Overview

In his most inventive exploration of the medium yet, David Thomson—one of our most provocative authorities on all things cinema—shows us how to get more out of watching any movie. Guiding us through each element of the viewing experience, considering the significance of everything from what we see and hear on-screen—actors, shots, cuts, dialogue, music—to the specifics of how, where, and with whom we do the viewing, Thomson explicates the movie watching experience with his customary candor and wit. Delivering keen analyses of films ranging from Citizen Kane to 12 Years a Slave, in How to Watch a Movie, Thomson shows moviegoers how to more deeply appreciate both the artistry and the manipulation of film—and in so doing enriches our viewing experience immensely.

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9781101910849

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Reviews

Your everyman guide to cinema. . . . Heady but practical. --San Francisco Chronicle A love story. . . . A book that will get you thinking about the magic of film. --NPR David Thomson's love affair with the movies is one of the great blessings of our culture. How to Watch a Movie confirms yet again that he has the most learned and independent eyes in the criticism business. Somehow he freshens everything. --Leon Wieseltier Chatty and authoritative. . . . Both wonderfully informative and a beautifully written paean to the movies and their continuing ability to inspire and enthrall. --The Sunday Times (London) Easygoing, essayistic. . . . This isn't an academic manual or Movies for Dummies. You read Thomson for contact with an urbane and provocative intelligence. --The Washington Post Your everyman guide to cinema. . . . Heady but practical. San Francisco Chronicle A love story. . . . A book that will get you thinking about the magic of film. NPR David Thomson s love affair with the movies is one of the great blessings of our culture. How to Watch a Movie confirms yet again that he has the most learned and independent eyes in the criticism business. Somehow he freshens everything. Leon Wieseltier Chatty and authoritative. . . . Both wonderfully informative and a beautifully written paean to the movies and their continuing ability to inspire and enthrall. The Sunday Times (London) Easygoing, essayistic. . . . This isn t an academic manual or Movies for Dummies. You read Thomson for contact with an urbane and provocative intelligence. The Washington Post [Thomson] reveal[s] not only what films have meant to him, but what the watching of them, and the ultimate harvesting of them in our memories, means to all of us... Thomson is that rare critic who wants you to have and to share your passions, and in How to Watch a Movie, he writes more of the experience of watching than in rating a film or excoriating the ambitions of anyone... Bewitching. The Millions Richly informed... Thomson s prose makes you want to review what you ve already seen, and perhaps what you ve already studied. The Guardian Highly readable and wickedly smart, this title will inspire both lay film fans and film students to watch more closely. Library Journal [Thomson]'s encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history makes for some truly fascinating associations often in the space of a single poetic phrase... Thomson assuredly seeks to expose the magician's many secrets but only so we can all access a better appreciation of the wonder of film... An enjoyably deep dive into the interaction between cinema and psyche. Kirkus Thoughtfully pondered and poetically covered The book s coverage is fascinating, wide ranging (from art to critics), and immensely knowledgeable Readers ranging from filmmakers to movie buffs will learn much here. Booklist From the Hardcover edition. Highly readable and wickedly smart, this title will inspire both lay film fans and film students to watch more closely. Library Journal [Thomson]'s encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history makes for some truly fascinating associations often in the space of a single poetic phrase... Thomson assuredly seeks to expose the magician's many secrets but only so we can all access a better appreciation of the wonder of film... An enjoyably deep dive into the interaction between cinema and psyche. Kirkus Thoughtfully pondered and poetically covered The book s coverage is fascinating, wide ranging (from art to critics), and immensely knowledgeable Readers ranging from filmmakers to movie buffs will learn much here. Booklist From the Hardcover edition.

[Thomson] reveal[s] not only what films have meant to him, but what the watching of them, and the ultimate harvesting of them in our memories, means to all of us... Thomson is that rare critic who wants you to have and to share your passions, and in How to Watch a Movie, he writes more of the experience of watching than in rating a film or excoriating the ambitions of anyone... Bewitching. The Millions Richly informed... Thomson s prose makes you want to review what you ve already seen, and perhaps what you ve already studied. The Guardian Highly readable and wickedly smart, this title will inspire both lay film fans and film students to watch more closely. Library Journal [Thomson]'s encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history makes for some truly fascinating associations often in the space of a single poetic phrase... Thomson assuredly seeks to expose the magician's many secrets but only so we can all access a better appreciation of the wonder of film... An enjoyably deep dive into the interaction between cinema and psyche. Kirkus Thoughtfully pondered and poetically covered The book s coverage is fascinating, wide ranging (from art to critics), and immensely knowledgeable Readers ranging from filmmakers to movie buffs will learn much here. Booklist From the Hardcover edition.

