Book Five
Edited: Andy Black
Noir Publishing
Web: http://www.noirpublishing.co.uk
Necronomicon
is a well established series published by Noir Publishing and edited by Andy
Black. Each volume offers erudite and informed examinations of major themes,
concepts and trends within horror, cult and erotic cinema. They are beautifully illustrated throughout
with a wide range of images and photos, have attention grabbing covers and represent a
quality in production which is always a joy to see.
Articles
are always well informed and take a deeper look at their subject matter than
most publications, this is not a “gore explosion” horror magazine filled with
puff pieces about the latest splatter film, but an irregular journal (paperback
sized) offering in depth explorations into the world of horror and cult cinema.
Necronomicon,
indeed, is marketed as a book rather than as a journal or magazine for that
reason, what is offered is really an anthology of essays and full length pieces,
some of which could be expanded into a book on their own. Each volume is worthy
of a place in any film lover library and offers some of the best horror
journalism available.
In
the latest release, Book Five, there is a lot on offer.
First
there is an exploration of Buffy the Vampire Killer and the way in which Buffy
combined soap themes with horror and moved the genre in a new direction. Along
the way we come to understand the way the feminine is represented in horror
cinema and the unique way in which Buffy broke new ground with a new kind of
female horror hero.
Scarier
than Monsters is a comprehensive study of the history of sexual murder in art
and film from Weimar to the United States, it is extremely comprehensive and
covers everything from mainstream films such as Silence of the Lambs and
Hannibal to such extreme releases as Necromantik.
The
Killing Box is a specific study of themes within the film of the same name,
while Becoming Monster is a superbly esoteric study of the concept of
transformation and becoming in the work of Deleuze and how this is seen within
the various transformations seen throughout horror cinema. This is especially
insightful considering how “transformation” from one form to another (the human
to the monstrous, for example) is central to so many horror classics.
Holidays
in Hell explores the theme in so many films, notably recently in the Hostel
films, where the horror exists in the other, usually another country, less
developed and has various prejudices which develop from an Xenophobic view of
the world.
I
could, of course, continue essay by essay, Necromomicon Book five is packed
with content. There are essays on the concepts of anti-communism found in the
film The Thing and a superb discussion of the revival of Zombie films.
This
is a highly significant series for anyone with more than a superficial interest
in cult, horror, art house and related
cinema. It is erudite, informed and thought provoking. It combines deep insight
into the themes and motifs of horror cinema with focus articles which look at
specific films or trends in cinema as well.
Each
volume is a careful balance of different types of essays, all of which will
keep you interested, informed and entertained. It will have a pride of place in
my library and I suggest it should in yours as well!