Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good

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Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 2,590 ratings · 380 reviews

That Kevin Smith? The guy who did “Clerks” a million years ago? Didn’t they bounce his fat ass off a plane once? What could you possibly learn from the director of “Cop Out”? How about this: he changed filmmaking forever when he was twenty-three, and since then, he’s done whatever the hell he wants. He makes movies, writes comics, owns a store, and now he’s built a podcast...more

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published March 20th 2012 by Gotham (first published January 10th 2012)

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Jul 10, 2012 Everitt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: comedy, essay, non-fiction, movies, nostalgia-lit

First, I'm a big Kevin Smith fan, and have been since 1994, so this is an admittedly biased review. 4.5/5 Stars

The best thing about Smith's style, in film, his podcasts and this book is that he mixes the sacred and profane in a way few others can. In fact, I can't think of anyone that can imitate the man. He was in a lot of ways an uncredited visionary: "Clerks" invented the bromance popularized by Judd Apatow. He is one of the five great indie filmmakers from the 1990s that, for me, defined the...more First, I'm a big Kevin Smith fan, and have been since 1994, so this is an admittedly biased review. 4.5/5 Stars

The best thing about Smith's style, in film, his podcasts and this book is that he mixes the sacred and profane in a way few others can. In fact, I can't think of anyone that can imitate the man. He was in a lot of ways an uncredited visionary: "Clerks" invented the bromance popularized by Judd Apatow. He is one of the five great indie filmmakers from the 1990s that, for me, defined the era (the others being, in no particular order: Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Richard Linklater, and Stephen Soderberg). The man just does not get the credit he deserves especially from critics.

"Tough Sh*t" is an autobiography. His style is definitely on display. He's sentimentally vulgar. One of the funniest stories in the book is his recollections of "chimping out" on his wife's naked leg. If it weren't for the love he shows to his wife, the story would be gross (but still funny), but because he loves his family and friends and especially his wife Jen it is touching. And dirty. Very very dirty.

The book is broken down into four parts. The first his film making life up through the under-rated Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan film "Cop Out". One of the books few weaknesses was, in my eyes, the speed with which he passed by the early days of his career. I realize he was anxious to get to the more recent experiences with "Cop Out" and "Red State" and his SModcasts, but skipping some of the fundamentals hurt the experience. Especially as I'm sure Gretzky would disapprove of skipping the fundamentals to get to the big show. His recollections on the era would have been a nice contrast to those presented by Peter Biskind in Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film. One of the strengths of the first section was his non-linear discussion of how Harvey and Bob (but mostly Harvey) groomed him to be a "Miramaxketeer" - an ostensibly indie filmmaker with the pockets of a major studio. He and other Miramax filmmakers were taught the six majors were the enemy, a line he believed for most of his career. But discovered things can never be so simply in such a large, connection based industry. (view spoiler)

The second phase of the book really revolves around "Cop Out" and "Red State". This is a little less biography and a little more production bible. Oh and he absolutely goes off on Bruce Willis. If you're a fan of the SModcast or his live shows you already know how much hell his childhood hero put him through on the set of his biggest movie. But here he is not telling the story for laughs. He is telling it to introduce us to the conditions which brought him to retirement. Morgan comes off looking sane and Willis looking like a spoiled movie star. I would not assume that either of them are completely what they are made out to be in the book, as it is Smith's opinion of two actors at a specific moment in time, but this was a pitiable experience.

The third phase is comprised of three chapters on "Red State". For those no in the know, this is Smith's horror film about a family of Fred Phelps meets Branch Dividan Christians that find themselves in a stand off with a Janet Reno like federal law enforcement agency. It is a brilliant film. If you've not seen it check it out. But the stories about making it and working with Michael Parks are great. And it was touching to hear Smith talk about his screening with Parks at Tarantino's house. As he says at one point in the book, "moments become memories" and I kept thinking that will be one moment anyone who loves indie film would have given an arm to experience. And I'm thankful he chose to share it with us.

Finally, the book reverts to autobiography. Smith takes us through the foundation of the SModpire with his long time friends and partners: Scott Mosier, Jason Mewes (of "Jay and Silent Bob Get Old," a drug recovery podcast, and one of the best available), Matt Cohen (the super excitable stoner who hosts the geek chat show "Bagged and Boarded" - just check out his episodes with the girls of Team Unicorn and if you have a geek-bone in your body you'll be hooked), Katie Morgan (co-host of "Having Sex, with Katie Morgan" yes another great podcast) and of course Ralph Garman (co-host of the signature show, Hollywood Babble-On). There are many more he's added over the last year. But one can tell that podcasting is his new passion. And as much as I'm looking forward to his last film "Hit Somebody" podcasting is really where you can see his passion on display. I would rather he not make the last film if his heart isn't into it. And judging from the book, it probably is not. He also talks about the incident with Southwest Airlines. He sounds just as impassioned about his treatment in the book as he did on the podcast he broadcast immediately after landing in Burbank from SFO. His treatment was of course absurd, but the completely offensive part was that Southwest ranked out a heavy girl and sat her next to Smith on his next flight and humiliated her in front of him to prove he wasn't being singled out.

