Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film

Silver Screen Fiend

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‘Silver Screen Fiend’ by Patton Oswalt

See all of my reviews and other stuff at http: Dec 30, matt rated it it was ok. His writing is compulsively readable but the book winds up being way too brief with filler galore! Many of the pages are simply lists yet seems to retread the same points over and over. Jan 13, Sarah Pascarella rated it it was amazing.

Oswalt is my favorite type of fellow English major -- constantly searching for the connections between experiences, events, and people, but without being twee, self-serving, or overly theoretical. Instead, he roots out these connections often across time, space, and medium and makes thoughtful insights as to those beneath-the-surface ties that bind us. The fact that he does so humbly and hilariously makes his company even more enjoyable. Chapter 8 made me laugh so hard that I woke my husband u Oswalt is my favorite type of fellow English major -- constantly searching for the connections between experiences, events, and people, but without being twee, self-serving, or overly theoretical.

Chapter 8 made me laugh so hard that I woke my husband up from a sound sleep -- and it still makes me laugh now, just thinking about it.

Patton Oswalt watched almost a movie or a double feature every night for a year and ticked it off in five books of his concerning cult classics. I LOVE this book. And probably a lot of us here on the community. Faces are scenes, people are films…my love of watching movies has turned into a love of savouring them. That person, puppy or fellow Goodreader might need some appreciation. Also, this book is great for people who love film trivia. Patton Oswalt goes into a whole chapter rant about movies he wishes had been made.

Dec 30, fleegan rated it really liked it Shelves: I figured this book would be jam-packed with geeky jokes, but it is more of a self-deprecating memoir of a time in Patton Oswalt's life when he was addicted to movies and thought he was going to be an amazing film maker. He does talk some film nerdery in this book, but the majority is him discussing the mistakes he made in his early years. I think it's great that he is so comfortable talking about his past mistakes and failures, and he does it in such a way that it's entertaining to read about.

I think all artists have to fail an awful lot before they make the good stuff, and this book deals with that part of art. This book might not be what I expected, but it made me think a lot, and I enjoyed it immensely. Jan 25, Nick rated it it was ok Shelves: A tedious and rambling affair, somewhat redeemed by the fact that the audio book was narrated by the author himself.

Patton's self-diagnosed film addiction seems like a false premise designed to support several auto-biographical stories about his start in the comedy scene during the 90s. The name-dropping is fun at times, and the film-related tidbits are mildly interesting, but the whole narrative floats around the central premise without really ever attacking it, leaving the reader overall un-s A tedious and rambling affair, somewhat redeemed by the fact that the audio book was narrated by the author himself.

The name-dropping is fun at times, and the film-related tidbits are mildly interesting, but the whole narrative floats around the central premise without really ever attacking it, leaving the reader overall un-satisfied. Dec 30, Nathan Rabin rated it it was amazing. Devour it in one sleepless night and be hungry for more.

Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film was an interesting listen for me. I like Patton Oswalt , and I was willing to pay for the audio to hear him in a more intimate setting, but, truly, this book is for movie geeks only. If you are like me, a total movie non-snob and commercialized cinema embracer, most of the references will fly right over your head. I ordered Patton Oswalt's latest memoir from Amazon several weeks ago. It arrived on Tuesday January 6, I began reading it that very day. By the time I retired for the evening I had devoured half the book in several sittings.

The next day I finished reading the rest.

Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film

A fantastic read as compulsive and addictive as the all-consuming passion for cinema that ruled Oswalt's life for years and nearly derailed his every ambition, Silver Screen Fiend documents the famed actor, writer, and stand-u I ordered Patton Oswalt's latest memoir from Amazon several weeks ago. A fantastic read as compulsive and addictive as the all-consuming passion for cinema that ruled Oswalt's life for years and nearly derailed his every ambition, Silver Screen Fiend documents the famed actor, writer, and stand-up comedian's journey from rabid film geek searching for his future at 24 frames per second to a committed, well-adjusted professional artist who accepts that movies should be a part of life and not a way of life in exquisite prose.

Reward Yourself

Four years earlier I had read Oswalt's first book, Zombie Spaceship Wasteland, and within its pages were harrowing passages taken from his own life and career etched onto the printed page with the acidic wit and bruising honesty of the greatest authors. I knew then that he had the makings of a great American novel somewhere in the depths of his bustling imagination. Silver Screen Fiend is far from a work of fiction, but it's that rarest of books that not only entertains but also might compel its readers to re-evaluate their own passions and priorities.

It certainly did for me.

I have a lot of thinking to do now. Feb 03, Randee rated it really liked it Shelves: I've been a big Patton Oswald fan for years and I had no idea he was so passionate about movies. I listened to this on Audible because I wanted to hear him do his own book. It was funny and interesting.

