It's Only a Movie Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive

Toavoidfaintingkeeprepeating,It'sonlyamove..onlyamovie..onlyamovie..onlyamovieIfyougrewupbelievingthatPlanetoftheApestoldyouallyouneededtoknowaboutpolitics,thatSladeinFlamewasasavageexposofthepopworld,andthatTheExorcistrevealedthemeaningoflife,thenyouprobablyspentfartoomanyofyourformativeyearsatthecinema.Justaslikely,yousoonrealisedthattherewasonlyonecareeropentoyou-you'dhavetobecomeafilmcritic.InIt'sOnlyaMovie,theincomparableMarkKermodetakesusintotheweirdworldofalifelivedinwidescreen.Joinhimasheembarksonagut-wrenchingjourneythroughtheformerSovietUniononthetrailofthelow-budgethorrorflickDarkWaters,cringeashe'shandbaggedbyHelenMirrenattheBAFTAawardsceremony,cheerashegetsthrownoutoftheCannesFilmFestivalforhecklinginverybadFrench,anddon'tforgettogaspashe'sshotatwhileinterviewingWernerHerzogintheHollywoodHills.Writtenwithsardonicwitandwrygoodhumour,thiscompellingcinematicmemoirisgenuinely'inspiredbyrealevents'.