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Uncanny Bodies: The Coming of Sound Film and the Origins of the Horror Genre Review

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Uncanny Bodies: The Coming of Sound Film and the Origins of the Horror Genre ReviewI read "Uncanny Bodies" because I am such a big fan of "Dracula" and "Frankenstein", the films that most of the text is committed to studying. However, I ended up learning a lot more than I bargained for about an era in film history that is often ignored -- the four years of transition between "The Jazz Singer" and the end of silent film production from the major studios. "Dracula" was made during the end of the transition era, and by the time "Frankenstein" was produced, Universal had ended all silent film production.
The book cites many primary sources and critical writing of the era to shed light on the uncertain responses of a 1931 viewer to the novelty of sound film, and does an excellent job supporting its thesis that the producers of "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" played off of their audience's experiences of early sound films to heighten the terror of the living dead who are threatening the protagonists. Well-written and accessible, while exhaustively researched and remaining very academic, Spadoni's book uses reception study to reveal a lot about the often hailed, derided, and misunderstood early horror masterpieces.Uncanny Bodies: The Coming of Sound Film and the Origins of the Horror Genre OverviewIn 1931 Universal Pictures released Dracula and Frankenstein, two films that inaugurated the horror genre in Hollywood cinema. These films appeared directly on the heels of Hollywood's transition to sound film. Uncanny Bodies argues that the coming of sound inspired more in these massively influential horror movies than screams, creaking doors, and howling wolves. A close examination of the historical reception of films of the transition period reveals that sound films could seem to their earliest viewers unreal and ghostly. By comparing this audience impression to the first sound horror films, Robert Spadoni makes a case for understanding film viewing as a force that can powerfully shape both the minutest aspects of individual films and the broadest sweep of film production trends, and for seeing aftereffects of the temporary weirdness of sound film deeply etched in the basic character of one of our most enduring film genres.

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Horror Film Reader (Softcover) Review

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Horror Film Reader (Softcover) ReviewMost of the time, if we like something, we don't question it, we just enjoy it. Plenty of people enjoy horror films, so much so that it has remained a successful genre since the beginning of sound films (with the possible exception of the post WWII years when science fiction took over, albeit with horror trappings). Horror Film Reader tries to explain why we enjoy horror.
Horror Film Reader is an anthology of essays about horror movies edited by Alain Silver and James Ursini, two big writers on genre films (who also occasionally provide DVD commentaries). The first section of the book features "classic" essays on the subject, written from the 1950s to the `70s. The second part has more recent works from around 1980 to 2000.
As might be expected in an anthology of this sort, the articles have a variety of lengths, topics and quality. Some focus on major horror films, others on minor ones or more "trashy" horror, some on single movies, some on whole slews of them. Some have affection for the genre, others are more critical, and some have errors in plot descriptions that undermine their effectiveness.
Overall, however, this is a fun read, but only if you're well-versed in horror movies. If your experience is limited to only recent and very well-known works, you won't get as much out of this. There are, for example chapters on Mario Bava and Jess Franco, neither of whom are very well-known to modern movie-goers, though horror fans are more familiar with them. If you are a fan of the genre and its history, however, this book will provide some interesting insights.
Horror Film Reader (Softcover) OverviewThis book begins with seminal essays, several dating back to the 1950s, that uncover the roots of the genre and explain its wide-radning, indestructible appeal. The second part of the book, "New Perspectives," focuses on such specific films as Freaks, The Devil Doll, The Haunting, The Devil and Daniel Webster, and Hitchcock, the Wolf Man and the Candy Man.

