Mars in the Movies

A History

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by Thomas Kent Miller

Type: Film Reviews
Subject: Genre > Science Fiction
Keywords: science fiction, film selection
Publishing date: 2016
Publisher: McFarland & Co
Language: English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 292 pages
7 x 10 inches (18 x 25.5 cm)

ISBN

978-0-7864-9914-4

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Book Presentation:
Films about Mars have been a science-fiction staple for more than a century. From Thomas Edison's 1910 short film A Trip to Mars to Ridley Scott's 2015 smash hit The Martian, the red planet has captivated audiences worldwide. This comprehensive survey describes 98 significant (and not so) films, television movies and miniseries, and direct to video productions focusing on Mars. The author discusses them in their historical context and details the development of special effects and cinematic approaches through the years. Cast, crew and production information are provided where available, along with plot summaries and quotes from critics.

About the Author:
Thomas Kent Miller is a former employee of NASA and a retired magazine editor. He has written for The Weird Tales Collector, Faunus: The Journal of the Friends of Arthur Machen, Wormwood, HarperCollins, Borgo Press, and Wildside Press. His interests include science-fiction cinema, Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories, 19th-century Hudson River School landscape paintings, and home theater. He lives in Southern California.

Press Reviews:
"one of the more entertaining and informative guides to the genre...what really makes this work stand out is Miller’s occasionally hilarious commentary on these films.... Highly recommended"―ARBA; "recommended"―M.G. Paregian, Publisher; "wonderful...from the beloved to the obscure, Miller holds great love for the genre and many of the films featured. If there was not already a book on this subject, there needed to be one. Miller has written it...and the definitive one at that"―Flick Attack; "one of the more entertaining and informative guides to the genre in some time.... What really makes this work stand out is Miller’s occasionally hilarious commentary. Fans of the genre should absolutely purchase it...highly recommended"―American Reference Books Annual; "carefully researched accounting of a century’s worth of films invoking Mars as the location of the narrative...a typically handsome McFarland book, printed on quality paper stock, and with sterling photo reproduction. Generous use is made of stills, frame grabs, and promotional art. I read Mars in the Movies with considerable pleasure. A cover to cover read is illuminating"―Filmfax; "Miller is authoritative on this topic and it is refreshing to read his insightful comments and, in some cases, his second opinions after re-watching certain works...excellent addition to the science fiction and/or film section of any reference collection"―Reference Reviews.

See the publisher website: McFarland & Co

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