A Critical Companion to Steven Spielberg offers a comprehensive, detailed study of the works of Steven Spielberg. Spielberg's early productions stand as landmarks in contemporary cinema, and his involvement with film spans all cinematic genres. Today, Spielberg enjoys an immense and enduring popularity around the globe, and his productions have attracted (and continue to attract) both public and critical attention. This book investigates several distinct areas of Spielberg's works and addresses the different approaches and the range of topics invited by the multidimensionality of his oeuvre. The eighteen chapters in this book use different methodologies, offering a variegated and compelling picture of Spielberg's films, from his earliest works such as Duel (1971) and The Sugarland Express (1974) to his most recent productions, such as The BFG (2016), The Post (2017), and Ready Player One (2018).

In Downton Abbey and Philosophy, twenty-two professional thinkers uncover the deeper significance of this hugely popular TV saga. Millions of viewers throughout the world have been enthralled by this enactment of a vanished world of decorum and propriety, because it presents us with emotional and interpersonal problems that remain urgent for people in the twenty-first century. Why do we attach such importance to our memories and to particular places? What do war and epidemics tell us about life in peacetime and in good health? Is it healthy or harmful for people to feel that they know their place? What does Downton Abbey teach us about the changes in women's roles since 1912? Do good manners always agree with good morals? How can everybody know what no one will talk about? What's the justification for a class of people who pride themselves on not having a job? Should we sometimes just accept the reality of social barriers to love, and abandon the pursuit? What happens when community reinforces oppression? All of these and many other issues are discussed through a detailed examination of the actual characters and situations in Downton Abbey.

Something really 'higher' is occasionally glimpsed in mythology: Divinity, the right to power, the due of worship; in fact 'religion.'" Inspired by these and other words of J. R. R. Tolkien and his great contemporary, C.S.Lewis, IMITATING THE SAINTSexplores our greatest modern mythology-superheroes-from a rigorously philosophical, Christian perspective. Moving effortlessly through the pantheons of the DC and Marvel universes, this book has chapters on the major superheroes-from Superman to Spider-Man-and explores these mythical figures in ways that highlight their deep, lasting, and ever-growing appeal.

"Drawing on both classical philosophy and biblical traditions, Barkman shows how stories about superheroes provide us mere mortals with models to emulate, warnings to heed, and arguments worth examining, offering not only counsel regarding right conduct and living well, but also supplying guidance in our ascent toward an understanding of the divine. Astonishing Incredible Amazing "

Travis D. Smith, Associate Professor of Political Science, Concordia University

"Barkman wakes for us the deep religious rhythms long dormant in our icons, comics, and superheroes. In a time of supposed secularity, of crisis, and of emergency, this book brings us face to face with the sacred saints of society. It denies that sacred myth has ever been absent in western culture, and begs our saints for resurrection and inspiration again."

Robert Joustra, Senior Editor Comment magazine

"Once you're finished with this book, like Robin, you'll be saying, 'Holy Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Batman What a great read '"

Rob Arp, author of What's Good on TV: Understanding Ethics through Television

Adam Barkman is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College, and the author and editor of half a dozen books, most recently The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott.

In an ever-changing world, new situations arise demanding ethical re-sponses from Christian thinkers. This is particularly true in our modern context with hyper-changes in areas like popular culture. Through a series of essays, Barkman explores the contours of this phenomenon - from movies to comic books, from TV series to novels - attentive to new ideas, or old ideas made new, requiring Christian ethical reflection. Topics such as the ethics of sex, deception, drugs, tattoos, slavery, incest, hypnosis, and gender, to name but a few, are explored Christianly vis- -vis culture as diverse as Game of Thrones, Sherlock Holmes, Gladiator, The Big Bang Theory, Thor and many others. . . . ENDORSEMENT: - "Whether discussing Winnie the Pooh or The Walking Dead, this book digs up buried philosophical treasure. Those who don't normally think of themselves as philosophically inclined will be surprised and delighted as Barkman rescues philosophy from dry classroom abstractions and reveals how it fills the glorious messiness of everyday life. Both beginners and vet erans will find something to chew on here, and, like a good movie, this book is sure to spark conversations that go on long past the closing credits."- Dr. Kevin Flatt, Assistant Professor of History, Redeemer University College . . . ENDORSEMENT: - "Barkman has an insightful way of tackling tough ethical questions."- Prof. Allen Mertes, Professor of Youth Ministry, Prarie Bible College . . . ENDORSEMENT: - "Fresh... Insightful... Stimulating. I highly Recommend it." - Dr. Rev. Brent Powell, Senior Pastor, Central Baptist Church Brantfordwww.wingedlionpress.com

