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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 791.436164
EAN num: 9780786412273
ISBN number: 0786412275
Label: McFarland & Company
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 223
Printing Date: 2002-04
Publishing house: McFarland & Company
Sale Popularity Level: 619453
Studio: McFarland & Company
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Product Description:
John Carpenter’s Halloween, released on October 25, 1978, marked the beginning of the horror film’s most colorful, controversial, and successful offshoot—the slasher film. Loved by fans and reviled by critics for its iconic psychopaths, gory special effects, brainless teenagers in peril, and more than a bit of soft-core sex, the slasher film secured its legacy as a cultural phenomenon and continues to be popular today.
This work traces the evolution of the slasher film from 1978 when it was a fledgling genre, through the early 1980s when it was one of the most profitable and prolific genres in Hollywood, on to its decline in popularity around 1986. An introduction provides a brief history of the Grand Guignol, the pre-cinema forerunner of the slasher film, films such as Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and cinematic trends that gave rise to the slasher film. Also explained are the slasher film’s characteristics, conventions, and cinematic devices, such as the 'final girl,' the omnipotent killer, the relationship between sex and death, the significant date or setting, and the point-of-view of the killer. The chapters that follow are devoted to the years 1978 through 1986 and analyze significant films from each year. The Toolbox Murders, When a Stranger Calls, the Saturday the 13th movies, My Bloody Valentine, The Slumber Party Massacre, Psycho II, and April Fool’s Day are among those analyzed. The late 90s resurrection of slasher films, as seen in Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, is also explored, as well as the future direction of slasher films.
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Rated by buyers 
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Just finished reading GOING TO PIECES and thought it was a good but not great book on slasher films. It's very well written with good detail (such as release dates, budgets, how much they made, behind-the-scenes trivia, etc.) but in most cases doesn't give any new information that hasn't already been printed elsewhere. Some films are mentioned only by title while others are given more description. The book also goes beyond 1986 and dedicates it's last chapter to the resurgence of the slasher film in the late 1990's. There are just over 100 grey and white photos and a bibliography and brief description of other books related to horror and slasher films. The only drawback is that the author gives away the identity of the killer or killers when describing the films and the only major mistake I noticed was in chapter 4 when Rockoff references ALIEN he mentions how "an alien spawn bursts from the chest of crew member William Hurt." It was of course John Hurt who was in ALIEN.
Rated by buyers 
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After meeting Rockoff I picked up his book. I expected it would be filled with references that fans would appreciate. What I found was so much more, as Going to Pieces is one of the more thoroughly researched books about any film genre that I have read. Rockoff's interviews are fresh and he tracked down a lot of people whose contributions have largely gone unnoticed. What's more, Rockoff's style is unpretentious and often very, very funny. I loved this book and if you want to go beyond the films and filmmakers every other book or magazine cites, then this book if for you, too.
Rated by buyers -
Loved this book! Lots of interesting factoids about many of the stand-out Slasher-thrillers from the 70s/80s, and plenty on the ones barely seen. Rockoff knows his stuff and shares it in what was for me a nostalgic, breezy read. As others have written, I would've preferred a longer, more extensive guide with a larger number of stills, (and colour would've been nice), but all-in-all
a much needed addition to any Horror-geek's library. If you love drive-in classics like 'The Burning', 'Silent Night, Deadly Night', and 'Nightmare', pick this one up.
Rated by buyers -
Upon very first appearance I have to admit, I felt somewhat cheated. The book was smaller than I'd pictured it would be for a hardbound, there wasn't a dust jacket, and it looked pretty lean considering the audacity of its title. I was hopeful upon ordering but disappointed in "presentation," otherwise I would have given this book a 5-Star Rating. The reason I give this book the other four stars is because this author knows exactly what he is talking about! The thought and attention to detail are absolutely amazing: an absolutely delightful and juicy read! I'm a longtime fan of slasher films, merely for their entertainment value, of course, :0}, and have contributed to this particular genre personally on more than one occasion. Hardcore fans of the 'slasher genre' should, and will, crave this book as though it were 'the law' of the subject! Trust me, trust me, trust me, having experienced this genre firsthand, both inside and out, you will not find a better reference for this unique list of sub genre horror films! This book is the very first truthful, forthright, and unbiased look at a mini-genre that was despised publicly but loved inwardly. And, despite the supposedly 'lurid' premise of its subject matter, it never strays from being 'politically correct'. A+
Rated by buyers -
This thoroughly entertaining book is a must for any fan of the horror/slasher genre. Author, Adam Rockoff, has compiled an impressive list of slasher films, both the well known and the little seen. Rockoff offers detailed information for the majority of the films he has listed in the book, including plot synopsis, behind the scenes anecdotes, quotes and stories from those involved in making the movies. The author is not afraid to offer his own opinions (both good and bad) of each film as well. The book is filled with lots of photographs as well, although curiously, none are colour photos.There is even a list of films that go by multiple titles at the back of the book. This book has inspired me to search out many of the films reviewed within which I haven't yet seen. If I have a quibble (and it is a small one) it would be that in Mr. Rockoff's breakdown of each film's plot, he reveals (and quite logically so) the film's ending, possibly spoiling some of the tension for you if you haven't yet seen the film. Also of note: at 214 pages, some may feel that the book's [$$] pricetag is a bit steep. That aside, this is a great reference guide for anyone who appreciates a little blood and guts with their popcorn.
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