Admit One: A Journey into Film by Emmett James
I’m not even sure if I feel compelled to write a book review for Admit One by Emmett James when I feel like there are already two bloggers reviews written that echo a lot of the feelings I had. I’ll get to them in a moment . . .
Briefly stated, Admit One is a memoir that begins in Croydon, South London in the 1980’s. Emmett James loves to watch movies. He finds that they are the inspiration for his everyday life and and keeps him going as he tries to make his way into the film business.
I was really excited about this book. I’ve always considered myself pretty well informed when it comes to movies. But I am nothing compared to my husband or to his family! They are movie fanatics! Live and breathe movies. My husband was an animation major, my sister-in-law a film major, and my mother-in-law could talk for hours on the phone with my husband about the latest movies. And the top priority on any vacation is what movies are we going to watch and how many do you think we can fit in?
Let’s do a test, shall we? Let me call Taylor (my husband) into the room. He’s doing dishes (gotta love him!), I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to come in and discuss movies.
Me: Taylor, come here! Help me for a minute.
[Wait, he can't hear me. Let me get him. Oh, he's got the kitchen TV on and watching Pirates of the Caribbean while he's loading up the dishes. See, I told you. Here he is.]
What are your favorite ’80’s movies that you liked to watch as a child?
Taylor: Umm . . . Goonies, Back to the Future, Never Ending Story, Return to Oz, Superman, Return of the Jedi, Labyrinth, Clash of the Titans, Flight of Dragons, Disney’s Robin Hood. I don’t want to forget any. I wish I still had my list that I already created but it’s on our broken computer.
[Wait, he just left the room. He says he has to go look at our DVD collection and double check that he's not missing any vital ones. Taylor is a list maker and has already compiled all kinds of movie lists. He's back.]
Taylor: Princess Bride, Ghostbusters, Teen Wolf, Indiana Jones, An American Tail, Annie, Wizard of Oz, Gremlins. I think that’s it. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Legend.
Me: What are the top ten best movies of all time?
Taylor: [He laughs] All of those movies. Okay, Return of the Jedi, should Star Wars count as one or be broken up?
Me: Count them as one.
Taylor: What are you doing?
Me: Transcribing our conversation. What does it look like?
Taylor: This is pretty much the best conversation we’ve ever had.
Me: This is going to be the weirdest book review I’ve ever done. Okay, back to the top ten. After Return of the Jedi . . .
Taylor: These next ones can fluctuate depending upon mood. Return of the King, Back to the Future trilogy, The Matrix, Superman the Movie, Edward Scissorhands.
Me: Ooo, I should post the Halloween photos so people really know how into movies you are. Are they on the broken computer or can we find them?
Taylor: You can scan them in. The original Indiana Jones movies, Moulin Rouge, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Twelve Monkeys. How many is that?
Me: Eleven. Any more?
Taylor: Spiderman 2. [a very long pause]
Me: Okay, that’s a long pause.
Taylor: I’ve got more. I just have to see them on paper so I can categorize them.
Me: What are the top ten worst movies of all time?
Taylor: Hmm . . . Batman and Robin – that’s a easy one; it’s hard to think of big blockbuster movies or really boring movies. Wild Wild West, Lady in the Water. It’s hard to rethink of all of these terrible ones. I wish I had the list I already created. Wait, add Princess Bride to the top ten of all time. I want to add Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the top ten too.
Me: Back to the worst ten.
Taylor: Independence Day, Vanilla Sky – wait, that’s too unknown. Don’t write that down! Matrix Revolutions, Batman Forever. Ghostbusters belongs in the top ten even though I already mentioned that in the ’80’s.
[Me thinking: Obviously, it's easier to think of the best instead of worst.]
Me: Any more?
Taylor: There’s lots more. 90% of all movies are unwatchable. Disney’s Atlantis. I’d say Van Helsing. That one is so bad, it’s awesome! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3, Masters of the Universe. Is that ten?
Me: Close enough. Any closing thoughts before I move on?
Taylor: This is a very interesting conversation. Makes me want to make more lists . . . of favorite scenes, favorite villains, favorite heroes. Heath Ledger’s Joker and Captain Jack Sparrow will be at the top of the lists.
