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Book SynopsisDiscover a world where Violet became an agent of Syndrome, perfect for fans of The Incredibles

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Book SynopsisSpanning the franchise’s entire history, from Sean Connery’s iconic swagger to Daniel Craig’s rougher, more visceral interpretation of the superspy, James Bond Will Return offers both academic readers and fans a comprehensive view of the series’s transformations against the backdrop of real-world geopolitical intrigue and sweeping social changes.Trade ReviewWith a stellar lineup of authors offering sharp, original analysis of every James Bond film to date, this book delivers a fascinating retrospective of the 007 franchise at a critical moment in the extended life of the series. -- Christoph Lindner, editor of The James Bond Phenomenon, Revisioning 007, and Resisting James BondFeaturing established Bond scholars and new voices, this collection offers new and exciting perspectives on the film franchise. While each of the Bond films are a product of the time they were made, these essays tell us that the series has relevance to the world we live in today. Well written and fun to read, James Bond Will Return will excite even the most seasoned Bond scholar and fan. -- Robert G. Weiner, coeditor of James Bond in World and Popular CultureJames Bond Will Return takes a chronological, anthological approach to the study of the cinematic Bond, enabling a totalizing view of the so-called ‘Bond experience.’ This is the most expansive and well-organized coverage of the Bond cinematic universe to date, representing film and cultural history par excellence. -- Ian Kinane, author of Ian Fleming and the Politics of Ambivalence and general editor of the International Journal of James Bond StudiesTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: James Bond—Agent of Continuity and Change, by Claire Hines, Terence McSweeney, and Stuart Joy1. Bond and the New Elizabethans: Tradition and Modernity in Dr. No (1962), by Laura Crossley2. “A Real Labour of Love, as They Say”: James Bond as a Sexual Plaything in From Russia with Love (1963), by Lucy Bolton3. The Midas Touch: Eastmancolor, the Bond Franchise, and Goldfinger (1964), by Keith M. Johnston4. The Popular Geopolitics of Thunderball (1965): Look Up, Look Down, and Look Everywhere!, by Klaus Dodds5. Bond in the East: Orientalism and the Exotic in You Only Live Twice (1967), by Robert Shail6. The Other Fellow: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), by James Chapman7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971): 007 and Transatlantic States of Emergency, by Ian Scott8. From Harlem to San Monique: Spatial Dichotomies, Voodoo, and Cultural Identity in Live and Let Die (1973), by Fran Pheasant-Kelly9. “We All Get Our Jollies One Way or Another”: The Perversity and Pleasure of Christopher Lee in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), by Julie Lobalzo Wright10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)—Nobody Does It Better: “Keeping the British End Up” at a Time of National Crisis, by Terence McSweeney11. Moonraker (1979) and the Canvas of Escapism, by Steven Gerrard12. The Spectre of Death: Revenge and Retribution in For Your Eyes Only (1981), by Stuart Joy13. The (Clown) Suited Hero: James Bond, Costume, Gender and Disguise in Octopussy (1983), by Claire Hines14. Scowls and Cowls: Grace Jones, Costume Design, and A View to a Kill (1985), by Randall Stevens15. “A Time When Indiscriminating Bed-Hopping Is Definitely Not Advisable”: Safe-Sex References in the UK Press Reception of The Living Daylights (1987), by Stephanie Jones16. Bond in the New World Orders: Licence to Kill (1989), by Stacey Peebles17. Cold War Nostalgia, (Geo)Political Progress, and James Bond in GoldenEye (1995), by Tatiana Konrad18. Bond by the Numbers: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), by Llewella Chapman19. Bond at the Crossroads: The World Is Not Enough (1999), by Tobias Hochscherf20. The Digital Domain of Die Another Day (2002), by Christopher Holliday21. What Matters More: Hierarchies of Value in Casino Royale (2006), by Christine Muller22. “Like a Bullet . . .”: Speed, Economy, and Canonical Continuity in Quantum of Solace (2008), by Estella Tincknell23. “Sometimes the Old Ways Are the Best”: Technology and the Body in a Gothic Reading of Sam Mendes’s Skyfall (2012), by Monica Germanà24. “It’s Always Been Me”: Spectrality, Hauntings, and Retcon in Spectre (2015), by James Smith25. No Time to Die (2021) and The Spy Who Loved #MeToo?, by Terence McSweeney and Stuart JoySelected BibliographyContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisSpanning the franchise’s entire history, from Sean Connery’s iconic swagger to Daniel Craig’s rougher, more visceral interpretation of the superspy, James Bond Will Return offers both academic readers and fans a comprehensive view of the series’s transformations against the backdrop of real-world geopolitical intrigue and sweeping social changes.Trade ReviewWith a stellar lineup of authors offering sharp, original analysis of every James Bond film to date, this book delivers a fascinating retrospective of the 007 franchise at a critical moment in the extended life of the series. -- Christoph Lindner, editor of The James Bond Phenomenon, Revisioning 007, and Resisting James BondFeaturing established Bond scholars and new voices, this collection offers new and exciting perspectives on the film franchise. While each of the Bond films are a product of the time they were made, these essays tell us that the series has relevance to the world we live in today. Well written and fun to read, James Bond Will Return will excite even the most seasoned Bond scholar and fan. -- Robert G. Weiner, coeditor of James Bond in World and Popular CultureJames Bond Will Return takes a chronological, anthological approach to the study of the cinematic Bond, enabling a totalizing view of the so-called ‘Bond experience.’ This is the most expansive and well-organized coverage of the Bond cinematic universe to date, representing film and cultural history par excellence. -- Ian Kinane, author of Ian Fleming and the Politics of Ambivalence and general editor of the International Journal of James Bond StudiesTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: James Bond—Agent of Continuity and Change, by Claire Hines, Terence McSweeney, and Stuart Joy1. Bond and the New Elizabethans: Tradition and Modernity in Dr. No (1962), by Laura Crossley2. “A Real Labour of Love, as They Say”: James Bond as a Sexual Plaything in From Russia with Love (1963), by Lucy Bolton3. The Midas Touch: Eastmancolor, the Bond Franchise, and Goldfinger (1964), by Keith M. Johnston4. The Popular Geopolitics of Thunderball (1965): Look Up, Look Down, and Look Everywhere!, by Klaus Dodds5. Bond in the East: Orientalism and the Exotic in You Only Live Twice (1967), by Robert Shail6. The Other Fellow: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), by James Chapman7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971): 007 and Transatlantic States of Emergency, by Ian Scott8. From Harlem to San Monique: Spatial Dichotomies, Voodoo, and Cultural Identity in Live and Let Die (1973), by Fran Pheasant-Kelly9. “We All Get Our Jollies One Way or Another”: The Perversity and Pleasure of Christopher Lee in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), by Julie Lobalzo Wright10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)—Nobody Does It Better: “Keeping the British End Up” at a Time of National Crisis, by Terence McSweeney11. Moonraker (1979) and the Canvas of Escapism, by Steven Gerrard12. The Spectre of Death: Revenge and Retribution in For Your Eyes Only (1981), by Stuart Joy13. The (Clown) Suited Hero: James Bond, Costume, Gender and Disguise in Octopussy (1983), by Claire Hines14. Scowls and Cowls: Grace Jones, Costume Design, and A View to a Kill (1985), by Randall Stevens15. “A Time When Indiscriminating Bed-Hopping Is Definitely Not Advisable”: Safe-Sex References in the UK Press Reception of The Living Daylights (1987), by Stephanie Jones16. Bond in the New World Orders: Licence to Kill (1989), by Stacey Peebles17. Cold War Nostalgia, (Geo)Political Progress, and James Bond in GoldenEye (1995), by Tatiana Konrad18. Bond by the Numbers: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), by Llewella Chapman19. Bond at the Crossroads: The World Is Not Enough (1999), by Tobias Hochscherf20. The Digital Domain of Die Another Day (2002), by Christopher Holliday21. What Matters More: Hierarchies of Value in Casino Royale (2006), by Christine Muller22. “Like a Bullet . . .”: Speed, Economy, and Canonical Continuity in Quantum of Solace (2008), by Estella Tincknell23. “Sometimes the Old Ways Are the Best”: Technology and the Body in a Gothic Reading of Sam Mendes’s Skyfall (2012), by Monica Germanà24. “It’s Always Been Me”: Spectrality, Hauntings, and Retcon in Spectre (2015), by James Smith25. No Time to Die (2021) and The Spy Who Loved #MeToo?, by Terence McSweeney and Stuart JoySelected BibliographyContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is a book for movie buffs, Black history enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates solid research and good storytelling." --Roundup Magazine"Richly researched. . . . This carefully crafted academic treatment will enhance library shelves." --Library Journal (starred review)"A unique take on a key genre of cinema." --Film Stage“Mask provides an insightful commentary on the Civil Rights era and its African-American-themed Westerns from today's perspective.”--Angela Aleiss, author of Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and ResistanceTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Football Heroes Invade Hollywood Black Masculinity on Horseback: From Duel at Diablo to Buck and the Preacher Blaxplotation versus Black Liberation: The Charley Trilogy Harlem Rides the Range: Nobody Told You There Were Black Cowboys Westerns and Westploitation: Brothas and Sistas at the O.K. Corral Appendix: Interview with Jeff Kanew NotesFilmographyBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This is a book for movie buffs, Black history enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates solid research and good storytelling." --Roundup Magazine"Richly researched. . . . This carefully crafted academic treatment will enhance library shelves." --Library Journal (starred review)"A unique take on a key genre of cinema." --Film Stage“Mask provides an insightful commentary on the Civil Rights era and its African-American-themed Westerns from today's perspective.”--Angela Aleiss, author of Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and ResistanceTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Football Heroes Invade Hollywood Black Masculinity on Horseback: From Duel at Diablo to Buck and the Preacher Blaxplotation versus Black Liberation: The Charley Trilogy Harlem Rides the Range: Nobody Told You There Were Black Cowboys Westerns and Westploitation: Brothas and Sistas at the O.K. Corral Appendix: Interview with Jeff Kanew NotesFilmographyBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe behind-the-scenes story of the action heroes who ruled 1980s and ’90s Hollywood and the beloved films that made them stars, including Die Hard, First Blood, The Terminator, and more.“Entertaining . . . This is a book that makes you ache for the days when the movie screen belonged not to men who dress in superhero capes but to those who lift weights.”—Washington ExaminerA NEWSWEEK BEST BOOK OF THE YEARThe Last Action Heroes opens in May 1990 in Cannes, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone waltzing together, cheered on by a crowd of famous faces. After years of bitter combat—Stallone once threw a bowl of flowers at Schwarzenegger’s head, and the body count in Schwarzenegger’s Commando was increased so the film would “have a bigger dick than Rambo”—the world’s biggest action stars have at last made peace.In this wildly entertai

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Book SynopsisFully loaded with John McClane sarcasm, Alan Rickman as a German terrorist, and Nakatomi Plaza blowing up on Christmas Eve, Die Hard is often cited as the film that took action blockbusters to the next level, but what has earned the film its fiercely devoted fan base? That''s the question that Why We Love Die Hard seeks to answer. This is the first and only guide that combines entertaining information about the history and making of the film with a celebratory look at all the different aspects that have helped solidify Die Hard as a must-see film. A Die Hard lover''s dream, this guide includes punchy illustrations paired alongside essays exploring the film''s history, characters, unique film techniques, and the thematic elements that have helped this film become the beloved classic it is today.

