April 19, 2024
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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
Being the rather crude individuals I can sometimes
be. I would go with MaddaFUCKINGSUCKSsgar. Again,
crude. I like Maddiasaster. It has a catchiness
to it.
I assume David has seen it… I assume L&DB has not.
But, still, the first one.
No, I have not seen Madagascar. Just going for a
rather crude tag line. This weekend should be called
“CHRIS ROCK GONE TERRIBLY BAD, TWICE!”
Too bad. I thought the trailers looked cute, so sue me. But then, since most critics have panned several of my most beloved movies…
Whats wrong with it? I thought the film looked rather quirky for it’s target market, especially those wacky penguims. So…. I’m a a sucker, slap me one, why don’t ya? At least that tells you the power of a smart trailer…. That baby is going to open…BIG….BIG….I TELL’S YA! It dosn’t matter if the film is a big smiling vat of rubber cgi vomit…the point is – tis the opening weekend that will greenlight it’s inevitable sequel.
disaster is more clever
Seems like there is no in between with Animation films. Either real good or really bad.
With this flick, quality doesn’t matter. I teach first grade, and the kids have been going absolutely insane about this movie for over a month now. I took advantage of it, and did a unit on the real Madagascar – even though they’re seven, they ate it up.
Josh Massey, Stealth Teacher. I like it.
I thought women taught first grade? You learn stuff here on this blog.
If it ain’t Pixar, it ain’t shit. When will they learn? Every Pixar animated film has been terrific. And, with the exception of the Scrat scenes in “Ice Age,” every NON-Pixar animated film has been a fast-dating, easy-targeting, passionless blah. (I’m looking at you, “Shrek 1 and 2”)
Yancy you are so wrong
Your opinions sure ain’t strong
Shreks were good and not too long
Incredibles were such a yawn
Eat shit Yancy and die.
I am Spam Dooley and I feed my people!
How can anyone out there bad mouth Shrek?
Spam Dooley, Stealth Poet. I like it.
I would never blame anyone for liking the Shrek movies, but personally I didn’t care for either of them. And I thought The Incredibles was one of the two best movies of last year.
And I think it should be possible to post about liking a movie without using the word “shit”.
I have new-found respect for Shrek ever since seeing Shrek 2 early this year.
I was never a big fan on Shrek but it was pleasant enough, I just didn’t like it’s weird mixed messages and annoying pop-culture references. But then I saw Shrek 2 and holy hell, that was a pile of shit.
I personally don’t like watching a constant tyrade of movie references (especially when the movies have either been spoofed to death or are just out of the time period for spoofing). Like, I don’t really get how the Mission Impossible bit was remotely funny to adults OR children. Adults have seen it all before and children… well, I doubt they have seen Mission Impossible!
It was just really bad to watch. The only good bits were Antonio. And that brings me to another thing that was a big problem for Shrek 2 – the voice cast. Dreamworks needs to realise that just because an actor is a big star, does NOT ultimately mean they can voice an animated character. See essentially all of the supporting characters in Shrek 2 as well Cameron Diaz.
That’s just one of the reasons Pixar continue to excel. Do you think Albert Brooks or the dude from The District are gonna get audiences in? No, but their voices work. Dreamworks seems to be all about the voices! And Ben Stiller does not sound right in Madagascar, but luckily the others do.
How anyone could call The Incredibles a yawn is beyond me…
Three bad things about Shrek:
1) A bigger franchise than SPIDER-MAN!
2) THERE ARE TWO MORE FILMS COMING! One character
might be voiced by Justin Timberlake.
3) Way too pop-culture referential in each installment.
Which dates them very badly.
I always thought that title wasn’t that great, American kids aren’t really up on their geography.
Because its successful its bad or you just trying to be funny? The problem for me is you’re not that comical. Even a tiny bit.
shreks a classic. not really more u can say unless u hate success and mike myers.
I like Shrek a lot, but if someone doesn’t, I’m sure their reasons have absolutely nothing to do with hating success and Mike Myers. Shrek 2, however, is a piece of crap.
Um, the character of Shrek is the very definition of useless.
I though Shrek was one-in-the-eye for Disney and their sentimentality? What’s with all the “Shrek learns a lesson” stuff. Awful.
If I see that stupid green face look sad ever again I will destroy cinema. All cinema.
IM not funny Terence? Funny I am. A stick in your
ass. You, must, have.
Chuckle? Hmm?
You are amusing when you speak kindly on the Cubs L&DB.
Can’t get excited about Madagascar for some reason.