Me: I still think that we should start a movie review blog whenever we can manage to find more time. But who knows where we’ll find that time.
Taylor: It would be fun.
Me: Okay, that’s all. Back to dishes for you while I sit here and blog.
Taylor: [contemplating] I hope I didn’t leave any movies out. Those are some serious questions. The Muppet Christmas Carol deserves to be on the list somewhere.
Me: Okay, time to move on or else nobody will read to the end of this review.
Taylor: Wait! There are so many more good movies!
Me: Seriously.
Taylor: [A half an hour later, while coming upstairs for the night] I forgot The Shawshank Redemption and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
See what I mean? Yeah, big movie buffs in this household. I thought I would add Last of the Mohicans and The Count of Monte Cristo as two of my favorite movies. I’m sure while I’m laying in bed later I’ll think of several more favorites.
Anyways, back to Admit One: A Journey into Film. Overall, the book was a easy, enjoyable read. I didn’t mind it. It had some funny stories; it held my interest. I’m even going to recommend it to my husband. But I think that Emmett James thought to himself, “Hey, I think I want to write a book. I bet that will help my career.” And then he sat down and thought, “Well, what shall I write about? Movies, of course . . . But how? “ While I don’t doubt that movies played a large part in his life, I don’t think he was able to pull off writing a book about it. Two reviews that echoed similar thoughts are Jen at Devourer of Books and Jessica at The Bluestocking Society. I’m sure they say it much better than I do. I’m not writing it off completely, who knows, you may enjoy it more than I did.
And to give you an idea of what it’s like at our house, check out a couple of our past Halloween costumes:
What I wouldn’t give to be able to give you the photo of my husband the year he was Edward Scissorhands. Computer problems at the moment won’t let me. Sigh . . . and it’s really good too. (And yes, that’s how fancy Halloween photos get when two artists are married to each other).
What are your favorite movies? The worst?
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Category: Book Reviews, Memoir/Biography, Nonfiction
Tags: A-D Author, Halloween, I-L Author, male author, Non-Fiction, photos of my family, published 2008, review copy
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Evidently we’re wrong, though, because someone told me on my review that I ‘missed the point’. Frankly, I don’t think I even liked the book as much as you did.
on August 7th, 2008 at 5:30 amI think it is funny that your husband needs his lists. I am the same way with books. If someone asks me my favorite I have to look at my lists to remember and make sure I don’t leave any out. I have to make lists for everything…
on August 7th, 2008 at 6:25 amWow! I love those pictures!
That was quite possibly the funniest review I have read on here. Your husband has good taste in moovies….you were right. It is had to name them when you are put on th spot just tryin to do recall.
I’d like to nominate one for the worst movie of all time “The Perfect Storm”. I waited and waited through all that crap of almost dying and almost sinking and then….what happens….THEY SINK ANYWAYS AND ALL DIE! My husband disagree’s with me and thinks it wasn’t that bad…but it will always rank HIGH on my list of worst movies ever.
I think we shoiuld make a book to movie comparsion too…there would be some good venn diagrams going on.
I LOVE the Halloween pictures…can’t wait to see the Edward Scissorhands one!
By the way…your babies are adorable!
on August 7th, 2008 at 7:20 amWhat a crack-up! I thought your review was hilarious, even though it didn’t talk about the book. LOL.
I’m LOL over Jenn M’s comment. I sat through the movie, too, hoping and praying that Andrea Gail’s crew would survive. I was so disappointed when they didn’t. My husband kept saying, “Why were you surprised? You read the book. You know they all die. It’s a TRUE story!” LOL. I guess I just like happy endings
Love the pictures, by the way!
on August 7th, 2008 at 7:37 amThe pictures are great! I would have bought the book, going by the premise of the book, since movies are another favorite. But will have to rethink now that I’ve read your review
on August 7th, 2008 at 7:59 amWow. My husband’s family and your husband’s family should get together. The 80s movies list was fairly close to identical to my husband’s. Actually, that’s why I requested Admit One in the first place. The chapter on Star Wars really opened my eyes to how people in that generation responded to it. Other than that, the book was forgettable and arrogant. Great post, though.
on August 7th, 2008 at 9:34 amI LOVE your pictures!! Darling:)
on August 7th, 2008 at 9:55 amOkay I almost agree 100% with your hubby, but I really like Van Helsing. We love our movies around here as well. My tastes lean more towards the Chick Flicks though. Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, etc. I gotta say I loved The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean and I am a huge Star Wars fan. I even like the 1st prequel, which most people didn’t like. I give you props for Count of Monte Cristo. I am going to add Man in the Iron Mask to that. Cute pics.
on August 7th, 2008 at 10:21 amSusan – My husband said the same thing. I read the book and knew what was going to happen…but it still made me mad I had to sit through all the wetness and the ~maybe they will….not maybe they won’t~ survive.
