Schickel, film critic for Time
magazine, contends the majority books on film are by “hack journalists or dull-witted academics.” To help movie fans size up those books, Schickel has compiled his own book reviews into a user-friendly collection. It's well written and has the added virtue of expounding on the history of cinema. Originally published in the Los Angeles Times
, Schickel's reviews cover books written between 1989 and 2007. He admits that covering the movie industry can be a daunting task. Myths that surround it are accepted without analysis. Directors' bios or interviews can be tricky, he adds, since the subjects often “refuse to illuminate their work.” A notable exception is On Film-making
by Alexander Mackendrick (The Guns of Navarone
), which he calls a valuable guide for a novice director. Yet standard texts, such as The Genius of the System
, are slammed for faulty logic rather than applauded for solid insights. For Schickel, Edward Epstein's The Big Picture
illustrates the worst offenses: obvious deductions, vague theories and substandard writing. Yet he gives credit where it is due, honoring the commendable research in The Dame in the Kimono
, an examination of the Hays Code. Schickel sets a high bar for film books and provides a trusted stamp of approval. (Apr.)
