DO NOT DETONATE Without Presidential Approval

My thanks to both NetGalley and the Pushkin Press for an advance copy of this book of articles collected by the director Wes Anderson for inspiration and aid in creating the film Asteroid City.

Wes Anderson is a filmmaker known not only for his quirky stories, and humourous American Express ad, but for his unique style in music, clothing, lighting and in set design. Anderson has a a vision, and presents it on the screen, a world that is slightly familiar, but one with a bit of the New Yorker circa the 50's and 60's. Or Le Monde, during the time of the French New Wave. The way the characters stand, speak, the music that is played, even the way the scene is blocked is uniquely Wes Anderson. To create at that level much research has to be done, though honesty I think Anderson just has to look at his bookshelves for inspiration, the man lives his art, and I really respect that. For the movie Asteroid City, Anderson has collected classic pieces, and some newer ones to help understand where the movie is coming from, and what the backstory is for the characters. Edited by Wes Anderson and Jake Perlin DO NOT DETONATE Without Presidential Approval: A Portfolio on the Subjects of Mid-century Cinema, the Broadway Stage and the American West gives a view of what the wizard is planning behind the curtains, and what helped shape his ideas for the movie.

The book begins with an interview between co-editors Anderdson and Perlin. The conversation seems to be joined in progress as it seems some of what is being talked about is being kept from the readers. What follows is a discussion on art, acting, actresses and actors from the 1950's a look a science films, Stephen Spielberg and more. Hints are dropped about the movie, and I am sure after viewing much more of this talk will make sense. What follows is a collection of pieces detailing some of what was discussed between the two editors. There are film reviews from Pauline Kael discussing Nashville, which Asteroid City being an ensemble movie makes sense. Profiles on Lee Strasberg and the Actor's Studio by Elia Kazan. An excerpt from French detective writer Georges Simenon featuring his famous character Inspector Maigret. A behind the scenes view of working with François Truffaut on Close Encounters of the Third Kind, with a piece by Truffaut about working on his own movie with child actors. All of this drop hints, and ideas of what the movies Asteroid City might entail.

A behind the scenes book that looks at the behind the scenes of collecting ideas for the writing of the screenplay. A very different idea and one that I enjoyed quite a bit. The interview was a teaser for the movies and again one that will probably be made clearer after the movie comes out. The pieces were in some cases of their era, some might be like who are these people. Others, nerds like myself will be reading this obsessively trying to figue out what is going to happen. The essays are quite good. I really loved the Truffaut on the set and I am going to have to seek that one out to read in its entirety. Seeing the work that Anderson puts into his research makes one appreciate the work he puts on the screen.

Recommended for Anderson fans, and film students in how to get ideas, and what to look for. Also a interesting book for writers screen, prose, nonfiction, on how to look for sources, and how to draw on the past to make art for today.

A must-have for Anderson fans and acolytes! This is a really fun and informative collection of previously published and original essays on both Wes Anderson's film canon and cultural criticism about the Atomic Age, curated by Wes Anderson and Jake Perlin.

Wonderful collection of essays/magazine pieces that cover the topics addressed in Wes Anderson's new movie "Asteroid City." A wonderful time capsule of the 1950s. Pieces about Kubrick, Marilyn Monroe, the bomb tests, Ace in the Hole. Includes a good interview with Anderson to open the collection.

The movie is great and this book gives you a little more info about the time.

Netgalley provided me a free e-galley in return for this honest review.

A satisfying set of carefully curated writings. I can only wonder if it's better to read it before or after watching the film? Anyway I fall into the former category, so I can't speak for the latter. It's been a while since I have watched a WA film, and reading these made me miss watching them. Wes Anderson is such a strange and unique figure in film, and I like that. It's quite nice to see what inspired those films, and the kind of wiriting/art Anderson gravitates to. Even if you're not a WA fan, I think this will be a satisfying read too.