Thomas A Christie
I graduated with a PhD in English Studies from the University of Stirling in 2012. I am the Director of Extremis Publishing Ltd., an independent publishing house specialising in arts, culture and media non-fiction. Extremis Publishing was named Independent Publishing Company of the Year at the Scotland Prestige Awards 2021/22 and again in 2022/23 and 2023/24, presented by Corporate LiveWire.
An experienced published author and independent researcher based in the United Kingdom, I specialise primarily in the subjects of modern film, interactive fiction and popular literature. As a literary professional I have collaborated with several publishing houses which have included Crescent Moon Publishing, Cambridge Scholars Publishing and Robert Greene Publishing. My work has featured at international venues including at the Centre Pompidou in Paris as part of a major exhibition focusing on the filmography of award-winning director Richard Linklater in December 2019, and in conjunction with the Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre in Rio de Janeiro relating to an extensive exhibition on the life and films of cinematic polymath Mel Brooks in February 2020.
My other qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class Honours in Literature (2002) and a Master's degree in Humanities (2005), specialising with distinction in British Cinema History, awarded by the Open University of Milton Keynes. Additionally, I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and hold memberships with the Royal Society of Literature, the Society of Authors, the Federation of Writers Scotland, and the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society.
I am represented by the Robert Lecker Agency of Montreal, Canada. For enquiries related to the commissioning of new work, my literary agent is Professor Robert Lecker who is contactable via www.leckeragency.com.
An experienced published author and independent researcher based in the United Kingdom, I specialise primarily in the subjects of modern film, interactive fiction and popular literature. As a literary professional I have collaborated with several publishing houses which have included Crescent Moon Publishing, Cambridge Scholars Publishing and Robert Greene Publishing. My work has featured at international venues including at the Centre Pompidou in Paris as part of a major exhibition focusing on the filmography of award-winning director Richard Linklater in December 2019, and in conjunction with the Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre in Rio de Janeiro relating to an extensive exhibition on the life and films of cinematic polymath Mel Brooks in February 2020.
My other qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class Honours in Literature (2002) and a Master's degree in Humanities (2005), specialising with distinction in British Cinema History, awarded by the Open University of Milton Keynes. Additionally, I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and hold memberships with the Royal Society of Literature, the Society of Authors, the Federation of Writers Scotland, and the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society.
I am represented by the Robert Lecker Agency of Montreal, Canada. For enquiries related to the commissioning of new work, my literary agent is Professor Robert Lecker who is contactable via www.leckeragency.com.
less
InterestsView All (27)
Uploads
Books by Thomas A Christie
Far from a creative backwater, however, this period would bear witness to some of the most fascinating, unconventional and experimental Christmas movies ever to reach the big screen, with features such as "The Apartment", "The Lion in Winter" and "Black Christmas" all subverting expectations of the holiday season to produce compelling narratives and memorable themes through wildly different artistic approaches.
From the author of "The Golden Age of Christmas Movies", "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas" and "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas", this book considers the festive cinema of the sixties and seventies in detail, taking a look at the movies that came to define this unpredictable period in recent history while also reflecting on those features that broke the mould in entirely different ways — including "Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny", "The Magic Christmas Tree" and (perhaps most infamously of all) "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". When these tempestuous decades carried the torch for Christmas films, the features on offer may rarely have been traditional, but even today they remain captivating, intriguing and very difficult to ignore for those who are willing to revisit them.
In this book, thought to be the first on the subject, popular culture researcher Dr Tom Christie and archaeologist Dr Murray Cook take a look at how Christmas and other winter festivals have been celebrated, banned and reborn throughout Scotland’s long history. As well as considering the cultural impact of Christmas on Scotland over the centuries, the authors also meander into yuletide myths and legends as well as the food, the literature and many little-known facts along the way.
In the modern age, Christmas has started to have an increasing impact on the popular culture of Scotland, and the book delves into how this celebration has been portrayed across different media such as TV, film, music, computer games and more. On top of all that, Scotland’s Christmas also highlights a series of the worst festive seasons ever to be experienced in fair Caledonia through the years—and as you will read, there’s a fair bit of competition for that infamous title over the ages, from Sir William Wallace to Bonnie Prince Charlie and beyond.