The last few chapters are not so much autobiography as they are love letters to those who have made his life worth living: his mom and dad, his wife and his daughter. At first they felt a bit out of place (like his list of quotes from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off") but on second thought what better way to illuminate the preceding events than to portray them as shadows cast by the lights of his life?

A wonderful book I would recommend for anyone. (Unless you are offended by a lot of talk about d*cks, sh*t, f**king, c*m, homosexuality). This book is a both sentimental and hilarious. (less)

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Dec 16, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir, humour

4.5/5

“Art can’t be graded, because it’s going to mean something different to everyone. You can’t apply a mathematical absolute to art because there is no one formula for self-expression.”

I remember in 1999 when Dogma came out. I was twelve years old and attending a Christian school that didn't represent Christianity well. At the time there was a South African radio station promoting Kevin Smith’s new flick. The station called Dogma controversial and said that religious people may be offended by...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Laura Ashlee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, 2012, nonfiction

http://www.owltellyouaboutit.com/posts/tough-shit/

For someone who was around seven when Clerks premiered, I was very excited when I opened my box from Penguin Audio and saw this book. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who Kevin Smith is, what he looks like, or why he’s famous. I knew all that already thanks to my two older brothers. So I would like to half-heartedly dedicate this review to them. Brian and Blake, without you I would have been as clueless about who Kevin Smith was as all my friends...more http://www.owltellyouaboutit.com/posts/tough-shit/

For someone who was around seven when Clerks premiered, I was very excited when I opened my box from Penguin Audio and saw this book. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who Kevin Smith is, what he looks like, or why he’s famous. I knew all that already thanks to my two older brothers. So I would like to half-heartedly dedicate this review to them. Brian and Blake, without you I would have been as clueless about who Kevin Smith was as all my friends were when I told them about this book. Sometimes I forget that the guys I hang around are younger than me and that my taste in films and music in the 90s was heavily influenced by my teenage brothers.

Even though I saw most of Kevin Smith’s films when I was probably too young to be watching them, I loved them instantly. No matter what the critics said, I found them hilarious. I also have a major soft spot geeky guys of any kind, especially since I’m a pretty geeky girl. It was pretty eye-opening to read all this behind-the-scenes stuff about the movies I enjoyed years ago. Honestly, I was totally oblivious to critic opinions about the films. I just watched them, and enjoyed them. I had no clue how much crap Kevin Smith put up with to make some of his films. There’s some pretty cool insight into the movie business, both indie and big six. I think all of that stuff is interesting enough, but there is a lot more to Smith’s book than film talk and cum jokes (though, there are a lot of those).

This book also offers some really great advice about discovering your passion and going for it. By chronicling his years from making Clerks trough today, he explains how he really got where he is: by not listening to people’s negative crap and following his dream. Of course, it’s not all as simple as that. There is tough shit to be endured, and that’s what I think Smith is trying to say in this book. There will be hardships and probably some failings. You have to take chances, but it will pay off in the end when you can look back and say you’ve accomplished something worthwhile (whether it be art, work, or an awesome family). The awesome part is that this advice is delivered in a voice that a younger generation can relate to. Kevin Smith may be close to twenty years older than me, but he talks like your best friend. He’s full of witty pop-culture references and profanity that color the speech of a lot of people today. He’s relatable, and I think that’s what makes this book work. He’s giving advice, but it doesn’t really feel like it. At least, not in the same way that your parents or teachers (or whoever) give you advice.

Kevin Smith reads this book himself, and it’s perfect. I mean, after all he’s a good speaker and only he can deliver his words just right. Also, he stops reading a couple of times to throw in some quick comments and I found that really entertaining. I also loved his voices for Terrantino and Bruce Willis. They were pretty close. At the end, he includes something his daughter wrote about him, and it has to be the sweetest thing ever. I’m pretty sure she reads it herself, which is also pretty cute.

If you know who Kevin Smith or have seen his films, you should grab this. If you don’t and you enjoy crude but witty humor, you should grab it anyway. There’s always time to watch the films after.

