The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Series Editor: Mark T. Conard

Books in the Philosophy of Popular Culture series will illuminate and explore philosophical themes and ideas that occur in popular culture. The goal of this series is to demonstrate how philosophical inquiry has been reinvigorated by the increased scholarly interest in the intersection of popular culture and philosophy, as well as to explore through philosophical analysis beloved pop culture phenomena, such as movies, TV shows, sports, and music. Traditional philosophical ideas are made accessible to the general public through examples of popular culture. This series seeks to publish both established and emerging scholars who will engage appropriate popular topics for philosophical interpretation and examine the philosophical underpinnings of profound themes in a vital area of popular culture. By eschewing ephemeral trends of philosophical and cultural theory, this series will establish and elaborate upon connections between traditional philosophical ideas from important thinkers and the ever-growing pop culture phenomenon.

Format:

Hardback Paperback

Pages: 538

ISBN: 9780813141688

Pub Date: 06 Jan 2015

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Pages: 538

ISBN: 9780813176222

Pub Date: 21 Sep 2018

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Wars have played a momentous role in shaping the course of human history. The ever-present specter of conflict has made it an enduring topic of interest in popular culture, and many movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to independent films, have sought to show the complexities and horrors of war on-screen.In The Philosophy of War Films, David LaRocca compiles a series of essays by prominent scholars that examine the impact of representing war in film and the influence that cinematic images of battle have on human consciousness, belief, and action.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 380

ISBN: 9780813145303

Pub Date: 27 May 2014

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

American auteur Jeffrey Jacob "J. J." Abrams's genius for creating densely plotted scripts has won him broad commercial and critical success in TV shows such as Felicity (1998--2002), Emmy-nominated Alias (2001--2006), Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Lost (2004--2010), and the critically acclaimed Fringe (2008--2013).

Format: Hardback

Pages: 306

ISBN: 9780813144627

Pub Date: 29 Apr 2014

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Director and producer Tim Burton impresses audiences with stunning visuals, sinister fantasy worlds, and characters whose personalities are strange and yet familiar. Drawing inspiration from sources as varied as Lewis Carroll, Salvador Dalí, Washington Irving, and Dr. Seuss, Burton's creations frequently elicit both alarm and wonder.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 284

ISBN: 9780813144719

Pub Date: 17 Apr 2014

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Known for restoring vitality and superior craftsmanship to the crime thriller, American filmmaker Michael Mann has long been regarded as a talented triple threat capable of moving effortlessly between television and feature films as a writer, director, and executive producer. His unique visual sense and thematic approach are evident in the Emmy Award-winning The Jericho Mile (1979), the cult favorite The Keep (1983), the American epic The Last of the Mohicans (1992), and the Academy Award-nominated The Insider (1999) as well as his most recent works -- Ali (2001), Miami Vice (2006), and Public Enemies (2009).The Philosophy of Michael Mann provides an up-to-date and comprehensive account of the work of this highly accomplished filmmaker, exploring the director's recognizable visual style and the various on-screen and philosophical elements he has tested in his thirty-five-year career.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 274

ISBN: 9780813142630

Pub Date: 21 Jan 2014

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Famous for his masculine swagger and gritty roles, American cultural icon Clint Eastwood has virtually defined the archetype of the tough lawman. Beginning with his first on-screen appearance in the television series Rawhide (1959--1965) and solidified by his portrayal of the "Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy (1964--1966), he rocketed to stardom and soon became one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. The Philosophy of Clint Eastwood examines the philosophy and psychology behind this versatile and controversial figure, exploring his roles as actor, musician, and director.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 312

ISBN: 9780813141664

Pub Date: 01 May 2013

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Illustrations: None

Description:

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).

Format: Hardback

Pages: 214

ISBN: 9780813136714

Pub Date: 28 Sep 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Arguably the most famous and recognized detective in history, Sherlock Holmes is considered by many to be the first pop icon of the modern age. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective has stood as a unique figure for more than a century with his reliance on logical rigor, his analytic precision, and his disregard of social mores. A true classic, the Sherlock Holmes character continues to entertain twenty-first-century audiences on the page, stage, and screen.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 308

ISBN: 9780813136486

Pub Date: 27 Jul 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

It is said the champions of the ancient Olympic Games received a crown of olive leaves, symbolizing a divine blessing from Nike, the winged goddess of victory. While the mythology of the ancient games has come to exemplify the highest political, religious, community, and individual ideals of the time, the modern Olympic Games, by comparison, are widely known as an international, bi-annual sporting event where champions have the potential to earn not only glory for their country, but lucrative endorsement deals and the perks of worldwide fame. The Olympics and Philosophy examines the Olympic Movement from a variety of theoretical perspectives to uncover the connection between athleticism and philosophy for a deeper appreciation of the Olympic Pillars of Sport, Environment, and Culture.

