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It's Only a Movie
- Narrated by: Mark Kermode
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
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It's Only a Movie
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Summary
To avoid fainting, keep repeating it's only a move ..only a movie ..only a movie ..only a movie
If you grew up believing that Planet of the Apes told you all you needed to know about politics, that Slade in Flame was a savage exposé of the pop world, and that The Exorcist revealed the meaning of life, then you probably spent far too many of your formative years at the cinema. Just as likely, you soon would have realised that there was only one career open to you - you'd have to become a film critic.
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 embarks on a gut-wrenching journey through the former Soviet Union on the trail of the low budget horror flick Dark Waters, cringe as he's handbagged by Helen Mirren at the Bafta awards ceremony, cheer as he gets thrown out of the Cannes film festival for heckling in very bad French, and don't forget to gasp as he's shot at while interviewing Werner Herzog in the Hollywood hills.
Written with sardonic wit and wry good humour, this compelling cinematic memoir is genuinely ‘inspired by real events’.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Philip
- 25-04-10
Some amusing stories, but not much else
This is a pretty strange book, being neither an in depth study of film or a detailed autobiography of Kermode's life. Instead it flits about through Kermode's experiences with various film makers and minor celebrities. Some of the stories are interesting (such as Kermode's terrifying trip through Russia during the soviet years), while others are pretty pointless.
Kermode himself reads the book as you would expect, and sounds fine, just as he does on Radio 5.
Mildly entertaining then, but you'd probably do just as well downloading the Kermode/Mayo podcast from the BBC.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Flavia
- 11-03-11
Perfect listen - great production
Mark Kermode's knowledge of movies is outstanding, he has an excellent radio voice so is perfect to narrate his own work. Becuase he has lived it he brings his stories to life. I would suggest there is one chapter where he labours a journey to Russia, but one can overlook that given the rest of the book. If you are a fan of his BBC Radio 2 show this is a 'must listen'.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- RJM
- 09-05-12
A Critique of Pure Unreasonableness
Most of the time, Kermode writes as he broadcasts, which will amuse or infuriate you depending on your preferences. Read by anybody but the author this would be a waste of money and almost eight hours of your life. Read by the author it will make you laugh more than six times and understand why Google says "hello to Jason Isaacs" when you type his name in. Kermode is probably currently one of the top ten of Britain's ex marxist, vegetarian, former feminist, Christian film critics, and this book amply explains how he achieved this, unless you are Ukranian, when it will offend you.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Annie
- 04-06-11
Uncut Wittertainment - Not much more
As an avid listener to Wittertainment I am fully aware of the 'Kermodian rant' which, while very entertaining on a Friday afternoon, I did have concerns over his suitability in narrating his own story. Totally unfounded and with second thoughts who else could tell his story. I do agree with other reviewers that if you download the podcast and follow the Uncut blog then you probably know most of it. Definitely left wanting more.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- William Hayes
- 27-06-15
Don't listen to this while drinking milk
This was really funny, very quirky and brilliantly read by Kermode himself. It didn't feel so much like a book being read as a 7 hour stand up routine.
My son listened to the Werner Herzog section in the car along with me and his jaw just kept dropping lower with each new crazy moment.
well recommended
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
- Ian
- 20-01-12
He does have great hair though
I've often watched Kermode review a movie and thought: "Why should I care what you think?" As, indeed, he would probably think if he ever read this review.
I'm none-the-wiser really, having listened to this book from start to finish. There's nothing wrong with it, maybe it's a wee bit irritating at times, but essentially it's a biopic of Kermode's life with particular attention to his relationship with films filled with personal anecdotes and revealing stories about films and the people who make them, but I just didn't really connect with it.
What's missing is drama (apart from the bit where Werner Herzog's pants explode), it's lacking in comedy as well, or horror or romance. It's not a movie, it's not quirky enough, or racy enough or exciting enough. It's just a story about a guy who likes watching movies but don't be fooled into buying it simply because you like watching movies too, because it's not that kind of movie.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- paul
- 01-06-11
It's Only an Audiobook. (But it's very good).
Leaves you wanting to hear more.
Some really funny moments, and the odd, sad one too.
Ever interesting and well read by Mark.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- threadcat62
- 13-03-11
Witertainment at its very best!
I loved it! Mark Kermode is sharp and witty and does a great job of reading his own text. It has laugh out loud moments but also has serious points he wants to make about films and the media. I love dipping into it when I need a pick-me-up after a bad day.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Karl Knight
- 23-12-15
Lovely Stuff
Mark Kermode is a top class film critic and he also has a great sense of humour, the bottom line is if you want to know whether a film is worth watching or not, Mark is the guy to rely on!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- PP Merge
- 23-02-10
As slick as his hair
Within the first 15 minutes of this title I knew I was going to love it and want to listen to it many times. Mark Kermode is a natural narrator (not always the case with celeb self-read autobiographies) and words, concepts, conceits, comedy all tumble out in an engaging and affable torrent. Listen to the sample and you will see what I mean, buy the book and you won?t regret it.
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17 people found this helpful