The Philosophy of Tim Burton (Philosophy Of Popular Culture)

About this book

Director and producer Tim Burton impresses audiences with stunning visuals sinister fantasy worlds and characters whose personalities are strange and yet familiar. Drawing inspiration from sources as varied as Lewis Carroll Salvador Dal Washington Irving and Dr. Seuss Burtons creations frequently elicit both alarm and wonder. Whether crafting an offbeat animated feature a box-office hit a collection of short fiction or an art exhibition Burton pushes the envelope and he has emerged as a powerful force in contemporary popular culture. In The Philosophy of Tim Burton a distinguished group of scholars examines the philosophical underpinnings and significance of the directors oeuvre investigating films such as Batman (1989) Edward Scissorhands (1990) The Nightmare before Christmas (1993) Sleepy Hollow (1999) Big Fish (2003) Sweeney Todd (2007) Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Dark Shadows (2012). The essays in this volume explore Burtons distinctive style often disturbing content and popular appeal through three thematic lenses: identity views on authority and aesthetic vision. Covering topics ranging from Burtons fascination with Victorian ideals to his celebration of childhood to his personal expression of the fantastic the contributors highlight the filmmakers peculiar narrative style and his use of unreal settings to prompt heightened awareness of the world we inhabit. The Philosophy of Tim Burton offers a penetrating and provocative look at one of Hollywoods most influential auteurs.