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It's Only a Movie
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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
'It's Only a Movie offers a droll account of Kermode's rise to becoming the most prominent, and extravagantly quiffed, movie pundit in Britain.' -- Stephen Dalton, The Times
'In an industry where serious film criticism is increasingly marginalised, we're lucky to have him.'
-- Ali Catterall, Word Magazine
'It's Only a Movie offers a droll account of Kermode's rise to becoming the most prominent, and extravagantly quiffed, movie pundit in Britain.' -- Stephen Dalton, The Times
'In an industry where serious film criticism is increasingly marginalised, we're lucky to have him.'
-- Ali Catterall, Word Magazine
Book Description
Reel life adventures of a film obsessive
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having been a long time listener to Mark's radio 5 show I was waiting in anticipation for this book. Having managed to get hold of a copy, I can say I was definitely not disappointed. When reading the book on my way to work I found myself being in that embarrassing situation of laughing out loud on public transport.
Unlike following the normal autobiography template, Mark's book takes a different route - first casting the characters of his life with actors and then weaving the reader through a series of anecdotes and stories, which are often embarrassing, often hilarious, always interesting.
Throughout the book I came across thoughts and observations which I thought were peculiar to me, and that made the book even more enjoyable.
If you are a film fan, you will love this book. The only disappointing thing was that it ended. Highly recommended.
Unlike following the normal autobiography template, Mark's book takes a different route - first casting the characters of his life with actors and then weaving the reader through a series of anecdotes and stories, which are often embarrassing, often hilarious, always interesting.
Throughout the book I came across thoughts and observations which I thought were peculiar to me, and that made the book even more enjoyable.
If you are a film fan, you will love this book. The only disappointing thing was that it ended. Highly recommended.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
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. Have to help pay for all that hair wax he uses after all.
PS: Have to agree with the dead Python below mind: the cover on the paperback edition is crap.
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. Have to help pay for all that hair wax he uses after all.
PS: Have to agree with the dead Python below mind: the cover on the paperback edition is crap.
19 of 24 people found the following review helpful
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 1 month ago by exile1
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 7 months ago by David M
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 8 months ago by Andrew Ives
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 10 months ago by daisyduck1976
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 10 months ago by Mr. Peter Roberts
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 10 months ago by D. J. Andrews
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 11 months ago by cartoon
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 12 months ago by Glosblue
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 13 months ago by Sofia
More Suitable for Radio
The reason I purchased this book was because I thoroughly enjoy listening to Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo on their BBC Radio 5 live podcast. Read more
Published 13 months ago by M. Spier
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