tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post7118744199757194665..comments2024-03-27T15:16:57.305-05:00Comments on F This Movie!: Our Favorite Books About MoviesPatrick Bromleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-61810971478739913882013-02-28T10:58:19.343-06:002013-02-28T10:58:19.343-06:00Our pleasure, Stuart! Thanks for the suggestion. I...Our pleasure, Stuart! Thanks for the suggestion. It was a great idea. And all the comments have given me even more books to seek out.<br /><br /><i>Seagology</i> is great. I need to get the new "updated" version, which is pretty caught up on Seagal's catalogue. Also good is <i>Yippee Ki-Yay, Moviegoer</i>, a book that just collects a bunch of reviews by Vern. Super entertaining and says some really smart stuff.Patrick Bromleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-41036491680069800882013-02-28T10:56:09.348-06:002013-02-28T10:56:09.348-06:00I like Fiasco, too. Some of those movies deserve t...I like <i>Fiasco</i>, too. Some of those movies deserve their own books, but it's nice to have an overview.<br /><br />There's another book called <i>The Gross</i> that covers the summer of 1998, and while it's not exactly about flops, it does look at a lot of "what went wrong" and "why didn't this do as well as people though?" It's worth checking out.Patrick Bromleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-41152477074188439132013-02-28T10:54:39.165-06:002013-02-28T10:54:39.165-06:00The Battle for Brazil is great. Matthews also does...<i>The Battle for Brazil</i> is great. Matthews also does the commentary on the Criterion edition of the movie, and he really knows his stuff.<br /><br />It's funny, because there are several Terry Gilliam movies that have their own "here's why the production was trouble" books -- <i>The Brothers Grimm</i> has one, and <i>Losing the Light</i> covers the troubled production of <i>The Adventures of Baron Munchausen</i>. All are worth reading.Patrick Bromleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-74907352297349113362013-02-28T09:26:38.053-06:002013-02-28T09:26:38.053-06:00Ah, the BFI reminds me that the Deep Focus books f...Ah, the BFI reminds me that the Deep Focus books from Soft Skull Press are also worth taking a look at. Jonathan Letham's book on THEY LIVE is really, really good, as is John Ross Bowie's book on HEATHERS. (Also, the series has fabulous covers.)<br /><br />http://bnreview.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Reviews-Essays/Soft-Skull-s-Deep-Focus/ba-p/5009Joseph Finnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17168159790992899470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-21324460802524812372013-02-28T07:22:52.115-06:002013-02-28T07:22:52.115-06:00Jesus you guys, now you're going to have me on...Jesus you guys, now you're going to have me on Amazon spending a fortune on BOOKS? I just checked it out and there are dozens of those BFI monographs I'm interested in. I'm going to start my own blog called "F This Wallet!" Sol O.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-62025022592057354042013-02-28T06:00:05.857-06:002013-02-28T06:00:05.857-06:00Yes, yes, yes. The BFI monographs are the bestiest...Yes, yes, yes. The BFI monographs are the bestiest.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076030814908114779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-56718611195072529702013-02-28T01:07:25.265-06:002013-02-28T01:07:25.265-06:00Great call on "Pictures at a Revolution"...Great call on "Pictures at a Revolution". That book is a modern classic. I also liked Shannon's reference to "Fiasco", a book I very much enjoyed. <br /><br />I would also recommend checking out the BFI Film Classics series, a collection of monographs on classic and contemporary film favorites. Naturally, the quality here varies depending on the book and the author, but generally the series is trustworthy. Some standouts: Antonia Quirke's unique take on JAWS, Amy Taubin's intense reading of TAXI DRIVER, David Rudkin's virtually shot-by-shot analysis of VAMPYR, Nick James's take on HEAT, and Ryan Gilbey (that name again) providing a beautifully rendered analysis of GROUNDHOG DAY. Matt Lohrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375007982506565056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-57060099158474820602013-02-27T21:14:20.235-06:002013-02-27T21:14:20.235-06:00"Fiasco: A History of Hollywood's Iconic ..."Fiasco: A History of Hollywood's Iconic Flops" by James Robert Parish. A very detailed look at happens when a movie is doomed to fail. This is worth a read just for the behind the scenes info about "Last Action Hero" and "Cutthroat Island". Also, the appendix contains a list of every movie that a disappointment or a flop in the domestic box office from 1960-2004(when the book was written).<br /><br />"Profoundly Disturbing: The Shocking Movies that Changed History" and "Profoundly Erotic: Sexy Movies that Changed History" by Joe Bob Briggs(sadly, no relation). Great essays about "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "The Wild Bunch", "Deep Throat", "Reservior Dogs", "Shaft", and several well-known or obscure movies with Joe Bob's wit and keen movie knowledge. Highly recommended!Shannon Briggsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-74404067623068020182013-02-27T20:28:54.714-06:002013-02-27T20:28:54.714-06:00You shouldn't. ;-)You shouldn't. ;-)J.M. Vargashttp://www.dvdverdict.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-25528193714366523732013-02-27T19:25:14.708-06:002013-02-27T19:25:14.708-06:00My unasked-for suggestions:
THE BATTLE FOR BRAZI...My unasked-for suggestions: <br /><br />THE BATTLE FOR BRAZIL by Jack Mathews. An in-depth look at the making of Terry Gilliam's amazing film, and then all the craziness that went on regarding its final edit and release. It also has the complete screenplay. <br /><br />THE EVIL DEAD COMPANION by Bill Warren. About the making of Raimi's trilogy. What makes it a standout is that in the back of the book, Bruce Campbell contributes a scene-by-scene "commentary" on all three films. <br /><br />And, I guess, CINE HIGH...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-48898527089607838112013-02-27T18:20:10.027-06:002013-02-27T18:20:10.027-06:00Great suggestion, Clint. I briefly mentioned this ...Great suggestion, Clint. I briefly mentioned this one in the Spanish Prisoner column. Check out Mamet's "Three Uses of the Knife." It will blow your mind.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076030814908114779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-76550327134788112492013-02-27T18:15:50.666-06:002013-02-27T18:15:50.666-06:00I believe JB mentioned it on a previous podcast bu...I believe JB mentioned it on a previous podcast but the British Film Institues series of short books on classic movies is very good. They are each written by a different critic or professor about one specific "classic" movie. They have one for every thing from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to the Big Lebowski, they are all amazing.<br /><br />Bambi vs. Godzilla by David Mamet is also a very interesting book about the in and outs of the studio system and the role of producers. Clint J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-71075999628557750152013-02-27T18:14:04.863-06:002013-02-27T18:14:04.863-06:00Also, Patrick, I'm not letting go of the "...Also, Patrick, I'm not letting go of the "up-fronts" terminology.Alex Lawson https://www.blogger.com/profile/14424072953898761687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-28790183013747522242013-02-27T18:12:27.730-06:002013-02-27T18:12:27.730-06:00I very nearly went with Pictures at a Revolution, ...I very nearly went with Pictures at a Revolution, but I suspected Patrick might write about it. It's also mentioned briefly in the up-fronts of the HEAT podcast when we talk about Bonnie & Clyde:<br /><br />http://www.fthismovie.net/2012/04/f-this-movie-heat.htmlAlex Lawson https://www.blogger.com/profile/14424072953898761687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-13902632460918240052013-02-27T15:18:02.936-06:002013-02-27T15:18:02.936-06:00Thanks for doing this Patrick, and the rest of the...Thanks for doing this Patrick, and the rest of the F This Movie! crew.<br /><br />There’s a great mix of books I would’ve picked myself, some I’ve been meaning to read and some really cool sounding stuff I’ve never heard of before.<br /><br />I recently finished Conversations with Clint: Paul Nelson's Lost Interviews with Clint Eastwood, 1979-1983. I’m a huge fan of Clint Eastwood and have never really found any other interviews where he seems so relaxed and open with the interviewer. He talks with such enthusiasm and honesty about his career as a film star and also his switch into directing. It’s full of great stories and a pretty quick read; one I’d highly recommend.<br /><br />Seagalogy by Vern. Vern is the only person other than Patrick who writes about straight to DVD action fare without the usual sarcasm and snarkiness. His passion for those films is infectious, and it’s a book I could read from cover to cover countless times without ever getting bored.Stuartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-17344920403651424782013-02-27T13:50:56.264-06:002013-02-27T13:50:56.264-06:00Great topic. Here are my two contributions:
The ...Great topic. Here are my two contributions:<br /><br /><b>The American Cinema: Directors and Directions - 1929-1968 (Andrew Sarris)</b> One of the best writers/critics of cinema (whose passing made it into the 'In Memoriam' section of the Academy Awards this year over the likes of Larry Hagman and Andy Griffith) tackles the works of most directors, big and small, from the sound era to just before the 70's began. Other books cover plenty the new class of filmmamers we got from the 70's and beyond, but Sarris' defense of the <i>'auteur theory'</i> and opinions on the filmmakers that laid the foundation for contemporary directors is must-read stuff. <br /><br /><b>A Year at the Movies: One Man's Filmgoing Odyssey (Kevin Murphy)</b> An inspiration (along with Tim Lucas' Pause.Rewing.Obsess 2012 blog) of my new year's resolution to watch a new-to-me movie everyday in 2013, Murphy looks at how the external environment one views movies at (size of screen, crowds, surroundings, etc.) affected the experience of movie-watching for an entire year in 2001. The section on Sep. 11th of that year is sobering, and being an "MST3K" alumni gives Murphy's observations both wry humor and enough love of the appeal of commercial movies for the book to be just another <i>'Hollywood sucks'</i> narrative. <br /><br />My <b>new-to-me movies:<br /><br />2/26/13:</b> Mike Hammer's quest for the great <i>'what's it'</i> gets him in trouble, again, in <b>Robert Aldrich's (and A.I. Bezzerides') KISS ME DEADLY (1955) on Blu-ray.<br /><br />2/27/13:</b> Because multiple-personality serial killers are just so, like, whatevah, <b>Wes Craven's MY SOUL TO TAKE (2010) on USA Network<br /><br />http://www.dvdverdict.com/juryroom/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=6028&p=74626#p74626</b>J.M. Vargashttp://www.dvdverdict.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-44926583239977312082013-02-27T13:50:19.965-06:002013-02-27T13:50:19.965-06:00I heard that, too! We were not there. But I'll...I heard that, too! We were not there. But I'll take the credit for it.Patrick Bromleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-75426843718224418412013-02-27T13:48:30.574-06:002013-02-27T13:48:30.574-06:00By the way, my Chicago friends, off-topic but I li...By the way, my Chicago friends, off-topic but I listened to a "Doug Loves Movies" podcast of a Chicago show and at the end of the games when he reads the losing contestants' shitheads (sorry for anyone that doesn't know what I'm talking about but check out that podcast if you don't), he said, "Anyone that likes <i>The Boondock Saints</i> is a shithead." Were any of you or your friends there or something? Either way I am giving F This Movie credit for bringing that fact to the public's attention.Sol O.