As Deep as It Gets

Note to the Reader iv

From the Alamo Draft House to the Livingroom

Couch (Or There and Back Again) xiii

Part I Rated G: General Audiences 1

1. I Know Something You Don't Know-THE PRINCESS BRIDE 3

2. Lions and Tigers and Bears-SCARY STUFF IN THE WIZARD OF OZ 17

3. The Monster and the Mensch-A CHILD'S EYE VIEW OF SUPER 8 37

4. Chef, Socrates, and the Sage of Love-FINDING LOVE IN SOUTH PARK 59

5. Killing Kenny-DEATH THERAPY IN SOUTH PARK 77

Part II Rated PG: Parental Guidance Suggested 89

6. The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful-SERGIO LEONE'S ANIMALS, ACTORS, AND AESTHETICS 91

7. Democracy Adrift-HITCHCOCK'S LIFEBOAT 109

8. Cuts Like a Knife-CUTTING TO THE CORE OF HIS DARK MATERIALS 125

9. Mrs. Coulter?Overwoman?-HER DARK MATERIALS 153

Part III Rated R: Restricted Audiences Only 179

10. A Very Naughty Boy-GETTING RIGHT WITH BRIAN AND MONTY PYTHON 181

11. Have You No Decency?-CLAIRE, FRANK, AND THEIR HOUSE OF CARDS 199

12. Vinnie's Very Bad Day-TWISTING THE TALE OF TIME IN PULP FICTION 221

13. Once upon a Time-INCEPTION 241

14. Dream Time-INCEPTION 263

Part IV Director's Cut 289

15. To Serve Man-A Visit to The Twilight Zone 291

Bibliography 315

Suggestions for Reading 319

Index 327