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Book SynopsisWhether it''s an exhilarating car chase, comedic pratfall, intense fight scene, or a dramatic leap from the top of a building, there is something about watching a well-executed stunt that leaves audiences in awe. When you think of stunts and stunt professionals, the first thing that comes to mind might be the last action or adventure movies you watched, however, this craft is an essential part of filmmaking across all genres and eras. TCM''s Danger on the Silver Screen is a book for both general film lovers-and stunt aficionados-that aims to highlight the history, evolution, and amazing stories of the stunt professionals and film crew took to create some of the most influential and memorable stunts in cinema. Featuring 40 films spanning from the silent era to modern blockbusters, each chapter will include an entertaining profile of the film, the iconic or influential stunt(s) and how they were executed, along with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews from cast and

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Book SynopsisEddie Muller—host of TCM's Noir Alley, one of the world's leading authorities on film noir, and cocktail connoisseur—takes film buffs and drinks enthusiasts alike on a spirited tour through the 'dark city' of film noir in this stylish book packed with equal parts great cocktail recipes and noir lore. Eddie Muller's Noir Bar pairs carefully curated classic cocktails and modern noir-inspired libations with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights on 50 film noir favorites. Some of the cocktails are drawn directly from the films: If you've seen In a Lonely Place and wondered what’s in a “Horse’s Neck”—now you’ll know. If you’re watching Pickup on South Street you’ll find out what its director, Sam Fuller, actually drank off-screen. Didn’t know that Nightmare Alley’s Joan Blondell inspired a cocktail? It may become a new favorite. Meanwhile, Rita Hayworth is toasted with a 'Sailor Beware,' an original concoction which, like the film that inspired it (The Lady From Shanghai), is unique, complex, and packs a wallop. ​Featuring dozens of movie stills, poster art, behind-the-scenes imagery, and stunning cocktail photography, Noir Bar is both a stylish and exciting excursion through classic cinema’s most popular genre.

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Book SynopsisAmelie Hastie examines the television show Columbo as a way to understand both the show itself, but also the history of Hollywood in the 1970s and television as a media technology.Trade Review“Amelie Hastie makes a compelling case for revisiting a series that had a global footprint in its heyday and continues to be a staple in rerun syndication. Hastie uses Columbo’s famous tagline ‘Just one more thing’ to think about the series—and by extension television as cultural form—in relation to a complex intertextual network of quotation, iteration, and intertexts. Columbo is an exciting book by a wonderful critic, historian, and writer.” -- Lynn Spigel, author of * TV Snapshots: An Archive of Everyday Life *“In Columbo, Amelie Hastie offers a comprehensive look at this essential popular television show, explaining its iconic status in the landscape of American popular culture along with the iconic status of its lead actor, Peter Falk. Hastie provides extensive information about the production history of the series as well as an analysis of specific motifs and narratives. Columbo will stand as the go-to work for study of the series.” -- Dana Polan, Martin Scorsese Professor of Cinema Studies, New York UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Prologue: Humble Origins and Dogged Returns xv Introduction: Murder by the Book 1 1. Mapping the Detective: Falk’s Early Drives 24 2. Best-Selling Mystery Team: Columbo and Televisual Collaboration 38 3. “I’m Fascinated by Money”: Rank, File, and Gumshoe Detection 72 4. Special Guest Stars: Hollywood Icons and Repeat Offenders 95 5. Between Columbo and Cassavetes: A Familial Pack 119 6. “An Obsessive Preoccupation with Gadgetry”: Columbo’s Investigation of Media Technologies 144 7. Columbo’s Reign: Of Life and Death and Detection 172 Epilogue: Loving and Leaving Columbo 197 Notes 201 Bibliography 219 Index 225

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Book SynopsisAmelie Hastie examines the television show Columbo as a way to understand both the show itself, but also the history of Hollywood in the 1970s and television as a media technology.Trade Review“Amelie Hastie makes a compelling case for revisiting a series that had a global footprint in its heyday and continues to be a staple in rerun syndication. Hastie uses Columbo’s famous tagline ‘Just one more thing’ to think about the series—and by extension television as cultural form—in relation to a complex intertextual network of quotation, iteration, and intertexts. Columbo is an exciting book by a wonderful critic, historian, and writer.” -- Lynn Spigel, author of * TV Snapshots: An Archive of Everyday Life *“In Columbo, Amelie Hastie offers a comprehensive look at this essential popular television show, explaining its iconic status in the landscape of American popular culture along with the iconic status of its lead actor, Peter Falk. Hastie provides extensive information about the production history of the series as well as an analysis of specific motifs and narratives. Columbo will stand as the go-to work for study of the series.” -- Dana Polan, Martin Scorsese Professor of Cinema Studies, New York UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Prologue: Humble Origins and Dogged Returns xv Introduction: Murder by the Book 1 1. Mapping the Detective: Falk’s Early Drives 24 2. Best-Selling Mystery Team: Columbo and Televisual Collaboration 38 3. “I’m Fascinated by Money”: Rank, File, and Gumshoe Detection 72 4. Special Guest Stars: Hollywood Icons and Repeat Offenders 95 5. Between Columbo and Cassavetes: A Familial Pack 119 6. “An Obsessive Preoccupation with Gadgetry”: Columbo’s Investigation of Media Technologies 144 7. Columbo’s Reign: Of Life and Death and Detection 172 Epilogue: Loving and Leaving Columbo 197 Notes 201 Bibliography 219 Index 225

