Booknote: The Horror Show Guide

Mike Mayo, The Horror Show Guide: the Ultimate Frightfest of Movies. Canton, MI: Visible Ink Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-157859420-7.

Genre: nonfiction, reference
Subgenre: film, movies, horror
Format: trade paperback
Source: Madison County (KY) Public Library.

For starters, the title may not be the most accurate as the book only covers movies; it does not cover television (or other "shows" for that matter).

The book is a reference book listing horror movies. The definition of horror is a bit broad, so it means the book can and does include things like comedies that have horror elements, thrillers with various degrees of horror content, and horror spoofs. In that sense, it attempts to be comprehensive. However, you need to keep in mind this is one author's compilation, and it is a selective and opinionated one at that. While the author does have expertise, other horror fans and experts may agree or disagree with his selections and commentary. The book's content can be wide open to debate. Having said that, what Mayo provides is pretty good. The book provides a broad listing of classics and modern (as of the book's publication date) movies ranging from blockbusters to cult movies and even some schlock.

The book is arranged as follows:

• Contents. Note movies are listed in alphabetical order. On a side note, in the text, a main movie and sequels are grouped often in a single entry. For example, Saw 1-7 get one entry, but each film is listed individually in the contents.
• Introduction: Here the author looks at the state of the genre, a bit of history, and key changes at the time the book was being published. He also goes over issues he's observed such as over-reliance on sequels and remakes and lack of originality, especially in recent times (and I can definitely agree with that). If you want a good snapshot of the genre around 2012 and then get a sense how far or not we've come, this introductory essay is worth reading. 
• The movie entries grouped in alphabetical order. Each alphabet letter gets a section in the book. In addition, due to the excess and basically glut of originality and sequels and remakes in the previous 15 years (from the date of the book's publication, a trend that has only gotten worse over time), the author and publisher changed the book's arrangement from previous editions. "Entries on series and remakes are grouped together by the primary word in the title-- Amityville, Exorcist, Hellraiser-- even when the titles break alphabetical order" (xiv). You know you are dealing with a lot of movie clutter when you need to consolidate with prejudice. I do appreciate they worked to keep this book at a manageable size. 
• An appendix for movie credits. Lists actors (main), directors, and screenwriters. 
• Index listing names, titles, and illustrations. 

Overall, this is a good reference book. It can't possibly cover everything; no book of this type can really do that. What it does cover it does pretty well. The author is fully aware of his limitations and works within them to provide a good overview, commentary, and brief reviews to help readers decide if they want to watch something or not. You are welcome to disagree; I did on some things, but that is good. The author does offer well informed content.

An issue with the book is that of many other reference books with lists: the Internet. The Internet means compiling, maintaining, and updating lists like horror film lists is easier, faster, and can often be sourced out more than in one book. I am not saying what you get on the Internet is better, and sometimes it is atrocious, but for quick reference, the Internet wins out on at least "it's good enough" (you can debate the merits of that in the comments below or elsewhere).

Despite the above, if you are a hardcore horror fan or buff, you probably want a book like this. Horror film historians may want it for the essay introduction and historical research. This is a good selection for public libraries. Fans can use this book like I would, which is to get ideas on new (or mostly new to me) things to watch. Libraries could use it for "film advisory," like reader's advisory but for film (say, "Ive watched every Poltergeist film, anything out there similar?"). In fact, to aid in "film advisory," the book also offers some note boxes with lists like "The Top Eight Big Monsters on Campus Movies." By the way, that is a good feature but it is not indexed which limits potential usefulness. Book also includes some black and white illustrations.

In the end, I liked it. If you ask me, unless you are library with a good film collection in terms of movies and books on film, or if you are a horror fan/buff, this is a book to borrow and browse.

3 out of 5 stars.