This book was provided by the publisher for review. I did not receive any payment in exchange for the review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.(less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Cayr rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-memoirs

Reading Kevin Smith is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. On the one hand, his humor can be base and vulgar. On the other hand, he is a very good writer, extremely intelligent, and his sense of irony and effortless wit are a joy to behold. (It doesn't hurt that I also happen to find him very attractive, and that I am a fangirl who understands the whole comic book thing.) Sometimes he hides his light under a barrel tagged with profanity, but it strikes me as more of a marketing ploy to keep his yo...more Reading Kevin Smith is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. On the one hand, his humor can be base and vulgar. On the other hand, he is a very good writer, extremely intelligent, and his sense of irony and effortless wit are a joy to behold. (It doesn't hurt that I also happen to find him very attractive, and that I am a fangirl who understands the whole comic book thing.) Sometimes he hides his light under a barrel tagged with profanity, but it strikes me as more of a marketing ploy to keep his younger audience engaged.

Smith is a chronicler. This is his third memoir, and while it may be hard to believe that a guy his age has experienced enough in his life to fill three volumes, his journey has actually been pretty fascinating. Smith shares with readers how a regular guy from NJ decided one day that he wanted to make movies, and then did. The life advice he gives is no joke. Very real coaching on how to attain your dreams; sometimes told with a wink and a nudge, but very sage advice, regardless.

If you can get past the first chapter, which is full of sophomoric humor and jism jokes, you may find the rest of the book to be quite the surprise. Smith always treats the reader to insider (and sometimes bizarre) stories about hollyweird, and this book is no exception. He gives behind-the-scenes peeks at what is involved in making movies, what box office dollars actually mean and provides a frank and honest description of getting things done (and not getting them done) in tinseltown.

In his last memoir, Smith romanticized about working with Bruce Willis. In this memoir, he recounts his experience of working with Willis on the set of "Cop Out", and describes the fanboy disillusionment that arose from directing the star.

In one chapter, Smith goes into details about his run-in with the airline that said he was too fat to fly. He turns the story on its ear, with his unique ability to turn his personal humiliation into hilarity.

The very worst part of the book is when Smith writes that he is going to stop making movies. I can't help but think that the guy who gave us Clerks, Chasing Amy, Jersey Girl (yeah, I pretty much loved Jersey Girl, even though the fallout from "Bennifer" killed it at the box office)and Dogma, still has more to say via the medium. Smith goes on at length about his SModcasts and his plans to keep writing.

The best part of the memoir? When Smith references my favorite book of all time: The Outsiders. (though admittedly, he was probably referencing the movie).

Near the end of the book, Smith gets candidly personal and writes about his family...he goes on and on about his wife, the fabulous Ms. Schwalbach...who stole him away from the rest of us girls. He tells the story of their meeting and how Jen and his daughter Harley have changed his life. A very entertaining read.(less)

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Apr 16, 2013 Karen DelleCava rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kevin Smith is brilliant, hysterically funny, inspiring, at times poignant and definitely not for the faint of heart. Generously peppered with the F-bomb, Smith's message: If you can dream it, you can become it. Tough Sh*t is the Red Bull boost any writer will appreciate if you're slogging through a first draft of a novel and wondering to yourself, Can I actually get this book published?

He also challenges the critics. Hey, we all love and believe great reviews of our work but when a less than fa...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars

Best parts of this book include the chapter on what a nightmare Bruce Willis was to direct, the details about the Southwest Airlines incident and the chapter on Smith's wife. Sure, there's a lot of masturbatory dreck about how great his movie-making career went that makes you want to smack him (no real guidance provided for filmmakers of today to get their shit made other than -- "be yourself" and get people to come to your indie movie no one will distribute by attaching ticket sales to a live Q&A...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Justin Robar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I cannot in good conscience give this book any less than five stars. Kevin Smith is storyteller incarnate, with irreverent wit, a soft heart, classic verve, and of course, multiple multiple jokes, allegories and metaphors involving male ejaculate.

The man is so damn charming - and of course, on that level, it doesn't hurt that I am a huge K-Smith fan - that even though the lion's share of the stories were old news to me as I've watched and listened to a plethora of K-Smith interviews, Q&A's,...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Henry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've seen Clerks, Mallrats and Dogma - but collectively they are not the reason I read this. The same morning that I read this I had just finished reading a re-post of Smith's 8-part blog series on his 2006 MySpace page accounting for the years spent helping long-time friend Jason Mewes kick his drug addiction monkey. That was an essay by itself worth reading. Smith's prose is articulate and honest. His brutal honesty is colored with what too many probably perceive as a repulsive vulgarity. But...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Tyler rated it 4 of 5 stars

4/5

I have enjoyed almost everything Kevin Smith has done, be it his movies, books or podcasts. There are some exceptions... I didn't like his My Boring Ass Life book very much, because quite frankly, hearing about his boring ass life got really boring. It's not his fault, because he has a more interesting life than I do, but if you sit down and listen to someone talk about everything they did everyday, it's bound to get boring.

