Disaster Movies: The Cinema of Catastrophe

by Stephen Keane

An introduction to the history and development of this genre, this book provides insightful methods of reading and appreciating an extremely popular cinematic form. Ranging from 1950s sci-fi B-movies to high concept 1990s "millennial movies," Stephen Keane looks at the ways in which the representation of disaster and its aftermath are born out of both contextual considerations and the increasing commercial demands of contemporary Hollywood. Through detailed analyses of such films as Airport, The Poseidon Adventure, Independence Day, and Titanic, the book explores the continual reworking of this to-date undervalued genre.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and engaging story of the disaster film movie *scoffs* genre, at a very easy to read hundred and twenty pages. This short piece of non-fiction examines the nominal works of the thirties and seventies, the strange way through which action movies responded to disaster cinema, the excesses of the 90s disaster movies and finally the way in which 9/11 transformed the genre.

Interesting stuff, read for a Catastrophe Studies class.

[Brice Fuqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good survey of disaster movies of the 1970s and their influence on action films of recent years.

[Mesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and insightful, but far too much review of action and sci movies. Independence Day is not something I'd consider to be a "disaster" movie.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A semi-scholarly look at disaster movies and their themes. Good filmography and sources section. Recommended.