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
Screw you man!
Just kidding. It does get a little tiresome having to scroll people’s quibbles to find some substance.
I agree 100%, but it’s easier said than done when the same people keep putting words into your mouth or flat-out make things up over and over again.
The following is a typical (albeit fictional) thread on this blog:
DAVE POLAND: I think each of the big releases this summer will top $100 million at the domestic box office.
BICYCLE BOB: yourr the man. you know yor stuf.
MARK: If Dave says it then who am I to disagree.
STELLA’S BOY: Dave, that’s good to hear. How many of this summer’s big releases have you actually seen so far?
BICYCLE BOB: typical stella. allways asking questons thatt have nothing too do with nothin g.
MARK: Typical liberal. Never has any of the facts, always looking for a handout from somebody.
STELLA’S BOY: Bob, please explain to me how my question had nothing to do with Dave’s statement. And Mark, what are you talking about? What does my question have to do with a handout? Why do you have to make stuff up about me and put words in my mouth all the time?
MARK: Your such a liar Stella. Next your going to start throwing insults at me, bob and chester. Go ahead Stella. We can’t wait.
STELLA’S BOY: Mark, what kind of nonsense is that? Who have I insulted? And why are you bringing Chester into this? He and I get along just fine now.
BICYCLE BOB: stellas girl, dont you ever get tiered of lying? even a lib like chester knows your a lyer. its always something with you. and i dont aprechiate you r insulting me now. itt hurts my feeelings.
STELLA’S BOY: What the hell are you guys talking about? Go ahead, show me one place where I lied or insulted anybody here.
MARK: Typical Stella. Can’t answer a straight question.
JOSH MASSEY: Stella, the basis of your whole question was ridiculous. How can you ask Dave if he’s seen the movies if you haven’t established that these films will even be visible to the human eye?
BICYCLE BOB: stella allways thinks flix can be watched. so dumb.
MARK: Liberals want everything handed to them.
STELLA’S BOY: HUH???
JOSH MASSEY: Yeah, like typing words in capital letters proves anything. Nazis, Nazis, Nazis! OK, conversation over.
Look, the nature of the internet is that it turns otherwise sane people into assholes, because you don’t have to take responsibility for your words the way you do when you’re talking to another person face-to-face. The internet offers a way of communicating unlike any other that humans have ever experienced: anonymous, faceless, free of responsibility. So we’re all growing into it, and that’s why most of us sound like bratty children.
Internet boards like this also seem to be a forum for the expression of one’s seemingly-irrelevant agenda, which is why so many of us start talking politics at a moment’s notice. You simply wouldn’t do that in normal conversation. (I wish sides like this had Slashdot-like threaded conversations, to minimize the distractions. But here I am now, talking about my own irrelevant agenda.)
You know, I can imagine even Stella’s Boy and Terence D being downright civil to each other, if they met in the street. But this isn’t the street. So up yours, everybody.
Chester: That was so funny, I laughed until Diet Coke squirted out of my nose.
Thanks a lot, Joe. But what’s up with all of the expelled bodily fluids today?
That’s a tall order. Can I have one, too? With one of those little umbrella things if you have them.
Chester that was pretty funny.
I love that Chester. Laughed my ass off. Good stuff.
Pretty funny, Chester. Don’t know why you didn’t include yourself, but pretty funny. And I’m honored to be noticed.
Oh no! Some anonymous person from a supposed isolated island doesn’t like us bitching and moaning!! I feel fully perspectiv-ed now.
If I don’t vent my annoyance out on people on the internet who else am I going to vent it to?
I thought that’s what the internet was all about?
Chester, if you did not say dumb things, no one would say a word to you. But if you are going to express an opinion that others disagree with, you better be able to back it up instead of crying.
I thought thats what we were doing here? This is a blog and sometimes personal views are going to conflict with anothers and Dave gives us the forum to talk it out and discuss it. Which is a great thing. I think we should all say a nice thank you to Mr Poland for giving us the opportunity to discuss movies, the industry and anything else that comes off our heads.
i would write a nice rant about all the dumb and insane stuff the chest man has written. but even i am not that creative. thankfully for all of us he is creative enough with his dumb theories on daily basis. thats why i keep coming back. in order to hear what stupid thing chest is going on about and how much stella will defend him. as long as its liberal enough.
i feed my people
well you see now, that was uncalled for.
I don’t think anyone puts words in Stella’s Boys mouth or Chester mouth or Bicycle Bobs mouth or anyones. It is right there in black or white. But I do get a kick out of being called a liar when I do call someone to task for their views that are right here in black and white. That everyone can easily see.
If you can’t take the heat, then don’t post your views on things. It is just really that simple. I have seen most discussions here and most of them proceed pretty maturely. But if you can’t take it or it offends you then don’t respond with your views.
Wow, this will never stop will it. Terence, let’s see if we can put an end to this. I have no problem backing up what I say around here. What I do have a problem with is people putting words into my mouth, or flat-out making something up, which does happen. When certain people claimed that I repeatedly defended Chester’s statement, that was a lie. When I asked for proof, not a single person provided any. You know why? Because it wasn’t true. Do you like people putting words into your mouth? I am going to guess that you don’t. No one does. I don’t think it is unreasonable to object to that. Attack what I actually say all you want. Just don’t put words into my mouth. I really don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Now, I really hope we can move on and start arguing about movies again.
stella just when u say something, admit what u said. no lies and its all good. i don’t care what ur personal views are just that u be honest about it. whats so hard about that?
