I’ve been a fan of QT from nearly the beginning. I saw “Reservoir Dogs” for the first time after I saw “Pulp Fiction” which was my (and many others.) So, I am a bit biased. I absolutely find his work to subtly improve with every film. I patiently wait for his next (and said to be last) film. It will take a lot to upstage “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” though. I even got the book and it too is a must-read. It goes without saying his writing skills grow beyond screenplays.
In his first nonfiction book, “Cinema Speculation”, Quentin Tarantino explores the 1970s American cinema that shaped his own filmmaking. The book is a collection of personal and passionate essays about key films from that decade, showing Tarantino’s deep love and knowledge of cinema. He writes in a conversational and engaging way, sharing stories and insights from his life and career. He also pays homage to critic Pauline Kael, whose work influenced him. The book is a great read for anyone who enjoys Tarantino’s films and wants to learn more about the filmmaker and his influences. It’s a rare opportunity to see the world of cinema through Tarantino’s eyes.
The book is a litany of references all across the movie spectrum. If you’ve run out of movies to see due to COVID, you should read this book and you will have dozens to now add to your queue. Its also one of the most unique ways to auto-biographically tell your story through your movies – a method not so similar to the main character in “High Fidelity” Rob Gordon deciding to arrange his albums in “his autobiographical order.” It seems that Quentin did this with films and then constructed this fantastic book of reviews and stories around them.
Tarantino writes about the films from the ’70s that influenced his own filmmaking vision and style. His essays are not just analytical and theoretical, but also informative and autobiographical. He shows his passion and expertise for cinema, making the book a delightful read for other film lovers.
Tarantino does not sound like a scholar; he sounds like a friendly and knowledgeable guide, engaging in a spirited conversation with a pal who shares his passion for cinema. He tells stories from his own life and background, offering a distinctive angle to his examination of the films that shaped him as a film fan and as a director.
The book is also a tribute to the film writing of critic Pauline Kael, whose work inspired Tarantino. It’s a must-read for anyone who finds Tarantino’s films a guilty pleasure and is curious about the backstory of one of the most influential filmmakers of our time. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a die-hard cinephile, “Cinema Speculation” offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a director who has shaped modern cinema with his bold storytelling and stylistic flair.
The final chapter is a tribute to a father-figure that is deeply personal and reflective and serves as a great wrapper to the overall theme of who and what shaped QT as an artist. It also reminds us that we may have more influence on our younger counterparts than we could ever imagine.
If Tarantino is true to his word and decides to retire after his next film, I would still hope that he would become so bored in retirement that he would at least consider keeping this going, be it novels, or autobiographically-styled movie analysis.
Executing Order 66 