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Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood
One-of-a-kind filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld tells stories only he can tell, from his blockbuster career with iconic actors, studio execs, and producers. His humor and insight provide an inside glimpse into how Hollywood really works, or how it doesn’t.
Best Possible Place, Worst Possible TimeÌýdelivers a cavalcade of sometimes baffling, often enlightening, and always funny stories about Sonnenfeld’s many films and television shows. From battling with studio executives and producers to bad-script-solving on set to coaxing actors into finding the right light and talking faster, Sonnenfeld provides an entertaining master class in how to make commercial art in the face of constant human foible. Over four decades in Hollywood, the mega-franchises includeÌýThe Addams FamilyÌýandÌýMen in Black; the critical favorites,ÌýGet ShortyÌýandÌýPushing Daisies; the icons, Will Smith, John Travolta, and Michael Jackson; and the projects that got away,ÌýForrest Gump,ÌýAli, and anything starring Jim Carrey.
TheÌýtrueÌýstories escalateÌýfrom surreal to outrageous to unbelievable. And then there’s magic hour. But you’ll never see Hollywood the same way again.
Best Possible Place, Worst Possible TimeÌýdelivers a cavalcade of sometimes baffling, often enlightening, and always funny stories about Sonnenfeld’s many films and television shows. From battling with studio executives and producers to bad-script-solving on set to coaxing actors into finding the right light and talking faster, Sonnenfeld provides an entertaining master class in how to make commercial art in the face of constant human foible. Over four decades in Hollywood, the mega-franchises includeÌýThe Addams FamilyÌýandÌýMen in Black; the critical favorites,ÌýGet ShortyÌýandÌýPushing Daisies; the icons, Will Smith, John Travolta, and Michael Jackson; and the projects that got away,ÌýForrest Gump,ÌýAli, and anything starring Jim Carrey.
TheÌýtrueÌýstories escalateÌýfrom surreal to outrageous to unbelievable. And then there’s magic hour. But you’ll never see Hollywood the same way again.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
62 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 5, 2024
They promoted this book on the CBS Morning Show and it intrigued me, so I ordered it from my library. I'm so glad I didn't pay money for it. I dithered between 2 stars and 3 stars and finally came down on three because of Sonnenfeld's show "Pushing Daisies", which was one of my favorite TV shows of all time - fresh, inventive, stylistically and visually gorgeous. Sonnenfeld was the cinematographer for the first three Coen Brother's movies (also favorites of mine) and became a director. The first part of the book goes into a lot of technical camera and photography talk that didn't hold my interest. Then we get into films he directed - "The Men In Black" films and "The Adams Family" movies. "Get Shorty" etc. We learn things about actors -Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones were manly men, who did not suffer fools gladly, Kevin Spacey in Sonnenfeld's words was an angry, bitchy, rotten guy (big surprise there) John Travolta read his lines off cue cards and Kenneth Branagh showed up knowing all his lines the first day of filming (and everyone one else's too - British actor work ethic)
It also highlighted the waste and hubris of the movie industry. The fact that any good films are made is a miracle and very often in spite of the studio executives!
It also highlighted the waste and hubris of the movie industry. The fact that any good films are made is a miracle and very often in spite of the studio executives!
July 13, 2024
It happened about the time I hit the age of 50.
The filter came off.
To be honest, it's an awful lot of fun.
I thought about this a lot while reading director Barry Sonnenfeld's "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood."
It's a book guaranteed to pi** off Donald Trump (What doesn't?), likely to agitate more than a few Hollywood power players, and ultimately surefire to make you laugh, make you cringe a little, and show you Hollywood through the uniquely Sonnenfeld lens.
For those who don't know Sonnenfeld by name, he's behind such blockbuster franchises as "Men in Black" and "The Addams Family" along with critically acclaimed projects like "Get Shorty," television's "Pushing Daisies," and the criminally underappreciated "Big Trouble" along with the Razzie-winning but wildly popular "Wild, Wild West" among quite a few others.
Now at the age of 71, Sonnenfeld is both relentlessly hilarious and profoundly honest in his storytelling in "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time." This is the second memoirish collection from Sonnenfeld following 2020's "Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker." The 2020 book is worth noting as Sonnenfeld indicates early on that those reading this book may wonder about the absence of some cinematic memories that were covered in his earlier book.