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Book SynopsisThe giallo (yellow) film cycle, characterized by its bloody murders and blending of high art and cinematic sleaze, rose to prominence in Italy in the 1960s and 1970s. In Bloodstained Narratives: The Giallo Film in Italy and Abroad, contributors explore understudied aspects of gialli.

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Book SynopsisThe giallo (yellow) film cycle, characterized by its bloody murders and blending of high art and cinematic sleaze, rose to prominence in Italy in the 1960s and 1970s. In Bloodstained Narratives: The Giallo Film in Italy and Abroad, contributors explore understudied aspects of gialli.

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Book SynopsisBeginning with Casino Royale (2006) and ending with No Time to Die (2021), the Daniel Craig era of James Bond films coincides with the rise of various justice movements challenging deeply entrenched systems of inequality and oppression, ranging from sexism, racism, and immigration to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, reproductive justice and climate change. While focus is often placed on individual actions and institutional policies and practices, it is important to recognize the role that culture plays within these systems. Mainstream film is not simply ''mindless'' entertainment but a key part of a global cultural industry that naturalizes and normalizes power structures.Engaging with these issues, Resisting James Bond is a multidisciplinary collection that explores inequality and oppression in the world of 007 through a range of critical and theoretical approaches. The chapters explore the embodiment and disembodiment of power and privilege across the formal, narrative, culturTrade ReviewAn interrogative, urgent edition to the expanding field of Bond scholarship, Lisa Funnell and Christoph Lindner's Resisting James Bond takes the Daniel Craig oeuvre as a whole and offers an overarching yet thoroughly comprehensive take on the actor's five-film tenure vis a vis a number of original and inventive chapter topics. A rare scholarly treat. * Ian Kinane, General Editor, International Journal of James Bond Studies, University of Roehampton, UK *This is a thought-provoking collection which, in challenging the identification of mainstream cinema with mindless entertainment, delves deep into the problematic representation of social injustice and oppression within the longest franchise in film history. Re-assessing James Bond’s Craig era against the global rise of social and political unrest of the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the collection’s interdisciplinary essays interrogate the power structures embodied by the world’s most iconic fictional secret agent at a crucial moment in the 007 series. * Monica Germanà, Reader in Gothic and Contemporary Studies at the University of Westminster, UK *Table of ContentsList of Figures Foreword: Bond is Dead. Long Live 007. Marwan M. Kraidy (Northwestern University Qatar) Acknowledgements Introduction: Resisting James Bond in the Daniel Craig Era Lisa Funnell (Mohawk College, Canada) and Christoph Lindner (University College London, UK) Part 1: Embodiment 1. James Bond, Environmental Injustice, and “Slow Violence” in the Craig Era Tatiana Konrad (University of Vienna, Austria) 2. “Do You Expect Me to Talk?”: Bond the Torture Critic Ron E. Hassner (University of California, Berkeley, USA) 3. The Thrusting Tip of the Spy Business: Discovering Resistance in the Modern Moneypennys Colin Burnett (Washington University in St. Louis, USA) 4. Highland Rape: Scotland’s Traumatic Past in Skyfall Mary M. Burke (University of Connecticut, USA) 5. “Do You Consider Your Employment to be Psychologically Stressful?”: Gender, Trauma, and Resilience in Daniel Craig’s James Bond Bridget E. Keown (University of Pittsburgh, USA) Part 2: Disembodiment 6. For Your Servers Only: Surveillance and Infonationalism in Craig-era Bond Kathryn Hendrickson (University of Michigan, USA) and John Brick (Marquette University, USA) 7. Specters of Capitalism: Globalization in the Craig-Era Bond Films Milo Sweedler (Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada) 8. Bond, Race and Coloniality: No Time to Die(versify)… Harshad Keval (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK) 9. License to Urbicide: Defusing Bond’s Acts of Terrorism for a New Era Fernando Gabriel Pagnoni Berns (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina) Afterword: 007 and Ableism Dr Lisa Funnell (Mohawk College, Canada) Contributor List Index