So get ready to discover exactly when Scotland discovered Santa Claus (and vice-versa), why the Wulver is arguably the country’s least conventional festive hero, how Edinburgh influenced Charles Dickens’s creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, where the country’s first deep-fried mince pie was produced, and so much more besides. But whatever else you do, avoid the dreaded Chimney Demon at all costs—it might end up scorching more than your Christmas stocking on the fireplace!
Scotland’s Christmas includes a foreword by actor, comedian, writer and presenter Sanjeev Kohli.
From the author of "The Golden Age of Christmas Movies" and "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas", this book explores some of the most prominent festive films of the nineties - as well as discussing some of the decade’s more unusual yuletide features. Moving from madcap comedies to family dramas, by way of many other subgenres in-between, the topics which arose throughout the Christmas cinema of the decade are considered along with some unexpected movie facts.
The 1990s marked a period of lightning-fast technological development and substantial cultural change, which had wide-ranging effects on the world of cinema. "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas" will take you on a journey through the festive movies of this tempestuous era, blending nostalgia for the nineties with an examination of how that decade’s films had a major impact on the genre which persists even to the present day.
In "Secrets and Mysteries of the Heart 200 Route", prepare to discover some unexpected revelations about locations all around this epic road trip, both ancient and modern. There are historical surprises and supernatural mysteries, quirky sights and more than a few unexpected facts along the way.
With full-page colour illustrations throughout, get ready to encounter the first haggis in space, Mary Queen of Scots’ secret private chapel and the world’s most Scottish sheep, by way of speciality clootie dumplings, natural wonders, a golden telephone box, amazing literary connections and some of the most remarkable hidden corners in all of Scotland. If you thought you knew everything about Heart 200... it’s time to think again!
From the author of "The Spectrum of Adventure" and "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas", this book delves into the Spectrum’s extraordinary pantheon of seasonal games: the good, the bad, the surprising, the unabashedly surreal and the occasionally rather tenuous.
From the machine’s formative days in the early eighties right through to the latest independent releases, "A Very Spectrum Christmas" takes a look at what makes a truly memorable festive title for the vintage home microcomputer... as well as unearthing a few games that may have become lost in the mists of Christmas past for good reason.
Fully illustrated with colour screenshots of all the games under discussion, "A Very Spectrum Christmas" is a treasure trove of yuletide software experiences — where eighties nostalgia collides with modern day homebrew innovation with frequently unexpected results.
Written with the full approval and co-operation of the Heart 200 team, The Heart 200 Book is a guide to the very best that the route has to offer. You will discover the history and culture of this remarkable region, from antiquity to the modern day, with more than a few unexpected insights along the way. Over the millennia, this amazing land has made its mark on world history thanks to famous figures ranging from the ancient Celts and the Roman Empire to King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots, by way of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Rob Roy MacGregor, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Queen Victoria and even The Beatles!
So whether you're travelling by foot, car, motorhome or bike, get ready for a journey like no other as the Heart 200 invites you to encounter standing stones and steamships, castles and chocolatiers, watersports and whisky distilleries... and surprising secrets aplenty! Illustrated with full-colour photography and complete with Internet hyperlinks to accompany the attractions, The Heart 200 Book will introduce you to some of the most remarkable places in all of Scotland and encourage you to experience each and every one for yourself. It really will be a tour that you’ll never forget.
From the author of A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas, this book takes a nostalgic look back at the Christmas cinema of the 1940s and 50s, including a discussion of classic films which came to define the genre. Considering the unforgettable storylines and distinctive characters that brought these early festive movies to life, it discusses the conventions which were established and the qualities which would define Christmas titles for decades to come.
Examining landmark features such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop’s Wife and White Christmas, The Golden Age of Christmas Movies delves into some of the most successful festive films ever produced, and also reflects upon other movies of the time that—for one reason or another—have all but disappeared into the mists of cinema history. Considering films which range from the life-affirming to the warmly sentimental, The Golden Age of Christmas Movies investigates the many reasons why these memorable motion pictures have continued to entertain generations of moviegoers.
