gbpy's review
5.0
Ah stories, why do we love them? Why do we want them, why do we need them? And if there's so many writing and screenwriting books out there, why does a lot of movies nowadays feel the same? What makes a great story?
I think this Film Crit Hulk's book answered all those questions, not as definitive truths, but starting points. Instead of giving another static framework with a series of beats to follow, it spends its time to break popular frameworks used today, not for the sake of rejecting them, but to deconstruct them to their barest components to see what made them seem to work, and what actually did.
And it's entertaining all throughout! If you've ever read one of Film Crit Hulk's essays, this book is more of the same but with the addition of an arc and an all-encompassing-theme. Who wouldn't love that?
I think this Film Crit Hulk's book answered all those questions, not as definitive truths, but starting points. Instead of giving another static framework with a series of beats to follow, it spends its time to break popular frameworks used today, not for the sake of rejecting them, but to deconstruct them to their barest components to see what made them seem to work, and what actually did.
And it's entertaining all throughout! If you've ever read one of Film Crit Hulk's essays, this book is more of the same but with the addition of an arc and an all-encompassing-theme. Who wouldn't love that?
nickdouglas's review
5.0
Another goddamn screenwriting book, and one that critiques other books at that, but very smart and non-prescriptive and even politically progressive, and it taught me for the first time what "reveals" can and can't accomplish, which I wish I'd known when writing my first stick-it-in-a-drawer script. While I'm decent at dialog, I'm shitty at structure for any story longer than five pages, so I need things like this.
famel's review
3.0
Flawlessly written book for screenwriters. However, if you are just a usual movie-lover looking for a good read, this book, probably, won’t fulfill your wishes (despite author’s note telling that this is a nice stuff for cinefiles).
reveal's review
4.0
It's cute and it's good but perhaps needed another round of editing? I think the technical, outlining aspect is the one I thought was weakest whereas the meta aspects of what makes a story work and what doesn't was extremely strong. Well worth my time though, and even though it's 350 pages Hulk is such a good, clear writer it's insane.
captainjaq's review
3.0
While there's some interesting stuff here, a lot of it must be taken with a grain of salt. HULK makes grand suppositions but never actually backs them up other than saying "I'm right because I'm right." Or even better, referencing the mystical "They." Additionally, he says in 50 words what could sometimes be said in 5 (or often not said at all because he's just repeating something he's already said)
Like all screenwriting books, there are nuggets of useful information and certainly some ideas to ponder but when the FADE OUT comes, it's merely OK.
That all said, the eBook does get bonus points for having a "Bruce Banner" version which is not in the headache inducing ALL CAPS which is FILM CRIT HULK'S trademark.
Like all screenwriting books, there are nuggets of useful information and certainly some ideas to ponder but when the FADE OUT comes, it's merely OK.
That all said, the eBook does get bonus points for having a "Bruce Banner" version which is not in the headache inducing ALL CAPS which is FILM CRIT HULK'S trademark.
rileyponpon's review
5.0
Brilliant, eye-opening, and fun! I read this a while ago, but I remember lots of mentions of John Carter so make sure you've seen that one before reading haha Have a highlighter ready for some really insightful passages. It shreds the "save the cat" screenwriting/storytelling ideology to bits before burning the leftovers in the trashcan.
caleb9cccf's review
5.0
This is one of the best books on the principles of shaping narrative that I've read. Hulk smashes prescriptive, cookie cutter formulas, instead explaining the underlying principles. Hulk's big point is that you need to have a reason for your narrative choices, and understand how they work and their likely affect on the audience.
Much of this is useful not just to screenwriters, but anyone working with narrative in other media too. With a ton of interesting examples and analysis, and a... *unique* style (I recommend reading the Banner version of the text), this is well worth reading and digesting. It's realistic about the challenges of writing and problems of the industry, yet optimistic and idealistic enough to inspire me to be a better writer.
Much of this is useful not just to screenwriters, but anyone working with narrative in other media too. With a ton of interesting examples and analysis, and a... *unique* style (I recommend reading the Banner version of the text), this is well worth reading and digesting. It's realistic about the challenges of writing and problems of the industry, yet optimistic and idealistic enough to inspire me to be a better writer.
More...