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Book SynopsisFrom Sherlock Holmes to Sam Spade; Nick and Nora Charles to Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin; Harry Lime to Gilda, Madeleine Elster, and other femmes fatalescrime and crime solving in fiction and film captivate us. Why do we keep returning to Agatha Christie''s ingenious puzzles and Raymond Chandler''s hard-boiled murder mysteries? What do spy thrillers teach us, and what accounts for the renewed popularity of morally ambiguous noirs? In The Mysterious Romance of Murder, the poet and critic David Lehman explores a wide variety of outstanding books and moviessome famous (The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity), some known mainly to aficionadoswith style, wit, and passion.Lehman revisits the smoke-filled jazz clubs from the classic noir films of the 1940s, the iconic set pieces that defined Hitchcock''s America, the interwar intrigue of Eric Ambler''s best fictions, and the intensity of attraction between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Robert Mitchum and Jane GreerTrade ReviewAs one might expect from this distinguished poet and versatile man of letters, his sprightly new book isn't just deeply knowledgeable, it's also a lot of fun. -- Michael Dirda * The Washington Post *The real originality of this book lies less in its critical comments than in its creativity. Lehman, who is also a poet, includes poems, his own and others', inspired by or imitating noir. He even offers a haiku. As if conversing with another aficionado, he compares favorite actors and moments, repeats favorite wisecracks, and tries to recreate the pleasure of the initial experience. In his casual way he also sparks ideas. How often does a critical book actually make one want to read the books it discusses? * The Times Literary Supplement *Lehman's exuberant collection of essays, poems, and annotated lists captures the manifold associations stirred by a lifetime's attention to crime fiction and movies, touching on everything from wisecracks to cigarettes to musical soundtracks to Kenneth Fearing as "the patron saint of poetry noir." * New York Review of Books *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Mysterious Romance of Murder Part I: Killer Style 1. Cracking Wise 2. Paradise of the Damned: Eighteen Notes on Noir 3. Poetry Noir 4. Five Noir Poems "Perfidia" "Laura" "Witness to a Murder" "The Formula" "Just a Couple of Mugs" Part II: The Elements of Crime 5. Here's to Crime! 6. The Last Cigarette 7. Among My Souvenirs Part III: Auteurs 8. The Great British Spymasters 9. The Limits of Logic: Trent's Last Case (E. C. Bentley) 10. Dashiell Hammett's Priceless Patter 11. Paperclip (Raymond Chandler) 12. "Grim Grin" (Graham Greene) 13. Rex Stout: The Emperor of Couronne de Canard 14. Ida Lupino: The First Lady of Noir 15. Black Friday (David Goodis) 16. Orange Noir (Charles Willeford) 17. Ed McBain: The Man from Isola 18. Hitchcock's America Part IV: Dreams That Money Can Buy 19. Straight Down the Line: Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944) 20. Strangers and Mirrors: Orson Welles's The Stranger (1946) and The Lady from Shanghai (1947) 21. An Exchange of Bullets in Belfast: Carol Reed's Odd Man Out (1947) 22. Blind Accidents: John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle (1950) 23. Epitaph for a Genre: Stanley Kubrick's The Killing (1956) 24. Shadow of Evil: Robert Mitchum in Cape Fear (1962) 25. A Reluctant Spy's Conversion: William Holden in The Counterfeit Traitor (1962) 26. Gangsters in Love: Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America (1984) 27. Rogues' Gallery 28. Why Not New York? Part V: The Imp of the Perverse 29. Three Astrological Profiles Barbara Stanwyck (July 16) Graham Greene (October 2) Marlene Dietrich (December 27)

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Book Synopsis'A blast' - Ian Rankin'A joyous celebration of 80s action cinema' - Robbie Collin, Telegraph'Vastly entertaining' - The TimesThe behind-the-scenes story of the action heroes who ruled 1980s and 90s Hollywood and the beloved films – from Die Hard to The Terminator – that made them stars.This wildly entertaining account of the golden age of the action movie charts Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s carnage-packed journey from enmity to friendship against the backdrop of Reagan’s America and the Cold War. Revealing fascinating untold stories of the colourful characters who ascended in their wake – high-kickers Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan, glowering tough guys Dolph Lundgren and Steven Seagal, and quipping troublemakers Jean-Claude Van Damme and Bruce Willis – it chronicles the rise of the invincible action hero who used muscle, martial arts or the perfect weapon to save the day. And how, as the 1990s rolled on, the glory days of these macho men – and the vision of masculinity they celebrated – began to fade.Drawing on candid interviews with the action stars themselves, plus their collaborators, friends and foes, The Last Action Heroes is a no-holds-barred account of a period in Hollywood history when there were no limits to the heights of fame these men achieved, or to the mayhem they wrought, on-screen and off.______'Highly entertaining' - Sunday Telegraph'A rollicking, anecdote-packed tribute to the cavalier days' - Literary ReviewTrade ReviewA book as big and brash as the stars who are its focus. I had a blast reading it - no CGI required. -- Ian RankinA lively celebration of 1980s action stars: Sly, Arnie and ‘the muscles from Brussels'. * The Times *If it's bulging biceps, titanic tantrums, sculpted shoulders and Herculean drug habits you're after, then Nick de Semlyen is the author for you. His book The Last Action Heroes is not bad either, a hugely entertaining romp through 80s and 90s action cinema, every page riddled with a zillion bullet holes. -- Edgar WrightThis book takes you so close to the action, you can smell the sweat, cigar smoke, and bad cologne that brought these movies to life. Along the way, Nick de Semlyen reveals tales of stunts gone wrong, conversations between Stallone and Reagan, the origin of Jean Claude Van Damme’s buns, and all of the stories from set that people were too afraid to tell—until now. -- Paul ScheerThe action stars of the ‘80s and ‘90s weren’t out to make history at the outset of their careers, but that’s what they did all the same. Nick De Semlyen chronicles the rise and fall (and sometimes rise-again) of the world’s most popular action heroes in this juicy, highly entertaining, and informative book. -- Leonard MaltinA rollicking, anecdote-packed tribute to the cavalier days. * Literary Review *In his riveting chronicle of the ass-kicking, neck-snapping, biceps-rippling action heroes of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Nick de Semlyen not only paints the story of the movies and stars of the Reagan era, he shines a light on what they meant—and still mean—to us. A juicy, fun as hell read. -- Chris Nashawaty, author of Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella StoryA testosterone-fueled ode to action movies . . . packs a punch. * Publishers Weekly *Nick de Semlyen’s love letter to the action cinema of the ’80s and ‘90s reads like those films play: fast-paced, wryly funny, and unapologetically entertaining. His research is meticulous and his analysis is impeccable, but he also keenly understands why these movies hit like they did: because they were fun. And, unfailingly, so is The Last Action Heroes. -- Jason Bailey, author of Fun City Cinema: New York City and the Movies That Made ItIn his revelatory history of the Golden Age of action cinema, Nick de Semlyen vividly renders the story of the larger-than-life legends who defined and shaped an era. Equally insightful and entertaining, this book is an absolute blast to read, as thrilling as the genre itself. -- Priscilla Page