So I like when Smith releases books like Tough Shit, these condensed...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Leigh Clemons rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wouldn't recommend that everyone live his/her life according to the wit and chronic wisdom of Kevin Smith. For me, however, Smith's work in film, podcasting, and now in print have been a literal and figurative lifesaver. I had followed his films and the maiden voyage of SModcast for a long time, but Smith's dive into the full-blown world of podcasting corresponded with a time in my life when I had, well, WAY too much time on my hands. I listened hardcore, and I was hooked.
Smith book reveals t...more I wouldn't recommend that everyone live his/her life according to the wit and chronic wisdom of Kevin Smith. For me, however, Smith's work in film, podcasting, and now in print have been a literal and figurative lifesaver. I had followed his films and the maiden voyage of SModcast for a long time, but Smith's dive into the full-blown world of podcasting corresponded with a time in my life when I had, well, WAY too much time on my hands. I listened hardcore, and I was hooked.
Smith book reveals to a larger audience what those of us who follow his other work already know: he is a hard-working, talented, and genuine person. He has found success in a difficult field, compounded by his refusal to kowtow to the dictates of market-driven cinema in so many instances so he can remain true to himself and the stories he wishes to tell. Within all the rambling stories of his wife's ass, jokes about masturbation and weed, though, lies a man who has worked tirelessly to provide for his family, stayed loyal to his friends, and managed only a minimal amount of compromise in his work. Add to all of this the fact that Smith does not fit the visual (i.e., thin) mold for Hollywood success, and his story becomes even more of an inspiration. Smith is the first to tell you that his book is "not a blueprint: it's just some funny and bittersweet stuff that happened to me that I feel shaped me into a more well-rounded person....[It] is not the Necronomicron. It will not raise the dead." I beg to differ, however. The ability to entertain, shock and inspire is exactly what will raise the dead, or at least rattle their coffins a bit and get blood flowing again in a world of soul-less, self-centered ass covering hypocrites. Over the past three years, I have been able to count on Kevin Smith and his universe for humor and insight and, yes, LOYALTY, at a time when none of those things were present in my own life and I desperately needed them. He is a businessman, yes, and a showman, definitely, but first and foremost Kevin Smith is that rare commodity in today's world: a caring human being. That means he deals with a bunch of tough shit, but it also means that those of us who admire his work do so not only for his talents, but for the person behind the talent who keeps pulling himself up and plugging on, day after day. TOUGH SHIT is not a Tony Robbins how-to guide, but those of us who value it and Smith's work don't need it to be. If we want to know how to get it done and still be able to look ourselves in the eye at the end of the day, all we need is to download a podcast, pop in a DVD, or pray a live show comes to our neck of the woods. We can also follow Smith's lead and remain true to who WE are and find a way to make our own dreams a reality. In this way, Kevin Smith is the hero he has always wanted to be, for he inspires us to dream big, aim high, and not sweat the small stuff. Those are all valuable lessons in a world that encourages conformity, fakery, and obsession with surface crap. So, like his films, Smith's book will not win any fancy literary awards, but it will have an impact for the better on those who read it. In the end, he does what he does best: tell his stories for our amusement, to pass the time until we die screaming. He makes no apologies and expects nothing from us unless we wish to give it. And that, true believers, is the most profound impact anyone can have on another human being.(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Andy Taylor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography, non-fiction, pop-culture, audio-book

Part autobiography, part motivational self help guide, and part pop-culture history lesson, Kevin Smith's Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good covers all the bases and manages to entertain at the same time.

I had been wanting to pick this book up for a while when a friend recently loaned me his Audio Book version. Having listened to 5 discs of Kevin Smith talking at me during my daily commute, I can't imagine a better way to enjoy this story than hearing it first hand from t...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Kara rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am a huge Kevin Smith fan. I admire his personal story and his commitment to being himself, combined with his desire to make movies HIS way. I have legit-acquired autographed photos of him and Mewes in my living room. I am still proud to display them despite this book. I proudly believe that "Dogma" is one of the smartest, misunderstood, underrated movies ever made.

With that said, half of this book was exactly what I would want to know about Kevin. He gives very compelling insight into what it...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Nicole Green rated it 5 of 5 stars

First off, I have to say that that has to be one of the BEST synopses of a book I have ever read. Secondly, this is probably the best advice book that I have ever read. Not only is it a celebrity (although some people may question Kevin Smith's level of celebrity) who wrote the book, but he delves into many aspects of his life and career that many other celebrities would be cautious about mentioning even to those close to them. Kevin Smith is a blatantly honest man and I think that is what gives...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Gotobedmouse rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have to preface this with the following: I am a Generation X gal, who worked at a Gas Station, whose husband worked at a Gas Station, and who use to quote Clerks on a regular basis. So I came into this book with a little fan crush to begin with.

