Excavating Indiana Jones

Indy’s adventures are now treasures to rival the artefacts he hunts. This essay collection ponders to what extent the franchise itself “belongs in a museum”. There is plenty to critique, such as Indy’s in-built imperialism, but a collective humour bypass often trumps insight. From a dry survey of real-life archaeological digs to an unconvincing dissection of theme-park rides, it’s a pompous read even before one writer admits to wilfully misreading Raiders’ plot to better grind their axe.

Reissue of Bartłomiej Paszylk’s 2009 study tracking the evolution of cult horror over 88 titles, with bite-size chapters examining beloved classics (Cannibal Holocaust; Possession) while unearthing more obscure titles (Frankenstein Vs The Creature From Blood Cove). Mainstream hits are generally avoided: while Night Of The Living Dead is missing, Romero’s Martin is here in all its gory glory.