""Every time I make a movie, everybody says it's the most expensive film in the film industry.""- James Cameron
From "Aliens" to " Titanic," James Cameron's films have spanned genres, broken box-office records, cleaned up at the Oscars, and turned body-builders into movie stars. Despite Cameron's undeniable influence on the high-concept postmodern blockbuster that dominated the 1980s and 90s, there has until recently been little academic attention to his work.
Alexandra Keller provides the first critical study of James Cameron as an auteur. Considering in particular his treatment of gender and preoccupation with capital, both in his films and his filmmaking practice, Keller offers an overview of Cameron's work and significance within cinematic history. The book features excerpts from interviews and frame-by-frame analysis of important scenes from films such as "Terminator," "Aliens," "True Lies," and " Titanic."

Throughout his lengthy career as both an actor and a director, Clint Eastwood has appeared in virtually every major film genre and, at this point in his career, has emerged as one of America's most popular, recognizable, and respected filmmakers. He also remains a controversial figure in the political landscape, often characterized as the most prominent conservative voice in mostly liberal Hollywood. At Eastwood's late age, his critical success as actor and director, his combative willingness to confront serious cultural issues in his films, and his undeniable talent behind the camera all call for a new and comprehensive study that considers and contextualizes his multiple roles, both on and off screen. Tough Ain't Enough offers readers a series of original essays by prominent cinema scholars that explore the actor-director's extensive career. The result is a far-reaching and nuanced portrait of one of America's most prolific and thoughtful filmmakers.

Featuring excerpts from interviews and frame-by-frame analysis of important scenes from films such as Terminator, Aliens, True Lies, and Titanic, Alexandra Keller provides the first critical study of James Cameron as an auteur.

Considering in particular his treatment of gender and preoccupation with capital, both in his films and his filmmaking practice, Keller offers an overview of Cameron's work and its significance within cinematic history.

Sections in the book include:

• Chronology
• Key Debates
• Key Scenes
• Sources
• Resources.

This is a fascinating insight into the work of one of Hollywood's top directors, and will prove invalubale to students of film studies and media studies all over the English-speaking world.