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Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions

My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood

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Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions

By: Ed Zwick
Narrated by: Ed Zwick
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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER

“This funny, insightful, and deliciously dishy memoir” (Town & Country) from the director of Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, Legends of the Fall, and Glory, creator of thirtysomething, and executive producer of My So-Called Life, “takes its place alongside Adventures in the Screen Trade and Easy Riders, Raging Bulls as one of the indispensable behind-the-scenes books for fans of movies and television” (Aaron Sorkin).

“I’ll be dropping a few names,” Ed Zwick confesses in the introduction to his book. “Over the years I have worked with self-proclaimed masters-of-the-universe, unheralded geniuses, hacks, sociopaths, savants, and saints.”

He has encountered these Hollywood types during four decades of directing, producing, and writing projects that have collectively received eighteen Academy Award nominations (seven wins) and sixty-seven Emmy nominations (twenty-two wins). Though there are many factors behind such success, including luck and the contributions of his creative partner Marshall Herskovitz, he’s known to have a special talent for bringing out the best in the people he’s worked with, notably the actors. In those intense collaborations, he seeks to discover the small pieces of connective tissue, vulnerability, and fellowship that can help an actor realize their character in full.

Talents whom he spotted early include Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Claire Danes, and Jared Leto. Established stars he worked closely with include Leonardo DiCaprio, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Daniel Craig, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Connelly. He also sued Harvey Weinstein over the production of Shakespeare in Love—and won. He shares personal stories about all these people, and more.

Written mostly with love, sometimes with rue, this memoir “is not just a wonderfully intimate memoir. It's also an indispensable guide to the shark-infested waters of artistic integrity” (Cameron Crowe). Destined to become a new Hollywood classic, Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions is “a must-read for any film fan, and a sacred text for any aspiring filmmakers out there” (Forbes). Direction & Production Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Celebrity Entertainment Heartfelt Memoir
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I always enjoy it when the author narrates their own book. I thoroughly enjoyed Ed Zwicks reading of his autobiography and his years in TV and film. Honest and surprisingly funny at times and it has made me want to revisit some of his films.

A great insight to the Hollywood "machine"

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Like the movies of Ed Zwick his autobiography is clear, compelling and emotional. He has a way with words and the voice to speak them. For someone whose career seemed to just flow across the decades its interesting to hear about the up and downs with an honesty and insight that isn't always present in these kinds of memoirs.

Elegenat and erudite

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A joy to hear insights and stories from one of my favourite directors of several of my favourite movies. Thanks Ed

A wonderful journey into a fascinating movie career

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Non pretentious insight into a brilliant career of making movies at the highest of levels. Highly recommended

Great insight into movie making

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I really liked the book. The author is a veteran of Hollywood and known for films they simply wouldn't make for a cinematic release anymore. It's a little sad to see that starkly illustrated in his career. Glory, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond and Defiance are all great movies, but because of Hollywood shareholders being what they are, movies like this are unlikely to be made again (except for streaming). This is illustrated in a telling moment in the book when an executive warns him that Blood Diamond will be the last of its kind. It was a financial success, just not a big enough financial success. These days, if a superhero isn't in it, or if the Mission isn't impossible, they simply won't pay for it to be distributed on the big screen.

Insightful and entertaining.

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