May 3, 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
I say, if Fantasia is right for the part and gave a great audition (which she apparently did) and can knock it outta the park, then why not?
It’s really sad if people think someone as geniunely talented as Fantasia doesn’t deserve the right to do anything purely because she was on American Idol.
Gotta agree with you on this one, David. Fantasia’s got a unique charisma, and the Ellen Greene comparison is perfect. Greene may not have been an obvious choice until she opened her mouth and sang, and after that, can you imagine anyone else nailing “Suddenly Seymour” or “Somewhere That’s Green” the same way?
Honestly… Fantasia has a fan base, and even people who don’t know her or like her yet would be curious to see an AMERICAN IDOL opposite a cast of heavyweights. If she pulls it off, it would be unforgettable.
“To take people from the music world and give them the same kind of credibility and weight that you give me, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker — that’s like an aberration to me.”
— Samuel L. Jackson 7/22/02
Two words in response to that: The Man.
Ad hominems aside, Fantasia could probably get away with it more on stage. If the role is all about the voice she’s in good shape. But if Effie requires more than a celebrity with an angel’s voice she’s gonna need some help; the camera is brutal and when surrounded by a cast of heavyweights #cough#sofiacoppola#cough# down right sadistic. We all remember Diana Ross in The Wiz right? Ouch.
Can anyone elaborate on the Effie role for me? In this case, I’d say the PART is the thing.
Foxx’s comments sound like the rantings of a newly-crowned Hollywood A-lister. I trust the director on this one. But i have a suggestion…American Idol folks are still just amateurs. For a big role like Effie, they should go for a proven powerhouse. Odd that no one has mentioned Heather Headley, the Tony winner from Broadway’s AIDA. She rips the roof off with vocals that take your breath away.
Why are you so interested in this movie, Poland? You blog about it every week. Is the casting and pre-production on this film more interesting than the countless other movies out there?
My take: I bet ten to one that Fantasia hasn’t even read the script. Because she can’t read. Snarf.
Sam Jackson worked long and hard to get to where he is today.
I totally understand his sentiments.
Why top directors like Curtis Hanson and Jim Sheridan are attracted to the stories of shallow rappers (is the adjective redundant?) like M & M and “half dollar” is beyond me. Even if the films are well crafted…it is still them hacking away in the service of someone who is beneath them.
After the glory of In America…that Sheridan is doin’ the ‘half dollar’ film is beyond me.
A paycheck…Hollywood Street Cred…backstage passes to BET…what could possibly be the reason…it sure ain’t artistic.
Are these middle aged men so desperate to be young and get into the latest record launch party that they need to do this?
Do they really enjoy dealing with the ‘posse’s’ and hangers on?
Sad…really sad.
I pray to God I can grow old with more dignity and class.
Steve Martin’s performance in Little Shop is “legendary” – that’s ridiculous hyperbole.
I have little-to-no-faith in Fantasia. Any woman who is illiterate at her age and blames her hometown for not educating her can not be taken seriously.
Not an AMERICAN IDOL person, so I can’t say I’m infinitely familiar with Fantasia, but from day one, I’ve thought the person to fill this role was Heather Headley. She segued from doing AIDA on Broadway to a R&B career, but anybody who ever saw her onstage knows that she’s got the acting chops and the energy to blow this role out of the water.
I’m not sure that Fantasia is a major risk. Sure, it’s unconventional, but it’s not show-stopper original. A major risk would be along the lines of Joy Bryant–someone who doesn’t have a massive track record and an unconfirmed singer.
I’m not a huge Fantasia fan, but I do have some thoughts here. If you did happen to catch her brilliant rendition of “Summertime” on American Idol I think you would agree that she can command attention and can deliver a performance. She was sublime when she sang that, and I gives me some confidence that she can do what she needs to do.
I also love Heather Headley and would LOVE to see her transition to a powerful career in show biz, but the role of Effie needs someone less attractive than her. Jennifer Holiday was fat and not so attractive; Heather Headley is just too drop dead gorgeous. At least Fantasia has unconventional looks that (subjectively) can be considered unattractive.
I say, give Fantasia a chance. The film is already a little top heavy. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she did it as a relative newcomer, brought down the house with her performance and rocketed herself into stardom??
You’re right, Nicol. How dare these singers even dare to compete with real actors? Screw them! Frank Sinatra doing Anchors Aweigh? Stick it, kid. Go back to the Paramount. Bing Crosby? Who cares about your Oscar…go sing in a megaphone or something, you hack. What’s with this Jailhouse Rock crap? Elvis, shake your cock on the small screen where it belongs (from the neck up, of course).
I recently heard about a movie called A Hard Days Night. The hell? Can’t those shaggy haired limies just stay the hell away from my moviehouse and keep cutting singles, damn kids these days.
this is one project that just doesn’t excite me at all. the one star they need is an american idol reject? come on.
It’s Eddie Beyonce and Foxx who will be the draws. This Fantasia just better be able to act a little or she’ll ruin the whole thing.
Tom Cruise comapred to an American Idol winner? That’s not even in the same ballpark let alone league. He’s a proven actor and a proven box office star. Like he couldn’t play a vain, gay, cocky vampire?
It was hardly a stretch at all for him.
Jordan is one of the best and most underrated directors in the business.
I no this may be tacky but why doesn’t Kelly Clarkson do it? With the visual effects they have these days, I’m sure they could make her blend in with the rest of the cast. And I hear Justin Guarini needs a job!
Clay Aiken turned it down.
Wrecktum,
If you read my post, my gripe was less with the ‘rappers turning actors’ than it was with the high end directors who glean to their projects without them having to prove themselves first.