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The Rough Guide to Horror Movies Review

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The Rough Guide to Horror Movies ReviewThis is really a remarkably good overview of horror cinema. It offers a variety of information (historical, filmographic, aesthetic, cultural) which is organized to encourage casual or random browsing but also very readable from cover to cover. The background chapter on horror literature is particularly informative. No special theory is offered; some otherwise excellent horror film books take an overly-specialized perspective, but you won't have that problem here. The genre is taken seriously, but the fun of it is always kept in view. Many very fine (and some rarely seen) photos grace the book throughout. I only noticed one "blooper": in the sidebar on Barbara Steele, Fellini is reported to have "cut her out" of his film "8-1/2." However, when I saw it recently, Babbara was beautifully present in one important scene. Otherwise, this is a very well-done volume and is heartily recommended.The Rough Guide to Horror Movies OverviewThe Rough Guide to Horror Movies is a comprehensive guide to the world''s most terrifying films. The guide includes all the icons, from Boris Karloff to Wes Craven and Frankenstein to Freddie Kruger, including classics from Argentina, Pakistan, South Africa and the recent chillers from East Asia. The canon of fifty essential horror movies features The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and Switchblade Romance, via Psycho and The Exorcist. Everything you need to know is covered from festivals, adaptations, magazines and merchandise. The guide tells the stories behind the movies that have scared us throughout the twentieth century.

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The Psychotronic Video Guide To Film Review

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The Psychotronic Video Guide To Film ReviewI'll freely admit my admiration for Michael Weldon's work, this book, his previous, and his magazine. Even when I disagree with his assessment, he's always honest and straight-forward.
I read some other reviews complaining about the content, or lack thereof, in this book. I think there's a misundserstanding as to what this is. It is a continuation of Michael's previous book, the Psychotronic Encylcopedia. There may be references in the reviews to movies not listed here, but that's because those movies are listed in the Encyclopedia. The two books have very little common content.
I also read a complaint about inclusion of some mainstream pictures such as Basic Instinct. In defense, I would say that Michael's content covers exploitation films of all genres and budget levels, whether made for $26,000 or $26,000,000.
I also like Michael's editorial inserts in this volume, such as his favorite movies of each decade.
Both books are essential, though admittedly his first covers most of the classics. This volume, thankfully, is not only more up-to-date, but stretches back into the silent era as well.
I say...buy them both.The Psychotronic Video Guide To Film Overview

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An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films Review

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An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films ReviewLike another reviewer, I first read the '67 edition of Clarens' book when I was in high school. Already a horror movie fan, I needed context and appreciation of the genre, and that's exactly what this wonderful book provided, then and now. This is a book for the serious fan in search of a history of both the technique and ideas behind horror films. Clarens' observations about specific films' production, actors' performances, and even camera tricks will stay with you and help you to enjoy horror movies, old and new, even more than you did before. It is illustrated well, but it's an illustrated history, not an annotated photo catalog. Thus this is a book with terrific words and ideas, plus images--it's not intended to be a glossy fan mag with captions. Approach it with an expectation of ideas plus a few images, and let your imagination work its magic. Read the book to understand the big picture--not just to savor a few illustrations. I'm thrilled with the re-issue, and expect the book to support intelligent fans as well as cinema scholars. It's a book to keep, appreciate, and savor.An Illustrated History Of Horror And Science-fiction Films OverviewIn this book Carlos Clarens, author of Crime Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), George Cukor, and many articles in film magazines, brings his encyclopedic knowledge of films and filmmakers to the subject of horror and science-fiction films of the classic era. Whether discussing the erotic aspects of King Kong, examining the works of Val Lewton, contrasting the director's attitude toward the monster in Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, accounting for the special genius of Lon Chaney, or comparing the various versions of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Clarens entertains as he enlightens. Supplemented with a new introduction by J. Hoberman, Village Voice film critic and coauthor of Midnight Movies (also available from Da Capo/Perseus), and an extensive filmography listing complete credits for over 300 films, this fascinating study illuminates both the genre and the reasons for its popularity.

