Customer Reviews

Metallica: This Monster Lives: The Inside Story of Some Kind of Monster

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In a time where sitting down and reading book is as rare as finding a good slice of pizza outside of New York; and attention span's are shorter than the line at a showing of Gigli, Joe Berlinger and Greg Milner's "This Monster Lives," certainly brought back a good reason to throw on your favorite pajama pants, grab a hot beverage, snuggle into that oh-so-comfortable spot on the couch, and lose yourself in a great piece of literature.

"This Monster Lives," delves into the behind-closed-doors aspect of the movie Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, which was dreamt up and filmed by acclaimed documentary filmmakers Bruce Sinofsky and co-author of the book, Joe Berlinger. Berlinger and Sinofsky, best known for their HBO documentaries, Paradise Lost : The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations and Brother's Keeper, filmed rock band Metallica through what could quite easily be considered the roughest and bumpiest road in the Bay Area band's tumultuous career. "This Monster Lives," tells the story of how the idea of making a movie about Metallica came to be, how that idea became a reality, and how it didn`t become another This is Spinal Tap.

Joe Berlinger and Greg Milner tactfully give us the insider's look at what it was like to work with one of the world's most successful rock bands of all time. From pitching the idea to the band and management to the red carpet premiere(s) of the movie, "This Monster Lives," lets the reader feel like they were there every step of the way, becoming absorbed into this world of rock 'n roll, filmmaking and yes, even therapy sessions.

For someone who can't get through a magazine article without stopping mid-way through to go do something else, I felt compelled to read chapter after chapter until I found myself either late for work or looking up to see that it was 4am and I had to be up in a couple of hours. All in all, "This Monster Lives,' is certainly a great book for anyone that's ever had the strive to accomplish a seemingly impossible project. You don't have to be a musician, an author, a filmmaker or even a fan of Metallica to appreciate the art that both Metallica and Berlinger, Sinofksy and Milner have released. "This Monster Lives" did for books what Metallica has done for music. After reading it, you just might be able to find that good slice of pizza outside of New York.

I loved the Metallica documentary "Some Kind of Monster", and after I read the book, I loved the film even more. The book to me fills in all the right gaps that the film couldn't present - for sake of time only. I love to know how things work and operate, so I loved reading how filmmakers decide on a piece of work, how it's filmed, and then how the footage gets made into a masterpiece. What insight. Great book - Highly recommended!

So what do you do when you're a film maker that's just shot over 1600 hours of footage for the biggest heavy metal band on the planet and have assembled it into a highly praised documentary? You write a book about it, of course.

Some may question, with the existence of the film Some Kind of Monster, what is the need for a book? Doesn't the film already tell us everything we may want to know? Well, that's not entirely true. While the book does cover same territory, it goes into a lot more depth behind what we see on screen and more on what we didn't. If the film is about a broken band struggling with the creative process, the book is about a film maker dealing with the exact same struggles he's documenting. I think anyone who's creative and has ever had to balance the tug of war between commerce and art will really get this. While Metallica fans will get a lot out of the details within, the average reader with an interest in the creative process and how the industry (music and film) can screw over the very people that keep it running is fascinating stuff. Joe Berlinger's rancor over the critically drubbed Blair Witch Project sequel (a bad idea to begin with), which he wrote and directed only to have the studio alter the final product, is sadly probably more common than most of us realize. That Metallica, who clearly have major control issues, feel a need to be creative and do what they feel - and yet understand that any serious misstep will also affect the lives and livelihood of all the people who are also a part of the 'monster'-puts unrealistic pressure on their work. It's no wonder they need a performance coach to help them get in touch with themselves and rediscover why they're in a band in the first place. It's too bad that even with all the honest intentions, the album St. Anger is not their best work (although it becomes more accessible after reading this book - something I didn't feel from the film).

Berlinger really does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of certain moments, and his comments on what he thinks is really going on below the surface reveal the talent that enabled him to become an acclaimed documentary creator. Filming reality, without knowing what you're going to get is a lot harder to do than it sounds (unlike the unscripted contrivances that pass for 'reality' on TV). Turning that footage into an emotionally powerful work that transcends its base audience is something else altogether. Berlinger is also quick to credit his partner in crime Sinofsky, and the other members of the crew, which does a lot to save this book from coming across as a narcissistic pat on the back for a job well done. There's a lot of ego floating around in these pages, but it's kept in check for the most part.

Pluses include Berlinger's admission that he played fast and loose with chronology at times in order to strengthen the narrative, filling in relevant details to events that couldn't be included in the film (due to length and/or breaking up the arc), an apology of sorts to Phil Towle that many said came across as the 'villain' in the film, and throwing into question Metallica's belief that Jason wanted back in the band after leaving (at this point, only one guy probably knows the truth about that). Berlinger also almost pulls off the impossible task of making Lars, if not entirely likeable, more sympathetic. Lars has one of the healthiest egos I've seen, but now I think I understand him better. My only problem is that the book will sometimes go off in little tangents that never quite get resolved (we get a big long story about Sinofsky having leg pains due to diabetes that's suddenly dropped after it appears it was only to set up why he was lying on a couch to film a particular scene. So, did it have to be amputated or what? Some of us would like to know).

