Hollywood: From Vietnam to Reagan... and Beyond

Robin Wood's critical analysis examines American cinema from the 1970s through the Reagan era, focusing on how films reflected and responded to social and political shifts. His study covers major Hollywood releases as well as independent productions, tracking the evolution of genres and filmmaking approaches during this period. The book provides close readings of films by directors including Scorsese, Coppola, Altman, and De Palma, examining their work within historical and cultural contexts. Wood analyzes representations of gender, sexuality, family dynamics, and societal values across genres from horror to melodrama. Through this examination of late 20th century American film, Wood reveals deep connections between cinema and the nation's changing ideological landscape. His analysis suggests that movies serve as cultural documents that both mirror and shape collective attitudes about identity, power, and social progress.

Readers find Wood's analysis of 1970s-80s Hollywood films politically engaged and detailed, though some note his Marxist and psychoanalytic perspectives can be heavy-handed. Many appreciate his readings of horror films and Vietnam-era cinema, with multiple reviews highlighting his chapters on Coppola and Scorsese as particularly insightful. Liked: - Clear writing style that avoids academic jargon - In-depth analysis of specific scenes and sequences - Strong focus on gender and sexuality in mainstream films - Thorough examination of Vietnam's influence on cinema Disliked: - Political bias overshadows film analysis at times - Some theoretical sections become repetitive - Limited coverage of comedies and lighter genres - Dated references in newer edition's added chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (14 reviews) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) One reader noted: "Wood's ideological framework can be rigid, but his close readings of films remain valuable decades later."

American Cinema of the 1970s by Lester D. Friedman This volume examines how social changes and political movements of the 1970s shaped Hollywood cinema through analyses of key films and industry developments.

New Hollywood Cinema by Geoff King The text tracks the transformation of Hollywood from the studio system through the counterculture era and into the blockbuster age through industrial, cultural, and political perspectives.

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind The book chronicles the rise and fall of New Hollywood through insider accounts of the filmmakers who revolutionized American cinema between 1967 and 1980.

Hollywood Left and Right by Steven J. Ross This study explores the interplay between Hollywood and politics through the careers of influential industry figures from Charlie Chaplin to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Cinema of the Seventies by Paul Monaco The text maps the intersection of American film and society during the 1970s through analysis of production practices, film content, and audience reception.

🎬 Robin Wood was one of the first serious film critics to champion the horror genre as worthy of academic study, particularly focusing on directors like Alfred Hitchcock and George Romero. 📚 The book's expanded "...and Beyond" edition (2003) includes new chapters examining films of the 1990s, reflecting how Hollywood responded to the end of the Cold War and the rise of political correctness. 🎯 Wood argues that Vietnam created a "crisis in ideological confidence" in American cinema, leading to more complex and questioning films during the 1970s before Reagan-era cinema returned to more traditional values. 🌟 The author came out as gay in 1973 and incorporated queer theory perspectives into his film analysis, becoming one of the first prominent film critics to examine Hollywood movies through this lens. 🎥 Wood's analysis connects seemingly unrelated films like Star Wars and Taxi Driver as different responses to the same cultural anxieties of their time, showing how mainstream and independent cinema reflected American society differently.