Ain't It Cool?: Hollywood's Redheaded Stepchild Speaks Out

by Harry Knowles

Book Overview

Harry Knowles, a college dropout who grew up on films, started the Ain't It Cool Web site from his bedroom in Austin, TX, and in four short years has become one of the most powerful and feared men in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446525979
• ISBN13: 9780446525978
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

If you love film history, you'll love this book.

So many so-called celebrity books are either disappointingly shallow or shoddily written, or both. Ain't It Cool is richer and more thoughtful than I could have imagined. Harry Knowles tells us about his own childhood as a Texas hippie gypsy, which is vital background material for understanding how he came to be who is is today. That is, probably the most surreptitiously influential voice on the American film scene. Harry is still barely flying beneath the radar of most Americans, but that becomes less and less true every day, as his website has grown by leaps and bounds. Aint It Cool -- the book -- demonstrates more than most books about films that Harry's opinions and reviews are backed not only by his vast knowledge or films, but by his unbounded passion. Harry Knowles's fiery, unapologetic love for great films is what makes this book so wonderful, and what makes his website so great. The book, like the website, is eccentric, eclectic, giddy, and bitingly honest. Please check out this passionate, joyous, sometimes shocking, intelligent account of Harry Knowles's life and his refreshing honesty about Hollywood.

Return of The Grievous Angel

Harry's book is a warm, funny sermon to the geek kinship he's helped nurture over the last 7 years. He writes his book like a long conversation between two old friends, honest, painful and at times howlingly funny.

A love letter to movies and fandom

...I've read Harry Knowles' site just about since day one..., and while I don't always agree with him, I can't accuse him of not knowing what he's talking about or not caring. This guy loves movies, the people who make them, and the process of making them like nobody else, and his book is not only a love letter to the medium, it is as close to a credo as you can get for those of us who have grown up in a post-Star Wars culture and been fascinated by every second of it.The writing style is passionate, funny, and accessible. What he knows is encyclopedic. The narrative is that of a pioneer, dabbling in a medium that nobody knew or cared much about, and who struck the right chord with the right people at the right time. It's amazing to think of how one guy who started out with a [old computer] and a dial-up connection has managed to get as far as he has without ever getting his lungs handed to him by the big boys.Good for you, Harry - keep it comin'!

Harry tells it like it is.

I've been a contributor of AICN for about two years now, and I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with the man himself. He, quite simply, is a prince. And those who slam him, well, I detect the smell of sour grapes. His book reads very well, and his arguments about film are well-educated and, frankly, vital, to film. I urge all of Hollywood to read the Geek Manifesto chapter. It just might make people love film again. If I wanted to read the bitter diatribe of a man who lost his love for film long ago, I'll read Jeffrey Wells's book. Harry LOVES film. And his book articulates it in terrific form. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Mad About Harry!

Found Harry's book on sale in NYC, and read it last night in one sitting. From his Texas upbringing to his Geek Manifesto, I found this book to be not only entertaining, but highly informative on the state of film affairs. Just when I thought I'd heard it all from Harry on his web site, he surprises me in hardcover with plenty of dish to sate a chick who thinks she knows it all when it comes to movies. Contrary to another report from some disgruntled guy in Belfast, if delivering this kind of juicy inside stuff to film fans is "selling out," then so be it. I give the book five stars and couple of thumbs up!Maddy