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America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies
America on Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality in the Movies, 2nd Edition is a lively introduction to issues of diversity as represented within the American cinema.
472 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2003
About the author
Harry M. Benshoff
14 books9 followersDr. Harry Benshoff's research interests include topics in film genres, film history, film theory, and multiculturalism. He has published essays on Dark Shadows fan cultures, blaxploitation horror films, Hollywood LSD films, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), and Brokeback Mountain. He is the author of Monsters in the Closet: Homosexuality and the Horror Film (Manchester University Press, 1997). With Sean Griffin he co-authored America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies (Blackwell Publishers, 2004), and Queer Images: A History of Gay and Lesbian Film in America (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006). He was also the co-editor of Queer Cinema: The Film Reader (Routledge, 2004). His most recent books include Dark Shadows (Wayne State University Press, 2011), A Companion to the Horror Film (Wiley-Blackwell, 2014), and Film and Television Analysis: An Introduction to Theories, Methods, and Approaches (Routledge, 2015).
At UNT, Dr. Benshoff regularly teaches a wide array of film studies classes, including "Film and Television Analysis," "African American Film," "Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Film and Video," and "Gender and Sexuality in the Horror Film." He also teaches a graduate seminar in qualitative media theory every year, and a rotating series of "Film Authors" classes on such noted directors as David Cronenberg, Federico Fellini, Ken Russell, and Robert Altman.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Benshoff earned a BA in English from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn., in 1985. He attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia for almost three years before he decided to follow his primary interest in life: film and media studies. He then earned an MA and a PhD in Critical Studies at the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinema-Television. He taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for three years before coming to UNT.
At UNT, Dr. Benshoff regularly teaches a wide array of film studies classes, including "Film and Television Analysis," "African American Film," "Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Film and Video," and "Gender and Sexuality in the Horror Film." He also teaches a graduate seminar in qualitative media theory every year, and a rotating series of "Film Authors" classes on such noted directors as David Cronenberg, Federico Fellini, Ken Russell, and Robert Altman.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dr. Benshoff earned a BA in English from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Penn., in 1985. He attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia for almost three years before he decided to follow his primary interest in life: film and media studies. He then earned an MA and a PhD in Critical Studies at the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinema-Television. He taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for three years before coming to UNT.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 2, 2012
It's hard to rank this book because it's a textbook -- introductory, vocabulary-defining, that kind of thing. But as a textbook, yes! 4 or 5 stars! I liked it and will definitely consider adopting it for an intro class in film/gender studies. The format makes sense, they quite a lot of ground without stretching it too thin (it's not an all-inclusive text, even for an intro class), and they define concepts in a way that doesn't oversimplify or insult readers' intelligence. I'm curious to try it out and will report back.
September 25, 2020
2/5 Stars (%33/100)
Though I used this book a lot in my film class, I did not really like it. Some chapters were total nightmare whereas some were actually interesting. I found it boring to read in general and it was also weak in its arguments. Not a terrible source but not great as well. I did not learn a great deal from this book. It was okay.
Though I used this book a lot in my film class, I did not really like it. Some chapters were total nightmare whereas some were actually interesting. I found it boring to read in general and it was also weak in its arguments. Not a terrible source but not great as well. I did not learn a great deal from this book. It was okay.
November 30, 2019
This book. Wow.
A 2 star rating is me being generous. 1 star for each chapter that taught me something interesting. (Side note: This book has 16+ chapters, including extra pages full of case studies) therefore.. I didn’t learn much.
Chapter 10 and 11 were the chapters that get 1 star each. Chapter 11 was the best because it discussed cinema and psychology which I found fascinating.
Otherwise, this book is straight up CRAP. I could easily tell you this book was written by a leftist, femiNAZI, Man Basher who actually is a MAN!
A man trying to push an agenda to teach young folk that conservatism is the devil. That right wingers are totally irrational and ignorant.
And sadly, the only reason I actually finished this stupid book was because it was required for my college film class.
I really hate reading a book that was supposed to focus on cinema turn fucking political. Also, it was was highly discouraging to realize the I could completely distinguish which side of the political spectrum this author fell on.
So yea, I pretty much hate this book with a fiery passion.
Anyhooski, chapter 11 is the best. In my opinion the rest of the book is garbage.
A 2 star rating is me being generous. 1 star for each chapter that taught me something interesting. (Side note: This book has 16+ chapters, including extra pages full of case studies) therefore.. I didn’t learn much.
