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Singing a New Tune: The Re-Birth of the Modern Film Musical, From Evita to De-Lovely and Beyond:
(Applause, 2005)
This massive chronicle of the musical re-birth, from 1994 - 2005 features a detailed background and history, 1920s - 1990s on the movie musical form, and in-depth coverage of contemporary films including Evita, Everyone Says I Love You, Velvet Goldmine, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Dancer in the Dark, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, De-Lovely, Camp, The Singing Detective and Phantom of the Opera.  The book is loaded with new interviews with artists including Sir Alan Parker, Joss Whedon, Todd Graff, Keith Gordon, Todd Haynes, John Cameron Mitchell, Jay Cocks, Craig Pearce and more.  Fifty color photographs!  Available now for pre-order.


Best in Show: The Films of Christopher Guest & Company:
(Applause, 2004)
This in-depth study looks at the method behind comedian Christopher Guest's inspired madness. A detailed filmography, this book features a thorough and compelling examination of Guest''s "mockumentary" classics, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind.  Members of Guest's repertory company were interviewed for this book, including Fred Willard, Harry Shearer, Bob Balaban, Deborah Theaker, Michael Hitchcock, Jim Piddock and many more!









The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi:
(Applause, 2004; a Library Journal Starred Review)
The story of a cult film director who graduated to direct mega hits Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, - two of the biggest blockbusters of the 21st century.  This book is the first full-length study devoted entirely to Sam Raimi, and features thirty-one interviews with people who have collaborated with this great and unique artist, including Willem Dafoe, Lance Henriksen, Gary Cole, Cliff Robertson, the Ladies of the Evil Dead and many, many  more.  Extensive detail on Sam Raimi's early film history, including The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2,  right up to the present.


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An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith
(Applause, 2002)
When CLERKS premiered 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 catapulted director Kevin Smith to full-fledged stardom. Smith's work is explored in AN ASKEW VIEW, the first ever study of his films, and a fascinating history of the art of this visionary filmmaker. Packed with interviews from Smith's production team and friends (including Jason Mewes, Scott Mosier, Ethan Suplee, Dwight Ewell, and more)  this is a handy references to all of Smith's in-jokes, allusions, and the CLERKS cartoon. There's even a tribute to Jay and Silent Bob!




The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television
(McFarland, 2004; A Library Journal starred review; A New York Public Library "Best of Reference, 2005")
A huge book that tracks superhero trends in movies and television from 1951 - 2003. After an introduction citing the cultural importance of superheroes, the book goes into a lengthy history of superheroes, decade-by-decade, as the genre went from campy ventures like Batman to darker efforts like The Crow and Spawn, and finally into the dawn of the woman (the age of Buffy) and the post-September 11th world. Each entry (overseventy!) looks at a superhero, tracks his or her origin, reveals important background information, critical reception, cast and credits and other info.  Features notations on animated efforts like The Superfriends and even kid-vid like Electra Woman and Dyna Girl!  An incredible resource and now an Award Winner! (New York Public Library "Best of Reference," 2005)







Horror Films of the 1970s (Booklist Editor's Choice, 2002 McFarland)
The 1970s were a decade of groundbreaking horror films.THE EXORCIST, CARRIE, and HALLOWEEN were three. This detailed filmography covers these and 225 more. Section 1 provides an introduction and history of the decade.; Section 2 offers entries for each film with several categories of data: Critical Reception, Cast and Credits, P.O.V, Synopsis, Commentary, and Legacy. Section 3 features 5 appendices: horror cliches of the decade, frequently appearing actors, memorable ad lines, films illustrating the impact of 1970s horror , and a ranking of the 15 best films of the decade. A huge book, over 650 pages!!









Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper
(McFarland, 2002)
Since THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE's release in 1974, Hooper's reputation as a horror icon has been secured by his adaptations of Stephen King, his blockbuster POLTERGEIST, and cult movies including the erotic LIFEFORCE. This detailed reference book is divided into 5 parts. Part I: a history and overview of Hooper's career. Part II: entries on every feature film. Part III: Information on TV movies and miniseries such as SALEM's LOT. Part IV: Entries on Hooper's series TV work.; Part V: a conclusion placing Hooper in horror history and comparing his works to other great directors.




SPACE:1999 The Forsaken
(officially licensed, original novel, 2003, Powys Media).
The 2nd officially licensed novel continuing the adventures of Moonbase Alpha, from Powys Media and Carlton. THE FORSAKEN is a bridge novel occurring between Years 1 and 2 of the 1970s science fiction TV series Foreword by series star, Prentis Hancock!














Terror Television: American Series 1970 - 1999

(Booklist Editor's Choice, 2001; McFarland)
This large scale reference book documents an entire genre, from the dawn of modern horror TV with the Serling anthnology NIGHT GALLERY all the way up to ANGEL. Complete histories, critical reception, episode guides, cast, crew, guest star information, as well as series reviews are included, along with footnotes, a lengthy bibliography and an in-depth index. Over 600 pages long!




