Rating: 
Summary: For MSTies Only
Review: As a devout and long-standing fan of TV's MST3K, it hurts me a little to give a book by head writer Mike Nelson anything less than a glowing review. And certainly humour is a quirky, subjective thing, so I wouldn't argue with the positive reviews here. But this book struck me as only mildly funny, and then only for fans of the now-cancelled TV show. Most of the writing has a tired, predictable feel to it, so unlike the TV show at its best, IMHO. But I'm someone who sat through any and all MST3K episodes, good and not-so-good. And this book was that way - not excellent, but enough of a MSTie fix to keep me reading. I hope there's a next and better book coming from Mike - I'll be reading that, too.
Rating: 
Summary: A high-budget version of MST3K
Review: As a long-time fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (the television show in which Mike Nelson was head writer and had the starring role for several seasons) I bought this book simply to get a fresh dose of Mike. The series was unfortunately cancelled after the 10th season and MSTies all over the planet (including myself) are running around like heroin addicts looking for a fix. This book is it.In Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese he roasts big-budget Hollywood movies with the same sense of humor he formerly aimed at low-budget movies on MST3K. While the TV show had a limited budget and couldn't afford the rights to big productions, the book has no such restriction. If MST3K had an unlimited budget, this book would be the script. A great book from a great author. It's organized into chapters by movie, and my only suggestion is that if you haven't seen the movie for that chapter you should rent it before reading. His jokes are a lot funnier that way. ;)
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: As a huge MYSTY fan, I looked forward to Mike's book. To my disappointment, the book has a whining, nasty, and condescending tone, and it's simply not that funny. My dog-eared, well-worn copy of the Amazing MYSTY Episode Guide will not be challenged by this boring rant at obvious straw dogs and many who do not deserve Nelson's withering critques. I suppose the biggest question is, if all of these films are such an insult to Nelson's intelligence, why did he watch them? He's no longer forced to by Dr. Forrester. I noted that I did not bother to watch many of the pictures Nelson writes about. Makes me wonder who is smarter; him, or me.
Rating: 
Summary: Mike on Mainstream Movies, At Last
Review: This book gives you an idea of what MST3K could have been if Mike and the gang had been allowed to give the treatment to mainstream Hollywood movies instead of the B-movie dreck that was their usual fare (not that they were anything less than hilarious mocking *that* stuff.) What strikes me about Mike's prose is that he seems to model it after H.L. Mencken, of all people. The long elaborate metaphors and sentences, the superb mocking abuse--Mike seems to be a throwback to a style like that of an earlier, more literate generation of humorists than you usually get these days. He's much tougher than Joel Hodgson ever was; Joel had a more playful, almost poetic style, while Mike usually goes directly for the throat. Plus, anyone who will wear a dress in order to review a Julia Roberts movie gets thumbs up from me.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh-out-loud hilarity!
Review: Executive Summary: INCREDIBLY FUNNY! Laugh-out-loud reviews that display an incredible sense of culture. Mike Nelson takes on modern Hollywood cinema with his unique wit. The net result is a much more entertaining review than your typical stuffy newspaper review. Not recommended for drinking with milk (unless you like snorting milk out your nose...) Mike Nelson the MST3K-commentator and Mike Nelson the movie reviewer are two somewhat different styles of humor, yet they spring from the same source. MST3K is a little more cozy than this book, which tends to be a little dryer and a slight bit more cynical in its humor style. Nonetheless, this book has you laughing out loud real quickly. For those people who are disappointed by the overmarketed, ill-plotted state of blockbuster Hollywood cinema today, this book is a one-way laugh trip around some of the most uninspired messes of Hollywood icons out there. It is possible (likely?) that he will poke some good-natured fun of a film or actor that you hold dear, so readers with sensitive hearts should stand back. For those who can laugh at life and admire the mass of culture that is stored in Mike Nelson's head, this book is for you. One note: A good portion of the reviews originally came from monthly columns written for the DVD review section of "Home Theater" magazine. (A magazine dedicated to, what else, recreating the cinema experience at home, ie DVDs / big screen TVs / Dolby 5.1...) A casual reader might find all of the references to DVDs a tad odd and repetitive, but this is the reason for the references being there. For those who were a fan of Mike Nelson's "Home Theater" columns (which sadly have been retired due to Mike Nelson's desire to move on), this is a great collection of some of his best columns over the years - plus many additional gems.
Rating:
Summary: Better on Television
Review: I've long been a fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) , and hoped that this book would bring the same type of irreverent humor to print. Sadly, it only partially succeeds-largely in part due to the fact that nearly every film (or television show) mentioned in this collection has been critically lambasted already, and most of them have been the target of stand-up comedians and late night talk shows to boot. That's not to say the critiques aren't amusing, or that Nelson's references and concepts aren't clever-they are. But there's no escaping the feeling that you've heard many of the jokes before, especially if you regularly peruse sites like The Internet Movie Database (IMDb), where everybody gets to take a shot. However, like a good number of non-Scientologists, I'd still like to see what Nelson could do with Battlefield Earth and its ilk. Just not in print. Perhaps an unholy alliance is in order. Some thoughtful film executive could increase revenues from the DVD market by, say, ten percent by simply adding a MST3K commentary track to your movie. Think about it-if your movie tanked at the box office, and the critics hated it, you really have very little to lose (pride notwithstanding) by shelling out the extra hundred grand or so to pay Nelson et. al. to do what they're probably going to do anyway. Or, if that's throwing good money after bad, I'll do it for a tenth that.
Rating:
Summary: This is so funny!
Review: This has to be one of the funniest books ever! Mike Nelson has simply written a whole bunch of hilarious movie reviews that everyone will enjoy! I couldn't stop laughing after reading this! I recommend this book, not only to MST3K fans, but to everyone! Buy it today!
Rating:
Summary: Funniest thing I've ever read! Worth more than five stars!
Review: This is the funniest book I've ever read. I got the book this morning and have been laughing all day! Mike Nelson of MST3K fame goes after the big Hollywood hits and flops and tears them apart, taking whatever dignity and self-respect they had and blowing it to kingdom come. Blair Witch, Lost in Space, ID4... ... even MST3K:TM itself! The only thing that dissapointed me is that it didn't include the american Godzilla or Star Wars Ep. 1, but it is still great!
Rating:
Summary: The higher they climb, the harder they fall...
Review: I really didn't know what to make of this book. It seems like it is a stab at trying to "MST" the newer movies that the Satellite of Love either couldn't get the rights to do or didn't want to do. First the book goes to all lengths to segregate its audience. Before you buy this book make sure you are acquainted with 60% of the material in it or you will have a hard time going through it. Just like the MST show there are many references (or jokes), and unless you are really sharp with trivial insight you wouldn't understand this book. Then there is the effort of having to read Mike's pretentious, long winded "critiques" on each entry. Informative? No. Humourous? No. This book fails on many levels and Mr. Nelson (although I'm sure is a hell of a nice guy) should really think twice about a sequel.
Rating:
Summary: it rules
Review: You know when you have a witty thought but you can't find the words to express it? That's the beauty of this book. Mike Nelson nails it down. It's not just a book for movie geeks or MST3K fans. Everyone can dig it because of Mike Nelson's numerous pop culture references ,from "She's The Sherrif" to McRib sandwiches. Unlike alot of today's humor, the skewering isn't mean-spirited, it's just on point.
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