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ruby4sure's review against another edition
3.0
Ummm bit of a slow start but then a juicy middle and a whack end that should have been shorter.
Unsure if I'm taking too much from it, but appreciated how the first 2/3rds subtly rinsed how formulaic blockbusters have become - down to the fictional scenes from films that didn't exist that could litro be in any Tarentino or Marvel, to then the depiction of a narcissistic director who again could be.... (down to the feet)
Had some interesting takes on violence and how gratuitous it is in modern film but some of the points made were just a bit clumsy and stuck out (e.g. the film lectures and the nutty debate between Wayne and Bruce at the end).
Unsure if I'm taking too much from it, but appreciated how the first 2/3rds subtly rinsed how formulaic blockbusters have become - down to the fictional scenes from films that didn't exist that could litro be in any Tarentino or Marvel, to then the depiction of a narcissistic director who again could be.... (down to the feet)
Had some interesting takes on violence and how gratuitous it is in modern film but some of the points made were just a bit clumsy and stuck out (e.g. the film lectures and the nutty debate between Wayne and Bruce at the end).
mammeljono's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Good satire makes its critiques apparent throughout the work. Bad satire simply presents that which it means to critique before stating in a well-written epilogue that this was a criticism all along. The epilogue to this book was well-written indeed.
treeleef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
joms38's review against another edition
3.0
it is okay. it was meant to be a comedy but i didnt laugh. interesting.
simonrtaylor's review against another edition
3.0
Ben Elton turns the sharp end of his pen towards slasher movies in Popcorn. This darkly comic tale sees the convergence of celebrated movie director Bruce Delamitri and murdering psychopaths Wayne and Scout.
Very much the theme of this novel is society’s aversion to responsibility. Bruce is facing accusations that his violent films breed violent acts, a la Sandy Hook and Batman Begins, which he refutes. Essentially, is TV a reflection or influence on society?
It’s a complex issue and Elton explores it well. There are strong arguments put forth by each side, though you get an idea of what his own views are.
The characters are less memorable than in Chart Throb or Dead Famous. Truthfully, the cast is very functional and plot based. The pace is steady but doesn’t build any tension or reach a climax that seems in any way different from the rest of the book.
Occasionally, Elton switches from prose to scripting the action along with directors’ notes. It’s an odd experiment and doesn’t add anything. In fact, it’s a little strange.
A very witty and typically accurate examination of popular culture, Popcorn captures the zeitgeist of our buck passing, blame shifting era and creates a very readable book on the way.
Very much the theme of this novel is society’s aversion to responsibility. Bruce is facing accusations that his violent films breed violent acts, a la Sandy Hook and Batman Begins, which he refutes. Essentially, is TV a reflection or influence on society?
It’s a complex issue and Elton explores it well. There are strong arguments put forth by each side, though you get an idea of what his own views are.
The characters are less memorable than in Chart Throb or Dead Famous. Truthfully, the cast is very functional and plot based. The pace is steady but doesn’t build any tension or reach a climax that seems in any way different from the rest of the book.
Occasionally, Elton switches from prose to scripting the action along with directors’ notes. It’s an odd experiment and doesn’t add anything. In fact, it’s a little strange.
A very witty and typically accurate examination of popular culture, Popcorn captures the zeitgeist of our buck passing, blame shifting era and creates a very readable book on the way.
marco5599's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Come on, man! It doesn't get any better than this. The king of Hollywood, two mass murderers, a dying Playboy centrefold, a rinsed-out old hag of an ex-wife, a spoilt, sexy little weeping teen, blood, guns.. We've got it all!
Damn right. Violence as a form of entertainment. And meaningful art. According to Bruce Delamitri anyway. A hotshot director of brutal movies who is about to get a taste of his own medicine. Cold-blooded murderers. In his own house. How ya like it now, Brucey? Still digging the irony? Guess not. I did though. Bruce has a delicious temper, I'm pretty sure these two natural born killers would get a thumbs-up from Oliver Stone and the humor bounces back and forth between satirical and sarcasm, black and deadpan. It made me think of Pulp Fiction as well. I had a good, good time with this one.
empross's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
juggernaut's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed. The book doesn't decide or conclude anything for us. It doesn't even ask us to make our own conclusions. It just shows the mirror to the society and to the people who claim to show the mirror to the society as well. The unanswered question is, who's going to show the mirror to Ben Elton?