Description
Book SynopsisIn absorbing essays on books about film, the distinguished critic Richard Schickel offers more insights into moviemaking on every page than a reader will find in an entire shelf of film encyclopedias. His trenchant observations about films, actors, directors, producers, and the machinations of an always fascinating industry are consistently authoritative and entertaining. Here are charming but clear-eyed appraisals of Hollywood's major players, its low comedy and high self-regard, its bedrock of bourgeois values, its strange and convoluted affair with sex, and its relentless drive to give the customers what they want, regardless of critical failings. Film on Paper promises to be one of the most enjoyable movie books of the year.
Trade ReviewThis truly entertaining collection of essays on film books illustrates a remarkable phenomenon: someone who actually knows what a movie is shrewdly reviews books about the movies. What a concept! And what fun to read! Schickel is tough, but he never attacks a book to prove how clever he is. His respect for film shines through, and there's much to be learned as well as enjoyed. -- Jeanine Basinger
User-friendly collection....Schickel sets a high bar for film books. * Publishers Weekly *
An enjoyable bedside companion for cinephiles of a classic bent, as well as amateurs who want to learn a bit more about the history of film without lugging home a library. * Kirkus *
Its subtitle in 'the inner life of movies.' Which is really Richard's musings on the musings of others who have written about the creators and creations of movies, the art form which has run the gamut from 'the moving pictures' to FILM over the past 100 years. For sensible judgment, entertaining and original insight, and sheer anecdotal delight, Richard Schickel is the Dr Johnson of our time, with one exception—Richard's judgments are considerably more reliable than the good doctor's, more kindly and no less witty or trenchant for all that. -- Robert Towne
Schickel is a superb writer who has earned his stripes as a critic of culture and its artifacts. -- Joe Taylor * Foreword Reviews *
College-level libraries…will find moving this collection of short essays on books about film, coming from a critic who not only reviews these books but uses them to discuss movie content, actor approaches, director and producer influences, and how the film industry operates as a whole. * Midwest Book Review *
Schickel is an endlessly entertaining writer. Film on Paper is an outstanding read and well worth the time for anyone who enjoys film, good writing, or both. -- David Noon * Simply Chaplin *