Through Common Things is a philosophical exploration of both western and eastern popular culture. Barkman achieves what is rare: to preserve the integrity of the popular culture in question - while at the same time looking at it from a variety of angles. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation of the subject matter and encounter insights that can lead to personal awareness and growth. . . "Barkman presents us with an amazingly wide-ranging collection of philosophical reflections grounded in the everyday things of popular culture - past and present, eastern and western, factual and fictional. ... This is an informative and entertaining book to read " . . - Doug Blomberg, Professor of Philosophy, Institute for Christian Studies " Expansive in scope, Barkman's analysis traverses eastern and western culture, canvassing an array of philosophical topics, using the language of the hoi polloi and icons of popular culture to direct our gaze first to and then through the flickering images of Plato's cave to deeper realities and questions that matter. Well argued, intriguing, engaging; highly recommended " . . - David Baggett, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Liberty University "Effortlessly bridging the gap between 'high' and 'low' culture, Through Common Things, thanks to its jargon-free, lucid language, is eminently readable and, what is more, worth reading." . . - Dieter Petzold, Professor of English Literature, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg "This book is unique and brilliant. . . . Barkman plays the cracker-barrel world philosopher who draws the common people in conversation from pop culture to philosophy." . . - Jung Soon Park, Professor of Philosophy, Yonsei University +.+.+.+.+ ADAM BARKMAN (Ph.D., Free University of Amsterdam) is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College in Ontario. He is the author of C. S. Lewis and Philosophy as a Way of Life and co-editor of Manga and Philosophy.

C. S. Lewis, renowned Christian apologist and beloved author of childrens novels, is rarely thought of as a philosopher per se despite having both studied and taught philosophy for several years at Oxford. Moreover, Lewiss long journey to Christianity was essentially philosophical passing through seven different stages. This journey, as well as every philosophical topic Lewis discussed, including metaphysics, natural theology, epistemology, logic, psychology, ethics, socio-political philosophy, and aesthetics are explained here in detail. Barkman incorporates previously unexplored treasures from Lewiss unpublished philosophy lecture notes, lost philosophical essays, and hand-written annotations from copies of his philosophical books, such as Aristotles Ethics and Augustines City of God. _._._._._ Indispensable ~ Dr. James Como, author of Remembering C.S. Lewis._._._._._ A magisterial work, chock full of fresh historical tidbits and penetrating analysis. ~ Dr. David Bagget, author of C.S. Lewis as Philosopher.

This book offers a comprehensive, academic and detailed study of the works of James Cameron, whose films include successful productions such as the first two Terminator films (1984-91), Aliens (1986), Titanic (1997), and Avatar (2009), but also lesser known films such as Piranha 2: The Spawning (1981), The Abyss (1989), and True Lies (1994), and a series of documentaries on the depths of the ocean or on the tomb of Christ. Cameron's major productions have an immense and enduring popularity throughout the globe and have attracted both public and critical attention. This volume investigates several distinct areas of Cameron's works and addresses the different approaches and topics invited by the multidimensionality of the subject itself: the philosophical, the artistic, the socio-cultural and the personal. The methodologies adopted by the contributors differ significantly from each other, thus offering the reader a variegated and compelling picture of Cameron's oeuvre. Contrary to the numerous volumes published in the past on the subject, each chapter offers specific case studies that have been previously ignored, or only partially mentioned, by other scholars.

Contemporary Cowboys: Reimagining an American Archetype in Popular Culture expands and develops an understanding of recent cultural shifts in representations of the American cowboy and “the West” as vital components of American identity and values. The chapters in this volume examine they ways in which twenty-first century representations have updated the figure of the cowboy, considering not only traditionally analyzed sources, such as television, film, and literature, but also less studied areas such as comics, and music. The authors probe the cowboy archetype and western mythology with critical theory, feminist critiques, philosophy, history, cultural analysis, and more.

