John Kenneth Muir (born December 3, 1969) is an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
literary critic. As of 2022, he has written thirty reference books in the fields of
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
and
television
Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...
, with a particular focus on the
horror and
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...
genres.
Biography
Born December 3, 1969, Muir began his full-time writing career in 1996, penning several books for the
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
-based publisher of scholarly reference books,
McFarland & Company
McFarland & Company, Inc., is an American independent book publisher based in Jefferson, North Carolina, that specializes in academic and reference works, as well as general-interest adult nonfiction. Its president is Rhonda Herman. Its former ...
. Muir also has written monographs about SF-TV, including ''Exploring
Space: 1999 (''1997), ''An Analytical Guide to
Battlestar Galactica
''Battlestar Galactica'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. The franchise began with the Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series), original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel se ...
'' (1998), ''A Critical History of
Dr. Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
on TV'' (1999), ''A History and Critical Analysis of
Blake's 7
''Blake's 7'' (sometimes styled ''Blakes7'') is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. Four 13-episode series were broadcast on BBC1 between 1978 and 1981. It was created by Terry Nation, who also wrote the first ...
'' (1999) and ''An Analytical Guide to TV's
One Step Beyond One Step Beyond may refer to:
Music
* ''One Step Beyond'' (Dungeon album) or the title song, 2004
* ''One Step Beyond'' (Jackie McLean album), 1963
* '' One Step Beyond...'', an album by Madness, or the title song (see below), 1979
* ''One Step ...
'' (2001).
Muir was educated at the
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond (UR or U of R) is a private liberal arts college in Richmond, Virginia. It is a primarily undergraduate, residential institution with approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students in five schools: the School ...
in Virginia from 1988 to 1992, where he studied for two years under renowned ''Hudson Review'' film critic, Bert Cardullo (a student of
The New Republic
''The New Republic'' is an American magazine of commentary on politics, contemporary culture, and the arts. Founded in 1914 by several leaders of the progressive movement, it attempted to find a balance between "a liberalism centered in hum ...
's film critic
Stanley Kauffmann
Stanley Kauffmann (April 24, 1916 – October 9, 2013) was an American writer, editor, and critic of film and theater.
Career
Kauffmann started with ''The New Republic'' in 1958 and contributed film criticism to that magazine for the next fifty ...
). Muir also counts
Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael (; June 19, 1919 – September 3, 2001) was an American film critic who wrote for ''The New Yorker'' magazine from 1968 to 1991. Known for her "witty, biting, highly opinionated and sharply focused" reviews, Kael's opinions oft ...
and
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...
as important career influences.
Muir's first book, ''Exploring Space: 1999'' was published five years after his graduation from University, in April 1997. The book was the first English language attempt to analyse the television series ''Space: 1999'' in a wider cultural context, and is sometimes compared and contrasted with a similar French book written by
Pierre Fageolle
Pierre Fageolle is a French journalist and songwriter. Internationally he is perhaps most well known for writing the book ''Cosmos 1999: L'épopée de la blancheur'' (DLM Editions, Paris: 1996), a highly acclaimed socio-cultural analysis of Ger ...
.
In 2009, Muir became a member of the artist collective, Tecamachalco Underground. The following year he was a judge at the ACEFEST NYC2010 Film Festival, occurring August 20–28, 2010.
Selected works of literary criticism
Muir has written a book about
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film ''Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, co ...
, titled ''An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith'', a study of
Sam Raimi
Samuel M. Raimi ( ; born October 23, 1959) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the Spider-Man (2002 film series), ''Spider-Man'' trilogy (2002–2007) and the ''Evil Dead'' franchise (1981–present). He also directed the 1 ...
titled ''The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi'',
A book on terror television called ''
Terror Television American Series-1970-1999
Terror(s) or The Terror may refer to:
Politics
* Reign of Terror, commonly known as The Terror, a period of violence (1793–1794) after the onset of the French Revolution
* Terror (politics), a policy of political repression and violence
Emoti ...
'', and another on the works of comedian
Christopher Guest
Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born February 5, 1948) is an American-British screenwriter, composer, musician, director, actor, and comedian. Guest is most widely known in Hollywood for having written, directed, and starred in ...
and his repertory company, titled ''Best in Show: The Films of Christ opher Guest and Company''.
