Description
In this book, a scientist and dedicated film enthusiast discusses the portrayal of science in more than one hundred films, including science fiction, scientific biographies, and documentaries. Beginning with early films like Voyage to the Moon and Metropolis and concluding with more recent offerings like The Matrix, War of the Worlds, A Beautiful Mind, and An Inconvenient Truth, Sidney Perkowitz questions how much faith we can put into Hollywood's depiction of scientists and their work, how accurately these films capture scientific fact and theory, whether cataclysms like our collision with a comet can actually happen, and to what extent these films influence public opinion about science and the future. Bringing together history, scientific theory, and humorous observation, Hollywood Science features dozens of film stills and a list of the all-time best and worst science-fiction movies.
About the Author
Educated as a physicist, Sidney Perkowitz has produced dozens of research papers and books, along with four popular science books, works for stage and screen, and numerous magazine articles. Hollywood Science combines his science background with his love of movies. Born in New York, he lives in Atlanta and is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Physics at Emory University. He's happy to hear from readers at www.sidneyperkowitz.net.
Reviews
An entertaining, maybe indispensable guide for film buffs everywhere. Booklist "A grand roundup of technical movie masterpieces... praising scientific accuracy (A Beautiful Mind) and exposing turkeys (Volcano). Los Angeles Magazine An engaging and fun read. -- Claude Lalumiere Locus Hollywood Science is great fun... I give it two thumbs up! -- David Schneider American Scientist A fascinating read that will have you heading to your local DVD store. Physics World This is a terrific book... Essential. CHOICE Hollywood Science is a treat for anyone who looks from their television set to the Moon. -- John Findura Fortean Times An exceptionally accessible book, Hollywood Science provides a very good catalog of the ways Hollywood has used and abused science. -- Neil Easterbrook SFRA Review
Awards
Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2008.
Book Information
ISBN 9780231142816
Author Sidney Perkowitz
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press