Harlan Ellison's Watching

Harlan Ellison's Watching is a collection of film criticism spanning 25 years, compiled from the author's contributions to various publications including Cinema magazine, the Los Angeles Free Press, and Starlog magazine. The book contains Ellison's personal commentary on becoming a film critic and his philosophy of criticism. In these reviews, Ellison takes strong stances on major films of his era, offering unvarnished critiques of popular releases like Star Wars and Gremlins. He brings attention to studio interference in films like Brazil and Dune, while championing lesser-known works he considers worthy of recognition. Ellison writes in a distinctive voice that combines formal criticism with colorful language and slang, setting him apart from conventional film critics of his time. His reviews range from biting takedowns to passionate defenses, covering science fiction, fantasy, and mainstream cinema. The collection stands as a document of one writer's fierce dedication to honest criticism and the preservation of artistic integrity in filmmaking. Through these essays, Ellison presents his vision of what cinema could and should be.

Readers describe this collection of film criticism as sharp, witty and brutally honest. The book compiles Ellison's movie review columns from the 1970s-80s, with his unfiltered takes on both mainstream and genre films. Readers appreciate: - Ellison's irreverent, no-holds-barred writing style - His deep knowledge of science fiction and fantasy - The historical perspective on 1970s-80s cinema - His willingness to challenge popular opinions Common criticisms: - Overly hostile and mean-spirited tone - Dated references that require context - Focus on obscure films over major releases - Ellison's ego and self-promotion throughout Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (336 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) "He writes with the subtlety of a sledgehammer but the precision of a scalpel," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another mentions: "Worth reading for the Blade Runner review alone, where he absolutely eviscerates it - and makes some valid points."

Screening Time: A Critic's Notebook by Roger Ebert Film essays from 30 years at the Chicago Sun-Times present one critic's personal journey through cinema with the same uncompromising approach to criticism.

The Great Movies by Pauline Kael Kael's collection of film critiques delivers the same raw, unfiltered perspective on cinema that matches Ellison's dedication to honest criticism.

For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies by William Goldman Goldman combines his screenwriter's insight with critical analysis in a collection that reveals the inner workings of Hollywood with the same insider knowledge Ellison brings.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind Chronicles the transformation of American cinema in the 1970s through behind-the-scenes accounts that expose studio politics similar to Ellison's industry observations.

The B List: The National Society of Film Critics on the Low-Budget Beauties, Genre-Bending Mavericks, and Cult Classics by David Sterritt Focuses on overlooked and unconventional films with the same appreciation for non-mainstream cinema that Ellison champions.

🎬 Ellison was famously fired from Disney on his first day after joking about making an animated adult film with Disney characters 📝 The book includes Ellison's controversial review of "Star Wars" where he praised its technical achievements but criticized its storytelling as derivative 🏆 Harlan Ellison won multiple major awards for film criticism, including the George Gross Award for Movie Criticism in 1988 📺 Before becoming a film critic, Ellison wrote for classic TV shows like "The Outer Limits" and "Star Trek," giving him unique insider perspective on screen entertainment 🗣️ The book's confrontational style influenced a generation of critics, with Roger Ebert citing Ellison as one of the voices that shaped modern film criticism