Lota
The point of this thread is that NO ONE should get excited about this movie.
Shrek is not as good as any Pixar movie, except maybe the Incredibles.
The Incredibles last act was as bad as any episode of the three superhero little twin sisters on cartoon network.
They are not called twins if they are three, but what the hell!
Mex: Picky, picky, picky.
You’re talking about Powerpuff Girls, which is not the best show ever but it isn’t bad either.
And what didn’t you like about the last act of Incredibles? Too much resolution? I think Incredibles is better than any Pixar movie after the Toy Storys.
The Incredibles is better than anything Pixar has given us so far.
“The Incredibles” is better than “Revenge of the Sith”.
At first, THE INCREDIBLES seemed to me as one of the most original movies of the year. The characters were truly realistic and very appealing to me, anyone could identify with them.
It was both technological and artistically amazing, and even though the not well made ocean took me out of the movie for a while, it was not hard to get back in.
What I think is the problem with THE INCREDIBLES, is the same one as that in SPIDERMAN 2:
Both have great character development and great dialogue, but neither the CLIMAX nor the VILLAIN fully delivered as the rest of the movie did.
At the end of the day I went to see those movies to be entertained, if I wanted character development they wouldn’t have been some of my options. And I was a bit dissapointed, specially with the smallest of the children who turned out to have great superpowers and with the death of Syndrome.
Cheap, cheap, cheap.
“Cheap”? Except for maybe the ocean, none of the problems you mentioned had anything to do with stinginess.
I guess Dave really hates, hates, hates this movie?
I hope it’s good. I know the psychotic penguins are going to be the best part, but the early reviews have been lukewarm at best. James Berardinelli gave it a pan on his site.
Oh yeah, my vote would go for the first title. 🙂
I like Shrek a lot, but if someone doesn’t, I’m sure their reasons have absolutely nothing to do with hating success and Mike Myers. Shrek 2, however, is a piece of crap.”
Stella and I agree. I love it when magical stuff happens.
“Because its successful its bad or you just trying to be funny? The problem for me is you’re not that comical. Even a tiny bit.”
I don’t hate Shrek 2 because it’s successful (hello! I’m the guy defending Titanic a few threads back!!), nor am I trying to be funny in my hate of Shrek 2. I just merely do not like it for all the reasons I stated above and more. And I plenty of comedies. Just not Shrek 2.
and I like Mike Myers in Austin Powers but he’s not generally my cup of tea, but this isn’t a Mike Myers movie.
And I said that I didn’t particularly like Shrek it was pleasant enough. I’d rather watch that than Shrek 2! The main problem with Shrek is Dreamwork’s nasty and mean-spiritedness.
Lota, you do know you route for a second place team
right? They will never matter as much as the Yankees
do in the NYC. Of course, the CUBS, even when they
lose, matter more than the White Sox ever could. You
keep on routing second place. It becomes you.
Terence, oy.
While I love the Incredibles, I have it on DVD, but
I have no need to rewatch it. Reason being it’s one
of the coldest animated movies ever. It lacks any
of the emotional resonance of any other Pixar film
or short. It’s just the Michael Bay equivalent of
a Pixar Film. A lot of flash, but not that much
heart. Luckily the Fantastic Four trailer had more
heart and humour in it’s 2 minutes than The Incredibles
did when Ida was not on the screen. If it’s better
of Revenge of the Sith. Someone should go watch
Sideways again, and get an affirmation.
I politely disagree, because I felt more attachment to Mr. Incredible than I did with any other Pixar character after Woody and Buzz. Do you really feel that connected with the Dave Foley ant in Bug’s Life?
Apparently Im the guy from BRANDED around here. Yet
I do really like Bug’s Life. I like Finding Nemo
much more than The Incredibles. The Incredibles
just left me feeling very empty. The kids and Helen
are the best thing about the film, but they show
up as MAIN CHARACTERS way too late to save the film
for me.
I even like Jesse from Toy Story 2 more than any
one character in The Incredibles. Im not stating
The Incredibles ranks right up there as a one of
the worst films ever. I can see it as a good flick,
but it overall just does not work for me.
bugs life was terrible. u killed ur argument right there
Toy Story 2 better than The Incredibles? I may not be a huge fan of the genre but The Incredibles was a fantastic movie and Toy Sotry 2 should have been direct to video. My kids wouldn’t even sit through it.
Riiight.
I’ll believe that little ditty any day of the week Terrance.
That gave me a good hearty laugh Terrance, keep it up.