Kevin Smith did not disappoint starting the book off with a monologue about semen..The book dragged and seem like the first 100 pages was his apology of no longer making "art" and why he is not a sell out. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the clerk francis...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Jennifer Rayment rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Good Stuff

You can see the man loves Canada (And mentions us a couple of times and you know us Canadians love that shit - think we have adopted him as one of our own -- and really the guy was on Degrassi a couple of times -- how cool is that)
Really knows how to make you laugh your ass off at his expense
His obvious love for his wife, child and family is so very beautifully (and often extremely colorfully) written
Honestly discusses how lucky he is to have gotten where he is today
Down to...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Tony rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome-books, badass-memiors, makes-ya-think

What follows is my rambling way of saying this book was really good. Just getting that out of the way.

When I turned 14, life really started to suck for me. I was entering high school with no real goal beyond just getting out alive. I had a few friends, but for the most part felt alone in my teenage tower. Everyone has been there: 'no one understands me'.

My hetero lifemate Moobs and I rented movies all the time on the weekend. We would watch anything and everything, so naturally we hit upon MALLR...more What follows is my rambling way of saying this book was really good. Just getting that out of the way.

When I turned 14, life really started to suck for me. I was entering high school with no real goal beyond just getting out alive. I had a few friends, but for the most part felt alone in my teenage tower. Everyone has been there: 'no one understands me'.

My hetero lifemate Moobs and I rented movies all the time on the weekend. We would watch anything and everything, so naturally we hit upon MALLRATS. I remember watching it and thinking it was probably the funniest film I'd seen at that point (keep in mind I didn't see a rated R movie until about probably 6 months prior to this). It said that it came from the director of CLERKS.

So I watched CLERKS. From that moment on, my life was changed.

Kevin Smith has always played a big part in my life since that moment. He is the person I turned to for advice whenever I was stuck in a situation. What would Kev do? More so than people I actually talked to, I felt like he got me. Which might seem weird because I've never met the dude. Although considering the amount of times I watched his movies and read his books, I feel like I have.

This was very true up until a few years ago. He made CLERKS 2 and I remember watching it and feeling like it was his way of saying it's time to move on. Then he started doing Smodcast, his internet radio show. I listened to it pretty regularly for a while, but eventually just stopped.

I remember ZACH AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO came out and I watched it, laughed a bit, but felt like something wasn't there. Then he put out more internet radio and then COP OUT. Then more internet radio. Then an internet radio station with multiple shows.

Cut to a few months ago. RED STATE came out on video after a brief run in theaters on a sort of Roadshow type thing. I watched it and enjoyed it, but it didn't feel right. I went home and watched CLERKS again. As the credits rolled, it hit me: I have no clue what Kevin Smith is doing these days.

TOUGH SHIT is basically Kevin Smith explaining to his fans why he's doing the things he's been doing. Internet radio, a semi-horror flick, and becoming a dedicated stoner....all of it is cleared up for us here. It's not some gimmick or anything like that, it's just a natural progression that he takes the time to explain to us (along with several important life lessons).

In short, TOUGH SHIT is really funny and enjoyable if you're a fan of his work. I would say if it's your first book you're reading by him, to check out Silent Bob Speaks first or even his diary.(less)

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May 06, 2012 Dani rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

I love Kevin Smith. I've always loved Kevin Smith since I discovered Jay and SIlend Bob Strike Back. I, like a lot of his fans wondered what the hell he was thinking when he wrote Jersey Girl and directed Cop Out, but all of that is outlined in this book.

For a time I was one of those ViewAskew.com "posters" who stalked Kev like a freak and I do have some signed Smith and Mewes memorabilia from the Clerks flicks (brilliant stuff). It's a shame Kevin has decided to move in another direction and le...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Laura Roberts rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-by-celebs, essays, film, humor, hustlers, memoirs, nonfiction, rebellion, 2012

Kevin Smith gives the smackdown to all that oppose him. Y'know, kinda like that scene in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" where they print out a list of all the people who posted shitty things about the real-life Jay and Silent Bob on MoviePoopshoot.com and go door to door beating them up? Yeah, kinda like that. Except funnier, and with much less violence.

