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It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive Paperback – 4 Feb 2010

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Mark Kermode (Author)
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Mark Kermode (Author)
3.7 out of 5 stars 70 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Random House Books; First Paperback Edition edition (4 Feb. 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 184794602X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1847946027
  • Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 2.5 x 21.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 429,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

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

Book Description

Reel life adventures of a film obsessive

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsWitty
By Dylan35 on 21 Nov. 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Appropriating Hunter S. Thompson, the opening line immediately brings a smile: "We were somewhere near Lookout Mountain, on the outskirts of LA, when Werner Herzog's trousers exploded". If you need a funny, insightful, opinionated and quiff-sporting film critic, who looks a little like Morrissey with bricklayer's hands, then Kermode is your guy. This witty memoir takes us back to the politicised mid 80s of left wing university manifestos, encounters with David Lynch, Helen Mirren, musicians, journalists and broadcasters. There are funny and sometimes surreal trips to Russia, New York and California. It's a quick, amusing read. I always enjoy his broadcasting, even if I don't agree with all his tastes. Recommended to anyone with a healthy interest in the world of cinema.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA bit like Popcorn: you keep eating it but can't work out why.
By Amazon Customer on 9 Nov. 2010
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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
By Andy on 18 May 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
As entertaining as you would expect.
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3.0 out of 5 starsSelf-indulgent to the point of tedium, but when it's funny it's hilarious
By william on 5 Jun. 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
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 well as local press, so I expected to find some common ground.

However, Kermode's style is often too conversational to engage and his attempts at self-deprecation seem disingenuous alongside his outright arrogance. A disappointing and self-indulgent read (not diluted simply because he acknowledges it will be thus).

Enough anecdotes to keep it entertaining, but very lightweight in content. I found myself getting to the end and thinking: who cares?
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5.0 out of 5 starsNot as good as The Exorcist but...
By Amazon Customer on 3 Feb. 2010
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!!!
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5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant
By A. J. Thornton on 3 Feb. 2010
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsgood book

very entertaining and well written

Published 17 months ago by Mr. A. Thompson
4.0 out of 5 starsAmusing and insightful

I’ve been listening to Mark Kermode’s podcast for several years, and had three of his books sitting on my shelf for some time, but this is the first time I’ve picked one up to... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Jim J-R
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Happy with transaction, thank you.

Published 19 months ago by dolma
4.0 out of 5 starsGood read

This is my first Kermode book and I enjoyed it so much I finished it within 2 days!

Well written and all mosie buffs will be able to relate to it

Published 19 months ago by Twilight23
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat book for film buffs and amateurs alike

Huge fan of Mark Kermode from his Five Live show, and this book was exactly what I was expecting - entertaining, opinionated and educational. Nice one, Mark!

Published 21 months ago by Musical_Joe
5.0 out of 5 starsMarvelous

i used to have special 'get lost kids' time when Simon Mayo's film review seg was on 5Live. This took me back, and behind the scenes, and to the beginning of The Kermode. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Alison M Pringle
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat fun

Excellent book for anyone with an interest in films - I'm a fan of his broadcasting but I think he's an even better (and funnier) writer. Highly recommended.

Published on 7 Dec. 2013 by AlNoakes
4.0 out of 5 starsA true reflection of the good Dr

I bought this as I enjoyed Mark's review show on 5 Live with Simon Mayo. Perhaps the most helpful thing I can say is that if you don't like Mark - the way he speaks, his attitude... Read more

Published on 23 Nov. 2013 by Timestar
5.0 out of 5 starsIt's only a movie reel life adventures of a film obsessive by Mark...

It's only a movie By Mark Kermode

This is a great book by Film critic Mark Kermode , and I have to say that what I already love about this book is how it speaks to you... Read more

Published on 16 Nov. 2013 by iris
5.0 out of 5 starsLove Kermode

Very entertaining and informative. Kermode has the gift of being passionate about what he does and transmitting that passion on to others. Read more

Published on 1 Nov. 2013 by RCG

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