The Life and Art of Edward D Wood This is an updated edition of the biography of cult American film maker Ed Wood which formed the basis of the film Ed Wood' starring Johnny Depp, Bill Murray and Patricia Arquette. It examines one of Hollywood's most iconoclastic, tragic figures: director, screenwriter, pornographer and hellraiser as well as master of outrageous kitsch, absurd supernatural horror and campy suspense. A hilarious and heart-breaking portrayal of a brave eccentric and sometimes insane film maker.'
In a previously unpublished memoir/manual, the king of B horror movies exposes the ruthless realm of moviemaking and introduces the magic and mayhem of Hollywood
It's been almost 40 years since the passing of maverick author and director Edward D. Wood, Jr., on December 10, 1978. Fate was seemingly cruel to Eddie, denying him and his work any meaningful recognition during his lifetime, but in the years since his death, a sizable cult-following has emerged. That cult initially focused on Eddie as the "worst director of all time" and his piece-de-resistance Plan 9 from Outer Space as the "worst movie of all time." While the study of Eddie's films, novels and short stories has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent decades, our knowledge of the man himself has remained stagnant. Over the years a mythology around Eddie's military service during the Second World War has been built up and repeated without critical examination. For the first time ever, The Unknown War of Edward D. Wood, Jr. uses official records to provide a factual account of Eddie's critical years in the U.S. Marine Corps (1942-1946). These records reveal to us an Eddie that has remained completely hidden from view until now. Everything you think you know about Eddie and his part in the Second World War will undergo a radical transformation as you read this book. It is not for the faint-hearted! Our understanding of not only Eddie's service in the military, but also our understanding of him as an all-too-human human being, will from this point forward never be the same. Read on and, as Eddie himself would have said, be shocked by the true and startling facts of the military service of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
Filmmaker Ed Wood was controversial and critically maligned, even labeled "the worst director of all time," yet he achieved cult status and remains of great interest today. This book frames Wood's work, such as the cross-dressing themed Glen or Glenda? and the haphazard Bride of the Monster, as reflections of the culture of their era. Wood invariably worked with infinitesimal budgets, shooting at breakneck speed, incorporating plot twists that defied all logic. Yet there was a tangible if unfocused thematic thrust to Wood's films, which meditate fitfully on gender, religion and society, revealing a "holy trinity" of fixations--sex, death and resurrection. Wood's infamous Plan 9 From Outer Space encapsulates the fixations and flaws that were his hallmarks, and with 22 other films, is explored here. A filmography and 47 photographs are included.
Bela Lugosi won immediate fame for his portrayal of the immortal count in the 1931 film Dracula. After a decade of trying vainly to broaden his range and secure parts to challenge his acting abilities, Lugosi resigned himself to a career as the world's most recognizable vampire. His last years were spent as a forgotten and rather tragic figure. When he died in 1956, Lugosi could not have known that vindication of his talent would come—his face would adorn theaters, his image would appear on greeting cards and postage stamps, his film memorabilia would sell for more than he earned in his entire career, and his Hungarian accent would be instantly recognized by millions of people. Martin Landau's Oscar-winning role as Lugosi in the 1994 film Ed Wood added an ironic twist to a career that had ended in oblivion. In 1974, devoted Lugosi fan Arthur Lennig published a highly regarded biography of the unsung actor. More than twice the length of the original and completely rewritten, The Immortal Count provides deeper insights into Lugosi's films and personality. Drawing upon personal interviews, studio memos, shooting scripts, research in Romania and Hungary, and his own recollections, Lennig has written the definitive account of Lugosi's tragic life.
An analysis of the novels of Maturin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Mann, Lovecraft and Pelevin through the prism of their interest in investigating the nature of the nightmare reveals the unstudied features of the nightmare as a mental state and traces the mosaic of coincidences leading from literary experiments to today’s culture of nightmare consumption.
The term “cult film” may be difficult to define, but one thing is certain: A cult film is any movie that has developed a rabid following for one reason or another. From highly influential works of pop art like Eraserhead and Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! to trash masterpieces such as Miami Connection and Fateful Findings, thousands of movies have earned recognition as cult classics over the years, and new movies rise to cult status every year. So how do viewers searching for the best or most important cult films decide where to start? In 100 Greatest Cult Films, Christopher J. Olson highlights the most provocative, intriguing, entertaining, and controversial films produced over the last century. The movies included here have either earned reputations as bona fide cult classics or have in some way impacted our understanding of cult cinema, often transcending traditional notions of “good” and “bad” while featuring memorable characters, unforgettably shocking scenes, and exceptionally quotable dialogue. With detailed arguments for why these films deserve to be considered among the greatest of all time, Olson provides readers fodder for debate and a jumping-off point for future watching. A thought-provoking and accessible look at dozens of cinematic “treasures,” this resource includes valuable information on the films, creators, and institutions that have shaped cult cinema. Ultimately, The 100 Greatest Cult Films offers readers—from casual cinephiles, film scholars, and avid fans alike—a chance to discover or re-discover some of the most memorable films of all time.
“I can’t do this”, “I am not good enough”, or “Nothing is good in my life”, we often have thoughts like these, and the trouble is that we believe them. What if instead, we told ourselves: “I am loved and safe”, “I am alive and thankful”, and “I choose my experiences”? Presenting ‘Hello Sunshine: My Gratitude Journal’ just for you, if you can relate to feelings of negativity, and wish to embrace gratitude and abundance. This Gratitude Journal will be your North Star with daily journaling prompts, reminding you to choose to focus on the good in your life. So, brighten your day with your new friend, ‘Hello Sunshine: My Gratitude Journal’ and create, feel and express to your heart’s content! Feel the sunshine around you and be the sunshine.
In Generation Ecstasy, Simon Reynolds takes the reader on a guided tour of this end-of-the-millenium phenomenon, telling the story of rave culture and techno music as an insider who has dosed up and blissed out. A celebration of rave's quest for the perfect beat definitive chronicle of rave culture and electronic dance music.
