In It's Only a Movie, the incomparable Mark Kermode takes us into the weird world of a life lived in widescreen. Join him as he gets lost in Russia on the trail of a low-budget horror flick, gasp as he's shot at in Hollywood while interviewing Bavarian director Werner Herzog, cheer as he gets thrown out of the Cannes film festival for heckling in very bad French, and cringe as he's handbagged by Helen Mirren at London's glitzy BAFTA Awards. Written with sardonic wit and wry good humour, this compelling cinematic memoir is genuinely 'inspired by real events'.
It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive
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Review
"Film criticism is rarely as much fun as Kermode, whether on the radio or in this hugely entertaining book" (David Hughes Empire )
"A droll account of Kermode's rise to becoming the most prominent, and extravagantly quiffed, movie pundit in Britain" (Stephen Dalton The Times )
"Bubbles with gleeful obsession" (Reader's Digest )
"Breezy, entertaining ... certainly made me laugh" (Independent )
"In an industry where serious film criticism is increasingly marginalised, we're lucky to have him" (Ali Catterall Word )
"A droll account of Kermode's rise to becoming the most prominent, and extravagantly quiffed, movie pundit in Britain" (Stephen Dalton The Times )
"Bubbles with gleeful obsession" (Reader's Digest )
"Breezy, entertaining ... certainly made me laugh" (Independent )
"In an industry where serious film criticism is increasingly marginalised, we're lucky to have him" (Ali Catterall Word )
Book Description
The BBC's most popular film critic's Sunday Times Top 10 bestselling memoir
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Wotan
Format:Paperback
Best to start by saying this is not a true biography. We learn very little about the good doctor from this book: no family revelations, no grasp of whatever theology he subscribes to (he obviously does have some theological standpoint as anyone who has read his work on the Exorcist alone would see), no insight into his personal life. No, this is certainly not a biography in the usual sense. What you get here is a life told through the movies that Kermode has viewed, the people he has interviewed, together with the places he has visited and the jobs he has held that relate to "the movies".
Is this a bad thing? I suppose that depends on what you expect. Do you care when he lost his virginity, who he has shagged, what his political views are (we learn much of what they were in his youth), what lead him to study his Doctoral thesis, his relationships with his wife and children, why he changed his name to his mothers maiden name after she divorced and even worse his thoughts on Simon Mayo? If you do, give this a miss - and then try to get a life. If you don't care about these things, but just want more of the sort of thing Kermode talks/writes about on either his blog or with Mayo (god help you) then this book is fine and you already know what to expect
In simple terms, this is a good book on movies and movie makers, or at least it is if you enjoy, or are at the very least entertained, by Kermode's reviews and radio show - and his rather idiosyncratic take on these. If you enjoy these then you will enjoy this book. And if you don't? Well, you probably wont be looking at this review in the first place.
By the way, take a look at the audiobook also if you get the chance. It's read by Kermode in his usual style and adds something the written word can't. Buy both, I did.... Read more ›
Is this a bad thing? I suppose that depends on what you expect. Do you care when he lost his virginity, who he has shagged, what his political views are (we learn much of what they were in his youth), what lead him to study his Doctoral thesis, his relationships with his wife and children, why he changed his name to his mothers maiden name after she divorced and even worse his thoughts on Simon Mayo? If you do, give this a miss - and then try to get a life. If you don't care about these things, but just want more of the sort of thing Kermode talks/writes about on either his blog or with Mayo (god help you) then this book is fine and you already know what to expect
In simple terms, this is a good book on movies and movie makers, or at least it is if you enjoy, or are at the very least entertained, by Kermode's reviews and radio show - and his rather idiosyncratic take on these. If you enjoy these then you will enjoy this book. And if you don't? Well, you probably wont be looking at this review in the first place.
By the way, take a look at the audiobook also if you get the chance. It's read by Kermode in his usual style and adds something the written word can't. Buy both, I did.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By PoochJD
Format:Paperback
Mark Kermode is a man you either "get" and enjoy, or you dislike. Those who dislike him, think he's arrogant, and not a very good reviewer. An argument that can be applied to any critic, in fairness. (Christopher Tookey of the DAILY MAIL being a prime example!)
Those of us who enjoy Kermode's style, and I do, have enjoyed this book: a quasi-autobiography that Kermode himself clearly states at the beginning of, that "is inspired by real events", and that whilst most of it is probably true, exactly how much and how accurate the "truth" is, is arguable - for both Kermode and the reader themself.
So, is the book any good?
If you want a complete autobiography, then whilst you'll learn somethings about Mark's upbringing, his initial forays into the world of film criticism, and his life, it's not as detailed as a normal autobiography would be. It doesn't cover his entire life. It doesn't contain every morsel of info, from his birth, to the year 2010 when this was written and published, and you won't get every, single detail on what makes Mark the film-critic he is.
With that all said, you will learn some things. You will get to see a bit more about what makes Mark the man he is. You will learn about why he thinks the way he does, and you will get to see he is as critical of himself, as many people are of him. And in one partcularly fun incident, involving Dame Helen Mirren, sometimes that means Mark making a complete fool of himself, and regretting it badly.
The book has flaws. Sometimes it can be a little simplistic, and sometimes you are left wanting more, but like Mark himself - it is what it is. It's the sum of its parts, it's a warts-and-all commentary on what being Mark Kermode is like, and along the way, you learn some fun things.... Read more ›
Those of us who enjoy Kermode's style, and I do, have enjoyed this book: a quasi-autobiography that Kermode himself clearly states at the beginning of, that "is inspired by real events", and that whilst most of it is probably true, exactly how much and how accurate the "truth" is, is arguable - for both Kermode and the reader themself.
