Our Holiday Gift Guide is always book-heavy, which makes sense since pop culture fans love a nice collection or hardcover on their shelf. Is that a generalization? I don’t think so, especially for genre lovers. On that, Insight Editions has an excellent selection of titles available for fans of movies, animation, and even the Old Ones. All of these titles are hardcovers and gorgeously put together. Here’s a look at some of our picks:
The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
Jay Glennie
Who it’s for: Fans of Quentin Tarantino, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt; cinephiles; fans of old Hollywood.
The log line: Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino personally introduces the definitive and official examination of his entire oeuvre with the Quentin Tarantino Library written by Jay Glennie. In the first book in the series, The Making of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,writer Jay Glennie pulls back the curtain on the visionary writer/director/producer’s ninth film, with unprecedented access to the filmmaker, cast, and crew. This epic tome is a stunning and faithful deep dive into the mind of a masterful auteur and a must-have book for all film lovers and Quentin Tarantino fans.
For the first time ever Academy Award winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has granted respected journalist and author Jay Glennie unique access revealing the never-before-told behind-the-scenes making of one of the most iconic films of all time, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.
Quentin Tarantino personally introduces the volume, as well as providing hundreds of behind-the-scenes photographs, along with production memos, concept art, and costume and production design sketches. There are also exclusive reproductions of letters, studio documents and film ephemera. The result is an account of the monumental effort undertaken to produce Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and is the official record of how it was achieved, from inception to the world premiere and on to ten Academy Award nominations, resulting in two Oscars.
The book includes new and exclusive interviews undertaken by Jay Glennie with key cast and crew members, including Oscar winning actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, and the brilliant supporting cast including Oscar winner Mikey Madison, Margaret Qualley, Oscar nominee Austin Butler, Lena Dunham, Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, Damian Lewis, Maya Hawke, and Sydney Sweeney.
Order The Making of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time in Hollywood here.
The Official Rocky Horror Late Night Double Feature
Linus Brown
Who it’s for: Fans of the greatest midnight movie of all time, musical lovers, and Tim Curry devotees. Plus, everybody who knows what to shout out in between Dr. Scott’s words during “Eddie.”
The log line: Celebrate the cult classic like never before, with this two-volume set featuring the original theatrical script with rare images of the original cast, and an oral history of the Rocky Horror Picture Show phenomenon featuring never-before-seen archival material from its creator (and original Riff-Raff), Richard O’Brien.
In 1973 in a tiny upstairs theater in London, a sweet transvestite in fishnets, platform heels, and a corset strutted on stage and tossed off his cape, and our world was never the same. Now, for the first time, show creator Richard O’Brien opens his archives to give an unprecedented look at the origins Frank n Furter and Rocky Horror in this unique and stunning two-volume set.
It Was Great When It All Began: The Original Annotated Theatrical Script
Before the cult movie classic, there was the cult stage show. See where it all began with this original 1973 theatrical script, presented in all its Rocky Horror glory. Production notes, stage directions, and the script with lyrics are accompanied by rare performance images of the 1973 London and 1974 Roxy (Los Angeles) casts. Remembrances from cast members and an archival piece written by Richard O’Brien with insights on what makes a winning Rocky Horror stage performance put you in the front row of that little London theater. And because today’s theatrical performances take a page from the movie, the book also features a Virgin’s Guide—a complete theatrical script notated with the classic audience callbacks and partici . . . pation.
Strange Journey: The Illustrated Oral History of Rocky Horror
Rocky Horror’s strange journey may have begun with the stage show, but the entire story is so much more. Based on the groundbreaking documentary Strange Journey by Richard’s son, Linus O’Brien, this official oral history tells Rocky Horror’s story from its origins onstage to its cultural influence today. Never-before-seen images and ephemera from Richard O’Brian’s personal archives are accompanied by new interviews and insights with cast and crew including Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, shadow cast performers, and of course, Richard O’Brien himself. Stars such as Trixie Mattel discuss the profound impact Rocky Horror has had on them and on the LGBTQ+ community. Packed with fascinating stories, rare images, and never-before-seen ephemera, Strange Journey: The Illustrated Oral History of Rocky Horror paints a picture of how this cult movie became a cultural phenomenon.
You can order The Official Rocky Horror Late Night Double Feature here.
