"Julia Ain-Krupa surveys Polanski's career with the eye of an explorer and the heart of a connoisseur, linking the contents of his films with the events of his complicated life. Her affection for his cinema shines through on every page."<BR><BR>This book places Quentin Tarantino at the heart of Hollywood, showing a director who speaks film through film, who examines the world beyond the movies in a way few have previously attempted, and at which fewer still have succeeded.<BR><BR>This incisive book provides an in-depth critical and biographical study of the artistic range of film director Gus Van Sant.<BR><BR>Charlie Kaufman is one of the few screenwriters moviegoers recognize by name. He was ranked on Premiere's Power 100 list and in 2004 was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of all time. The Oscar-winning Kaufman is known for quirky, innovative stories that set him apart from his Hollywood brethren.<BR><BR>Charlie Kaufman got his start in television, but it was his first film, the eccentric Being John Malkovich, that won notice for his unique story-telling style. With the aid of a plethora of contributions from those with whom the writer has worked, Charlie Kaufman: Confessions of an Original Mind presents the intriguing story of that movie and others as it examines one of the most innovative voices in modern film.<BR><BR>This exhaustive study of Kaufman's life and work is organized chronologically to cover his early influences as well as his most recent ventures. Highlights include explorations of Kaufman's collaboration with Being John Malkovich director Spike Jonze-who stood him up for their first meeting-and the writer's conflict with George Clooney (about whom Kaufman says, "I can tell you that George Clooney is my least favorite person"). There are analyses of Human Nature, Adaptation, and the hauntingly beautiful Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which led to an Academy Award. The book also studies Kaufman's sound plays for Theatre of the New Ear and his directorial debut, Synecdoche, New York.