Real war is a cruel theater of death, yet it is also an exciting narrative exploited for national, political and commercial purposes and turned into numerous films, television shows, computer games, news stories and reenactment plays. This book examines the relationship between war, visual media and entertainment from a number of academic perspectives such as film studies, cultural studies, new media studies, sociology and history. Key topics of the essays include: how war is used as an imaginary site to stage dramas; how boundaries between war, media, and entertainment dissolve as new media alters the formal qualities of representation; how entertainment is used to engage audiences; and, what effect products of war and entertainment have on consumers of popular culture.

With the U.S. economy booming under President Bill Clinton and the cold war finally over, many Americans experienced peace and prosperity in the nineties. Digital technologies gained popularity, with nearly one billion people online by the end of the decade. The film industry wondered what the effect on cinema would be. The essays in American Cinema of the 1990s examine the big-budget blockbusters and critically acclaimed independent films that defined the decade. The 1990s' most popular genre, action, channeled anxieties about global threats such as AIDS and foreign terrorist attacks into escapist entertainment movies. Horror films and thrillers were on the rise, but family-friendly pictures and feel-good romances netted big audiences too. Meanwhile, independent films captured hearts, engaged minds, and invaded Hollywood: by decade's end every studio boasted its own "art film" affiliate. Among the films discussed are Terminator 2, The Matrix, Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, Boys Don't Cry, Toy Story, and Clueless. Chris Holmlund is a professor of cinema studies, women's studies, and French at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She is also chair of the Cinema Studies Program and the author of several books on film.

Possibilities: A Contemporary Retelling of Persuasion When Allie falls in love with a young man her family thinks is unworthy of her wealthy Southern family, she yields to the pressure and ends the relationship. But when they find themselves in the same city years later, can she face her regrets before he falls for someone else?

First Impressions: A Contemporary Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Lawyer Eddi Boswick tries out for a production of Pride and Prejudice in her small Texas town. When she's cast as the lead, Elizabeth Bennet, her romantic co-star is none other than the town's most eligible--and arrogant--bachelor.

"Smith shows her expertise with Jane Austen's work. . . . A fun and well-crafted romance through and through."--RT Book Reviews on Reason and Romance Reason and Romance: A Contemporary Retelling of Sense and Sensibility Sisters Elaina and Anna Woods find themselves caught up in whirlwind romances. But when both are confronted with heartbreaking revelations, can their bond withstand the strain as they hold out for happily-ever-after?

Central Park: A Contemporary Retelling of Mansfield Park When her friend returns from his trip to Paris accompanied by a beautiful woman and her flirtatious brother, Francine faces a difficult choice: wait for a love that may never be or settle for a man who doesn't hold her heart.

Friendship Interrupted is for any woman who asks, "What happened to our friendship?" Like an adventurous and enlightening road trip with girlfriends, this book has unexpected curves and important discoveries. There is laughter ... and tears. In this book, the solutions to the umpteen things that can interrupt friendships are easy to find and easy to read. Reliable self-help advice in the "What you can do" sections are realistic and sensible. Importantly, the ultimate guidance of God's word and wisdom is blended throughout, to bring women much more than the authors or words written on a page can provide. Unlike most books on women's friendships that delight in the qualities that make a perfect friend, this book looks at a multitude of challenges women have identified as difficult, hurtful, confusing, or complex. These 'interruptions' can be temporary or become permanent; either way a rift or rupture of a valued friendship causes strain and strife that needs answers. The good news, changes and choices can be made to mend and maintain valued friendships, or know when it is best to simply "let go" and move on. This book has a fresh perspective that sheds new light on individual habits, actions and reactions, and those of others. The issues addressed are universal; the quotes from women are real, and the challenges they share range from mild to toxic. This book inspires, and it is a great help to women who want to be better equipped to respond in positive and healthy ways to their real-life friendship challenges: emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. The following sections are found in each chapter: Candid quotes from women's lives introduce the variety of challenges. All are based on their friendship experiences, good and bad. The "Solution" section of each chapter offers professional insight and hands-on, practical strategies that bring new insights, and immediate help in changing unwanted habits. The bulleted action steps of "What You can Do" provide interesting choices that can be made to help minimize and prevent long-term difficulties over an issue with a friend. "When to Seek Further Help" is a checklist of behaviors that indicate when a woman may need more than this book can supply. "Soul Solutions" recognizes the ultimate guide for building and sustaining healthy realtionships is in reliance on God's guidance and grace. In this section, scripture and prayer guides encourage women to seek God and his solutions. "Friend-to-Friend Activites: Creative and fun ideas to enrich and rekindle valued friendships. ENDORSEMENTS: "Lifeline of practical help for those of us living in a sea of relationships." -Pam Farrel, bestselling author of "Fantastic After 40." "Finally, a book that doesn't just put a Band-Aid on relationships." -Connie Pombo, speaker and author of "Trading Ashes for Roses." "Help with those friendship nightmares that leave us afraid to trust." -Brendan O'Rourke, Ph.D., author of "The Hope of a Homecoming." "Good girl-talk mixed with what often feels like professional therapy." -Ronna Miller, Director of Conferences, Mars Hill Graduate School "Principles to reconnect women whose friendship has been interrupted." -Kathy Pride, "Winning the Drug War at Home." "Encourages women to develop friendships that nurture their souls." -Poppy Smith, author of "I'm Too Human to be Like Jesus." "Honest, practical ... steps that are actually do-able for busy women." -Dorcas Smucker, author of "Ordinary Days." "A guide to maintaining one of life's greatest gifts; a good friend." -Janice Carr, Production Coordinator, ABC TV

