The Unkindest Cut: How a Hatchet-Man Critic Made His Own $7000 Movie and Put It All On His Credit Card

by Joe Queenan

Following in the maverick mold of Quentin Tarentino, Spike Lee, and Richard Rodriguez, Joe Queenan becomes an auteur and, in the process, funnier than ever, as he tries to master the art of writing, directing, scoring, casting, and marketing a movie--all by himself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Media Tie In

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1996

About the author

Joe Queenan is a humorist, critic and author from Philadelphia who graduated from Saint Joseph's University. He has written for numerous publications, such as Spy Magazine, TV Guide, Movieline, The Guardian and the New York Times Book Review. He has written eight books, including Balsamic Dreams, a scathing critique of the Baby Boomers, Red Lobster, White Trash, and the Blue Lagoon, a tour of low-brow American pop culture and Imperial Caddy, a fairly scathing view of Dan Quayle and the American Vice-Presidency.

Queenan's work is noted for his caustic wit.

Reviews

[Selm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone wanting to make a movie. The sarcasm alone is quite funny. Would love to see the actual movie made.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is catchy - after tiring of the typical "I could have made a better movie than that" reaction to 3/4ths of major motion pictures, a movie critic and humorist decides to put his money where his mouth is and go out and write, direct, and produce his own movie from scratch, using only friends, family and neighbors as actors.

The screenplay he creates is not at all a feel-good movie, and Joe Queenan's recantation of the 2-year fiasco (for just 9 days of actual filming) is as acerbic as anything. Queenan seems to think he's a lot funnier than his writing really is, which is one reason I'd have a tough time recommending this to a general reader, although the story does have its moments.

One thing I did gain from reading this though is an appreciation of how much time, energy, and money goes into making even the most low-budget movie. Spoiler - the final tab ends up being very different from the El Mariachi-inspired $7,000, which, it turns out, was never made for $7000 to begin with. I'd be curious to find out how advances in filming, editing, and just general computer technology have changed the playing field over the last couple decades - ie: would his have been a different story in 2011 as opposed to 1994?

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed Wood was famous for low budget films. El Mariarchi was made on a very small budget and became a big hit. Joe Queenan wonders just how cheaply he could make a feature film, all costs are pared to a minimum and this book is the result and a film called Twelve Steps to Death...whioh cost Joe Queenan a little more than he had budgeted for. A cautionary tale for any budding film maker.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on the realities of making a real movie. I find myself shooting very low quality videos and now I don't feel too bad - at least I don't go into debt shooting my no budget movies.

I liked the fact that Queenan is making fun of himself as he goes along.

Spoiler - I liked his slogan on finishing his movie at a low initial budget: Don't get it right, get it done.

[Mr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting topic but the book has a tendency to meander and losing meaning at points. Some parts are funny and the author has a good sense of humour. The book is now over 20 years year and at times it doesn't age well. Worth reading if you are a film buff and understand the complexities of film making.

[Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious recount of how humorist and critic Queenan makes his own film. The script reads so darn good that it makes one want to see the finished result, despite the cheap production and the shooting mishaps.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed on it. Not my faves of his. But still has some good bits.

[Joe Faust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious account of Queenan’s quest to make a film for $5000 – and nearly going broke in the process.

[Benedict Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Project Greenlight on paper. Every choice he made was wrong, and yet he didn't seem to realise.