Clint: A Retrospective
Richard Schickel
Sterling Publishing, 296 pp
Film critic Richard Schickel's celebration of the life of Clint Eastwood has plenty of content to draw upon. More than 300 photos decorate the pages of this expansive book, from the early spaghetti westerns to Dirty Harry to his directorial success in such flicks as Million Dollar Baby. Author of more than two dozen industry-related books, Schickel blends storytelling with biography to create this chronological piece that comes complete with an accompanying DVD.
Eastwood's resume includes 35 movies, both in front and behind the camera, all captured here. Most certainly, Schickel, whose own career spans more than 45 years as a critic, documentary film maker, and movie historian, brings his expertise to the pages, some of which has been compiled throughout his 30+ year relationship with Eastwood.
An added bonus is the screen legend himself was corralled to write the book's introduction. So ask yourself one question: Do you feel lucky? Well, do you? If so, check out this book.
Infamous Players: A Tale of Movies, the Mob (and Sex)
Peter Bart, Weinstein Books, 274 pp.
New York Times writer-turned-Hollywood-exec Peter Bart details his eight years as the number two man at Paramount, a time when the studio was doing an about-face in response to changing audience tastes. During his tenure (1967-1975), the company produced films such as The Godfather, Rosemary's Baby, and Chinatown.
With a background as both a journalist and a "suit," Bart delivers this synopsis with a plethora of anecdotal information. True to his writing roots, he would later return to publishing, editing Vanity for a two-decade stretch beginning in 1989.
The Kids are Alright: How the Gamer Generation is Changing the Workplace
John C. Beck and Mitchell Wade, Harvard Business Review Press, 224 pp.
A generation, almost 90 million strong and weaned on video games, may have developed unique strengths. Cited by the authors are attributes such as multi-tasking, creative problem solving, and leadership. To gamers, winning counts, as well as the high premium they place on competency.
A group once alternately disregarded or condemned, this generational difference may soon be embraced by those who recognize the talent emerging onto the workforce. It behooves the successful manager to extract the positives in what could be the previously much-maligned younger generation. In the end, the manager who recognizes this talent rather than ignores it may in turn have found the many-times hidden diamond in the rough.
The Hollywood Economist 2.0: The Hidden Financial Reality Behind the Movies
Edward Jay Epstein, Melville House, 252 pp.
Veteran investigative reporter Edward Jay Epstein demystifies Hollywood as he answers the oft-asked question, "How does Hollywood make money?"
Going undercover, Epstein outlines an intriguing story of the multiple schemes the industry uses to generate profits, such as targeting a location spot for subsidies and tax benefits and manipulating foreign investors, and why movies today are designed to appeal to the younger set.
Upgraded from a previous edition, the book clearly reveals that big league film production has its eyes set on much more than just the silver screen.