In this collection, a breezy and always enjoyable read, Sonnenfeld shares wide ranging stories, thoughts, opinions, and more about the likes of Trump, Kevin Spacey, Will Smith, Amy Pascal, Spielberg, Kevin Kline, and quite a few others.
Some are raves. Some are, well, not. Some are cringe-worthy. Others are almost eerie considering the recent status of folks like Smith, Spacey, Trump, and others here who've found themselves experiencing not so positive headlines.
Yet, there doesn't seem to be a malicious literary bone anywhere here. Sonnenfeld is simply gloriously matter-of-fact whether talking about his hits, his misses, the ones that got away, and the ones he kind of wishes had gotten away.
If you're a Sonnenfeld fan, "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time" is a must-read. If you dig "true Hollywood" storytelling, this book deserves a place on your shelf. If you're just looking for an easy read that will make you laugh along the way, this is a book for you.
I can't wait to go back and read Sonnenfeld's first book where I can learn even more about this delightful Hollywood presence who's still entertaining us into his 70's and whose marriage to Susan, whom he calls Sweetie throughout, is in its 35th year.
Bravo all across the board.
The filter came off.
To be honest, it's an awful lot of fun.
I thought about this a lot while reading director Barry Sonnenfeld's "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood."
It's a book guaranteed to pi** off Donald Trump (What doesn't?), likely to agitate more than a few Hollywood power players, and ultimately surefire to make you laugh, make you cringe a little, and show you Hollywood through the uniquely Sonnenfeld lens.
For those who don't know Sonnenfeld by name, he's behind such blockbuster franchises as "Men in Black" and "The Addams Family" along with critically acclaimed projects like "Get Shorty," television's "Pushing Daisies," and the criminally underappreciated "Big Trouble" along with the Razzie-winning but wildly popular "Wild, Wild West" among quite a few others.
Now at the age of 71, Sonnenfeld is both relentlessly hilarious and profoundly honest in his storytelling in "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time." This is the second memoirish collection from Sonnenfeld following 2020's "Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker." The 2020 book is worth noting as Sonnenfeld indicates early on that those reading this book may wonder about the absence of some cinematic memories that were covered in his earlier book.
In this collection, a breezy and always enjoyable read, Sonnenfeld shares wide ranging stories, thoughts, opinions, and more about the likes of Trump, Kevin Spacey, Will Smith, Amy Pascal, Spielberg, Kevin Kline, and quite a few others.
Some are raves. Some are, well, not. Some are cringe-worthy. Others are almost eerie considering the recent status of folks like Smith, Spacey, Trump, and others here who've found themselves experiencing not so positive headlines.
Yet, there doesn't seem to be a malicious literary bone anywhere here. Sonnenfeld is simply gloriously matter-of-fact whether talking about his hits, his misses, the ones that got away, and the ones he kind of wishes had gotten away.
If you're a Sonnenfeld fan, "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time" is a must-read. If you dig "true Hollywood" storytelling, this book deserves a place on your shelf. If you're just looking for an easy read that will make you laugh along the way, this is a book for you.
I can't wait to go back and read Sonnenfeld's first book where I can learn even more about this delightful Hollywood presence who's still entertaining us into his 70's and whose marriage to Susan, whom he calls Sweetie throughout, is in its 35th year.
Bravo all across the board.
December 12, 2024
An absolutely great behind-the-scenes Hollywood memoir that uses most of its pages to put egotistical stars and anxious executives in their place. The writer doesn't just throw pretty much everyone under the bus, he makes sure that there is enough evidence that they can't dispute his perspectives.
I could write a long list of names that Sonnenfeld rightfully slams through his crafty short stories about the gigantic self-centered actions and attitudes of people like Will Smith, Anjelica Houston, John Travolta (who gets called dumb), Robert Conrad (a racist who gives Sonnenfeld a death threat!), Tommy Lee Jones, Tim Allen (really mean), Jim Carrey (jerk who refuses to do what directors say), Kevin Spacey, and virtually any movie studio executive like Jon Peters or Sherry Lansing. This confirms that they are talentless, insecure, and almost always make the wrong decision.
