More than just a horror director and author, Mick Garris shows here that he is also quite a cunning satirist and social commentator. His bird’s eye view of the movie business has allowed him to make notes and weave all of his observations into the book, which features guest appearances from everyone who’s anyone in La-la Land: Spielberg, Cameron, even the ghost of Hitchcock, all are wonderfully and more realistically rendered than people might expect. If there’s one thing Garris doesn’t do, it’s pull his punches.
That’s not to say there aren’t elements of horror and the supernatural present – they’re here in spades. I dare you to read about the sick exploits of that baby without wincing (what else, from the guy who penned The Fly II?) or be chilled by Harlow’s question, “Do you believe in life after death?” There’s also versatility in the layout of the novel, reading more like a series of connected shorts that, once you’ve devoured, can be dipped into again and again.
Like Stephen King, Clive Barker, Richard Christian Matheson and Frank Darabond on the back cover, I can’t recommend this book enough, especially if like me you have an interest in film history in general, as well as horror. It’s appropriate that this should say ‘Written and Directed’ by Garris on the front, as it’s extremely visual and would make a great mini-series in itself (no doubt the prolific writer/director is already on the case!). Hellishly good, this is a book that Develops into a sure fire classic.
Coming Next Week: Fiction: The Boy at the Gate by Barry J House
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Hub - Issue 8 Page 2
