Book Review of CINEMA SPECULATION by Quentin Tarantino

CINEMA SPECULATION by Quentin Tarantino (Harper Collins, October 2022) Hardcover, 392 pages. ISBN #9780063112582 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . .

The long-awaited first work of nonfiction from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: a deliriously entertaining, wickedly intelligent cinema book as unique and creative as anything by Quentin Tarantino.

In addition to being among the most celebrated of contemporary filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino is possibly the most joyously infectious movie lover alive. For years he has touted in interviews his eventual turn to writing books about films. Now, with Cinema Speculation, the time has come, and the results are everything his passionate fans—and all movie lovers—could have hoped for. 

Organized around key American films from the 1970s, all of which he first saw as a young moviegoer at the time, this book is as intellectually rigorous and insightful as it is rollicking and entertaining. At once film criticism, film theory, a feat of reporting, and wonderful personal history, it is all written in the singular voice recognizable immediately as QT’s and with the rare perspective about cinema possible only from one of the greatest practitioners of the art form ever.

My Four Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     What makes this work as opposed to an entire book of film criticism that can become dull or bogged down in more details than readers deem necessary is that first and foremost Quentin Tarantino is a serious movie fan, you might say a movie geek. CINEMA SPECULATION is written from a fan's perspective and Tarantino's enthusiasm for the subject matter comes through in every chapter.

     However, it's more than just a fan homage because Tarantino is also a skilled film director, screen writer and movie reviewer and adds that point of view to his comments, which are never lofty but down-to-earth like a street corner conversation.

     Tarantino starts off with a chapter about his movie-going experience as a child, when his parent would bring him along to view mature films. His recall is incredible as well as sharing amusing insights from the mind of a then nine-year-old. A great way to start and get readers engaged in turning the pages.

     The focus is on American films from the 1970's, a breakthrough period in cinema and also the formative years of a young Tarantino. He loves action films, crime movies, and sometimes horror and his choices reflect his preferences (which also pretty much mirror my preferences).