Read This: Insights on Quentin Tarantino's Hollywood and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, Reflections from Roger Deakins, and More.

      As we approach the end of 2025, there’s a lot to explore, beginning with books about a Charlie Chaplin film that was never made, insights from Sir Roger Deakins, and the creation of Guillermo del Toro’s latest film, which I believe is Quentin Tarantino’s finest work.

      **The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood by Jay Glennie (Insight Editions)**

      The announcement by Insight Editions regarding the “Quentin Tarantino Library,” which will feature a series of books detailing the making of Tarantino's nine films by author Jay Glennie, was indeed significant news. In 2026 and 2027, publications exploring Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained will follow, but first is The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, and it is magnificent. At nearly 500 pages, this is undoubtedly the most beautifully crafted, enjoyable, and thorough examination of any Tarantino project thus far.

      The faux posters for Rick Dalton’s movies and Andrew Cooper’s stunning set photography are especially remarkable; Margaret Qualley, who is strikingly photogenic, seems to have been one of Cooper's most enthusiastic subjects. Qualley, along with supporting cast members Austin Butler, Sydney Sweeney, and Mikey Madison, were on the brink of immense fame. Madison would later win an Oscar but creatively approached the audition for a key Manson family role: “Madison took the cue as an invitation to be imaginative and indeed produced a piece of art that she later began to regret. The painting was enormous.”

      Such intricate details are what elevate Glennie’s Hollywood to an exceptional release. My favorite aspect of the initial series announcement is the hint that follows: “Glennie is prepared to create extensive, in-depth books on all ten of Tarantino’s films—the nine he has completed and the one he has stated will be his last.” We await your forthcoming project, QT.

      **Reflections on Cinematography by Sir Roger Deakins (Grand Central Publishing)**

      The chance to dive into the experiences of the cinematographer behind No Country for Old Men, Blade Runner 2049, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford should not be overlooked. Reflections on Cinematography by Sir Roger Deakins is a compelling, engaging narrative of an extraordinary career. Deakins emphasizes some of the most unforgettable scenes in contemporary cinema, including the dazzling lights of the Wallace Corporation in 2049: “I aimed for the entire Wallace Corporation interior to be a space where sunlight perpetually danced.”

      Deakins’ insights on one of my preferred films, Alex Cox’s Sid and Nancy, are particularly sharp. He reflects on the haunting final sequences of Gary Oldman’s Sid Vicious against the cloudy Manhattan skyline: “On the day we shot, a low cloud hung over the Twin Towers, and the day’s cold greyness offered a stark contrast to the pink neon sign simply saying PIZZA. A sunny day would have rendered the scene entirely different, and we were fortunate once again." While Deakins attributes it to luck, Reflections clearly showcases his undeniable genius.

      **Charles Chaplin’s The Freak: The Story of an Unfinished Film by David Robinson (Sticking Place Books)**

      Cecilia Cenciarelli’s preface for Charles Chaplin’s The Freak: The Story of an Unfinished Film succinctly explains the book's significance: “The unproduced films lingering in cinema history are often compared to restless spirits—faded images that never came to existence or half-formed dreams. Some resemble genies trapped in a lamp, hidden in drawers and archives, waiting for incomplete artistic impulses to finally emerge and share their tales. Charlie Chaplin's The Freak falls into this latter category.” The narrative of Sarapha, a young woman with wings, was intended to be Chaplin's final film, featuring his daughter, Victoria. David Robinson’s book discusses why the film was never realized while providing intriguing hints about what it could have been. For me, it also introduces Victoria Chaplin, who represented her father’s ideal Sarapha and later became a celebrated circus performer. Robinson shares recent interviews with Victoria as well as stunning archival photographs from rehearsals at the Chaplin residence, alongside the entire script and illustrations. The outcome is a truly remarkable account of an unfinished piece of cinematic history. Based on the glimpses provided, The Freak might have turned out to be one of Chaplin’s greatest accomplishments.

      **Frankenstein: Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro by Sheila O’Malley (Insight Editions)**

      Guillermo del Toro’s successful Frankenstein, both at the box office and with critics, might have surprised some. However, Sheila O’Malley’s Frankenstein: Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro demonstrates that del Toro should never have been underestimated. The director of Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water