Chapter 10 and 11 were the chapters that get 1 star each. Chapter 11 was the best because it discussed cinema and psychology which I found fascinating.
Otherwise, this book is straight up CRAP. I could easily tell you this book was written by a leftist, femiNAZI, Man Basher who actually is a MAN!
A man trying to push an agenda to teach young folk that conservatism is the devil. That right wingers are totally irrational and ignorant.
And sadly, the only reason I actually finished this stupid book was because it was required for my college film class.
I really hate reading a book that was supposed to focus on cinema turn fucking political. Also, it was was highly discouraging to realize the I could completely distinguish which side of the political spectrum this author fell on.
So yea, I pretty much hate this book with a fiery passion.
Anyhooski, chapter 11 is the best. In my opinion the rest of the book is garbage.
December 1, 2021
2 stars is generous. I read this book as a requirement for a film course, and I’d never recommend anyone ever read it, but it isn’t entirely devoid of useful or good information. It was awfully boring, which should be almost expected of a textbook, but still makes it an enormous chore to sludge through. Once you’re through it, you’ll find yourself mostly thinking the same way about film that you did when you started, as the perspective they have isn’t wrong, but is approached in a way that can be terribly eye-rolling, and the authors personal opinions often cloud the actualities and true importance of the facts that the book portrays. Overall, it is a lot of wordy opinions surrounded by truths that are never fully explored to their deserved extent.
April 27, 2020
Great textbook for my Multicultural Perspective In American Film class, dividing different groups and categories for the best comprehension.
Really lays out the film information well, and in detail without complicating it. I enjoyed reading about the film industry's history, without it necessarily going too in depth with content any film student would already be familiar with. The film case studies were especially helpful for analysis and criticism.
Hollywood upholds the white capitalistic patriarchal system that the United States is desperately trying to sell. The American Dream should not have symbols like John Wayne, there's always room for improvement.
Really lays out the film information well, and in detail without complicating it. I enjoyed reading about the film industry's history, without it necessarily going too in depth with content any film student would already be familiar with. The film case studies were especially helpful for analysis and criticism.
Hollywood upholds the white capitalistic patriarchal system that the United States is desperately trying to sell. The American Dream should not have symbols like John Wayne, there's always room for improvement.
November 12, 2020
11/12/20
Had to read this for a sociology and film class. For once, I actually enjoyed reading my textbook! For being published over 10 years ago, it is surprisingly progressive and brings up lots of topics that are still relevant. While there are portions that could be updated, I was pleasantly surprised by its discussion of race, gender, and sexuality!
Had to read this for a sociology and film class. For once, I actually enjoyed reading my textbook! For being published over 10 years ago, it is surprisingly progressive and brings up lots of topics that are still relevant. While there are portions that could be updated, I was pleasantly surprised by its discussion of race, gender, and sexuality!
March 6, 2024
So amazing at putting into words what representation we see and why that is. The impact that film and media have on our culture is immense and these topics should be further explored, but this is a great textbook to explain these topics.
April 4, 2018
Abarca
Most Chapters (if not all) explaining different concepts related to cultural studies. Amazing
Most Chapters (if not all) explaining different concepts related to cultural studies. Amazing
October 8, 2020
One of the best texts on film I've ever read! Shout-out to Professor Benshoff.
December 22, 2012
I am reading this book for my graduate class on Women and Film. So far, I am not too impressed. Although I am learning new concepts, the way it is presented is definitely for undergraduates and overly repetitive. I guess that is fitting since the class is cross-listed with an undegraduate class... The photographs are great and I particularly enjoy the case studies.
March 22, 2015
Really great as a textbook but desperately needs an update. The second edition is now 6 years old and is missing discussion of important moments and films that have happened since 2009 like Milk, The Kids are Alright and Kathryn Bigelow winning Best Director.
June 26, 2008
This is a great read for someone who is interested in the history of film when representing race, class, gender, and sexuality.
November 4, 2012
Wonderful introduction to cultural theory and the interpretation of Hollywood cinema.
December 6, 2012
Couldn't put this down.
Read every inch. Especially appreciated the reiteration of terms and concepts throughout later chapters.
Wish all academic texts were written this effectively.
Read every inch. Especially appreciated the reiteration of terms and concepts throughout later chapters.
Wish all academic texts were written this effectively.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews