The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex

By: Mark Kermode

Narrated by: Mark Kermode

In It's Only a Movie, the incomparable Mark Kermode showed us the weird world of a film critic's life lived in widescreen. Now, in The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex, he takes us into the belly of the beast to ask: 'What's wrong with modern movies?'

If blockbusters make money no matter how bad they are, then why not make a good one for a change? How can 3-D be the future of cinema when it's been giving audiences a headache for over a hundred years? Why pay to watch films in cinemas that don't have a projectionist but do have a fast-food stand? And, in a world in which Sex and the City 2 was a hit, what the hell are film critics for?

Outspoken, opinionated and hilariously funny, The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex is a must for anyone who has ever sat in an undermanned, overpriced cinema and asked themselves: 'How the hell did things get to be this terrible?'

©2011 Mark Kermode (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"The Good, the Bad and the Multiplex by the reviewer, Mark Kermode is an angry blast about the state of cinema-going, from the cost if shepherding sweet-toothed children past overpriced confectionary to suffering through unfocused prints in unchecked auditoria. The scruffy cattle-pen experience will be familiar to anyone who has visited a mall cinema lately." (Christopher Fowler Books of the Year – Independent on Sunday)

"Kermode sits in the stalls peeking through his fingers at what we’re served up on the silver screen and motormouthing about bad cinema in a frank and funny counterblast to all the Hollywood hype" (Iain Finlayson and Kate Saunders Saga Magazine)

"As listeners of his radio show know, the angrier Mark Kermode gets, the funnier he is. Good news then: his latest book is a collection of FURIOUS rants against the sins of modern cinema…. Elegantly lacerating wit." ( Empire, Nov)

Another Wittertaining Read from Dr Kermode

A Collection of essays united by a common theme: a look at what's wrong, at modern cinema, from one of the most interesting, diverse, and witty film journalists on the planet.

not for everyone?

Kermode is my recommendation for listeners "of a certain age"--GenX and slightly older perhaps. Film lovers of any generation, though, might enjoy his incisive, witty, and detailed observations and anecdotes. I'll be listening to this one again and again.

Just what you'd expect!

Fans of the Kermode and Mayo BBC 5Live podcast, or people who have previously read/listened to Kermode's previous book, "It's Only A Movie," will know what they're getting. An informed, and often outspoken opinion on the history of, and state of current, cinema. Relevant not only to a UK, but also to a worldwide, audience. Very entertaining!

Kermodian Moonshine, Wittertainment distilled.

If your a fan of the show, or like me a regular podcast listener, I couldn't see why you wouldn't love this. Sure many of the arguments and their supporting anecdotes and statistics have been voiced over the last year on the show, but there's more here. Like the curmudgeonly retelling of a visit to a Multiplex, attending "Blazing Saddles" dressed like Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver and in light of SOPA et al the figures to give a moment to pause next time your hear/read the 'poor us' stories of the Entertainment MegaCorporations. Being read by Mr Kermode himself is a huge benefit, it's like listening to the show. A nice long rant that had to be told by a man who clearly loves his movies.

Excellent, but short.

If you could sum up The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex in three words, what would they be?

Funny. Interesting. Short.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

His thesis is interesting. Nothing was the least interesting.

What about Mark Kermode’s performance did you like?

His general nature is addictive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

If you love him anyway, you'll love his book. But it's not on the

Could really use Simon Mayo

What would have made The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex better?

This book felt like longer version of stories we heard on the Podcast/radio show many times, I think what would have helped is Simon Mayo cutting in to shut down some of the stories.

Has The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex turned you off from other books in this genre?

I think this has turned me off of other books by Mark Kermode, at least for a while.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Very much so, read by the author who is a radio professional.

Any additional comments?

I am a big fan of the weekly witterings of the good Doctors, but boy do I now see how much Simon brings to the show. As Mark go off on what cannot still being genuine offense at 'no I want my seat'' I found myself rolling my eyes and hoping for Mayo to cut in.

Kermode has some real talent and I know people love his rants, but I have to say when I hear him go off on the podcast now it rubs me the wrong way. I am sure I will recover, but this really didn't work for me.