Questions For The Movie Answer Man [Paperback]

Roger Ebert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

What was in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction? Why don't movie actors wear seat belts? Was Fargo really based on a true story? Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert answers these and hundreds more. Using wit, insight, and dozens of other experts, he resolves some of the most common questions about the moviesand some of the most bizarre.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Ebert is the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic from the Chicago Sun-Times. His reviews are syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and Canada. The American Film Institute and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago have awarded him honorary degrees and the Online Film Critics Society named his Web site (rogerebert.com) the best online movie review site.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0836228944
• ISBN-13: 978-0836228946
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger Ebert is the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic from the Chicago Sun-Times. His reviews are syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and Canada. The American Film Institute and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago have awarded him honorary degrees and the Online Film Critics Society named his Web site (rogerebert.com) the best online movie review site

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dated but very funny nevertheless, January 16, 2011

By 

TC Kirkham "Co-Host, "Subject:CINEMA"... (Metro Boston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Questions For The Movie Answer Man (Paperback)

Questions For The Movie Answer Man
As part of my goal to read one film book a week, I decided to put my money where my mouth is, and read one of Roger Ebert's earlier books. Although I rarely agree with his reviews, the man is one of the best writers in the business, and this book, comprised of questions from readers and his answers, was a great book to start with. Being published in the late 90s dated the book somewhat - it was released before the first DVD's hit the market - but the answers Ebert provides to some pretty wacked-out questions were always excellent, and often killingly funny. He tended to use the same letter writers over and over (Andy from Westwood MA being a prime example) but that was usually because the letters were funny or outrageous and his answer was often equally as funny or outrageous. A good case in point: Ebert spends several pages on the battle to get Blockbuster to carry a letterboxed VHS of Pulp Fiction in their stores, the answers he got from the various parties involved, and how Blockbuster did indeed finally carry the version, despite complaints from not-too-knowledgeable customers that the tape was broken (nowadays, letterboxing is a common practice - ALWAYS get the letterbox), but their solution and Ebert's reaction was priceless. All in all, despite the dated aspect, the book is very worth the read, and a great introduction tothe acerbic humor that Ebert has become famous for. My grade :B+

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Waiting for the sequel, August 17, 2001

By 

yattaman (Tokyo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Questions For The Movie Answer Man (Paperback)

Quite informative and not at all simply a "bathroom read" as one reviewer here has opined. The book covers topics from A to Z (E.g. "Actors", "Fireballs", "Talking in the Movies"). However, if your particular interest is "Goofs", the basics are covered (E.g "Bloopers", "Boom mikes") but you'll find much more for specific movies at the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com). Another reviewer here states the index could be better. I agree. The index seems to be inconsistent, listing only some of the book's topics, but lots of movie titles and actors. For example, a question on the book jackets asks" Why don't movie actors wear seatbelts?". Good luck finding the answer easily. A handful of the movies chosen for inclusion may seem obscure, but this is still an entertaining book. And you'll also find out a little more about Ebert's way of thinking.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Thumbs up for Rober Ebert, August 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Questions For The Movie Answer Man (Paperback)

The latest book by America's favorite film critic is the best commode reading since Reader's Digest. I mean that in a flattering way, too. You probably wouldn't want to read through the whole book in one sitting, but a few pages worth kill time very nicely.

You'll find loads of great facts, info, and trivia about your favorite movies, all done with humor and wit, and backed-up by the encyclopedia-like knowledge of the Movie Answer Man.

If you check the fine print, you'll find my question about Strange Days