Daniel M. Kimmel nominated for Hugo Award;

Film critic’s collection of essays up for “Best Related Book” at World Science Fiction Convention in Chicago

Somerville, Mass. - Jar Jar Binks Must Die… and other Observations about Science Fiction Movies (Fantastic Books) by Daniel M. Kimmel has been nominated for the Hugo Award, the top honor in science fiction.  The announcement was simultaneously made at five different conventions in the U.S. and England on April 7. Voted on by the members of the 70^th World Science Fiction Convention, the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the convention in Chicago on September 2.  Awards are given in several categories including novel, short story, and dramatic presentation.  Kimmel’s book is one of five nominees for “best related book,” a category covering non-fiction works related to the genre.

Released in 2011, the book is a collection of essays covering nearly a century’s worth of science fiction movies from “Metropolis” to “Inception.” Reviewers have hailed the book:

“[Kimmel's] writing is intelligent and entertaining…. his knowledge of SF movies is encyclopedic…. This is the guy you want sitting next to you when Channel 45 has a weekend ’sci-fi’ movie marathon…. For anyone who likes SF movies, this volume is worth the price of admission.” -Don Sakers, “The Reference Library”, in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, July/August 2011.

“Kimmel’s a terrific guide to classic though underappreciated works such as Things to Come, and is especially sharp on 1950s sf movies, David Cronenberg, and the art (or lack of same) of movie remakes…. his brief essays are addictively readable and yes, a lot more fun than watching Revenge of the Sith.” -Elizabeth Hand, “Books”, in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, July/August 2011

“[Kimmel's] essays are both informed and informative, erudite, often humorous, filled with insider-knowledge… [the book] is eminently accessible-and has a few good points to make…. Jar Jar Binks Must Die has now become the sourcebook that I will use to underpin my [film] arguments, as Daniel has said everything I’ve been saying about film, although much more so and in a far more entertaining and convincing manner…. This is an encyclopedic mind at work, one that went looking for the redeeming qualities in just about any of Hollywood’s SF efforts and managed to find something in most of them…. ” -Steve Davidson, Amazing Stories

Daniel M. Kimmel is past president of the Boston Society of Film Critics. His reviews appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for 25 years and can now be found at Northshoremovies.net.  He also reviews for the Sci Fi Movie Page, is Boston correspondent for Variety, the “Movie Maven” for the Jewish Advocate and teaches film at Suffolk University. He writes on classic science fiction films for Clarkesworld and Space and Time magazine. His book on the history of FOX TV, The Fourth Network received the Cable Center Book Award. His other books include a history of DreamWorks, The Dream Team, and  I’ll Have What She’s Having: Behind the Scenes of the Great Romantic Comedies.

For further information contact:

Daniel M. Kimmel  617-935-5072 danielmkimmel@gmail.com

Also, for S&T readers coming to the Lunacon convention next weekend, here is my schedule:

• Dark Visions (Panel) (M), Fri 20:00 - 21:00, Birch

• Reading: Hildy Silverman (Reading) (M), Sat 13:00 - 13:30, Bartell

• Pros and Cons (Panel), Sat 15:00 - 16:00, Birch

• The Art of Rejection (Panel) (M), Sat 18:00 - 19:00, Westchester Ballroom A1

Also, though it isn’t listed yet, I will be acting out The Eye of Argon again — poorly — with my fellow Argonites Mike Ventrella and Susan De Guardiola.  Come visit!

Best of luck!