Instead of experiencing soul-deep intimacy with the Lord, many people settle for a head knowledge of Christianity and miss out on the depths of strength, power, freedom, peace, and answers to prayer that are a gift from the One who loves us deeply. They never fully experience God's love. They miss being surrounded by His presence. They don't understand being the focus of God's incredible riches. Debra White Smith shares through poignant personal stories and experience how the reader can quench this hunger for an intense personal relationship with God. She helps them discover how they can begin the quiet journey of a deepening romance with the Lord and find themselves 'near the heart of God.'

Amanda: A Contemporary Retelling of Emma A bit of a busybody, Amanda always has her friends' best interests at heart. She prides herself on her matchmaking skills . . . but when nothing seems to be going according to plan on the beautiful island of Tasmania, can she learn to listen to her own heart?

"Debra White Smith is a master storyteller whose way with words will charm, delight, and entertain. Her stories are not to be missed!"--Tracie Peterson, bestselling author of the Alaskan Quest seriesWhen it comes to combining real emotion with honest issues of faith and spine-tingling suspense, no current writer is better than Debra White Smith. With her novel The Chase, the Gold Medallion Award-winner whom popular author Deb Haggarty has called, "a Christian Nora Roberts," wraps up her thrilling Lone Star Intrigue series, centered around three Texas lawmen brothers. Within the first few pulse-pounding pages of this riveting story of a saved man reuniting with his estranged ex-wife to find their kidnapped son, it will become abundantly clear why inspirational romantic suspense is one of the fastest growing subgenres in contemporary Christian fiction...and why Debra White Smith is considered a true master of the form.

A single mother is a target--and only one man can protect her.

Tired of waiting for the right man to start a family, Tanya flew halfway around the world alone to adopt her son. On the return flight, she was seated next to a man named Maurice and endured hours of his comments and innuendos. Once they landed in Dallas, he started stalking her--sending gifts, leaving voice mails, following her everywhere . . . finally forcing her to move.

Maurice hires private detective Sonny Mansfield, whose intentions were good when he agreed to help a client locate his missing "ex-wife" and kidnapped "son." But watching Tanya with her little boy, Sonny realizes he's made a terrible mistake by inadvertently leading danger back into her life.

Joining forces to defeat a madman, Sonny and Tanya can't deny the attraction they feel for each other. But their love will be short-lived if they aren't able to escape Maurice for good.

A woman is wrongly accused--and one man will risk everything to prove her innocence and save her life.

The last thing Jack Mansfield ever wanted was to arrest his former sweetheart--especially with her crying five-year-old hanging on to her. But Jack is the police chief of Bullard, Texas, and records indicate Charli has embezzled more than $100,000 from the bank where she works. Charli swears she's innocent, but Jack must abide by the law.

Charli thought she had pieced her life back together after her first husband left her alone and pregnant. But now she sits in a jail cell, accused of a crime she did not commit, with a little girl waiting on the outside. Charli's faith has always kept her steady during the ups and downs of life, but she can't deny she's now close to despair.

Jack has harbored unrequited love for Charli for over a decade; and that love drives him to task himself and his private-eye brother, Sonny, to prove her innocence and find the perpetrator. But Jack and Charli will never have their happily-ever-after if she goes to prison...or is murdered by the person who framed her. Will they find the true culprit in time to save Charli's life and finally give their love a chance?

Includes discussion questions, a letter from the author, and a preview of book two in the Lone Star Intrigue series