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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.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
April 15, 2018 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781442211049
- File size: 34856 KB
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781442211049
- File size: 34856 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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April 1, 2018
Olson (Making Sense of Cinema) offers an admittedly subjective list of the greatest cult movies focusing on feature-length American productions. Each entry, presented alphabetically, features an info box listing directing, writing, and acting credits, the runtime, associated genres, and availability. This is followed by a quick plot summary, thorough information on the background and production and exuberant commentary. Each of the 100 entries also includes a still and a "see also" reference, perfect for readers looking to host a Killer Klowns from Outer Space-themed movie marathon. Olson includes obvious entries such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Plan 9 from Outer Space, but he also makes an argument for The Shawshank Redemption being a cult movie and highlights lesser-known films such as Ganja & Hess. Finally, readers searching for their favorite cult movie (Troll 2) may find a brief entry in one of the book's five themed appendixes. Though lacking a detailed table of contents, this is a great starting point for research. It's also an excellent way to find hidden gems. VERDICT Olson's knowledge and enthusiasm shine through as he guides readers on a fun, thoughtful romp through cult cinema.--Terry Bosky, Madison, WI
Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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April 1, 2018
Choosing the greatest cult films is a losing proposition because it is so hard to get consensus. Olson (Possessed Women, Haunted States, with Carrielynn D. Reinhard, 2016) used crowdsourcing and his own longtime critical viewing to identify the 100 best, limited to one per director. Each entry is about two pages in length; information includes a brief plot line, background information about the film's development and production, editorial commentary, and a see also list of similar films. Most entries include a black-and-white studio photo; several entries have a spotlight box about the film studio, writer, director, or actor. Five appendixes and almost forty pages of endnotes conclude the volume. The films selected skew toward horror/violence, covering Death Race, Evil Dead II, Punisher: War Zone, and Trick ?r Treat. The writing is clear. The commentary is personal, yet expert and justified. This collection should attract film fans and start heated discussions.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)
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