Most Hollywood biographies are little more than 500-page musings on the ‘when-I-met…’ theme, filled with famous names, love affairs and clichés of a ‘meteoric rise’ or ‘tragic fall’. Bruce Campbell’s If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor is the boisterous antidote to such convention.
Campbell is the ultimate ‘B’ Movie actor. Star of the cult Evil Dead trilogy, with a CV that ranges from buddy Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, through The X-Files and Xena: Warrior Princess, to the less-than-glamorous Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, you’ve probably never heard of him. But his is one heck of a story!
The popularity of Bruce, the cult hero of cable TV and Hollywood’s second rung, is burning brighter than ever, his legion of fans undiminished after over thirty years. Insightful, encouraging and brilliantly funny, If Chins Could Kill! is a brilliant place to start for those unfamiliar with his work. For everyone else, it acts as a wonderful reminder for just why they fell in love with him in the first place.
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Review
‘An insightful and rant-filled guide to being almost famous'
(GQ )‘[an] entertaining and witty Hollywood memoir…[with] enough insights and smarts to appeal to readers with a serious interest in popular culture.’
(Publishers Weekly )‘This engaging memoir offers much more than the standard, glamorous "and then I did..." show business autobiography… it succeeds as an evocative memoir that allows the reader to know Campbell. High recommended’
(Library Journal )About the Author
Bruce Campbell is the ultimate ‘B’ movie actor. Star of the cult Evil Dead trilogy, he has a CV that ranges from buddy Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, through The X-Files, Xena: Warrior Princess and Burn Notice, to Man With the Screaming Brain, My Name is Bruce and Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters. He is author of If Chins Could Kill!, a major sleeper hit and a New York Times bestseller. His most recent book, Make Love* The Bruce Campbell Way was published by Aurum in 2010.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By L. Andrews
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book off Amazon after seeing it advertised while I was ordering THE EVIL DEAD COMPANION, as it had Bruce Campbell's grinning face pictured on the cover, and lets face it folks, the guy's a legend! It is easy to see that he is a guy that puts his all into what he does (physically as well as mentally - just take a look at that kitchen sequence in EVIL DEAD 2!), and from reading his biography my respect for him has risen sky high. He doesn't fictionalise aspects of his life (not that I've been there and known him, but it sure as hell doesn't come across as such anyway), he doesn't demand sympathy, he doesn't gloat at his success with his ever-growing career and fandom, and his writing is brilliatly literate, a quality in him that some people wouldn't have expected - I mean, a rocket scientist wouldn't star in the EVIL DEAD trilogy, right?
The commentary on his life is fascinating, and at points truly hilarious. It is very rare that I will laugh out loud at a book, but in places this book had me in stitches, and that is no exageration. Reading it you almost become jealous of the childhood he has had. This is the story about a man who really worked for the position he is in now; he's not a Hollywood-manufactured star, and that's his quality, but he is generally regarded as the greatest B-movie actor of his time, and that is a position properly earned.
Insiteful also of the lives of Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Scott Speigal and others he has worked with and maintained a friendship with, this is not just a self-indulgent account of someone trying to make money out of a life story. It is a book truly worth paying money for and I parted with my cash gladly. I cannot recommend this book enough.
The fact that out of 11 reviews so far, ten have awarded five stars should speak for itself. For any fan of Bruce Campbell, this is a must buy. Get it now!
THE EVIL DEAD COMPANION is also a good buy for fans of the trilogy.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By P L Hooper
Format:Paperback
Being an Evil Dead and Bruce Campbell fan aided in my choice of his biography. However compared to other biographies which usually use ghostwriters, this book was one i could not put down. From his first acting job to his now known success throughout Hollywood and the world, Bruce Campbell captures every moment only he knows how. It is insightful, encouraging, funny and well worth a read. Even if you are unfamiliar with his work on the big screen after reading 'If Chins Could Kill' your appetite for his work would be hungrier than ever.
He is proud to declare himself a B grade actor and encourages everyone to follow their dreams no matter how difficult that prospect may be. He describes his struggles to find finance and support for the now cult classic 'Evil Dead', which was his first full length film. The story of the making of this film is hilarious in many respects but also heartbreaking as actor after actor give up and more money is need to complete it. He tells of his fellow actors, directors and friends, one of which recently directed the blockbuster 'Spiderman', in which Bruce has a small part.