Marveling Religion: Critical Discourses, Religion, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an edited volume that explores the intersection of religion and cinema through the lenses of critical discourse. The focus of the shared inquiry are various films comprising the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and corresponding Netflix series. The contributors explore various religious themes and how they intersect with culture through the canon on the MCU. The first part focuses on responses to the societal, governmental, and cultural context that solidified with clarity during the 2016 Presidential Election cycle in the United States and in the following administration. Additionally, it provides lenses and resources for engaging in productive public actions. Part two explores cultural resources of sustaining activism and resistance as well as some of the key issues at stake in public action. The third part centers on militarization and resistance to state violence. Taken in concert, these three sections work together to provide frames for understanding while also keeping us engaged in the concrete action to mobilize social change. The overarching aim of the volume is to promote critical discourse regarding the dynamics of activism and political resistance.

A Critical Companion to Robert Zemeckis offers a comprehensive, academic and detailed study of the works of Robert Zemeckis, whose films include successful productions such as the Back to the Future trilogy (1985-90), Forrest Gump (1994), Contact (1997), Cast Away (2000) and The Polar Express (2004), but also lesser known films such as I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), Used Cars (1980), and Allied (2015). Most of Zemeckis' major productions were not only successful when they were first released but continue to enjoy popularity-with critics and fans alike-even today. This volume investigates several distinct areas of Zemeckis' works and addresses the different approaches: the philosophical, the artistic, the socio-cultural, and the personal. The methodologies adopted by the contributors differ significantly from each other, thus offering the reader a variegated and compelling picture of Zemeckis' oeuvre, which includes nineteen films. Contrary to the few volumes published in the past on the subject, the chapters in this volume offer specific case studies that have been previously ignored (or only partially mentioned) by other scholars. A Critical Companion to Robert Zemeckis offers a great variety of interdisciplinary approaches to Zemeckis' films, illuminating, re-reading and/or interpreting for the first time the entire career of the director, from his first films to the most recent ones.

Unlike anything currently available, A Critical Companion to Tim Burton is a comprehensive, up-to-date analysis of all the works of one of the world's most renowned directors and artists. Written by some of the top scholars working in fields as diverse as philosophy, film and media studies, and literature, all chapters of this book illuminate for both scholars and fans alike the entire artistic career of Burton, giving attention to both his early works and his global blockbusters.

The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott, edited by Adam Barkman, Ashley Barkman, and Nancy Kang, brings together eighteen critical essays that illuminate a nearly comprehensive selection of the director's feature films from cutting-edge multidisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Chapters examine such signature works as Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982), Thelma and Louise (1991), Gladiator (2000), Hannibal (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), and American Gangster (2007). This volume divides the chapters into three major thematic groups: responsibility, remembering, and revision; real, alienated, and ideal lives; and gender, identity, and selfhood. Each section features six discrete essays, each of which forwards an original thesis about the film or films chosen for analysis. Each chapter features close readings of scenes as well as broader discussions that will interest academics, non-specialists, as well as educated readers with an interest in films as visual texts. While recognizing Scott's undeniable contributions to contemporary popular cinema, the volume does not shy away from honest and well-evidenced critique. Each chapter's approach correlates with philosophical, literary, or cultural studies perspectives. Using both combined and single-film discussions, the contributors examine such topics as gender roles and feminist theory; philosophical abstractions like ethics, honor, and personal responsibility; historical memory and the challenges of accurately rendering historical events on screen; literary archetypes and generic conventions; race relations and the effect of class difference on character construction; how religion shapes personal and collective values; the role of a constantly changing technological universe; and the schism between individual and group-based power structures. The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott assembles the critical essays of scholars working in the fields of philosophy, literary studies, and cultural studies. An international group, they are based in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The guiding assumption on the part of all the writers is that the filmmaker is the leading determiner of a motion picture's ethos, artistic vision, and potential for audience engagement. While not discounting the production team (including screenwriters, actors, and cinematographers, among others), auteur theory recognizes the seminal role of the director as the nucleus of the meaning-making process. With Scott an active and prolific presence in the entertainment industry today, the timeliness of this volume is optimal.

