The Oscar Project
James Cameron is an icon in the film industry, and this book covers his career in quite some detail, taking the reader movie by movie, with some sidebars into other projects.
Cameron might be best known for reinventing multiple genres across his 40-year career in films. Starting with The Terminator and his work on Aliens and T2: Judgement Day, and continuing through The Abyss and True Lies before shifting to drama with the smash hit Titanic Cameron has always found new ways to approach his subject matter. (affiliate links) “He doesn’t simply make films,” writes Nathan, “he invents the means to match his imagination.” And that imagination seems to know no bounds as his films have taken us to futuristic wastelands, deep sea stations, and of course to distant planets.
Nathan’s book (affiliate link) provides a wonderful companion for those looking to dive even deeper into the world of James Cameron and learn what makes this master tick as they patiently wait for his most anticipated film to arrive in theaters this December.
Check out my reviews of Cameron's movies below: The Abyss
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While Dan Talbot may be in love with movies, I was in love with the stories he told in this book. Despite the famous company he keeps throughout the stories in this book, I never once felt that he was bragging. Offhand comments about meetings with the likes of Werner Herzog (who penned the introduction) or any number of other famous actors, directors, producers, and distributors were related as someone just talking about their fun evenings with friends.
From beginning to end, the stories, memories, and vignettes that Daniel delivers throughout the volume are full of real conversations and interactions with some of heavy hitters in international and independent cinema from across the 20th century. What became completely clear to me as I read about Dan's love of film, is that I have only scratched the surface of great films from around the world. My only regret in reading this book now is that Dan Talbot is no longer with us and didn't get the chance to see the book published. I'm sure he would have loved the feedback provided from the book, even if he didn't fully agree with all of it.
Don Bluth had such an impact on my childhood even though I didn’t know his name at the time. I grew up on his films, specifically The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and An American Tail (affiliate links) and reading about the man behind those stories took me right back to my formative years.
Bluth’s story is one that takes him from his birth in Texas, to Utah, before landing at Disney as an animator. This book is told in his own words, and it truly feels like you’re sitting fireside, listening to him recount his life. Bluth brings plenty of humor and wit to the telling, and weaves in “conversations” he had with his biggest critic, the man in the mirror, throughout his life. After reading this book, I have a better appreciation for the world of animation, understanding what a stranglehold Disney had on the animation industry throughout the 20th century. When Bluth left Disney to create his own company, everyone told him he would fail, and Disney threw as many hurdles in his way as they could.
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AuthorI'm just a film buff who wants to watch great movies. Where else to find the best, than the list of those nominated by the Academy each year? Archives
May 2023
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