"Contested Mindscapes" considers the ways in which the arts have engaged with dementia over the past twenty years, looking at particular examples drawn from the disciplines of film and television, popular music, performance art, and interactive entertainment.
Examining a variety of creative approaches ranging from the thought-provoking to the controversial, "Contested Mindscapes" carefully contemplates the many ways in which the humanities and entertainment industries have engaged with dementia, exploring how the wide-ranging implications of this complex condition have been communicated through a variety of artistic nodes.
Released against the backdrop of a turbulent and rapidly-changing world, the Christmas films of the 1980s celebrated traditions and challenged assumptions in equal measure. With warm nostalgia colliding with aggressive modernity as never before, the eighties saw the movies of the holiday season being deconstructed and reconfigured to remain relevant in an age of cynicism and innovation.
Whether exploring comedy, drama, horror or fantasy, Christmas cinema has an unparalleled capacity to attract and inspire audiences. With a discussion ranging from the best-known titles to some of the most obscure, A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas examines the ways in which the Christmas motion pictures of the 1980s fit into the wider context of this captivating and ever-evolving genre.
The Spectrum of Adventure chronicles the evolution of the text adventure on the ZX Spectrum, exploring the work of landmark software houses such as Melbourne House Software, Level 9 Computing, Delta 4 Software, the CRL Group, Magnetic Scrolls, and many others besides.
Covering one hundred individual games in all, this book celebrates the Spectrum’s thriving interactive fiction scene of the eighties, chronicling the achievements of major publishers as well as independent developers from the machine’s launch in 1982 until the end of the decade in 1989.
Mel Brooks has been immortalised as the definitive maestro of big-screen bad taste, a pioneer of the cinematic spoof. But throughout his film-making career, his ardent championship of personal liberty is too often neglected. Examining all eleven of the movies that Brooks directed, from The Producers (1968) to Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), this book examines the way that this most distinctive of cinematic visionaries came to earnestly and vigorously defend freedom in all of its forms, whether creative, individual, social, cultural or political.
Moving from the East-West tension plotlines of the late Roger Moore period into a conscious deviation towards less conventional subject areas during the Timothy Dalton era, Bond’s evolving role as a Cold War hero is examined in order to ascertain just how the character was adapted to meet the demands of rapidly changing world affairs. The eighties saw a more nuanced approach to the Iron Curtain in comparison to many earlier films in the series, with the films covering topics as wide-ranging as free-market capitalism and the home electronics boom, and the producers’ ongoing efforts to ensure the cycle’s continuing relevance to contemporary audiences are considered in detail.
Drawing on statistical data and a wide range of research material, The James Bond Movies of the 1980s considers matters such as the films’ cultural impact, the series’ radical shifts in style, and its often subtle approach to issues of ideology both domestic and international. Assessing this multifaceted era of the Bond series, this book evaluates differences in contemporary critiques and asks to what extent these motion pictures succeeded in charting the seismic shifts in the global balance of power which took place during that eventful period of history.
Although Scottish literary fiction of recent decades has been studied in considerable depth, Scottish popular genre literature has received markedly less critical scrutiny in comparison. Notional Identities aims to help in redressing this balance, examining popular Scottish texts of the stated period in order to reflect upon whether a significant relationship can be discerned between genre fiction and the mainstream of Scottish literary writing, and to consider the characteristics of the literary connections which exist between these different modes of writing.
This new study charts the evolution of the Christmas film, starting in 1945 with a discussion of Leo McCarey’s "The Bells of St Mary’s" and continuing up to the present day with Robert Zemeckis’s 3D version of "A Christmas Carol" in 2009. From the silver-screen magic of "It’s a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" to the madcap seasonal comedy of "Home Alone" and "Elf", by way of "White Christmas" and "Black Christmas", this book considers a wide selection of some of the most enduring festive movies from the past seven decades. With a detailed exploration of each film’s themes and cultural influences, The Christmas Movie Book also features a comprehensive timeline of key works in the genre and examines why it is that these well-loved classics continue to enrapture generations of moviegoers."
