Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America
byJAMES ROMAN is Professor of Film and Media Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York. He is the author of Love, Light, and a Dream (Praeger, 1996) and From Daytime to Primetime (Greenwood, 2005).
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eBook
9780313087400
MLA
Roman, James. Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America. Greenwood, 2009. ABC-CLIO, publisher.abc-clio.com/9780313087400.
Chicago Manual of Style
Roman, James. Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America. Greenwood, 2009. http://publisher.abc-clio.com/9780313087400
APA
Roman, J. (2009). Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America. Retrieved from http://publisher.abc-clio.com/9780313087400
- Description
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Whether it's the hum drum existence of Marion Crane and her illicit love affair, the psychotic antics of Norman Bates, the sudden irrational migration of birds, a crop duster swooping down on Roger Thornhill in the middle of nowhere, or Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace's unforgettable dance at Jack Rabbit Slim's - they are all cinematic moments that forever changed the psyche and viewing experience of American audiences. Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America tells the stories behind the most significant and influential films in American culture, movies that have had a profound influence on the literary, cinematic and popular culture of our time.
Arranged chronologically, the volume gives readers an opportunity to place the films within the context of the social and cultural historic dynamic of the time, making this an ideal source for student papers and reports. Each entry includes the filmmaker, actors, release information, a synopsis of the film, critics' reviews, awards, current availability, and then background on the making of the film in an artistic, economic, and technological context. Spanning all genres, including horror and drama, adventure, comedy, musicals, science fiction, and more, this volume is loaded with enough trivia and factoids to satisfy even the most die-hard movie buff. Also included are other Greatest Films compilations from the National Society of Film Critics and noteworthy sources for comparative purposes. Guaranteed to inspire forays into film favorites as well as some very lively debate, this resource is essential reading for film lovers and students alike.
- Reviews/Endorsements
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"A noteworthy feature of the book is its organization. It is arranged by decade to illustrate the cultural and historical context of the films of a particular period." - Reference & Research Book News"Roman's study functions as both a 20th-century historical survey and a film compilation, focusing on movies that changed American culture from 1915 through 2008. . . . The writing style is academic but accessible. Film students will appreciate grouped discussions, within selected chapters, of topics such as Hitchcock's films, the French New Wave movement, and musicals. Additional resource information includes alphabetical and chronological lists of the films discussed, a comprehensive bibliography of print and electronic sources, and a detailed index. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers." - Choice
- Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America
Author(s): Roman, James;Contributors: Roman, James;Abstract:Whether it's the hum drum existence of Marion Crane and her illicit love affair, the psychotic antics of Norman Bates, the sudden irrational migration of birds, a crop duster swooping down on Roger Thornhill in the middle of nowhere, or Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace's unforgettable dance at Jack Rabbit Slim's - they are all cinematic moments that forever changed the psyche and viewing experience of American audiences. Bigger Than Blockbusters: Movies That Defined America tells the stories behind the most significant and influential films in American culture, movies that have had a profound influence on the literary, cinematic and popular culture of our time.
Arranged chronologically, the volume gives readers an opportunity to place the films within the context of the social and cultural historic dynamic of the time, making this an ideal source for student papers and reports. Each entry includes the filmmaker, actors, release information, a synopsis of the film, critics' reviews, awards, current availability, and then background on the making of the film in an artistic, economic, and technological context. Spanning all genres, including horror and drama, adventure, comedy, musicals, science fiction, and more, this volume is loaded with enough trivia and factoids to satisfy even the most die-hard movie buff. Also included are other Greatest Films compilations from the National Society of Film Critics and noteworthy sources for comparative purposes. Guaranteed to inspire forays into film favorites as well as some very lively debate, this resource is essential reading for film lovers and students alike.
SortTitle: bigger than blockbusters: movies that defined americaAuthor Info:James RomanauthorJAMES ROMAN is Professor of Film and Media Studies at Hunter College, City University of New York. He is the author of Love, Light, and a Dream (Praeger, 1996) and From Daytime to Primetime (Greenwood, 2005).
eISBN-13: 9780313087400Cover Image URL: ~~FreeAttachments/9780313087400.jpgPrint ISBN-13: 9780313339950Entry Code: EGR3995Imprint: GreenwoodPages: 425Publication Date: 20090217Subtitle: Movies That Defined America- Contents vii8
- Preface ix10
- Chapter 1 Through a Glass... Darkly, 1915–1938 114
- Chapter 2 A Rumble to War, 1939–1942 2942
- Chapter 3 Boom and Bust: The Films of Post-War America, 1946–1947 4255
- Chapter 4 The Hop, Bop, and Stroll, 1950–1959 5265
- Chapter 5 The Space Race, Civil Rights, and a Nation Torn, 1960–1969 112125
- Chapter 6 Platform Shoes, Pet Rocks, Disco, and a Dysfunctional Presidency, 1970–1979 175188
- Chapter 7 Bits, Bytes, and Boomers, 1980–1989 250263
- Chapter 8 GenX, Reality TV, Terror, Impeachment, Seinfeld, Beavis and Butthead, 1990–1999 283296
- Chapter 9 The New Millennium, 2000–2008 311324
- Appendix 1: Alphabetical Listing of Films 381394
- Appendix 2: Chronological Listing of Films 383396
- Bibliography 385398
- Index 395408