The three original parts of the Star Wars saga (later renamed episodes IV, V and VI) were masterfully documented and praised in film historian Paul Duncan’s The Star Wars Archives. 1977–1983 in 2018. The new, second documentary volume on the space opera will enhance the view on the three prequel films. On 600 pages, Duncan’s […]
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Category: B. R. PopCulture
Excavating Indiana Jones. Essays on the Films and Franchise by Randy Laist (ed.) (2021)
The stories of the fictional archaeologist and adventurer Dr. Henry Walton Jones Jr. drew millions to the movie theaters, as his tales, for one reason or another, satisfied a number of interests altogether. Such as 1930s style heroic high-paced action, stereotypical enemies, mysterious riddles, occult worship, exotic settings, and the unique chance to witness the […]
The Kinks: Songs of the Semi-Detached by Mark Doyle (2020)
For all of those Kinks fans interested in a biography or personal history of the Davies brothers: this book will not satisfy you. However, as there is no lack of either Ray Davies or Kinks biographies, this title has something else, something better to offer. Centered around the idea of conceptual pairs that differ tremendously […]
Star Trek and the British Age of Sail: The Maritime Influence … by Stefan Rabitsch (2019)
The overwhelming success of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek stories to a large part is based on his good instincts to tell adventure stories in ways familiar to audiences, in this case man against nature (or the incalculable risks) while cruising uncharted regions not of the Pacific, but space. Author Stefan Rabitsch in eight chapters advocates […]
Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America by Wendy A. Woloson (2020)
To uncover the motivation behind the purchase of millions of basically purpose-free small “crap” objects, Wendy Woloson describes in great detail the giant industry behind the “novelties” and “labor saving inventions” that actually are little more than useless cutlery, buttons, dolls and other commodities. Objects that were originally produced only to convince buyers that they […]
British Thrillers, 1950–1979 … by Franz Antony Clinton (2020)
The era from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s probably was the busiest period of the British film industry. Many thrillers were shot in those years, including a great number of movies (and B movies) that often featured American actors; this arrangement would draw audiences to cinemas in England and simultaneously ensure interest for moviegoers […]
Psychobilly: Subcultural Survival by Kimberly Kattari (2020)
A 1980s blend of several earlier subcultures and youth movements such as punk, new wave, skinhead, rockabilly and even in part Goth, by the name of “psychobilly” is under the microscope here, mostly in an American context. The most important modern subcultures originated in England, so did psychobilly, with all the lore, idols, hangouts such […]
Law Enforcement in American Cinema, 1894-1952 by George Beck (2020)
In this short title, author George Beck takes a close look at some movies of the first half of the twentieth century that employed representations of American law enforcement, starting with silent era productions and chronologically end with films noir. Five sections altogether and a final coda chapter on roughly 130 pages consider stereotypes, good […]
Ready Steady Go!: The Weekend Starts Here … by Andy Neill (2020)
What was set up as a somewhat risky experiment featuring unusual approaches towards audiences, concepts and TV viewing habits, the live broadcast of the London based production Ready, Steady, Go! became probably the best pop TV show ever. As it united a fresh concept of live music (although until 1965, bands were only miming their […]