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
I’ll give Rome one more week, but it’d better get good stat, or I’m outta here.
Those didn’t look like implants to me.
The show so far is pretty good in a “Gladiator” sort of way. It’s not necessarily great art or history, but it’s quite entertaining.
Seems like it’s pretty hard around here to get the regulars too excited about any TV show that doesn’t set out to break the Guinness record for use of the word “cocksucker.” The thing I love about HBO shows is that almost all of them reward patience. Even critically trashed stuff like “Carnivale” and “The Comeback” paid off nice dividends to loyal viewers. The only out-and-out crap IMHO has been “Mind of the Married Man” and “K Street.”
Who is this Polly Walker? I looked her up on IMDB and none of her credits were familiar to me. Patriot Games?
She was an up-and-comer about 10 years ago. But she never quite up and came.
Regarding “Patriot Games,” if you remember the movie, she was the red-headed terrorist (her hair color was a minor plot detail at one point in the story).
for 100 mill they sure got there sexual moneys worth.
I thought ROME was pretty good. I’m certainly looking forward to watching the remainder of the series.
Yeah, there was a lot of sex and nudity, and I guess for primetime HBO is was a little excessive, but it was nothing compared to your average episode of Real Sex or Cathouse.
Deadwood is a much better show. Granted Rome will need some time to develop and hit its stride. But it has a lot to live up to.
I’ll have to catch a viewing tonight. The reviews are mixed so far but what do they know?
as usual, HBO nailed another series perfectly…what’s in the water over there? It’s not DEADWOOD yet (but what is?) but it got off to a great start last night and looks like it will get better and better. Great acting, smart writing, lots of nudity and sex and some nice violence…HBO never has to shy away from what makes tv edgy and dark and for that I am thankful.
Is anyone surprised that HBO has another good series? I guess after The Comeback people are within their rights to doubt them.
Boy I disagree about Mind of the Married Man. I thought it was completely overlooked and should have made it. That show had more watercooler talk at work than anything I’ve ever seen. It pushed all the buttons and I think the critics missed it. Rome is something that feels like as much money as they spent it’s a bad version of Iclaudius. I’ve seen this before.
I aso happen to think Entourage has gotten brilliant.
Actually;
http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=3509
While I did like “Rome” I understand the criticisms leveled at “The Comeback.” It’s got all the squirmy bits from Curb your Enthusiasm and Larry Sanders but none of the funny ones. I watched the first 4-5 episodes and never really liked any of them. Has it gotten better?
What’s the buzz on the new Ricky Gervais show starting in September. No nothing about it other than the promo before Rome.
sigh . . . that would be “know.” I need another a.m. coffee.
HBO does drama very well. It is the standard.
But comedy? The only one they have done thats good is Entourage. And Dream On. Great for gratutious nudity.
It’d still be boring if it’s endless violence (torture and chopping limbs off)and graphic sex (fine, but give us women something to look at because it ain’t fair to just show naked women full frontal, men should be too)and animal sacrifices. If the story doesn’t become more interesting I’m outta here. “I, Claudius” is still the gold standard, IMO.
You can’t even attempt to compare this to I Claudius. It isn’t possible. It is not even in the same ballpark or area code.
The problem with Rome is that it’s such a tired rehash that, unless it’s got a few surprises up its sleeve, there’s no way it can gain momentum.
We’ve seen Roman debauchery before. We’ve seen Roman political intrigue. Roman battle scenes. It’s all been done. To death.
If you’re going to give us the umpteeth story of the rise and fall of Julius Caeser, it’d better have little green aliens or mutant werebears or SOMETHING to pull it out of the same-ol-same-ol.
Polly Walker was one of the stars of my favorite movie not yet available on DVD: Enchanted April
Polly Walker is eating this over the top acting gig up. Nothing beats when a good looking actress really sinks her teeth into a role and chews on the scenery.
PandaBear- there’s a really funny show on HBO called CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM as well. Maybe you’ve heard of it?
I’m glad ROME is good, but I missed it last night. ENTOURAGE was fricking AWESOME. HenryHill said it on another entry about it being the best 1/2 hour of TV this year and he’s right. I was blown away by that episode!
The list of great half hour comedies the past year is shorter than Jeremy Pivens hairline.
Kevin Dillon deserves a best supporting actor award for Entourage. He is really great.
I agree with both of you guys. The 1/2 comedy has taken a turn for the worse in general. But even if it were the Seinfeld/Friends era, ENTOURAGE would still be way up there. Kevin Dillon and Jeremy Piven both deserve Emmy’s or Golden Globes. Dillon’s Johnny Drama is almost a lock for 3 genuine laughs a week now. The show has really hit it’s stride.
The Comeback is painful to watch.
It’s difficult to believe two people are having sex when the woman’s pubic hair is clearly visible brushing up against the man’s navel…
Maybe the horse trader was built like a horse? (snicker) ok, ok… moving on
It is going to need to grow on me but with HBO I give the benefit of the doubt.