Interviewing Scott Ryan, author of The Last Decade of Cinema, is an intriguing journey into the mind of a passionate cinephile. Ryan, known for his candid and often provocative insights, shares his thoughts on everything from his ideal reader—Quentin Tarantino—to his disdain for internet reviews. In this interview, Ryan delves into the inspiration behind his latest book, his experiences interviewing iconic screenwriters, and his musings on the state of modern cinema. His responses are as engaging and unfiltered as his writing, offering a glimpse into his creative process and his unabashed love for the movies of the 90s. Whether discussing his favorite comments or his somewhat eccentric celebrity crushes, Ryan’s personality shines through, making this conversation as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Q If you could give your book to one person in the entire world to read, who would it be and why?
This is your first question and I already love it. I would like to give my book to Quentin Tarantino. He is a big reason I wrote it, Pulp Fiction is covered in it, and I think Q would enjoy it.
Q How did you come up with your title?
This was designed to be a provoctive title: The Last Decade of Cinema. I wanted people to start aruging with me immediatly and get them thinking about film and defending their choices. I think the other books that I wrote were too nice. I wanted a little contraversy with this one. In fact, if someone reading this could ban my book, that would be great.
Q When did you decide to write this story and why?
It all started because I couldn’t find anything to stream one night. It was like every movie was either boring or was a remake of something I’d seen before. I wanted to shine a light on a time when movies were taking chances, and the norm was to be anything but normal.
Q What has been your favorite comment/review so far about your book?
Wait? People are supposed to say nice things about your work? No one told me this. Honestly, I read nothing about my books. I don’t read internet comments, or Good Reads, or Amazon reviews. I stay away from the internet at all costs when it comes to looking for feedback. I always complete my books and just start on the next one. I try to focus on the work of it, not the rewards that come from it.
Q What is something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that Helen Childress, who wrote the screenplay to the 1994 movie, Reality Bites, is as wonderful as I always hoped. I have wanted to interview her for thirty years. She wrote one of my top 5 movies of all-time and I always thought if I met her, that we could be best friends. Then I interviewed her for this book, and I know it’s true. Now, if someone could just explain that to her, we can begin our yearly vacations, she can help me move my couch, and I’ll drop her off at the airport when she needs a ride.
Q Who is your celebrity crush?
How much time do you have? Sheryl Lee is my life long crush. I fell in love with her from Twin Peaks and that lasts for life. There is also Jessica Williams, Jenna Coleman, Gillian Anderson, Fiona Apple, and Ariana DeBose. And let’s throw Denzel Washington in there as a Hall of Famer.
Q Which fictional character would be most exciting to meet in real life?
Well, I feel like I should pick a character from a 90s movie to keep readers on track for buying my book, so I am going to go with Dr. Lowenstein from The Prince of Tides becasue that is as close as I am going to get in meeting Barbra Streisand.
Q What is the most useless talent you have?
How did you know all my talents are useless? Who told you? Was it one of my family members? I wish I had the money making talent, that is what I should have studied for. Unforunately, I went the writing way and that has really been a useless talent. I’ll go with the fact that I can name every Billy Joel album in order and with the year of release. That seems useless.
Q What got you into writing?
It was watching Moonlighting in highschool. I so wanted to create something that would make people laugh and think. I began writing and making my own movies and pretty much have never stopped.
Rapid Fire Questions
Q. Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Q. Dinosaurs or princesses?
Princesses (Mario’s Princess Peach please)
Q. Laptop or phone?
Laptop. Phones are evil.
Q. Mountain or Beach?
Mountain
Q. Beer or Vodka?
Vodka
Q. Fame or Fortune?
Fame
Q. Love or Money?
Money
Q. Sky diving or Scuba diving?
You forget sitting at home.
Q. Scented Candles or Inscense?
candles
Q. Red Meat or White Meat?
White Meat
Find another author interview here.