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Silver Screen Fiend
Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film | Patton Oswalt
The instant New York Times bestseller from author, comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, a heartfelt and hilarious (USA TODAY) memoir about coming of age as a performer during the late 1990s while obsessively watching classic films at a legendary theater in Los Angeles. [Oswalt has] a set of synapses like a pinball machine and a prose style to match (The New York Times). Between 1995 and 1999, Patton Oswalt lived with an unshakable addiction. It wasnt drugs, alcohol, or sex: it was film. After moving to Los Angeles, Oswalt became a huge film buff (or as he calls it, a sprocket fiend), absorbing classics, cult hits, and new releases at the famous New Beverly Cinema. Silver screen celluloid became Pattons life schoolbook, informing his notion of acting, writing, comedy, and relationships. Set in the nascent days of LAs alternative comedy scene, Silver Screen Fiend chronicles Oswalts journey from fledgling stand-up comedian to self-assured sitcom actor, with the colorful New Beverly collective and a cast of now-notable young comedians supporting him all along the way. Clever and readable...Oswalts encyclopedic knowledge and frothing enthusiasm for films (from sleek noir classics, to gory B movies, to clich-riddled independents, to big empty blockbusters) is relentlessly present, whirring in the background like a projector (The Boston Globe). More than a memoir, this is a love song to the silver screen (Paste Magazine).
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Ephemera
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Pickpick

Yet another book about movies, but in an oblique way. This is a short memoir by Patton Oswalt, about his early years doing stand-up and his move to Los Angeles. He became a film buff and spent a lot of time at a local theater watching classic movies. At the same time he was fine tuning his stand-up approach. It‘s quite an insightful book and includes a listing of all the films he saw over 4 years. Movie fans would enjoy it.

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Reviewsbylola
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#bookreport for this week. Fingerpost was a big fat DNF, which leaves me with four finished books.

Hoping to finish Cake this weekend. And though I‘ve just started the other two, they‘re both short enough to finish this weekend too.

Happy reading all you cool cats and littens!

Cinfhen How‘s 4y
Cinfhen Fingerpost was a HARD SELL\ glad to hear you finally dropped it 4y
72 likes2 comments
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KatyAliceReads
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Book No. 5: Silver Screen Field #24in48 @24in48

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OddBookishBee
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Mehso-so

A very interesting addiction comedian memoir mix, and I‘ll admit, my knowledge of classic films is such that some of his passions went over my head. But the addiction issues & discussions about the comedian business were very interesting.... but sadly, Very sadly, for me at least, some parts were overshadowed by parts that mentioned Louis CK, which because of what I know now were cringeworthy, and parts that mentioned his late wife, were just sad

JenlovesJT47 I think I have this audiobook, I‘ve just never gotten around to it. Reading his wife‘s book made me so sad, she died so young! 😓 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @JenlovesJT47 I know 😢. At the very end he talks about her and their first child being born and how that was a turning point for him...and I couldn‘t help thinking how many more HUGE turning points he‘s had since. But yes, I also had this on audiobook for ages, but I finally listened to it, trying to finish my #MountTBR for the year, and this was a short one. 6y
Gezemice This sounds interesting, even if you only ended up liking it partially! Old movies are fun and I don‘t really know them as well either. 6y
JenlovesJT47 Aww that‘s so sad 😞 6y
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JTRobertson
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Pickpick

I like Patton, and this relatively short book lets his wit, introspection, and humor shine. It's mostly a biography built around the framework of his movie obsession. I never got bored and laughed out loud more than a few times.

