Film Theory: The Basics: The Basics

The Basics

by Kevin McDonald

Fully updated and expanded throughout, this second edition of Film Theory: The Basics provides an accessible introduction to the key theorists, concepts, and debates that have shaped the study of moving images. The book examines film theory from its emergence in the early twentieth century to its study in the present day, and explores why film has drawn special attention as a medium, as a form of representation, and as a focal point in the rise of modern visual culture. It also emphasizes how film theory has developed as a historically contingent discourse, one that has evolved and changed in conjunction with different social, political, and intellectual factors. This second edition offers a detailed account of new theoretical directions at the forefront of film studies in the twenty-first century, and draws additional attention to how theory engages with today’s most pressing questions about digital technologies, the environment, and racial justice. Complete with questions for discussion and a glossary of both key terms and key theorists, this book in an invaluable resource for those new to film theory and for anyone else interested in the history and significance of critical thinking in relation to the moving image.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2016

About the author

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Reviews

[Craig Langon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer that's brief and comprehensive but only gives superficial attention to the various ideas and theories raised. For example, the section about Althusser is 8 pages and gives a brief account of his 'ideology and ideological state apparatus' essay - which is fine if basic - but the Christian Metz section gets a page less and skims of his material in such superficial and perfunctory manner that it has very little value. It's the final chapter that really makes this book worth reading, giving a breakdown of the arguments for and against Theory. Plus, the contents page has chapters but no sub-divisions listed which isn't very helpful. There are better books for the same price.

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good comprehensive introduction to film theory, though it at times feels a little too compressed. I wish some of the theory specific terms would've been more thoroughly defined and explained.

[Serhii Rafalskyi]

Эта книга — теоретический обзор, причем написанный не самым простым языком (чем ближе к концу тем он усложняется). Также непонятно плох ли перевод сам по себе или здесь просто не было толковой редактуры. Издано на русском в Харькове, в издательстве "Гуманитарный центр".

[Ronan Hannan · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Framing in this sense is also linked to the suturing operations of cinematic discourse: the process by which the subject is produced within a chain of discourse as “lack”, a mere signifier in the field of the Other.”

I wish I could say this makes more sense in context and upon consulting the glossary in the appendices. There are numerous passages like this. Frustrating and inaccessible “introduction”.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can get a better explanation of Barthes from a continental philosopher (I hear his second marriage is on the rocks), and a better explanation of Dutch angles from RedLetterMedia. Like all Routledge texts, though, it was not tested on animals–inspiring.

[Kate Feline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Интереснейшая тема, но написано невыносимо.