If You Ask Me - by Libby Gelman-Waxner (Paperback)

About the Book

Siskel and Ebert may be the most influential, Leonard Maltin the most knowledgeable, but Libby Gelman-Waxner is the funniest film critic in America, as anyone who reads her outrageous columns in Premiere magazine knows. This wicked, witty, scathingly honest collection of her unique movie reviews dares to say what everyone else is thinking.

Book Synopsis

Hi. I'm Libby Gelman-Waxner, and I'm an assistant buyer in juniors' activewear. While I find my work both rewarding and creative, especially with the new knits coming in, I want more. And so I decided to become a film critic....

Move over, Siskel & Ebert. Watch out, Leonard Maltin. And just forget saving that aisle seat, Mr. Medved. Libby Gelman-Waxner has arrived -- in the critic's circle, that is -- and the silver screen may never be the same again. Witty, wicked, and scathingly honest -- If You Ask Me is a hilarious collection of her columns from Premiere magazine. Just listen to Libby on some recent films and film stars:

Prince of Tides -- "Barbra's only spontaneous moment in Prince of Tides comes when Nick tosses her a football and she screams 'My nails!'"

Diane Keaton -- "She's a pioneer; she takes that thing that hangs in the back of your closet, the thing that was too marked down to pass up, Diane takes that thing and she doesn't call Goodwill, she wraps it around her head a few times, pins on a Smurf brooch, and wins an Oscar...."

The Last of the Mohicans -- "Daniel Day-Lewis makes American actors look like giggly junior high school boys playing Nintendo during the prom; at one point, Madeleine asks Daniel what he is looking at, and he says, I'm looking at you, Miss, and let me tell you, the usher had to conk me with his flashlight to make me stop whimpering...."

Daryl Hannah -- "All men in America, my Josh included, they all want a date with Daryl Hannah. A girl like Daryl -- we're not talking about a Ph.D. in comparative literature; I think we're talking about hair in the eyes and not much in the way of lingerie...."

Review Quotes

"Libby Gelman-Waxner is a Goddess: she inspires terror and worship. I have known Libby for many years, and she approaches film criticism with all the reverence she holds for dessert. She is wise, witty and completely unethical -- what's not to like? I cannot say enough good things about this book, because she has my home number. If you love movies, if you love to laugh, if you'll believe anything, then this book is for you, if you ask me." -- Paul Rudnick

"Irreverent, Hilarious." -- Publishers Weekly

"Screamingly Funny." -- The Advocate