X Films: True Confessions of a Radical Filmmaker

by Alex Cox

Filmmaker Alex Cox's thoughtful autobiography examines his craft and influences, as well as providing his insights into many of his favorite films. Sometimes called a radical, Cox is a quintessential auteur, as well as an internationally focused, insightful critic and writer whose passion for film has gripped him since childhood. In addition to being a captivating look into Cox's process, this book also encourages and instructs would-be independent filmmakers, guiding the next generation of film pioneers through the arduous journey of creation. Cox weaves his own "confessions" with his notes to the new guard, including thoughts on new forms of digital distribution and his radical views on intellectual property — the result is a readable, startling treatise on both the film innovations of today and the thrilling potential of future filmmaking.

Genres: Film, Memoir, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Matthew W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Cox is one of my favorite "modern" filmmakers. After reading this book, it is fairly obvious that Cox made the right decision when he decided to be a filmmaker instead of a writer. Despite covering his whole career as a filmmaker, with each chapter of the book dedicated to each one of Cox's films, the book does not offer much in the way of filmmaker insight. Alex Cox gives boring details and makes stereotypical sarcastic leftist remarks, the kind you would expect to see watching MTV.

I listened to the DVD audio commentary to "Repo Man" and found it quite interesting. Much more interesting than the chapter dedicated to the film in Cox's book. Still, fans of Alex Cox will at least find that this book is of some interest. I would give it 2.5 stars if I could.

[Frogacuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retrospective of Cox's body of work traces his unusual career trajectory, from early success with Repo Man and Sid and Nancy, to his supposed "blacklisting" following the controversial Walker, and on into Mexico, back home to Liverpool, and eventually to the world of ultra-low-budget independent films.

Many would argue that Cox is an auteur long past his prime, and certainly some of his work is uneven, but for those who find his films unique enough to merit discussion, this book is a great companion. It offers up a lot of fun stories about the people behind the films, some insight into their influences, and, in the end, a great story about creating movies for art's sake, rather than financial gain.

[Jeremy Hornik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it's by the director of my favorite movie, "Repo Man". It's basically about the early years of his filmmaking career, film school and his first movies. Sadly, I think he may have peaked with "Repo Man". But what a peak! Anyhow, this is basically of interest to his fans, since it's about the making of these movies, or aspiring young filmmakers curious for some war stories.

And if you are interested in any of that, you can check out his website:
http://www.alexcox.com/

[Juan Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cox, being one of the directors that shaped my cinematic taste, is indeed a radical filmmaker, which is why I was expecting more than pretty straightforward anecdotes balanced with very interesting reflections. This mixture is what places this book in an average place, and that’s surprising, since Alex Cox may be a lot of things, but average is definitely not one of them.

[Hena · Rating 2 out of 5]

a very labourious read, took ages to get through. Cox is not a great writer. But if you're into radical filmmaking, it might be worth skimming.

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at his films and process.

[Benji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cox has this way of writing about the filmmaking process with a true admiration for it, like he’s retreading a lot of ground that other people in the film industry have spoke about with less of an expertise but that love for making movies makes this so readable, there’s a motivating factor to it. Also this guy made some great movies and to hear the stories behind them is interesting too

[Stop]

Read the STOP SMILING interview with director and author of X-Films Alex Cox:

THE DARK SIDE COMES OUT ON HOLIDAY

Looking back on his 1987 film Walker, a lampoon of 19th century American imperialism that literally put its money where its mouth was — studio dollars were pumped into the heart of Nicaragua in the midst of the Contra war — director Alex Cox remains astonished by the conduct of Americans abroad. “The dark side comes out on holiday,” he says.

A similar assessment could be made of the influence of Los Angeles on Cox’s work in the Eighties. Far from Bebington, the small town near Liverpool where he was born, Cox, who originally went to California to attend UCLA, created films that satirized and dignified the castaways and miscreants of the gone world. He epitomized the doomed travelogue in Sid and Nancy (1986); staged an extraterrestrial intervention in Repo Man (1984); retreated to the desert in Straight to Hell (1987); and put a knowing twist on the acid Western with his latest offering, Searchers 2.0, in which two never-was actors embark on a failed quest to reach Monument Valley, cinema’s ultimate iconic template.

In addition to his own contributions to the lexicon, Cox is also a chronicler of films: He did a stint as the host of the British television series Moviedrome in the Nineties and writes a regular column for Film Comment and occasional filings for the Guardian and Independent. Cox spoke with me this spring from his home in the woods near Ashland, Oregon.

Read the interview...

[Vince Fontaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent filmmaker. Why has he not made a great film since "Walker?". Not saying that was his best work, he seems to think it is. He doesn't think too much of his visual style in Sid & Nancy and I always thought that it had a great artist behind the lens. He doesn't seem to think so. That's his best work in my opinion.

[Ellen]

As seen on The Onion A.V. Club. Pair with: "Repo Man."