literatetexan's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like Silver Screen Fiend. I love classic movies, so I was hoping for some great insights or at least a memoir describing Oswalt's experiences with these films. The book was short on insights and memoirs about his addiction to film, though, focusing more on anecdotes about his career at the time. Even those anecdotes tended to ramble, and the book as a whole doesn't gel. The 25% of the book at the end, which consisted mostly of padding, was a cheap ploy. I think most readers would have enjoyed a more detailed memoir related to Oswalt's experiences watching these movies.
godzillaismycopilot's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad partial-autobiography, but just wasn't what my brain was looking for. I was pushed towards this book by one of those shitty internet lists for "funniest audiobooks", but this is more a depressive explanation of how stressful a career in comedy can be and why it pairs so well with mental illness. And that addiction can take the form of any behavior you repeatedly use as a coping mechanism. There's sarcasm, but that's about it for humor.
desertrose156's review against another edition
4.0
I am also a 'silver screen fiend'-my username on socials has been silverscreen since I was a teenager. I have always found solace, joy, and passion through film. I feel Patton is a kindred spirit in this sense. This book was easy for me to breeze through in one sitting. His voice is strong and authentic and I felt like I was listening to him speak the entire time. Parts even made me laugh out loud, and I loved all the references to films, the 90's, and pop culture. It was a highly enjoyable read. My only criticism is that I felt it ended on a rather abrupt note; but I could tell that this was an authentic choice, because he didn't want a lot of 'filler' in the book. I think Patton would have loved letterboxd had it been around in the 90's! If you are a film buff, a fan of Patton, or are looking for a pick me up, I highly recommend this book.
blevins's review against another edition
3.0
Short book by Patton Oswalt that delves into his four year film addiction after he moved to Los Angeles in the mid 1990s. My question is this: Only four years? That's weak! I actually thought there would be more film talk in this, but it is slanted toward Oswalt's work as a comic [no surprise since that's what he was at this time, his foray into acting was mostly yet to come]. A lot of his time was spent at the New Beverly and I was hoping there'd be more things about that theatre. I live four blocks from the New Beverly and walk to it when I see something there. When I moved to L.A., my apartment's proximity to the New Beverly was a major selling point for it...and it still is. Later this month I'm going to see THE UNFORGIVEN and HEAT there...maybe catch a double feature of RESERVOIR DOGS + PULP FICTION. So, yeah, I know all about the film addiction that Oswalt writes about in this breezy memoir but I say again, 4 years? That's nothing!
oliviak07's review
4.0
I was originally going to read the printed version of this book, but due to my schedule I felt listening to it on audiobook would be wise and make the commute a little more bearable to work and class: And I was correct.
Not only did it make the drive short, it made me want to linger in my car to hear how Patton's anecdotes ended. I was almost late to work once when I just had to have '5 minutes more' in order to hear him out!
I also think that anyone entering any field of entertainment, or any college major in the various fields of entertainment, should read/listen to this book. It is honest and fair, but funny and vulnerable too.
Bonus: There is just something about the author narrating their own book!
Not only did it make the drive short, it made me want to linger in my car to hear how Patton's anecdotes ended. I was almost late to work once when I just had to have '5 minutes more' in order to hear him out!
I also think that anyone entering any field of entertainment, or any college major in the various fields of entertainment, should read/listen to this book. It is honest and fair, but funny and vulnerable too.
Bonus: There is just something about the author narrating their own book!
eluse9's review against another edition
3.0
If you like Patton Oswalt's humor, you'll like the book at least a little. I'm not a movie buff and 80% of the references went over my head. You really should be a classic movie buff to read this.
william_sg's review against another edition
5.0
Devoured. Minus the comedy career (which is just starting?), this book was my life 18-25. Loved it all, wish there was more. Will read his other memoir. Great writing. Absolute fun.