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Book SynopsisThe Northman: A Call to the Gods is the official look at how this epic Viking revenge thriller was conceived, written, cast, and produced by acclaimed director Robert Eggers. Set against the ruthless backdrop of tenth-century Norse territory, The Northman is the a new epic Viking revenge thriller by acclaimed director Robert Eggers (The Witch [2015] and The Lighthouse [2019]), featuring an all-star cast including Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Dafoe, and Björk. Compiled from fascinating interviews with the cast and crew, inspiring storyboards, exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs—including the director’s own firsthand account of his creative processes in writing and directing—The Northman: A Call to the Gods explores the cold and forbidding world of the Vikings, their customs, traditions, and relentless thirst for battle and vengeance that inspired Eggers to write this compelling Norse saga. Learn how the wardrobe department recreated the intricate chain mail armor and costumes of Viking berserkers and warriors; delve into the research behind the art department’s visual inspiration for replicating the villages of Hrafnsey and Freysdalur; and get the inside scoop on the challenges the cast encountered when creating the iconic characters of Amleth, Olga, Queen Gurdrún, and the Seeress. The Northman: A Call to the Gods is the perfect companion for both film fans and anyone interested in Viking history and legends. PROFILE OF AN AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR: Using acclaimed director Robert Eggers’ own firsthand account, The Northman: A Call to the Gods delivers a revealing profile of his inspirations, and his creative process. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHS: Explore dozens of photographs of the set, crew, director Robert Eggers, and the award-winning cast, including Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Willem Dafoe, and Björk. GO BEHIND THE SCENES: Delve into never-before-seen storyboards and set designs that give a glimpse into the fascinating art and craft of filmmaking. PERFECT FOR FILM ENTHUSIASTS: The Northman: A Call to the Gods is the perfect gift for movie fans and anyone interested in Viking legend and lore.

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Book SynopsisRediscover Todd Phillips’ Joker with this deluxe edition of the screenplay.Experience a cinematic origin story of the infamous DC villain as never before with this unique edition of the Academy Award-nominated Joker screenplay! Acclaimed and evocative, Joker depicts Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness as a soulful, allegorical character study that belongs on the shelf of every Batman fan. • DISCOVER A UNIQUE VISION: By reading the screenplay, fans will gain insight into how screenwriters Todd Phillips and Scott Silver reimagined the Joker. • REEXPERIENCE A FILMMAKING TRIUMPH: Film stills give visual depth to this beloved screenplay.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA deluxe guide to Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder including interviews, production art and photos that take readers behind the scenes of the most epic Thor adventure to date!A behind-the-scenes guide to Marvel Studios’ action-packed science fiction adventure movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. This deluxe fully illustrated hardcover edition includes: Chris Hemsworth (Thor) discussing his intense fitness regime to get into shape for his biggest adventure yet, collaborating with Taika Waititi, and the film’s unique romantic humor. Natalie Portman (Jane Foster/The Mighty Thor) on returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being reunited with Chris Hemsworth after nine years, and the challenges of balancing darkness and comedy. Taika Waititi (Director and Co-Writer) revealing how he created his vision of the Thor movies, why Thor is such a tortured hero, and why he likes to twist the Super Hero genre. Plus interviews with the talented team behind the film’s stunning visual effects, costumes and makeup. Plus amazing production art and photography from the film. A must for all Marvel Studios fans.Trade Review“Avengers: Infinity War: The Official Movie Special is great for fans who want to read more about the film. This 96-page, full-color book makes for a great gift or coffee table book.” – Scifichick.com “Perfect for fans.” – Flickeringmyth.com “To any fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the 96-page hardback edition of Avengers: Endgame: The Official Movie Special is a must-own.” – GeeksofDoom.com

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Book SynopsisThe official souvenir collector’s guide to Marvel Studios’ Loki, the television phenomenon as seen on Disney+.A behind-the-scenes look at Marvel Studios’ Loki, this deluxe book is a must-have for all fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Featuring interviews with the cast and crew including Loki himself, Tom Hiddleston, and co-stars Owen Wilson (Mobius), Sophia Di Martino (Sylvie), this collector’s edition explores the making of the dazzling special effects, action packed fights and stunts, and the stunning costume departments with stunning photos and art.The book also delves into the complexities of the timeline with infographics, fun facts, and even a quiz.

