For a big-budget blockbuster intended to get people out to the cinema and paying the very reasonable prices cinemas are charging these days, Interstellars plot sure does hinge on books as a crucial element. Its by tossing titles off the bookshelf in the young Murphys room that Cooper is initially able to "communicate" with her from within the black hole, and ultimately convince her that her dad didn't abandon her. Its a fun little twist (if a little obvious) and, of course, preferable to her theory that their house is haunted. So the books are important as a plot device, as props that further the story, but what about the actual content of all those tomes? Do they hint at all about the themes, plot or eventual direction of Interstellar? Yes, totally, duh. This is a list of insane theories, after all. One prominent title is Stephen Kings The Stand, which shares the films premise of a ravaged, almost-finished Earth, and being way too frickin long. Theres Mark Helprins Winters Tale, all about rips in time (and made into a crappy film with A New York slapped on the front of the title). And hey, some Kip Thorne books too! This shelf is like the list of drinks from Shaun Of The Dead with all the foreshadowing.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/