Customer Reviews

Gus Van Sant: An Unauthorized Biography

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Parish does it again.
I've been a big fan of Jim Parish's cinematic oeuvre of literature for 20 years. He has tackled film genres, biographies and anything with his name on it I will buy. His "Van Sant" bio is terrific and covers a career that hasn't had much coverage to date.
If you can find Mr. Parish's incredible "The Swashbucklers" you have a great weekend read in store. After 100 books, you would think Parish would be tired but his two recent works proves he is as fresh as ever and on the top of his game.

There are a couple inaccuracies which could have been corrected had the author spoken with anyone in the alternative music scene in Portland (to which Mr. Van Sant is connected). The gender of the sound engineer of Male Noche is incorrect (Pat Baum is a woman, drummer of early punk band the NeoBoys, and former dj on KBOO radio), and Chris Monlux and Mike Quinn's collaboration is called MonQui Productions, not Monique Productions.

I was really enjoying this book, until the inaccuracies noted made me suspicious of what other errors might exist. I didn't finish it.

This comprehensive examination of Gus Van Sant's life and work is a valuable resource for both scholars and admirers. Highly recommended!

This is a fascinating book about one of the best (relatively)young directors working. As usual, Mr. Parish has done his homework. The background material is great and helps give a really vivid picture of the person. I really feel I got to know Mr. Van Sandt from reading this book, not only him, but his family and associates growing up. The descriptions of his early works are especially interesting. Mr. Parish is one of the most thorough writers when it comes to work credits of his subjects. I also enjoy this section of his books. I definitely recommend this book.

James Robert Parish is one of the most prolific and knowledgeable film historians and writers around today, and his book on Van Sant lives up to his high standards of writing and research. Van Sant is an interesting character, going from art house (Mala Noche) to mainstream favorites (Good Will Hunting). This is definately a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about Van Sant and the movie making business of today.

It can be frustrating, when you try to keep up with what's going on in the movies, to find meaningful discussion of a particular director or writer that you like. One oversight has just been corrected, with the publication of this study of Gus Van Sant -- one of the more interesting writer/directors of the last 20 years. This book surprises you with how much you don't know about Gus Van Sant: we're familiar with his movies but who knew he had done so much with short films and music videos? And who would have thought he could do so much outside the Hollywood system? So, this book is highly recommended. Now, where's the one on Todd Solondz?

For those film fans that loved Finding Forrester and Good Will Hunting this biography of their director, Gus Van Sant is a must. The author illuminates how William Burroughs, the iconoclastic drug generation author, has influenced this mainstream director, and how his life in Portland, Oregon, has helped shaped his views of life. With unstinting detail, Parish clarifies how Van Sant's gay lifestyle has a part to play in his artistic endeavors (this director is also a published author, a poet and song-writer, as well as a sculptor). Entertainingly written, this book is a necessity for anyone interested in the film scene in America today.