Ryan McNeil
A little more than one month ago, I put out a call for readers to suggest books on film that they dug. I got a large enough response to fill an entire bookcase! Not that I’ve filled a bookcase just yet, but I have started tracking down some of the titles suggested.
For instance, as you can see in that photo above, I’ve nabbed a copy of Film on Film by J. Hoberman. That book was suggested to me by both Simon Columb and Dangerous David Davidson. I also tracked down a copy of Scorsese by Ebert (or should that just be Scorsese by Roger Ebert?), as suggested by Anna from Defiant Success. Getting that suggestion made me give my head a shake, since I feel like I should have already read it by now.
Lower in the stack, you can see two of the books I already mentioned: Truffault’s book on Hitchcock, and Cameron Crowe’s Conversations with Wilder. In the case of the former, I got a grin today when Rachel West pointed out that the mere glimpse of it gave her cold shivers. Seems as though it was a text-book throughout her university film studies – that would give me shivers too. Funny thing though: While I often lament the fact that I never took any sort of film studies when I was younger, I’m left with the teeniest feeling of redemption here. By skipping over the endless analysis and assignments the book would be the source of, I’ve allowed myself the ability to enjoy it at face value (and saved myself a few grand in tuition). A small victory?
Of course, had I taken any Film Studies when I was younger, I’d likely be further along in my film literacy…so perhaps I should cancel the victory parade.
Back to the stack…
The last bit of amusement in populating my to-read shelf came from the book on top of that pile: Making Movies by Sidney Lumet (also suggested by Anna). The amusement came in the realization that there was already a copy of this book on the shelf! Turns out Lindsay used it as a textbook, hung on to it, and it’s been on our bookshelf collecting dust for years. The inside of it is even dotted with highlighter. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that I probably should have read it a long time ago.
I do have a point here – and I’m even ready to get to it!
The point is this: As I read these books, and take from them what I will, it seems like a shame just to shove them back up on the shelf when I’m done. While I’m not exactly a literary scholar (nor, as we have established, a film scholar), I can string a few sentences together on the experience each book left me with and whether or not it’s something you might like to check out yourself.
So I’m left with a question for you, my humble audience:
Sure, why not? I write about film books from time to time.
Seeing your posts on them is probably what gave me the germ of the idea. I’ll try not to be *too* derivative.
Yeah, it would be a nice feature for the site, I always like some reading suggestions.
Welcome to The Matinee, Platts!
Seems like there’s enough interest that this will become a semi-regular feature, so keep checking back.
I think its a great idea. Indeed, the only reason I write about film is becaus I want to put into words the thoughts I have had. Books on film are great – and, like you, my own Uni experience wasn’t Film Studies and I think, in the same way, I appreciate the books moreso because of it! Its not studying.
The only thing I’m gunshy about is that it comes wrapped with a “Critiquing the Critics” mentality. But as I thought about it more, I started going over all the books I’ve read on some of my favorite musicians. I remembered that at least half of them felt like a waste of time and gave me nothing I didn’t already know.
The film books could be examined under that same light.
COMMENTING on the critics you mean? eh? eh? You can alwasy stop reading a book which you know enough about already. But you got a bunch of books i’ve got so I know they are brilliant!
As someone who often returns to his own film textbooks, you’re only missing out on not having taken academic film classes. Yes, it can be a lot of work and you’ll end up talking and writing about films you probably don’t like that much (kinda like film blogging), but it’s a much more effective and dynamic way to learn the material than just reading the book.
I’d love a feature on your thoughts on these books. It’s actually a feature I’ve thought about doing at some point, but for years I’ve had school reading obligations override my personal reading habits so I’ve never got around to it. It might be something I try for a while now that I have the time.
Don’t get me wrong – if I had my way, I’d totally enrol in classes to take advantage of that dynamic you mention. Who knows, someday I still might in some capacity.
Yeah, I imagine your whole approach to the site will change now that you have the time…and I, for one, am looking forward to it!
Super idea! I myself want to actually find some books in my local store or library for my feature planned for summer (long planning process needed). So, I might have some questions for ya if you get through some of these books – therefore, definitely write about them! 😉
I’ve read a few already so I could point you towards some good ones. Hopefully this series can point you towards even more.
Definitely! I love film books so would be more than interested to read about some I might want to pick up.
Done and done.
That sounds like a good feature. I’d read it.
Sweet – and thanks again for the suggestions!
Definite thumbs up from this reader.
Good thing because the first entry should be coming in a week or so!
I would love to hear your thoughts on some of these. I have been wanting to read more books on film as well, so it would be great to get an idea of where to start. The Hitchcock/Wilder books seem especially intriguing.
One thing I know for sure is that those two books will take the longest to finish reading (and likewise write about). The reason for this is that they are both larger copies – the Wilder one is a coffee table book – so they’ll only be read at home.
Home is actually where I do the absolute least amount of reading.