Bad Motherfucker: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson, the Coolest Man in Hollywood
Bad Motherfucker: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson, the Coolest Man in Hollywood
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Publisher's Hardcover ©2021--
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Hachette Books
Annotation: Contains Mature Material
Genre: [Biographies]
 
Reviews: 2
Catalog Number: #355450
Format: Publisher's Hardcover
Special Formats: Adult Language Adult Language
Publisher: Hachette Books
Copyright Date: 2021
Edition Date: 2021 Release Date: 10/26/21
Pages: vii, 358 pages
ISBN: 0-306-92432-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-306-92432-3
Dewey: 921
LCCN: 2021943801
Dimensions: 24 cm
Language: English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews

A revealing look at the unlikely career trajectory of Samuel L. Jackson, from the author of The Tao of Bill Murray.Motherfucker. "That's my perfect noun/pronoun/expletive/everything," says Jackson, that ascended connoisseur of naughty words. By the account of pop-culture biographer Edwards, Jackson is also the epitome of cool, as exemplified by a key scene in Pulp Fiction, with the robbery at the diner: "Stay calm in an emergency. Apply your overarching philosophy to the smaller moments of your existence. Walk in the footsteps of your cool predecessors." The long excursus on cool is the least interesting single passage of the book, since no one needs to be reminded of Jackson's habitation of the term. What's good about it is the author's exploration of Jackson's films, decade after decade-and, he reminds, Jackson has appeared in nearly a gross of feature films, "more than Bill Murray and Tom Hanks put together." Ranking these films along axes such as how much of the pure Sam Jackson experience they yield, Edwards tracks the actor's rise from "King of the Cameos" to full-tilt stardom, propelled along by the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee. With all those films, it's easy to forget ones in which Jackson played only tiny parts, such as Steve Buscemi's 1996 outing Trees Lounge, but it's a pleasure to see him muscle and sweet-talk his way into films that had no part for him at first. One good example is the Star Wars franchise, in which, to his pleasure, he was made a Jedi knight-and given a light saber with the initials B.M.F. engraved. (See the book's title for the translation.) Edwards also recounts the films that Jackson didn't make it to and a few interesting bits of associated trivia: He failed to join the cast of Roots because he "wasn't African enough or not an exotic Negro," and for more than two years, he was a stand-in for Bill Cosby on his eponymous show, which staggers the imagination."In a fair world, I'd probably have three or four Oscars," Jackson has said. This entertaining book proves the point.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Former Rolling Stone contributing editor Edwards (The Tao of Bill Murray) uses his access to actor Samuel L. Jackson to deliver a rollicking, expletive-filled look at the life and career of -The King of Cool.- Famous for his performances in Jurassic Park, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Star Wars among his over 140 feature film appearances (-more than Bill Murray and Tom Hanks put together-)-Jackson-s path to becoming a movie star was anything but predictable. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1948 and raised by his single mother after his father abandoned the family, Jackson began acting out stories for himself as a child before pursuing acting as a serious career in college. His early stage successes led to his being noticed by filmmakers, and eventually his breakout role in 1994-s Pulp Fiction. Studded throughout are amusing mini-reviews of Jackson-s films-which include fun trivia such as the number of minutes that pass -until he shows up- on-screen and humorous quotes (-dying is a happening thing-) pulled from interviews with the legend himself. Edwards is especially adept in his handling of Jackson-s personal life, including his triumph over cocaine addiction and involvement in the civil rights movement. This highly entertaining consideration of the prolific actor is long overdue. (Oct.)

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Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
Bibliography Index/Note: Includes bibliographical references (pages 313-339) and index.
Reading Level: 12.0
Interest Level: 9+

A fascinating exploration and celebration of the life and work of the coolest man in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson—from his star-making turns in the films of Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino to his ubiquitous roles in the Star Wars and Marvel franchises, not to mention the cult favorite Snakes on a Plane.

Samuel L. Jackson’s embodiment of cool isn’t just inspirational—it’s important. Bad Motherfucker lays out how his attitude intersects with his identity as a Black man, why being cool matters in the modern world, and how Jackson can guide us through the current cultural moment in which everyone is losing their cool. Edwards details Jackson’s fascinating personal history, from stuttering bookworm to gunrunning revolutionary to freebasing addict to A-list movie star.

Drawing on original reporting and interviews, the book explores not only the major events of Jackson’s life but also his obsessions: golf, kung fu movies, profanity. Bad Motherfucker
features a delectable filmography of Jackson’s movies—140 and counting!—and also includes new movie posters for many of Jackson’s greatest roles, reimagined by dozens of gifted artists and designers. The book provides a must-read road map through the vast territory of his on-screen career and more: a vivid portrait of Samuel L. Jackson’s essential self, as well as practical instructions, by example, for how to live and work and be.


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