Rating: 
Summary: If titles were true
Review: Dunford's wonderfully madcap novel is equal to those by Christian McLaughlin or Robert Rodi. I found it wildly entertaining and engrossing, and so funny! The story centers on Mitch, a Toronto writer who makes his money being an office temp and by writing gay porn, but he dreams of being a famous screenwriter. When a mysterious woman brings him a story idea for a movie she wants to make, Mitch thinks it's his big break. But then he discovers that the story idea is based on a real life murder mystery, and that the mysterious woman isn't who she said she was. The adorable Dunford gives us great commentary on the art world (paintings, movies, acting, writing) that's as witty as it is intelligent. I wish this story were being made into a movie. It would certainly be one of the best comedies!
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Early on in the book, the author describes a character as "nondescript" and I thought "oh, no. This will be bad." but no! This book is tremendously well-written. I think I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to gay humor fiction, so it's great to find something to recommend whole-heartedly. Similar to Misadventures in the 213, Soon to Be.. has a little triumvirate of lovable characters (though Mitchell's friend Ramir can be less than lovable) that are drawn very well. Even minor characters such as the unnerving and condescending Kitina is spot on and Dunford's Carmen Denver strikes me as a Hollywood tyrant completely encapsulated. The reader will probably figure out what's really going on before Mitchell does, but that's okay because there are still a few surprises. Mitchell's other friend Ingrid is very lovable and shy. The reader really roots for her triumph in the Toronto artworld and her subsequent stresses caused by her fame are very touching and affecting. People who liked this book would also enjoy the aforementioned Misadventures in the 213 and Christian McLaughlin's book. I can't wait to read the next Warren Dunford.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific surprise.
Review: I picked up this book by first-time Canadian novelist Warren Dunford with uncertainty. The jacket sounded really fascinating (a sometimes sure sign that what's inside isn't). I must tell you that this is a warm, funny, surprising, and satisfying read. I usually take my time with books but read this one in one day. The diverse cast of characters Dunford has created will keep you turning the pages. The main character, Mitchell, is very human, very real yet finds himself in some outlandish situations including juggling his job as... writer, budding screenwriter, exasperated friend, and amateur sleuth. I loved the diary-style writing as a peek into this Toronto twenty-something's extraordinary life. It's a fast, easy, FUN read.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific surprise.
Review: I picked up this book by first-time Canadian novelist Warren Dunford with uncertainty. The jacket sounded really fascinating (a sometimes sure sign that what's inside isn't). I must tell you that this is a warm, funny, surprising, and satisfying read. I usually take my time with books but read this one in one day. The diverse cast of characters Dunford has created will keep you turning the pages. The main character, Mitchell, is very human, very real yet finds himself in some outlandish situations including juggling his job as... writer, budding screenwriter, exasperated friend, and amateur sleuth. I loved the diary-style writing as a peek into this Toronto twenty-something's extraordinary life. It's a fast, easy, FUN read.
Rating:
Summary: Three Friends in a Realistic Setting!
Review: It could be Manhattan, San Francisco, Boston, or any other major city, but this story takes place in Toronto. This story filled with true-to-life characters makes us remember our own experiences when we were in our early 20�s struggling and striving to find a place in this world, and wandering where it was going to lead us. Michael Draper dreams of becoming a famous screenwriter. Will he succeed when a wealthy filmmaker, Carmen Denver, offers him a major screenwriting job? Ingrid Iversen, who manages a coffee shop, is a very talented painter, who wants to remain unknown, until she meets the wealthy gallery owner who may make her the �Talk of the Town�, and new artist of the year. And is there also romance in this relationship for her? Ramir Martinez is frustrated with his acting career, but may get a chance to finally present his one man show called �Eruption� at last. Ramir is the gay guy of everyone�s dreams, a man who has no trouble getting dates, and has a hard time keeping track of his latest conquests. These three friends, who are young, innocent, and out to become the next �Big Thing� are presented to us in this fast pace book that is a joy to read and really hard to put down. All of the events in their three lives leads to a turn for the worse in Mitchell�s life in this engaging story, and could even lead to a murder mystery being solved. There�s a lot of twists and turns in this story that will guarantee you never get bored for even a minute reading this book. I found this book to be an entertaining and fun way to spend a few hours. I highly recommend this book. A great first novel by Warren Dunford!