The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott, edited by Adam Barkman, Ashley Barkman, and Nancy Kang, brings together eighteen critical essays that illuminate a nearly comprehensive selection of the director's feature films from cutting-edge multidisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Chapters examine such signature works as Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982), Thelma and Louise (1991), Gladiator (2000), Hannibal (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), and American Gangster (2007). This volume divides the chapters into three major thematic groups: responsibility, remembering, and revision; real, alienated, and ideal lives; and gender, identity, and selfhood. Each section features six discrete essays, each of which forwards an original thesis about the film or films chosen for analysis. Each chapter features close readings of scenes as well as broader discussions that will interest academics, non-specialists, as well as educated readers with an interest in films as visual texts. While recognizing Scott's undeniable contributions to contemporary popular cinema, the volume does not shy away from honest and well-evidenced critique. Each chapter's approach correlates with philosophical, literary, or cultural studies perspectives. Using both combined and single-film discussions, the contributors examine such topics as gender roles and feminist theory; philosophical abstractions like ethics, honor, and personal responsibility; historical memory and the challenges of accurately rendering historical events on screen; literary archetypes and generic conventions; race relations and the effect of class difference on character construction; how religion shapes personal and collective values; the role of a constantly changing technological universe; and the schism between individual and group-based power structures. The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott assembles the critical essays of scholars working in the fields of philosophy, literary studies, and cultural studies. An international group, they are based in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The guiding assumption on the part of all the writers is that the filmmaker is the leading determiner of a motion picture's ethos, artistic vision, and potential for audience engagement. While not discounting the production team (including screenwriters, actors, and cinematographers, among others), auteur theory recognizes the seminal role of the director as the nucleus of the meaning-making process. With Scott an active and prolific presence in the entertainment industry today, the timeliness of this volume is optimal.

Ang Lee (b. 1954) has emerged as one of cinema's most versatile, critically acclaimed, and popular directors. Known for his ability to transcend cultural and stylistic boundaries, Lee has built a diverse oeuvre that includes films about culture clashes and globalization ( Eat Drink Man Woman, 1994, and The Wedding Banquet, 1993), a period drama ( Sense and Sensibility, 1995), a martial arts epic ( Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000), a comic book action movie ( Hulk, 2003), and an American western ( Brokeback Mountain, 2005). The Philosophy of Ang Lee draws from both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions to examine the director's works. The first section focuses on Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist themes in his Chinese-language films, and the second examines Western philosophies in his English-language films; but the volume ultimately explores how Lee negotiates all of these traditions, strategically selecting from each in order to creatively address key issues. With interest in this filmmaker and his work increasing around the release of his 3-D magical adventure The Life of Pi (2012), The Philosophy of Ang Lee serves as a timely investigation of the groundbreaking auteur and the many complex philosophical themes that he explores through the medium of motion pictures.

This book offers a comprehensive, detailed study of the works of Steven Spielberg, whose numerous and heterogeneous films include extremely successful productions such as Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982), the Indiana Jones saga (1981-2008), Jurassic Park (1993), Schindler's List (1993), and Saving Private Ryan (1999), as well as less-known films such as 1941 (1979), Always (1989), War Horse (2011), and The Adventures of Tintin (2011). Spielberg's early productions stand as landmarks in contemporary cinema and his involvement with film has been spanning all cinematic genres. Today Spielberg enjoys an immense and enduring popularity around the globe and his productions have attracted (and continue to attract) both public and critical attention. This volume investigates several distinct areas of Spielberg's works and addresses the different approaches and the range of topics invited by the multidimensionality of his oeuvre. The eighteen chapters use different methodologies, offering a variegated and compelling picture of Spielberg's films, from his earliest works, such as Duel (1971) and The Sugarland Express (1974), to his most recent productions, such as The BFG (2016), The Post (2017), and Ready Player One (2018).

For generations the elements of humor, poignancy, fantasy, and unfettered morality found within acclaimed children s author Roald Dahl s most famous tales have captivated both children and adults. Classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, and The BFG may initially appear to be yarns spun for the amusement of the adolescent mind, however, upon digging deeper one uncovers a treasure trove of philosophical richness that is anything but childish, but in fact reveals the true existential weight, and multi-layered meaning of some of our favorite children s stories. Editor Jacob M. Held has collected the insights of today s leading philosophers into the significances, messages, and greater truths at which Dahl s rhythmic writing winks, revealing a whole new way to appreciate the creation of a man and mind to which readers of all ages are still drawn."