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Horror Unmasked

A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope
By Brad Weismann
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3.91 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 137 ratings, 41 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Horror Unmasked is a comprehensive guide to the horror film genre, exploring its significance in popular culture from early influences to contemporary developments. It offers in-depth discussions on classic monster movies and B-movies like The Thing and The Blob, the dismantling of American censorship evidenced by films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and international horror hits like Suspiria and Matango. The book also examines critical responses to modern horror films including Pan's Labyrinth and Funny Games, enriched with stunning movie posters, stills, and fan tributes to iconic franchises like Aliens and Scream. It celebrates the genre’s evolution, its cultural impact, and the communal thrill of fear and survival that horror films provide.
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Format: Hardback
$4999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for horror enthusiasts, film scholars, and those interested in cultural studies, Horror Unmasked appeals to readers seeking both an introduction and an in-depth exploration of the horror genre’s history, trends, and global impact.

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From the silent-film era to the blockbusters of today, Horror Unmasked is a fun-filled, highly illustrated dive into the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Horror Unmasked offers a general introduction to the popular film genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.

The horror film's pop-culture importance is undeniable, from its early influences to today's most significant and exciting developments in the genre. Since 1990, the production of horror films has risen exponentially worldwide, and in 2021, horror films earned an estimated $580 million in ticket sales, not to mention how the genre has expanded into books, fashion, music, and other media throughout the world.

Horror has long been the most popular film genre, and more horror movies have been made than any other kind. We need them. We need to be scared, to test ourselves, laugh inappropriately, scream, and flinch. We need to get through them and come out, blinking, still in one piece.

This comprehensive guide features:

  • A thorough discussion on monster movies and B-movies (The Thing; It Came from Outer Space; The Blob)
  • The destruction of the American censorship system (Blood Feast; The Night of the Living Dead; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)
  • International horror, zombies, horror comedies, and horror in the new millennium (Matango; Suspiria; Ghostbusters)
  • A dissection of the critical reception of modern horror (Neon Demon; Pan's Labyrinth; Funny Games)
  • Stunning movie posters and film stills, plus fan-made tributes to some of the most lauded horror franchises in the world (Aliens; the Evil Dead; The Hills Have Eyes; Scream)

A perfect reference and informational book for horror fans and those interested in its cultural influence worldwide, Horror Unmasked provides a general introduction to the genre, serves as a guidebook to its film highlights, and celebrates its practitioners, trends, and stories.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"Considering the massive scope, this photobook is surprisingly succinct, informative, and helpful as an overview of horror films." – Library Journal "Well-researched text and quality film poster art make for great, spooky bed-time reading." – Creammagazine.com "Strikes a commendable balance between sure-footed historicity, global sweep, effortless didacticism, and a celebration of all that is joyous in a genre that can sometimes be quite grim." – Locus Mag "An admirable effort that will undoubtedly give a budding horror fan a ton of fun homework." – MovieJawn.com "A great history of horror that spans both time and the globe… providing a history of terror from Nosferatu to Nope." – ComingSoon.net

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780760376799

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 September 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: becker&mayer! books

Illustration: 100+ color photos

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 270.0mm

Weight: 1080g

Pages: 232

Collections

Arts & Culture Brad Weismann Education & Reference Non-Fiction

About the Author

Brad Weismann is an award-winning writer and editor who returned to the place he grew up, in the shadow of the Colorado Rockies, after 15 years of performing standup, improvisational, and sketch comedy on stage, radio, and television. Ever since, he has worked as a journalist, feature writer, and contributor to publications and websites worldwide such as Senses of Cinema, Film International, Backstage, Muso, Parterre, Movie Habit, 5280, EnCompass, Colorado Daily, and Boulder Magazine. He focuses on the arts and popular culture, covering topics from grand opera to midget wrestling; a cross-section of his work can be found at bradweismann.com.

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