SELECTED BOOKS ON CINEMA
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The Art and Making of Monster House (Palace Press/2006)
"This is the art book that started all the scrapbook-styled art books. It's easily the best and it still is. Every page entices me to flip to the next, yet the beautiful artwork just make it so difficult to. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and fun book." Teoh Yi Chie Parka Blogs The Complete Making of Indiana Jones (Ballantine/Ebury Books, 2008) London Times best-seller "Rinzler, an expert researcher in the archives of Lucasfilm, dug through a "great clipping archive — never-ending resource" to provide a vast amount of detail from contemporary documents, and interviews." -- McClatchy Newspapers "Most glossy books like this have a tendency to pad the pages out with large images for the sake of it. The Complete Making of Indiana Jones, on the other hand, is still big on lavish imagery but not a single image is included for the sake of it." -- Sci-Fi-online.com |
The Making of Planet of the Apes (2018)
"In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Planet of the Apes, New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler tells the exciting, and largely unknown, story of this legendary Hollywood production. Meticulously researched and designed to capture the look and atmosphere of the film, The Making of Planet of the Apes explores behind-the-scenes tales, newly discovered details, and never-before-seen photographs and concept art – including rare journal pages and sketches from star Charlton Heston’s private collection – as well as unit photography, posters and more unique ephemera. Comprehensive in scope, this is the definitive look at the original blockbuster film, a must-have for fans, film buffs and collectors alike." -- Reviewgraveyard.com
"A fascinating read with lots of production photos in front of and behind the camera and well worth investing in." -- SFCrowsnest.info
"Planet of the Apes is best known for its surprise ending and the groundbreaking makeup work by John Chambers. Both topics are thoroughly covered in Rinzler’s account. Through initial sketches, concept designs, storyboards, and rare photographs, readers will see the building of the climactic finale from the ground up, as executives, producers, and cast struggled to determine what would be the final scenes of the film." -- Borg.com
See J W Rinzler's talk at the Santa Fe Institute on Planet of the Apes, below, with YouTube link.
"In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Planet of the Apes, New York Times bestselling author J. W. Rinzler tells the exciting, and largely unknown, story of this legendary Hollywood production. Meticulously researched and designed to capture the look and atmosphere of the film, The Making of Planet of the Apes explores behind-the-scenes tales, newly discovered details, and never-before-seen photographs and concept art – including rare journal pages and sketches from star Charlton Heston’s private collection – as well as unit photography, posters and more unique ephemera. Comprehensive in scope, this is the definitive look at the original blockbuster film, a must-have for fans, film buffs and collectors alike." -- Reviewgraveyard.com
"A fascinating read with lots of production photos in front of and behind the camera and well worth investing in." -- SFCrowsnest.info
"Planet of the Apes is best known for its surprise ending and the groundbreaking makeup work by John Chambers. Both topics are thoroughly covered in Rinzler’s account. Through initial sketches, concept designs, storyboards, and rare photographs, readers will see the building of the climactic finale from the ground up, as executives, producers, and cast struggled to determine what would be the final scenes of the film." -- Borg.com
See J W Rinzler's talk at the Santa Fe Institute on Planet of the Apes, below, with YouTube link.
The Making of Alien (2019)
Winner of Best Foreign Translated Work (Syndicat Français de la Critique de Cinéma), France
"Rinzler does a fine job of showing why, exactly, Alien became one of cinema's greatest creations" - The Film Stage
"Completely enthralling...For fans of the film and the franchise, you couldn't ask for more for this year's 40th anniversary of Alien." - Borg.com
"A jaw-dropper of a book, a must-own for Alien fans that's positively overflowing with excellent artwork, new interviews, script excerpts, and a whole bunch of behind-the-scenes photos I'd never seen before" - Birth.Movies.Death
"A gorgeous hardcover book that follows the making of the film from its inception in the mind of writer Dan O'Bannon to the mark it has left on the world...I think it's safe to say that this book is a must-have for fans of the Alien franchise" - Dread Central
"Tells the fascinating story of how Alien germinated from screenwriter Dan O'Bannon's simple extraterrestrial stowaway idea into one of the most indelible works of scare cinema ever produced" - SYFY
"J.W. Rinzler has previously set the bar for "The Making of" genre. By the end of this book he's becoming the platinum standard. This is easily the most well done and comprehensive look at Alien fans have ever seen." 10/10 - Adventures in Poor Taste
"Author J.W. Rinzler brilliantly guides us through the long and fascinating origins of this unforgettable film by Ridley Scott" - Dead Entertainment
"A gorgeous book and a must have for fans of the franchise" - Fangirl Nation