Overall it is an exceptional read, not only for film fans, but for anyone in search of a dream.
He is proud to declare himself a B grade actor and encourages everyone to follow their dreams no matter how difficult that prospect may be. He describes his struggles to find finance and support for the now cult classic 'Evil Dead', which was his first full length film. The story of the making of this film is hilarious in many respects but also heartbreaking as actor after actor give up and more money is need to complete it. He tells of his fellow actors, directors and friends, one of which recently directed the blockbuster 'Spiderman', in which Bruce has a small part.
Overall it is an exceptional read, not only for film fans, but for anyone in search of a dream.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By "rusty3737"
Format:Paperback
Being a lifelong fan of Bruce I couldnt wait for this book to arrive after ordering it from Amazon. After reading it in record time I can honestly say its one of the best autobiographies I've ever read!
Only a small portion of chapters are written about his childhood but they are packed with humour-you can't help but laugh at his adventures with the opposite sex.
Its not long before he tells about meeting someone called Sam Raimi and coming up with an idea for a film which would eventually become The Evil Dead.
This book is impossible not to enjoy. Its funny, fast moving and very informative.
After reading the last page I had earned even more respect for Bruce than I had before. He works damn hard at his profession, enjoys it alot, obviously loves his fans but never moans about his celebrity status, getting bad breaks or that his good friend Mr Raimi has become a Hollywood hotshot!
Bruce you are a God and I look forward to your next book!
Only a small portion of chapters are written about his childhood but they are packed with humour-you can't help but laugh at his adventures with the opposite sex.
Its not long before he tells about meeting someone called Sam Raimi and coming up with an idea for a film which would eventually become The Evil Dead.
This book is impossible not to enjoy. Its funny, fast moving and very informative.
After reading the last page I had earned even more respect for Bruce than I had before. He works damn hard at his profession, enjoys it alot, obviously loves his fans but never moans about his celebrity status, getting bad breaks or that his good friend Mr Raimi has become a Hollywood hotshot!
Bruce you are a God and I look forward to your next book!
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
kinda interesting
well it tells you everything you need to know and more much much more its very very very full of details but quite a interesting review of a b movie actors lot
Published 3 months ago by m. dosa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bruce is King of the try-ers
A really interesting read, with effort and dedication key to never quite making it into the big time.
Well worth a read.
Well worth a read.
Published 4 months ago by Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Great read for any movie buff, Bruce's style of writing is both funny and engaging. Nice to read an autobiography from a real person instead of a vacuous A-list celeb.
Published 5 months ago by Mr Richard Clarson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Full on Enjoyment!
OK, I admit it, I'm a big Bruce fan and encountered this book with real enthusiasm. The confidence was well rewarded, because this is a great fun read - and also a worthy insider... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Calvin Sokkan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Groovy
A real revelation
As a huge Evil Dead Fan
and only a casual bruce campbell fan i had no idea about the man himself
i had a few half formed thoughts along the lines... Read more
As a huge Evil Dead Fan
and only a casual bruce campbell fan i had no idea about the man himself
i had a few half formed thoughts along the lines... Read more
Published 15 months ago by dregj
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading
Bruce Campbell is the ultimate B movie actor. Here we have his autobiography of sorts.
I say of sorts because really this is essentially a run down of how a B movie actor... Read more
I say of sorts because really this is essentially a run down of how a B movie actor... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Colonel Decker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bruce being Bruce
If you like his films, some of which are admittedly terrible, then you'll love it. if you don't like his films or even know him, it's a great autobio of a less than top string... Read more
Published on 19 Dec 2010 by fat man on a bicycle
3.0 out of 5 stars
If chins could kill they probably wouldn't be so boring
I bought this to read about the man behind the myth that entertained during many youthful stoner sessions. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2010 by JibbityJobby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun reading!
Anyone that's a Bruce Campbell fan will be drawn to this book and it certainly doesn't disappoint!
Starting from his childhood in Michigan, along with friend Sam Raimi it's a... Read more
Starting from his childhood in Michigan, along with friend Sam Raimi it's a... Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by Max Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars
if chins could kill
i bought this book knowing only that bruce campbell was in the evil dead trilogy and spiderman .to my surprise this book is a great read bruce tells is story the way you would... Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2008 by P. J. Andrew
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