I guess we could say the same about Titanic…we knew the ship was going down in the end. But that movie didn’t make me mad. Maybe it was because there was a love story chick-flick aspect to the whole thing. AND at least they don’t ALL die.
on August 7th, 2008 at 10:44 amI really like what you did with this review.
I actually enjoyed the book more than you or Jen and that may very well be because I didn’t question why he wrote the book or if he had a “right” to do so. I took it all pretty much at face value. I really wanted more about Titanic, though. All in all, it was something different for me that included discussion about movies, which I love. I also think that if my husband were to ever write his memoirs, it would be something like that. To each her own, right. 
on August 7th, 2008 at 12:40 pmWhat a great Halloween costume!! I was just starting to think of what to dress Maya up as for Halloween, and your costume is quite tempting (yesterday I was thinking of a ladybug or the Cheshire cat).
on August 7th, 2008 at 12:55 pmThose pictures are amazing! Very cool.
You’ve pretty much listed all my favorites. But was Ladyhawke on there? Or A Knight’s Tale? Hmmm…
Oh, and btw… your review of Breaking Dawn was also amazing. I got intimidated by all your comments though, so I’ll just say it here!
on August 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pmOh dear–so much I want to comment on! First, LOVED the conversation! Second, your husband and I share many of the same childhood favorites. Third, Princess Bride definitely is the top movie (I get really excited when I find a time during the day when I can interject a quote from the movie–yes, that happens a lot). Fourth, loved Vanilla Sky–your husband is crazy.
Finally–sounds like an enjoyable book–one that I keep seeing around and will one day have to read for myself. The end.
on August 7th, 2008 at 6:45 pmJen – I was hoping when he got to the “questionable” shoot that he would walk out on the set, but he didn’t. I think he tried to hard to make his life fit the situation of a movie. I doubt he was thinking of some of the comparisons he made while he was actually living them out.
Jeannette – He is a die hard list maker. It’s hilarious.
Jenn M. – Why thanks! I have never seen The Perfect Storm. Haven’t read the book either. Looks like I’ll avoid it!
Susan – This one was more fun to write about than I initially thought it would be!
Chica – A lot of people do like it though. Oh well . . .
Jessica – That’s why I requested it as well. Movies play a big part in this family. It would be fun to get all of the “internet” friends together.
Tracy – Thanks! We have to much fun around here.
Jennifer – I wanted more about Titanic as well. I had to go to IMDB just to see what role he was in. There was a photo. He was a porter and had a speaking line I believe. The thing is, my husband’s memoir would sound just like this one too. Which is why I don’t think he should write it one.
Alisia – I’m already so tired of Haloween and it’s only August. Taylor has already tried his upcoming costume on more than once and did a “test drive” with his makeup.
Suey – A Knight’s Tale?! You’re talking about the worst right?
on August 7th, 2008 at 9:42 pmTrish – I told my husband what you said about Vanilla Sky and he says you’ve got to be joking. But he agrees with you on the Princess Bride.
on August 7th, 2008 at 9:44 pmThe next day,
Me to Taylor: What are you watching?
Taylor: Van Helsing.
Me: We own that movie?! Didn’t you just say that was one of the worst movies ever?
