 | The Extraordinary Image: Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and the Reimagining of Cinema Subjects: Motion pictures -- United States; Welles Orson 1915–1985 -- Criticism and interpretation; Hitchcock Alfred 1899–1980 -- Criticism and interpretation; Kubrick Stanley -- Criticism and interpretation; Film scholar Kolker (The Cultures of American Film), whose work is often taught in film studies classrooms, devotes this disappointing study to an obscure analysis of his three favorite film directors: Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, and Alfred Hitchcock. The chief issue is that Kolker hasn't enough original insights to justify the book. Early on, Kolker relates a story of a meeting with Paul Schrader, best known as the screenwriter of Taxi Driver. When Kolker explained his project, Schrader responded that these subjects make up "a well-trod road." And he's right; Kolker himself admits that there is no shortage of biographies and monographs on his trio. His book is often repetitive and unclear, problems exacerbated by weak structure. In brief, this is a misfire. It's heartening to know that Kolker has revised several of his books several times over; this one could be something special with a second or third look by its undoubtedly enthusiastic and thoughtful author. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. ROBERT P. KOLKER has been teaching and writing about film for over forty years. He is the author or editor of A Cinema of Loneliness (4th ed.,); The Altering Eye; Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey: New Essays ; The Oxford Handbook of Film and Media Studies ; The Cultures of American Film; and Film, Form, and Culture . |
