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
Wait…there’s a KING KONG remake coming? I had no idea…
Although the wording is a little stronger than normal, such security precautions are not out of the ordinary, as you know, Poland.
It’s a remake of a classic film. What is to spoil?
I’d sign anything of that crap to see it now.
Dec. 5, eh? That’s a whole 9 days early
9 days early. That’s it??
Considering that the music and effects are only just being finished and that the movie is review-proof, 9 days is an eternity.
Btw, I may be late to the party on this one but that bad movie Dave saw, dollars to donuts it’s Aeon Flux.
There are so many bad movies that the guesses are endless. And none of them sound so strange.
Wreck – I have never been asked to give up my BlackBerry or an iPod or whatever. There was a soundwave meter guy at the War of the Worlds screening on top of taking all photo-taking instruments, plus goggles and wands.
But the BlackBerry thing is funky. And the confirmation number. And the idea that even with an invited audience in which no one is allowed any electronics, it will still take 30 minutes to get into the theater? Is that an optimal screening experience?
i guess dave will get the quiet he was asking for in the previous post…
Not an optimal screening but you’re seeing it real early and you’re press. It’s what you have to deal with now.
Actually, it is a very good sign when I don’t pull out my BlackBerry during a film, though I am so addicted that I no longer go through a whole film without even thinking about it. (Of course, it is also my clock, so act breaks and legnth another issue.)
At Telluride this year, there was a rule that anyone using a phone or Blackberry in any way would be escorted out. And I think that is fair. The light is distracting. And if you type e-mails, it can really be obnoxious.
Good match up, “right.”
I can’t stand it when someone pulls one of those out during a film. Almost as bad as cell phones ringing and excessive talking.
I think anyone who pulls out any kind of electonic device during a movie should be shot on sight. Who’s with me?
Maybe they figure the movie is so long people will start pulling out the Blackberries after 2:15 unless they’re prevented from doing so. I could have used a Blackberry during “Two Towers.” Or razor blades. Sadly, I had neither.
Hey David, can I have your screening confirmation number? I am… uh… doing a term paper on screening confirmation numbers. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
I went to a Revenge of the Sith trade screening in May where all electronic equipment was taken. Some poor schmuck was tossed from the theatre because he was playing a game on his PSP. Trust me…for films of this size, security will ban everything but the clothes on your back.
Shooting em up is too extreme. Or is it?
Maybe just beating them so bad they’d think twice before doing it again.
I seriously can’t stand it when poeple think they’re multitasking by doing several things at once during a movie. What they’re really doing is being disrespectful to the filmmakers and the people who go out of their way to support the theater-going experience.
And what’s with people getting up right before the end credits start to roll? What is so urgent that they can’t wait for the lights to come up? Do they really think they’re going to get where they’re going any faster by leaving a couple of minutes boefroe the movie ends?
Ok. I’m good with beating. It is CLASSLESS. They play those annoying commercials about it for a reason people.
Here is the real question. Will they show Kong dong?
^ Why do you think they call him “King”?
Some people like to get up once they’ve gotten their emotional fix from the movie. As soon as the murderer has gone down for the last time or the couple finally reunites. Those kind of people are not watching a film, they’re riding an amusement park ride. It’s also a sign that the film is formulaic enough that it allows for that.
To get back to the bad movie discussion: Dave’s awful movie has got to be Rumor Has It. Just saw a trailer for the first time tonight, and it looks cataclysmically awful. The kind of movie that makes you think that foreigners are right to hate America.
I find it hard to build sympathy for press/industry types who complain at having to jump through hoops to appease the security forces of the film industry. It’s not like your leisurely night on the town is being ruined–you’re going to work.
I did have to go through a few of these security gauntlets before a public festival screening at the TIFF last year (or earlier, Underworld, maybe?) and that was pretty irritating, plus the people where just so damn rude, so I can see where you’re coming from somewhat.
(Note: Your complaints are actually very mild compared to a few I’ve read lately that were very self-centered and full of pompous indignation. I’m more annoyed at those people.)
i’m guessing the really terrible move dave saw was derailed.
I’d give up my Blackberry for a night to see a movie like this. I think I can hold off for a few hours.
Somehow, I just can’t get worked up over this film. I’m sure I’ll see it but it seems so…who cares. A CGI ape fighting CGI dinosaurs. So. What. I’ll look forward to seeing the lovely Miss Watts more than Kong. I know that’s blasphemy and we’re all supposed to bow down to the glory of Mr. Jackson but this film seems so much like another generic self indulgent blockbuster if the season. Been there done that.
[FAVREAU] also hopes “Zathura” has made its money before the arrival Peter Jackson’s “King Kong,” – Favreau says the tech people who’ve seen it say it’s a special effects marvel that takes computer effects to another level.
“We could be turning the page again,” he said. “I’ve talked to people who’ve seen it, and they say watching King Kong is like watching a real creature, that its interaction with Naomi Watts is emotional.”
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/living/13139130.htm
Peter Jackson won’t let down on the effects. He goes bigger and bigger. But it will be hard to top the Rings movies for effects.
The Bad movie Dave saw: Aeon Flux or Freedomland.
As for the Favreau thing…all those tech wizards are friends. All of them know each other from working on movies together. Its likely they’re overpraising a friend’s work. I do it, you do it, it’s natural.
I’m still guessing that Kong will turn into the Hulk. A movie that was so wrapped up in emotion and backstory that none of us cared when he finally started kicking butt.
Doubtful on the Freedomland call but they did move it back into the crap period of early January. Actually maybe it is. Aeon Flux doesn’t look that bad. Has it been playing early?
I thought the bad movie Dave saw was Rent. He posted his negative Hot Button column just a few days after teasing us with the upcoming disaster. Did i miss something?
Yes, he has said that Rent is better than his mystery movie.
Aeon. Freedomland. Derailed. Interesting. If it was Derailed he would have said it today right?
That’s correct, another one bites the dust (that doesn’t mean Derailed _isn’t_ horrible though).
Oh, now I’ve got it.
Ice Harvest. that probably is the baby.
“The kind of movie that makes you think that foreigners are right to hate America. ”
Oh, believe me Jeff, there’s quite a few movies that are perfect examples of why foreigners (does that include me?) hate Americans.
I’m not THAT excited about Kong, but I definitely want to see it and will see it opening weekend.
“The kind of movie that makes you think that foreigners are right to hate America. ”
Lets here it for 10 different shades of grey combined with complex and nuanced thinking.
Sorry…I just couldn’t resist.
Hyperbole.