So, is the book any good?
If you want a complete autobiography, then whilst you'll learn somethings about Mark's upbringing, his initial forays into the world of film criticism, and his life, it's not as detailed as a normal autobiography would be. It doesn't cover his entire life. It doesn't contain every morsel of info, from his birth, to the year 2010 when this was written and published, and you won't get every, single detail on what makes Mark the film-critic he is.
With that all said, you will learn some things. You will get to see a bit more about what makes Mark the man he is. You will learn about why he thinks the way he does, and you will get to see he is as critical of himself, as many people are of him. And in one partcularly fun incident, involving Dame Helen Mirren, sometimes that means Mark making a complete fool of himself, and regretting it badly.
The book has flaws. Sometimes it can be a little simplistic, and sometimes you are left wanting more, but like Mark himself - it is what it is. It's the sum of its parts, it's a warts-and-all commentary on what being Mark Kermode is like, and along the way, you learn some fun things.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mark Conroy
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Insightful, funny and honest. Kermode at his best. Portraying a world of self doubt, self depreciation and self loathing while being bloody brilliant.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Mark Kermode has always been one of my favourite film critics, not that I rely too much on other peoples recommendations regarding the films I like or dislike!
However I do find that both his opinion and my opinion of films tend to coincide more often than not, and this foray into writing about his early life and very interesting career moves, is well written in a tongue in cheek mode that definitely appeals to my sense of humour.
I would definitely recommend this as a very good read.
However I do find that both his opinion and my opinion of films tend to coincide more often than not, and this foray into writing about his early life and very interesting career moves, is well written in a tongue in cheek mode that definitely appeals to my sense of humour.
I would definitely recommend this as a very good read.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By RJAnn
Format:Paperback
The good Doctor's long awaited forage into the realms of autobiographical publishing fails to disappoint. Like the banned films he so dearly loves, it's very difficult to classify. It's part documentary, part adventure movie, part love story and, of course, part horror (in homage to his favourite movie, The Exorcist). It's one hell of a ride though.
I found myself frequently laughing out loud, particularly at the saga of how he got into broadcasting (radio) in the first place - a real eye-opener if you listen to his weekly film reviews with Simon Mayo.
I'd love to hear this as an audiobook in the actual words of Ol' Big Hands himself (he'd have to slow down though - he'd gabble through it in about 25 minutes if his radio performances are anything to go by!)
In the meantime, I'd thoroughly recommend this book to absolutely anyone who likes films.
As an aside and whilst I'm on my soapbox, I'd very much like to see Kermode take over Film 2010 in July, as has been heavily rumoured. He is THE outstanding candidate. Come on BBC!!!
I found myself frequently laughing out loud, particularly at the saga of how he got into broadcasting (radio) in the first place - a real eye-opener if you listen to his weekly film reviews with Simon Mayo.
I'd love to hear this as an audiobook in the actual words of Ol' Big Hands himself (he'd have to slow down though - he'd gabble through it in about 25 minutes if his radio performances are anything to go by!)
In the meantime, I'd thoroughly recommend this book to absolutely anyone who likes films.
As an aside and whilst I'm on my soapbox, I'd very much like to see Kermode take over Film 2010 in July, as has been heavily rumoured. He is THE outstanding candidate. Come on BBC!!!
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Self-indulgent to the point of tedium, but when it's funny it's...
I enjoyed Kermode's most recent book, so I gave this a try to see how he took this journey. I also used to write film reviews for national magasines and regional publications as... Read more
Published 14 days ago by william
4.0 out of 5 stars
tidy
If you like Mr kermodes work on radio you'll love this. Read before getting the follow up. Ive run out of words.
Published 14 months ago by exile1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wittertaining
Really enjoyed this book,not sure it deserves 2 stars or less. Well worth the price, and also the first complete book I've read on kindle. Read more
Published 20 months ago by David M
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sample only - rambling, but I like it
I quite enjoyed "The Good, The Bad & The Multiplex" and Kermode's radio programme Clingfilm many moons ago, so I thought I'd give this a whirl too. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Andrew Ives
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love Kermode, less enthusiastic about this book
I am a huge fan of Mark Kermode and love his film review show with Simon Mayo, so I was really looking forward to this book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by daisyduck1976
3.0 out of 5 stars
A curate's egg of a book
I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be a book about movies (as one would expect from the title) or an autobiography. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Peter Roberts
2.0 out of 5 stars
Anecdotal
He keeps telling us he's a doctor, i've seen him referanced in books - why can we not have a book analysing modern cinema rather than a range of anecdotes. Read more
Published 23 months ago by D. J. Andrews
3.0 out of 5 stars
its only a series of articles
disappointing as I enjoy Kermode on tv , but here he is rather too smug and too slick .He seems to have got to where he is through being in the write place at the right time and... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2011 by cartoon
3.0 out of 5 stars
Kermode as only Kermode can be
My main knowledge of Mark Kermode, is from his Radio 5 Live show with Simon Mayo where I enjoy his rambling film reviews and rants. Read more
Published on 13 May 2011 by Glosblue
4.0 out of 5 stars
And hello to Jason Isaacs!
I took "It's Only a Movie" with me on holiday as an easy and engaging read, while unable to listen to his weekly 5 Live show with Simon Mayo - and do you know what? Read more
Published on 4 May 2011 by Sofia
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