Crystalblu For me, I just wish I had seen more of the movies he was talking about 🤔😬🤓 6y
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MemoirsForMe
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Pickpick

Needed some humor to get thru this stressful month, so I turned to Patton who really cracked me up with this amusing memoir of sorts. He's definitely a recovering cult film and B-movie addict and I swear I sat in the same LA cinemas where he was back in the 90's watching some of these bizarre films. Nice to know I'm not the only fan of The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! 😆🍅

GarthRanzz Oh I need to look this one up! I didn‘t know anyone remembered Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! 🍅 7y
MemoirsForMe @GarthRanzz 😁🍅 Almost as crazy as Night of the Lepus. 🐰🐰🐰 7y
GarthRanzz Yes! With Deforest “Dr. McCoy” Kelley. 😊 How about Kingdom of the Spiders? 7y
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MemoirsForMe @GarthRanzz Omg! It's been ages since I've seen that one. Gotta love any bug movie, especially with our fave Capt Kirk 😁🖖🏻 7y
GarthRanzz Definitely! Did you ever seen him in The Devil‘s Rain? Got to love the horror of the 70‘s. 7y
MemoirsForMe Ha! I remember that one with Ernest Borgnine and the melting faces. You may have inspired me into a weekend binge of Shatner B-movies! 😆 7y
45 likes1 stack add6 comments
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TobeyTheScavengerMonk
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When Sherman Torgan, owner of the New Beverly Cinema and pusher of Patton Oswalt‘s drug of choice, film, passed away, Patton chose to honor him by coming up with a month of cinematic programming made up of imaginary movies to be played in that big theatre in the sky.

He compares his imaginary cinema to Dream‘s imaginary library in Sandman, which makes me love Oswalt even more than I already did. Which was a lot.

TricksyTails 😍♥️ Makes me love him more, too! 7y
GondorGirl I just finished this audio book today! I adored it! 7y
saresmoore So cool! 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk @GondorGirl I finished the audio on Monday! Wasn‘t it great?! (edited) 7y
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TobeyTheScavengerMonk
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Pickpick

Holy cuss did I love this book.

An incredibly detailed account of the 4 years (1995-1999) that Patton Oswalt blew off friends, relationships, and work because of his addiction to cinema, seeing 3 to 5 (to 9 sometimes) movies a week in a theater.

He writes about film and fandom and comedy and perfectly narrates his writing on audio.

I connected with this one in my soul. All the love. All the stars.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk This may very well be your bag @vivastory if you haven‘t picked it up yet. 7y
vivastory I will definitely be checking it out. Sounds like a great audio book! 7y
70 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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2BR02B
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Was v. excited to see today's #Audible #DailyDeal. Since I started listening to audiobook memoirs, I find I rarely want to read them in any other format. Are there any genres you prefer in audio? Any you like reading, but tend to avoid listening to?

readordierachel This was good in audio. I'm the same with memoirs Definitely prefer to listen to them, as you get to hear all the inflections (when the author narrates). I like a lot of nonfiction in audio too. It's like attending a lecture :) 7y
2BR02B @ReadOrDieRachel Nonfiction is a bit hit-or-miss with me. If a lot of unfamiliar terminology or concepts are introduced I tend to struggle, since I'm not really an audio learner. If it's a fascinating microhistory a la Mary Roach or an adventure tale like Dead Mountain or Endurance? I'm there. 7y
2BR02B I noticed a lot of Littens listened to Seveneves on audio, and I could never have done that. The pages of orbital physics descriptions would have put me to sleep. I enjoyed the book overall, but only reading it on my kindle, frequently looking up words and highlighting passages, allowed me to finish it at all. 7y
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readordierachel @2BR02B That's a great point. I definitely gravitate toward more accessible nonfiction like Roach on audio. Endurance has been on my list, so thanks for the reminder :) 7y
LauraBrook Thanks for posting this, I ❤️ Patton! 7y
Caterina I find that my ideal learning method is actually audio + doing something with my hands, so by audiostitching (audiobook + cross stitch) I absorb more than I do when physically reading! I remember every detail clearly and can often quote what I read! Therefore the only books I avoid in audio form are very light reading, since I can read it faster on paper, and books with terrible narrator choices. 7y
2BR02B @Caterina that's an excellent point! I often listen to audiobooks while working on puzzles or doing chores, and I find that keeps my attention better than when I listen while driving or walking. I wonder why? 7y
Caterina That is interesting! 🤔 I save juvenile or YA fiction, and celebrity memoirs, for times like walking or riding the bus, because I don't feel quite as focused then. 7y
DivaDiane I too have discovered how wonderful memoirs or autobiographies are especially if read by the author themselves. If they are an actor, all the better. 7y
2BR02B @DivaDiane what are some of your favorites? 7y
DivaDiane @2BR02B Haha! Well, now you‘ve caught me out. I haven‘t read that many autobiographies or memoires, but I did really enjoy the Princess Diaries, written and read by Carrie Fisher. Also, Up Till Now, by William Shatner was very entertaining. What are your favorites? (edited) 7y
2BR02B @DivaDiane I loved both of Jenny Lawson's memoirs, and enjoyed Yes Please by Amy Poehler more than I expected to. Some of the audio memoirs on my TBR include Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein, Born With Teeth by Kate Mulgrew, and Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming. 7y
DivaDiane I have Dreams of my Father read by Obama himself. And I also have several biographies but I haven‘t listened to many of them. 7y
DivaDiane I love Kate Mulgrew! I know her merely from Voyager though. I went and bought the audiobook with my monthly credit, which arrived recently...😜 7y
34 likes14 comments
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Carla
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There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast: Episode 6: Let's Go to the Movies

