Disaster and Memory

Using the media coverage of the death of Diana Princess of Wales as a departing point, this book presents a critical assessment of the current state of movies - from the cult of celebrity, to the nature of public surveillance and the role of print and television media in shaping our shared consciousness - unveiling our fascination with disaster. The author argues that films such as James Cameron's "Titanic" replay the same Hollywood disaster plotlines with greater wizardry and less humanity than the films of 50 years ago. Contemporary cinema, claims the author, has become just a memory of itself. Dixon draws on the effects of new technologies, the role of the "star" system and the developments of media conglomerates to explain why Hollywood has become so repetitive. Looking at a wide range of film genres, the author examines the elements that entice and manipulate audience expectations and emotions, and the role of televisual media in capturing public attention.