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Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture Review

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Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture ReviewI bought this book to augment my research for a film course I took. This book affords a concise, in-depth examination of the horror film genre and aims to identify its relevance in a historical context, psychological context, and social context. Horror films were long denied by critics as a substantial and intellectual genre worthy of scholarly research, but Kendall R. Phillips proves that they couldn't be more wrong. The films discussed in the text follow a chronological sequence, dating back to the 1920s with The Phantom of the Opera, and goes all the way up to the 90s with Scream.
Excellent book for anyone interested in horror films, film history, or with an appreciation for the much broader history of American culture.Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture Overview
Movie audiences seem drawn, almost compelled, toward tales of the horrific and the repulsive. Partly because horror continues to evolve radically-every time the genre is deemed dead, it seems to come up with another twist-it has been one of the most often-dissected genres. Here, author Kendall Phillips selects ten of the most popular and influential horror films-including Dracula, Night of the Living Dead, Halloween, The Silence of the Lambs, and Scream, each of which has become a film landmark and spawned countless imitators, and all having implications that transcend their cinematic influence and achievement. By tracing the production history, contemporary audience response, and lasting cultural influence of each picture, Phillips offers a unique new approach to thinking about the popular attraction to horror films, and the ways in which they reflect both cultural and individual fears. Though stylistically and thematically very different, all of these movies have scared millions of eager moviegoers. This book tries to figure out why.

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Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies Review

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Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies ReviewHere's a real treat for fans of science fiction movies. Gary Gerani's TOP 100 SCI-FI MOVIES is an entertaining, insightful and well-illustrated guide to great science fiction films of the past 80 years. To paraphrase director John Carpenter, who wrote the Introduction to Gerani's book, "For movie addicts, it doesn't get much better than this." Here, here.
In reverse order, Gerani counts down "cinema's most significant science fiction endeavors." Number 100 is EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS. You'll have to read the book to find out #1! Each film gets at least a full-page spread. Many get two pages; a very few get four. After listing 'Who Made It' production details, Gerani gives a 'What It's About' plot summary followed by a lengthy 'Why It's Important' discussion on the film and its impact. Likewise, each film is illustrated by at least one or more photographs and/or movie poster artwork. Some titles rate more illustrations. THEM, for example, has the original color movie poster and eight b&w production stills. 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA features a color poster and nine color stills.
Paging through TOP 100 SCI-FI MOVIES is akin to taking a walk down memory lane. The films covered include INVADERS FROM MARS, BACK TO THE FUTURE, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, MATRIX, GODZILLA, STAR TREK II, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, ON THE BEACH, ALIENS, FORBIDDEN PLANET, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN PROJECT, METROPOLIS, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, FANTASTIC VOYAGE, FIRST MEN IN THE MOON, THE FLY, ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS, DARK STAR, THE CONQUEST OF SPACE and many others. Gerani's affectionate yet critical commentary makes for entertaining reading.
In short, Science Fiction Film buffs should pick up a copy of Gerani's book. It's a fun, thought-provoking guided tour through many fondly-remembered cinematic treats. Highly recommended.Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies OverviewFantastic Press strikes again with its second trade paperback offering, this time exploring the ultra-fanciful universe of spaceships, exotic planets, time travel, and extraterrestrials.The "Top 100 Sci-Fi Movies" are reviewed and ranked by fantasy screenwriter/film historian Gary Gerani, who covers everything from early silent groundbreakers like A Trip to the Moon to today's widescreen, computer-generated blockbusters. With over 600 rare visuals, full-color layouts. and an introduction by one of Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, this exciting new pictorial overview is the ideal companion book to 2010's Top 100 Horror Movies.