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Book SynopsisThe Godfather is a classic. Not just of Hollywood or America, but in worldwide cinema. Its legacy not only lives on in the 21st century, but it has also transcended its origins, today meaning more to so many than just a movie: it's a religion. Its cast of future Hollywood heartthrobs and acting icons – Brando! Pacino! De Niro! Caan! Duvall! Keaton! – was perfect. Its script, a masterpiece. Its score too. It became 1972's highest grossing movie and would remain the world's top grossing film for decades. And it received unprecedented critical acclaim.The Little Book of The Godfather is a celebration of this classic slice of cinema on its 50th birthday. It has everything a Godfather fanatic could want, and certainly could not refuse: from to killer stats to stunning facts, production notes to classic quotes, stories and tales from the set and the ongoing impact of the film's now legendary status. It's all here. Come and get it.'Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.' Peter Clemenza'You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, you made a good living. The police protected you and there were courts of law. So you didn't need a friend like me. Now you come and say "Don Corleone, give me justice." But you don't ask with respect. You don't offer friendship. You don't even think to call me "Godfather". You come into my house on the day my daughter is to be married and you ask me to do murder – for money.' Don CorleoneTable of ContentsAmerican Crime Story: The origins and history of the movie, from script to screen to success • 1945: Facts, stats and quotes about the plot, characters and filming • Don Vito Corleone: Everything you need to know about The Godfather, and Brando's portrayal of the character • Once Upon A Time In America: Actors, filmmakers and crew reflect on making the film • Long Live the King: The impact, success and legacy of the film over the past half-century • The Offer: All the best lines, quotes and production notes from the film.

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Book SynopsisThe noughties witnessed rapid change in Action Cinema, carrying with it the new action stars of the previous decade, and the boundary blurring experimentation of films such as The Matrix, that incorporated not only action but science fiction. The now dominant Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debuted, and the Young Adult fictional worlds of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games further developed the scope of the action sequences. Despite this context, the action genre had still not engaged fully with contemporary social issues. Focusing on a less acknowledged period in Action Cinema history, Gender and Action Films: Road Warriors, Bombshells and Atomic Blondes examines specific action stars such as Michelle Rodriguez, Zhang Ziyi, and Pam Grier to analyse how female stars encounter the male gaze. Split into four parts – ‘Star Bodies’, ‘Transmedia Action’, ‘Intergenerational Action’ and ‘Politics and Race’, chapter authors prioritise female led action movies and champion a more meaningful interaction and representation between the action genre and contemporary issues of race, sexuality, and gender. Offering novel interpretations of depictions of gender within action movies, this edited collection demonstrates gender portrayal can be developed to incorporate meaningful representation in the wake of the movements such as #Oscarssowhite or #MeToo that have confronted Hollywood. The collection is a must-have for academics, students and lovers of film and media and those interested in gender studies.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Renée Middlemost and Steven Gerrard Part 1. Star Bodies Chapter 1. Road Warriors, Bombshells and Atomic Blondes: The Action Cinema of Charlize Theron; Thomas Sweet Chapter 2. Let Rain Shine: Michelle Rodriguez – Action Star; Steven Gerrard Chapter 3. ‘Musculinity’ and the Empowered Female Body in Haywire (2011); Douglas Rasmussen Part 2. Transmedia Action Chapter 4. Gender, Violence and Empowerment: Reworking the Female Action Hero in Dollhouse; Jessica Ford Chapter 5. All Access Action Heroes – Between Cyberpathy and New Media; Anne Ganzert Chapter 6. Hard Bodies in Virtual Worlds: Assessing the Reception of Abby’s Spectacular Body in The Last of Us Part II (Naughty Dog, 2020); Dean Bowman Part 3. Intergenerational Action Chapter 7. Dark Fathers and Damaged Sons: The Paternal Betrayal of Jason Bourne; Toby Reynolds Chapter 8. Beyond Actions: Remodelling Heroine-hood in The Grandmaster; Jasmine Yu-Hsing Chen Part 4. Politics and Race Chapter 9. ‘Always Bet on Black’: Wesley Snipes – Action Star; Shelley O’Brien Chapter 10. Dismal Setbacks and Stunning Breakthroughs: A Look at Pam Grier’s Career and How It Changed Hollywood; Dahlia Schweitzer Chapter 11. Playing With Type? Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Rivalry, and Race in Hobbs and Shaw; Renée Middlemost Conclusion; Renée Middlemost and Steven Gerrard

