The Aesthetics of Ambivalence: Rethinking Science Fiction Film in the Age of Electronic (Re) Production (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy)

Book info: The Aesthetics of Ambivalence: Rethinking Science Fiction Film in the Age of Electronic (Re) Production (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy) (Hardcover, 224 pages) – Praeger, 1992. Language: English.

Brooks Landon's book is wide-ranging, thought-provoking, and near state-of-the-art. It concerns science fiction film and, toward the end, almost becomes SF in its provocative speculations on the future of such film. His study is really two books in one. The first part argues that most criticism of SF film has been inadequate because it is based on literary rather than film-specific standards. The second argues that SF film will soon become either obsolete or be totally transformed through new computer technology. What ties them together is the author's concern with what might be called the SF ethos or SF thinking, so that science fiction can be seen to encompass not only SF in print, film, TV and comic books, but has become all-pervasive in contemporary culture.At present, Landon argues that SF film may have exhausted itself as a genre but new electronic technology--computer animation, interactive narratives, and virtual reality--promises to radically transform SF film and possibly create a synthesis of the divergent trends of SF literature and film. Production technology has become the new story, one more interesting than the narrative it ostensibly supports. Landon believes we are at the threshold of a new age, similar to the pioneer years of filmmaking a hundred years ago.

Editorial Reviews Review ?"The Aesthetics of Ambivalence" is a surprisingly readable and thought-provoking study of the science fiction film genre of the past and the future.?-Classic Images

?Brooks Landon's book is wide-ranging, thought-provoking, and state of the art. It concerns SF film and, towards the end, almost becomes SF in its provocative speculations on the future of such film. It is a lively, refreshing study which makes us look at SF film anew and passionately advocates the possibilities of the genre as a form of SF.?-Science Fiction Studies

?His postmodernist attempt to expand our sense of SF from the reel to the real, although, is well informed, and his discussion of cyberpunk is particularly fine. The bibliography lists only works cited. Readers at all levels.?-Choice

?There is little doubt that Landon's book is now one of the most important volumes of science fiction film criticism.?-Extrapolation

""The Aesthetics of Ambivalence" is a surprisingly readable and thought-provoking study of the science fiction film genre of the past and the future."-Classic Images

"His postmodernist attempt to expand our sense of SF from the reel to the real, although, is well informed, and his discussion of cyberpunk is particularly fine. The bibliography lists only works cited. Readers at all levels."-Choice

"There is little doubt that Landon's book is now one of the most important volumes of science fiction film criticism."-Extrapolation

"Brooks Landon's book is wide-ranging, thought-provoking, and state of the art. It concerns SF film and, towards the end, almost becomes SF in its provocative speculations on the future of such film. It is a lively, refreshing study which makes us look at SF film anew and passionately advocates the possibilities of the genre as a form of SF."-Science Fiction Studies About the Author BROOKS LANDON is a Professor of English at the University of Iowa. He has contributed many chapters to books in the science fiction field and has written numerous articles for literary journals.