What a movie geek!!! I was actually astounded and envious that he was able to see so many old and foreign movies on the big screen in L. Maybe because it's the movie capital of the world? I live in the suburbs of Chicago but there's no way I'd find anywhere near the amount of movies from the pa I've been a big Patton Oswald fan for years and I had no idea he was so passionate about movies. I live in the suburbs of Chicago but there's no way I'd find anywhere near the amount of movies from the past playing on a big screen somewhere downtown. Along with talking movies, it was also a memoir of his start in comedy and playing the clubs before he became well known.

It's always interesting, to me at least, to hear a successful comic talk about their rise to fame since I think they go through a more difficult 'growing period' than musicians, actors, etc. It's got to be one of the toughest things ever to face that much rejection standing all by yourself in front of a bunch of strangers.

I can confidently recommend this to anyone who likes Patton Oswald, movies or stand up comedy in the early stages. It's only a little over 4 hours on Audible and time flies when you are having fun!!!! Jan 02, John rated it it was amazing. Knowledge of film isn't really required, though it is often presumed in the discussion of escapism and engagement with the world that is the real theme of the story. Oswalt's storytelling here is really engaging and the tangents are as delightful as the main thrust of the story.

Nov 11, Christopher rated it did not like it. A joyless, mirthless experience. Page after page of nothing, just Oswalt turning a story that should be a paragraph at best into a whole chapter. And his final revelation about cinema "addiction" is as underwhelming as they come.

And for you cinephiles out there thinking, "Well at least he's going to write about some good films" don't bother. He just lists them and maybe occasionally gives a plot synopsis. If you want to see a real great piece of art about cinema addiction, check out the doc Cine A joyless, mirthless experience. If you want to see a real great piece of art about cinema addiction, check out the doc Cinemania.

There's more insight and humour in any given frame of the film than in this whole book. Oct 14, Brandon Forsyth rated it it was amazing. Patton Oswalt speaks to me. This book made me laugh and weep and smile at all the wry wisdom on display. It's very much a memoir, and it hit me on a very personal level. You can argue that the book takes a while to find itself, and that the writing in the first chapter is trying just a little too hard, but, for me, this book is perfect.

Nov 18, TheCultureVulture rated it it was ok. Love film discussion and really enjoy Patton but this didn't do anything for me. Sep 02, Lindsey. I'm glad I finally read this. I have been aware of Patton Oswalt for years. I knew he was funny but I didn't know much else or care enough to find out.

Then I saw he wrote this book and I thought, "Huh, this guy likes movies too. I should check that out. Should be an easy read. It's funny the way a shared hobby, a shared love, a shared obsession can do that.

There is so much to relate to: And of course, there are so many films mentioned and discussed here that you are certain to come away with at least one more film for your "to watch" list. I especially love the pages in the back which detail the date and place of every movie Oswalt saw over 4 years. I used to note my viewings too in my school planners. All they want to yak about is their kids or places they've traveled to Don't they want to talk about the movies of the newly discovered French crime master Jean-Pierre Melville, Why are people so boring?

Apr 30, Steph Myers rated it liked it Shelves: I listened to this because I wish Patton Oswalt was my next door neighbor. We could hang out, drink beer and geek out on various irreverent current and not-so-current events. I'm glad I listened to it. He definitely goes from truly "reading" to more "telling" as the book progresses, which is nice. I tend to get bored with "readers". I too was a film geek when I was a kid, but I never had the money nor lived near a theatre as cool as the New Bev. The book -- Still filled with the typical rants that Oswalt is known for, he turns it upon himself in a number of related, though not necessarily connected, stories from his formulative years.

If you were in your 20's during Nirvana, Reservoir Dogs and the swift rise and fall of stand-up in the s, you will find things to relate to and will enjoy the relating. However, he waxes poetic about movies - so many movies - that if you are not a movie lover, you might not dig it. Happy for the reference to Dark City. Though no mention of Santa Sangre. Work on that Patton, will ya? Jan 17, Keith rated it really liked it Shelves: A funny and often moving memoir of one comedian's addiction to film. Oswalt was seeing two or three movies every week in the late 90s and his stories of that experience encompass the wonder that film engenders, how the magic lantern inspires our dreams.

Added to these stories is an accompanying narrative of the stand up comedy scene in late 90s LA. But now it's gone and I have nothing. Patton describes the ecstatic demands of the arts in this case, Stand-up and Film with insight, fond pity, and unfailing humor.

This is a book for anyone who strives to be great, or is bored in an airport. Oswalt's prose is sparkling A coming-of middle-age meditation, Oswalt's homage to films is both hilarious and heartfelt. Oswalt's writing gives off the hallucinogenic shimmer of the true obsessive, packing all the sharpness and bite of his stand-up. By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use.

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