Donald Trump makes a funny guest appearance, and this is the only memoir I've read that condemns the guy without making it look purely lop-sided political bias. Barry makes the claim that he filed for Canadian citizenship after Trump's first election but doesn't go into detail.
The oddest part of this book is the names of the people that come off really well. Barry bends over backwards to praise Patrick Warburton, one of the most insignificant actors in modern history whose acting style can only be called "stiff," but who gets mentioned throughout the book with praise. Why? They guy is almost unwatchable in most of the projects he has done.
Sonnenfeld also loves Kristin Chenoweth, Mark Consuelos (who'd have thought?), Jennifer Garner, and Tom Hanks, and he reveres Steven Spielberg. But these positive mentions are few.
Read the book with glee as you see the author burn all of his bridges. Yes, the stories are often too short (almost nothing about some favorite projects) and there's no real narrative consistency to the book. It's just a series of unconnected chapters that are concise in Sonnenfeld's self-loathing and blame-sharing. It's close to the best possible time you can have reading about the worst people in Hollywood.
I could write a long list of names that Sonnenfeld rightfully slams through his crafty short stories about the gigantic self-centered actions and attitudes of people like Will Smith, Anjelica Houston, John Travolta (who gets called dumb), Robert Conrad (a racist who gives Sonnenfeld a death threat!), Tommy Lee Jones, Tim Allen (really mean), Jim Carrey (jerk who refuses to do what directors say), Kevin Spacey, and virtually any movie studio executive like Jon Peters or Sherry Lansing. This confirms that they are talentless, insecure, and almost always make the wrong decision.
Donald Trump makes a funny guest appearance, and this is the only memoir I've read that condemns the guy without making it look purely lop-sided political bias. Barry makes the claim that he filed for Canadian citizenship after Trump's first election but doesn't go into detail.
The oddest part of this book is the names of the people that come off really well. Barry bends over backwards to praise Patrick Warburton, one of the most insignificant actors in modern history whose acting style can only be called "stiff," but who gets mentioned throughout the book with praise. Why? They guy is almost unwatchable in most of the projects he has done.
Sonnenfeld also loves Kristin Chenoweth, Mark Consuelos (who'd have thought?), Jennifer Garner, and Tom Hanks, and he reveres Steven Spielberg. But these positive mentions are few.
Read the book with glee as you see the author burn all of his bridges. Yes, the stories are often too short (almost nothing about some favorite projects) and there's no real narrative consistency to the book. It's just a series of unconnected chapters that are concise in Sonnenfeld's self-loathing and blame-sharing. It's close to the best possible time you can have reading about the worst people in Hollywood.
January 18, 2025
If you want an insider’s take on Hollywood and how they REALLY make movies, then this is the book for you. In all honesty, I never heard of the author prior to this book. I have watched a LOT of his movies. I loved how he explained the different parts of making a movie, especially the lighting and how they get the actors to feel like they are making their own decisions.
Thank you so much to Hachette for sending me a gifted copy!
Thank you so much to Hachette for sending me a gifted copy!
August 31, 2024
Started off a little slow because of the Lighting explanations (but that would be fascinating for some readers)� ended up being very fun and a bit trashy (he has no filter!) a wild peek behind-the scenes of Hollywood and the “business.�
April 25, 2025
I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a read.
I love reading behind the scenes stories / tales from Hollywood. Seeing that Barry directed some of my favorite 90's films, this was an instant request read.
Barry does tell stories really well. He also likes to explain why he filmed films the way he did.
It was interesting to hear his thoughts about Wild Wild West and how much he hated the one guy who was Barbra Streisand's hair stylist and his obsession with spiders and also other weird stuff in that "If I can't have x, y, z in a movie then I can't make this movie". What a weird guy.
He also seemed to add credit that Will Smith was a piece of shit on the set - even though he didn't think so. Who the hell has some enforcer stay next to you while Will is filming a stunt that if he gets hurt then you take a baseball bat and pummel him?
Also: he had to film a movie in Trump's club down in FL and happy to say he also had difficulties with him and his strange habit of giving incorrect and stupid, conceited factoids about things.
