Cinema Speculation - by Quentin Tarantino (Paperback)

About the Book

"In addition to being among the most celebrated of contemporary filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino is possibly the most joyously infectious movie lover alive. For years he has touted in interviews his eventual turn to writing books about films. Now, with Cinema Speculation, the time has come, and the results are everything his passionate fans--and all movie lovers--could have hoped for. Organized around key American films from the 1970s, all of which he first saw as a young moviegoer at the time, this book is as intellectually rigorous and insightful as it is rollicking and entertaining. At once film criticism, film theory, a feat of reporting, and wonderful personal history, it is all written in the singular voice recognizable immediately as QT's and with the rare perspective about cinema possible only from one of the greatest practitioners of the artform ever"--

Book Synopsis

Instant New York Times bestseller

The long-awaited first work of nonfiction from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: a deliriously entertaining, wickedly intelligent cinema book as unique and creative as anything by Quentin Tarantino.

In addition to being among the most celebrated of contemporary filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino is possibly the most joyously infectious movie lover alive. For years he has touted in interviews his eventual turn to writing books about films. Now, with Cinema Speculation, the time has come, and the results are everything his passionate fans--and all movie lovers--could have hoped for.

Organized around key American films from the New Hollywood era of the 1970s, all of which he first saw as a young moviegoer at the time, this book is as intellectually rigorous and insightful as it is rollicking and entertaining. At once film criticism, film theory, a feat of reporting, and wonderful personal history, it is all written in the singular voice recognizable immediately as QT's and with the rare perspective about cinema possible only from one of the greatest practitioners of the artform ever.

Part memoir, part film history, Tarantino's sharp-witted analysis of 70s cinema covers:

• Film Criticism Reimagined: In-depth, outrageously entertaining essays on pivotal films of the 1970s like Dirty Harry, Taxi Driver, and Deliverance, viewed through the eyes of a master filmmaker.
• Untold Hollywood History: A mix of sharp reporting and personal history, exploring the movies, the stars, and the directors that defined a cinematic era.
• What-If Scenarios: Tarantino's signature "cinema speculation" in action, exploring alternate histories like what would have happened if Brian De Palma had directed Taxi Driver.
• A Masterclass in Filmmaking: Learn how one of cinema's greatest practitioners thinks about the artform, with insights only QT could deliver.

Review Quotes

"A top-flight nonfiction debut from a unique artist." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Brilliant and passionate . . . . Tarantino's joy, generosity, and singular point of view bolster his arguments, and even when he's taking down his heroes, it's out of love . . . . Whip-smart and obsessive, Tarantino is great fun and tough to beat." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Tarantino brings the heat and exuberance of his movie expertise, storytelling artistry, and sharp humor to a dynamic mix of eyebrow-raising personal stories, zesty film history, and kickass film criticism . . . . Offers sizzling behind the production tales and exacting, speculative critiques . . . . [A] rollicking cinematic celebration." - Donna Seaman, Booklist, starred review

"Dynamic film commentary from a contemporary legend that is essential reading for cinephiles." - Library Journal, starred review

"That Tarantino's film reviews should turn out to be every bit as punchy, smart and surprising as his films should come as no surprise: In a sense he's been writing both for years. . . . Tarantino's critical intelligence both refracts and reflects. . . . Tarantino is an unabashed celebrant of cinema's dirtier pleasures." - Tom Shone, The New York Times Book Review

"Cinema Speculation is consistently engaging; with its zinging and zipping observations, its casual opinion-flinging, and its sharp-edged divisions of personalities and eras, it seems designed to arouse fruitful arguments. Like the experienced fictioneer that he is, Tarantino creates images and stories and scenes, tells tales that entice and bewitch even as they invite the same sort of criticism that his movies do. Above all, Cinema Speculation is a vision, in motion, of a Hollywood-centric mind." - Richard Brody, The New Yorker

"Pure unfiltered Tarantinalia: a motormouthed mash-up of cinema history, conjecture and memoir . . . . Insanely readable." - The Times (UK)

"Sharp, clear, slashing." - The Millions

"Wickedly funny. . . . Tarantino knows what he likes, and he engages the reader with ease. . . . An opinionated, compulsively readable appreciation of the grimy, generally lurid movies of his '70s youth." - Chris Vognar, San Francisco Chronicle

"A one-of-a-kind and compulsively readable volume of film criticism as self-portrait. After all, what better way for Tarantino, who has lived and breathed 35-mm. his whole life, to tell his personal story than via moviegoing?" - Spike Carter, Air Mail

"[Tarantino's] at his best and most amusing when he's simply unpacking a mind stuffed with memories and opinions of favourite films, almost of all them from the 1970s, explaining in detail what he liked or disliked about them . . . . He remains reliably contrary, quotably obdurate and eternally passionate, qualities that make Cinema Speculation an entertaining trawl through the man's mind." - Peter Howell, The Toronto Star