He tells the tale of his rise to fame, having to eat crow for making "bad" movies like Mallrats (one of my faves by KS, actually, since Jason...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Joe Barlow rated it 4 of 5 stars

The infuriating thing about Kevin Smith is his determination to hide his intelligence and sensitivity behind a cloud of vulgar profanity and fart jokes. CLERKS and CHASING AMY were the films that prompted me to start writing screenplays and making my own short movies, and for years I held him up as an indie role model, although I lost a bit of faith when Smith squelched his unique voice and began churning out mainstream-ish comedies like COP OUT and ZACK & MIRI. Smith feels my pain -- he's a...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Justin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography, relative-au-cinéma

I liked this book. Kevin Smith is only vaguely on my film radar, but I'm aware of his output and I always enjoy the chance to hear from people in the movie industry in their own words. Smith certainly does use his own words, laced throughout with an irreverent profanity and a cheeky wink, but earnest almost to a fault. Tough Shit is not strong all the way through - I have to admit to skipping the entire chapter on George Carlin as I'm not at all familiar with the man - but when it is strong, it'...more I liked this book. Kevin Smith is only vaguely on my film radar, but I'm aware of his output and I always enjoy the chance to hear from people in the movie industry in their own words. Smith certainly does use his own words, laced throughout with an irreverent profanity and a cheeky wink, but earnest almost to a fault. Tough Shit is not strong all the way through - I have to admit to skipping the entire chapter on George Carlin as I'm not at all familiar with the man - but when it is strong, it's fascinating.

Smith's perspective on Harvey Weinstein and Miramax in particular were completely new to me, and he doesn't hold back in praising and slating a man who was simultaneously his hero and biggest letdown. Likewise, we hear about Smith's troubles with his weight, airlines, his fractious relationship with critics and how he met his wife. Most of it is interesting, but the highlights are always when Smith delves deep into the movie-making process and tells you bluntly how it went down, and what he thought of it. Bruce Willis in particular feels Smith's wrath in a wonderfully comedic chapter slamming the Die Hard star's work ethic and attitude on Cop Out, which ends with him lamenting, "sadly in our production of Die Hard, Tracy [Jordan] was John McClane, and John McClane became the flick's very own Hans Gruber. To whom I say, "Yippie ki-yay, moviefucker." The book is almost worth getting hold of for that part alone.

In the process of reading Tough Shit.., I revisited some of his work, watching Clerks, Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back & Dogma and found them mostly enjoyable. Definitely more so after getting an idea of the work that went into them and the man behind the camera. It also inspired me to check out the TV series Comic Book Men. Smith may not be to everybody's taste, and he's certainly not a filmmaker I'd put in any top 10 list, but I like him for the way he puts his case across and the book certainly isn't boring. It would be great if more directors would put out something so refreshingly honest, a genuine peak behind the curtain.(less)

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Apr 08, 2012 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction

Let me start by saying that I am a Jersey girl who has grown up on Smith's flicks. In my eyes, the man can do no wrong. I have read and loved all of his books ( okay, except for the podcast one). This book, however, stands out from the rest. Not only does it show Kevin's growth as a person, but you see how life has shaped him into the film maker, father, and husband he has become. I was beyond shocked to read that he stood up for himself against one of the Weinstein Brothers, because he's never...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Du rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I should have loved this book. Kevin Smith is intelligent, personable, and creative. This book went nowhere for me. The first 100 pages were just there. They contained complaining and dissatisfaction about his movies not being as successful as he wanted them to be. The next 50 pages were very interesting about the filming and financing of his movie Red State. The next 50 pages covered his being removed from a Southwest flight, and the final 50 were an ode to his wife and George Carlin.

I wish the...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Sam Quixote rated it 4 of 5 stars

Since I saw a headline on my RSS feed - "Fat Director kicked off flight" - and clicked on it, then (after reading the brief article surrounded by many ads) going to the Smodcast website, I've been hearing about Kevin Smith's life ever since. For a solid 2 years and change I've had Smodcast and its many, many attendant podcasts whenever I've had a long drive with myself or a walk to work or washing up and needing something non-musical. But having listened to the many entertaining stories Kevin ha...more Since I saw a headline on my RSS feed - "Fat Director kicked off flight" - and clicked on it, then (after reading the brief article surrounded by many ads) going to the Smodcast website, I've been hearing about Kevin Smith's life ever since. For a solid 2 years and change I've had Smodcast and its many, many attendant podcasts whenever I've had a long drive with myself or a walk to work or washing up and needing something non-musical. But having listened to the many entertaining stories Kevin has imparted, along with having seen his Q&A specials "Too Fat for Forty" and "Kevin Smith Burn in Hell", I realised after the first chapter of this book that for a person who shares everything, there's very little left to surprise someone who's been following along and listened to every story.

Don't get me wrong, the book is admirable in that it encourages the reader to overcome any hesitation or doubt they may have and go out and just do it. Smith uses his father as an example for the rest of the book - Don Smith was a man who worked 20 years in a job he hated (the US postal service) to provide for his family and then after a too-short retirement, died of heart failure, screaming. The message to Smith was clear - never do a job you hate, never have regrets so when the time comes, you won't go out in as much pain.

From there we get a whirlwind look at Smith's career, the story of "Clerks", and a brief synopsis of every film made since then. The filming of "Cop Out" and his clashes with Bruce Willis are documented, as well as the filming of "Red State" which takes up several chapters. What became known as the "Too Fat to Fly" incident with South West is detailed, and a loving final chapter to his wife Jennifer Schwalbach closes out the book along with a short note from their daughter Harley Quinn Smith.

