rollins College and B.A. in Journalism from the University of Kentucky. She is listed in "Contemporary Authors" (Thomson Gale) directory, and is a member of Poetry Ensemble of Orlando, Florida Freelance Writers Association, Professional Freelance Writers of Orlando, and Florida Writers Association.


PUBLIC SPEAKING

In addition to performing original poetry, Leslie gives presentations on a variety of subjects related to writing, publishing, and film. Her subject specialties include:

Writing for Online Markets
20 Book Publishing Secrets
The Ups and Downs of Freelancing
Writing and Selling Reviews
Fearless Interviews
How to Publish Your Writing

In Your Wildest Dream Sequences
Nightmares on Film
Dream Artistry
Red Hot Ideas for Reel Romance

 Click the link to email Leslie Halpern

POETRY

Leslie regularly writes and performs original poetry with the Poetry Ensemble of Orlando (Click here for more information about performances and public speaking appearances).

Her poetry has appeared in magazines and journals including SciFaiKuest, The Journal of Graduate Liberal Studies, The Mother is Me, True Romance, and the anthology Windows to the World. Leslie recently had a poem included in the anthology A Poet’s Haggadah: Passover Through the Eyes of the Poets.

NONFICTION BOOKS

Coming Soon from BearManor Media!

Passionate About Their Work: 150 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity

What do Ernest Borgnine, David Brenner, Gabriel Byrne, Francis Ford Coppola, Phyllis Diller, Brian Grazer, Darrell Hammond, Dave Madden, Louise Mandrell, Regis Philbin, Brett Ratner, Kurt Vonnegut, and 138 other celebrities, artists, and experts have to say about the creative process? Plenty!

Organized into 12 chapters by theme (from "ideas and inspirations" all the way to "best advice") these opinions, anecdotes, suggestions, observations, and one-liners will provide you with insight into creativity by successful artists and entertainers in a variety of visual, performing, and literary arts. Whether you’re looking for ways to motivate yourself or others, or seeking answers to specific questions about working in the arts and entertainment industry, these enlightening quotations will get your creative juices flowing.
Reel Romance: The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies

Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (January, 2004)
ISBN: 1-58979-064-2
ISBN-13: 978-1589790643

Publishers Weekly
"Those who manage to score a date – but who are clueless when it comes to picking out the perfect date movie – should snag this film reference. Organized by theme (Love in Disguise, Love is a Supernatural Thing, etc.) this book covers everything from classics like Some Like it Hot to modern productions like Notting Hill, and each ends with a humorous Do Try This at Home tip… This book contains enough basic information – and even a "Make-Out Meter," measured in candles – to aid lovers in their quest for the perfect romantic movies."

Bucks County Courier Times
"So what are the chances a couple can find a movie that will leave them both smiling in pleasure and anticipation as the credits roll? Pretty good, especially if they take 'Reel Romance' along with them to the video store."

Columbia Missourian
"This book will help kindle a spark among daters as they cuddle in front of a romantic movie."

Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D., Author of "What Should I Do? 4 Simple Steps to Making Better Decisions in Everyday Life"
"I love this book! 'Reel Romance' is a must for movie lovers in love. There isn't another book quite like this for couples: fun to read, thought provoking, and filled with great suggestions for cozy nights together. It will occupy a prominent place in my library of film books."

Lisa Stokes, Ph.D., Co-Author of "City on Fire. Hong Kong Cinema"
"Halpern takes her cue from Last Tango in Paris: 'If you want love, go to the movies.' A fun and informative guide to movie romance, for men and women. Read it with someone you love."  


Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science

Publisher:McFarland & Company, Inc. (January 2003)
ISBN 0-7864-1596-7
ISBN-13: 978-0786415960

Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D., "Dream Time Magazine," a Publication of the International Association for the Study of Dreams
"'Dreams on Film' is surely the best book now available on the powerful and multi-faceted connection between cinematic and oneiric experience.  Halpern clearly loves both dreams and movies, and she brings wit, intelligence, and passion to the study of their relationship."

Scott Crowell, Filmmaker
"'Dreams on Film' is an effective and entertaining exploration of how dreams and art coexist. From Freud to Freddy Kreuger, Ms. Halpern examines the scientific reality of dreams while analyzing hundreds of movies from mainstream Hollywood to low-budget indie fare. The result is a unique combination of art and science that appeals to a wide demographic. Whether you are a film buff or psychologist, this book is definitely a must-read that not only gave me a better appreciation for the art of film, but also a deeper understanding about how our minds work. This would be a great book for film studies as well as psychology classes."

Midwest Book Review
"What an intriguing idea is the study of dreams in movies and how they apply to real life. Halpern has done a great job of finding films that have dream sequences, and researching how science wants to expose that dreams in film are not real."

Book News
"Halpern surveys directors’ use of dreams in films and compares it to scientific knowledge about dreams. She finds that dreams in film bare little resemblance to dream theory and suggests this is because dreams are primarily an artistic device when used in the cinema."

MY STORE DREAMS ON FILM UPDATE
Click here for Leslie's recommendations on:
  • Movies About Dreams
  • Movies About Romance
  • Date Movie Treats
  • Books About Dreams
  • Books About Romance
    		•  Click here for news and reviews about Wide Awake and The Science of Sleep, two new must-see movies about sleeping and dreaming.
    ON TELEVISION REEL ROMANCE UPDATE
    Leslie discusses movies from her books Reel Romance.The Lovers’ Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies and Dreams on Film in a series of interviews during TV Ontario’s "Saturday Night at the Movies," Canada’s longest running television series.

    Click here to watch video clips of Leslie discussing "Roxanne" and "Cyrano de Bergerac" on TVO SNAM.    (2.41MB)     		Sequels to some of the best date movies found in Reel Romance.  The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies have been released.

    Click here for reviews of these date movie sequels and discover which sequels are on par with the originals.


    LITERARY LINKS

    Charlene Davis (Freelance Writer)
    Catherine Kean (Romance Novelist)
    Jacquelyn Lynn (Business Writer)
    Judith Rubinger (LMHC, Personal Coach, Writer)
    Linda Saracino (Editor)

    Writers-Editors Network (FFWA)
    Florida Writers Association (FWA)
    Poetry Ensemble Of Orlando
    (MyShelf Book Reviews)
    Promoting Outstanding Writers (POW)
    SunScribbles
    ApartmentE (Orlando Arts & Music Network)

    Leslie is a feature writer for the Romantic Films and Comedies section of Suite101.com's Film & TV department.
    Click on the icon to read Leslie Halpern's most recently posted articles.
    Latest Articles by Leslie Halpern
    Leslie is a Platinum Member Ezine Articles Expert.
    Click on the icon for a sample of Leslie Halpern's book and movie reviews.    		 EzineArticles.com Platinum Author

    APPEARANCES
    Click here for a list of personal appearances by Leslie Halpern.