Projections: Science Fiction In Literature And Film edited by Lou Anders
01/03/2005 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: MonkeyBrain Books. 304 page enlarged paperback. Price: $15.95 (US), $21.95 (CAN). ISBN: 1-932265-12-0. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.monkeybrainbooks.com
'Dumbing down' is a phrase used a lot at the moment, usually in relation to
television. We are being fed a diet of pap that appeals to the lowest common
denominator and more importantly does not require us to think.
Addressing that issue and picking up some others along the way, this collection
of essays tries to redress the balance An internationally renowned bunch of
SF writers have all supplied their thoughts on the 'state of things' in Science
Fiction - in literature and film.
With thirty essays there is a lot of ground covered and this is not a book to
read in one session. There are both short and longer essays, some light in tone
and some darker. The comic moments do lift the mood somewhat as some of the
pieces are intense than others.
Some of the pieces pick up the difficulty of writing Science Fiction, when we
already live in an age of wonders. Others look at the simplified plots that
seem to be required to make a Hollywood blockbuster. In between, there are appreciations
of authors such as Mervyn Peake and Leigh Brackett that will encourage readers
to try some of their works out.
On the film side, Adam Roberts defends 'The Matrix Trilogy' and David Brin rails
against the simplistic politics of fascism in 'Star Wars'.
Sean McMullen gets two chances with his essay about the boom of Australian SF
in the 90s and his contra-view of why, with everything being filmed there, it's
more 'Farscape' than 'Mad Max'.
On the lighter side, Lucius Shepard offers HG Wells' view of his great-grandson's
version of 'The Time Machine' and a very individual review of 'The X-Men' that
involves pizza.
On the dark side, 'to which we are all drawn Luke', Paul Cornell offers a pithy
analysis of why British SF is the best when it comes to apocalyptic vision citing
'Quatermass' and 'Edge Of Darkness' against the homilies of peace and understanding
in 'Star Trek'.
There's a lot of content in this anthology and it is definitely worthy of a
read. Against 'dumbing down' in all forms this will make me look in a new light
at several films, explore different authors and be more concerned about inherent
subtexts in both. Not bad for 328 pages.
Sue Davies
(also) News Editor and Reviewer
www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk 
|