But for most Kevin Smith fans looking for something new or different from what Kevin usually blogs/tweets/podcasts about? It's not in this book. "Tough Shit" is basically a summary of Kev's career as well as a look into the memorable events of the last couple of years, all of which has been thoroughly talked about through Kevin's many podcasts. I suppose for those who haven't been following the pods this is a good place to get his thoughts on the South West incident, Bruce Willis, and Red State, but for those who have the book might seem a bit like overheated leftovers.

That said, the book's message is put out clearly - if I can do it, so can you. Kevin is the encouragement any artist reading this book might lack and, with it, that artist might go on and create and find confidence in their work and create more. And for that alone, this book is worth it.

Despite the feeling of déjà vu I felt while reading it, Smith writes so fluidly (a theme in and of itself in the book) and with such verve, humour, and intelligence, the book is never dull and having read some other reviews of this book, is an inspiration to many readers. For anyone looking for a book that markets itself as a self-help book but is really a series of funny essays in the life of a charming and gifted storyteller, this book can do no wrong. A quick read but fun, "Tough Shit" is a good time with common sense wisdom amid the jokes. (less)

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Mar 24, 2012 Sebastian Moitzheim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Als Fan kennt man natürlich einen Großteil der Geschichten in Kevin Smiths erstem "richtigem" Buch (nach Sammlungen seiner Artikel und Blogeinträge sowie diesem merkwürdigen Podcast-Transkript-Buch) und "Life Advice" meint auch vor allem Variationen von "be yourself" und "anybody can do this", allerdings sind das zwar altbekannte, aber sicher keine schlechten Ratschläge und wenn Smith von "whiney emo-bitch" Bruce Willis, seinem Southwest Airlines-Debakel oder dem ersten Treffen mit seinem Idol G...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks, just-finished, non-fiction

In college and in my twenties, I loved independent films. I veered way off track when we moved out of the city, became parents, and so intensely sleep deprived that I could barely stay awake for an entire movie, much less think about what I'd just seen. Then there were years and years of kids' movies... It's too bad, because I missed out on Kevin Smith and most (except for Chasing Amy) of his films. I'm glad the post holiday surge of refresh & renew inspired me to buy this from the recent Au...more

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Aug 05, 2012 star_fire13 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars, actually-adult-novels, non-fiction, audiobook

Man, I love this man. I don't know if it's just the phase of my life I'm in or what not, but what he had to say really moved me. I want to get my life together and be as successful in my endeavors as him.

I'm glad I listened to the audiobook. I normally don't go for audiobooks. It's hard for me to keep up and process what is being said in an audiobook, so I lose out on a lot of the long descriptive paragraphs when it comes to fiction. If I listened to Harry Potter on audiobook, I probably wouldn'...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Caleb rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, Kevin Smith is awesome. Don't get me wrong -- most of his movies have failed to leave much of an impression on me (except abject hatred, in the case of Mallrats). But he is a seriously funny dude who knows how lucky he is and he comes across as a genuinely nice guy. However, his true awesomeness--and the main reason you should read this book--is because you can't help but admire his balls. He deliberately sabotaged his career with the way he "marketed" his last movie, Red State, and he did...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Misha Crews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012

First, a warning: this book contains more naughty language and downright profane sentiment than any book I've read in a long, long time - maybe ever! If you're familiar with Kevin Smith's work, then you're already acclimated to the language. If you're new to the "View Askewniverse," proceed at your own risk. ;-)

That being said, I'm a huge fan of Kevin Smith. I love his gift for dialogue and characterization, his talent for giving a sparkle to minutiae, and the sweet heart that beats behind an un...more

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May 02, 2012 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I remember watching Kevin Smith’s Clerks and Chasing Amy back in the day – I was big into slacker movies in the 90s. I think those are the only two of Smith’s movies I’ve seen – now I’m more of a romantic comedy kind of girl. Still, I remember the two films fondly; they introduced me to Smith’s humor, and in turn led the way to me listening to this audiobook. Now I know Kevin Smith more as a personality, as well as an annual public speaker at Hall H at Comic-Con. Based on all this I knew I was s...more I remember watching Kevin Smith’s Clerks and Chasing Amy back in the day – I was big into slacker movies in the 90s. I think those are the only two of Smith’s movies I’ve seen – now I’m more of a romantic comedy kind of girl. Still, I remember the two films fondly; they introduced me to Smith’s humor, and in turn led the way to me listening to this audiobook. Now I know Kevin Smith more as a personality, as well as an annual public speaker at Hall H at Comic-Con. Based on all this I knew I was sure to be entertained and amused with Tough Sh*t.

