The Best Film You've Never Seen: 35 Directors Champion the Forgotten or Critically Savaged Movies They Love

Eight years in the making, this book offers a lively exercise in revisionist film history made possible by the savvy vision of some of today's most intriguing filmmakers. Elder (editor, Lake County News-Sun; The Film That Changed My Life) interviews 35 directors (only one of whom is a woman) about their favorite underrepresented movie and then discusses their selection. The results are often revelatory and always engaging, especially for readers in search of a few good flicks. Unlike the little-known gems they champion, many of the directors are quite famous, for example, John Waters, Arthur Hiller, Kevin Smith, and Frank Oz. It's clear that these filmmakers relish candid discussions of their medium, although their enthusiasm often results in colorful language some readers will find objectionable. Ultimately, Elder is successful in pulling thoughtful, stimulating commentary from an impressive group, which makes for an illuminating look at eight decades of cinema across a variety of genres including musicals, comedies, thrillers, and theatrical adaptations.