My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for an advance copy of this book by a veteran director of films, television and commercials that is as instructional, as it is funny about the reality of making movies in spite of all the people that seem to get in the way.

I have read a lot of memoirs, but I don't expect a lot out of them. Most are written to cash in on a moment of fame, to settle scores, or remind people hey over here, I'm still alive. Most are made up of moments from late night shows, with the paragraph breaks acting like a laugh track. Few make me change my mind on the person in question. I would have said Jessica Simpson is one of the rare few. This new book by Barry Sonnenfeld is another. I knew the man as a director of films, Get Shorty being one of my favorites, Men in Black being of and Wild, Wild West forgettable. However I never knew the length of his career, his highlights, and low times, the people who he respected, and the ones he really, really did not. Nor that he was such a great writer, as well as man with a clear vision for what should be on the screen, even if others kept muddling that vision. Plus he is a real raconteur. Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time: True Stories from a Career in Hollywood is a behind the scenes look at Sonnenfeld's career, with technical info, a bit of gossip, a collection of funny stories, and a lot of heart.

I am remiss as I have not read Sonnenfeld's first book, one I am going to have to change. This book isn't a biography like the first one, this is more a film school full of practical advice. The book begins on Sonnenfeld's first Independent movie with the Coen Brothers, Blood Simple that got him noticed, and taught him much. Sonnenfeld goes into the techniques and tricks for Raising Arizona, explaining how difficult shots were made, and a lot of good stories. Sonnenfeld describes how film reels are made, and how a lot of companies made a lot of money from a lot of studios, doing the least amount of work. The book follows his career as cinematographer for Danny DeVito, and Rob Reiner, which I had no idea, with again funny stories and technical secrets. Sonnenfeld was chosen to direct his first film The Addams Family, which opened up a whole new avenue of problems, studio interference, star behavior, and more, which again he shares.

The book is honest, almost never work in this town again honest. A rarity that one hardly sees. When even Steven Spielberg is afraid to ask Will Smith to reshoot a scene, one knows that honesty is not always the best policy. Or career planning. As I said earlier this is the film school education that is practical, necessary and more than useful. Sonnenfeld describes how to light scenes, but also how to light scenes so that actors think they are getting the light they deserve. How to deal with stars, producers, studios, marketers. Tell them what they want and do it your way. The book is funny, but does show a certain toxic feeling that permeates everything. Producers want to write, studio heads don't want conflict, unless they think they can win. And creativity is something frowned on. Sonnenfeld is a really good writer, and one not afraid to admit, yup I overreacted, yup I made a mistake, or even yup I messed up my career here. And yet he is the first to admit how lucky he is, in love, in family, friends and career. Again another rare thing to read in a book about Hollywood, that is actually real.

I would watch a show with Sonnenfeld just riffing on Hollywood, people, places, and himself. A really good storyteller who cares about what he does, others, and trying to be a good guy. The acknowledgments mention more books. I can not wait. I really enjoyed this book quite a bit, as a movie fan, a fan of movie making, and for reading about creative guy, who was lucky, but made his own luck cause he was that darn good.

Loved this book as I did his previous book(Barry Sonnenfeld Call Your Mother). Sonnenfeld tells the stories surrounding his work in Hollywood(director/cinematographer/producer) with candor (he calls out assholes) and is tough on himself at times. Plus his droll sense of humor is always engaging. His work on Addams Family and Men in Black is highlighted. Highly entertaining and easy to read this is highly recommended.

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.

I couldn't have loved this book any more. It's been awhile since I read an honest Hollywood book that gave you some dirt on celebrities. But not in a salacious way, it's all in the service of hilarious anecdotes. That's what this book is--short chapters, each one a funny story from a movie. This is such a perfect recipe for a fun book in my opinion. Again. it's not being negative just for the sack of bashing someone. No, it's more to give you a sense of how difficult/hilarious dealing with flawed people possessing enormous egos. Really, really fun. Sonnenfeld is hilarious and talented.

Netgalley provided me with a free e-galley of this book in return for an honest review.