Like the movie that this book is based on, you don't have to be a fan of Metallica to enjoy it. Yes, it is a book about the making of "Some Kind of Monster", the critically acclaimed documentary about the fall and rise of Metallica. However, it gives much needed advice and direction on how a documentary is produced. What Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911 Reader" lacks, this book has in droves. It made me want to go buy a Mini DV videocamera and record SOMETHING!

Why didn't I give it 5 stars? Well, the author intersplices small transcripts of Phil Towle's therapy sessions with the band throughout the book, and I felt like it slowed it down. I mean, you're really getting into the filming, and BOOM! 5 pages of whining back and forth. We could have done without it, or at least it could have been moved to the back of the book as an Appendix or something.

Other than that, this is a terrific behind the scenes account of a movie that deserves all the praise it's getting, and will ever get.

As a fan of Metallica, deciding to watch the Some Kind of Monster (SKOM) documentary was a no-brainer. So was the decision to read the book, THIS MONSTER LIVES. After all, why not get a behind the scenes peak at what the documentary chronicles?

This book, written by half the SKOM directorial team, is a fascinating read. I plowed through it relatively quickly. I would have read it at an even quicker pace, but at times I felt compelled to put it down. And that wasn't for the lack of interest, nor did it have anything to do with any negative reaction to the style of the writing. What it had to do with was the in-depth glimpse at the therapy sessions.

Berlinger includes transcripts from specific therapy sessions that the members of Metallica had with (performance enhancement coach) Phil Towle. He also elaborates, throughout the book, on what we DIDN'T see in those sessions, and discusses why certain things made the cutting room floor. As a Metallica fan, these tidbits are interesting yet tough to read. It is sad to see just how close Metallica came to ceasing to exist. As a matter of fact, it is pointed out that during the filming of SKOM, it was realistic to say that there was no Metallica.

As a film fan, or for someone who is into documentaries (watching them or making them), this book serves as a great tutorial. Berlinger uses some pages in the book's beginning to fill you in on his background (and Bruce Sinofsky's as well) as a filmmaker. He takes you through Brother's Keeper and the Paradise Lost films briefly, pointing out the challenges to making a successful documentary. Interestingly enough, throughout his discussions of the making of SKOM, he intertwines his other films, making comparisons to how he filmed Metallica and how decisions he and Sinofsky made in the past, effected SKOM.

Reading this book did two things for me:
1.) It opened my eyes even wider [than the film did] as to what went on during Metallica's hiatus, therefore it touched me to see what James, Kirk and Lars, three men whom I have so much respect and admiration for, went through (Rob comes in at the end of the book, of course).

2.) It taught me a few things (all interesting) about documentaries and filmmaking.

I recommend it to Metallica fans, but also to fans of film and music in general, especially if you have seen the movie.

The book let me down in a lot of ways. I guess it just wasn't what I had expected. I was hoping for an inside account of how Metallica wrote the lyrics and created the music in a collaborative effort inside their studios (which is the opposite of how they created their prior albums). Instead I got a book that was 50% of the author patting himself on the back of his previous projects and how Blair Witch 2 was a bomb. Honestly, I don't care. I wanted to hear stories about Metallica, not get a run down of your resume.

the book completes the story told in the film. film is part 1 and the book is part 2 of some kind of monster.

**I saw megadeth live on april 3rd, 2005. obviously the story goes on.

This book is a must read for any serious music fan..... especially any Metallica fan. It complements SKOM and provides a "behind the scenes" look into Joe and Bruce's trials and tribulations as they worked on this "rockumentary".

As a Metallica fan it gives me an in depth look at what what it took to get to the final production.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants an in depth personal view into one of the largest bands in history!

Full disclosure: I am a Metallica fan, and have seen "Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster". From a fan's standpoint, this is required reading for its inside look at the band collectively and individually. If you like Metallica, there's no question "This Monster Lives" is worth your time.
For readers who may not be overly familiar with Metallica or "Some Kind Of Monster", the depth of material covered means there's more to this book than one might think.

Film buffs in particular will find plenty to absorb. Joe Berlinger talks candidly about his professional triumphs ("Brother's Keeper"; "Paradise Lost" with cohort Bruce Sinofsky) and struggles alike ("Blair Witch 2"). The craft of filmmaking comes alive in his accounts of the editing process, budgeting, scheduling, promotion, and distribution. Even the physical toll of filming day in and day out is discussed at length.

Every story has its share of basic human drama, and like the film, it's here as well. One therapist's approach to superegos at odds, "performance coach" Phil Towle likely saved Metallica from imminent divorce - yet wasn't totally pleased with his role in the film. Berlinger brings a unique perspective of what took place and defends SKOM's portrayal of both Towle and Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine.

"This Monster Lives" combines a conversational tone with a healthy number of photos, so following along with the chain of events and players is never a problem. The book is also annotated with extra remarks and minor details - a nice touch for those who are curious. All in all, an enjoyable read that works on multiple levels, and certainly recommended for anyone who has seen (or plans to see) "Some Kind Of Monster."

Although the book is obviously for Metallica fans, the book goes in depth about human beings and their struggles. As many did, I got the book for Christmas and I am not a big reader. To my surprise I tore through the book and finshed it in a week. A must for a metallica fan but could also catch the interest of those who enjoy looking into other peoples lives and see the human side of what today people call "Rock stars" and "celebrities". Awesome book with humor, suspense, and raw human emotion. GREAT BOOK!!!