Check This Out: The Monarchs of Hollywood, the Fast Family, Tilda Discusses Herself, and John Williams' Life

      It’s time for our inaugural column of 2026, where we’ll highlight the finest new books on filmmaking. There’s no better start than with a fresh release that delves into the peak periods of three legendary directors.

      **The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg — and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema by Paul Fischer (Celadon Books)**

      Following the success of *Easy Riders, Raging Bulls*, is there any more to uncover about the cinematic works of Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg during the 1970s and 80s? Author Paul Fischer believes there is, and *The Last Kings of Hollywood* affirms his stance. The book, of course, discusses iconic moments such as Lucas and Coppola’s encounter on the set of *Finian’s Rainbow*, Spielberg’s intense experience with *Jaws*, and the groundbreaking success of *The Godfather* and *Star Wars*. Yet, it also presents new insights that deeply resonate. For instance, it recounts Lucas’s meeting with Terry Semel and John Calley at Warner Bros. to secure funding for Paul Schrader’s *Mishima*, highlighting Lucas's complex relationship with the studio, which he previously blamed for the downfall of *THX-1138*. “It wasn’t about his film; it was a matter of respect and an effort to save face. George wanted Warner Bros. to write a check solely because he asked for it.” The check was issued; as Fischer notes, “[i]t never felt like business with George; it was always personal.” This choice of words is fitting, as Fischer successfully makes the narrative of these three giants feel intimate.

      **Tilda Swinton: Ongoing by Tilda Swinton (Rizzoli)**

      The most captivating cover in this column belongs to *Tilda Swinton: Ongoing* — and how could it not? It features a black-and-white image of a head from behind that unmistakably belongs to Tilda Swinton. This stunning release from Rizzoli is filled with magnificent photographs, stills, and posters (the poster for Derek Jarman’s *The Last of England* stands out), along with discussions between Swinton and luminaries like Luca Guadagnino, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Joanna Hogg, and Pedro Almodóvar. A highlight from her conversation with Guadagnino is their suggestion to curate a film series about America. “Yes, I propose *Idiocracy* [2006] by Mike Judge. I adore that film, but it has shifted from satire to documentary, especially with the former president of World Wrestling Entertainment and Gatorade coming out of the taps.” It’s a pleasure to flip through *Ongoing* and absorb the thoughts of arguably our greatest actor.

      **Welcome to the Family: The Explosive Story Behind Fast & Furious, the Blockbusters that Supercharged the World by Barry Hertz (Grand Central Publishing)**

      As his witty posts on X demonstrate, Globe and Mail critic Barry Hertz was perfectly suited to examine the history of the Fast & Furious franchise. Even as someone who has never been particularly invested in Dominic Toretto and family, I found myself captivated by *Welcome to the Family*. Hertz chronicles the franchise's transformation from ordinary action to global phenomenon, all while navigating volatile personalities (such as Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson), increasingly outrageous action scenes, and the sudden loss of lead actor Paul Walker. Notably, the book concludes with a cliffhanger regarding the series' fate and all eyes on Vin. “Over ten films and a quarter-century, Diesel made the world believe a car could soar,” Hertz writes. “But how long could he maintain that aerial suspension? Every road has an end, and every driver eventually applies the brakes — or dies trying.”

      **John Williams: A Composer’s Life by Tim Greiving (Oxford University Press)**

      On February 8, composer John Williams celebrated his 94th birthday, and this joyous occasion is even more significant considering that Steven Spielberg’s upcoming *Disclosure Day* will feature a new score by Williams. Therefore, the timing of Tim Greiving’s *John Williams: A Composer’s Life* is impeccable. This substantial book, nearly 600 pages, is fitting for someone who imagined the music of *Jaws*, *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, and the *Star Wars*, *Indiana Jones*, and *Harry Potter* franchises. What makes *A Composer’s Life* particularly noteworthy is its emphasis not only on those celebrated scores but also on his work for films like *Empire of the Sun* and *JFK*. (Oliver Stone shares with Greiving that he wanted Williams because his “music came to symbolize American culture and national pride.” Ultimately, *A Composer’s Life* serves as a reminder not to take John Williams for granted.

      **Quick hits:**

      Two notable figures in *The Last Kings of Hollywood