I have not put one word into your Stella’s Boy. I just take it right from the page where you post. How is that putting words into your mouth? If you don’t want to own up to what you say, there is not much I or anyone else here can do. But the whining is a little childish if you ask me.
Why can’t you just shut up and talk movies or whatever instead of crying like a baby that someone puts words in your mouth? Do you want me to get you that bottle or you want a pacifier?
Bob, Terence and Joe: The Three Stooges for the New Millennium. Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck!
thats not nice joe. anyone that doesn’t agree with u gets slammed? i thought u were better than that. does that make stella, shemp?
Bob: I love you Righties. You toss around insult after insult, then cluck cluck like some wizened librarian (1) when they get a SMALL taste of what they dish out. Now I guess I’ll be hearing from your Droogs, too.
(1) That’s someone who works in a library. You know, that place where you never spent any time while you were in school.
whos insulted anyone? i just expect u if u make a statement to properly be prepared to answer for it. stella doesn’t seem to agree with that but hey theres nothing i can do with it. i’m not really about insults. i’m about ideas and views. the problem for liberals is there views have no depth. so they resort to personal insults. like u guys calling me “dumb” or “gay”. i thought u were the include everyone group? guess not
bob, you constantly insult people around here. You have used the word idiot, or a variation of it, numerous times. I have yet to see these ideas and views, unless you count name-calling. I agree with you 100% that if you make a statement, you need to answer for it. But what about when you don’t make a statement, and then people falsely accuse you of making it anyway? What then bob?
Joe Leydon, you are missing the point. Its not about being a Righty or a Lefty. it is about taking responsibility for what you say and defending your point and your issue when you are called out on it. If someone like Stella’s Boy is going to make blanket statements, I will call him out on it. If someone like Chester continues to make outlandish comments, I will step up and say something about it. I will not hide. I don’t hurl insults at anyone but all the responses directed at me seem to try to insult me. It is too bad I can’t be insulted. Just to let you know. I have kids. Teenagers. I can deal with anything especially what a Liberal throws out at me.
Terence, when I make a blanket statement, you should call me out. I have no problem with that. Blanket statements are bad. But I did not make a blanket statement regarding the whole liberal vs. conservative art debate.
I am really flabbergasted, yes I used that word, to hear Stella’s Boy go on and on about this. Drop it already. I have been coming here for a few weeks. And all I have seen from you is personal slams and attacks. I could really care less if you’re a Liberal or a Conservative or an Alien from Mars. Have you even commented on a movie? I looked back at the last few posts and not once have you even mentioned a movie. Never. Can you lay low with the insults and the name calling to get back to why I guess you come to this site? It’s not hard.
joefitz, you are extremely misguided here. Why you single me out in all of this is a true mystery. I am not the one throwing out insults and personal attacks. Why do you feel the need to make things up? Can you please lay low with that? It’s not hard. Drop it already.
Why does anyone on the Left have to insult anyone that does not agree with their views? Does losing so much make people this angry? For speaking up am I going to be named a Stooge? I don’t think there are any female Stooges. Not unless you count Rosie O’Donnell. Sigh.
Actually, I know all about libraries, because that’s where I spent MY college days avoiding the draft. Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck.
I single you out because you are one of the few people who keeps trying to bash others here for their personal views. You call everyone that doesn’t agree with your (yes, misguided) thoughts a dummy. And usually worse. Can you just layoff the personal insults? I’m sure you are more clever than to have to resort to the typical “your gay” lines you have been throwing out there. I thought all Liberals were great artists/comedians/writers?
u can’t talk much sense to some of these guys. they have so much furious anger over always being second best, it doesn’t matter how much u reason with them. nothing gets thru. but its always nice to be called a dummy or stupid or gay or whatever else they come up with. its a badge of honor
Now we are getting somewhere. I knew it would take the lady to straighten out these wild and unruly boys. Now kiss and makeup.
OK Bob, you know the drill: No tongue. And just a brief man-hug.
Hand shakes all around. Kissing is for date number two.
Terence: Well, all right. But you better not use that frickin’ hand buzzer again!
Brothers don’t shake hands. Brothers hug.
3 people gave the last few comments a negative review on Rotten Tomatoes. So it must be the worst ever.
The line’s “Brothers gotta’ hug!” if you’re referring to Tommy Boy, Fitz. Not trying to be condescending. It’s just one of those weird random lines I have burned into my mind when I can’t even remember the best lines of movies I’ve seen over 10 ten times.
Random observation: There’s an odd surplus of Joes around here.
I feel like Rob Lowe right now. With Bo Derek as my mother.
“Hug it out!” (c. Entourage, 2004)
On a different tangent, how bad an actor is the guy who plays Eric on Entourage? They couldn’t find any guy between 25-30 who had some actual chops? When he makes Jeremy Piven look like DeNiro, we’re in big trouble. Piven is solid but he shouldn’t be blowing anyone off the screen. He’s the key to the show too since Turtle and Drama are the comic relief and have nowhere to go. Just my little tv pet peeve.
I just bought the first season this week and have watched three episodes thus far. I enjoy it. Nothing exceptional, but pretty damn entertaining.
Just a bunch of guys named Joe, eh?