Science Fiction Cinema: Between Fantasy and Reality - Couverture souple

Cornea, Christine

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0813541735 ISBN 13 : 9780813541730

Editeur : Rutgers University Press, 2007

Synopsis

Offering a broad historical and theoretical reassessment of science fiction, Christine Cornea explores the development of this popular genre in cinema from its very beginnings to the present day. Each chapter offers analyses of particular films, situating them within a wider historical/cultural context while also highlighting a specific key thematic issue. Cornea provides vital and unique perspectives on the genre, including discussions of the relevance of psychedelic imagery, race, the “new woman of science,” generic performance, and the prevalence of “techno-orientalism” in recent films. Enriching the book are new interviews with some of the main practitioners in the field, such as Roland Emmerich, Paul Verhoeven, Ken Russell, Stan Winston, William Gibson, Brian Aldiss, Joe Morton, Dean Norris, and Billy Gray. While American films are Cornea’s main focus, she also engages with a range of examples from other countries and explains why science fiction lends itself well to transnational reception.

Among the many films discussed are The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Body Snatchers, Forbidden Planet, The Quatermass Experiment, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Demon Seed, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Wars, Altered States, Alien, Blade Runner, The Brother from Another Planet, Back to the Future, The Terminator, Predator, The One, Dark City, The Matrix, Fifth Element, and eXistenZ.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

This major new study offers a broad historical and theoretical reassessment of the science fiction film genre. The book explores the development of science fiction in cinema from its beginnings in early film through to recent examples of the genre. Each chapter sets analyses of chosen films within a wider historical/cultural context, while concentrating on a specific thematic issue. The book therefore presents vital and unique perspectives in its approach to the genre, which include discussion of the relevance of psychedelic imagery, the 'new woman of science', generic performance and the prevalence of 'techno-orientalism' in recent films. While American films will be one of the principle areas covered, the author also engages with a range of pertinent examples from other nations, as well as discussing the centrality of science fiction as a transnational film genre. The films discussed include: "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "The Body Snatchers", "Forbidden Planet", "The Quatermass Experiment", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Demon Seed", "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", "Star Wars", "Altered States", "Alien", "Blade Runner", "The Brother from Another Planet", "Back to the Future", "The Terminator", "Predator", "The One", "Dark City", "The Matrix", "Fifth Element" and "eXistenZ". Its key features are: it is thematically organised for use as a course text; it introduces current and past theories and practices, and provides an overview of the main themes, approaches and areas of study; covers new and burgeoning approaches such as generic performance and aspects of postmodern identity; and, includes new interviews with some of the main practitioners in the field: Roland Emmerich, Paul Verhoeven, Ken Russell, Stan Winston, William Gibson, Brian Aldiss, Joe Morton, Dean Norris and Billy Gray.

Revue de presse

'This is an important new survey of a body of film. It offers plenty of new insights in a refreshingly jargon-free language. It will become a necessary companion for any serious viewer of SF film.' --Professor David Seed, School of English, University of Liverpool

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Rutgers University Press
• Date d'édition: 2007
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0813541735
• ISBN 13: 9780813541730
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 336
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible