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3.75 of 5 stars
In this bawdy, over-the-top rant-fest, screenwriter and director Kevin Smith waxes rhapsodic and obnoxious on everything from his platonic infatuat... read full description

reviews

Nov 17, 2008
Debbie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is a collection of articles Kevin Smith wrote for magazines. Interesting enough. I for some reason found myself somewhat psychoanalyzing him from what he wrote. He seems to have a pretty poor self image. I mean, I could easily believe that the self depracating humor he throws in is just an act, but when you combine that with the number of times he brags about having sex with his apparently extra hot wife it's pretty indicative of a hell of an inferiority complex. Maybe it comes a bit More...
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Nov 26, 2011
Sarah rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It was a nice easy read, very funny and it was interesting to get an insight into a director who I really like. Some bits did disappoint me, like his chapters on Ben Affleck, Tom Cruise & the comments about Jennifer Lopez. It was just a little full on, kind of ass kissy and I expected someone like him to be a little more cutting. Of course, that's kind of unfair as we all have people we admire and I suppose if he were writing that way about people I also liked then I'd have simply seen it as him More...
Jun 18, 2011
Rebecca rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Another book made up of articles that have been published else ware. Seriously, who would pay for this? Yay for the library! I like Kevin Smith and most of his movies, so this book was a really quick read. Man, I miss hearing him on KROQ in the morning. The only downside (because I always must talk about the negative) of this book is his obsession with his junk, him being fat and his hot wife. Seriously, it was like an episode of According to Jim, in book form. But to spin in positive, I do like More...
Nov 04, 2009
Tyler rated it: 4 of 5 stars
1: I just love Kevin Smith. I'm the kind of guy who can sit and watch youtube videos of him talking about people pooping and I'll be genuinely entertained because the guy is a fantastic talker.

2: I'm also the kind of guy who likes (and loves a bunch) of his movies just because of the writing, so it makes sense to read this and his other collection (which I'm about to start).

3: I just read Infinite Jest before I read this and I really needed something quick and dirty.
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Feb 16, 2009
Todd rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A light, quick and easy read. You don't so much gain an insight into the world of Hollywood as you do an insight into the life of a guy who probably shouldn't have much to do with Hollywood.

This collection of different articles written by Kevin Smith is written very much like he writes his films, which appears to be very much how he is in person. He seems a very likable guy, and his writing is just fun to read.

One or two passages feel a little too "scripted", in More...
Jan 08, 2010
Mark rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Ah. Kevin Smith. When he's good, he's astoundingly funny. However, God help the listener or reader when he's bad. See, for example, the weird obsession about seeing his wife with other men that ultimately had him shoot pictures of her naked in Superman's arms for "Playboy", the long monologue about jury duty while suffering anal fissures, or an even more appalling mess, "Jersey Girl" (even the title wasn't original; it's from a Tom Waits song popularized by Springsteen and an More...
Sep 20, 2010
Jacob rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Foul-mouthed, witty filmmaker and all-around raconteur Kevin Smith provides some humorous and interesting looks at Hollywood comings-and-goings and celebrities. He doesn't so much provide a view from the inside as much as from right on the edge between LA royalty and rest-of-America commoners.
In many ways I have emulated Smith as a writer (I still do sometimes, and I imagine I will continue to attempt to be like him). Smith is a good example of how to be funny and interesting by speaking More...
Aug 24, 2009
Sarah rated it: 4 of 5 stars
So this is exactly what the subtitle implies: a collection of writings from "indie filmmaker" Kevin Smith. Most of the writings are from magazines, a section of them is from a website. I don't really have a whole lot to say. I basically worship at the cult of Kevin Smith (much as he worships Ben Affleck) and I think pretty much anything he does is brilliant. Some of the articles were lackluster (mainly the ones detailing his intestinal issues after his morbid obesity diagnosis) but the More...
Apr 04, 2010
Jeffrey rated it: 3 of 5 stars
From previous reviews, I do not hide the fact that I am a huge fan of Kevin Smith. Every facet of his work intrigues me, from his movies, to his book, and even to his blogs. At the same time, though I have tried to keep my political views out of my reviews, it’s pretty obvious where I stand. So, when I opened this book, I was truly excited to read more about a guy that I look up to, and I read the first few pages, I was nearly tempted to put the book down and even possibly never read a piece if More...
Aug 01, 2008
Richie rated it: 2 of 5 stars
If you know who Kevin Smith is, this is a great book. If you have seen some of his movies and think they were alright, then you will probably enjoy reading this book. If you have no idea who Kevin Smith is, then this book will do nothing to persuade you to like him.

K. Smith is a great film writer, putting together some of the best dialog that flows so well, even though much of it is nonsense. He writes like you and your friends would talk, just on film.

Clerks, Mallrats, C More...
Feb 15, 2009
Brandon rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I have been a major fan of Kevin Smith's films for years. Not only do I love his films, but I am inspired by his rise to stardom as an indie filmmaker. The writer/director, famous for his sharp dialogue coupled with vulgar humor, has also branched out into other mediums through the course of his career. This book collects a series of essays and articles he had written for various magazines and websites, giving the reader a glimpse into both his private life and the filmmaking process.

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May 23, 2008
Jaimee rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This book is a collection of Smith's articles from Arena magazine. The first half was very good, and also incredibly funny. It made me want to watch his movies, and he also convinced me that I should reconsider my dislike of Ben Affleck. His story about meeting David Duchovny was so funny, and Smith seems to be at his best when he's being the ultimate fanboy.

