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

It's only a movie By Mark KermodeThis 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 throughout ..this is a book about a man passionate about his movies and of course the importance of sitting on the isle side of the cinema - which I can understand and not having any distractions or people blocking the view again, I too understand this the biggest problem/s of all has to be the slurping of fizzy pop when someone gets to the bottom of the cup or noisy popcorn munching or mobile phones or chatting ... and please don't take your shoes off to rest your feet on the backs of the chairs !and of course to watch a good film you need to see the whole of the screen if you don't see the whole screen then the experience is just ruined .Personally I like to go the cinema early, and find your seat when the screen room is still empty walking past that mighty big screen and taking in the atmosphere ! the anticipation of a new adventure and new characters about to come to life and leap out the screen in 3D....This book isn't itself autobiographical but a book of memories of particular films and the factors that ignited a love for film and done in a witty sharp wonderfully fun manner and right on the money with his critic of each and every filmif like me you are a real film fan you will love this book, the first in a series of three books well worth a read !

Surprised myself by laughing out loud in parts of this. Totally enjoyed this book. Can't say I agree with all his opinions (and goodness, does he have opinions!) but so enjoyed the experience. Some of his anecdotes are bizarre, some embarrassing, all very entertainingly revealed. If you like this, try his podcasted radio show (with Simon Mayo on the BBC).

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.

I assume that you already know who Mark Kermode is otherwise you would not be seeking out his printed works. Mark Kermode is an articulate, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and passionate film critic who could talk under wet concrete and has an opinion on everything. Listening to his film review podcasts is one of the highlights of my week because I know that I am guaranteed entertainment for at least 90 minutes ([...]I have bought both the paperback (through amazon.uk) and the kindle edition of this book and now I am considering buying the audiobook because it is apparently read by Mark himself. I got at least 10 hysterical fits of laughter out of reading this book and quite a few chuckles and giggles (better laugh value than most allegedly humourous books I've read). For some reason the scene where Mark describes his interactions with the waitress while waiting to interview Linda Blair had me chuckling for days.Some reviewers have complained that regular listeners to the Kermode and Mayo radio program or podcasts have heard many of these stories before - but I don't care, if Mark's telling the story I want to hear it again - so much so that I'm now contemplating purchasing the audiobook so that I can listen to Mark tell these stories again in his own inimitable style.

Having not read any of his earlier bookss so I was not 100% sure what to expect. There have been plenty of positive reviews, so I made a purchase through Amazon.Firstly I am a casual movie fan, so although I agree with many of Kermodes reviews, I can only agree or disagree after watching the movie first(as a casual movie fans like myself, will not know where to look for the problems until after the fact). So the many details & scenarios Kermode includes in his book are very welcome indeed. Being aware of certain facts allows a fuller movie experience in my own opinion & Kermode delivers this very well.The book content is great and gives the reader a peak into the life of arguably the best movie critic in the United Kingdom. There are several laugh out loud moments & many great stories about how he started his career onwards into today.As of writing Kermode is available to audiences on BBC Radio 5 as well as other national TV programs every week.He has managed to translate his radio style into a book form & I recommend to anyone.