Customer Reviews

Burton on Burton

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If you've seen Tim Burton in a broadcast interview, chances are that you know that he is not the most fluid of speakers, and for this reason I approached this extended interview with trepidation. However, beneath the sombre dust-jacket is an energetic and lively human being, who infuses the most simplistic life experiences with an infectious enthusiasm which makes this book an absolute joy.

The prose simply sparkles with intelligence, and probably just scratches the surface of his brilliance. Burton impresses with his underlying sense of artistic integrity, but amazes with his heartfelt discussions about art and character. He wants you to share the sense of fun that these experiences have given him, and speaks passionately on many aspects of life. Here is someone not afraid to relate the most pedantic details if he considers them to have impacted his vision, and this is where the book excels most. In many ways, the talk about his actual films is comparatively mundane when compared to recollections of the experiences that shaped them.

Topped off with a selection of Burton's distinctive artwork, this is a fine addition to the library of any movie fan, and it will leave you in awe of one of a cinematic talent that defies categorisation. In the foreword, Johnny Depp calls Burton a genius, and having read the man's take on the world, I think that it's a label I wouldn't argue with. This book is an exemplary example of the interview form, and proof that the best medium for preserving discussion will always be the written page.

When I first got my hands on Burton on Burton, I couldn't put it down. Tim Burton is a genius who has the ability to get under your skin, especially in movies like Edward Scissorhands. However, I would have enjoyed it more if it were more in-depth on the man himself, rather than his feelings on the movies he's created.

It's still a very interesting read, with amusing anecdotes (such as his description of working with Danny Elfman for the first time) scattered about. His sporratic descriptions scratch the surface of his personal life (for example, he discusses how Lisa Marie found their dog, Poppy) reflect his personality well.

It would be interesting to see another revised edition, covering from Apes onward.

I bought this book wanting to know a bit more about one of my favorite directors, and I got much more in return. Burton writes about his life as a child growing up in Burbank, California, from his time at CalArts in Valencia, his stay at Disney, and the launching of his own directorial stardum. The forward, which is written by Johnny Depp, tells of their first acquaintance, and almost instantaneous partnership.

Burton really does go through much detail of his life, both in career and personal aspects, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Certainly a must for Burton fans, but also for anyone interested in knowing more about the creative genius behind such unforgettable masterpieces.

For over a decade, the man has delighted and haunted(in a good way)audiences around the world. What is going on in the mind of the genius who has provided us with such popular hits as "Batman", the fairy tale, "Edward Scissorhands", and the critically acclaimed Ed Wood? Well, Burton on Burton gives us one of the clearest visions yet, describing his journey from an oddball child in the suburbs of California to his job as an unfulfilled Disney animator, to his current success. For the average Burton fan, the book will entertain and provide deep insight, but not so much related to Burton as a person, but Burton as a filmmaker. The chapters hide him behind a mask, much like his film's characters, never really letting the reader past the superficial. There are times when Burton comes close to opening up, describing his joy of spending time in the cemetary as a teenager, or his feeling of seclusion growing up, but for the most part, he focuses on his movies or other actors, or his success. Is it enough? Well, for most filmmakers, I wouldn't believe so... But there is a wonderful child-like quality to Burton, a truthfulness in his writing that somehow gave me just enough information to know that I liked him as much as I thought I had. The book could have used more of his lovely, peculiar artwork, and I do hope to know more about this genius in the future... But for what it is, "Burton on Burton" is a good first look into the life of a man who dwells in the dark in order to bring light to his audiences..................................................................................................................by peter fawthrop, greenville college, greenville, IL 62246------please feel free to write me

As one can tell, not only am I truly a Tim Burton fan, but I am also a fan of this well put together ensemble of musings from a person I believe is one of the greatest director's and cinematic visionaries of his time. So in one sense, one might say that I could be biased that I am already a Burton fan. However, as an avid book reader, the subject matter is extremely intriguing and the editorial precise and unbiased.

I think the thing I liked most about this book, is that an overwhelming percentage of the text are in Burton's own words. The editor wraps this nicely in a very smooth flowing readable arch without making many presumptions as to what Burton himself might be thinking. Honestly, this is one book I couldn't, and didn't, put down and it was an extremely satisfying read.

Even as a true "Burtonite", I found myself learning all sorts of interesting little details and insights about the man, that I otherwise would not have garnered on my own. The series of these books have been a gold-label of fascinating reads on directors from all sorts of styles and genres, so it is not surprising that their editor selection is impeccable.

