APPLIED ARTS

How has Nolan become an Oscar-winning director? Is he the new Kubrick? What do audiences get out of his films?

Visually, he offers a steely science-fiction noir with the highlights of big stars and a magician’s flourishes. In narrative terms, his films twist and turn, provoking as many questions as they answer.


Since the 2022 edition, Nolan has secured his place among cinema’s greats, earning Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for Oppenheimer. This new edition delves into the film’s extraordinary cultural impact and offers an early preview of The Odyssey, Nolan’s 2026 Greek epic.

As well as this, veteran film writer, Ian Nathan, uncovers:

A film‑by‑film analysis from Following to Oppenheimer, revealing Nolan’s signature visual style and narrative innovations.
New insights into The Odyssey (2026) and how it marks the next evolution in Nolan’s filmmaking.
Behind‑the‑scenes stories, influences and critical reception of each major work.
Explorations of recurring themes, collaborators and Nolan’s enduring legacy in modern cinema.
Striking imagery that illuminates the worlds Nolan builds on screen.

This new and updated edition covers the full life's work of iconic director Wes Anderson, including Asteroid City, The French Dispatch, and his collection of four short films for Netflix.

Loaded with rich imagery and detailed analysis of his incredible films – including the classics The Grand Budapest Hotel, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The French Dispatch – this is the first book to feature all of Wes Anderson's movies in a single volume.

Acclaimed film journalist Ian Nathan provides an intelligent and thoughtful examination of the work of one of contemporary film’s greatest visionaries, charting the themes, visuals, and narratives that have come to define Anderson’s work and contributed to his films and idiosyncratic character that's adored by his loyal fans. From Anderson’s regular cast members – including Bill Murray and Owen Wilson – to his instantly recognisable aesthetic, recurring motifs and scriptwriting processes, this in-depth collection will reveal how Wes Anderson became one of modern cinema’s most esteemed and influential directors.

Tim Burton is one of the most popular and remarkable filmmakers of the last 30 years, being responsible for such films as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Alice in Wonderland. He is famed for the visually arresting style of his films combined with highly original storylines.
Illustrated with many behind‑the‑scenes photographs and stunning film stills, chapters analyse the success and style of films such as Beetlejuice, Ed Wood and Mars Attacks, and examine how Burton breathed new life into well‑known stories that include Batman, Planet of the Apes,Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,Alice Through the Looking Glass and Dumbo.

There are those who adore him as a cowboy, a superstar, the rugged, unyielding yet introspective face of American machismo. There are those who read him as a great American auteur fashioning uncompromising, fascinating, intellectual films about his country, about life, about whatever the hell takes his fancy.
Separation of actor and director is almost impossible. They are intimately related, cross pollinating, but in the latter half of his career he has come to be viewed as one of the great American artists. While drawing connections from his wider work as an actor, and those who have influenced him, it is his identity as a director that this book will celebrate.

How has Nolan become this leading director? Is he the new Kubrick? What do audiences get out of his games?

Visually, he offers a steely science-fiction noir with the highlights of big stars and a magician's flourishes, whether he is tackling Victorian London or the far reaches of outer space. In narrative terms, his films twist and turn, provoking as many questions as they answer.

This book will look to crack open the magic box of Nolan's twisting universe. As a character, he eludes easy answers. Veteran film author Ian Nathan's research will lean into deciphering his cryptic pronouncements and motivations alongside the history and making of his films.

Examining both the making of and the inspiration behind his many, many hit films, from The Prestige (2006) to the hugely successful Batman films, through to his mind-bending science fiction works such as Inception (2014) and Tenet (2020).

Get an intimate look at the cult filmmaker of our generation. Packaged in a handsome slipcase and loaded with stunning pictures from the Kobal archives, this biography explores the genesis of Tarantino's unique directorial style and provides insight into his inspirations and his frequent collaborations with favoured actors. An 8-page foldout timeline presents Tarantino's entire filmography in the heart of the book.

Through in-depth and informative text written by renowned film journalist Ian Nathan, this book examines the entirety of Tarantino's work, including his early writing on screenplays such as True Romance and Natural Born Killers, his break-out directorial debut Reservoir Dogs and the career-defining Pulp Fiction, as well as his later iconic films, such as Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2, Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. You'll also go behind the scenes of Tarantino's latest epic, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. As you make your way through Tarantino's incredible career, discover what inspired him, his working methods and the breadth of his talent.