Alien Zone II: The Spaces of Science Fiction Cinema

by Annette Kuhn (Editor)

Science fiction, more than any other film genre, allows cinema to exhibit its own distinctive matters of expression. Whether these be the state-of-the-art special effects technologies of 2001: A Space Odyssey , or the symbolic imagery of ruined cityscapes in Blade Runner , they allow the spectator to experience the totality of the audiovisual thrill.

While this remains in many ways the core defining feature of the genre, recent trends in the study of science fiction cinema have seen a shift of focus away from the specifically cinematic towards the more broadly cultural. New technologies of communication and vision, revolutionary developments in the delivery and reception of moving-image media, the increasing importance of the notion of all are forcing new and different ways of thinking about the genre.

Alien Zone II  presents some of the most exciting new voices in the current debates. A companion volume to Alien Zone , it continues to pursue the critical and theoretical issues opened up in the earlier book and energetically explores fresh territory with an eye which is both reflective and visionary cities, psycho-cybernetics, internet fandom, the convergence of science fiction literature and science action film, the body and its limits are just some of the subjects brought under its gaze.

Genres: Film, Science Fiction, Cultural Studies, Essays

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Fraser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the first one a couple years back, from what I remember it was quite silly and self indulgent but had some fun or interesting points. This was basically up its own arse for the entirety of the collection. Put down the Freud and go outside !!!!!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its not often a book makes my head hurt (unless you count one of my book cases falling on me)!

Seriously this is an impressive book and I will be the first one to admit I am going to need time to digest this and possibly even re-read some of the chapters however it does give some interesting points of view - not only on the genre of science fiction cinema but also more interestingly on the reviewers and commentators of science fiction cinema - basically they do not know how to review or even approach the subject from an educated and critical point of view - so they shape and define it in terms that they can do. A case of shaving the edges off so that square peg WILL fit that round hole.

One one to point out at this point and I think in some of the articles this is quite pertinent - is that this book was published in 1999 which means it has missed a lot of changes in the world of films. Science fiction (and fantasy) films as a genre have enjoyed a rise in success and numbers. A rise I think that in many of these articles would have influenced (Aliens for example which is quoted quite heavily - and obviously there are several sequel omitted as well as spin offs and a prequel)

This was a random find and I admit that there is an Alien zone 1 out there I would definitely like to read - maybe though in the future when my head has stopped hurting. Plus I think there has been sufficient shift in opinions, exposure and diversity in the genre to illicit an Alien zone 3 at some point - who knows.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about Science Fiction cinema. A great place to start your research ;)