http://www.theremightbecupcakes.com/episode-6-the-movies/

In which Carla explores all things book-to-movie, including that dorky audio fan letter about this subject she sent to Patton Oswalt, and her unusual behavior in movie theaters as a child (hint: it isn't what you think). Plus: a related top-ten list, because lists are awesome.

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AMVP
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Pickpick

Wanted to do something different to celebrate a memoir I actually liked for a change (granted it caters pretty heavily to my taste regarding film fandom and the west-coast alternative comedy scene). So, rather than post another boring ebook screencap, I'm commemorating a momentous occasion in my own addiction to film: the 200th title of my personal Criterion Collection.

wonga impressive! 💚 7y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk I collect Criterions too! I‘m just shy of 100 though, so well done! 7y
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AMVP
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#maybookflowers day 18 - #hollywood

I forget I haven't finished this book yet. Interesting subject and a good writer; just a testament to how much of a wall the #memoir format itself is for me.

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tracyramone
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Pickpick

I love Patton Oswalt and this book is like a love story with movies and I really enjoyed it!

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GuiltyFeat
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Pickpick

This is contractual obligation kinda stuff, but he's engaging enough that it doesn't really matter. A little gossipy but mostly kind rather than cruel. This was a perfect read for relaxing around the pool. Inconsequential fluff.

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NerdyRev
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Two services down in two different towns and now time for some sleep before services tomorrow. Since I have a bunch of energy, I am diving back into this. Not my favorite, but still fun in places.
Merry Christmas Littens! Happy Holidays! Happy Chanukah! Enjoy your day no matter how you say it!

Dragon Happy Holidays!🎄 8y
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Krisjericho
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Pickpick

Great memoir by Patton Oswalt. The use of Van Gogh's Night Cafe, the commentary on movies, the glimpse into a life that almost became enveloped by a hobby - all just fascinating and understandable to people who geek out on anything. Your geek may not be movies, but if you've ever let it take over your life just a bit too much, you will get this. Review continued in comments. #reallifeperson #octphotochallenge

Krisjericho I found this funny, self-deprecating without false humility, smart without being pretentious. I don't think this is for everyone. Patton Oswalt has a very distinct comedy style, and it can be acerbic, but I find that it is cut with enough surprising insight and touches of true sweetness that it is more than palatable - it is a treat to relish. 8y
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constant_unk
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Amen, Patton.

FatherBear Get that Litfluence uuuuuupppp 8y
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GregoryCass
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Comedy memoirs and books have become my favorite palate cleanser between heavier fare. This stack is my signed collection, and all are a lot of fun! What others do people recommend?

MrBook Wow! Great stack! 😊👍🏻 8y
9 likes1 comment
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azulaco
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Adding to my to-read list, because I love movies too.

Sue Sounds like fun!! 8y
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CynCruz23
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Watching a smattering of classic and cult films is a personal summer goal of mine. Oswalt is a comic I enjoy immensely making this (hopefully) a fun jumping off point

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