Watching Movies: The Biggest Names in Cinema Talk about the Films that Matter Most [Paperback]

Rick Lyman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805070982 | ISBN-13: 978-0805070989 | Publication Date: March 3, 2003 | Edition: 1st

An inside look at how some of the hottest figures in the film industry view their craft

In this unique collection, New York Times film critic Rick Lyman sits down with notable directors, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and other film industry professionals to watch and discuss a movie that each person considers seminal or influential on his or her career. From Steven Soderbergh on how All the President's Men influenced Erin Brockovich and Traffic, to Woody Allen's, John Travolta's, Sissy Spacek's, and Kevin Smith's favorite movies, each interviewee's character is revealed in the resulting essays, which deepen our appreciation of landmark films, and give us extraordinary insight into the process of filmmaking.

Lyman enhances every essay with a brief biography, career history, and complete filmography of each of the subjects, which puts them in a historical and creative context.

Drawn from the enormously popular series in The New York Times, Watching Movies will fascinate film students and curious moviegoers alike.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

For a series in the New York Times, Lyman watched and discussed movies that each of 21 directors, actors, screenwriters, and other film professionals considers influential on him- or herself. A subject's choice is often as revealing as the discussion. Action director Michael Bay (Pearl Harbor) selects West Side Story, and--surprise--Woody Allen, the ultimate urbanite, picks the classic Western, Shane. Other participants include directors Ron Howard (who chose The Graduate) and Steven Soderbergh (All the President's Men); actors John Travolta (Yankee Doodle Dandy) and Sissy Spacek (To Kill a Mockingbird); and producers Brian Grazer (Blazing Saddles) and Harvey Weinstein (Exo dus). One plaint surfaces over and over as the enduring classics are pondered: under Hollywood's current regime, which is only interested in mass-appeal, commercial blockbusters, few of the films chosen could be made today. This inside look at the filmmaking process gives movie buffs the opportunity to see movie luminaries being movie buffs themselves. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Rick Lyman, who reports on the film industry for The New York Times, has been writing the "Watching the Movies With" column since 2000.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Times Books; 1st edition (March 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805070982
• ISBN-13: 978-0805070989
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,017,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Watching Movies by Rick Lyman, August 31, 2003

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watching Movies: The Biggest Names in Cinema Talk about the Films that Matter Most (Paperback)

This is an excellent work for people interested in the major
movie productions. The book is written from the perspective
of a consortia of movie directors associated with various films.
i.e. The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Blazing Saddles and a host of
other important films

The Graduate is described as a groundbreaking film. The character
of Dustin Hoffman is portrayed as the classic "clean cut kid of
the 60s". The work is helpful in providing needed perspective
from the professional directors who authored these types of films. This presentation would be helpful for students studying
the art of film production in college or graduate school.
Students seeking to produce their own film would find this
work helpful.