David Thomson has written a comprehensive history of cinema, starting with its origins and attempting to touch on every single masterpiece up until the end of the 70s. He does a phenomenal job with it; I can't think of a major film that came about between 1914 and 1979 that he doesn't mention at least once.
Then, for some inexplicable reason, he stops. For the last hundred pages, he skips over many of the modern greats, like Amadeus, Silence of the Lambs, The Matrix, Gladiator, and Lord of the Rings. Can you guess which film that came out in the last 35 years he chooses to write about the most? Adam Sandler's career wrecker, Jack and Jill. Yes, really.
Read this for a great overview of classical cinema and some sociological insights into how the evolution of it has changed us. Skip it if you're looking for a book that offers a fair balance between classic greats and modern ones. He's also a bit bashful about mentioning historical dramas, fantasy, and sci-fi, even in classical cinema. So, if those are your favorite genres, be warned.
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