As Deep as It Gets

Randall E. Auxier is a professor of philosophy and communication studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He is a musician, an environmental activist, a union advocate, and a 2018 candidate for the United States House of Representatives in the 12th Congressional District of Illinois. He is a co-founder and co-director of the American Institute for Philosophical and Cultural Thought.

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