Second Takes - by Naser Mojtahed (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Movie critic Naser Mojtahed invites readers on an inspiring journey into the world of film analysis

Second Takes samples a broad spectrum of movies from the "golden years" of filmmaking, highlighting outstanding artists who have created the hallmarks of the medium.

The book is a collection of fifty essays focusing exclusively on classic cinema, each exploring the themes, cultural contexts, and creative ideas that came together to deliver fascinating films-some of which have retained their original appeal for nearly one hundred years. Mojtahed employs traditional values in film criticism to create fresh takes on classics. Readers will discover how interactions of visual elements with components such as sound effects, music, color, dialogue, and editing create a dynamism that shapes our response to films.

Detailed examinations reveal how this synergy of diverse elements leads to a thematic cohesion, or a recurring motif, that audiences relate to both emotionally-and intellectually. While we can often explain the impact of mise-en-scène or camera movement, the unconscious emotional response to what we see on the screen guides our intellectual reading of a moment in movies.

Film aficionados will learn how to apply the essays' blending of theoretical concepts with practical guidelines to any film of interest. In additional to traditional classics, Second Takes also includes several important films that are overlooked or seldom discussed, and a list of "Suggested Further Reading" provides readers with a vast resource to expand their perspective on the art of cinema even further.

Review Quotes

"Second Takes is a first-rate discourse on the enduring gems of world cinema and the directors who made them by a writer who packs a great deal of insight and information into short supple essays. Naser Mojtahed is deeply familiar with the scholars and critics who preceded him, benefitting for example from those who led to the reappraisal of so many of the American films. But the essays are all his own, fresh and personal and a delight to any lover of film."

-Molly Haskell, celebrated film critic and author

"Mojtahed writes with perceptive sensitivity about how directors' attitudes and techniques evolve over time, highlighting recurring themes-unfulfilled desires, societal change, and the human struggle to accept that life always goes on. His sense of joyous discovery enlivens each essay, modeling an open-hearted, broad-minded approach to engaging with narrative art. Takeaway: Inviting, memorable essays on classic cinema, with standout attention to Ozu and Buñuel."

-Publishers Weekly

"Second Takes proves to be a remarkable collection of film reviews, representing a deeply personal, intellectually rigorous journey through some of cinema's most celebrated works. Its organization is well thought out and comprehensive because it spans several cinematic traditions, including westerns, French New Wave, Danish art cinema, and Italian neorealism. Additionally, Mojtahed's choice of includingtwo Douglas Sirk films and three John Ford films clearly shows that the author grasps a deep understanding that repeatedly engagingwith a singular director's workscan give way to more depth in comprehending their work. ... Second Takes succeeds as a scholarly resource and a passionate advocacyfor cinema as a serious, relevant, evolving art form. That Motjahed can balance technical analysis with emotionalresponse and historical context with personalreflection renders a unique work that will reward film enthusiasts and scholars alike. Second Takes stands tall as a living testament to the enduring power of film criticism to illuminate the depths of the cinematic art form."

-Book Review Directory

"While each essay can be read in isolation, there is a lot to be gleamed from reading the whole book, or select essays from different countries. Doing this will help readers build their understanding of the similarities and differences between different countries and director styles. ... Second Takes is a very thorough guide, perfect for readers who love jumping into the detail of the silver screen to understand what makes these classics celebrated works of art."

-Alice Bennett, Reedsy Discovery