The Encyclopedia of Underground Movies: Films from the Fringes of Cinema

Would you like to know more about movies than what's playing this week at the multiplex? Then take an incredible journey through the world of Underground Cinema with film critic Phil Hall as your guide. Hall's first book, "The Encyclopedia of Underground Movies" will blow your mind about thousands of films "which rarely find their way to audience, media or industry recognition" - including horror films, documentaries, comedies and gay-themed films. Because you'll want to find many of the movies Hall mentions, he has included websites for the films, if available. When a website is not available, Hall provides a link to a review of the film or to the Internet Movie Database's title listing. Do you want to make an underground movie of your own? If so, Hall also gives you some helpful tips. As if all this weren't enough, Hall's groundbreaking book is as entertaining to read as it is enlightening. His "Encyclopedia" is a must-read for film buffs!

A terrific counterpart to John Pierson's "Spike Mike Slackers and Dykes," Phil Hall's indispensable ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNDERGROUND MOVIES focuses on the true indie cinema as relayed and documented by those who lived it. These are the passionate filmmakers whose wonderful works are only rarely seen or have received marginal distribution. These are the filmmakers who are cranking out 10 films a year, shooting in their basement, spending their money on celluloid and tape stock instead of food - the true mavericks of a little known "cinema" that is alive and well, but yet unknown to most. Hall's brilliant book also focuses on the film distributors who live on the fringes while struggling to bring these vanguard films to the screen. He even touches upon a brief history of independent film distribution, focusing on such pioneers as Dave Friedman and Dan Sonney. This is a must read for every filmmaker as well as any fan of independent cinema. Every chapter features fascinating accounts after accounts from filmmakers across the country and their struggles, sometimes humourous, other times inspiring and uplifting, of creating their works and seeing them through to the ultimate battle but artistic gratification of the world of distribution. So put down that book of Peter Biskind's gossip-laden "Down and Dirty Pictures" and go out and read Phil Hall's book to get the real scoop on the state of Indie Cinema.

I think it's great that this book has finally been written, and that Phil Hall was the one to write it. No one understands better than Mr. Hall, a longtime distributor and promoter of underground films, how some of these filmmakers toil and sweat for their work. People like Eric Stanze, Michael Legge, and Ronnie Sortor deserve recognition for doing challenging and entertaining work under seemingly impossible circumstances. Mr. Hall has highlighted some of the best in this extremely useful and informative contribution to a sadly-neglected area of American film, an indispensible addition to any film student's library. - Robert Firsching Editor, The Amazing World of Cult Movies

In his journeys through decades of film, Phil Hall has picked up on many movies, unseen by numerous eyes. He illuminates these choices with educated insight into these movies, while also expressing his appreciation for the section of an artform that needs more attention. Mixing history with the informative prose he uses for his film reviews, this is an invaluable book for those wanting a different type of cinema. They'll find it here.

Cinephiles and just plain movie lovers will rejoice over this comprehensive analysis of below-the-radar filmmaking that celebrates everything the mainstream is afraid to acknowledge - innovative, bizarre, wild, wacky, and often visionary material that can only find the light of day in the shadowy world of underground movies. Phil Hall, movie critic, writer and contributing editor of FILM THREAT magazine, offers a perceptive analysis and overview of the independently produced and often micro-budget films and videos that defy mainstream studio standards and rules, and continually break bold new ground in motion picture history. Hall claims that underground cinema has its roots as far back as the silent movie era, and his book literally chronicles such material from then to now. He also suggests that underground cinema is a parallel universe to the motion picture world we know and love, the world of big box-office, blockbusters and mega-profits. This book is your ticket to that universe, so buckle up. It's going to be one wild ride. The book covers every kind of underground movie form, from the artistic renderings of great classics to the lower-brow horror hack-em-ups, and everything in between, as well as interviews with filmmakers and artists on the cutting edge. There are plenty of great black and white photos and lists of movies that best represent the chosen genres, with short descriptions sure to send fans to the video store for more. We also learn the best websites for underground movie viewing, where the great film festivals are, even what to do if you, yes, you, want to make an underground film. This book truly does serve as both a guide book and an encyclopedia, offering just about every kind of advise needed to master the art of the fringe film from the men and women who make them, collect them, and love them. No film collector, writer, movie fan, actor, producer, director or lover of all things out of the norm should be without "The Encyclopedia of Underground Movies." You may never look at a boring, formula, unoriginal, cheesy blockbuster movie the same way again.