Created with mySpace Profile EditorI'm interested in, among other things, horror films and popular culture. I teach some of these things (and some other things) at Syracuse University in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies. My most recent book is entitled CONTROVERSIAL CINEMA: THE FILMS THAT OUTRAGED AMERICA and it deals with the kinds of social protest that have embroiled American films. The book deals with a wide span of film history from early one-reel silent films to contemporary films like NATURAL BORN KILLERS and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
CONTROVERSIAL CINEMA: THE FLIMS THAT OUTRAGED AMERICA explores the protests that emerged around films dealing with sex, violence, race and religion. In the 100+ years of American film, these topics have consistently brought about demonstrations, letters to the editors, calls for censorhip, and even bomb threats!!
check out CONTROVERSIAL CINEMA at AMAZON
Or check out the the publisher's website
I'm currently working on my latest book project, entitled DARK DIRECTIONS: ROMERO, CRAVEN, CARPENTER. It explores the works of the modern masters of horror!
My earlier book about film - PROJECTED FEARS: HORROR FILMS AND AMERICAN CULTURE - focused on ten of the most influential horror films in American history. Here are some reviewer comments about PROJECTED FEARS:
"Armed with a balance of reverence and intellect, [Phillips] offers a rundown on ten horror films he considers the most influential on American culture. . . Phillips also delves into the various films' subtexts and imagery, providing particularly intriguing dissections of the apocalypitc symbolism in TCM and The Exorcist." -
RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE Jan/Feb, 2007
"a most enjoyable book that will hopefully achieve a wide readership and increase the horror fan's awareness of why the genre is so important."
-JOURNAL OF AMERICAN STUDIES 2006
'One of the top ten books of 2006:'"This non-fiction book offers a unique new look at why the horror genre remains popular, and how it reflects both our cultural and individual fears. Sure, that's been covered before, but Philips brings a fresh perspective, and writes about it in a very accessible manner. Fascinating food for thought, and a must read for fan and professional alike." -
BRIAN KEENE
- Bestselling author of The Rising, City of the Dead, and the forthcoming Ghoul.
"The book is sensible, highly readable, and concise....[t]his book will best serve as an introduction to the horror genre. Recommended. Lower-/upper-division undergraduates; general readers."
—CHOICE October 2005
"Phillips analyzes ten landmark horror films, including Dracula, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Silence of the Lambs and The Sixth Sense, to discover the ways horror films reflect their cultural contexts and the audiences' fears."
—REFERENCE & RESEARCH BOOK NEWS August 2005
"Fans of horror and horror movies who wish an intellectual examination of links between horror films and American culture will find professor Kendall R. Phillips' Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture to be most intriguing. "
—MBR BOOKWATCH October 2005
Sound interesting? Order PROJECTED FEARS from Amazon
Want more info on PROJECTED FEARS -check out the publisher's website
For my official website (with all kinds of academic-type stuff) see: My SU Webpage
.. Home | Browse | Search | Invite | Film | Mail | Blog | Favorites | Forum | Groups | Events | Videos | Music | Comedy | Classifieds
