This Thursday, I decided to change things up a bit and discuss my most recent accomplishment: FINALLY completing a book.
Over the past week, the voice in my head has been that of esteemed British film critic Mark Kermode.
As any regular listener to the program he and Simon Mayo co-present on BBC’s Radio 5 knows, Mark is a man of very marked opinions. For those you who are not familiar with The Good Doctor, I refer you to his BBC Blog and his and Simon Mayo’s Radio Show website, where you can subscribe to and download their weekly podcasts.
In his most recent book, The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex: What’s Wrong with Modern Movies?, he has the opportunity to go on a series of no-holds-barred rants about what he feels is wrong in behind the scenes of today’s Hollywood films. In his book he waxes poetic about:
- The advent of digital projection and the disappearing projectionist;
- Why 3D is NOT here to stay;
- The daftness of modern blockbusters, and most crucially,
- Exactly what are film critics for?
Although I have heard many of these arguments, in the full expanse of the written word, Kermode’s stories take on another dimension. He backs up many of his arguments with a combination of hilarious, unbelievable personal anecdotes and some well-researched data. And you may not totally agree with his positions, but he gets props in my book for calling out some of the unspoken things many of us are probably are wondering. The one that sticks out in my head is: If blockbusters make money no matter what (including poor critical response), why make crappy ones? It is the classic Transformers vs. Inception argument.
This is Dr. K.’s second book; his first book It’s Only a Movie is also on my bookshelf and yet to be read. I promise to get to it … eventually.
For my readers in the UK, stay tuned for Kermode’s announcement of the annual Kermode Awards; for the uninitiated, these are posited as an “alternative Academy Award.” Previous winners of the award include Andy Serkis, Andrew Garfield, Christopher Nolan, Kristin Scott Thomas, David Cronenberg and this guy.
le0pard13 says
February 16, 2012 at 12:31 amExcellent book review. I’ve heard a number of great things about Kermonde’s writing. And I’m looking forward to his annual awards. Thanks.
le0pard13 recently posted..TMT: Try it he did
iluvcinema says
February 16, 2012 at 12:58 amThanks for the comment. Sometimes when I am a little ‘bored’ I just listen to a couple of my favorite rants of Kermode. Among them are:Lady in the Water, Revolver, Little Man, Sex and the City 2, and the list goes on … Youtube is a bad thing 🙂
le0pard13 says
February 16, 2012 at 1:11 amHis take on ‘The Exorcist’ remains the most authoritative around, too.
le0pard13 recently posted..TMT: Try it he did
iluvcinema says
February 16, 2012 at 10:32 amYeah I think he wrote the BFI Guide too.
Scott Lawlor says
February 16, 2012 at 3:46 amLove that book. He writes just like he talks, passionately!!
One of the best books I have read in ages.
iluvcinema says
February 16, 2012 at 10:33 amI concur.
Jack Deth says
February 16, 2012 at 9:51 amHi, iluv and company:
Great topic!
I stumbled across Mark Kermode and his work years ago with his eight minute video clip about how washboard band ‘Skiffle’ music evolved into British Rock in the early 1960s. Then discovered that he also reviews films quite well to boot!
Kermode doesn’t pull punches. When he loves a film, he let’s you know in no uncertain terms and does the same for films he doesn’t.
Fair and passionate. What more could you ask for?
iluvcinema says
February 16, 2012 at 10:34 amAre you a Dodge Brothers fan 🙂
Jack Deth says
February 16, 2012 at 7:13 pmHi, Iluv:
I’ve seen the Dodge Brothers’ clips on YouTube. I still prerfer when Mark is playing the tea box bass as opposed to his stand up Bo Fiddle. He plays a decent harp as well. :;-)
ruth says
February 16, 2012 at 11:41 amHey congrats on finishing a book! I actually haven’t picked up Anna Karenina again in a few days, no wonder it takes me forever to finish it, ahah. This sounds like a great book for movie bloggers!
ruth recently posted..Classic Flix Review: The Outfit (1973)
iluvcinema says
February 16, 2012 at 11:49 amIt definitely is.
Don’t get me started on the topic of taking forever to finish a novel. It took me nearly 4 years to finish off East of Eden!
Also, I am in the midst of finishing The Hobbit, An Object of Beatuty, North and South and a few others … I am pretty scatter-brained when it comes to my reading (as you can see).
ruth says
February 16, 2012 at 10:21 pmOooh, I really should pick up North & South when I’m done w/ Great Gatsby which I’m hoping to get to next after AK. I so love the miniseries!
I hope it won’t take me half as long as you in finishing up Anna Karenina! 😀
ruth recently posted..Classic Flix Review: The Outfit (1973)
Diana aka Aziza says
February 16, 2012 at 4:32 pmThis book has been on my To Read list for a long time, I should buy it and read it soon; the topics he touches upon are very interesting! Great post, thanks!
Diana aka Aziza recently posted..Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [1998]
iluvcinema says
February 17, 2012 at 9:51 amSaid it before this is a definite read. I was cracking up in the beginning.
Castor says
February 16, 2012 at 11:43 pmSounds like an interesting book Iba and Mark Kermode is such an insighful film writer. I will definitely keep an eye out for it.
Castor recently posted..‘Safe House’ Makes Up For Its Lack of Originality with Non-Stop Violence
iluvcinema says
February 17, 2012 at 9:52 amI have this is and the audio book version. The audiobook version is hilarious because Kermode is reading it. That enhanced the book experience.
iluvcinema recently posted..Among Your Viewing Options This Weekend ….
Dan says
February 27, 2012 at 7:30 amI’m always interested to hear Kermode’s comments on film. I often find that I disagree with him and wonder how I’d try to articulate that to him in conversation as the man knows how to build an argument. But I’ll always admire him for claiming that The Exorcist is the best film ever made.
iluvcinema says
February 27, 2012 at 4:07 pmTrue you almost find yourself going with him because he is so well reasoned in his positioned. Although sometimes he does sound a but irrational.