Taylor: Yes, but talking about it made me want to watch it again. It’s so bad that it can’t get any worse.
on August 7th, 2008 at 11:36 pmTaylor and I cannot be friends any longer. He listed some of the best movies on the worst list. Van Helsing? Is he kidding. True he had some great ones on the good list, but he trashed my Batman and Robin films. True they were not the best movies, but you can’t go to those movies expecting a whole lot! I want to debate him now. Plus he forgot the best movie of all time: Groundhog’s Day. Have you read Fleeced for me yet?
on August 8th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Yes it’s true. I don’t like Tom Cruise and I think there are some inconsistencies in the movie but I do like it. And it has a killer soundtrack!! I LOVE The Princess Bride.
on August 8th, 2008 at 5:22 amYour husband has great taste in movies. I guess Overboard is too chick for him but its one of the movies that I know all the lines.
on August 8th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI won’t repeat any your husband mentioned (though I agree with many he offered up), so here’s a few that he didn’t mention:
1. The Family Stone
2. Miss Congeniality
3. Ever After (I love it and don’t care what anyone says)
on August 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pmLOL! about your husband, and mine, too.
I really wasn’t approaching this book any differently than I do a People magazine. Had I had my academic cap on, I’d have been right with you guys.
on August 8th, 2008 at 4:57 pmNatasha- I would say sorry I ruined it with spoilers for you, but I really feel I saved you from 2 hours or torture.
I have to agree with your husband on Vanilla Sky. Thought it was HORRIBLE.
Also up there for me on the worst movies ever was Lost in Translation. Maybe I just didn’t get it. My exact reaction to the end of the movie was “huh?”
Princess Bride is one of my favorite all time movies, along Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, and Groundhog Day.
I’m like your husband….I am a compulsive list-maker. My husband HATES it. He finds my lists everywhere, so now I just make them n the computer
Hoping that what happened to your computer doesn’t happen to mine!! Then I would be listless and lost!
on August 9th, 2008 at 9:03 amChad – Taylor has some very witty responses for you. If I can ever get him to sit down at my blog he’ll have to let you know what he thinks.
Trish – I’ve actually have never seen Vanilla Sky, so I can’t give an opinion of my own. I wonder how come Taylor saw it and not me. Where was I?
Trish – I think Ever After is a way cute movie. I’ve watched that one several times.
Jennifer – That’s a good comparison with People magazine. Nothing grand about this book, but obviously it’s made for some great movie discussions here.
Laura H. – Overboard? I’ve never even heard of that one. Who’s in it?
Jenn M – No worries on the spoilers. I’ve actually never seen The Perfect Storm and haven’t really had any desire to do so. Now I know!
on August 9th, 2008 at 11:18 pmNatasha- by the way, finished Madapple and loved it. Probably should put this over with your Madapple review….but I’m too lazy to go and find it right now.
Thanks for the recommendation.
on August 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pmI am ready for Taylor’s Whit! Bring it on! One more movie that belongs at the top of the best movies list: Gross Pointe Blank. I he says that one isn’t good, we have problems.
on August 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pmLol love the pics
I have this in my TBR pile, but now I’m getting worried after all the negative reviews I’ve read.
on August 13th, 2008 at 1:10 amokay so i love the pirates of the caribbean movies (all of them). the recent penelope. umm. my brain not functioning yet but still. obviously the awesome movies of all time… i’ll let you imagination work on those. lol. oh! yes i like princess bride. good movie. hilarious. umm. oh! tenth kingdom. nice. the corny stuff. lol. btw. love the pics. =]
on August 13th, 2008 at 8:52 amGive this book a read, please take a look at this interview with the author below. One of my favorite books of the year so far. It does contain English scarcasim as does say a Nick Hornby book, but if an inspiring story full of humor and movie references sounds like something you would enjoy pick up a copy.
The fact that your review Natasha has started in the blog world other peoples memories and lists for film I think was the goal of the author in my humble opinion
Thanks Natasha!
http://keeperofthesnails.blogspot.com/2008/03/twenty-second-sunday-salon-admit-one.html
on August 19th, 2008 at 1:32 amI just reread this review after reading your new Halloween post. Great pictures and a fun discussion of movies. The list of 80’s movies brings back so many memories. The Princess Bride is one that my husband and I can both quote, but you reminded me of Teen Wolf that I hadn’t thought about for years. I watched that over and over again. One more that I loved was Some Kind of Wonderful. My friends and I would rewind that kiss scene over and over again.
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 amClaire – Thanks for the link. I do agree that his goal was to recreate memories for others as well.
Kim – I do not like Teen Wolf. That is solely a Taylor thing. Some Kind of Wonderful? Am I lame to have never heard of that movie before?
on November 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 am