You can see the smiles on the faces of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks when they realized they were getting paid for the crap that is Toy Story 2.
Camel, are you trying to say that The Incredibles wasn’t a good movie?
I could identify more with the ant from a bug’s life than with Mr. Incredible.
All of Pixar characters have dillemas we’ve all had or can identify with, except for Mr. Incredible.
And I do think A BUG’S LIFE is a better movie, or at least it has a better villain and more original characters.
wait mex. u can’t identify with a super hero??? jesus. who can! thats why they’re movies!
I actually think Toy Story 2 is better than the original. Bug’s Life I thought was a much more typical Disney movie. It was very cute and very simplistic. Although it did borrow its plot from one of the greatest movies ever made: Three Amigos.
They killed the Invisible Man?
Well,no. I can’t identify with Mr. Incredible even though he is a super hero…
I wonder if you identify with Elektra or daredevil, because they are super heroes too!
The whole point and appeal of The Incredibles was that they had ordinary problems blown up into super-hero proportions. That’s why, I think, the movie was successful.
“Badagascar” is the better title.
Having said that (going off topic) why do people believe that “The Longest Yard” is going to be such a big hit? A guy movie yes, but funny enough for repeat viewings?
Well maybe the ESPN hype machine has something to do with it.
Mex, you have some issues if you are really trying to advance the thought that no one should identify with super heroes because they’re super and you’re an ordinary human. The thing about super heroes or at least the good ones is that they have human qualities that make you identify with them. Spiderman is a nerdy kid. Superman is insecure and unsure of himself. Batman wants revenge. If you can’t see those things you should stick to documentary’s.
I identify with spiderman and the x-men and many others, but not to some like daredevil and Mr. incredible.
If you can identify with all of the superheroes, good for you.
In your definition, only blind people can relate to Daredevil so we shouldn’t care? Can you relate to Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon? Do you only like movies where you can relate to the main character?
Let me get this straight; Toy Story 2 is a “piece of
crap?” Now that’s a human hurt right there people.
Human hurt. That might be the biggest bunch of
bullshit I have ever read on this blog. Even back
to old blog days where it was just me, Stella, Bob,
Mark, and some guy that got harassed. Poor “got
harassed” guy.
I will go even further to state that Monsters Inc
and Finding Nemo are far and away better movies than
The Incredibles. Hell. The Iron Giant has more
heart and resonates than The Incredibles ever will.
Much like Shrek’s Oscar, The Incredibles winning
the Oscar, is the wrong Pixar film to get an Oscar.
Easily. Pixar has put out much better work.
And who does not like to identify with main characters?
Isnt that the point of films that matter? That you
see a part or all of yourself in the characters?
If it’s not like that, then someone might not be
paying attention to the thematic thread of filmmaking.
No Terance I was laughing at your statement about Toy Story 2 being awful and your statement that even your kids didn’t remotely enjoy it.
You wondered what I was watching when I said Shrek 2 was awful, i really have to wonder what you’re smoking when you watched Toy Story 2. It is a brilliant kids movie, better than the first with better animation, writing and supporting characters and hilarious.
And if your kids don’t even like it then, well, I just don’t believe that.
I dont even think it’s a kids movie. It’s just
a better movie than the first. To the rest that
Camel posted; WORD.
lets be real. the iron giant isnt even in the same league as the incredibles
I prefer Toy Story 1 to the sequel. Better story.
Mark, you are not getting my point, but I don’t really care.
Anyway, The Iron Giant IS better than the Incredibles.
The Iron Giant does not hold a candle to The Incredibles. Considering it beat out the iron Giant by over 200 million dollars, I think the public agrees. The Incredibles is just a much more entertaining and better quality film.
The Iron Giant was the equivalent to an animated indie film compared to all the publicity of The Incredibles, not counting that it is not computer animated film which is now a more lucrant buisness.
And it was the last really good drown movie made in the U.S.
An animated indie film that wasn’t any good. Kinda like every movie to come out of Sundance.
really theres nothing worse than a bad animated film
You have to be drinking some serious Red Bull chasers.
If you think Toy Story has a better story than
Toy Story 2. Only on this blog, would a common
and accepted idea, be thrashed upon. Utter silliness
all around.
Also, slagging the Iron Giant, just makes you look
foolish. Again, one of the better Animated films
ever. It comes down to HEART. Something the
Incredibles just does not have. Just ridiculous
statements all around on this one.
No Bob, nothing compares to a bad Freddie Prince
Jr film. Not even a bad animated feature could
suck that bad! Well, maybe an Amanda Peet film.