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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
I once saw a movie called that had a line from Stephen Baldwin in it that went something like, "Pizza is like sex. Even when it's bad, it's pretty good."
Jeff Strand is the literary equivalent of pizza. I mean sex. I mean ... You know what I mean: Even when he's "bad", he's pretty good.
And The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever is fine. It's mildly funny, and somewhat engaging, and occasionally throws a challenge at the protagonists which I found amusing, but overall it was very standard. Which is to say, I did not find it up to Strand's usual level of funny, and it was not as engaging as most of his works, and the characters were not that interesting (nor that discernible). The situations were amusing enough though - that I will stand by, especially as I've made my share of films as a 21 year old. Which made me 6 whole years older (at the time) than Strand's characters, and yet I made many of the same mistakes.
So maybe this whole review is driven by jealousy ... Hmmm.
2.5 Clown-Caused Continuity Errors for The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever.
Jeff Strand is the literary equivalent of pizza. I mean sex. I mean ... You know what I mean: Even when he's "bad", he's pretty good.
And The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever is fine. It's mildly funny, and somewhat engaging, and occasionally throws a challenge at the protagonists which I found amusing, but overall it was very standard. Which is to say, I did not find it up to Strand's usual level of funny, and it was not as engaging as most of his works, and the characters were not that interesting (nor that discernible). The situations were amusing enough though - that I will stand by, especially as I've made my share of films as a 21 year old. Which made me 6 whole years older (at the time) than Strand's characters, and yet I made many of the same mistakes.
So maybe this whole review is driven by jealousy ... Hmmm.
2.5 Clown-Caused Continuity Errors for The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever.
While this book lacks flesh-eating monstrosities, it does have a lot of heart and a ton of laughs. “The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever” follows Justine and his crew as they try to make a lo-fi, bottom-budget film. In high school. As awkward teenagers. It sounds like a recipe for disaster, which it kind of is. However, it’s the kind of shenanigans that are reminiscent of a John Hughes film. Popular / pretty girl snags the lead role in a movie made by nerdy guys, lots of witty banter and coming of age moments, a totaled car. It's all there. All you need is some Simple Minds playing at key moments and you're golden! It's my kind of book, for sure. Budding filmmakers and fans of “Me. Earl, and the Dying Girl” will definitely love this one.
*I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
*I would like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Favorite Jeff Strand book . Hi-lar-i-ous
This felt more like a book I would recommend for a young male who is reluctant to read. Pages were humorous, slightly more geared towards males than from the female perspective which there is nothing wrong with at all. It only got two stars because the title is somewhat misleading (not about actual zombies at all, but more about high school students who are making amateur films). Overall, I would recommend this lowkey YA novel.
Several high school students attempt to make the Greatest Zombie Movie Ever.
This was good, but it was so painfully embarrassing for the characters that I had more trouble finishing it than I would have an ordinary horror novel. Example of something that made me squirm in my seat: A+. Seriously not my thing, though.
Recommended for YA audiences who love horror novels and irony.
This was good, but it was so painfully embarrassing for the characters that I had more trouble finishing it than I would have an ordinary horror novel. Example of something that made me squirm in my seat: A+. Seriously not my thing, though.
Recommended for YA audiences who love horror novels and irony.
It's a fairly simple idea, a YA comedy about a group of kids that have little talent try to make a zombie movie. For the most part, I really didn't connect with any character, very few of the jokes hit and was often forced. Not to mention the dialogue was pretty choppy. I do, however like the twist at the end. But you can skip this one.
~ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review~
Justin considers himself to be a director, and after making three failed horror movies, he and his film making friends decide to take it up a notch and make something better than the last three put together. With a limiting budget, a barely completed script and a burning passion to complete this before summer starts, they decide to make The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. And, by luck, they also have Justin's crush Alicia Howtz as their female lead. But when the pressure of making a movie finally dawns on them, could Justin be actually directing The Worst Zombie Movie Ever?
TGZME is a YA novel without all the tropes that normally drag the book down in terms of storyline. Instead, it's just a poor boy trying to make his movie without it crash and burning to ground, and hopefully profess his love for the leading lady.
This book was hilarious! I loved it so much. It reminded me during GCSE times where I had taken Media Studies and we had to create a trailer for our own movie. Ours wasn't zombie (i would've loved it to have made it a zombie trailer though but, unlike Justin, we didn't get a $5,000 loan from our grandparents :') ) I could easily relate to the troubles faced by Justin and his friends. The extremely short time frame, lack of props, and people to cast in the movie. Their lives spiral out of control in this hilarious book, as it covers every single little detail.
I liked how this book was full of reference to the history of zombie film including the debate of slow versus fast zombies, the difference between the infected in "28 Days Later" and actual zombies. Underneath the comedy, there's a deeper message of friendship, and sacrifice which really did show their dedication to the project.
Overall, a fun read for everyone- even if you hate zombies. Strand writes a solid YA novel with an abundance of sarcasm, weird characters, and hilarious surprises in every page.
Justin considers himself to be a director, and after making three failed horror movies, he and his film making friends decide to take it up a notch and make something better than the last three put together. With a limiting budget, a barely completed script and a burning passion to complete this before summer starts, they decide to make The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. And, by luck, they also have Justin's crush Alicia Howtz as their female lead. But when the pressure of making a movie finally dawns on them, could Justin be actually directing The Worst Zombie Movie Ever?
