Bücher von John Kenneth Muir

In the year 2002, An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith was the first book to gaze at the cinema of one of New Jersey's favorite sons, the independent and controversial auteur of Clerks (1994), Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001). Now, a full decade after that successful original edition, award-winning author John Kenneth Muir returns to the View Askewniverse to consider Kevin Smith's second controversial decade as a film director, social gadfly, and beloved media "talker." From Jersey Girl (2004) to the controversial Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008), from the critically derided Cop-Out (2010) to the incendiary and provocative horror film Red State (2011), An Askew View 2 studies the Kevin Smith movie equation as it exists today, almost two full decades after Smith maxed out his credit card, made Clerks with his friends, shopped it at Sundance, and commenced his Hollywood journey. In addition to Kevin Smith's films, An Askew View 2 remembers the short-lived Clerks cartoon (2000) and diagrams the colorful Smith Lexicon.

MERCY IN HER EYES: THE FILMS OF MIRA NAIR

BEST IN SHOW: THE FILMS OF CHRISTOPHER GUEST AND COMPANY

Providing a career-spanning view of everyone's favorite geek writer and director, Joss Whedon FAQ offers answers to fans' questions about one of the most significant pop culture auteurs of the past twenty-five years. The book gazes at Whedon's early work in Hollywood as a script doctor on films such The Quick and the Dead (1995) and Waterworld (1995), and follows his career as he became the cult-favorite creator of such sensations as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. In addition to looking at Whedon's ascent to blockbuster superhero filmmaking with titles such as The Avengers, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Justice League, this eminently readable compendium explores Whedon's lesser known but no less fascinating forays into the world of Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing) and even big-screen romantic fantasy (In Your Eyes). The book closes with discussions of Whedon's politics and feminism, as well as a catalog of his (unofficial) repertory company and a list of the most memorable on-screen character deaths in his canon.

35 B/W PHOTOS

When CLERKS opened at cinemas across the country in 1994, it took everyone, especially the film industry, by surprise. Filmed on a shoestring budget after hours at a convenience store, it was crude (in technique and language), realistic and, above all, hilarious. The movie''s nationwide success helped launch the indepedent film boom of the 1990s and catapulted its director, Kevin Smith, to full-fledged stardom. Smith''s work is explored in AN ASKEW VIEW, the first ever study of his films. John Kenneth Muir examines all of Smith''s movies. including MALLRATS, CHASING AMY, and the hugely controversial and variously interpreted DOGMA. Muir discusses Smith''s themes and obsessions in depth: his New Jersey boosterism, the cast of characters that pop in and out of all of his films, and the references to STAR WARS and other icons of pop culture. AN ASKEW VIEW is a fascinating and detailed history of the art of this visionary filmmaker, New Jersey''s favorite local-boy-makes-good since Bruce Springsteen.

Contends that ""Battlestar Galactica"" was a memorable attempt to make science fiction accessible to mainstream television audiences. ""Battlestar Galactica"" brought special effects to network television and skillfully exploited legends and names from both the Bible and ancient mythology, which added a layer of depth and maturity.

Starring internationally renowned actors Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Barry Morse and Catherine Schell, the British-made Space: 1999 was a space adventure of the mid-1970s. From the science fiction show's conception in 1973 to its cancellation in 1977, this reference work covers each of the 48 episodes in depth.

This analysis of John Carpenter's films includes a historical overview of his career, and in-depth entries on each of his films, from 1975's Dark Star to 1998's Vampires as well as those films written and produced by Carpenter and his work for television.

Filmmaker Wes Craven has consistently and imaginatively scared movie audiences since the early 1970s. His films encompass a variety of styles, elements and themes, from nihilistic existentialism to hallucinatory dreamscapes. Thisis a a history of Craven's film career since 1972, examining all the themes and techniques the filmmaker explored.