Oliver Stone's America: dreaming The Myth Outward

by Susan Mackey-kallis, Susan Mackey Kallis

Overview

Not simply an aesthetic contemplation, this book analyzes Oliver Stone's films as artistically structured instruments for public communication. Ample illustrations illuminate Mackey-Kallis’ discussions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367297275
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/04/2020
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	5.81(w) x 9.12(h) x (d)

About the Author

Susan Mackey-Kallis was born in San Diego, California, in 1961 and was educated at the University of California-San Diego (B.A.), West Virginia University (M.A.), and The Pennsylvania State University (Ph.D.). Mackey-Kallis has focused her research on political rhetoric and the sociopolitical role of fiction film in America and has published articles on such topics as the Reagan and Bush administrations' campaigns against drugs, the Reagan reelection campaign film, political values in advertising, and popular music and politics. She is currently an assistant professor in the Communication Arts Department at Villanova University and lives with her husband, Kyriakos Kallis, and their two dogs, Elsa and Dooney, in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Introduction — Stone’s Dilemma: A Platonist Seeking Postmodern “Truth,” or the Quandary of the Left-Wing Intellectual in Hollywood — Betrayal in the Garden and Death of the Dream — Descent into Hell: The Vietnam Nightmare — After the Fall: (Self-)Portraits of the Tortured Artist-Visionary — Meeting the Shadow and the Journey Home — Final Thoughts — Filmography

Editorial Reviews

Mackey-Kallis (communication arts, Villanova) presents a much-needed, but flawed, full-length study of one of America's most controversial filmmakers. Following an opening chapter outlining Stone's dilemma as a left-wing director in a conservative Hollywood, she effectively organizes the text in historical fashion. The author begins with a detailed discussion of JFK, which she considers the fundamental work of Stone's career, and then addresses the Vietnam trilogy. Following is a discussion of The Doors, Salvador, and Talk Radio in terms of their portrayal of a tortured artist-visionary. The text concludes by juxtaposing readings of Wall Street and Natural Born Killers, which the author describes as America's encounter with its shadow self. Mackey-Kallis's organization of Stone's oeuvre is compelling, but her theoretical position is inadequate. She speaks from the perspective of perennial philosophy, which turns out to be a version of New Age "transconciousness." The author's lack of a materialist grounding leads her to assume an insufficiently critical perspective on Stone's frequent historical simplification. Still, the book is enjoyable reading and a beginning toward understanding an important cultural figure. Recommended for larger academic film collections.David Seelow, SUNY Coll. at Old Westbury

Library Journal

Analyzes Stone's films, including JFK, Born on the Fourth of July, Natural Born Killers, and Nixon, and places him within the tradition of American filmmaking, arguing that his films are mythological constructions based on historical events and personae. Includes b&w photos and a filmography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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