Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of the Films of Steven Spielberg
Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of the Films of Steven Spielberg
Overview
James Kendrick is that rare critic who sees and understands the dark side of Steven Spielberg's films. Kendrick perceptively explores the ways that Spielberg has grappled in film with the nature of human suffering and with personal and historical trauma. Kendrick reveals a depth of complexity in the films that challenges the popular understanding of Spielberg as being mainly a director of popcorn movies. -- Stephen Prince, Professor of Cinema Studies, Virginia Tech, USA, and author of Firestorm: American Film in the Age of Terrorism This is a necessary book - I would say indispensable to Spielberg studies. The book develops the current burgeoning critical mass of scholarly writings on Spielberg in new ways, and is a timely addition to the field. Kendrick is an elegant writer, has grounded his persuasive close readings in a thorough account of film historical and critical contexts, and presents his case with due scholarly rigor. -- Linda Ruth Williams, Professor of Film, University of Southampton, UK By reinterpreting a significant number of Spielberg's films, James Kendrick has convincingly argued that dark, unsettling themes and tones permeate his entire output, not just his more 'serious' films such as Schindler's List or Amistad. This book is an important, thought-provoking addition to the growing film studies scholarship devoted to Spielberg. -- Warren Buckland, Reader in Film Studies, Oxford Brookes University, UK, and author of Directed by Steven Spielberg (2006) Taking a fresh and original approach to many Spielberg films that have been scorned or misunderstood, such as the great A. I. and the flawed but fascinating 1941, James Kendrick concentrates on the dark side of Spielberg that only began to be seriously noticed after Schindler's List. In this lively, insightful, provocative study, Kendrick demolishes the conventional wisdom of Spielberg's detractors, showing how ridiculously misguided many of them are, and challenges those of us who have written more favorably on this great director to reconsider or deepen our positions. A major advance in the field of Spielberg studies. -- Joseph McBride, Professor of Cinema, San Francisco State University, USA, and author of Steven Spielberg: A Biography James Kendrick's 'reconsideration' of Steven Spielberg's directorial output invites readers to 'move past comfortable surfaces' to the films' 'more disturbing and unsettling aspects.' Sensitive textual analysis of selected examples identifies, explores, and explains troubling themes recurrent across Spielberg's work, while refusing to fall back on received critical opinion. Kendrick's clear, accessible opening eases from personal response into impressively concise treatment of elements of film history and theory that have conventionally defined Spielberg's status and reputation. Authoritative examination of a range of approaches, including biography and aesthetics, sociology of suburbia, narrative structure, and Jungian patterns, amounts to a provocation of Spielberg's diehard critics. Kendrick's offering is highly recommended to readers within film and cultural studies and beyond. It digs out powerful evidence of filmmaking that is complex and knowing in its engagement with the full spectrum of experience. -- Nigel Morris, Principal Lecturer in Media Theory, University of Lincoln, UK, and author of The Cinema of Steven Spielberg: Empire of Light (2007)Description
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Overview
James Kendrick is that rare critic who sees and understands the dark side of Steven Spielberg's films. Kendrick perceptively explores the ways that Spielberg has grappled in film with the nature of human suffering and with personal and historical trauma. Kendrick reveals a depth of complexity in the films that challenges the popular understanding of Spielberg as being mainly a director of popcorn movies. -- Stephen Prince, Professor of Cinema Studies, Virginia Tech, USA, and author of Firestorm: American Film in the Age of Terrorism This is a necessary book - I would say indispensable to Spielberg studies. The book develops the current burgeoning critical mass of scholarly writings on Spielberg in new ways, and is a timely addition to the field. Kendrick is an elegant writer, has grounded his persuasive close readings in a thorough account of film historical and critical contexts, and presents his case with due scholarly rigor. -- Linda Ruth Williams, Professor of Film, University of Southampton, UK By reinterpreting a significant number of Spielberg's films, James Kendrick has convincingly argued that dark, unsettling themes and tones permeate his entire output, not just his more 'serious' films such as Schindler's List or Amistad. This book is an important, thought-provoking addition to the growing film studies scholarship devoted to Spielberg. -- Warren Buckland, Reader in Film Studies, Oxford Brookes University, UK, and author of Directed by Steven Spielberg (2006) Taking a fresh and original approach to many Spielberg films that have been scorned or misunderstood, such as the great A. I. and the flawed but fascinating 1941, James Kendrick concentrates on the dark side of Spielberg that only began to be seriously noticed after Schindler's List. In this lively, insightful, provocative study, Kendrick demolishes the conventional wisdom of Spielberg's detractors, showing how ridiculously misguided many of them are, and challenges those of us who have written more favorably on this great director to reconsider or deepen our positions. A major advance in the field of Spielberg studies. -- Joseph McBride, Professor of Cinema, San Francisco State University, USA, and author of Steven Spielberg: A Biography James Kendrick's 'reconsideration' of Steven Spielberg's directorial output invites readers to 'move past comfortable surfaces' to the films' 'more disturbing and unsettling aspects.' Sensitive textual analysis of selected examples identifies, explores, and explains troubling themes recurrent across Spielberg's work, while refusing to fall back on received critical opinion. Kendrick's clear, accessible opening eases from personal response into impressively concise treatment of elements of film history and theory that have conventionally defined Spielberg's status and reputation. Authoritative examination of a range of approaches, including biography and aesthetics, sociology of suburbia, narrative structure, and Jungian patterns, amounts to a provocation of Spielberg's diehard critics. Kendrick's offering is highly recommended to readers within film and cultural studies and beyond. It digs out powerful evidence of filmmaking that is complex and knowing in its engagement with the full spectrum of experience. -- Nigel Morris, Principal Lecturer in Media Theory, University of Lincoln, UK, and author of The Cinema of Steven Spielberg: Empire of Light (2007)Description
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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