As well as an extended analysis of the movie itself, this book explores the making of a truly iconic eighties film, charting the acting careers of the main cast, the music of the film, the locations involved in the production, and many other details besides."
This book examines all of Hughes's movies throughout the course of the 1980s. It covers not only the films that Hughes directed, but also the screenplays that he created for motion pictures during the course of that decade. From The Breakfast Club to Pretty in Pink, and from National Lampoon's Vacation to Planes, Trains and Automobiles, this book discusses Hughes's considerable talents as a writer and director at the very height of his powers, and describes his part in the production of films that would help to define a generation."
A voice of reason for an uncertain age, Linklater is a film-maker of distinction in an unpredictable and complicated world. From highly individualistic cult success to global mainstream achivements, there are few who would deny that Linklater has become one of the most accomplished and influential talents of twenty-first century American independent cinema."
This book examines Liv Tyler's cinematic work from her debut in 1994 through to 2005, and discusses her many appearances in films including Armageddon, Onegin, One Night at McCool's, Empire Records and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Covering her first seventeen performances on the big screen, Liv Tyler's acting style and critical reception are analysed in depth, and her contribution to modern cinema thoroughly assessed."
Book Chapters by Thomas A Christie
Far from a creative backwater, however, this period would bear witness to some of the most fascinating, unconventional and experimental Christmas movies ever to reach the big screen, with features such as "The Apartment", "The Lion in Winter" and "Black Christmas" all subverting expectations of the holiday season to produce compelling narratives and memorable themes through wildly different artistic approaches.
From the author of "The Golden Age of Christmas Movies", "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas" and "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas", this book considers the festive cinema of the sixties and seventies in detail, taking a look at the movies that came to define this unpredictable period in recent history while also reflecting on those features that broke the mould in entirely different ways — including "Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny", "The Magic Christmas Tree" and (perhaps most infamously of all) "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". When these tempestuous decades carried the torch for Christmas films, the features on offer may rarely have been traditional, but even today they remain captivating, intriguing and very difficult to ignore for those who are willing to revisit them.
In this book, thought to be the first on the subject, popular culture researcher Dr Tom Christie and archaeologist Dr Murray Cook take a look at how Christmas and other winter festivals have been celebrated, banned and reborn throughout Scotland’s long history. As well as considering the cultural impact of Christmas on Scotland over the centuries, the authors also meander into yuletide myths and legends as well as the food, the literature and many little-known facts along the way.
In the modern age, Christmas has started to have an increasing impact on the popular culture of Scotland, and the book delves into how this celebration has been portrayed across different media such as TV, film, music, computer games and more. On top of all that, Scotland’s Christmas also highlights a series of the worst festive seasons ever to be experienced in fair Caledonia through the years—and as you will read, there’s a fair bit of competition for that infamous title over the ages, from Sir William Wallace to Bonnie Prince Charlie and beyond.
So get ready to discover exactly when Scotland discovered Santa Claus (and vice-versa), why the Wulver is arguably the country’s least conventional festive hero, how Edinburgh influenced Charles Dickens’s creation of Ebenezer Scrooge, where the country’s first deep-fried mince pie was produced, and so much more besides. But whatever else you do, avoid the dreaded Chimney Demon at all costs—it might end up scorching more than your Christmas stocking on the fireplace!
Scotland’s Christmas includes a foreword by actor, comedian, writer and presenter Sanjeev Kohli.
From the author of "The Golden Age of Christmas Movies" and "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas", this book explores some of the most prominent festive films of the nineties - as well as discussing some of the decade’s more unusual yuletide features. Moving from madcap comedies to family dramas, by way of many other subgenres in-between, the topics which arose throughout the Christmas cinema of the decade are considered along with some unexpected movie facts.
The 1990s marked a period of lightning-fast technological development and substantial cultural change, which had wide-ranging effects on the world of cinema. "A Totally Bodacious Nineties Christmas" will take you on a journey through the festive movies of this tempestuous era, blending nostalgia for the nineties with an examination of how that decade’s films had a major impact on the genre which persists even to the present day.
