Video Watchdog
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Video Watchdog is a monthly, digest size film magazine started in 1990 by publisher/editor Tim Lucas and his wife Donna Lucas.
Although devoted chiefly to the horror, science fiction, and fantasy genres, the magazine frequently delves beyond these strictures into art film, Hong Kong action cinema, spaghetti western, exploitation films, anime, and general mainstream cinema. Video Watchdog features thoughtful, intelligent film criticism and extensively researched articles. It is generally considered to be the most serious and important genre film publication of its kind since the heyday of Cinefantastique, a magazine that Lucas has acknowledged as a major influence. In addition to Lucas himself, Video Watchdog's list of regular contributors includes such noted genre authorities as Ramsey Campbell, Kim Newman, Joe Dante, Douglas E. Winter, Stephen R. Bissette, and John Charles.
Originally a black-and-white publication, Video Watchdog added full colour covers with its 13th issue, and celebrated its 100th issue in 2003 by adopting a permanent, full-color format. The magazine's attractive design and art direction are the work of co-publisher Donna Lucas. Los Angeles-based artist Charlie Largent has been responsible for most of the cover art since 2002, beginning with #84.
The magazine's website includes a complete index of films reviewed over its long history, as well as special "Round Table" film discussions, free article samples, and a link to Lucas's voluminous "Video WatchBlog" (launched in October 2005).
