Watching Movies: The Biggest Names in Cinema Talk about the Films that Matter Most

An inside look at how some of the biggest names in the film industry view their craft

In this unique collection, New York Times film critic Rick Lyman sits down with notable directors, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and other film industry professionals to watch and discuss a movie that each person considers seminal or influential on his or her career.

Steven Soderbergh on how All the President's Men influenced Erin Brockovich * Quentin Tarantino on The Golden Stallion * Ang Lee on Love Eternal * Denzel Washington on Ordinary People * Ron Howard on The Graduate and many more

Each interviewee's character is revealed in the resulting essays, which deepen our appreciation of landmark films, and give us extraordinary insight into the process of filmmaking.

Lyman enhances every essay with a brief biography, career history, and complete filmography of each of the subjects, which puts them in a historical and creative context.

Drawn from the enormously popular series in The New York Times, Watching Movies will fascinate film students and curious moviegoers alike.

© 2025 Times Books (Ebook): 9781466872127

Release date

Ebook: May 21, 2025