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
Incredibles a Best Picture candidate? Fun flick, but no shot at BP, it aint exactly Beauty and the Beast (Unless you’re referring to it in the Best Animated category). I’d say Beyond the Sea and the Woodsman are pretty ridiculous choices as well. And a few obvious runners missing, like Ray.
Martin, Incredibles was so good that it almost doesn’t even deserve to be included with the other best picture candidates. It wouldn’t be fair to the rest of them. Nothing can touch it. The script is amazing, the animation top notch and the voice work the best yet from Pixar.
You’re right – it isn’t Beauty and the Beast – it’s 10 times better.
You’re crazy, but I’d love what you’re smoking.
I think Collateral could make a surprise appearance, considering it did well at the box office and charted on every top 10 list given out by critics groups, AFI, NBR, BFCA, etc. If Golden Globe didn’t snub the film so horribly, I’d say there’s a good chance, but because of the stupid Globes, it’s only an underdog.
Other than that, I still think The Passion could get nominated, even if I’m ont predicting it right now.
It should be pointed out that The Aviator was NOT on 1,700 screens for all 3 days. If I’m not mistaken, it didn’t go wide until Saturday. That should be taken into account when evaluating this weekend’s take.
And to add to that last comment, inaccurately listing the number of screens for all 3 days would probably be affecting that per-screen-average as well.
Closer has no chance. Neither do The Woodsman and Beyond the Sea. In fact, I think The Day After Tomorrow will emerge last-minute to secure the dark horse/fifth slot position.
Just kidding. That film was horrendous.
The Incredibles was great fun, but I don’t think it was better than either of the Toy Story films. It will easily win Best Animated Film, but that’s about it, unless they give it a statue for its score. As we all know, the Academy voters have no idea what to choose if there’s not an obvious musical or John Williams choice on the ballot.
I would personally love it if Sideways won, not only because it’s wonderful, but because “Best Picture” has become far too synonymous with “big, epic film.” If Sideways AND Eternal Sunshine were nominated, it would be a better world indeed.
The Incredibles doesn’t stand a chance.
theres always a few surprises at the Oscars, but incredibles getting a nomination for BP is just gonna happen. Comedies have a hard enough time getting noms, let alone an animated one. I think the bookmakers had incredibles at 1500/1 and that sounds about right. I predict Aviator, Ray, Sideways, Million Dollar, and the (modest surprise) of Sunshine. Outside shots are movies like Kinsey, Rwanda, Closer, etc. which would also be moderate surprises. I think Passion even has a small shot, because its a kind of breakthrough film, but Incredibles? No fucking way.
oops “isn’t”, in case that wasnt already apparent
Phantom did good with 622 screens. It’s a lavish spectacle. The kind of movie that could sneak in for the 5th and final coveted slot.
I am sorry about the truth, but it is the truth:
The incredibles has a very, very weak third act compared to the brilliancy of the first one and the second one. And you just can´t have a bad third act in a movie. And it is definitly not better than Finding Nemo, toy story 1 and 2 and A Bugs Life (yes, I consider A Bugs Life better than the incredibles)
Yes, of course you’re right. A movie can’t have a bad third act…umm…Mystic River anyone? My second favorite film last year, perfect ending — if it had ended with Kevin Bacon asking Penn where their friend is — instead it became completely incomprehensible — MacBeth via the North End. What was that? But most of the film was great and was nominated even with that flaw. Plenty of films have lousy third acts and are praised — or NO third acts. That is the truth. Oh and the Oscars are about marketing as much as quality…that too.
my take on mystic river was the whole movie was one act with the “macbeth” thing taking it to another level for act 2 and beyond. where penn’s character finally realizes what he is meant to do. it takes his daughters dying and killing his childhood buddy for him to realize it. with a gentle nudge from his strong as hell wife.
I think Penn was better in 21 Grams. Mystic was too painful to watch. Not one happy moment until the end scene.
Shouldn’t House of Flying Daggers be considered a strong candidate for the last spot? (Presuming The Aviator, Sideways, Finding Neverland, and Million Dollar Baby are locks.)
The day a movie called “House of the Flying Daggers” is nominated for best picture is the day that I stop having sex with little children.
But Mom, you loved that movie when you took me to see it last week. Liar.
What does it say about the utility of the Oscars as a marketing tool that the only films likely to get BP nominations are ones that general audiences have no interest in seeing?
theres no accounting for taste. that much is obvious.
Being a part of the Pepper family must be a real joy. They all know their movies. The dinner discussions must be priceless.
Don’t mock my family. We have love for each other especially Poppa. He is our JM Barrie.
I’m being stalked by the whole darn family here. Help.
No, ye listen up, you here. Leave this fmaily alone, you hear. Peppers mom is a fine woman.
Is Uncle Goober Peppers new lawyer?
Glad I’ve finally found somthieng I agree with!