Urban fantasy is a modern subgenre, named to separate it from your standard "swords and sorcery" fantasy. It's mostly about setting -- unlike classic fantasy like Lord of the Rings, which use completely made up worlds, or alternate histories, urban fantasy is usually set in a world that could be ours. Except for the magic, anyway. So you get wizard private detectives in modern Chicago, or a witch working supernatural security in the midwest. A lot of urban fantasy can get very scientific, too, blending technology and magic.
Part of the reason it's becoming so popular, I think, is that so much swords and sorcery fantasy is set in made up realms that look a lot like medeival Europe. So, you know, things are not so great for women, gay people, racial minorities, or peasants. Part of the original urban fantasy movement was a reaction to this, and an attempt to make fantasy work in settings where there's more freedom for women protagonists, etc.
That, and it's just fun. At 04:38 PM 11/1/2006, you wrote:
I'm not sure what "urban fantasy" is, but the phrase reminded me of a wonderful movie I saw years ago with an excellent cast, so I looked it up up IMDB. The movie was released in 1981 and was based on a novel by Whitley Streiber, who is, I believe, a well-known horror writer. The movie is listed as horror'thriller, but it's more than that--it has a moral. As I recall, it has to do with ecology and society--and Indian legends. The movie and book are entitled Wolfen. I see the book is not in the collection, nor are any of Streiber's books. For anyone interested, I've pasted a fan's review IMDB.com that gives a good idea of the movie. Cindy Author: omegaknight_d from United States "They can hear a cloud pass overhead, the rhythm of your blood. They can track you by yesterday's shadow. And they can tear the scream from your throat. There is no defense." I love it when you can tell a movie is gonna be great just from it's tagline. Wolfen is one of the most thoroughly underrated films of the 80's if not film history. From moment one with it's dreamy, monochromatic, animalistic tracking shots Wolfen sets itself up as a different kind of werewolf film. With Wolfen you get three movies in one a Dirty Harry-esquire cop investigation movie with Albert Finney and Gregory Harrison turning in fine performances as the ones investigating. A graphically intense horror film, with a menacingly sadistic, creepily cool performance from Edward James Olmos and of course the barely there "Wolfen" creatures. Lastly you get a statement on environmental issues and the hierarchy of society. Tom Noonan in his pre-Manhunter existence gives the movie a touch of class as an animal lover who wants to study the "Wolfen." If you're expecting a comedic werewolf movie such as "The Howling" or "An American Werewolf in London" this film isn't for you. But if you want a great suspense mystery, with dazzling visuals and one of the greatest endings in history check Wolfen out. ____________________________________________________________________________________Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Yahoo! Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates(http://voice.yahoo.com) To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxput the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
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