Search results

With a career spanning four decades, Wes Craven (1939–2015) bridged independent exploitation cinema and Hollywood big-budget horror. A pioneer of the modern horror cinema, Craven directed such landmark films as The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Scream—considered not only classics of the genre, but examples of masterful filmmaking. Producing an impressive oeuvre that mixed intellectual concerns and political ideas, Craven utilized high-tension suspens...

Uncover the twisted tales that inspired the big screen's greatest screams.Which case of demonic possession inspired The Exorcist? What horrifying front-page story generated the idea for A Nightmare on Elm Street? Which film was based on the infamous skin-wearing murderer Ed Gein?Unearth the terrifying and true tales behind some of the scariest Horror movies to ever haunt our screens, including the Enfield poltergeist case that was retold in The Conjuring 2 and the serial killers who inspired Han...

The course of events is predetermined and cannot be changed. Forces beyond our control—or even our comprehension—shape our fates. Such is the deterministic worldview embedded in a wide swath of contemporary cinema, from arthouse experiments to popular genre films, through both thematic concerns and narrative structures. These films, especially the recent spate of “elevated” science fiction and horror, tap into this deep-seated anxiety by focusing on characters who ultimately fail to transcend th...

This introductory volume offers an elegant analysis of the enduring appeal of the cinematic vampire. From Georges Melies' early cinematic experiments to Twilight and Let the Right One In, the history of vampires in cinema can be organized by a handful of governing principles that help make sense of this movie monster's remarkable fecundity. Among these principles are that the cinematic vampire is invariably about sex and the vexed human relationship with technology, and that the vampire is alway...

Would you dare to come face-to-face with the most terrifying vampires, monsters, zombies, and psychos of all time? They and their movies are all here in this lavishly (and terrifyingly) illustrated volume of the greatest, scariest, and most influential fright films. From such silent masterpieces as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) to such Golden Era classics as Dracula (1931); from such richly coloured shockers as House of Wax (1953) to such groundbreaking independent thrillers as Night of the...

Knit your way across J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, from the Shire’s idyllic countryside to the Elfin palaces of Rivendell, with this first-ever Lord of the Rings knitting guide. With patterns to suit your every otherworldly mood, this book includes cozy knits to languish by the fire in at Bag End, rustic outerwear to enjoy a beer and a warm bowl of stew at The Prancing Pony Inn, and elegant laces suited for the lush, peaceful valley of Rivendell. Inspired by the popular books and film adapta...

Film Fiends shares known and lesser-known stories of Hollywood films and the stories behind them, including Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Monster, My Friend Dahmer, Zodiac, Helter Skelter, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Night Stalker, The Amityville Horror, and many others. It features the unforgettable stories of films that fall under the categories of murder, madness, scandal, serial killings, cannibalism, skulduggery, and more.

Horror films have been around for more than 100 years, and they continue to make a large impact on popular culture as they reflect their contemporary zeitgeist. Between the mid-1950s and mid-1980s, drive-in theaters were at their peak of popularity, and each decade brought forward new challenges and themes. This book explores 60 B horror films, divided into 12 fun and uniquely-themed categories. Chapters discuss how the Atomic Age, the Vietnam War, the women's liberation movement and other cur...

Many fans of Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man (1973) may know that this classic is considered a fine sample of folk horror. Few will consider that it’s also a prime example of holiday horror. Holiday horror draws its energy from the featured festive day, here May Day. Sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a “Christian copper,” is lured to the remote Scottish island Summerisle where, hidden from the eyes of all, a thriving Celtic, pagan religion holds sway. His arrival at the start of the May Day ce...

Dive into the Wizarding World and reimagine your favorite characters—Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Hagrid, and more—as popular Funko Pops! A complete guide to all Harry Potter Funko Pops to date, The World of Funko: Harry Potter pairs striking full-color images, new photography, and fun facts, exclusive interviews with key creatives and artists, and so much more, making it the ultimate collectible for fans! Each figure and collectible is paired with exciting facts and trivia from the film and the...

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE PHANTOM MENACE IN 2024.A retelling of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace featuring stunning development art from the original Lucasfilm concept artists.Relive the excitement of the cinematic classic The Phantom Menace, the thrilling tale of galactic conquest which begins the epic Skywalker Saga. Two Jedi Knights are dispatched on a mission to the peaceful planet Naboo - only to uncover a shadowy enemy plotting to unleash havoc across the Republic...Enjoy the hit...

This magnificent companion to ÊThe Art of HorrorÊ from the same creative team behind that award-winning illustrated volume looks at the entire history of the horror film from the silent era right up to the latest releases and trends.ÞThrough a series of informative chapters and fascinating sidebars chronologically charting the evolution of horror movies for more than a century profusely illustrated throughout with over 600 rare and unique images including posters lobby cards advertising p...

Seeing the Apocalypse: Essays on Bird Box is the first volume to explore Josh Malerman’s best-selling novel and its recent film adaptation, which broke streaming records and became a cultural touchstone, emerging as a staple in the genre of contemporary horror. The essays in this collection offer an interdisciplinary approach to Bird Box, one that draws on the fields of gender studies, cultural studies, and disability studies. The contributors examine how Bird Box provokes questions about a rang...

What are you supposed to do when Freddy Krueger™ is chasing you through your nightmares? Stay awake and write! Celebrate your love of horror and 1984 classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street™, with this softcover notebook featuring a ghoulish illustration of Freddy Krueger™. This notebook includes 240 ruled pages, a ribbon placeholder, and an elastic band.

An official behind-the-scenes companion to New Line Cinema’s IT and IT CHAPTER TWO, the globally popular blockbusters Collecting the best artwork produced during the making of both of these sophisticated and visually enthralling films—including concept art, sketches, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes photography—World of IT explores the films’ singular aesthetic and meticulous world-building. This compendium includes commentary from director Andy Muschietti; producers Barbara Muschietti,...

With more than 60 pages of detailed, terrifying illustrations that bring the horror of the haunted Good Guy doll to life, Chucky: The Official Coloring Book offers hours of scary fun within this official coloring book! Featuring all-new illustrations of the most terrifying, shocking, and hilariously memorable scenes from the Child’s Play film series, this coloring book will thrill and entice fans of the celebrated horror movie franchise. Suited for hours of creative expression, Chucky: The Offi...