I love reading behind the scenes stories / tales from Hollywood. Seeing that Barry directed some of my favorite 90's films, this was an instant request read.
Barry does tell stories really well. He also likes to explain why he filmed films the way he did.
It was interesting to hear his thoughts about Wild Wild West and how much he hated the one guy who was Barbra Streisand's hair stylist and his obsession with spiders and also other weird stuff in that "If I can't have x, y, z in a movie then I can't make this movie". What a weird guy.
He also seemed to add credit that Will Smith was a piece of shit on the set - even though he didn't think so. Who the hell has some enforcer stay next to you while Will is filming a stunt that if he gets hurt then you take a baseball bat and pummel him?
Also: he had to film a movie in Trump's club down in FL and happy to say he also had difficulties with him and his strange habit of giving incorrect and stupid, conceited factoids about things.
November 22, 2024
I really enjoyed Barry Sonnenfeld’s new memoir BEST POSSIBLE PLACE, WORST POSSIBLE TIME. Like his previous book, it’s a gossipy, funny read from a director who has had huge hits but also some deep failures. This new book digs into WILD WILD WEST and the MEN IN BLACK sequels. Great stuff!
December 29, 2024
I guess I am not a movie buff. Didn’t like the author. Didn’t like the book
October 20, 2024
Meh
Sometimes entertaining, sometimes tedious. Anything entertaining you’ve probably already read in the interviews given to sell the book. I’d pass on this.
Sometimes entertaining, sometimes tedious. Anything entertaining you’ve probably already read in the interviews given to sell the book. I’d pass on this.
April 5, 2025
Barry Sonnenfeld is so gosh darn entertaining! What a great mix of celebrity-inflected stories, film lore, and generous peeks into the craft of film directing and film editing!
November 11, 2024
Barry Sonnenfeld is mining his extensive experience in film for laughs � the title is the punchline to a joke (“How is life like a tampon?�) � but there’s a fair amount of rue here. In a book that is less a narrative than a collection of anecdotes, the overarching gist takes time to accumulate. Partly, that's because of the way Sonnenfeld starts out in the biz: his first big jobs are as cinematographer to the Coen brothers as they, too, are doing their first movies. (How cool is that?) At this point, the questions are about technique and technology � how to achieve the long tracking shots he wants, that sort of thing. But soon he is tapped to direct, and the problems begin to take center stage. There’s plenty in here about how prickly and insecure actors are, how worried about being shot from their good side, or not being overshadowed by someone else’s performance. There are exceptions, but Sonnenfeld doesn’t dwell on non-problems, which are less interesting and very much in the minority. We have, in Get Shorty, the ever-furious Gene Hackman and a happy-go-lucky John Travolta who can’t learn his lines and needs cue cards. We have betrayals: Men in Black makes Will Smith a movie star, yet he fires Sonnenfeld when he’s selected to play Muhammad Ali. Worst of all, we have the producers, the people with all the money and power who, to a person, seem clueless about what a movie needs, what makes a script good, and everything else the goes into cinematic success. Endlessly entertaining, the book nevertheless sees some falling off towards the end of both Sonnenfeld’s career as well as his account of it. There’s clearly some score-settling here, but the real drag is that he’s well past his peak, particularly with the studios, stuck with a 3-year stretch of no work at all, sucked back into abandoned projects and sequels and (gasp) television. Still, it’s been a fun run.
October 2, 2024
Barry Sonnenfeld is at it again; telling the kind of behind the scenes, stranger than fiction, frequently bizarre and often hilarious stories that no one else can tell quite the way he does. A neurotic raconteur of the highest order, his unique and eccentric style of storytelling will have you laughing out loud when you're not shaking your head in disbelief.
Unlike his previous memoir (the superb 'Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother'), which was more about his own life story and the unlikely path to his success, this one is mainly focused on the world of big budget movie making. Chock full of behind the scenes details and random tidbits about the famous people he's worked with...
Among the names that show up in the pages of this book are Kathy Bates, James Caan, Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Tommy Lee Jones, Rob Reiner, Will Smith, Rip Torn, John Travolta, John Turturro, Robin Williams and many others.
