5 stars for this fascinating and comprehensive guide to the 
widely varied world of cult cinema.
“Arrow Video is one of the foremost distributors of cult cinema on DVD and Blu-ray. From the classic to the obscure, the Arrow Video collection encompasses all styles and genres: horror films and Westerns, science fiction and sex comedies, yakuza epics and neo-noirs, the subversive, the transgressive and the unclassifiable. This hardback volume brings together 25 of the world’s leading genre experts and critics to guide you through the multi-faceted beast that is cult cinema.
Exploring the stars, the filmmakers and the trends, Cult Cinema: An Arrow Video Companion approaches its subject from five angles. Each section is devoted to a different facet of cult filmmaking – the opening chapter features seven essays devoted to key cult movies, and is followed by those on directors, actors, genres (and sub-genres), and finally distribution, which examines how different methods of seeing a film, from travelling shows to DVDs, has allowed cult films and their audiences to flourish.
The aim is not to provide a definitive guide to cult cinema but rather, as the subtitle proclaims, a companion. Cult movies means many things to many people – Ben Wheatley’s introduction touches on the manner in which he discovered the underbelly of cinema, but it won’t be shared by everyone, of course – and everyone will have their own favorites.”
This is a great book which covers a massive range of subjects. The essays are fascinating and written by a host of famous names, all of whom have unique insights to offer into the sometimes little understood world of Cult Cinema.
From Withnail and I to Dressed To Kill and from Nekromantic to Happiness of the Katakuris, there are few stones left unturned, making this an ideal read for the avid movie buff.
The section looking at director’s is also very interesting, dealing with the rise and fall of various careers as public opinions and tasted shifted over the years. It certainly makes you understand how difficult it is to bring a film to a mainstream audience, especially when it is a little out of the ordinary.
I also found the essays on genres and sun-genres particularly useful, as terms such as Giallo and Canuxploitation are generally bandied about with little or no explanation.
This is an awesome item for any fans of cult cinema, an invaluable resource and would also make an excellent “starter kit” for someone who is hoping to discover some new and exciting films to watch.
Cult Cinema : An Arrow Video Companion Hardback Limited Edition Book is available to buy now from MVD and Amazon.
| Author | Various |
| Genre | Non Fiction |