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A History of Horror Review

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A History of Horror ReviewA History of Horror is an engaging overview of the history of horror cinema. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject, or who wants to know more about the genre. Dixon is a great writer, and I was impressed by the ground he managed to cover in only 210 pages. The only negative to the book is he sometimes slips into a "those were the days" routine, forcing his particular vision of what horror should be on the reader. I love a moody atmospheric film that doesn't rely on gore as much as the next person, but that isn't the only flavor out there that has merit.A History of Horror OverviewEver since horror leapt from popular fiction to the silver screen in the late 1890s, viewers have experienced fear and pleasure in exquisite combination. Wheeler Winston Dixon's A History of Horror is the only book to offer a comprehensive survey of this ever-popular film genre.Arranged by decades, with outliers and franchise films overlapping some years, this one-stop sourcebook unearths the historical origins of characters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman and their various incarnations in film from the silent era to comedic sequels. A History of Horror explores how the horror film fits into the Hollywood studio system and how its enormous success in American and European culture expanded globally over time.Dixon examines key periods in the horror film-in which the basic precepts of the genre were established, then banished into conveniently reliable and malleable forms, and then, after collapsing into parody, rose again and again to create new levels of intensity and menace. A History of Horror, supported by rare stills from classic films, brings over fifty timeless horror films into frightfully clear focus, zooms in on today's top horror Web sites, and champions the stars, directors, and subgenres that make the horror film so exciting and popular with contemporary audiences.

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Top 100 Horror Movies Review

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Top 100 Horror Movies ReviewIf you're a long-time horror film fan (like me) you're going to love Gary Gerani's new book, TOP 100 HORROR MOVIES. Who among us has not constructed our own top 10, top 50 or top 100 favorite horror film list over the years? The immediate temptation upon holding this book in your hands is to thumb through it immediately like any other profusely illustrated new book. STOP! DON'T DO IT! You'll instantly be mired in moving from title to title, agreeing here and perhaps even hating a choice there. To properly savor this wonderful fun read, set it aside for a time when you have bracketed at least an hour to start it. It's the kind of book that is best enjoyed after the wife and/or kids are in bed for the night. Turn off the TV; resist the further temptation of having a DVD film on in the background, even one you're overly familiar with. Make sure you have your favorite beverage and (non-greasy) snack at hand. Then you're ready to begin. Approach it like you would a good novel from page one onward. Each turn of the page will bring you to an old friend, or perhaps a film you've heard of but have never seen or a choice you simply can't believe has been included where it is (or even in the book itself!). But that's the real pleasure isn't it? Gerani is a long-time film historian, a man who grew up in the Fifties and saw many of these films as they were released, before their individual uniqueness was compromised by remakes and copycats and by the end of the book you'll realize that you've spent your time in the presence of a real genre film fan. He expectedly presents the important particulars about each movie before moving on to discuss why he's chosen it for inclusion. Familiar as well as rare color and black and white photos accompany the text, and Gerarni has even included original poster advertising showing how classy or classless the studios promoted their product upon original release. Like all of us Gerani has his own personal favorites which sometimes trumps what many would consider a superior film; there is even a title or two that are so awful they are included because of Gerani's belief in their historical importance and/or long term effect on the genre as a whole. That's where I would have placed a better but perhaps less important film. But it's not my book, or yours, but Gary Gerani's and the bottom line is it's worth your money, your time, and a place on your bookshelf. You'll be pulling it down for renewed inspection for years to come. What more can you ask of a book?Top 100 Horror Movies OverviewEvery fan plays the game... what's the best movie of all time, the second best, and did my favorite make it into the "Top 100"? Fantastic Press proudly launches an exciting new series of gift books that colorfully explore popular motion picture genres, reviewing and ranking the best each genre has to offer. With imaginative, full-color layouts and a sense of spirited fun, each book in this custom-designed series begins with coverage of Movie #100, then suspensefully "ascends" to the Number One choice! Along the way, avid readers are treated to rare photos and posters, priceless information, and never-before published cultural artifacts. For the first Fantastic Press offering, it's horror against horror in the ultimate scary movie match-up. Screenwriter/film historian Gary (Pumpkinhead) Gerani presents and evaluates the cinema's most celebrated shockers, from silent classics to today's gleefully audacious gorefests. This super-colorful overview contains over 600 rare visuals, and features a brand-new introduction by celebrated horror movie director Roger Corman.