Format: Paperback

Pages: 272

ISBN: 9780813136554

Pub Date: 01 Jun 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Illustrations: 6 b&w photos

Description:

Sitting on pins and needles, anxiously waiting to see what will happen next, horror audiences crave the fear and exhilaration generated by a terrifying story; their anticipation is palpable. But they also breathe a sigh of relief when the action is over, when they are able to close their books or leave the movie theater. Whether serious, kitschy, frightening, or ridiculous, horror not only arouses the senses but also raises profound questions about fear, safety, justice, and suffering.

The Philosophy of David Cronenberg Cover

Format: Hardback

Pages: 232

ISBN: 9780813136042

Pub Date: 23 May 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Illustrations: 1 line drawing

Description:

Initially regarded as a cult figure with a strong following amongst sci-fi and horror film fans, Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg emerged as a major and commercially viable film director with mainstream hits such as A History of Violence (2005) and Eastern Promises (2007). With his unique ability to present imagery that is both disturbing and provocative, Cronenberg creates striking films, noteworthy not just for their cinematic beauty but also for the philosophical questions they raise.The Philosophy of David Cronenberg examines Cronenberg's body of work, from his breakthrough Scanners (1981) through his most recognizable films such as The Fly (1986) and more recent works.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 300

ISBN: 9780813135809

Pub Date: 27 Apr 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

The phrase "beat generation" -- introduced by Jack Kerouac in 1948 -- characterized the underground, nonconformist youths who gathered in New York City at that time. Together, these writers, artists, and activists created an inimitably American cultural phenomenon that would have a global influence. In their constant search for meaning, the Beats struggled with anxiety, alienation, and their role as the pioneers of the cultural revolution of the 1960s.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 248

ISBN: 9780813134192

Pub Date: 27 Jan 2012

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Every generation produces a counterculture icon. Joss Whedon, creator of the long-running television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is famed for his subversive wit, rich characters, and extraordinary plotlines. His renown has only grown with subsequent creations, including Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and the innovative online series Dr.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 264

ISBN: 9780813133805

Pub Date: 22 Jul 2011

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

Over his twenty-plus year tenure in Hollywood, Spike Lee has produced a number of controversial films that unapologetically confront sensitive social issues, particularly those of race relations and discrimination. Through his honest portrayals of life's social obstacles, he challenges the public to reflect on the world's problems and divisions. The innovative director created a name for himself with feature films such as Do the Right Thing (1989) and Malcolm X (1992), and with documentaries such as 4 Little Girls (1997) and When the Levees Broke (2006), breaking with Hollywood's reliance on cultural stereotypes to portray African Americans in a more realistic light.

Format:

Hardback Paperback

Pages: 344

ISBN: 9780813133911

Pub Date: 27 May 2011

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Pages: 344

ISBN: 9780813176215

Pub Date: 23 Jul 2019

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

To many, Kentucky means the greatest thoroughbreds in the world. To others, it is the home of the finest bourbon. But the obvious success of burgoo, Owensboro barbeque, and Harlan Sanders's Kentucky Fried Chicken carries the state's reputation for excellence to a wider audience.

Format: Hardback

Pages: 258

ISBN: 9780813129914

Pub Date: 25 Mar 2011

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Description:

From his cult classic television series Twin Peaks to his most recent film Inland Empire (2006), David Lynch is best known for his unorthodox narrative style. An award-winning director, producer, and writer, Lynch distorts and disrupts traditional storylines and offers viewers a surreal, often nightmarish perspective. His unique approach to filmmaking has made his work familiar to critics and audiences worldwide, and he earned Academy Award nominations for Best Director for The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001).

The Philosophy of Steven Soderbergh Cover

Format: Hardback

Pages: 328

ISBN: 9780813126623

Pub Date: 28 Jan 2011

Imprint: University Press of Kentucky

Series: The Philosophy of Popular Culture

Illustrations: none

Description:

Widely regarded as a turning point in American independent cinema, Steven Soderbergh's sex, lies, and videotape (1989) launched the career of its twenty-six-year-old director, whose debut film was nominated for an Academy Award and went on to win the Cannes Film Festival's top award, the Palme d'Or. The Philosophy of Steven Soderbergh breaks new ground by investigating salient philosophical themes through the unique story lines and innovative approaches to filmmaking that distinguish this celebrated artist.Editors R.