For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies

For Keeps collects film critic Anthony Lane's writings from The New Yorker spanning three decades. The book includes reviews and essays covering both classic films and contemporary releases from the 1990s and early 2000s. Lane applies his critical eye to works ranging from Casablanca to Jurassic Park, examining technical elements, cultural significance, and artistic merit. His analysis encompasses directors like Hitchcock and Kubrick alongside pop culture phenomena and blockbusters. The collection preserves Lane's distinct voice as he discusses actors, directors, and the broader context of cinema history. His commentary moves between serious cultural criticism and wit-laden observations about Hollywood. The essays reveal cinema's role in shaping cultural conversations and collective memory across generations. Through Lane's perspective, readers gain insight into how movies reflect and influence society while maintaining their power as entertainment.

Readers highlight Lane's wit and incisive writing style in his film criticism. Multiple reviews note his ability to find humor in bad movies while providing thoughtful analysis of good ones. Liked: - Sharp, funny writing that stands up years after original publication - Depth of cultural references and connections - Memorable phrases and observations - Equal care given to mainstream and art films Disliked: - Some find his style pretentious or overly verbose - Focus on negative reviews can feel mean-spirited - UK-centric cultural references confuse American readers - Length at 784 pages feels excessive to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (22 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Lane manages to be both erudite and approachable, writing reviews that work as standalone essays even if you haven't seen the films." - Goodreads reviewer At least two reviewers said they keep the book by their bedside for repeat reading of favorite pieces.

The Great Movies III by Roger Ebert A collection of film essays examines 100 notable movies through specific cinematic elements, historical context, and cultural significance.

Gods Like Us: On Movie Stardom and Modern Fame by Ty Burr The evolution of movie stardom and celebrity culture unfolds through critical analysis of key figures and transformative moments in film history.

Better Living Through Criticism by A. O. Scott This examination of film criticism connects movies to broader cultural discussions while exploring the purpose and practice of criticism itself.

Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris The story of five 1967 Best Picture nominees serves as a lens to understand Hollywood's transformation during a pivotal moment in American cinema.

When Movies Mattered by Dave Kehr Film reviews from the Chicago Reader in the 1970s and 1980s capture the period's significant releases and illuminate the era's critical discourse.

🎬 Anthony Lane has been The New Yorker's film critic since 1993, following in the footsteps of legendary critics like Pauline Kael. 📚 "For Keeps" covers films from 1969 to 1999, compiling Lane's most memorable reviews and essays from both The New Yorker and other publications. ✍️ Lane is known for his witty, often biting criticism, and famously wrote of "Pearl Harbor": "Pearl Harbor is a two-hour movie squeezed into three hours." 🌟 Beyond reviewing new releases, Lane's book includes thoughtful retrospectives on classic films and detailed profiles of directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Federico Fellini. 🎭 Lane started his career as a book reviewer in London, and his literary background frequently influences his film criticism, drawing parallels between cinema and classic literature.