Moments that Made the Movies

A marvelous wordsmith with a keen eye, Thomson . . . somehow manages to illustrate his many moments in films both obscure . . . and legendary. The Brit transplant's long experience with writing accessible, entertaining, idiosyncratic, erudite and enlightening movie books led him to the most delightful one of all: Moments that Made the Movies. . . . This is a keeper. Explores iconic scenes in both classic and contemporary films that were not only enjoyable, but in some way groundbreaking. The idea here is to focus on a series of moments in seventy-two films of particular significance and accompany them with wonderful stills representing those moments. Accompanied by wonderfully evocative stills, this eminently browsable book is certain to delight film lovers. [A] film-lover's treasure. . . . The book's effect is undeniable, as the reader feels determined to hit the nearest theater. Unafraid to stump for lesser-known and lowbrow movies . . . may inspire you to look at the whole medium anew. A visually thrilling tour of the magic of the movies, one special moment at a time. This book is both a visual delight and a valuable tool for anyone who enjoys a good movie. A real treasure. Tells of many an incredible filmed moment. A lovely visual and written pairing that will be perfect for any film or arts library. Experiential. . . . A great thing about Thomson is that he leaves things open. Fascinating. A coffee-table book with a brain... Thomson is arguably the best American film critic since Pauline Kael, and almost everything he has to say in Moments is savvy and stimulating. Thomson's . . . moments are captured in a few pages each, with 250 glorious stills accompanying the brief analyses. [Thomson's] basic premise in this beautifully illustrated book is sound--that it is the moments from movies that we retain rather than the whole thing. Remarkable. . . . Thomson remains acutely sensitive to the motion picture's birthplace in the world of still imagery.