One thing I particularly like about Sonnenfeld is that he doesn't mind spilling a little tea from time to time but he also doesn't go out of his way to take cheap shots or make personal attacks. Right from the start of this book he states that everything is told from his perspective and those involved may see it differently (We're all the heroes of our own story).
Not since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade has someone so thoroughly exposed the ridiculousness of "business as usual" in Hollywood. I loved it.
Unlike his previous memoir (the superb 'Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother'), which was more about his own life story and the unlikely path to his success, this one is mainly focused on the world of big budget movie making. Chock full of behind the scenes details and random tidbits about the famous people he's worked with...
Among the names that show up in the pages of this book are Kathy Bates, James Caan, Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Tommy Lee Jones, Rob Reiner, Will Smith, Rip Torn, John Travolta, John Turturro, Robin Williams and many others.
One thing I particularly like about Sonnenfeld is that he doesn't mind spilling a little tea from time to time but he also doesn't go out of his way to take cheap shots or make personal attacks. Right from the start of this book he states that everything is told from his perspective and those involved may see it differently (We're all the heroes of our own story).
Not since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade has someone so thoroughly exposed the ridiculousness of "business as usual" in Hollywood. I loved it.
December 20, 2024
I wasn't expecting much and not sure what to expect, but why not, this was a fine book!
This is pretty much a collection of short stories from Sonnenfeld's life in Hollywood. He really has put the Hollyweird in Hollywood as everybody seems to be out of their minds. Its nice to read something that is both grounded in reality and trashy at the same time. I thought the front part of the book was a little lagging, but he had some pretty cool passages about how movie making technically happens. I could see them being included in some text books on how to put together lighting and a scene. His other stories are great bar tales.
I also like his tales of Will Smith who generally comes out ok, but you can tell that theres something not right in the cabeza sometimes. I also found the Wild Wild West passages interesting because for a movie that had so much going for it, it was a relative piece of garbage.
Like Sonnenfeld, does anything funny really get a 5? Same with this book. I thought he was a little full of himself, but even he would admit that so. I would have liked to hear more about his wife and family. They sounded like a hoot.
In the end, if you want a light romp through the weirdness of how a movie actually gets made, this is one for you. Perfect non fiction beach read!
This is pretty much a collection of short stories from Sonnenfeld's life in Hollywood. He really has put the Hollyweird in Hollywood as everybody seems to be out of their minds. Its nice to read something that is both grounded in reality and trashy at the same time. I thought the front part of the book was a little lagging, but he had some pretty cool passages about how movie making technically happens. I could see them being included in some text books on how to put together lighting and a scene. His other stories are great bar tales.
I also like his tales of Will Smith who generally comes out ok, but you can tell that theres something not right in the cabeza sometimes. I also found the Wild Wild West passages interesting because for a movie that had so much going for it, it was a relative piece of garbage.
Like Sonnenfeld, does anything funny really get a 5? Same with this book. I thought he was a little full of himself, but even he would admit that so. I would have liked to hear more about his wife and family. They sounded like a hoot.
In the end, if you want a light romp through the weirdness of how a movie actually gets made, this is one for you. Perfect non fiction beach read!
January 20, 2025
This was good, but really only for cinephiles, industry hobbyists, and film historian types. Its nice and short, easily digested in an afternoon or two, and gives insight to some of the early 21st century’s most iconic films from a comical, whacky, real and humble film producer and director, Barry Sonnenfeld.
I like the stories and the man that is Barry Sonnenfeld, so I rate this a 4/5. But I recommend going the physical book route as opposed to the audiobook. Barry narrates his own work here, which I typically love and almost exclusively seek out as I feel the author narrating their own work yields more enthusiasm for the product and thus a better listening experience. But Barry is one of those nasal, monotone speakers who also seems to have a tongue that’s sized slightly too big for the size of his mouth chamber. It was distracting from the story contents - but then maybe these wouldn’t be a real Sonnenfeld tales?
Some of the narration also, noticeably, seemed to have been done in numerous takes, and his tone feels jumbled. Which I find particularly annoying, specifically because Barry makes a big deal in this professional memoir of actors who are terrible at ADR during post production to resolve audio issues. Though I guess hypocrisy is part of the territory that comes with radical honesty, which Sonnenfeld certainly gives us here.
