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
If Michael Bay is doing Transformers next, then I really hope it’s true that Island isbetter than his past movies. Yes, I am a huge geek.
I hated Thirteen, so I don’t expect much from Dogtown.
Dude I dislike Thirteen as well. Yet, as a devoted
fan of Dogtown and Z-boys. I am curious to see this
film as not only a comparison to the doc. But to
see how Peralta’s writing of the story has been
transfered to the screen. I also love how Tony
Alma did all of this marketing and what not. Though
seemingly has been forgotten and just skates a pool
all-day.
Bats seems like a really good Batman Animated Series
two parter. You cant be that with a bat.
Broken Flowers seems interesting. Even though it’s
a Summer film I will probably see in September. Accursed
Limited-Releasing.
Now, loving Seabiscuit as I did (that film you just
cant rewatch. It’s not a good kick to the balls.
No, Im not your momma. I wont explain that.) and
remembering Poland’s slight dislike of it. So
Poland, do you like CM more than The Biscuit or
even less? Because when CM gets an Oscor Nom. I
hope you are not shocked like that time the film
with the horse got nominated for best picture as
well.
The Island…seems like that Logan’s Run remake people
have been wanting to make for a while. Yet never
got around to make it. That flick does look absolutely
stunning and might be the best flick ever to come
FROM THE INSPIRED MIND OF MICHAEL BAY!
Speaking of rewatchability, I am very ashamed to say I stop every time I see “Bad Boys II” on cable. I mean, it is a horrible, terrible movie – but I can’t get enough of it.
Damn you, Michael Bay!
the commercials for dogtown have so turned me off i don’t even care how good it is. refuse to see it
The Island actually looks entertaining. And Bay knows how to direct big action movies. He may not care about characters but he knows how to move a story along.
I didn’t liked Seabiscuit at all, and just the thought of it getting nominated for best picture makes me laugh of how stupid the oscars can get.
And I am not a fan of Ron Howard who seems to do all of the movies by the numbers.
He is going to make DA VINCI CODE mediocre, but I like Crowe a lot so I am expecting to see CM.
Ah, The Island. Michael Bay directing a quasi-remake of a film featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000. Sounds like some goofy fun, but do I really want to waste 10 bucks to find out?
The advance word on Cinderella Man has been great. Already talking Oscars. Crowe knows how to pick a role.
I’m going to pass on the Island, I’m sure it will be on cable daily in a few months. Lords of Dogtown I’m with L&DB the documentary was fasinating so I want to see how the semi-fictional version compares. Batman looks good.
Okay now no hitting the film I’m waiting to see is the Dukes of Hazzard, I have a weakness for real car chase films Gone in Sixty Seconds the original, Vanishing Point, Gumball Rally, and Dirty Mary Crazy Larry films that only seem to exist for the car chase and Dukes was filmed without the aid of stupid CGI I don’t care about the story, I really don’t care about Jessica Simpson. The trailer seems to show that it’s finally a good car chase movie, unless of course they crammed all the cars stuff in the trailer and then I’m skrewed.
I’ve read mixed reviews for Cinderella Man. I don’t think it will be an Oscar contender. Just a hunch. And Michael Bay is one of the worst directors alive. He has no idea how to tell a story. He just beats you over the head for two hours with insanely loud music and manic editing. That does not represent strong storytelling in my book.
If you don’t think Cinderella Man will be in the running come Oscar time, you don’t know the Oscars. Crowe. Zellweger. Howard. Grazer. A great, timeless story. Action. Drama. It has it all and no I am not working for Imagine.
As far as The Island’s screening…I remember when Poland and Wells saw the first 30 minutes of “The Patriot” and both felt very strongly about it. Because the first thirty minutes of that movie are okay. “The Patriot”, for my money, is one of the worst movies I’ve seen in my lifetime (granted I’m not that old) I HATE THAT FILM. But the first 30 minutes sure did wow some industry types way back when and got them talking…
A friend of mine saw “The Island” he says the beginning and concept are great, but the last hour of the movie is one long chase sequence and gets kind of boring.
the patriot is a terrible film. i’m intrigued by the island. fun, nonthinking action flick. why not
joefitz, I certainly don’t need an Oscar lesson from you. I’m sure it will get respectable reviews and do well at the box office. But I don’t sense a lot of Oscar buzz around it, regardless of who made it and who’s in it. Plus, the release date is really early. A month or so earlier than Seabiscuit’s isn’t it? Right now I don’t see it as a strong Oscar contender. I’m I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to say so. And The Patriot is spectacularly awful.
A lot of people said the same thing about “Gladiator”…release is too early…made too much money… but that ended up winning. And everyone said the same thing about Seabiscuit, which won zero Oscars. So what are you going to believe?
I think what’s killing Cinderella Man is the genre. We are ALL sick of “inspirational sports movies”. Is it getting good reviews because Crowe gets paralyzed in the end or because he wins the fight?
Thirteen wasn’t great but what a showcase for Evan Rachel Wood. I will definately see Dogtown.
Based on its first 30 minutes The Patriot could have been good, but instead it turned out to be awful.
