Outer Limits: The Filmgoers' Guide to the Great Science-Fiction Films

Howard Hughes' new Filmgoers' Guide to science-fiction films goes deep into the landmark movies of this most popular cinema genre, from Metropolis to Avatar and covers over 300 more. Hughes surveys examples of the genre made before 1926 and outlines the various 'types' of science-fiction film, such as 'visions of the future', screen depictions of space travel (both factual and fictional), adventures in outer space, scientific experiments gone awry and alien invasions of Earth. He goes on to discuss twenty-seven key science-fiction films, including 'making of' details, cast, sources, prequels, sequels, remakes and critical and box office fortunes. These core chapters also cover many remakes or reworking's of classic sci-fi films for successive generations - for example Planet of the Apes or The Time Machine - as technology and filmmaking techniques develop and evolve. Several threads run through the book, including time travel, or alien invasion, with discussions of how these have been dealt with by different generations of filmmakers. Featuring a wealth of posters, this intelligent, informative, enjoyable companion to over 300 science-fiction films demonstrates how comprehensively science fiction cinema rewards its millions of fans.