Hollywood Blockbusters: The Anthropology of Popular Movies

by David Sutton, Peter Wogan

Overview

Why do 'Jaws', 'Field of Dreams', 'The Big Lebowski', and 'The Godfather' remain strikingly popular in this age of fragmented audiences and ever-faster spin cycles? "Hollywood Blockbusters: The Anthropology of Popular Movies" argues that these films continue to captivate audiences because they play upon underlying tensions and problems in American culture, much like the myths that anthropologists study in non-Western contexts. In making this argument, the authors employ and extend anthropological theories about ritual, kinship, gift giving, power, egalitarianism, literacy, metalinguistics, stereotypes, and the mysteries of the Other. The results - original insights into modern film classics, American culture, and anthropological theory - will appeal to students of Film, Media, Anthropology, Sociology, and Cultural Studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847884862
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/01/2009
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Sutton is Associate Professor of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University.Peter Wogan is Associate Professor of Anthropology, Willamette University.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. The Godfather: The Gun, the Pen, and the Cannoli3. Field Of Dreams: Blurring the Lines4. The Big Lebowski: Timely Masculinities5. The Village: The Political Anthropology of the Possible6. Jaws: The Eyes of the Other7. ConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex

Editorial Reviews

Hollywood Blockbusters is anthropological theorizing at its filmic best. Sutton and Wogan have translated complex anthropological concepts and debates into a rich analysis of popular motion pictures, giving us both a window into the value of anthropological sensibilities and a new interpretation of well-known Hollywood offerings. This wonderful book helps to counter claims about anthropology's marginal status in contemporary discussions about mainstream American culture, and will be an essential read for both students and scholars. - John L. Jackson, Jr., Richard Perry University, Professor of Communication and Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania

From the Publisher

The ideas expressed between film and society in Hollywood Blockbusters make it a must read. These intriguing ideas are those one would never connect on his/her own, but through the well written guidance of anthropologist we see how prevalent such issues are in our society today. Through the exploration of Sutton and Wogan, one can learn a great deal about cultures and beliefs of American society that are depicted in numerous Hollywood films.

Film Matters Nick Cocuzza