[ As of 2010, Muir's most recent film director study was ''Mercy in Her Eyes: The Films of ]Mira Nair
Mira Nair (born 15 October 1957) is an Indian-American filmmaker based in New York City. Her production company, Mirabai Films, specializes in films for international audiences on Indian society, whether in the economic, social or cultural sphe ...
''.
Media appearances
Muir has appeared on TV on ''The E! True Hollywood Story
''E! True Hollywood Story'' is an American television documentary series on E! that pulls back the curtain and highlights some of pop culture's most fascinating people, moments and trends. The series offers exclusive interviews with new insigh ...
: "Curse of The Exorcist
''The Exorcist'' is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. It stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty W ...
"'', TV Ontario's ''Saturday Night at the Movies'', and on the premiere episode of the Sci-Fi Channel
Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Launc ...
series ''Sciography
Sciography, also spelled sciagraphy or skiagraphy ( el, σκιά "shadow" and γράφειν graphein, "write"), is a branch of science of the perspective dealing with the projection of shadows, or delineation of an object in perspective with it ...
''. On radio, Muir has been a guest on ''Destinies: The Voice of Science Fiction'', ''NiteShift'' ''Good Morning Charlotte'', ''The Allan Handelman Show'', and ''The Mitch Albom Show''.
In 2007, Muir appeared as a commentator in ''Decade of Darkness'', a special feature on the Collector's Edition DVD release of the 1985 film ''Return of the Living Dead
''The Return of the Living Dead'' is a 1985 American comedy horror film written and directed by Dan O'Bannon in his directorial debut, and starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Thom Matthews and Don Calfa. The film tells the story of how a wa ...
''. He also appeared with others in the 2009 documentary film ''Nightmares in Red, White and Blue
''Nightmares in Red, White and Blue: The Evolution of the American Horror Film'' is a 2009 American documentary film directed by Andrew Monument, based on the 2004 book of the same name by Joseph Maddrey. The film examines the appeal of the horr ...
''. On October 25, 2010, he was featured on the Biography Channel
FYI (stylized as fyi,) is an American basic cable channel owned by A&E Networks, a joint venture between the Disney Media Networks subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications (each owns 50%). The network features lifestyle pr ...
's ''The Inside Story: Halloween'' documentary about director John Carpenter
John Howard Carpenter (born January 16, 1948) is an American filmmaker, actor, and composer. Although he worked in various film genres, he is most commonly associated with horror, action, and science fiction films of the 1970s and 1980s. He ...
's 1978 film, ''Halloween
Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observanc ...
''.
Awards and nominations
*''The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television'': A New York Public Library's "Best of Reference" Selection, 2005.
*''Horror Films of the 1970s'': A ''Booklist'' Editor's Choice for 2002; An Outstanding Reference Source for 2003 by RUSA (Reference Users Service Association), and a "Best of the Best" Reference Book for 2002 by the ALA (American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members a ...
).
*''Terror Television'': ''A Booklist'' Editor's Choice for 2001.2001.
*Nomination: Airlock Alpha Best Web Production, ''The House Between'' (2009)
*Nomination: Sy Fy Portal Best Web Production, ''The House Between'': "Returned" (2008)
Fiction
Muir's first novel was published by Powys Media in 2003, an officially licensed continuation of the '' Space: 1999'' saga, titled ''The Forsaken''. This is the second in the Powys line of ''Space: 1999'' books, following William Latham's ''Resurrection''. Muir's other fiction includes two short stories for ''The Official Farscape
''Farscape'' is an Australian-American science fiction television series, produced originally for the Nine Network. It premiered in the US on Sci-Fi Channel's SciFi Friday, 19 March 1999, at 8:00 pm EST as their anchor series. The series was c ...
Magazine''. In issue #6, for May 2002, his story "That Old Voodoo" was featured. In issue #8, for August 2002, his story "Make a Wish" was published.
Two of his ''Space: 1999'' licensed short stories, "Futility" and "The Touch of Venus", appear in the anthology ''Space: 1999 Shepherd Moon'' (2010).
Muir's second novel was published by Powys Media in 2014, another officially licensed novel in the '' Space: 1999'' saga, entitled ''The Whispering Sea''.
His next two novels were novellas in The House Between universe that he created, Enter The House Between Book #1: Arrived. and Enter The House Between Book #2: Settled. The books were published by Powys Media on December 3, 2022.
''The House Between''
In 2006, Muir wrote and directed an original science fiction series titled ''The House Between'', to be broadcast online. ''The House Between's'' first-season episode, "Arrived", premiered at Fantasci V in Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 249,422, it is the second-most populous independent city in Virginia, tenth-largest in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 90th ...