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Horror Movie Freak Review

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Horror Movie Freak ReviewIn my opinion, Don has written this book the most appropriate way possible: by not being too scholarly and by talking to the reader as one horror freak to another horror freak or horror freak-in-training. For the last few years, I've proudly written for his site and it was an honor to help create the master film list for this book. I've always believed the most important thing in reviewing horror is to not be afraid to admit that you love it or that you love certain films, and Don captures that idea beautifully, preaching the gospel and virtues of being an unabashed, unashamed Horror Freak. It is one thing to make a "simple" list of "The 100 best films". It is quite another, and far better in some ways, to make a list of movies that are important to a well-rounded, foundational knowledge of the genre....a primer, if you will. Everyone needs a place to start in the genre...or a way for seasoned vets to remember movies they haven't revisted in a long time. Horror Movie Freak fills that void.
Horror Movie Freak OverviewYou'll scream with delight while reading this fun and engaging book that discusses fright flicks all horror fans need to see to ascend to the level of a true Horror Freak—from classics (Dracula and Psycho) to modern movies (Drag Me to Hell) and lesser-known gems (Dog Soldiers).
Movies are divided into various categories, including Asian horror, beginners, homicidal slashers, supernatural thrillers, and zombie invasion. Features more than 130 movies, 250+ photos of movie stills and posters, and a chapter on remakes and reimaginings. The book also includes the DVD of George A. Romero's original 1968 version of Night of the Living Dead.

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Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide Review

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Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide ReviewJohn Stanley's self-congratulatory intro aside, this is a very sloppy new edition with some glaring factual errors and gaps. There is a scant two paragraphs in the intro on DVD, which has revolutionized home video and brought numerous classics to a wider audience. The line "While the more expensive DVD made inroads amongst elitists, sci-fi and horror material continued to inundate the videocassette market" is one ripe example, since DVDs are cheap and have well-nigh replaced the defunct video-tape. He didn't even bother to rename his "sources" list: it's still called "Video/Laserdisc." The new entries are overlong, badly written, and even poorly punctuated. His opinions are often daft, such as praising Liam Neeson's somnambulant performance in THE HAUNTING and trashing the occasionally clever BRIDE OF CHUCKY. THE BEYOND, STENDHAL SYNDROME, CRASH, and RABID DOGS, key films by Fulci, Argento, Cronenberg, and Bava respectively, are not mentioned. His entry on BLOOD COUPLE (aka GANJA AND HESS) shows no awareness that it was completely restored and reissued over two years ago. This list goes on.
The older entries still hold up, but he's no Michael Weldon. He even gets in some tacky plugs for ordering previous editions of the guide direct from him. If you have a previous edition, there is absolutely no reason to buy this one. A poor update all around.Creature Features: The Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Movie Guide OverviewA new updated edition of the ultimate midnight movie guide...With smash-hit films like The Blair Witch Project, The Sixth Sense, and The Phantom Menace breaking Hollywood records, it's obvious that sci-fi, fantasy and horror films are back--and bigger than ever before.Updated to include the most recent movie mega-hits, Creature Features has it all--the shockers, schlockers, blockbusters, bombs, cult faves, rare gems, classics, groundbreakers, gorefests, space operas, sorcery, Euro-splatter, and everything in between. From features, made-for-televsion, and straight-to-video, here are all the films you love and hate; the films you forgot about and never knew existed. Horror and science fiction fans will find films that matter and films that splatter in one critical and humorous guide.Featuring Thousands of capsulized reviews A five-star rating system Hundreds of obscure and rare titles Video distribution informaton (including mail order) Cross-references to secondary titles, sequels and tricky retitlings And more."I keep two reference works by my bed at all times. One is Eric Weber's How to Pick Up Girls. The other is John Stanley's Creature Features Movie Guide. Never has so much worthless information been gathered together in one place. I'm in awe of the man." --Joe Bob Briggs"A Must." --Leonard Maltin"The Leonard Maltin of horror." --Fangoria

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Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies Review

