It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
Wow, I didn’t think any schedule was too pressing to skip face time w/ Natalie Portman. Just caught her on Lipton’s Actors Studio, and while any episode following the Jennifer Lopez installment would seem fantastic, N.P. really floored me with her insight and comments about the industry. Actors who try to “get real” and speak their minds are often viewed as pretentious (especially when sharing a stage with someone like Lipton), but Portman is so down to earth and even dorky at times that it read completely authentic. Perhaps with Closer (coming after another against-type perf in Garden State) people will forgive her for appearances in the Star Wars prequels (which she was underdirected in, but not nearly as bad as people seem to think), and give her credit for being the instinctive and gifted actress she’s always been.
I think Portman is a great actress. I’m trying to forgive her for Garden State, possibly the most overrated movie of the year. Zach Braff has to get some of the blame though.
whats wrong with garden state? solid little flick. u weren’t expecting casablanca were u?
I have already been scolded for getting off-topic in another thread. But I’d be happy to discuss my dislike of Garden State with you. Send me an email.
Interesting that you say that about Portman in the Star Wars prequels, Neal– I agree. I just had Episode I on my TV last night as I did stuff around the house (I am a fan; I’ve seen both prequels many times, and like them more than most people, I guess), and while almost all of the actors are definitely underdirected, I’m really puzzled by the negative attention Portman received. I think she’s very sweet in both. She and McGregor are the most likable characters, and not just ’cause they’re both lookers.
More importantly, I just fully realized this last night: Everyone got on Portman’s case about her stiff “queen voice” that she uses when she’s in makeup in Ep1… only it’s hardly ever Portman in those scenes; it’s Kiera (Keira?) Knightley, who played the “double” of the queen!
When I first saw the film I, like many others, assumed that Lucas, FX-obsessed as he is, just did a really good job of computer-doubling Portman (since the two actresses have a resemblance, especially with makeup). The “news” that it was Knightley floated around when Knightley gained a higher profile, but I never used this info to put two and two together: The most maligned element of Portman’s performance wasn’t her at all (ironically, before this summer of Garden State/King Arthur, Knightley was a probably a “hotter” commodity than Portman).
I know there are those who would say she’s wooden throughout both films regardless, but I really liked her in both of them.
If Closer cements Portman’s reputation as a solid, mature dramatic actress (and yes, her bit part in Cold Mountain was good too), then I’m happy. I was frustrated with her in Garden State because she was toooooo cutesy.
i just don’t see the problem with garden state. not like she had to carry the movie. i basically agree with dave. they needed another lead actor instead of zach b. but i thought portman hasn’t been that good since beautful girls
Since I do know Natalie I can say her appearance on the Lipton show was real good. I can also say her choice of roles seem to be getting better too. She is the go to girl under 30 if you really want a good acting performance and not a just some hot girl.
I don’t think she’s much of an actress, but I don’t think she’s really been pushed yet. Maybe she finally breaks out in Closer. I thought Garden State was pretty lame, even for a first-timer.
Portman does everything way too cute leaving me to
wonder how in the hell she can pull off a mature
performance, ever. She can PLAY mature, but she’s
still way too cutesy in my mind to make it affective.
Thus the reason why this film would be a better film
if Nichols would have hired Keira Knightley.
Knightley should not only be a bigger star, but has
been playing mature while Natalie kept on acting
cutesy. People can give Lucas crap for picking
Jake Lloyd on they want, but they really screwed
up by casting Portman over Keira. Thus the reason
Padme, figure it out.
I hope Closer does not suck. It just seems like
another life-affirming film for people who are so
constipated by love, that they need a release some
how in film form. Not my cup of tea, but I guess
I am too cutesy as well.
But as I mentioned above, Keira is the most wooden actor in that movie!
Regarding Portman’s “queen voice,” she revealed on “Inside the Actor’s Studio” that it was digitally altered in post-production.
I know how knowledgable you are about these things, but just thought I’d give you a friendly reminder anyway. Clint Eastwood has been nominated for Best Actor once before, for Unforgiven in 1992. This will be his second nomination as Best Actor for Million $ Baby. Might want to clear that up in your predix.
Clint is a Champ.
how he didn’t get the award for dirty harry warrants an investigation
Natalie portman might not be a terrific actress,but she is better than keira though. As a matter of fact natalie portman after scarlett johanson is probably the best young actress nowadays. Ohh! and after dunst too.
M$B looks great, and i have no doubt it will be oscar nominated for best movie, director, actor, actress, and adapted screenplay. And it might win the all.
Dunst in Bring it On makes your top five actresses under 25 list?