Your everyman guide to cinema. . . . Heady but practical. --San Francisco Chronicle A love story. . . . A book that will get you thinking about the magic of film. --NPR David Thomson's love affair with the movies is one of the great blessings of our culture. How to Watch a Movie confirms yet again that he has the most learned and independent eyes in the criticism business. Somehow he freshens everything. --Leon Wieseltier Chatty and authoritative. . . . Both wonderfully informative and a beautifully written paean to the movies and their continuing ability to inspire and enthrall. --The Sunday Times (London) Easygoing, essayistic. . . . This isn't an academic manual or Movies for Dummies. You read Thomson for contact with an urbane and provocative intelligence. --The Washington Post Your everyman guide to cinema. . . . Heady but practical. San Francisco Chronicle A love story. . . . A book that will get you thinking about the magic of film. NPR David Thomson s love affair with the movies is one of the great blessings of our culture. How to Watch a Movie confirms yet again that he has the most learned and independent eyes in the criticism business. Somehow he freshens everything. Leon Wieseltier Chatty and authoritative. . . . Both wonderfully informative and a beautifully written paean to the movies and their continuing ability to inspire and enthrall. The Sunday Times (London) Easygoing, essayistic. . . . This isn t an academic manual or Movies for Dummies. You read Thomson for contact with an urbane and provocative intelligence. The Washington Post [Thomson] reveal[s] not only what films have meant to him, but what the watching of them, and the ultimate harvesting of them in our memories, means to all of us... Thomson is that rare critic who wants you to have and to share your passions, and in How to Watch a Movie, he writes more of the experience of watching than in rating a film or excoriating the ambitions of anyone... Bewitching. The Millions Richly informed... Thomson s prose makes you want to review what you ve already seen, and perhaps what you ve already studied. The Guardian Highly readable and wickedly smart, this title will inspire both lay film fans and film students to watch more closely. Library Journal [Thomson]'s encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history makes for some truly fascinating associations often in the space of a single poetic phrase... Thomson assuredly seeks to expose the magician's many secrets but only so we can all access a better appreciation of the wonder of film... An enjoyably deep dive into the interaction between cinema and psyche. Kirkus Thoughtfully pondered and poetically covered The book s coverage is fascinating, wide ranging (from art to critics), and immensely knowledgeable Readers ranging from filmmakers to movie buffs will learn much here. Booklist From the Hardcover edition. Highly readable and wickedly smart, this title will inspire both lay film fans and film students to watch more closely. Library Journal [Thomson]'s encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history makes for some truly fascinating associations often in the space of a single poetic phrase... Thomson assuredly seeks to expose the magician's many secrets but only so we can all access a better appreciation of the wonder of film... An enjoyably deep dive into the interaction between cinema and psyche. Kirkus Thoughtfully pondered and poetically covered The book s coverage is fascinating, wide ranging (from art to critics), and immensely knowledgeable Readers ranging from filmmakers to movie buffs will learn much here. Booklist From the Hardcover edition.

Your everyman guide to cinema. . . . Heady but practical. <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i> A love story. . . . A book that will get you thinking about the magic of film. NPR David Thomson s love affair with the movies is one of the great blessings of our culture. How to Watch a Movie confirms yet again that he has the most learned and independent eyes in the criticism business. Somehow he freshens everything. Leon Wieseltier Chatty and authoritative. . . . Both wonderfully informative and a beautifully written paean to the movies and their continuing ability to inspire and enthrall. <i>The Sunday Times</i> (London) Easygoing, essayistic. . . . This isn t an academic manual or <i>Movies for Dummies</i>. You read Thomson for contact with an urbane and provocative intelligence. <i>The Washington Post</i>

Author Information

David Thomson has written about film for The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Times, The New Republic, Salon, Movieline, Film Comment, and Sight & Sound. He is the author of more than thirty books on film, including The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, Rosebud: The Story of Orson Welles, and The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. He lives in San Francisco.

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