, on July 29, 2006. The second season of the series premiered January 25, 2008 and ran through March 2008. A third season began airing online in January 2009.
''The House Betweens'' second-season premiere ("Returned") was nominated for a Sy Fy Genre Award in 2008 under the category "Best Web Production." Sy Fy Radio on August 13, 2008 announced that ''The House'' Between placed second out of five productions, behind the bigger-budgeted '' Star Trek: Of Gods and Men'' by a margin of less than 100 votes. The third season of the series was nominated for "Best Web Production" at Airlock Alpha, but did not win. Altogether twenty-one episodes of ''The House Between'' were produced over three seasons.
Bibliography
Books
*''Horror Films 2000 - 2009'' (McFarland, 2022)
*''Joss Whedon FAQ'' (Applause Theater and Cinema Books, 2019)
*''The'' ''X-Files FAQ'' (Applause Theater and Cinema Books, 2015)
*''Space:1999 The Whispering Sea'' (Powys Media, 2014)
*''Science Fiction and Fantasy Films of the 1970s'' (CreateSpace, 2013)
*''Horror Films FAQ'' (Applause Theater and Cinema Books; 2013)
*''Music on Film: Purple Rain'' (Limelight Editions; 2012)
*''Horror Films of the 1990s'' (McFarland, 2011)
*''Music on Film: This is Spinal Tap'' (Limelight Editions; 2010)
*''Space:1999 Shepherd Moon'' ("The Touch of Venus," "Futility") (Powys Media, 2010)
*''Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist'' ("As the (White) Worm Turns: Ken Russell as God and Devil of Rubber-Reality Horror Cinema") (Scarecrow Press, 2009)
*''Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy'' ("SALTed Popcorn") (Open Court, 2008)
*''TV Year Volume 1: The Complete 2005–2006 Prime Time Season'' (Applause Theater and Cinema Books, 2007)
*''The Rock and Roll Film Encyclopedia" (Applause Theater and Cinema Books, 2007)
*''Horror Films of the 1980s'' (McFarland, 2007)
*''Mercy in Her Eyes: The Films of Mira Nair'' (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2006)
*''Singing a New Tune: The Re-Birth of the Modern Film Musical, from Evita Evita may refer to:
Arts
* Evita (1996 film), ''Evita'' (1996 film), a 1996 American musical drama film based on the 1976 concept album of the same name
* Evita (2008 film), ''Evita'' (2008 film), a documentary about Eva Péron
* Evita (album), ''E ...
to De-Lovely
''De-Lovely'' is a 2004 American musical biopic directed by Irwin Winkler and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay by Jay Cocks is based on the life and career of Cole Porter, from his first meeting with his wife, Linda Lee Thomas, ...
and Beyond'' (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2005)
*''Best in Show: The Films of Christopher Guest & Company'' (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2004)
*''The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi'' (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2004)
*''The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television'' [McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 2004)
*''Space: 1999 – The Forsaken'' (Powys Media, 2003)
*''Eaten Alive At A Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 2003)
*''An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith'' (Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, 2002)
*''Horror Films of the 1970s'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 2002)
*''An Analytical Guide to Television's One Step Beyond, 1959–1961'' (McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers, 2001)
*''Terror Television: American Series, 1970–1999'' (McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers, 2001)
*''The Films of John Carpenter'' (McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers, 2000)
*''A History and Critical Analysis of Blake's 7, the 1978–1981 British Television Space Adventure'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 1999)
*''A Critical History of Doctor Who on Television'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 1999)
*''An Analytical Guide to Television's Battlestar Galactica'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 1999)
*''Wes Craven: The Art of Horror'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 1998)
*''Exploring Space:1999 – An Episode Guide and Complete History of the Mid-1970s Science Fiction Television Series'' (McFarland and Company Inc., Publishers, 1997)
Liner notes & forewords
* ''Space:1999 Aftershock and Awe'' by Andrew Gaska (Boom Entertainment, December 2012)
* ''Lexicon of the Planet of the Apes'' by Rich Handley (Hasslein Books; September 2010)
*''The House Between: Original Internet Television Score''--compact disc booklet. (Powys Media. April 2010)
References
External links
*
*
Library Journal Q & A
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muir, John Kenneth
1969 births
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