A good all around survey of the film from its origins to the filming and reception. Photos are interesting and tidbits and interviews good. This isn’tA good all around survey of the film from its origins to the filming and reception. Photos are interesting and tidbits and interviews good. This isn’t designed to be too in depth but if you enjoyed the film it illuminates a lot behind the scenes. Fraying, as always, is a good writer and knows his cinema....more
An essential guide to horror film fans of 1960s to 1980s. Newman has an in-depth knowledge even beyond the US , Canadian and UK boarders so you will pAn essential guide to horror film fans of 1960s to 1980s. Newman has an in-depth knowledge even beyond the US , Canadian and UK boarders so you will probably run into films that are completely new! It still holds up after so many years, and it’s fun to see how his predictions of the future have panned out....more
A collection of fictional stories based on characters from British horror films comingle to create an interconnected web of stories about evil in the A collection of fictional stories based on characters from British horror films comingle to create an interconnected web of stories about evil in the world. It was not what I expected, but I that is down to advertising, so I didn't include that in my rating. I thought it would be closer to the films and the relationships would be based more on the worlds of the film; this is more fictionalised and more creative.
As with most compilations of mini-stories, some are better done than others. Some are intriguing and interesting and the crossovers make you go "ah!" and some feel like a stretch, or belabored, and some are simply better written than others. Hence the four stars. On the whole, this is a very original and interesting idea and as I love British horror films I liked reading most of these stories. I'm not sure, as others have said, that the ending hangs together well, it doesn't make or break the book either.
In summary: I think any British horror fan will find stories to enjoy in it, if not the whole thing; although if you are more of a passing fan, it may not grab you in the same way....more
This book is about the relationship between horror and philosophy, and in some ways the inherent presence of horror in philosophy. As more academic boThis book is about the relationship between horror and philosophy, and in some ways the inherent presence of horror in philosophy. As more academic books go, Thacker is easy to read and engaging, and the premise is very interesting. I happen to agree with his argument, so it was supporting things I already had inklings of, but for someone coming at it fresh there is a wide range of cultural references and some interesting approaches. It is definitely more philosophical than "on horror" in terms of those coming from a horror background.
All that being said, it didn't get 5 stars from me because the arguments were very broad and open, with important questions left unanswered, and the argument is repeated from various angles across the book, but rarely is it asked "so if this argument is valid, then what?" What does it mean for horror or philosophy? Does it change anything? These are questions that aren't necessary to address for a book that is simply starting a conversation (which I believe this is), but would have made it much more rich and engaging, in my opinion....more
The book is exactly the movie. So if you liked the movie you'll like the book. If you haven't seen the movie and get a bit squeamish, the book may be The book is exactly the movie. So if you liked the movie you'll like the book. If you haven't seen the movie and get a bit squeamish, the book may be easier to dip in and out of. If you haven't seen the movie and you love horror, see the movie first - it was, after all, designed with visuals in mind....more
I'll say it (even if I'm the only one): Brahm Stoker is a boring writer. Sure, it's a classic. But he goes on and on and on when he doesn't need to. II'll say it (even if I'm the only one): Brahm Stoker is a boring writer. Sure, it's a classic. But he goes on and on and on when he doesn't need to. It's long in an unnecessary way and it takes away from what is a really great concept and an iconic character. If you loved the Dracula movies and wanted to read the original, be prepared for that.
Of course, it's a solid good book. Solid plot, good characters, great vampire, some genuinely creepy moments. A bit of anti-semitism which I won't take personally because it's of its time. But it is way too long. Just ask Henry Irving, whom Stoker was inspired by to create the character of Dracula. He thought it was too long too. ...more
Okay, yes, the movie is better and more gripping. But this has some great gothic and Japanese horror roots, and it's written as a good solid slow-burnOkay, yes, the movie is better and more gripping. But this has some great gothic and Japanese horror roots, and it's written as a good solid slow-burn. If you like that kind of thing, this is a really well done version of it....more
Does what it says on the cover - so you'll know if it's for you without needing a review.Does what it says on the cover - so you'll know if it's for you without needing a review....more
This is an academic book, so I'm rating it as such. Some essays are alright; some are weak on research; some are naval-gazing and too obscure to say aThis is an academic book, so I'm rating it as such. Some essays are alright; some are weak on research; some are naval-gazing and too obscure to say anything truly useful about the genre. It is really good that someone wanted to do a collection of work on plant horror - it's an underappreciated field of study - but really more could be said and done about it. There was too much overlap to make the overall themes deeply valuable. If you are researching the subject, though, you need to buy it. It has necessary bits you won't find elsewhere. If you are just plant-horror curious, though, maybe get a nature horror book and seek out the plant section (I know, we need a proper plant horror book - I want to write one, so keep an eye on my publisher, but we need more than that too)...more
Newman is one of those people who clearly knows every horror movie that's ever been made and could probably quote you scenes by heart. The knowledge iNewman is one of those people who clearly knows every horror movie that's ever been made and could probably quote you scenes by heart. The knowledge is endless, the writing is witty and clever and draws you in and the sheer number of horror films in this book is mind-boggling. It's a great book for fans and covers every corner of the horror film world.
