Books About Movies

 I thought I would pass along the titles of a few books about filmmaking that I consider worth reading:

Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clark, and the Making of a Masterpiece, by Michael Benson.

With praise from Martin Scorsese and Tom Hanks, this book provides a treasure trove of information about the making of this classic film. It details the genesis of the story and how it grew to become one of the most talked about motion pictures ever made.

Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon. We get the background of the making of this influential science fiction movie. It portrays how different writers adapted the story by Philip K. Dick and how Ridley Scott brought its unique look to life. Here is a movie that wasn't received well when it was released and now is considered a groundbreaking film. There are interviews with cast members Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young.

The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together by Adam Nayman. Those who are fans of these filmmakers will know the subtitle's reference to The Big Lebowski. Nayman does a terrific job of analyzing the films of the Brothers Coen. Maybe the best book I have read on examining the themes and craft of filmmaking.

Quentin Tarantino: Cinema Speculation. If you want to find out about the roots of this director and Oscar-winning screen writer, and dare to get into his thinking process, this book is for you. You may not agree with his movie recommendations, but you can feel his passion for the films that influenced him. 

Christopher Nolan: The Iconic Filmmaker and his Work by Ian Nathan. This book is my most recent read. Nathan provides background as to how Nolan's films came to be made and the the important contributions of his brother, Jonah. Nathan informs the reader of the influences on Nolan, such as Kubrick and film noir. I happen to like enigmatic, complex films, so I am a huge admirer of Nolan. However, I'm still not sure I want to revisit the impenetrable Tenet.