Anyway, Cinderella Man will probably be an Oscar contender BECAUSE of how generic and bland it’s likely to be. It has all the ingredients for an Oscar movie and it’ll probably have just enough of the appearance of quality to make people think they should vote for it.
Calling Cinderella Man generic and bland is a totally off base assumption. You are going to be really surprised when you do see it. I think you can pencil it in right now for a best picture slot, best actor and best supporting actor.
It’s an assumption based on the fact that The Missing, EdTV, and Ransom were bland, A Beautiful Mind was goofy, and let’s not even get into Grinch. The last time I liked a Ron Howard movie was Apollo 13. If CM is good I’ll be happy but I have low expectations.
Have you seen it?
I’m with you jeff. The words “A Ron Howard Picture” do nothing for me. I immediately assume that I’m going to get a very respectable, safe and bland film. A Beautiful Mind is so ridiculously overrated.
Welcome to a discussion of movies you’ve actually seen.
Just couldn’t resist taking a shot hey? Can’t let it go (even though I did last weekend)?
sorry
Apology accepted. I’m just really hoping all that other crap is over with.
You thought The Missing was bland? I liked it. Borrowed heavily from many other movies, sure, and had a few bizarre, if not ridiculous, plot twists. Not too mention pretty violent. But I wouldn’t say it was bland.
Ron’s name has been attached to a lot of bad things. But I must come clean, Parenthood is one of my all time favorites. Sure it is in generic territory. But, man I love that movie. And the man produces “Arrested Development”, cut him some slack.
That’s true. He must have an excellent sense of humor.
Yes, all is forgiven by Arrested Development.
But Stella: You did do those pages in the “Sith” coloring book like your promised, right?
Oh, of course Joe. They are hanging up on my fridge. I stayed in the lines and everything.
This sentence from Variety’s weekend box-office prediction story really stood out for me:
While “Sith” has done big biz among young men, its strongest quadrant has actually been men over 25.
Geez. Who knew?
And those guys rather sad looking girlfriends.
Poor sad-looking girlfriends.
“the commercials for dogtown have so turned me off i don’t even care how good it is. refuse to see it”
God, that’s a stupid thing to say.
Cinderella Man might be the Cold Mountain of this year. Some acting and tech nods but just miss out on the big one. Seabiscuit didn’t deserve that Best Picture shot but it did deserve some of it’s technical noms like cinematography and such.
And, I’m interested in The Island because it stars Ewan and Scarlett – surely it must be a bit different to Bad Boys II.
Haha you think they have girlfriends?
Anything, and I mean anything, is better than Bad Boys II. 10 successive kicks to the groin. Getting shot in the face. Anything.
for a guy who refuses to see a star wars film, u see bad boys and bad boys 2? now i really think ur full of it
Stella’s Boy shows us his true colors. He’d rather see a dumb action movie directed by Michael Bay than a good film. It’s good that hes not ashamed of this.
Terence, aren’t you a grown man? And you still resort to childish cheap shots? Doesn’t that embarrass you? Aren’t you ashamed? You should be. You act like a child. And who made you God? Who made you responsible for deciding if a movie is good or not? I don’t think the SW movies are good. And bi-bob, ask me if I care what you think of me. Go ahead.
I really don’t think anyone has ever, let me say that again, ever, called a Michael Bay movie good. Mr. Taste.
the hate spewed by mr stella. its kinda funny that he gets so upset after admitting he loves michael bay movies yet doesn’t see any star wars films. he must still be crying over armageddon. hes emotional and enjoys bays storytelling
For a guy who refuses to discuss his likes and dislikes of movies yet always seems to bash someones elses, I would think you would be able to defend yourself better than name calling. I think its great that you’re a Bay fan. But after disparaging Star Wars fans and the films for the past few days, it struck me as a little odd. But to each his own, even if I do think you’re full of hot air on the subject.
Oh God. After listening to this guy rant and rave about Star Wars I thought he was Pauline Kael’s son. Now I have to hear him talking about paying to see Michael Freakin’ Bay movies? Thats just way too funny for words. Whats the problem Stella’s Boy? Renny Harlin too good for you?
renny harlin isn’t mainstream and popcorn enough for old stella. he needs to be hit over the head with visuals and mtv style editing.
Stella either you accept that Star Wars is better than any Bay film or I will go all the way to the U.S illegaly and after being persued by your government I will make you quit this blog.
But I probably won’t because this is hilarious!
When this Stella said he didn’t see Star Wars movies and the like I thought he was an elitist who was like one of these ivory tower type critics. Someone who would rather bow before an indie film about gay cowboys eating pudding than see a Hollywood film. Unfortunately it is the opposite and he is a Michael Bay whore. Which is much funnier.
stella says bad boys 2 should have won the oscar last yr. he was in joey pants’ corner for best supporting actor
I’ll go on record as saying that I think The Rock is a great action film. It’s the only Bay movie I own, and probably will remain that way unless The Island kicks ass (which I’m hoping it will do).
The Rock was sort of fun 4 years ago when I saw it but I doubt I’d like it now.
Never-the-less, it DOES have a Critereon edition DVD which is sort of the most surreal thing I’ve ever read.