Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Jonathan Lethem is one of my favorite fiction writers, but he also happens to be a formidable critic and essayist. In this close reading of John Carpenter's eponymous 1988 cult classic, Lethem ranges across film and critical theory, art, politics, ideology, and pop culture to weave a fascinating analysis of a work usually dismissed as an endearingly schlocky sci-fi/horror flick. His scene-by-scene (in some cases shot-by-shot) dissection lingers over visual minutiae, throwaway dialogue, and seemingly minor plot points to tease out surprisingly rich and nuanced layers of symbolism and ideological ambiguity beneath the veneer of a B movie (Which happens to star wrestling great "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and contains the longest fight sequence in movie history).
To some extent, the film is simply a vehicle for Lethem to spin off his encyclopedic network of theoretical and cultural references. You get the feeling that he is smart and observant enough to write this way about anything that captures his attention (See also The Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism). But, the fact remains that he chose THIS film, and his abiding fascination with and affection for his subject (he estimates to have watched it in its entirety over a dozen times, and many individual scenes countless times more) is evident. At around 160 pages, I was able to knock it off in a few days on my morning commute. Having finished it, though, I find myself frequently revisiting its little gems of analysis and insight.
To some extent, the film is simply a vehicle for Lethem to spin off his encyclopedic network of theoretical and cultural references. You get the feeling that he is smart and observant enough to write this way about anything that captures his attention (See also The Ecstasy of Influence: A Plagiarism). But, the fact remains that he chose THIS film, and his abiding fascination with and affection for his subject (he estimates to have watched it in its entirety over a dozen times, and many individual scenes countless times more) is evident. At around 160 pages, I was able to knock it off in a few days on my morning commute. Having finished it, though, I find myself frequently revisiting its little gems of analysis and insight.
An awesome reading (slash analysis) of one of my favorite genre and/or cult films. Haven't seen this movie in about a year, but really rank the film high up there and this book brought back many good memories. Also one of the best overt attacks on the establishment I've ever seen in cinema; and a film that effortlessly and recklessly switches tones and genres every few minutes.
The movie: 5 stars. The book: 4 stars. The smartest thing about the book: it's use of quotations from both literature and literary criticism to accentuate the themes Lethem reads in this film.
For fun, a list of other favorite cult-genre films (though none of these satisfy my political angst in the same way, they are all pretty amazing): True Stories, Repo Man, Kiss Me Deadly, Point Break, Zero Effect, Schizopolis, Brazil, Lost Highway if it counts. :)
The movie: 5 stars. The book: 4 stars. The smartest thing about the book: it's use of quotations from both literature and literary criticism to accentuate the themes Lethem reads in this film.
For fun, a list of other favorite cult-genre films (though none of these satisfy my political angst in the same way, they are all pretty amazing): True Stories, Repo Man, Kiss Me Deadly, Point Break, Zero Effect, Schizopolis, Brazil, Lost Highway if it counts. :)
"How to legislate between these great constituencies: those who love They Live for the fight scene, and those who love it despite the fight scene?" (116-7)