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Book SynopsisLying at the heart of the modern Action Cinema Canon is the concept of transformation. As the action genre evolves and shifts into the new millennia, innovative additions blend with nostalgic returns – the move away from a male-dominated space to feature even more prominent female roles co-exists alongside a revival of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, and series such as Rocky and Rambo return to the screens. Gender and Action Films 2000 and Beyond: Transformations captures and explores the nuanced and complex nature of change within Action Cinema. Dealing with the notion of aging, the chapter authors consider how action heroes confront and cope with getting older. Expanding the foundation of research on geriaction stars, the advantages of mature masculinity contrasts with themes of masculine fragility. Viewing the action genre through a feminist lens, this edited collection traces the evolution of the representation of women, suggesting how such roles may develop in the future. Finally, a consideration of the post-millennial boom of movie backdrops in turmoil analyses how such pieces question and contribute to debates on global political and social issues. Gender and Action Films 2000 and Beyond: Transformations looks at Action Cinema from the old to the new, offering an exciting interrogation of the portrayal of gender in the new millennia. A necessity for academics, students and lovers of film and media and those interested in gender studies.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Steven Gerrard and Renée Middlemost Part 1. Aging Chapter 1. Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt: Virtuous Masculinity and Ageing Heroes in Geriaction Cinema; Kelvin Ke Jinde Chapter 2. The Art of Making Do: Ageing Recent-to-Action Stars in Hollywood-Style French Action Cinema; Glen Donnar Chapter 3. “Nothing is over. Nothing! You just don’t switch it off!” – From First to Last – An Analysis of Rambo; Steven Gerrard Part 2. Evolution Chapter 4. The Charlie’s Angels Franchise: An Analysis of Six Female Action/Crime Characters From a Feminist Perspective; Juan-Pablo Osman and Nancy R. Gomez Chapter 5. Artificial Feminism: Fan Reaction to the Representation of Captain Marvel; Natalie Le Clue and Janelle Vermaak-Griessel Chapter 6. ‘I’ve Waited For Him’: Laurie Strode’s Evolution From Final Girl to Neoliberal Militant in Halloween (2018); Khara Lukancic Chapter 7. Is the Future Feminist? A Reading of Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and Logan (2017); Deepthi Krishna Thota Part 3. Gender, Genre, and Narrative Transformation Chapter 8. Metamodern Vigilante Narratives: Masculinity and Trauma in Blue Ruin (2013) and You Were Never Really Here (2017); Cain Miller Chapter 9. Sartorial Femininity and the Upset of Female Masculinity in Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey (2020); Dany S. Girard Chapter 10. The Queer Female Action Spy Hero in Post-Millennial American Cinema; Claire Hines Conclusion; Renée Middlemost and Steven Gerrard

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Book SynopsisIn 1973, Myra Hindley, the most notorious woman in Britain, is serving a life sentence for the moors murders - a case that shocked the world. Behind bars she has fallen in love.When Hindley is refused parole she persuades a sympathetic prison officer and former nun to help her break out of London's grim Holloway prison. The women plan to run away together to Brazil.Twenty years after Hindley's death, this extraordinary true story is brought to life in vivid new detail by Howard Sounes, author of the true crime classic Fred & Rose, drawing on unseen prison files and new interviews with former Holloway inmates, prison officers and detectives. It is a tale of infatuation and manipulation, crime and punishment.Despite her part in the appalling murders of five children and teenagers, Myra Hindley is revealed as a highly complex woman of intelligence and charm, which she used to get what she wanted. Or was she, as her supporters claimed, a misunderstood person who regretted her past and only attempted to escape out of desperation?Revealing the 'most wicked woman in Britain' in new light, This Woman is an atmospheric prison story and a love story that will make readers think again about the woman behind the moors murders.

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Book SynopsisIn 1973, Myra Hindley, the most notorious woman in Britain, is serving a life sentence for the moors murders - a case that shocked the world. Behind bars she has fallen in love.When Hindley is refused parole she persuades a sympathetic prison officer and former nun to help her break out of London's grim Holloway prison. The women plan to run away together to Brazil.Twenty years after Hindley's death, this extraordinary true story is brought to life in vivid new detail by Howard Sounes, author of the true crime classic Fred & Rose, drawing on unseen prison files and new interviews with former Holloway inmates, prison officers and detectives. It is a tale of infatuation and manipulation, crime and punishment.Despite her part in the appalling murders of five children and teenagers, Myra Hindley is revealed as a highly complex woman of intelligence and charm, which she used to get what she wanted. Or was she, as her supporters claimed, a misunderstood person who regretted her past and only attempted to escape out of desperation?Revealing the 'most wicked woman in Britain' in new light, This Woman is an atmospheric prison story and a love story that will make readers think again about the woman behind the moors murders.

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Book SynopsisLine of Duty holds its status as the defining TV crime drama of today. The conspiracy theme of the series chimes at a time when public institutions and representatives are distrusted. Ted Hastings, the show's head of anti-corruption, has emerged as the beating heart of the series. This book reveals how the compelling drama reflects real crimes, events and figures, most notably that of Robert Mark and his battle against Met corruption. ‘None of my people would plant evidence. They know I would throw the book at them… followed by the bookshelf’ Starting with a bang – ‘I’ll put you all back in uniform’ were his first words to his team. New Met Commissioner Robert Mark – the inspiration for Ted Hastings – took on his entire corruption-riddled detective branch in his first brutal speech. The scale of the problem facing Robert Mark was institutionalised corruption in CID. During his four years eleven months as commissioner, he saw 478 men leave the force following or in anticipation of criminal/disciplinary proceedings. Departures in the previous decade had averaged about 16 a year. Mark's extraordinary career established the need for a dedicated team to investigate corruption that lives on today.

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Book SynopsisWhen the film Clue came out in 1985, audiences were baffled. A movie based on a board game, with three different endings, and you had to pick which one to go see? Bad reviews compounded the problem, and instead of choosing one ending, most people stayed away entirely. Clue, outgrossed at the box office by films that had been released months earlier, quickly faded away. When it unceremoniously premiered on Showtime a year after its theatrical debut, there was no sign it was destined for anything other than obscurity, another flop bound to be forgotten. Instead, Gen Xers and millennials, raised on pop culture and cable TV in an era long before the streaming wars, discovered this zany farce about a group of six strangers locked in a remote house with a killer. The movie appealed to kids. The creepy mansion and eerie music contrasted with slapstick gags and double entendres, deflating the tension. Today, almost forty years later, Clue is the epitome of a cult classic, with midnight screenings, script readings for charity, cosplaying fans, and a stage play. “What Do You Mean, Murder?” dives deep into the making of Clue and walks fans through the movie they know and love.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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