The books covers everything from Burton's idolization of greats like Roger Corman, Vincent Price, Ray Harryhausen and the early Hammer Films. It covers his simple beginnings in the often paradoxical suburbs of Burbank, his "imprisonment" in the Disney system, disdain for the major studio system and ultimate serendipitous events which lead up to him being one of the most highly sought after and most successful directors of our time. On a deeply humanistic note, it delves into his need to connect with something on a personal level on each film he does, his close personal relationships with Johnny Depp, Lisa Marie and Helena Bohnam Carter, among others, and his perception on estrangement with his parents. The book goes on to thoroughly review each of Burton's features which included what he was thinking during all stages of production, including many illustrations often by Burton himself. Finally it sums of his preference to reuse many cast and crew including (but by no means limited too) Christopher Lee, Danny Devito, Rick Heinrichs, Collen Atwood, Chris Lebenzon and Danny Elfman, which is detailed further with explanation of his dislike for verbal communication. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, there are some very intimate moments in this novel from Burton's perspective including his disheartening with the tabloids over rumors of an affair with Helena Bohnam Carter on the set of "Planet of the Apes", his discouragement with the studio system especially in terms of the "Batman" and "Superman" franchises and dealing with the suicide of his friend and "Batman" corroborator, Production Designer Anton Furst.

The back jacket of the book says it succinctly in a quote from Empire "A must for fans", but I beg to differ. This book is not only a must for fans, but anyone looking for a little contemporary documentation on a fascinating individual who is truly one of a kind, despite what you think of his particular brand of aesthetics.

"Burton on Burton" acts more like an interview than it does an autobiography. Most of it is written by Burton but it sounds like a transcript of a television special. However, the book is very thorough and presents many interesting anecdotes concerning the inspiration for and production of all of Tim's films up to Sleepy Hollow. They even go so far as to comment on the progres they made on Superman Lives! which was to star Nicholas Cage and be written by Kevin Smith.

For the majority of the book, an italicized summary of a series of events, written by Salisbury, will be followed by a page or two by Burton on that same topic. This is then followed by another paragraph, or so, by Salisbury on a following event and so on and so forth.

Johnny Depp's Prologue, though shorter than expected, is very well written and provides a very interesting look at the actor's view of Burton before he met him, during Edward Scissorhands, after, and then during Ed Wood (and possibly Sleepy Hollow, I can't quite remember). He has some quite nice things to say about Tim and provides an eloquent intro for both the casual Tim fan and the die-hard Burtonite.

Definetly a must for all interested in Tim's work.

i've always been a big fan of Tim Burton's films and this book fulfills any questions i might've had about this unique filmmaker. like all of the books of this series, it is an exhaustive examination of Burton's life and his films starting from his childhood in Burbank all the way up to SLEEPY HOLLOW. the interviews are very informative and candid (esp. his comments on the aborted SUPERMAN film). Burton isn't known for being the most chatty filmmaker in the world but the interviewer really gets him to open up. if you love Burton's films this book is essential. i'd rank it right up there with the also fantastic Lynch On Lynch and Gilliam On Gilliam books. now, when is Faber & Faber going to do one on the Coens?

There are several pages of Tim Burton books that you will find on amazon, but I am extremely happy I chose Burton on Burton. The book is very detailed, and beautifully describes all of Burton's most well known films, including: Nightmare before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Batman, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, and many more. Plus it is awesome to be able to read a story about Tim Burton, written by the man himself, and you can definitely see it throughout the book. I highly recommend this to any Tim Burton fan like me,or anyone who appreciates any one of his multitude of films. Definitely a must have!!

Burton on Burton is a great read for anyone who loves Tim's movies and who would like a glimpse into how movies are made. I've always connected to Burton's films because they're unusual and full of heart. I loved walking around in Tim's head for a few days.

This chop shop of magazine interviews gives the reader a good sense of Burton's motivations and inspirations. The writer, or rather the interview-assembler, makes a solid effort in creating something linear and readable by interspersing Tim Burton's extemporaneous word with brief clarifications. The overall effect is clear, but there is quite a bit of redundant and sometimes trivial prose in the question-and-answer format. Thankfully, a bevy of the titular director's preproduction sketches gives the reader a rare glimpse into the lucid imagination of this self proclaimed "incommunicative" artist.