In "Secrets and Mysteries of the Heart 200 Route", prepare to discover some unexpected revelations about locations all around this epic road trip, both ancient and modern. There are historical surprises and supernatural mysteries, quirky sights and more than a few unexpected facts along the way.
With full-page colour illustrations throughout, get ready to encounter the first haggis in space, Mary Queen of Scots’ secret private chapel and the world’s most Scottish sheep, by way of speciality clootie dumplings, natural wonders, a golden telephone box, amazing literary connections and some of the most remarkable hidden corners in all of Scotland. If you thought you knew everything about Heart 200... it’s time to think again!
From the author of "The Spectrum of Adventure" and "A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas", this book delves into the Spectrum’s extraordinary pantheon of seasonal games: the good, the bad, the surprising, the unabashedly surreal and the occasionally rather tenuous.
From the machine’s formative days in the early eighties right through to the latest independent releases, "A Very Spectrum Christmas" takes a look at what makes a truly memorable festive title for the vintage home microcomputer... as well as unearthing a few games that may have become lost in the mists of Christmas past for good reason.
Fully illustrated with colour screenshots of all the games under discussion, "A Very Spectrum Christmas" is a treasure trove of yuletide software experiences — where eighties nostalgia collides with modern day homebrew innovation with frequently unexpected results.
Written with the full approval and co-operation of the Heart 200 team, The Heart 200 Book is a guide to the very best that the route has to offer. You will discover the history and culture of this remarkable region, from antiquity to the modern day, with more than a few unexpected insights along the way. Over the millennia, this amazing land has made its mark on world history thanks to famous figures ranging from the ancient Celts and the Roman Empire to King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots, by way of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Rob Roy MacGregor, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Queen Victoria and even The Beatles!
So whether you're travelling by foot, car, motorhome or bike, get ready for a journey like no other as the Heart 200 invites you to encounter standing stones and steamships, castles and chocolatiers, watersports and whisky distilleries... and surprising secrets aplenty! Illustrated with full-colour photography and complete with Internet hyperlinks to accompany the attractions, The Heart 200 Book will introduce you to some of the most remarkable places in all of Scotland and encourage you to experience each and every one for yourself. It really will be a tour that you’ll never forget.
From the author of A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas, this book takes a nostalgic look back at the Christmas cinema of the 1940s and 50s, including a discussion of classic films which came to define the genre. Considering the unforgettable storylines and distinctive characters that brought these early festive movies to life, it discusses the conventions which were established and the qualities which would define Christmas titles for decades to come.
Examining landmark features such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop’s Wife and White Christmas, The Golden Age of Christmas Movies delves into some of the most successful festive films ever produced, and also reflects upon other movies of the time that—for one reason or another—have all but disappeared into the mists of cinema history. Considering films which range from the life-affirming to the warmly sentimental, The Golden Age of Christmas Movies investigates the many reasons why these memorable motion pictures have continued to entertain generations of moviegoers.
"Contested Mindscapes" considers the ways in which the arts have engaged with dementia over the past twenty years, looking at particular examples drawn from the disciplines of film and television, popular music, performance art, and interactive entertainment.
Examining a variety of creative approaches ranging from the thought-provoking to the controversial, "Contested Mindscapes" carefully contemplates the many ways in which the humanities and entertainment industries have engaged with dementia, exploring how the wide-ranging implications of this complex condition have been communicated through a variety of artistic nodes.
Released against the backdrop of a turbulent and rapidly-changing world, the Christmas films of the 1980s celebrated traditions and challenged assumptions in equal measure. With warm nostalgia colliding with aggressive modernity as never before, the eighties saw the movies of the holiday season being deconstructed and reconfigured to remain relevant in an age of cynicism and innovation.
Whether exploring comedy, drama, horror or fantasy, Christmas cinema has an unparalleled capacity to attract and inspire audiences. With a discussion ranging from the best-known titles to some of the most obscure, A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas examines the ways in which the Christmas motion pictures of the 1980s fit into the wider context of this captivating and ever-evolving genre.