On the personal side: if you read about horror movies often, there's a good chance you probably know Kim Newman and know if you like his critiques of horror movies or not. So, if you tend to agree with his writing on film, you'll like this book; and if you tend to disagree with his critiques you probably won't. That being said, if you don't know him, but like horror movies, this is a great book. ...more
I am a huge fan of this book if you are interested in how London is represented in film or how the city is depicted. Brunsdon is light on the less popI am a huge fan of this book if you are interested in how London is represented in film or how the city is depicted. Brunsdon is light on the less popular films like horror and fantasy, but she doesn't ignore them. She brings together many different aspects, neighborhoods and personalities of London and does so in a sensitive way. It's not light holiday reading, but it's really great research and a good scope of London's film history. ...more
Curtis is a great academic and he really knows his stuff. It is, absolutely, an academic book, so if you aren't used to reading those, be prepared forCurtis is a great academic and he really knows his stuff. It is, absolutely, an academic book, so if you aren't used to reading those, be prepared for lots of jargon and footnotes and some heavily nuanced discussion, but he handles it more readable than most. He makes interesting arguments and draws on a variety of haunted houses in film history. I think some who read it may find it dense, others may want more in terms of the films he draws on, but its a solid, well done book and Curtis is really clever. ...more
Rigby breaks down horror history in England really well, each chapter as a chunk of time and a corresponding argument about what horror was doing and Rigby breaks down horror history in England really well, each chapter as a chunk of time and a corresponding argument about what horror was doing and where it was going. When he gets to the eighties and nieties, he doesn't shy away like many other books that see this period as a wasteland in British horror. He brings up the huge hits like "Hellraiser" alongside less well-known films like "Beg!". The book builds a good bridge over the decades to follow and is easy to follow.
A small point: The gothic is the focus, so sometimes the non-gothic movies are left out or stretched to fit gothic, but the timeline and arch of gothic horror is the focus of the book and it does that really well. I like Rigby as a writer and historian a lot and it's an engaging well-researched book. ...more
James Rose is a great resource and if you want to know about modern British horror, this is a good book to have on your shelf. This is not your usual James Rose is a great resource and if you want to know about modern British horror, this is a good book to have on your shelf. This is not your usual over-arching guide, this goes in-depth into several films to look at what changes were happening in British horror cinema and what the general concerns of filmmakers were and issues addressed by horror films. Becuase it goes into specific films, you can get a lot out of reading it. it's vivid, interesting and brings up a lot of serious social issues that some horror histories gloss over. But, though it says 'British' horror on the title page, this is basically an English horror book. One of the films - the Descent - is technically filmed in Scotland, although it's set in the US - and the rest are English. If you are looking to see more broadly how recent horror is changing in wider Britain you will need to find a book on Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish horror to go alongside this one. I would certainly recommend a Scottish horror book considering the impact it has had since the Millenium on horror movies. ...more
I did this with another book - judge me for it, its a flaw - but I gave this five stars because it's essential reading if you are interested in BritisI did this with another book - judge me for it, its a flaw - but I gave this five stars because it's essential reading if you are interested in British horror or English Gothic horror.
Pirie's argument has its flaws and I don't necessarily agree with his opinions on seventies horror films, in the first edition he even had a different idea of where horror was going. But, it's fairly easy to read, it makes a lot of good points, and it really comes from a love and respect for horror films that was completely non-existent before this book. He really made it possible for people to take horror films seriously from an academic/non-fiction perspective.
I think what made me really like this book was not that it was perfect, but rather that he clearly loves horror films and loves the Gothic and sees that it's not just cheap shock. Horror films really challenge society, and I love that he sees that and celebrated it....more
This is a good, solid, 'intro to...' kind of horror history book, and it hits all the highlights you hope for. It's a little dry in places and it skimThis is a good, solid, 'intro to...' kind of horror history book, and it hits all the highlights you hope for. It's a little dry in places and it skims over ideas that could be really interesting to explore, but then again that's what this type of book is for. You can't go too into detail. If you are doing research, it's a good one to have for the breadth of films. ...more
I really love the way Johnny Walker writes. Especially when you have more heavy academic books, the authors can sometimes loose you in their terminoloI really love the way Johnny Walker writes. Especially when you have more heavy academic books, the authors can sometimes loose you in their terminology or their style of writing, but this is really good. It's engaging and fun and you can tell he likes films and cares about his arguments. Separately from that, the book has a lot to offer to the British Horror Fan; he goes in debt into several films to make wider points and really flesh out some films that are not as well known, or styles that are different from the constant barrage of Gothic when talking about British horror. He even introduced me to a new horror movie, not an easy feat. I nerded out and loved it....more
This book is good fun. You can tell the authors enjoyed writing it, and that they love these cult/forgotten/underground films and tv shows. It makes aThis book is good fun. You can tell the authors enjoyed writing it, and that they love these cult/forgotten/underground films and tv shows. It makes a really interesting read overall and you get to see and read about details you won't find in any other book - I mean, Vincent Price's cooking show?! Amazing. For me, what keeps it from five stars is how much the book points to who the authors know: there are a lot of stories about their nights out with directors or friends or events, and that's not really why I bought the book. This is entirely personal, some people love these anecdotes. For me, it felt like a distraction from otherwise really good discussions on these little-known films and shows. ...more
Another good basic introduction to horror film in Britain. It's more academic as horror film books go, so Fryer makes arguments for different themes aAnother good basic introduction to horror film in Britain. It's more academic as horror film books go, so Fryer makes arguments for different themes appearing across decades in British horror. It's a strong overall picture, but it can be a bit heavy at times, and glosses over a lot of examples to make it's argument clear. If you are into more subtle aspects of British horror or in cult classics, this isn't where you will find it, but if you want an introduction to British horror history this offers a strong timeline and good themes that can be a springboard for further reading....more
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