However, the second half of the book became very tedious and mostly consisted of unfunny dirty jokes and name dropping. Ju More...
Jan 06, 2008
Justin rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I picked this one up because I was mesmerized by Kevin Smith's other book, My Boring-Ass Life. Where that one was a 500-page collection of blog entries and diary scribblings, Silent Bob is a much slimmer collection of "polished" essays that some magazines hired Smith to write at some point. Weirdly they're not nearly as interesting. I think Smith is much better as an off-the-cuff storyteller than he is as an actual writer who puts text down then tries to refine it. This is why his coll More...
Apr 21, 2008
Dustin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I admit it: I love almost everything 'Kevin Smith.' While I have loved all of his movies, I actually prefer his writing (non-screenplay) to the movies. In the movies, you have someone else doing their best to give life to his words, but in writing, as on stage with the 'Evening Wasted with Kevin Smith' DVDs, it's straight from the man himself. Always brutally honest and humble, you get to the end of one of his books, and feel like you are already good friends with him, and have been for a long More...
Sep 12, 2010
Dave rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is a scatterbrained, vulgar, and somewhat surprisingly a little insightful. But isn't that what you'd expect from Kevin Smith? My problems with this is that in retrospect he doesn't stick to his guns. While talking about Jersey Girl he raves about how its his best movie, but now he always talks about how awful it was when the subject is brought up.

Some very funny stories, and an essential read for any Askewniverse geek, but as far as the rest of the world goes this is passable.
Apr 03, 2011
Christopher rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Being a large fan of Kevin Smith it was already pretty guaranteed that I would enjoy this book. That being said the most enjoyable part of reading this book is that Kevin's voice in his writings was equal to that of his speaking. Being the wannabe writer that I am I know just how difficult it is to write the way you speak.

I really enjoyed the stories told in the book and would gladly read a newer incarnation of the book if it were available.
Apr 02, 2011
Gina rated it: 2 of 5 stars
This book was okay. Filled with talk of the movie "Jay and Silent Bob" and him continually making fun of himself for being obese, this book left much to be desired. The font and margin size were huge, which made me feel as though the book publisher automatically assumed I would be someone that rarely reads a book and was only picking it up because I like indie films. It was an easy read, but I can't say it was entirely pleasurable.
Aug 17, 2009
Bonnie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I agree with other reviews in that this book will probably only appeal to people who already like Kevin Smith. It's a little haphazard for those who don't know his movies. However, if you like his work, you'll most likely enjoy the essays here. I did! It has me thinking about going to see him speak live, so it must've done something right! The essays can feel a bit dated - references to a young Britney Spears or to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's romance (and there are essays that are just More...
May 13, 2011
Andrew rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I have a nasty habit of reading in situations where doing something as harmless as bursting out laughing would be considered inappropriate.
With that being said: I would highly recommend not bring this book to read during an exam if they are the kind of exams where you would be forced to wait until the testing period has concluded.

Hilarious light read.
Mar 02, 2009
Ruby rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not bad Silent Bob, not bad at all.
Many times I found this hard to put down: Stayed up a little too late each night I said I'd read 'just one chapter' and it was fascinating getting inside the head of Kevin Smith.

Buuut... his lovefests were a bit much for me. Not saying there's not a place for them, but I suppose I just wasn't looking for chapters on how cool Ben Affleck is or how awesome his next movie will be.
Jan 30, 2012
Alex rated it: 4 of 5 stars
An interesting book consisting of articles Kevin Smith already published in other places. You get incites into the mind of an entertaining director during that period time in his life. A worth while read for any aspiring comedic directors and writers.
Jun 16, 2009
Mike rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Collection of stories that Kevin wrote. Kevin is a good writer because he doesn't have a filter. This one was kinda a preview of his stuff that he does at the Q&A's . . . . See the evening with trilogy and you will know what we mean!
Jul 08, 2009
Leah rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I adore Kevin Smith in all his foul-mouthed, smart-yet-silly glory. This collection of blogs, articles, etc was a fun read. A great book to just pick up when you're bored. You'll be laughing soon enough.
Apr 27, 2009
Rick rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I've been a big fan of Mr. Smith since Chasing Amy. Been to his comic book store in Red Bank NJ. Would buy anything he ever did. Even his bad stuff ispretty good compared to some stuff
Mar 21, 2009
Erin rated it: 3 of 5 stars
quick read, entertaining for a long time Kevin Smith fan. The outdated pop culture references and Ben Affleck obsession got a little old. But overall, enjoyed this collection of articles he has written. Made for good airplane reading.
Jul 27, 2011
Jono added it
Entertaining enough, but he goes on a bit about Clerks. Some funny places and insights into the film business. Could do with a little less Affleck arse-kissing.
Feb 06, 2009
Loren rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Wow. It was actually fun to read. I knew there was something off about Reese Witherspoon. Smith writes very engaging essays and it is actually funny.
Sep 02, 2009
Lori rated it: 4 of 5 stars
In my opion, this is for Kevin Smith fans only. It is likely to be uninteresting to someone that doesn't follow his work.
Jan 16, 2009
Jason rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I love Kevin Smith's writings. His humor is self-depecating. Reading Kevin Smith makes me wish I could write like him.
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Feb 11, 2012
Mark rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Not of all his movies are great, or even good, but he's definitely a smart and entertaining speaker and writer.