On Film

<p>The first edition of Stephen Mulhall's acclaimed <i>On Film</i> was a study of the four <i>Alien</i> films and made the highly original and controversial argument that films themselves can philosophise. In its second edition <i>On Film</i> increased its breadth and vision considerably to encompass films such as the <i>Mission: Impossible</i> series and Steven Spielberg's <i>Minority Report</i>.</p><p>In this significantly expanded third edition Stephen Mulhall adds new chapters on the Jason Bourne films the fourth <i>Mission: Impossible</i> movie JJ Abrams' <i>Star Tre</i>k and <i>Star Trek: Into Darkness</i> and Ridley Scott's <i>Prometheus </i>(in which he returns to the <i>Alien</i> universe he created). In so doing Mulhall reappraises in fascinating ways the central issues taken up in earlier editions of <i>On Film</i>: the genres of science fiction and thriller the impact of digital as opposed to photographic modes of technology on the nature of cinema as a medium (and its relation to television) and the fate of sequeldom in mainstream contemporary cinema (with its emphasis on remakes reboots and multi-media superhero franchises).</p><p>On Film third edition is essential reading for anyone interested in philosophy film theory and cultural studies and in the way philosophy can enrich our understanding of cinema.</p>