I can vouch for 3 of these, along with Jim Thompson, though I've not read The Getaway. Pop 1280 is great, as are the other books I've read by him, so I assume the Getaway is, too.
More to the point, it's nice to know that I'm not the only person on Substack writing about film who relies heavily (in my case perhaps even more heavily) on reading than on watching.
For me it’s comics, the most cinematic of which are the blood and tears soaked pulp adventures, told over decades (both for the characters and the creators), in Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. (Non-comic readers may know Brubaker as the writer who resurrected unlikely teen sidekick (on the frontlines of WW2!), Bucky Barnes, as the most anti- of MCU heroes, the Winter Soldier.)
A great list. My film book of the year was ‘Local Hero’ about the making of the great Bill Forsyth movie. Really breaks down all the choices and decisions in both filming and editing that went into creating a masterpiece.
If I might, I’ll recommend A Cinema of Loneliness, by Robert Kolker. The first edition considers the work of Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Penn, Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Robert Altman. The third edition (2000) drops FFC and adds Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg. The introduction to this edition explains why.
You know man, often a lot of Substack posts particularly lists I scan through pretty quickly, but I ended up reading this one fully. Good job.
"and blocking actors to move in and out of the frame."
This I learned for myself when prepping to shoot a webseries and I was watching a Luis Buñuel movie (I think Susana but I've forgotten which). The scene was in a kitchen, the camera tracked along following an actor and planted itself when he'd stop to check in on staff, and then while he stayed in frame, other characters would come in and out of frame to talk to them. In that manner, in really few shots, you got the gist of who staffed this mansion and what the master was all about. So elegant.
Characters being able to walk out of a frame and come back in later in the same shot is sadly relevatory for modern filmmaking.
Perfect example (never seen the movie, but I will now). It's one of those things I'd never really clocked before, but I notice its absence everywhere now. On the plus side, it's made me appreciate active directors like Kelly Reichardt WAY more.
Ages ago, I came across an interview with Nicolas Roeg wherein he talked about how getting characters in and out of rooms was something he gave much thought to.
Ed: Nice selection. One year when I had more time to spare I got a whole bunch of that fine BFI classics monographs and watched the films they were about ,in conjunction.
Speaking of time to spare,if you can access the fine Mark Cousins TV series that his book is a companion to, it is well worthwhile. I have watched it twice now
Thanks Lawrence. And yes, I've been meaning to watch that doc series but haven't got round to it yet. Sounds like I should. Appreciate the recommendation.
I can vouch for 3 of these, along with Jim Thompson, though I've not read The Getaway. Pop 1280 is great, as are the other books I've read by him, so I assume the Getaway is, too.
More to the point, it's nice to know that I'm not the only person on Substack writing about film who relies heavily (in my case perhaps even more heavily) on reading than on watching.
Would highly recommend the Getaway. The final third is really something. Thanks Greg!
For me it’s comics, the most cinematic of which are the blood and tears soaked pulp adventures, told over decades (both for the characters and the creators), in Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. (Non-comic readers may know Brubaker as the writer who resurrected unlikely teen sidekick (on the frontlines of WW2!), Bucky Barnes, as the most anti- of MCU heroes, the Winter Soldier.)
I LOVE the BFI classics collection! All the ones on horror films are especially well done in my opinion
So good, aren't they. Would love to write one.
A great list. My film book of the year was ‘Local Hero’ about the making of the great Bill Forsyth movie. Really breaks down all the choices and decisions in both filming and editing that went into creating a masterpiece.
Ah interesting, haven't heard of that one. Thanks for the recommendation!
It’s excellent. Lots of insights from cast and crew.
If I might, I’ll recommend A Cinema of Loneliness, by Robert Kolker. The first edition considers the work of Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Penn, Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Robert Altman. The third edition (2000) drops FFC and adds Oliver Stone and Steven Spielberg. The introduction to this edition explains why.
Oo cool, wasn't familiar with this one. Thanks for the recommendation.
You know man, often a lot of Substack posts particularly lists I scan through pretty quickly, but I ended up reading this one fully. Good job.
"and blocking actors to move in and out of the frame."
This I learned for myself when prepping to shoot a webseries and I was watching a Luis Buñuel movie (I think Susana but I've forgotten which). The scene was in a kitchen, the camera tracked along following an actor and planted itself when he'd stop to check in on staff, and then while he stayed in frame, other characters would come in and out of frame to talk to them. In that manner, in really few shots, you got the gist of who staffed this mansion and what the master was all about. So elegant.
Characters being able to walk out of a frame and come back in later in the same shot is sadly relevatory for modern filmmaking.
Ah that's very kind of you, thanks mate.
Perfect example (never seen the movie, but I will now). It's one of those things I'd never really clocked before, but I notice its absence everywhere now. On the plus side, it's made me appreciate active directors like Kelly Reichardt WAY more.
Ages ago, I came across an interview with Nicolas Roeg wherein he talked about how getting characters in and out of rooms was something he gave much thought to.
Good list! I only knew one of these, adding the others to the list 💚 🥃
Merry xmas to you and your loved ones!
Thanks mate, same to you!
Fantastic list, thanks for offering something different and non-obligatory.
Not so much a list that speaks to a given moment, but a lifetime of watching (and understanding) potential films.
Thanks Steven!
Ed: Nice selection. One year when I had more time to spare I got a whole bunch of that fine BFI classics monographs and watched the films they were about ,in conjunction.
Speaking of time to spare,if you can access the fine Mark Cousins TV series that his book is a companion to, it is well worthwhile. I have watched it twice now
Thanks Lawrence. And yes, I've been meaning to watch that doc series but haven't got round to it yet. Sounds like I should. Appreciate the recommendation.