With Nails: The Film Diaries of Richard E. Grant

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Summary: A fabulously witty diary from the world's best actor
Review: What a treat this book is. For those of us who love him as an actor, he surprised us with a book all about his acting. It's witty, biting, and furiously funny, and what's more, involves people, scenes, movies and events that we can all relate to and identify with because they're real. It's not just a book for Richard E. Grant fans, it's a book for anyone who loves movies and likes to laugh. If you're in the least bit "Hollywood", it's a great read.

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Summary: Why are there no reviews of, 'By Design?'
Review: Whilst it's difficult to dislike either Richard E Grant or this, his new book, 'By Design', I do feel that it's a fairly shallow read. Hyped as a, 'from the horse's mouth' style expose, it's really just a hollywood versio of Terry Southern's, 'The Magic Christian'; Grant's obssessed with the excess and hysteria of LA but brings no subtlety or originality to the subject. Nicely written for an actor - if that isn't damning with faint praise, I don't know what is.

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Summary: Why did I buy this book??
Review: Why did I buy this book? Because I loved Mr Grant's performances in Withnail and Jack & Sarah and I had read so many positive reviews of this book. To say it did not live up to expectations is an understatement - something Mr Grant should have a go at. His capitalisations, italics and !!!!s gave me high blood pressure and I swear I will never watch a Steve Martin film again after his obsequious eulogies. While the description of the family tragedies at the beginning of the book was emotionally engaging, descriptions of behind the scenes shenanigans while filming were less than captivating and descended into Hello! land fairly speedily. I will be trading this book in at Read and Return for a Jackie Collins which will at least provide a good laugh.

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Summary: Swazi Boy makes good in Hollywood!
Review: With Nails will make you feel like you are right there with Mr. Grant, enjoying all the posing and hissy fits of some of Hollywood's finest. Although some of the dish is a bit veiled, it's not difficult to infer the real goings on. After all, he must continue to work with these people. Some of the most touching and poignant parts of the book, albeit small, deal with his family and his homeland in Africa. He is at his most vivid when writing about them. Overall, With Nails is a highly enjoyable read. Hopefully, Mr. Grant will continue to write, with the obvious next step to being a Hollywood success- a sequel.

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Summary: He could charm the leg off an iron pot
Review: Witty, modest, insightful and charming, Mr Grant provides a delightful insider look at the making of modern movies from an actor's standpoint. This is the perfect book for that long flight. I'm almost tempted to see the cult film Hudson Hawk which has apparently made some Worst Movie Ever Made lists. On the other hand, The Player should be reckoned one of the best. A fun read.

Rating:
Summary: He could charm the leg off an iron pot
Review: Witty, modest, insightful and charming, Mr Grant provides a delightful insider look at the making of modern movies from an actor's standpoint. This is the perfect book for that long flight. I'm almost tempted to see the cult film Hudson Hawk which has apparently made some Worst Movie Ever Made lists. On the other hand, The Player should be reckoned one of the best. A fun read.