Gender and the uncanny
- 302 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Examines how uncanny films of the Weimar Republic engage with and respond to changing gender norms and women's emancipation.
Contemporary Approaches to Film and Media SeriesSeries
This series focuses on original areas of film research and innovative critical approaches to film, television, and new media. The published works open new avenues for scholarly research and debate. Each title is suitable for classroom use at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Recommended Reading Order
Focusing on the representation of Asian identities in Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1960s, the book examines how non-Asian actors portrayed iconic roles, often using specific gestures and narrative conventions. Karla Rae Fuller highlights the archetypal standards set by these performances, revealing the artificial nature of Hollywood's racial depictions. The analysis not only critiques the portrayal of ethnicity in film but also addresses broader themes of identity and performance in American cinema during this era.
Parables of the Posthuman
Digital Realities, Gaming, and the Player Experience
- 162 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Exploring the relationship between self and technology, this book delves into how video gaming transforms the body into a fluid and dynamic entity. Jonathan Boulter provides a philosophical analysis of the player experience, addressing the gap in academic study. Drawing from phenomenology and psychoanalysis, he emphasizes the importance of understanding our connection to gaming machines and the implications of adopting a machinic, posthuman identity in digital realities.
Joanne Bernardi offers a study of Japanese cinema's pure film movement era, recovering a body of lost film and establishing its significance in the development of Japanese cinema. Building on a wealth of original-language sources she examines how the movement challenged the industry. schovat popis
In this traditional auteurist examination of Hitchcock's early work, author Maurice Yacowar considers Hitchcock's British films in chronological order, reading the composition of individual shots and scenes in each, and paying special attention to the films' verbal effects.
Transnational Cinema in a Global North
- 379 pages
- 14 hours of reading
"Volume of essays examining the transition from national Nordic cinemas to transnational and global Nordic cinema. Contributors analyze three crucial sites in contemporary Scandinavian cinema: economic change, trends and changes in production cycles, and the most important films of the decade, defined in popular and aesthetic terms"--Provided by publisher
The Berlin School and its global contexts
- 364 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Germany's most important filmmaking movement in conversation with its peers across the globe.
The Apu Trilogy
- 166 pages
- 6 hours of reading
The analysis delves into the intricate themes of Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy, showcasing Robin Wood's expertise in film critique. Wood's detailed examination highlights the humanistic qualities of the films, exploring their psychological and emotional depth through Ray's masterful use of performance, camerawork, and visual design. As the first English-language critic to provide substantial insights into Ray's work, Wood's monograph stands out for its unprecedented depth, especially in light of the renewed interest in Ray's films in North America.
New Latin American Cinema
- 332 pages
- 12 hours of reading
V. 1. Theory, practices, and transcontinental articulations -- v. 2. Studies of national cinemas. Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Focusing on the portrayal of male sexuality in various media, the book examines how patriarchal culture obscures the male body, particularly male genitals. Peter Lehman analyzes a wide range of artistic expressions, highlighting the anxiety surrounding male representation. He argues that societal efforts to conceal male sexuality under the guise of "good taste" reinforce the "male mystique" and uphold the dominance of phallic power. Through this exploration, the book seeks to challenge the silence around male sexuality in contemporary discourse.
Exploring the intersection of humor and queer theory, this book analyzes the performances of iconic Classic Hollywood comedians like W. C. Fields and Abbott and Costello. By examining their personas, the author reveals how these male figures challenged and subverted traditional notions of masculinity and heteronormativity. Through this lens, the work uncovers a complex history of maleness within the comedic genre, offering a fresh perspective on the roles these entertainers played in reshaping societal expectations.
Exploring the profound impact of cinema, George Toles examines how movies resonate with our personal lives and emotions. He delves into the transformative power of film, revealing how the stories and visuals can reflect our own experiences and feelings, making the viewing experience deeply relatable and intimate.
Zones Of Anxiety. Movement, Musidora, And The Crime Serials Of Louis Feuillade
- 190 pages
- 7 hours of reading
The crime serials by French filmmaker Louis Feuillade provide a unique point of departure for film studies, presenting modes rarely examined within early cinematic paradigms. Vicki Callahan addresses the crime serials of Louis Feuillade from a feminist perspective
Exploring the intersection of gender and genre, the book delves into how American films engage in a continuous conversation about masculinity rather than merely reflecting societal crises. Barry Keith Grant analyzes a diverse array of genres, such as comedies, horror, and action films, revealing their role in shaping and negotiating cultural perceptions of masculinity. Through this lens, the work highlights the mythic functions of genre cinema in addressing complex issues surrounding gender identity.
The collection features essays by Robin Wood, a distinguished film critic, exploring various films and filmmakers while examining the essence of film criticism. Wood, a self-proclaimed "unreconstructed humanist," emphasizes the significance of art, creativity, and personal engagement in film analysis. His new introduction and additional essays enhance the original text, providing compelling arguments that highlight the value of subjective interpretation in understanding cinematic works.
Focusing on Stella Adler's innovative teaching methods, the book explores her challenge to Lee Strasberg's psychological approach to acting. It highlights her emphasis on empathy and social engagement in performance. Utilizing archived materials, the author delves into Adler's techniques, characterization, and script analysis, reflecting her rich background in theatre. By examining the performances of her notable male students, the work offers a broader perspective on acting discourses, showcasing Adler's significant yet often overlooked influence in the field.
Leaving Springfield
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Since its first appearance as a series of cartoon vignettes in 1987 and its debut as a weekly program in 1990, The Simpsons has had multiple, even contradictory, media identities. Although the show has featured biting political and social satire, which often proves fatal to mass public acceptance, The Simpsons entered fully into the mainstream, consistently earning high ratings from audiences and critics alike.Leaving Springfield addresses the success of The Simpsons as a corporate-manufactured show that openly and self-reflexively parodies the very consumer capitalism it simultaneously promotes. By exploring such topics as the impact of the show's satire on its diverse viewing public and the position of The Simpsons in sitcom and television animation history, the commentators develop insights into the ways parody intermixes with mass media to critique post modern society.In spite of the longevity and high cultural profile of the show, The Simpsons has so far attracted only scattered academic attention. Leaving Springfield will be of importance to both scholars of media and fans of the show interested in the function of satire in popular culture in general and television in particular.
Focusing on the horror genre, this collection features over fifty years of critiques by Robin Wood, a leading cinema critic. His essays and reviews explore the significance of horror films, showcasing his unwavering dedication to this popular cinematic form. This compilation serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in understanding the evolution and impact of horror in film history, reflecting Wood's influential perspective and insights throughout his career.
