Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Ultimate Visual History
Hardcover | Kindle
By Michael Klastorin
Foreword by Steven Spielberg
Publisher: Harper Design | HarperCollins
Release date: October 24, 2017

Forty years ago, coming off the monumental success of blockbuster hit Jaws, director Steven Spielberg took theatergoers on a stunning ride into the unknown with the sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The film earned Spielberg the first of seven Academy Award nominations for Best Director (of which he won twice). Overall, the film it earned eight nominations, winning for Best Cinematography (Vilmos Zsigmond). Now four decades later, Michael Klastorin has compiled the ultimate fan-guide to one of Spielberg’s essential masterpieces with Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Ultimate Visual History, releasing this week from Harper Design.

Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History
Hardcover | Kindle
Written by Michael Klastorin with Randal Atamaniuk
Foreword by Michael J. Fox
Preface by Christopher Lloyd
Introduction by Bob Gale
Afterword by Robert Zemeckis
Harper Design | HarperCollins Publishers
Release date: October 20, 2015

This month marks the 30th anniversary of Back To The Future, the Robert Zemeckis-directed Steven Spielberg-produced film that went on to become one of the greatest and most beloved movies of our time, spawning two sequels that were equally enjoyed. In conjunction with this milestone, Insight Editions has released Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History, a coffee table-sized full-cover hardcover packed with details about the film trilogy, highlighted with behind-the-scenes photos, concept art, storyboards, and a host of removable collectible-type items.

Though Back to the Future was an instant hit when Universal Pictures released it back in 1985, it was a long road from concept to screen for director/screenwriter Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Bob Gale. Though the filmmakers had a great idea for a film about a time-travel, their initial draft of the script was rejected by over 40 movie studios. A tidbit like that is hard to believe today when we see how deeply rooted the film is in today’s pop culture, but The Ultimate Visual History reveals their lengthy struggle, which also included their multiple attempts to get Michael J. Fox, who was locked in at the time to his schedule on the popular TV sitcom Family Ties, as the lead.