An Analytical Guide to TV's One Step Beyond, the 1959-1961 Paranormal Anthology
(2001, McFarland)
A complete guide to this early paranormal TV series, featuring an interview with series director and host John Newland, as well as examinations of the psychic events that inspired various episodes. Features a chapter on the seldom-seen or remembered sequel series in 1978, The Next Step Beyond.


The Films of John Carpenter
(2000, McFarland)
This well-reviewed analysis of Carpenter looks at his status as an auteur and genre-blender. Features in-depth entries on each of his films. This is a highly-detailed overview of his career, and notes commonalities in his film canon.  From the horrifying Halloween to the touching Starman to the controversial The Thing to the comic Big Trouble in Little China, the films of John Carpenter reflect a unique approach to filmmaking and singular views of humanity and American culture.  "Recommended " - CHOICE; "Informative and Entertaining" - ARBA, "Cogent and Insightful" - SFRA Review








Exploring Space:1999: An Episode Guide and Complete History of the Mid-1970s Science Fiction Television Series
(1997; McFarland)
"Well-written...thoroughly researched...recommended." - Library Journal.
Starring internationally renowned actors Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Barry Morse and Catherine Schell, the British-made Space:1999 was the only truly original space adventure of the mid-1970s.  Sandwiched between the demise of the original Star Trek and the opening of Star Wars on the big screen, Space:1999 featured a richly-visualized world where space was terrifying and mysterious, where not all problems were solvable by technology and the space travelers were very human.  From the sci-fi show's conception in 1973 to its cancellation in 1977, this reference work covers each of the 48 episodes in depth including a full plot synopsis, writer, director, guest star credits and critical commentary that examines both the episode and other shows that have used similar plotlines.  The popularity of Space:1999 memorabilia and its fan clubs is discussed too.  Features an interview with Catherine Schell, and a re-print of the famous New York Times Space:1999 review by the late Isaac Asimov.



Wes Craven: The Art of Horror
(McFarland; 1998)
Filmmaker Wes Craven has consistently and imaginatively scared movie audiences since the early 1970s. His films display a variety of styles, from the nihilistic existentialism of Last House on the Left, to the bold and trend-setting A Nightmare on Elm Street, to the hallucinatory dreamscapes of The Serpent and the Rainbow.  In the nineties, Craven returned with the Scream films, simultaneously funny, clever, and scary.  This history of Craven's career since 1972 examines all the themes and techniques the filmmaker explored.  For each film, a synopsis, cast and credits, historical context and critical commentary are provided.  Craven's forays into television, including Stranger in the House, Invitation to Hell, and Chiller, and such TV series as The New Twilight Zone and Nightmare Cafe, are also covered.



An Analytical Guide to Television's Battlestar Galactica
(McFarland, 1999)
When the space drama Battlestar Galactica debuted on ABC in 1978, it was expected to be the most popular new program of the season.  Instead, it was attacked as a Star Wars rip-off and canceled after a mere 17 stories (24 episodes).  The author acknowledges the show was full of dramatic cliches and scientific inaccuracies, but despite these shortcomings, Battlestar Galactica was a dramatically resonant series full of unique and individual chracters.  The author contends that BG was a memorable attempt to make science fiction accessible to mainstream TV audiences.  The brilliant work of artist John Dykstra brought a new world of special effects to network TV and Battlestar Galactica also skillfully exploited legends and names from both the Bible and Ancient Greek mythology, adding a layer of depth and maturity to the weekly drama.



A History and Critical Analysis of Blake's 7, the 1978-81 British Television Space Adventure.
(McFarland; 2000)
Blake's 7, Terry Nation's science fiction tale of cosmic freedom fighters, became a hit series in Great Britain when it premiered in 1978.  Eight years later, the show quickly became a cult program in America.  A dramatization of futuristic outlaw heros who defend the innocent from both alien and human tyranny, the series might better be described as equal parts Robin Hood and The Magnificent Seven.  This book provides a critical history and episode guide of Blake's 7, including commentaries of all 52 episodes.  Also included are analytical essays dealing with topics such as themes, imagery and story arc; a consideration of the series as a futuristic Robin Hood myth; cinematography and visual effects.




A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television
(McFarland, 1999)
Since its inception in November of 1963, the British TV series Doctor Who has exerted an enormous impact on the world of science fiction.  The series follows the adventures of a mysterious "Time Lord" from the distant planet of Gallifrey who travels through time and space.  Predating the Star Trek phenomena by some three years, Doctor Who dealt with continuing characters, adult genre principles and futuristic philosophies and morals.  Critical and historical examinations of the ideas, philosophies, conceits and morals put forth in the Doctor Who series, which ran for 26 seasons and 159 episodes, are provided here.  Also analyzed are thematic concepts, genre antecedents, the overall cinematography and spfx of the long-running cult favorite.  The various incarnation of Doctor Who - including television, stage, film, radio, and spin-offs, are discussed.