I like the stories and the man that is Barry Sonnenfeld, so I rate this a 4/5. But I recommend going the physical book route as opposed to the audiobook. Barry narrates his own work here, which I typically love and almost exclusively seek out as I feel the author narrating their own work yields more enthusiasm for the product and thus a better listening experience. But Barry is one of those nasal, monotone speakers who also seems to have a tongue that’s sized slightly too big for the size of his mouth chamber. It was distracting from the story contents - but then maybe these wouldn’t be a real Sonnenfeld tales?
Some of the narration also, noticeably, seemed to have been done in numerous takes, and his tone feels jumbled. Which I find particularly annoying, specifically because Barry makes a big deal in this professional memoir of actors who are terrible at ADR during post production to resolve audio issues. Though I guess hypocrisy is part of the territory that comes with radical honesty, which Sonnenfeld certainly gives us here.
October 10, 2024
I’m familiar with Sonnenfeld mostly because of his appearances on Letterman. He and his stories were memorable. I have not read his other book, but this one fell into my lap when I needed something to listen to, and I was confident that it would be entertaining.
I was not wrong.
It did make me wonder how anything good ever comes out of Hollywood, since the only rule seems to be that the cleverest and most convincing liar wins. The directors are lying to the actors, the producers are lying to the directors, and the studios are lying to everyone all the time.
If you would enjoy behind-the-scenes stories about actors like Gene Hackman, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo, Kathy Bates, Will Smith, John Travolta, etc. you’ll like the book.
November 12, 2024
This was a really fun memoir to read! I wasn’t too familiar with Barry Sonnenfeld (but I realized I had seen a lot of his work over the years) when I started this book, but reading this felt like I was at dinner with an old friend who had so many great stories to tell.
His memories are entertaining and funny and yes, sometimes a little cringy (if that’s a word.) Yes, there are a lot of very recognizable names in this book, and Barry doesn’t sugar coat these stories, but they don’t feel malicious or purposefully hurtful (well ok maybe except for one person but I don’t blame him!)
I loved the opening about Schrödinger’s cat (no spoilers, but it all makes sense in the end. If you love memoirs or Hollywood stories, I would give this a read!
His memories are entertaining and funny and yes, sometimes a little cringy (if that’s a word.) Yes, there are a lot of very recognizable names in this book, and Barry doesn’t sugar coat these stories, but they don’t feel malicious or purposefully hurtful (well ok maybe except for one person but I don’t blame him!)
I loved the opening about Schrödinger’s cat (no spoilers, but it all makes sense in the end. If you love memoirs or Hollywood stories, I would give this a read!
October 12, 2024
A lot of interesting anecdotes about some of my favorite movies/shows (Raising Arizona, Addams Family, Addams Family Values, Pushing Daisies, A Series of Unfortunate Events 2017). You can tell Barry Sonnenfeld just has an enormous personality and not much of a filter. I appreciated that he wasn't nasty about his stories that were unflattering towards celebrities (Michael Jackson, John Travolta, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gene Hackman especially), just told them matter-of-factly as he remembers them occuring. He's had a very interesting career, almost directing Forrest Gump and Ali. If you enjoy Hollywood stories, technical filmmaking bits and sassy, dry humor you'll enjoy this one.
March 11, 2025
I listened to this and I wasn't sure if I liked ti at first, but I was listening to the audiobook version, and it got funnier. Sonnenfield started as a cinematographer and later became a director, working with many big names in Hollywood, including the Coen brothers. He also directed the Addams Family movies. Entertaining stories, and his interesting theory on sciatica (that it is a physical manifestation of pent up rage) made this a fun book to listen to. I must have a lot of pent up rage! I plan to listen to his earlier book too. If you enjoy behind the scenes Hollywood stories, this is your cup of tea.
October 13, 2024
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Barry Sonnenfeld prior to reading this book. I received the ARC and was intrigued. Barry is quite a quirky character! I could tell that, just from his eccentric style! He’s an engaging storyteller with a dry sense of humor!
The book is full of stories ranging from helping Meg Ryan hit her mark to breaking his hand punching Will Smith. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at making movies such as The Addams Family and Men in Black!
