'Brilliant' Mail on Sunday

Take a trip back to the era of troubled teens and awesome soundtracks; of Reagan, rap and Ridgemont High; of MTV, VHS and 'Axel F'; of outsiders, lost boys and dead poets; of Bill and Ted, Brooke Shields and the Brat Pack; of three Porky's, two Coreys and one summer when everyone called her Baby . . .

Fast Times and Excellent Adventures goes behind the scenes of a genre where cult hits mingled with studio blockbusters, where giants like Spielberg and Coppola rubbed shoulders with baby-faced first-timers and where ambitious future superstars Sean, Demi and Tom all got their big break. Music, comedy and politics - all play a part in the surprisingly complex history of the '80s teen movie. And while the films might have been aimed primarily at adolescents, the best tackle universal issues and remain a magnet to all ages. Time of your life, huh kid?

From a late '70s Hollywood in flux to an early '90s indie scene that gave youth cinema a timely reboot, respected film expert James King smartly highlights the personal struggles, the social changes and the boardroom shake-ups that produced an iconic time in movie history.

About the Author
Mark Kermode calls James King 'one of my favourite film critics and he writes with wit, flair and schoolboy-ish enthusiasm.' King has presented movie shows for BBC Radio 1, 5Live, ITV and Sky and is an ambassador for BAFTA's annual Rising Star award. Matthew Broderick once signed his VHS copy of Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Reviews
Brilliant * Mail on Sunday *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472123725
Author James King
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Constable
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 580g
Dimensions(mm) 232mm * 154mm * 38mm