Brian J. Robb is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author whose work delves into the realms of film history and culture. He explores a wide spectrum of cinematic topics, from silent films and iconic directors to the enduring appeal of science fiction and superhero narratives. Robb also investigates distinct visual genres like steampunk and examines the worlds created by influential figures and franchises. His richly illustrated books and online editorial work highlight a deep engagement with visual storytelling and genre studies.
Ultravox made an indelible mark on the popular music of the 1980s despite never reaching number one at any point: famously, 'Vienna' stalled at number two, while their only other top five single was the zeitgeist-capturing 'Dancing With Tears in My Eyes', reaching number three in May 1984.
This critical history of Doctor Who covers the series 60 years, from the creation of the show to its triumph as Britain's number one TV drama. Opening with an in-depth account of the creation of the series within the BBC of the early 1960s, each decade of the show is tackled through a unique political and pop cultural historical viewpoint.
Philip K. Dick, the visionary author behind Blade Runner, is the most adapted science fiction writer in cinema history. Illustrated with scores of rare photos, Counterfeit Worlds is the first book to trace the history of Philip K. Dick screen adaptations, both in cinema and on television.
For four decades, Depeche Mode dominated electronic music, from the naive melodies of 1981's Speak & Spell through to 2023's Memento Mori. Through changing line-ups featuring Vince Clarke, Alan Wilder, and Andy Fletcher, singer Dave Gahan and main songwriter Martin Gore have been the band's core.
Writer, producer, and director Wes Craven has successfully tapped into the horror vein for over forty years, serving up scary, funny, cutting-edge thrillers that have become classics in the genre. His films have been both critical and commercial successes, most notably Nightmare on Elm Street, which spawned a series of sequels and made Craven (and his creation, Freddy Kruger) an international sensation. He then created a second indelible series in the horror movie trope with Scream. In Screams & Nightmares, Brian J. Robb examines Craven's entire career, from his low-budget beginnings to his most recent box office hits, from the banned thriller The Last House on the Left and the cult classic The Hills Have Eyes to the outrageous Shocker and The People Under the Stairs. Through exclusive interviews with Craven, Robb provides in-depth accounts of the making of each of the films - including the final installments of the Scream series - Craven's foray into writing novels, and his numerous television projects.
A comprehensive and compelling guide to Suzanne Collins' bestselling young-adult, dystopian trilogy The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Already a publishing phenomenon to rival Harry Potter (over 50 million copies sold), there are three sequels to the 2012 blockbuster movie of The Hunger Games scheduled for release between 2013 and 2015. Robb explores the inspiration behind the books, the author, the themes and influences of the three books, the movie adaptations and their cultural impact, the books'legacy and spin-offs.
From the Old West to Prohibition and beyond, gangsters brought vividly to life
"Animator, innovator and business magnate, Walt Disney undeniably had a huge impact on American culture ... an illuminating account of Disney's artistic creations ... and an insightful history of the entertainment behemoth he created, from Dumbo to Pixar's Toy Story, as well as the hugely popular theme parks. The company Disney built is today stronger than ever, encompassing not onlyu the ongoing legacy of Disney animation, but also acting as the guardian of other well-loved creative endeavours .. [This] explores the man, the films he created and the company he built, with a special emphasis on animation, which has always been the heart and soul of the company"--Publisher's description.