If you enjoy memoirs and have an interest in Hollywood, then I definitely recommend grabbing this book!
The book is full of stories ranging from helping Meg Ryan hit her mark to breaking his hand punching Will Smith. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at making movies such as The Addams Family and Men in Black!
If you enjoy memoirs and have an interest in Hollywood, then I definitely recommend grabbing this book!
March 6, 2025
I haven't read Sonnenfeld's first book, so I was worried I'd be lost in his narrative. This is 99% stories and anecdotes from his entire film career. Whether he's going over stories as a cinematographer for the Coen Brothers', dealing with difficulties directing and managing top Hollywood stars, or just development and studio tensions working on films like Get Shorty, the MIB trilogy or anything else, Sonnenfeld's writing made me laugh out loud. Like literally every chapter he described stories and wrote about events with such brilliant punchlines I was actually laughing in every chapter.
March 24, 2025
Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time is an interesting insider's look at Hollywood and the business of making movies. At points, it got bogged down in too much technical information. Some of that was interesting, but some was just too much.
Mr. Sonnenfeld isn't the finest writer, but non-fiction works like this often don't move like novels. Not that his writing is bad; it's just not page-turner stuff. Overall, the information was interesting, and I got a new appreciation for various jobs that go on behind the scenes of movies.
Mr. Sonnenfeld isn't the finest writer, but non-fiction works like this often don't move like novels. Not that his writing is bad; it's just not page-turner stuff. Overall, the information was interesting, and I got a new appreciation for various jobs that go on behind the scenes of movies.
December 17, 2024
This feels like an airport book in that you read it. You enjoy it you forget about it. It’s very antidotal where you can skip to the chapters that you find interesting such as if you wanna learn about his early work with the Cohens as their cinematographer or want more behind the scenes on the M.I.B movies. The stories of Michael Jackson were very funny and this book reinforces another book. I read about how frustrating it is to work with Randall Parks.
October 31, 2024
Feels like DLC to ‘Barry Sonnenfeld: Call your mother� in that its mostly anecdotes and fun set stories to go with his already written life story. I absolutely adore the neurotic, his work and his writing style. Knock off a star if you want but I rate this high as I want more of it. Much more.
LOVE YA, BA.
LOVE YA, BA.
November 3, 2024
I'm always highly entertained by 'stories from celebrity trenches' and this one did not disappoint! Barry Sonnenfeld knows how to tell a good story and those stories are even better when coming to you in his own voice. And now I'm going to listen to his previous entry from 2020 "Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother"
November 3, 2024
Barry Sonnenfeld Call Your Mother made me howl. And his latest, Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time was just what I needed.
Mainly a collection of his directing and producing tales (but thankfully not repeat stories from the first book), Barry knows how to spin a yarn. I prefer to listen and hear his words straight from his mouth as it makes it even funnier.
Mainly a collection of his directing and producing tales (but thankfully not repeat stories from the first book), Barry knows how to spin a yarn. I prefer to listen and hear his words straight from his mouth as it makes it even funnier.
January 2, 2025
Easily the best book I’ve read in a long time. It’s the kind you can pick up and put down, but I couldn’t wait to pick it up again. While Sonnenfeld doesn’t go scorched earth on actors and producers who have irritated or angered him, he does set many large brush fires when telling stories about dealing with them. A great read even if you don’t know some of the players involved.
September 13, 2024
This is a delightful,witty and thoroughly entertaining memoir by Barry Sonnenfeld his storytelling is as sharp and eccentric as his filmmaking filled with funny anecdotes and personal insights that keep you hooked
September 19, 2024
I thought this book had a lot of great stories in it. Getting a peek behind the scenes of movies and tv shows is awesome. I learned a lot about how movies are made and a few insights on some actors. Barry is pretty funny! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.
October 29, 2024
I can't determine if Sonnenfeld is just this good at penning his anecdotes, or if listened to a wonderful editor. This is one of the best memoirs I've read. Snappy, interesting and entertaining, just like my favorite Sonnenfeld movies!
November 22, 2024
Interesting stories but I listened to the audio version and his reading style is awful. I had heard him tell one of the stories on a talk show, and he was really interesting. But his reading of his own work was stilted and awkward.
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