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-72584657867884239402013-02-27T11:42:38.314-06:002013-02-27T11:42:38.314-06:00I'm surprised there's no mention of Mario ...I'm surprised there's no mention of <i>Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark</i>, by Tim Lucas.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01284575713661622624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-74678617496009602232013-02-27T10:23:39.691-06:002013-02-27T10:23:39.691-06:00This is definitely a list I've been waiting fo...This is definitely a list I've been waiting for - thanks for all of the great recommendations. I will seek them out. I've only read <i>Danse Macabre</i> and it really was great.<br /><br />I would also mildly recommend <i>The Jaws Log</i> that I just read a few weeks ago. It's perhaps too easy of a read if that's possible, but it does provide some interesting insight into both the writing and filming of <i>Jaws</i> and some tidbits on the industry in general.Sol O.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-14074350044705574892013-02-27T09:43:30.196-06:002013-02-27T09:43:30.196-06:00I was going to include The Making of the Wizard of...I was going to include <i>The Making of the Wizard of Oz</i> (for which I have JB to thank), but needed to make the cutoff somewhere and decided to stick with a theme. We'll do another of these lists someday, because this one barely scratches the surface of what's out there.Patrick Bromleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771837625286775607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-62377490827985969592013-02-27T08:46:05.562-06:002013-02-27T08:46:05.562-06:00Ditto on The Making of the Wizard of Oz. I haven&#...Ditto on The Making of the Wizard of Oz. I haven't gotten into reading too many of the film books that are mentioned in this article, many of which I also heard about on the podcast. However, this one I did check out, and it's excellent and highly interesting. It's a great examination of a great movie made during a great point in film history. <br /><br />I'll have to look into all the others, though. I'm glad you guys made a compilation of all of these suggestions, though, so I don't have to sift through the podcasts to find some of them now!John Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08810774557887719483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-49217142556563977682013-02-27T08:03:49.431-06:002013-02-27T08:03:49.431-06:00Two more:
The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie M...Two more:<br /><br />The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM, by Aljean Marmetz. Recommended by JB, this is a really interesting look at the making of the movie and the background of how the Hollywood studio system worked back in the day. Especially interesting for some background on some of the actors, especially (for me) Margaret Hamilton. Out of print but should be easy enough to find at the library.<br /><br />And, waaaaaaaay at the other end of the spectrum, Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made. Michael Adams is an Australian film critic who delights in the Z-level of film as much as anyone I've ever read. This book could have been simply a delight in bowels of badness, but it's deeper than that at times, looking at how such things get made and filmmakers intents. Of course, it also has some damn funny bits, like discussing the killer doll movie Black Devil Doll from Hell, a movie that sounds like a bad fever dream. There's also an interestingly nuanced discussion of Weng Weng, the Filipino little person who had a action movie career. Really, really recommend book.Joseph Finnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17168159790992899470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-66071157302678098632013-02-27T07:41:55.661-06:002013-02-27T07:41:55.661-06:00There's something about cinematic disasters th...There's something about cinematic disasters that fascinates me, so I'd like to recommend 2 books about the making of an epic flop:<br /><br />Final Cut: Dreams and Disaster in the Making of Heaven's Gate, by Steven Bach - a book that is rather uniquely from an executive's point of view, this is a fantastic account of what went horribly wrong when UA basically gave Michael Cimino the keys to the asylum and asked him to lock up when he was done.<br /><br />The Devil's Candy, by Julie Salamon - how a talented director like Brian de Palma ended up in filmic hell when he set out to adapt Bonfire of the Vanities. Julie does NOT like Bruce Willis.Steve K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02141959251034133806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4217427319662074458.post-84243613788497208222013-02-27T07:39:16.644-06:002013-02-27T07:39:16.644-06:00Is that the same Josh Horowitz who makes movie sta...Is that the same Josh Horowitz who makes movie stars do ridiculous things in interviews? I'll have to add that to my wishlist.<br /><br />My favourite's The Winston Effect, because practical effects are fascinating (and apparently because I'm too dumb to handle big blocks of text and need lots of pictures to distract me). I don't think there are many other books that have stuff about Jurassic park, Terminator, Aliens and Predator in them (except for a couple of comic books probably).Rikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04205172953473507574noreply@blogger.com