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Scifi Movies/Expert Profile

Barbara L. Baker

U.S.

Available

Expertise

I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, with expertise in film. I can answer most questions on the original "Star Wars" trilogy, and some on the newer trilogy. I also have expertise in general science-fiction film (both history and theory), especially in the United States. For movie titles, I need to have the release date (or a date range, or at least when you saw it). It is better if you note significant, major plot details and characters rather than minor plot events, and it is even better if you can recall an actor or director's name, and if it is a film or TV movie. Plesase do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer the following, although I will do my best to track down an answer for you--recent SF films, horror films, or made-for-TV movies. Most SF films from other countries are out of my areas of expertise. In addition, I cannot answer questions about animated SF films, anime/manga, television series or shows, or about film collectables. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.

Experience in the area

Coursework in science-fiction and fantasy films, plus teaching courses in the subject for several years; I've also conducted research into SF and fantasy films and TV.

Education/Credentials

Ph.D. in Communication, with emphasis on film and rhetoric.

Awards and Honors

A dissertation award from a national organization and various paper awards.

Past/Present Clients

My students.

What do you like about this subject?

Movies are our fantasies made manifest, and science-fiction/fantasy films push those fantasies to the limit.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

To continue to teach courses and do research in this area.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Dystopian science fiction often does not have a happy ending; it also deals with controversial issues such as genetic engineering, overpopulation, conformity, etc.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

User	Date	K	C	P	Comments
chris	02/12/12	10	10	10	Barbara, Think you for your help, I .....
Elia	02/11/12	10	10	10	YOU ARE THE MASTER!!! That was it .....
Alex	02/08/12	10	10	10	I'm impressed. It really sounds like the .....
Jim	01/29/12	10	10	10	You nailed it. The movie is The .....
Cristiano	01/22/12	10	10	10	Dear Barbara, thanks a lot! It's exactly .....

Recent Answers from Barbara L. Baker

2012-02-09 Need Title of a Time Travel Movie:

Ella, I think I may have a title for you. I say may because the plot description isn't entirely identical to what you wrote (for example, it takes place in 1881, about 100 years later than colonial times)

2012-02-06 Title of scandinavian or Finnish movie:

Alex, this took awhile, in part because this is not in my general area of expertise. However, I believe I have an answer for you. The film you are seeking is the 1989 Danish/Swedish film "Miraklet

2012-01-25 sci fi movie 50'-60's:

Jim, it took me awhile, but I think I might have an answer for you. I think the title you are looking for is one of these two films: "The Time Travelers" made in 1964, or "Journey to the Center of Time

2012-01-21 Watch fires electric beans:

Cristiano, this is the 1979 TV series pilot "The Power Within." The plot description from the Internet Movie Data Base (imbd.com) is pretty much as you recall--a young man is hit by lightning, absorbing

2012-01-18 Aci-fi:

Jim, I'm not sure exactly what your actual question is, but I assume you wish to know if this name could be a character on a particular show? If so, I could not locate any character with either spelling

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