Very good books on Cinema

There are people would read a recommendation piece on movies, there people who would want a list of "Must read" books. Is there anyone who wants a listicle on the must read books on cinema? I am not so sure, I will write it anyway. I recently commented about this elsewhere and 3-4 people messaged me saying they would like to read something like that. So, here it is.

Firstly, the question of stories. What makes a good story? Why some stories work and some don't? How is a screenplay different from a normal story? I believe that one book will not have all the answers. I will recommend these books because each one has something unique to offer:

Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge: This one covers all the basics. This should be a good place to start. Either this or Syd Field's book on Screenwriting can be your first book.

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri: originally written for playwrights, This one also covers the basics like Conflict and character development. This and the book suggested above should lay solid foundations.

Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias: As the title implies, the author suggests ways to make the film emotionally appealing. Has many tricks and tips.

Wired for Story by Lisa Cron: The lessons you learn are similar to the ones you got in the Writing for Emotional Impact book suggested above. But this one addresses the "Why" part. Think of it as a book on why a story works(Explained in terms of Darvin's evolution and neuroscience/brain science). A very insightful, eye opening and entertaining book.

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder: The reason it is so famous is that it sells a formula by telling things like do this on page 11 and do that on page 27. Don't buy the formula blindly, but read it anyway. Just because he sells a formula, does not mean that Blake Snyder was running a scam. He gets some of the basics right. Very good points on how a commercial film's script should be. And the book itself is like an entertaining action film (no dry/ text bookish theories. Breezy and funny)

Zen and the Art of Screenwriting by William Froug: This is the perspective of someone who hates the formulas and structures that screenwriting gurus sell. Thought provoking and good. Has some interviews with established screenwriters also.

Tales from the Script: Has Interviews of people who are actually writing commercial films. They share their views on almost everything related to screenwriting. A must read.

I did not feel like I got enlightened about something new by reading these 3 but they still are highly readable, you might pick up a thing or two from these:

Lew Hunter's Screenwriting 434

Essentials of Screenwriting by Richard Walter

And read/watch any interviews of Hitchcock,Billy Wilder.

Filmmaking in General:

Hitchcock by Francois Truffaut - Believe it or not, there was a time when Alfred Hitchcock was considered to be just another commercial/mass director by critics. It is the intellectuals from France that sang his praise and changed the critical opinion about him. One such gentleman is Francois Truffaut(The man himself is a well known director, one of the leading figures of French New wave). Truffaut discusses every single film of Hitchcock with the maser himself. Hitchcock gives detailed explanations, theories, background stories and stuff. This masterclass from the master is thorough and an absolute delight. A must read for all movie buffs.

Conversations with Wilder by Cameron Crowe - Another case of one director interviewing a legendary director/writer. Not every filmmaker can explain his ART. Hitchcock and Billy Wilder are two geniuses who could articulate as to how their films worked. They had insights and theories on how their films worked. And they are worth listening to. Wilder is one of the most versatile filmmakers, he also wrote his films and he is one of the wittiest people you will ever come across.

Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert - Anything everything by Ebert is worth reading. I have named one just for the sake of listing one. Ebert was an encyclopedia of cinema, you must listen to his audio commentaries for films like Citizen Cane and Yasujiro Ozu's Floating Weeds to understand how knowledgeable the guy was.

Directing the Story Francis Glebas - Glebas is a storyboard artist for Disney. This book is about how to visually tell your stories. He can be intellectual without being boring. This is one of the best books on stroytelling I've come across.

Talking Films: Conversations on Hindi Cinema with Javed Akhtar - Javed saab is as witty and wise as ever. He offers his unique perspectives on Indian cinema

Technical Film and TV for Nontechnical People by Drew Campbell - Written with a sense of humour. Must read for those who get easily bored with the dry technical books. Entertaining and informative.

In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch - Murch is a celebrated editor who shares his ideas on the craft of editing. Filled with anecodotes, theory and insights about artistic methodology behind his craft Murch has produced a must read book.

Some notable and intellectual books that are not as entertaining as the ones mentioned above, I recommend these for the intellectually hungry types:

On Directing Film by David Mamet - Filmmaker/playwright David Mamet musing on cinema.
On Film Making by Alexander MacKendrick - Director/teacher MacKendrick's insights, very thought provoking.
What Is Cinema? by Andre Bazin

Bruce Block's The Visual Story - This one covers only the visual language and composition. Film makers, photographer, graphic designers, movie buffs anybody can read it.