Mike Nelson's Mind over Matters

Rating:
Summary: Another bullseye from Mike Nelson.
Review: Mike Nelson, the sorely-missed former host and head writer for the uproariously funny television program, MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000, returns to the literary field once more with his follow-up to 2000's MIKE NELSON'S MOVIE MEGACHEESE. Like that book, MIND OVER MATTERS is a collection of sometimes bizarrely stream-of-consciousness essays, but does not confine itself to the discussion of film. Instead, MATTERS is broken up into a handful of (sort of) related topics, from work to family.

Many find Mike Nelson's writing to be an acquired taste, as the humor in his essays often depends on sticking with him through a series of interlinked digressions that may, or may not, have any sort of real point. As a result, casual readers might be put off by Nelson's skewed approach to the essayist's craft, particularly if they aren't ready for it. However, fans of Nelson's writing, and his MST3K work, will be thrilled with this latest release, and will doubtless have to wipe tears and stop to catch their breath more than once.

Rating:
Summary: Deserves a pulitzer for comedy
Review: No need to go into a lot of detail here. This is the finest funny-man book ever written. I've read dozens of comedy books and have never laughed out loud at them until this one.

I frequently ran out of breath from laughing so much.

After I finished the book, I noted upon reflection, that there was not a single coarse word in it, which is very unusual for a book of this genre.

As a final note, it's even funnier if you've seen Mystery Science Theater 3000 and can let your mind's voice mimic Mike Nelson's classic dead-pan tones while reading the essays.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I laughed out loud - and this book served to temporarily fill the void left by the absence of MST3K. :) I hope Mr. Nelson will continue publishing books like these, and I hope to see him back on TV one of these days!

Rating:
Summary: Mike Nelson = Comedic Genius!
Review: "Mind Over Matters" is a huge winner. Even more rewarding than Nelson's hilarious "Movie Megacheese" book (which really is a must-buy), "Mind Over Matters" is rife with vintage MST3K humor. The way he discusses the horrors of going to Radio Shack, for example, works so well because he overdramatizes the experience for effect. It reminds me of the way the whole MST3K crew would treat the bad movies they watched. They acted as if the films were tragically collosal failures that offended humans everywhere. It's that same perspective (making mountains out of life's amusing little annoyances that everyone can relate to) that makes this book such a success. Terrific stuff!

Rating:
Summary: IS THIS AS FUNNY AS AN EPISODE OF MST3K?
Review: No, but I did find myself laughing out loud now and then. I believe these columns were publsihed in a newspaper local to Mike and he has collected them here. This is not a book to read in one sitting, but there are some great observations hidden inside. I did find myself hearing the book in my head in Mike's voice, though. I wonder if someone who has never heard of MST3K will enjoy this as much as those of us in the "know".

Rating:
Summary: some very funny stuff, some not
Review: There are passages in this book that got me hyperventilating with laughter, like "A Very Unhealthy Club" and "Rethinking the Backside".

There are also quite a few passages that seem forced, where Mike is trying too hard to show how learned he is (his modesty is a little disingenuous--its clear he's very intelligent).

Still, the laughs were cathartic. And the intelligence is welcome.

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Summary: Mike proves it!
Review: Michael J. ('Mike') Nelson first soared to international super-stardom in the galactic mega-hit TV show 'Mystery Science Theater 3000,' in which men and bots made fun of bad movies. Striking out on his own, Mike then rocked the world with 'Movie Megacheese,' a collection of essays in which he ... made fun of bad movies. And now, Mike boldly draws us out of our comfort zones with 'Mind Over Matters,' in which he makes fun of (and this is important) things that *aren't movies*!

And he does it really well.

I was a little nervous at first. Movies, after all, exist to be criticized. It makes sense for them to be reviewed. But why would someone sit down and write a short article about meat? Or deconstruct a trip to Radio Shack or an afternoon moving a buddy's couch? Because they're funny, that's why.

I found myself laughing aloud almost from the very beginning. I had to hide my head under a pillow when I read the line about 'eating women and chasing grapes,' so as not to wake my sleeping bride. Mike's analysis of the Fonz, from TV's 'Happy Days,' was hilarious -- but also an insightful puncturing of an inherently implausible TV premise ('I never believed the Fonz could beat up a wood duck, let alone the much larger thugs he often bested or frightened away with lackluster feints.'). The description of a college English professor in 'Did He Say "Meep"?' was unforgettable, and 'Yes, I Have Never Been Mellow' was a moving ode to the Seventies.

With this book, Mike Nelson moves beyond the 'any MSTie will love this' category and into the larger (and I hope more remunerative) one of 'any humor fan will love this, period.' Way to go, Mike. We knew you could do it.

