Log in

View Full Version : Books About Film - recommends


urgeok2
03-26-2008, 04:57 AM
I'm putting this here because hardly anyone goes to the book area of the board.

I've just read a great biography (which says a lot because normaly i only read autobiographies) which inspired me to make a list of must reads.

feel free to add to the list :


With Nails and I : Richard E Grant.

Perfect book. avoids the tabloid bullshit and deals exclusively with his experience while making films - diary style.

The Kill Bill diaries : David Carradne

Extremely well written, engaging, a lot of fun.,

Dino: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams - Nick Tosches

this is the bio of Dean Martin - i couldn't put it down. there is some sleaze but it's so well written it flew past me. a lot of italian-american/mob history - and real insight to the disgusting hollywood machine.

My Boring Ass Life : Kevin Smith

Maybe too much information - but spending time with the book is like making Smith a family member. great entertainment.

My Life : Burt Reynolds

One of the 1st i ever read - this is what turned me on to autobios. Fascinating stuff. well written. great even if you aren't a fan.

edit to add:

She's Gotta Have It : Spike Lee

essential reading. Spike Lee writes about how he made his first film - and the hoops he had to jump through to get financing. For a while he was writing a book for each film he made. This is probably the best.



currently i'm reading Endless Highway - David Carradine - which is turning out to be a great book as well.

there's also a book on Paul Verhoeven I red that was excellent as well - cant remember the name.

personally- i'm not interested in tabloid gossip .. i'm interested in what is going on while movies are being made. I also need some snap to the writing.
Although it is interesting to see who was friends with who offscreen - and how that often affects the films they make.

any more recommends ?

hammerfan
03-26-2008, 05:03 AM
Does it have to be just movie people?

urgeok2
03-26-2008, 05:04 AM
Does it have to be just movie people?

who else is involved in film ? :D

hammerfan
03-26-2008, 05:05 AM
who else is involved in film ? :D



:p smartass!!

neverending
03-26-2008, 05:14 AM
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089950437X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Karloff and Lugosi: The Story of a Haunting Collaboration, With a Complete Filmography of Their Films Together

I've read this book TWICE. It's a really detailed look at the RELATIONSHIP between these two film giants and how their careers differed. It's a fascinating book. You won't find it for sale- the link above is for a hardcover selling at $129. Our library here has it. Check your local library- it's well worth a read.

Roderick Usher
03-26-2008, 06:30 AM
Profondo Argento - Alan Jones
Encyclodepic and filled with cool anecdotes about EVERY film Dario Argento has ever had anything to do with.

urgeok2
03-26-2008, 06:39 AM
Profondo Argento - Alan Jones
Encyclodepic and filled with cool anecdotes about EVERY film Dario Argento has ever had anything to do with.



got that one .. also have another one alan jones did on Argento - oversized skinnier paperback

zwoti
03-26-2008, 07:04 AM
Profondo Argento - Alan Jones
Encyclodepic and filled with cool anecdotes about EVERY film Dario Argento has ever had anything to do with.

got that one .. also have another one alan jones did on Argento - oversized skinnier paperback


yep,

art of darkness: the cinema of dario argento is another good one.

as is the haunted world of mario bava

neverending
03-26-2008, 07:58 AM
WTF? I get ignored? Fine!

urgeok2
03-26-2008, 08:18 AM
WTF? I get ignored? Fine!

naw - sounds like a cool book ..

i collect them - looks like this one is a bastard to find

The Mad Monk
03-26-2008, 08:19 AM
English Gothic - A Century Of Horror Cinema, by Jonathan Rigby. A look at English horror films through the years, which can be read from beginning to end or as a reference book.

neverending
03-26-2008, 10:15 AM
naw - sounds like a cool book ..

i collect them - looks like this one is a bastard to find

Well, there's that copy on Amozon for $129

:rolleyes:

urgeok2
03-26-2008, 10:40 AM
Well, there's that copy on Amozon for $129

:rolleyes:


yeah thats a fair chunk of change

Doc Faustus
03-26-2008, 11:32 AM
Profoundly Disturbing by Joe Bob Briggs is a good examination of American cult movies. I like his work a lot.

Zero
03-26-2008, 04:55 PM
Projected Fears is a great look at the 'big' american horror films.

i also loved The Zombies that Ate Pittsburgh about Romeros films

newb
03-26-2008, 06:00 PM
Projected Fears is a great look at the 'big' american horror films.



Wasn't your first post ever here about that book?