Can the application of empirical scientific methods provide a comprehensive understanding of how cinematic techniques influence human cognition and emotional response? Arthur P. Shimamura, a professor of psychology and expert in cognitive neuroscience, curates this volume to bridge the gap between traditional film theory and hard science. By assembling a multidisciplinary team of neuroscientists, psychologists, and philosophers, the book argues that the movie-going experience is a measurable phenomenon that can be analyzed through the lens of brain function and sensory processing.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational text for the emerging field of psychocinematics, effectively bridging the divide between humanities-based film criticism and empirical science. Readers often note that while the text is academic in nature, it remains accessible to those interested in the intersection of brain science and media consumption.