Reviews

Tim Burton: The iconic filmmaker and his work by Ian Nathan

diamond21211212's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

In "Tim Burton" by Ian Nathan, readers are granted a mesmerizing journey into the whimsical and macabre world of one of cinema's most visionary directors. With meticulous research and insightful analysis, Nathan delves deep into the life and work of Tim Burton, unraveling the enigmatic threads of his imagination and creative process.

From his early days as a misunderstood artist to his meteoric rise as a Hollywood icon, Burton's trajectory is traced with precision and passion. Nathan skillfully chronicles Burton's evolution as a filmmaker, highlighting the recurring themes, motifs, and influences that have come to define his unmistakable style. Whether it's the gothic landscapes of "Edward Scissorhands" or the fantastical realms of "Alice in Wonderland," Nathan captures the essence of Burton's cinematic universe with reverence and admiration.

What sets this biography apart is its intimate portrayal of Burton as both an artist and a person. Through interviews, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories, Nathan offers readers a glimpse into the mind of a creative genius. From his collaborations with iconic actors like Johnny Depp to his enduring partnership with composer Danny Elfman, Burton's artistic journey is illuminated with fascinating detail and insight.

Moreover, "Tim Burton" explores the broader cultural significance of Burton's work, examining how his films have resonated with audiences around the world. Nathan deftly unpacks the thematic complexities of Burton's narratives, revealing layers of meaning that speak to the human condition in profound and unexpected ways.

In addition to its rich content, "Tim Burton" is visually stunning, featuring a wealth of illustrations, concept art, and film stills that bring Burton's imagination to life on the page. Each image is thoughtfully curated to complement the text, offering readers a comprehensive and immersive experience.

In conclusion, "Tim Burton" is a captivating and comprehensive tribute to one of cinema's most iconic auteurs. Ian Nathan's masterful storytelling and deep understanding of Burton's oeuvre make this biography a must-read for fans and cinephiles alike. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Burton's work or discovering it for the first time, this book is sure to delight and inspire.

mandykool's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was a great Tim Burton biography. I enjoyed reading more about his background and the ups and downs of his career. While I would consider myself a Burton fan, it is still fun to read more about his influences and how he grew up. I loved the little tidbit about his parents insulating the house with bricks. Very Poe-esque.

The only thing that would have made this even better was to have had photos of his illustrations, as the book talked about them, but not even one of them were in this one.

Thank you Quarto and Netgalley for this ARC, it was a great read!

neria037's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

As a big fan of both Tim Burton's classics and newer work, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this gorgeous volume.

You start at Tim's suburban childhood and early career as a misunderstood animator with Disney, where his concept art and ideas ended up being vaulted rather than used (fun fact - this included the idea for The Nightmare Before Christmas!). The book then takes you on the sets of his first hits and acclaimed classics where the term "burtonesque" was established, and more recent ventures with mixed reactions such as Dumbo and Wednesday.

A relatively short and easy to read volume, Tim Burton - The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work makes for an excellent gift for a fan, and a beautiful coffee table book to have in any film enjoyer's collection.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

libraryofablondegirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

My thoughts: Thank you to @iannathanwriter and @netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this wonderful biography.

I absolutely adored reading about Tim Burtons life and work and the influences behind some of the greatest movies of all time.

I am huge fan of Edward Scissorhands, The Corpse’s Bride and the real-life recreation of Alice in Wonderland - so these were some of the highlights for me. However it was also so fascinating to read about movies I may not have watched or come across before

The images in the book were absolutely beautiful and a real snapshot into Tim Burton’s life through photographs.

An all round excellent non-fiction read and I would highly recommend to all fans of media and film especially.

ezzyhelluolibrorum's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is a must read for Tim Burton fans old and new. It follows Burtons career and influences from the very beginning to projects not yet released. The selection of pictures helps draw our attention to his quirky aesthetic and how it adapts to particular films. It is an informative biopic that really digs into the mind of Burton and his creative dialogue.

smallstheone's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This was an exciting book to explore.

Consider a visual reading experience covering the highlights of Tim Burton's early life and highly prestigious directing career. There are excellent pictures included with each film covered. You will read about and see backstage photos of films like Alice in Wonderland, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sweeney Todd, and many more.

I appreciated this book's presentation of information and formatting. It is well put together and I enjoyed reading it.

bookedwithmel's review against another edition

Go to review page

I didn’t like the format. The ARC I received was only available to read on the NetGalley app and because it’s more of a coffee table book it was very difficult to read on my phone. I found it too frustrating to really enjoy. 

liandrin's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional slow-paced

4.5

As a long time Burton admirer I thoroughly enjoyed not only reading about each production of his, but reading about the WHY of each production. Learning about who, and what, fueled his love for the macabre and strange was beyond fascinating. There were even a few productions I completely forgot that he worked on and I'm now compelled to go watch them. 

mandapanda_booksandplans's review

Go to review page

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I loved getting the behind the scenes information and photos of some of my favorite movies.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes Tim Burton. 

neon_capricorn's review

Go to review page

5.0

I loved reading this book. It tracks Burton’s life and career, offering intriguing insights about each film he’s worked on. I even learned some cool facts about his life before he became a director. Personally, this book inspires my own creative drive.