Michael J. Nelson (1) (1964–)

I don't think I've ever laughed out loud reading. I laughed out loud at least once every essay here. There's something I call The Godfather Syndrome: the volume of praise heaped on a piece of media is inversely related to my desire to consume it. The more people praised The Godfather, the more I postponed watching it, because it felt like homework, and the less inclined I was to actually enjoy it when I did watch it, because now I'm more concerned with understanding why it's considered the Greatest Film Of All Time. Comedy is even more prone to The Godfather Syndrome, and comedy writing even more so.

So I'll just recommend that, so long as you can understand English, you should read this book. It's not the worst thing I've ever read.… (mer)

What happens when an aging history writer loses his job and decides to write what he thinks will be a great survival story?

Mayhem.

First, nobody wants a thrilling adventure tale from a sixty year old never-was, so he turns to his handsome, virile, young coworker at the burger place as the new “face” of the book, selling it instantly.

From there the book devolves into chaos, funk, pay-offs, crimes and misdemeanors, and the mighty wrath of the popular author they just pushed out of the top selling spot.

I was expecting something very different when I first picked this up years ago. In fact, I was actually expecting more along the lines of what the fictional Death Rat book plot was. I mean, it IS from Mike Nelson of MST3K fame... and there IS a giant rat on the cover.

But still, a fantastic story about the absurdities of life in the tradition of Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut. And, thrilling in its own right with a very interesting Prince pastiche thrown into the mix for fun.… (mer)

Talk about an unexpected pleasure! I’m not a big fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and when I first got a copy of Mike Nelson’s Movie Megacheese, I was nonplussed. That was until I opened the book up. Any one that calls the film Batman & Robin “the single worst thing we as human beings have ever produced in recorded history” is A-OK in my book. Nelson goes on to ravage many movies in this thoroughly entertaining movie guide. Though you have to wonder about a man who calls Road House “the single finest American film.” Laugh out loud funny, this may be the most entertaining film book you ever read.… (mer)