"An extraordinary revelation of a film we thought we already knew." - Film School Rejects
"An exhaustive volume, one that works on two levels...you can page through, just soaking in the extraordinary illustrations and concept art from Ron Cobb, Chris Foss, H.R. Giger, and Scott himself. It's also a book that provides some phenomenal detail into the story of the film's production, and how it fit into the larger picture of cinema." - The Verge
"While I can't recommend The Making of Alien highly enough to fans of the movie, it's also an interesting look into the creative process, shedding light on the creation of one of the greatest films of all time. Rinzler and Titan have released a top-quality book that should interest any fan of horror, science fiction, or good film in general" - Ravenous Monster
"An engaging tribute to a widely respected film, but also a treat for fans of books about moviemaking." - Booklist
"A fantastic in-depth look behind the scenes at Ridley Scott's horror/sci-fi masterpiece and a must-own for fans of the Alien franchise" - Cinema Sentries
Rick Baker: Metamorphosis (2019)
"Baker's massive book documents his long career, starting when he was a ten-year-old kid making monster masks in his bedroom." -- Mandalit Del Barco, NPR's Morning Edition
"Stunning photographs...beautifully written..." -- Marc Maron, WTF with Marc Maron
"Rick Baker has had a remarkable career...(which) is now tracked, and celebrated, in the J. W. Rinzler-written, two-volume Metamorphosis, which includes 1,600 color images and original sketches as well as an introduction by its subject, a foreword by John Landis, a preface by Peter Jackson, and an afterword by Baker's mentor, the late Dick Smith." -- Entertainment Weekly
"Rick Baker: Metamorphosis is an elaborate, full-color, two-volume, 700-page extravaganza highlight his 40+ year journey through Hollywood. Frank and I were lucky enough to get a couple of copies, and our jaws are still hanging open." -- Gilbert Gottfried, Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
"Not for the faint of heart, this two-volume retrospective of the Oscar-winning special makeup effects artist revisits his spookiest creations." -- The New York Times (New & Noteworthy)
"Baker's massive book documents his long career, starting when he was a ten-year-old kid making monster masks in his bedroom." -- Mandalit Del Barco, NPR's Morning Edition
"Stunning photographs...beautifully written..." -- Marc Maron, WTF with Marc Maron
"Rick Baker has had a remarkable career...(which) is now tracked, and celebrated, in the J. W. Rinzler-written, two-volume Metamorphosis, which includes 1,600 color images and original sketches as well as an introduction by its subject, a foreword by John Landis, a preface by Peter Jackson, and an afterword by Baker's mentor, the late Dick Smith." -- Entertainment Weekly
"Rick Baker: Metamorphosis is an elaborate, full-color, two-volume, 700-page extravaganza highlight his 40+ year journey through Hollywood. Frank and I were lucky enough to get a couple of copies, and our jaws are still hanging open." -- Gilbert Gottfried, Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast
"Not for the faint of heart, this two-volume retrospective of the Oscar-winning special makeup effects artist revisits his spookiest creations." -- The New York Times (New & Noteworthy)
The Making of Aliens (2020)
"Everything you could possibly want to know about James Cameron’s sequel to Ridley’s Scott’s classic... Rinzler’s book on the first film set a high standard; if anything, I’d say he’s exceeded it for this volume." -- SciFiBulletin.com
“Ultimately I cannot recommend this book enough” -- This Week in Geek
“A definitive guide to the creation of a true modern classic” -- SYFY
“Offers a fascinating look at one of our greatest films...[with] new insights into the production that cast a whole new light on specific scenes and characters” -- ComingSoon.com
“The definitive look at the film” -- Borg.com
“One the most comprehensive books you’re going to find and read regarding the film... The Making of Aliens is an absolute must for Aliens fans the universe over” -- Adventures in Poor Taste
“For fans of the franchise — or this film in particular — the book is an essential thing to have on one’s coffee table” -- Andrew Liptak's Reading List
"This is a book that belongs on every sf and adventure-film fan’s shelf, to be pulled out and leafed through again and again." -- David Pitt, BookListOnline
"J.W. Rinzler’s books about the making of films like the Star Wars trilogy and the Indiana Jones saga are among the most detailed and in-depth studies of how large-scale classics came together. What makes The Making of Aliens one of his most involving books yet, though, is the presence of writer-director James Cameron. And even though he is known for his confidence, Cameron shows he is not above self-criticism: “In terms of actual technique, it’s crude compared to the films that are made now. But in terms of storytelling, it’s as good as I’ll ever be.” Plus, Rinzler explains in detail how star Sigourney Weaver was originally seen as unnecessary by a misguided 20th Century Fox. Talk about a crisis averted." -- Christopher Schobert, FilmStage.com
Howard Kazanjian: A Producer's Life -- From Hitchcock and Peckinpah to Spielberg and Lucas, 50 Years of Collaboration (Cameron Books)
To be published May 2021.
To be published May 2021.