TGZME is a YA novel without all the tropes that normally drag the book down in terms of storyline. Instead, it's just a poor boy trying to make his movie without it crash and burning to ground, and hopefully profess his love for the leading lady.
This book was hilarious! I loved it so much. It reminded me during GCSE times where I had taken Media Studies and we had to create a trailer for our own movie. Ours wasn't zombie (i would've loved it to have made it a zombie trailer though but, unlike Justin, we didn't get a $5,000 loan from our grandparents :') ) I could easily relate to the troubles faced by Justin and his friends. The extremely short time frame, lack of props, and people to cast in the movie. Their lives spiral out of control in this hilarious book, as it covers every single little detail.
I liked how this book was full of reference to the history of zombie film including the debate of slow versus fast zombies, the difference between the infected in "28 Days Later" and actual zombies. Underneath the comedy, there's a deeper message of friendship, and sacrifice which really did show their dedication to the project.
Overall, a fun read for everyone- even if you hate zombies. Strand writes a solid YA novel with an abundance of sarcasm, weird characters, and hilarious surprises in every page.
Kurzbeschreibung:
Nachdem Justin und seine besten Kumpel, Gabe und Bobby, bereits sehr erfolglos zusammen mehrere Youtube Videos gedreht haben, beschließen sie nun endlich richtig durchzustarten und den besten Zombie Film aller Zeiten zu drehen. Justin nimmt hierbei die Rolle des sehr ehrgeizigen Regisseurs ein, welcher alles perfekt machen will. Die Freunde haben nur einen Monat Zeit um das Drehbuch zu schreiben, die Darsteller zu casten, Equipment zu beschaffen, sich um Special FX Make-Up zu kümmern, den Film zu drehen und noch zusätzlich für die Schule zu lernen. Dabei ergeben sich diverse Probleme und Hindernisse, die Sie überwinden müssen.
Meine Meinung:
Das Buch las sich super, war locker geschrieben und das Englisch war für mich gut zu verstehen. Die ganze Story ist super lustig und die vielen Anekdoten und verweise auf diverse Zombie Filme, haben mir sehr gut gefallen und viel Freude bereitet. Das Buch war zu keiner Zeit langweilig oder eintönig. Die ganzen Probleme und Hindernisse, die von den Jungs bewältigt werden müssen, sind sehr logisch und vom Autor sorgfältig erdacht. Andauernd dachte ich während des lesen „OMG, das ist so typisch! Würde mir auch passieren beim Dreh eines Zombie Films.“ Die Charaktere möchte ich wirklich sehr gerne, Sie waren mir echt sympathisch. Vor allem solch schräge Charaktere wie Bobby, die etwas merkwürdig und schrullig sind, gefallen mir meistens sehr gut. Immer wieder musste ich schmunzeln und lachen, während des Lesens. Das Ende gefiel mir unglaublich gut und nachdem ich das Buch beendet hatte, blieb ein richtig wohliges, glückliches Gefühl zurück. Das Buch kann ich somit echt empfehlen.
Nachdem Justin und seine besten Kumpel, Gabe und Bobby, bereits sehr erfolglos zusammen mehrere Youtube Videos gedreht haben, beschließen sie nun endlich richtig durchzustarten und den besten Zombie Film aller Zeiten zu drehen. Justin nimmt hierbei die Rolle des sehr ehrgeizigen Regisseurs ein, welcher alles perfekt machen will. Die Freunde haben nur einen Monat Zeit um das Drehbuch zu schreiben, die Darsteller zu casten, Equipment zu beschaffen, sich um Special FX Make-Up zu kümmern, den Film zu drehen und noch zusätzlich für die Schule zu lernen. Dabei ergeben sich diverse Probleme und Hindernisse, die Sie überwinden müssen.
Meine Meinung:
Das Buch las sich super, war locker geschrieben und das Englisch war für mich gut zu verstehen. Die ganze Story ist super lustig und die vielen Anekdoten und verweise auf diverse Zombie Filme, haben mir sehr gut gefallen und viel Freude bereitet. Das Buch war zu keiner Zeit langweilig oder eintönig. Die ganzen Probleme und Hindernisse, die von den Jungs bewältigt werden müssen, sind sehr logisch und vom Autor sorgfältig erdacht. Andauernd dachte ich während des lesen „OMG, das ist so typisch! Würde mir auch passieren beim Dreh eines Zombie Films.“ Die Charaktere möchte ich wirklich sehr gerne, Sie waren mir echt sympathisch. Vor allem solch schräge Charaktere wie Bobby, die etwas merkwürdig und schrullig sind, gefallen mir meistens sehr gut. Immer wieder musste ich schmunzeln und lachen, während des Lesens. Das Ende gefiel mir unglaublich gut und nachdem ich das Buch beendet hatte, blieb ein richtig wohliges, glückliches Gefühl zurück. Das Buch kann ich somit echt empfehlen.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Netgalley ARC
Humorous take on teens and the art of filmmaking.
Humorous take on teens and the art of filmmaking.