The Rough Guide to Horror Movies 1

I have been a die-hard Horror Fan since I was a kid, so when I bought this book I was very surprised to see aspects of the genre not readily covered by most horror books. It speaks of the 19th century influences on the genre, and also doesn't dwell on only the slasher flicks of the 60's onward, and the author writes everything in a very easy manner, nothing too difficult to understand. All in all, a very fun read, and a great intro. to people interested to find out more about the genre.

Reading this book is like shopping while hungry: everything will look good to you. You'll come away from this book with several dozen films you want to see, many of them foreign. Great trivia, like the line 'Don't step on it, it might be Lon Chaney.' (He was apparently known for his commitment to creature effects in the days before CGI).

This is really a remarkably good overview of horror cinema. It offers a variety of information (historical, filmographic, aesthetic, cultural) which is organized to encourage casual or random browsing but also very readable from cover to cover. The background chapter on horror literature is particularly informative. No special theory is offered; some otherwise excellent horror film books take an overly-specialized perspective, but you won't have that problem here. The genre is taken seriously, but the fun of it is always kept in view. Many very fine (and some rarely seen) photos grace the book throughout. I only noticed one "blooper": in the sidebar on Barbara Steele, Fellini is reported to have "cut her out" of his film "8-1/2." However, when I saw it recently, Babbara was beautifully present in one important scene. Otherwise, this is a very well-done volume and is heartily recommended.

The book is richly informative, presenting a broad vision of American and British horror films, along with a copious amount of horror's international kith and kin. The format is exemplary, as the book is chaptered into sections that provide a linear discussion of the horror genre on the one hand, and a browsable-friendly approach on the other. Briefly beginning with the literary and celluloid origins of horror, the author, Alan Jones, introduces his canon of 50 seminal horror films that stimulated the genre to new heights. This is a section to be revisited again and again, and while some of his inclusions may arguably be open to debate, the entries provide much to think about and discuss. The remaining, very browsable, chapters include the icons of horror, the global picture of horror films around the world, and a wonderful information section that gives details on film festivals and conventions, books and magazines, and websites the reader may wish to explore further to broaden his or her horizons on cinematic horror. (http://zomboscloset.blogspot.com)

Whether your new to the genre or a horror veteren, this book is full of fantastic information on nearly all aspects of horror. I bought this book yesterday and I was not disappointed. It contains history of the genre, all the essential movies and is very up-to-date. From Nosferatu and Freaks to American Werewolf in London and High Tension, this book has it all. I'm an avid fan of horror myself and I strongly reccommend this book.