Antonia Quirke "Three Seconds from Being Very Famous"

Mick Lasalle, Film Critic for The San Francisco Chronicle, blogs about getting an early version of Choking on Marlon Brando by Overlook's beloved film-lover Antonia Quirke.

She's very, very good. She approaches modern actors with the obsessiveness and thoroughness with which film critics used to rhapsodize about golden age stars such as Greta Garbo. She writes brilliantly and appreciatively about people such as Kevin Costner and Matt Damon -- some of the best stuff ever written about either of these guys -- and her explanation of Keanu Reeves' appeal, including why Reeves is better than Johnny Depp (though she likes him,too), is spot-on. (Reeves is better than Depp.)

Quirke is a gifted describer and observer, a genuine and intelligent talent, and a welcome new voice. She's about three seconds from becoming very famous.

Which gives us an opportunity to change our blog poll. Is Keanu a better actor than Johnny Depp? Vote on our side bar. The Winner gets the Overlook Press Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting. Let your voice be heard!

Choking on Marlon Brando shows up in stores this July!