Pieces of Us
Caseen Gaines
Who it’s for: Jordan Peele fans; Blumhouse aficionados; horror lovers interested in process and behind-the-scenes imagery; anybody who fears they have a doppleganger.
The log line: Explore the making of Us through the props, costumes, and storyboards that brought the film to life! Pieces of Us is a robust, deluxe volume that dives deep into Jordan Peele’s enigmatic 2019 horror masterpiece, revealing the secrets behind the film’s instantly iconic visual style. This book not only unveils a fascinating behind-the-scenes story, but it also investigates the hidden meanings threaded throughout the film’s narrative.
Following his Academy Award-winning success with Get Out, Jordan Peele further cemented his status as one of today’s most visionary filmmakers with Us, a chilling horror film with big ideas and bloody retribution in equal measure. Featuring intriguing narrative threads, uncanny characters, subversive musical arrangements, and an eclectic visual style, Us is the rare blockbuster that delighted fans, awed critics, and upped the ante. Pieces of Us showcases the bold production design and dynamic storyboards that form the backbone of a brilliant cinematic achievement. Including insights from Peele and other key creatives, this making-of book decodes the indelible imagery that propelled Us to become one of the most memorable and transgressive modern horror films.
You can order Pieces of Us here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Ultimate Visual History
Dana Jennings Jelter
Who it’s for: Tim Burton and Danny Elfman fans – which should be everybody; ’90s kids; animation obsessives; anybody who ever dreamed of living in Halloween Town and Christmas Town.
The log line: What’s this?! Why, a tour through the story of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring behind-the-scenes details about stop-motion animation, concept art, removable inserts, and more, of course!
Go behind the scenes of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas with this fun and interactive visual history of one of the most beloved films of all time. Packed with frightening facts, eerie images, and real inserts—like production stills and storyboards—from the making of the film. This movie magic book takes readers on journey through stop-motion animation and shows readers what goes into making these incredible puppets come to life on the big screen.
You can order The Nightmare Before Christmas Ultimate Visual History here.
Dylan Cole Creating Worlds
Dylan Cole
Who it’s for: Anybody who identifies as Na’vi or wishes they could have a tea party with the Mad Hatter and Alice; aspiring concept artists; pirates and users.
The log line: Explore the iconic concept designs, beautiful matte paintings, and stunning artwork from artist Dylan Cole, concept artist for Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, Tron: Legacy, Maleficent, and more!
From Avatar: The Way of Water to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Dylan Cole has created spectacular concept art and matte paintings for some of Disney’s most popular films. Explore exquisite concept art for the Mad Hatter’s tea party and the Red Queen’s castle from Alice in Wonderland, or step into the lush painted landscapes of Aurora’s forest cottage from Maleficent. Featuring in-depth insights into the creation of each artwork and the thoughts behind the creative process, Creating Worlds: The Disney and 20th Century Studios Cinematic Art of Dylan Cole is a must-read for film fans and artists alike.
You can order Creating Worlds: The Disney and 20th Century Studios Cinematic Art of Dylan Cole here.
The H.P. Lovecraft Experience
Who it’s for: Cthulhu believers; worshippers of the Old Ones; horror fans; hardcore Lovecraftians looking for a gorgeous way to experience his work and dive deeper into his mythos.
The log line: In conjunction with the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society, we are proud to present The H. P. Lovecraft Experience: a bespoke collector’s set featuring the complete works of Lovecraft in two premium-bound volumes; an all-new original Reader’s Guide; and custom in-world collectible ephemera, all presented in a magnificently chilling 3-D sculpted case.
Inspired by his waking nightmares, H. P. Lovecraft has astounded and terrified readers for more than a century. Now, fans can experience the visionary’s mystifying work in a format that both honours and celebrates his long-lasting legacy.
In addition to Lovecraft’s complete fiction, The H. P. Lovecraft Experience features a comprehensive reading guide provided by The H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society and several pieces of exclusive, collectible, and personalizable ephemera from Lovecraft’s fictional Miskatonic University. Housed in a 3-D sculpted case made to resemble Cthulhu’s terrifying visage, The H. P. Lovecraft Experience pays homage to the King of the Macabre in this premium collector’s set.
You can order The H. P. Lovecraft Experience here.
