“A long time ago….”: The Persistence and Longevity of ‘Star Wars’ at 45
Peer reviewed article published in Senses of Cinema 103 (October 2022) Article Introduction This year Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977) commemorated its 45th anniversary. This anniversary recognises the passage of time since its theatrical premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday 25 May 1977. Such milestones are often associated with historical distance or cultural nostalgia that offer an opportunity to reflect on aesthetic and cultural impact … Continue reading “A long time ago….”: The Persistence and Longevity of ‘Star Wars’ at 45
Secrets of Blockbuster Franchises – Project Tempest Podcast
Project Tempest Podcast Episode 15 I had the pleasure of joining the Project Tempest Podcast to talk about blockbuster franchising, creative development, and the multiplatform potential of a story idea. In this discussion, we talk about blockbuster entertainment properties, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars, smaller scale independent application of the franchise model, and the opportunities that franchise development can offer emerging … Continue reading Secrets of Blockbuster Franchises – Project Tempest Podcast
Superheroes on Screen – Primal Screen, 3RRR
Host Flick Ford is joined by guest reviewers Dr Tara Lomax and Dr Andrew Lynch for a look at superheroes on screen. They review Ryan Griffen’s 2016 Indigenous superhero story CLEVERMAN and Taika Waititi’s new release THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER. Continue reading Superheroes on Screen – Primal Screen, 3RRR
James Bond will Return: Franchise Longevity, the Bondian Formula & Popular Culture
Presentation at ‘The World is Not Enough: The Impact of James Bond on Popular Culture’ Symposium, convened by the Popular Culture Research Network (POPCRN) at the University of New England — Online, 26 May, 2022. A virtual symposium celebrating Ian Fleming’s birthday and focused on all things James Bond in popular culture. As the quintessential English spy serving on her majesty’s secret service the character of … Continue reading James Bond will Return: Franchise Longevity, the Bondian Formula & Popular Culture
Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2021
This post has been reproduced with attribution from original publication at Senses of Cinema. To support the work of Senses of Cinema see the Patreon campaign. World Poll 2019 — Part 4 As per my previous World Poll contributions, this list reflects on the key blockbuster franchise releases of the year. Thinking back to my notable viewing this year, I could discuss The Dry (Robert Connolly, 2021), High Ground (Stephen Johnson, 2021), Promising Young … Continue reading Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2021
Eternal Variation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has attracted increasing attention as an exemplar of blockbuster franchising over the past decade, with milestones that include a Best Picture Oscar nomination for Black Panther (2018) and a (momentary) highest-grossing release of all time with Avengers: Endgame (2019) (a mantle since retaken by the re-release of the 2009 blockbuster, Avatar). The ‘MCU’ is undeniably popular and continues to engage … Continue reading Eternal Variation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Cruising Stardom in Hollywood Franchising: Tom Cruise as Franchise Star in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Dark Universe’ Storyworlds
Starring Tom Cruise, edited by Sean Redmond. Wayne State University Press, 2021. Book Description Starring Tom Cruise examines how Tom Cruise’s star image moves across genres and forms as a type of commercial product that offers viewers certain pleasures and expectations. Cruise reads as an action hero and romantic lead yet finds himself in homoerotic and homosocial relationships that unsettle and undermine these heterosexual scripts. In … Continue reading Cruising Stardom in Hollywood Franchising: Tom Cruise as Franchise Star in the ‘Mission: Impossible’ and ‘Dark Universe’ Storyworlds
“Make it in Post:” Digital Visual Effects and the Temporality of Creative Value in Post-Production
Published in The Palgrave Handbook of Screen Production, edited by Susan Kerrigan, Craig Batty, Marsha Berry, Kath Dooley, and Bettina Frankham and published by Palgrave Macmillan. Continue reading “Make it in Post:” Digital Visual Effects and the Temporality of Creative Value in Post-Production
Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2019
This post has been reproduced with attribution to Senses of Cinema. Continuing with the focus of my previous world polls, this list collates a representation of the year’s franchise movies. Continue reading Senses of Cinema, World Poll 2019
‘You Were the Chosen One!’ Darth Vader and the Sequential Dynamics of Villainy in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
Published in The Supervillain Reader, edited by Robert Moses Peaslee & Robert G. Weiner and published by University Press of Mississippi, 2020. Continue reading ‘You Were the Chosen One!’ Darth Vader and the Sequential Dynamics of Villainy in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
Assembled Illusions 