All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger
by James Gunn, Lloyd Kaufman, Roger Corman
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Book Reviews of All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger
Book Review: Love it, love it
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes I think this one is even better. I'm an filmmaker and I found the book insightful and amazing. This book has taught me so much about the business of film and made me want to make my dreams come true. It's about passsion and dreams, which is what film is about!Book Review: Rocky of filmmakers
Summary: 3 Stars
Kauffman is in the credits of the first Rocky movie as "pre-production supervisor" and "drunk". Reading this book is like watching Rocky because although I don't get a game where the intent is to injure or movies where the intent is to give the audience head trauma, I admire Rocky's and Kauffman's determination. In each case I end up cheering for the guy when he hits his target because the story is well told.
So Kauffman and James Gunn can tell a good story. This book is thought-provoking when it feels like it. But what does knowing the creators have a brain add to a movie that dwells on a kiddie head crushing and a bullet hitting a seeing eye dog?
I don't know. I've never seen the Toxic Avenger or any Troma movie, so I'm going on Kauffman's descriptions.
But in between those descriptions the book's worth reading, and someone with the same vision for his movies but no brain probably couldn't organise a bunch of people to make his movies, or justify it to himself.
Kauffman makes thoughtful points about the insisidious evil in Hollywood's messages in movies like Pretty Woman, but it's like if Rocky using his brain-damaged logic said, "Sure, boxing focusses on injury. But football pretends to be about scoring goals and really it causes equally terrible injuries."
Book Review: JOHNNY MELTS ME!
Summary: 5 Stars
Johnny melts me? Thats right boys and girls, thats what Uncle Lloyd wrote on the inside cover of this amazing book when I met him at Monstermania Con 6(666)in N.J.(the home state of Tromaville). So there I am waiting in line[a line of about 5 smelly scumbag fans(like myself)] waiting to meet the man who brought us the greast film studio in the world... TROMA!!! I waited for years to pick up this gem, this masterpiece of american literature, this outstanding "shocking true story of Troma studios".......so you ask"why Johnny, why did you wait to purchase this textbook of coolness with its amazing insight into the workings of the number one independant studio, why Johnny, why?" Well calm down loyal Toxie fans, and shutup so I can tell you. I waited because I wanted to meet Lloyd Kaufman and get him to sign it ya buncha Tromatic fan boys. Good things come those who wait right, well kids, your damn skippy.(not to mention while waiting in line I got to look Brenna Lee Roths sweet rack)
So there I was, new book in one hand, sharpie in the other, and standing before me Uncle Lloyd. (I, like most basement dwelling outcast geekers, grew up on a healthy diet of comics, horror flicks and sci-fi, but noone could have prepared me for my teenage years, up-all-night watching movies of the future....Troma movies.)So like the idiot that I am I forgot a camera to capture this moment, but instead of a photo op, I was given a mission........one given to me by the man himself. After signing my book and shaking my hand Lloyd took me aside......Unlike the other dork-o's Lloyd gave this loser a moment of his time....He said "Kid, I need you to me a favor"- anything Lloyd-"Can you go on Amazon and tell people what you think of this book?" -OF COURSE!!!!!(Like Chuck Heston I trucked down the mountain ready to spread the word of God...I mean Lloyd Kaufman, when....)I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned, it was Lloyd? "Hey, I really mean it, can you write me a review online?"-Mr. Kaufman, I'd do whatever the hell you ask of me-"Thanks, hey, write me a review for my other books too, can ya?"-You know it.
So here it is, one of the most super fun books I have ever read in my life. The most entertaining autobiography ever written.
WARNING: The shocking filmmaking techniques described in this book may be hazardous or fatal if swallowed.
Book Review: GREAT BOOK
Summary: 5 Stars
this is a fantastic, funny, cleverly written book about loyd kaufman, the leader of troma. it tells you how to make movies, while telling you the history of troma, a fantastic book. make me wanna run out and make a movie.Book Review: Roll on, Troma juggernaut...
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is incredibly hilarious. While you may not learn everything Lloyd learned from the Toxic Avenger from reading this book, it will certainly leave you infected with Mr. Kaufman's enthusiasm for filmmaking. It is both entertaining and inspirational. (And there's always his 'Make Your Own Damn Movie' book for further nuts-and-bolts moviemaking advice.)