Rating:
Summary: Three Friends in a Realistic Setting!
Review: It could be Manhattan, San Francisco, Boston, or any other major city, but this story takes place in Toronto. This story filled with true-to-life characters makes us remember our own experiences when we were in our early 20's struggling and striving to find a place in this world, and wandering where it was going to lead us. Michael Draper dreams of becoming a famous screenwriter. Will he succeed when a wealthy filmmaker, Carmen Denver, offers him a major screenwriting job? Ingrid Iversen, who manages a coffee shop, is a very talented painter, who wants to remain unknown, until she meets the wealthy gallery owner who may make her the 'Talk of the Town', and new artist of the year. And is there also romance in this relationship for her? Ramir Martinez is frustrated with his acting career, but may get a chance to finally present his one man show called 'Eruption' at last. Ramir is the gay guy of everyone's dreams, a man who has no trouble getting dates, and has a hard time keeping track of his latest conquests. These three friends, who are young, innocent, and out to become the next 'Big Thing' are presented to us in this fast pace book that is a joy to read and really hard to put down. All of the events in their three lives leads to a turn for the worse in Mitchell's life in this engaging story, and could even lead to a murder mystery being solved. There's a lot of twists and turns in this story that will guarantee you never get bored for even a minute reading this book. I found this book to be an entertaining and fun way to spend a few hours. I highly recommend this book. A great first novel by Warren Dunford!
Rating:
Summary: Needs some fine tuning
Review: Mitchell Draper wants to write a major screenplay. And hopefully have it made into a major motion picture. His friends Ingrid and Ramir are also aspiring artists in their own right. Ingrid wants to paint, and Ramir would like to land a leading role instead of always playing 'Gang Member Number Two'.
Mitchell gets his chance when eccentric Carmen Denver shows up--she needs someone to write 'A Time for Revenge'. She gives Mitch her characters and a brief synopsis. A couple of weeks later, he has a partial first draft done, and she refuses to accept any of his ideas.
Only problem with SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE is that most of it becomes contrived because Warren Dunford waits too long to reach the major story about Mitchell being threatened. And it is all wrapped up too quickly.
Would work as a movie...just change the title and do some minor, yet necessary, fine tuning.
Rating:
Summary: Encore! Encore!
Review: Mr.Dunford, wherever you are, Loved the audio version of Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture (back in 2001 I think). Will pounce on your next UNabridged novel with glee!
Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait For The Movie To Come Out!
Review: Okay, so call me paranoid, but I'm convinced Warren Dunford has been spying on me. The characters are so real, and so much like myself and people I know, that I swear I've met them all before. Our Ingrid is a boy, however, and our Ramir is a girl, but otherwise, same angst. The scene with Mitch's parents is eerie.
Soon To Be A Major Motion Picture is the most entertaining, compulsively page-turning, addictive book I've read in years. I haven't laughed out loud on the subway this hard since Douglas Adams. I started reading Making A Killing immediately after finishing this one, and already it's proved to be just as witty, just as engrossing and just as real as the first one.
I enjoyed the screenplay format portions immensely. I hope the hint is taken in Hollywood North and this book is made into a film, because I MUST see it!
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Romp
Review: The adventures of Mitchell Draper are the amusing and poignant tale of every aspiring writer. Warren Dunford's first person narrative style is so fresh and intimate, you feel as though you are included among his equally neurotic and very likeable friends. Spotting the Toronto references was great fun - Oh, I've been there! - and a nice change from the ubiquitous America city usually found as the setting for novels. Warren Dunford has provided a wonderfully diverting way to spend an afternoon and many, many opportunities to laugh out loud. With any luck at all, "Soon to Be a Major Motion Picture" soon will be. I look forward to it!
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