In Tough Sh*t: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good, Smith talks about his movie career and his influences from George Carlin to Wayne Gretzky to John Hughes. He dishes on which actors impressed him and which actors pissed him off as he takes you behind the scenes of his movies. Smith also gets the infamous “too fat to fly on Southwest” incident off his chest. Smith acknowledges his family by including a loving recognition of his wife Jen and compares his first date with Jen to Lloyd Dobler asking out Diane Court. Behind it all is some good career advice to get paid doing what you love to do.

Kevin Smith’s story is inspirational – he fell in love with film and followed his dream to be a filmmaker. From his first visit to New York’s Angelika theatre he knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Slacker’s Richard Linklater and make films. In fact I learned in this audiobook that Smith made his mark on cinema by creating the bromance film genre. Interesting, right?

The part of me that loves Hollywood gossip ate up Smith’s celebrity stories, from Bruce Willis’ on set bad behavior to his falling out with mentor Harvey Weinstein. Smith also gives a fascinating look at filmmaking when he decides to self distribute his Tarantino-esque film Red State. He also gets some jabs in to the movie critics who love to hate him.

Who better than Kevin Smith to narrate his story? It’s his life and his stories and you can hear the passion and enthusiasm in his voice. His story is very personal, and like his films potty-mouthed at times, and I can’t imagine anyone else narrating the book. Smith is a professional podcaster so is obviously very comfortable behind the mic, and the six hours I listened to this audiobook flew by. His sharp humor, intelligence and knowledge of pop culture made for an entertaining listening experience.

This book is for Kevin Smith fans, those who love movies and pop culture, and those looking for some creative inspiration. If you have six hours to spare and are not easily offended, check out this audiobook.(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Stephen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was a fan of Kevin Smith throughout the '90s, after friends passed around a VHS copy of "Clerks" while we were living overseas. I consumed his podcasts during the first few years of "Smodcast", quietly stopping before "Cop Out" and the subsequent explosion of Kevin's podcast career. I read this book to get a "catch up" of sorts. I'm the same age as Smith, and his career as a director was filled with the generation-specific references I used to scorn baby boomers for engaging in. Reading this b...more I was a fan of Kevin Smith throughout the '90s, after friends passed around a VHS copy of "Clerks" while we were living overseas. I consumed his podcasts during the first few years of "Smodcast", quietly stopping before "Cop Out" and the subsequent explosion of Kevin's podcast career. I read this book to get a "catch up" of sorts. I'm the same age as Smith, and his career as a director was filled with the generation-specific references I used to scorn baby boomers for engaging in. Reading this book confirmed a suspicion I had about Smith's career, which he confirms multiple times outright: he ran out of orignal things to say, and plans to retire from the movies. He's plenty successful with his podcast universe and AMC television series, but I get the feeling that these new areas cover deeply-plundered territory for Smith.

What I find moving about Smith's story is his screw-up-makes-good tale, and his role in the indie film boom of the '90s. I was witness to this explosion of talent, and it was an exciting time. It helps I was an undergraduate on campus with a film society, so the movies of this period were part of the culture. Mirimax was indeed a brand that typified the times, and Smith is skilled in relating his stories of that period. It's bittersweet to hear how, rather too perfectly, this period ended for him with "Clerks II", however he took the spirit of that time to finish and self-distribute "Red State" in the vein of a Mirimax that is long gone. I recommend this part of the book, the original "Clerks" DVD with the excellent documentary about how the movie got made, and "An Evening With Kevin Smith" DVD as the best examples on Smith's skill as a storyteller in film, in person, and in text.

Expectedly, Smith works blue so often that the uninitiated won't get past the first few pages. I don't blame you if you don't. It's what is both unique and tiresome about Smith's approach. I wouldn't expect anything else, and what approach should Kevin take instead? He's built a lasting career tat includes stuff I can't repeat here. So be it. (less)

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About Kevin Smith

Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, director, as well as a comic book writer, author, and actor. He is also the co-founder, with Scott Mosier, of View Askew Productions and owner of Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash comic and novelty store in Red Bank, New Jersey. He also hosts a weekly podcast with Scott Mosier known as SModcast. He is also known for participating in long, humorous Q&A...more

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“Remember: It costs nothing to encourage an artist, and the potential benefits are staggering. A pat on the back to an artist now could one day result in your favorite film, or the cartoon you love to get stoned watching, or the song that saves your life. Discourage an artist, you get absolutely nothing in return, ever.” — 22 people liked it

“As human beings we govern our actions with our deepest fears. But if you name that shit, you claim that shit: let enough people into your closet and you'll find there's no more room for skeletons. Leave yourself nowhere to hide and you can live your life unguarded.” — 10 people liked it

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