Customer Reviews

Making It Big in the Movies

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Richard Kiel has a warm interesting way of sharing his reality of how persistence pays off. This book gives workable insights that will help anyone wanting to improve their lot in life! Richard's giant-size heartfelt sincerity shines through the dozens of stories about how he climbed each rung of the ladder that led him to more and more success - with dry wit and the type of charm that only truth brings. The "insider" knowledge he brings to life will serve to renew any reader's determination to reach his or her own goals. Definitely up there with books by Art Linkletter, Napoleon Hill and others. Don't pass it up!

This book is a motivator. Richard talks from experience on how to sale yourself and make it big. Truly inspiring for anyone trying to make into Sales or Hollywood. Richard shows the pitfalls and achievements he has made. I highly recommend this book!

This is not only a vastly entertaining book, but informative, too. Richard gives advice and details on making your own films, from financing, casting, etc. He doesn't fail to mention some of the pitfalls to watch out for, also.

A very good read if you're interested in television, film, movies(in front of or behind the camera)!

Al

Richard Kiel is one of my favorite actors from both Bond and beyond and this book surely doesn't disappoint! It has lots of backscoop of the movie industry, tip on how to break into the industry, lots of photos and dry humor to boot. My only complaint is that he becomes preachy and Billy Graham-ish in the final chapter, but that didn't sour the book one bit. A must for any 007 fan!!!!!!

This is a poorly written book. Kiel's writing style is very flat, and sounds for all the world like a 9th grader's "What I Did on My Summer Vacation" essay. At first, this simplicity is charming, but eventually it runs dry. It is short on feeling and long on flatly presented facts.

Every job he's ever had is detailed. Kiel is long on money, negotiations, and the one that got away. He's short on real behind the scenes stuff, on personalities, and on pulling out the most interesting details. His lengthiest description in the section on The Spy Who Loved Me was of a restaurant he ate at, it read something like a list of food items, followed by "Yum." I kid you not.

Kiel is selling this book based on his Bond experience, which is emphasized in the title (the full title on the cover is: Making It BIG in the Movies: The Autobiography of Richard "Jaws" Kiel, James Bond's Biggest Enemy, the Man with the Steel Teeth"). However, the Bond movies are given no more attention than any of his other film experience, and in fact, are given less wordage than his failed attempt to get a kid's TV series off the ground. This strikes me as misleading almost to the point of dishonesty.

The book has some small interest, especially if you're interested in the details of negotiating with filmmakers and agents.

Ultimately, it is about Kiel's Christianity, and ends with a chapter apparently intended as missionary work. I don't have an objection to the man being religious, but again, it's not what I plunked my money down for.

Not recommended.