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Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies ReviewAn unusual book in that it is written by Horror fans, the book is as a result a splendidly fun read. Its premise is to make 101 Horror films of varying degrees of renown, better known to the general public and the choices of film are as remarkale as some of the very fine writing within. This is simply a must read for anyone with the slightest interest in Horror films of all eras. Joe Dante loves it, Horror legend Tom Savini wrote the foreword, what better reason do you need to buy this book.Horror 101: The A-List of Horror Films and Monster Movies Overview

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VideoHound's Horror Show: 999 Hair-Raising, Hellish and Humorous Movies Review

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VideoHound's Horror Show: 999 Hair-Raising, Hellish and Humorous Movies ReviewI bought this book as a supplement to research on a term paper. Wow, was I surprised!! This is the end-all be-all of horror film books. Mike Mayo is amazingly honest, and though there are some strange entries (The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-up Zombies rates 3 stars), he never becomes defensive. He lists some excellent sources, and as with all Videohound books, cross-indexes everything. Those movies that are not included are not included for good reason. Those movies that are included...well, let's just say this is the ultimate horror book.VideoHound's Horror Show: 999 Hair-Raising, Hellish and Humorous Movies Overview

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Hollywood Gothic: The Tangled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage to Screen Review

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Hollywood Gothic: The Tangled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage to Screen ReviewIn "Hollywood Gothic" David Skal tells the story of "Dracula" that came after the classic of gothic horror was published in 1897. It's a fascinating, fact-filled tale of colorful personalities, legal battles, Hollywood politics, and a culture still captivated by the King of Literary Vampires. The book's seven chapters begin with author Bram Stoker, end with the Count's recent incarnations on stage and screen, and include the most insightful analysis of "Dracula"'s origins that I have read in the course of my minor obsession with the novel.
Chapter 1 explores "Dracula"'s literary and theatrical predecessors before moving on to discussion of the intellectual and sexual climate into which the book was published in 1897, the life and elusive character of its author Bram Stoker, and how the novel was received in its own day. David Skal does an impressive job of pulling together the relevant details, from diverse perspectives, of the novel's birth.
Chapter 2 details the legal battle waged by the Bram Stoker's widow, Mrs. Florence Stoker, to suppress the first cinematic adaptation of her husband's novel, 1922's "Nosferatu", the unauthorized German production directed by F.W. Murnau, now recognized as a masterpiece of silent cinema. Chapter 3 sees Mrs, Stoker finally authorize an adaptation to British dramatist Hamilton Deane, whose wordy, plodding "Dracula" play nevertheless achieved great financial success, attracting the attention of American theatrical producer Horace Liveright. Liveright enlisted journalist John Balderston to rewrite the play for Broadway and make it a smash hit on this side of the Atlantic.
Chapter 4 moves to Hollywood for the protracted negotiations over "Dracula"'s film rights. "Dracula"'s path through the early 20th century was mined with legal battles, and it is a credit to author David Skal that he is able to make interminable and constantly mutating negotiations into absorbing drama. Chapter 5 follows the winding road to the production of the first Hollywood "Dracula", the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi, which, although made cheaply and lazily, was the first horror talkie and a financial life preserver for Universal Studios. Happily, Skal has dedicated Chapter 6 to the superior Spanish language version of "Dracula" that was filmed simultaneously, on the same sets, as the English version of the 1931 film, but with a different producer, director, cinematographer, and cast.
Chapter 7 tells us what became of the principle person's associated with the two 1931 films. Then it follows the legacy of "Dracula" from the 1930s forward, through its incarnations in film, plays, musicals, ballets, and other performances. Appendix A is a list of notable stage performances of "Dracula", 1897-2003. Appendix B is a list of about 200 films, 1921-2004, which feature the "Dracula" character or name. Thankfully, there is an index.
In outlining the contents of "Hollywood Gothic", I may have made the book seem dry. But the story of "Dracula"'s continuing life in film and on stage is as lively as the novel that inspired it -and it is written a good deal better. David Skal's tireless research and engaging style never fail to impress. "Hollywood Gothic" is an absorbing literary and cinematic history that "Dracula" fans shouldn't miss.Hollywood Gothic: The Tangled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage to Screen Overview

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