The Spectrum of Adventure chronicles the evolution of the text adventure on the ZX Spectrum, exploring the work of landmark software houses such as Melbourne House Software, Level 9 Computing, Delta 4 Software, the CRL Group, Magnetic Scrolls, and many others besides.
Covering one hundred individual games in all, this book celebrates the Spectrum’s thriving interactive fiction scene of the eighties, chronicling the achievements of major publishers as well as independent developers from the machine’s launch in 1982 until the end of the decade in 1989.
Mel Brooks has been immortalised as the definitive maestro of big-screen bad taste, a pioneer of the cinematic spoof. But throughout his film-making career, his ardent championship of personal liberty is too often neglected. Examining all eleven of the movies that Brooks directed, from The Producers (1968) to Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), this book examines the way that this most distinctive of cinematic visionaries came to earnestly and vigorously defend freedom in all of its forms, whether creative, individual, social, cultural or political.
Moving from the East-West tension plotlines of the late Roger Moore period into a conscious deviation towards less conventional subject areas during the Timothy Dalton era, Bond’s evolving role as a Cold War hero is examined in order to ascertain just how the character was adapted to meet the demands of rapidly changing world affairs. The eighties saw a more nuanced approach to the Iron Curtain in comparison to many earlier films in the series, with the films covering topics as wide-ranging as free-market capitalism and the home electronics boom, and the producers’ ongoing efforts to ensure the cycle’s continuing relevance to contemporary audiences are considered in detail.
Drawing on statistical data and a wide range of research material, The James Bond Movies of the 1980s considers matters such as the films’ cultural impact, the series’ radical shifts in style, and its often subtle approach to issues of ideology both domestic and international. Assessing this multifaceted era of the Bond series, this book evaluates differences in contemporary critiques and asks to what extent these motion pictures succeeded in charting the seismic shifts in the global balance of power which took place during that eventful period of history.
Although Scottish literary fiction of recent decades has been studied in considerable depth, Scottish popular genre literature has received markedly less critical scrutiny in comparison. Notional Identities aims to help in redressing this balance, examining popular Scottish texts of the stated period in order to reflect upon whether a significant relationship can be discerned between genre fiction and the mainstream of Scottish literary writing, and to consider the characteristics of the literary connections which exist between these different modes of writing.
This new study charts the evolution of the Christmas film, starting in 1945 with a discussion of Leo McCarey’s "The Bells of St Mary’s" and continuing up to the present day with Robert Zemeckis’s 3D version of "A Christmas Carol" in 2009. From the silver-screen magic of "It’s a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street" to the madcap seasonal comedy of "Home Alone" and "Elf", by way of "White Christmas" and "Black Christmas", this book considers a wide selection of some of the most enduring festive movies from the past seven decades. With a detailed exploration of each film’s themes and cultural influences, The Christmas Movie Book also features a comprehensive timeline of key works in the genre and examines why it is that these well-loved classics continue to enrapture generations of moviegoers."
As well as an extended analysis of the movie itself, this book explores the making of a truly iconic eighties film, charting the acting careers of the main cast, the music of the film, the locations involved in the production, and many other details besides."
This book examines all of Hughes's movies throughout the course of the 1980s. It covers not only the films that Hughes directed, but also the screenplays that he created for motion pictures during the course of that decade. From The Breakfast Club to Pretty in Pink, and from National Lampoon's Vacation to Planes, Trains and Automobiles, this book discusses Hughes's considerable talents as a writer and director at the very height of his powers, and describes his part in the production of films that would help to define a generation."
A voice of reason for an uncertain age, Linklater is a film-maker of distinction in an unpredictable and complicated world. From highly individualistic cult success to global mainstream achivements, there are few who would deny that Linklater has become one of the most accomplished and influential talents of twenty-first century American independent cinema."
This book examines Liv Tyler's cinematic work from her debut in 1994 through to 2005, and discusses her many appearances in films including Armageddon, Onegin, One Night at McCool's, Empire Records and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Covering her first seventeen performances on the big screen, Liv Tyler's acting style and critical reception are analysed in depth, and her contribution to modern cinema thoroughly assessed."