As for the Sinatra, Elvis, Crosby references…
C’mon, put a bit o’ context into it. There have always been crossovers from music to film, but now it has gotten a little but outta hand.
Crosby and Sinatra were consummate entertainers and artists. Hope went back to the days of vaudeville. They saw film as a way to continue expressing their craft. They wanted to enrich the arts and culture. A very different mentality.
M&M and Half Dollar hardly have this as a motive. Nothing in their works or personality points to it. They see it as a ‘pissing match’. Whoever gets the most territory gets the most ‘bling’. They aren’t artists…just celebrities who thrive on attention.
This is what Jackson is complaining about and I agree. It’s not ‘what’ they do it’s the ‘why’. They don’t care to study the art of film or acting…they just want to cover more territory.
Again, context friend, context.
You really gonna compare the art and craft of Bing Crosby (still the biggest selling pop artist of all time) to Half Dollar?
“Dreamgirls”?? Yawn. Even if Fantasia puts her X on the contract the film still doesn’t come close to $100 million.
This movie needs Ice Cube, Mike Epps, and Regina King to really make it work.
There’s a wacky black guy wearing a hat in Resident Evil 2 and when he came on screen I thought, “oh, they hired a poor man’s Mike Epps”. As the movie went along I realized it was the real thing.
“M&M and Half Dollar hardly have this as a motive. Nothing in their works or personality points to it. They see it as a ‘pissing match’. Whoever gets the most territory gets the most ‘bling’. They aren’t artists…just celebrities who thrive on attention”
You got it, old man. Believe what you want.
BTW, pops, I’d consider Eminem just as artistically relevant to today’s pop culture as Der Bingle was in his time.
But, hopefully not to be too contentious, did Bing Crosby ever make a movie as self-indulgently narcissistic as 8 Mile?
Wrecktum,
You’re the old man. You’re buying into the baby boomer philosophy that just because it’s ‘young’ it must be artistic and relevant by definition without looking at the content.
What does M & M say? He has two modes.
One where he dances around with porno actress’, acts tough, shakes his bare ass and treats women like pieces of meat while 300 lb rappers (-who could never get porno actress’ but will because they’re dancing next to M&M while he shakes his ass-) dance beside him. This is the M&M kids like. Real clever.
In his other mode he laments a world where women are treated like a piece of meat and his lil’ daughter will have to live in this world of darkness. He also spends much time anguished and pained about the fact that he’s so traumatized because he’s been a millionaire since he was in his early twenties. That’s traumatic dontchaknow. He even puts on a pair of glasses so you believe he’s serious about it. This is the M&M the critics like. Real deep.
Being relevant to pop culture does not mean one is any good artistically. A Big Mac is also relevant to pop culture. It ain’t art.
M&M is the perfect example of how low the bar has sunk for art in our culture. Junk masquerading as art that we buy because we don’t know the difference.
Middle age ‘boomer’ critics give it good reviews because they fear getting old and not connecting with the kids.
M&M is junk. Period. He’s a whiny little brat who thinks of nothing but himself. The fact that he had the audacity in 8 Mile to present himself as anti-gun when he himself carries one and can sing of very little more than what he wants to do to various actress’ shows the lack of depth in his material.
If demanding more of my ‘art’ than a spoiled white boy who thinks he’s black and denegrates women makes me old…then just call me Rip Van.
I’ll be dreaming of a White Christmas.
Er, that’s not the Eminem I know. 300 pound rappers? Lamenting a world where women are treated like a piece of meat? Perhaps you should listen to his music first before you denigrate.
And 8 Mile was a nice gritty urban drama, the kind you don’t see much of anymore. And I’m no baby boomer, gramps.
Hopefully without getting called names, I want to say that I think the issue here has to do with choice of movie projects. Obviously I haven’t seen GRoDT yet, but 8 Mile, for all its virtues as a gritty urban drama, essentially only existed to be The Eminem Story, and as such as pretty shamelessly self-aggrandizing. I think that’s the objection being raised here.
I’m fairly certain Nicol is doing it deliberately, but can you stop calling them “M & M” and “half dollar”. It’s not making you sound funny – it’s making you sound like, and pardon the schoolboy nature of this, a stupid person.
And I suppose Sam Jackson has a right to be upset about certain singers becoming actors. I mean, they may eventually end up stealing roles from him! Ya know, roles like those in The Man and Formula 51!
say what u want about m and m but 8 mile was a decent movie. he made a good choice going with cutis hanson to direct.
Kamikaze,
If ‘you’ think I am a stupid person than of course…it must be true.
Yes…certainly anyone who shows a dis’ to modern rap stars can only be stupid. These people are enlightened beyond two thousand years of recorded human experience. I am the lesser man than you because you obviously understand their enlightenment.
And yes…please excuse the schoolboy nature of this.
Now…I’m off to lunch. I think I’ll cook me some Black Eyed Beans.
Umm. I don’t care if you diss rappers. I don’t even like Eminem and 50 Cent, but you look silly calling them M & M and Half Dollar.
Really.
It is fairly childish.
who?
Kamikaze,
What is more childish?
Me showing my disrespect for Eminiem and 50 Cent by calling them “M & M” and “Half Dollar”…
or
You getting all worked up over the fact that I am calling them “M & M” and “Half Dollar”?
The winner is still you, Nicol.
Why do so many people on here think so many others are getting “all worked up”? I doubt that many actually care about the people on here enough for that.
I was just merely pointing out that calling them those names was silly. They weren’t imaginative names or anything.