Rating:
Summary: Laughs outnumber bewildered grunts
Review: I think "hit-and-miss" is the best way to describe this collection of essays. I simply didn't know where Mike Nelson was coming from on certain topics, such as his satire of novels condemning puritanical moralism. Other times, I knew exactly what he was talking about because I had been there too (such as the health club locker room, sadly). Overall, the hits do outnumber the misses.

Luckily, the book's format means I can skip the chapters that made me say "huh?" and reread the hysterical parts over and over again. Nelson's humor is worth revisiting. His previous work, Movie Megacheese, is still funny to me, even though I've read it several times. This book promises the same brand of humor and makes it worth both reading and owning.

I'm glad to see Nelson taking that next step out of the theater and hopefully bringing in new fans to his work. He deserves it. Some of the funniest moments from MST3K had little to do with the movies featured on the show. He should not be typecast as a silhouette surrounded by robots.

Rating:
Summary: "Matters" a Worthy Addition to Any Comedy Fan's Collection
Review: Michael J. Nelson returns with another book of humorous essays in "Mike Nelson's Mind Over Matters," his sophomore follow-up to the well-received "Mike Nelson's Movie Mega-Cheese".

Nelson cut his teeth ripping apart films in the cult hit Mystery Science Theater 3000, where he served as co-producer, head writer and star. With such a pedigree, it was hardly surprising to see him stretch his wings as a full-fledged (and funny) film critic in "Movie Mega-Cheese", his first book. "Cheese" was an immensely funny read that -- despite overwhelmingly good reviews from book and film critics alike -- was largely disregarded outside of Nelson's Mystery Science Theater 3000 cult following.

In his follow-up "Mind Over Matters", Nelson strays from the comfortable arena of humorous movie criticism he mined in "Mega-Cheese", opting instead for the more adventurous medium of observational biography (a la David Sedaris or David Rakoff). Unlike "Mega-Cheese", "Mind Over Matters" doesn't limit itself to the discussion of bad films. Readers will find a collection of essays with topics ranging from consumerism to family matters. Not just for film geeks anymore, "Mind Over Matters" should be immediately accessible to any fan of the comedic essay form.

As an overall read, "Matters" is a mixed but promising book. At his best, Michael J. Nelson is a caustically funny writer with a deadly sharp wit. On many occasions I found myself laughing until tears streamed down my face, so much did I enjoy a particularly hilarious turn of phrase or tongue-in-cheek description. Nelson has a flair for the art of the diminutive and unequivocal put-down, and can get you laughing through the lengths he will cross to convince you of the worthlessness of an event or thing. Radio Shack employees, small-town theater, morally obtuse relatives and customer service representatives bear the brunt of some of his most hilarious verbal assaults.

Unfortunately, many of the essays sandwiched in the middle of "Matters" give one the impression of padding. While still amusing, subject matter in these median sections tend to be almost too inconsequential to really matter, and leave you wondering, "Well, so?". By the time Nelson starts riffing on an advertisement he saw in the back of a furniture magazine, one begins to wonder who, besides himself and perhaps three others, will get the joke.

But these are small concerns. "Mind Over Matters" had me laughing to the point of tears on many, many occasions, which is more than I can say for any book I read last year. Though admittedly a hot-and-cold read, "Matters" will make you laugh so hard during the hot bits, you'll forgive Nelson for the cold ones. If nothing else, "Matters" showcases the considerable writing talents of a shamefully neglected comedian; if you're the sort of person to purchase the latest offering from David Sedaris, Jon Stewart, Steve Martin, Dave Eggers and the like, then you'd be committing a crime not to add this title to the bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Those Without Wit Need Not Apply
Review: A book is supposed to be a non-stop, chapter by chapter guide through a story, right? Wrong! As it turns out, a book can be whatever a publisher wishes it to be, and lucky for Mr. Nelson (and us), a book can be a collection of anecdotes about everyday life.

Ignoring all the MSTies, myself included, there is plenty to enjoy in this book. It's an observational piece that, to some degree, all of us can relate to, and better yet...all of us can say "I wish I had said that!"

As with Megacheese, those of you hoping for insight into MST3K, you shall be disappointed. But keep in mind the wit and intelligence of MST3K, and you'll realize that that is precisely why almost no mention of it is made...they want to be established on their own. And, if Mr. Nelson's books (so far) are any indication, they do a fantastic job. The observations, the humor, and the overall relativity to things we all already know (yet never thought to set down in ink) make this a fun romp through the world as we know it, yet never as we thought to express it. Trust me, click "Buy" and enjoy this book. If nothing else, and I'm sure Mr. Nelson will agree, it'll at least make a great coaster on the coffee table!