April 25, 2024
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Review: Little Women (no spoilers)
Why You Should Be Afraid Of The End Of The Paramount Decree
Review: Frozen 2 (spoiler-free)
Review: Marriage Story (spoilers only in the broadest sense)
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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” â 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 â 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 â he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” â and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging â I was with her at that moment â 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 namedâ” “Yeah, sure â 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 Iâm on the phone with you now, after all thatâs 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 didnât seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. Thereâs not a case of that. He wasnât using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had â if that were what the accusation involved â 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. Iâm not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, âYou know, itâs not this, itâs thatâ? Because â let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, thatâs what it lacked. Thatâs 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
It’s only been a day. I think we’ll be able to let it go….. THIS time…..
Has this nasty flu struck the West Coast too, or are you guys immune? I’m well into Week 2 of my cold.
The flu is here too. Stay clear of the offices on Colorado and 26th street in Santa Monica. (wink wink)
Everyone is getting sick… the only thing missing is Randall Flagg.
I have a question for any New York residents, if anyone feels like answering?
What are the best cinemas in New York City? I’m going over there for a week in March and was wondering if there were any great cinemas worth seeing a movie in (if I get time – most likely while the family does boring things i don’t wanna do).
if u see jamey sheridan strolling down ur street in a denim jacket? run.
I am and have always been a fan of the Ziegfield on West 54th St in Manhattan. One of the old school theatres. I like the old school ones but I must say I don’t mind the huge chain theatres. I love stadium seating.
Definitely seconded the Ziegfield…they do a lot of the big premieres there for a reason. I saw Narnia there a couple weeks back…first time I’d been t here in a year…and it was an amazing experience. Be warned that it can get incredibly packed on opening weekends and unfortunately, they didn’t think that the 1,700 people they can fit into the theatre might need more than two tiny bathrooms and a small concession area. There tends to be bottleneck.
Also, the Beekman Theatre is nice but I have no idea what’s playing there…if you’re into more indie fare, then definitely check out the Landmark down on Houston Streeet…really nice vibe there (also havne’t been there in awhile). If you’re into foreign films, the Paris Theatre just off Central Park something has decent offerings
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know what kind of crap might be playing at the Ziegfield come March…that’s the caveat. đ
You could get lucky in March with the early spring movies though.
I’d be busy too if I just saw King Kong and Munich.
Somewhat related to yesterday’s Hot Button column:
A number of horror-related sites are reporting that the DVD release of the upcoming Lion’s Gate feature HOSTEL are already being announced at a mere 2 months from the theatrical date.
I’m with DP. The shortened lag time is going to absolutely kill the BO of many a film.
Ditto Ziegfield, Paris & Landmark suggestions by edouglas, and I would further recommend Walter Reade at the Lincoln center which does a variety of New and Old stuff and has a calendar that you can look ahead to see what’s coming.
https://tickets.filmlinc.com/php/calendar.php?
Since this seems to be a place for random comments at the moment… is anyone watching Sleeper Cell on Showtime?
It’s really, really good. The show’s point of view is nothing I’ve ever seen before. And scary as hell (not boo scary, the other scary), especially if you live in LA and keep seeing the terrorists walk into places that you know. Michael Ealy is more impressive that I expected from his past work, and Oded Fehr is just great.
(They are rerunning this week’s episodes (the first 4) over this weekend, if you missed them and want to check it out. Sho’s web site has details.)
Saw the first two Sleeper Cell episodes and also think it’s very good, although not as subtle as I might like. Seems like plot developments happen a little too quickly, but minor complaint. Have to catch up on eps three and four via TiVo tonight.
Alas, the Beekman has closed. But don’t forget Film Forum in the Village–always great stuff there, new and old.
But, Dude–you’re gonna be in New York! Screw the movies–go see some Broadway shows!
If you’re in NY just see a Broadway show. You can see movies in Bumbleburg, Idaho. Broadway is in one place only.
I don’t get Showtime but that may soon have to change. Heard good things about Weeds and Sleeper Cell.
DEFINITELY see Bway shows. There’s “Doubt” – brilliant play. As far as musicals – 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is funny and worth the $. Wicked is a big hit. Spamalot is great if you can get a ticket. The Julia Roberts play will be on in March is you can get tickets to that. Also, “The Odd Couple” is playing now with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. I agree about seeing movies where ever you are, but support Bway when you come to NYC!!!
My foot itches.
(Was that random enough?)
Random? Yes.
Gross? Yes.
Josh wrote: I don’t get Showtime but that may soon have to change. Heard good things about Weeds and Sleeper Cell. >>>
Wait until you discover THE L WORD. You won’t tell your friends that you watch it. But watch it you will. For the articles, of course. đ
Hot lesbians? Nothing draws guys more. Hence why Cinemax is still on the air.
a lot of big hits right now on broadway u can see. march should be a good time too. after holidays.
The Ziegfeld is run by Clearview Cinemas — visit http://www.clearviewcinemas.com for showtimes. That monster-size single has booked “The Producers” for its “Oscar Bait” run, starting with a midnight show next Thursday.
The old Beekman (2nd Ave & 65th St) closed because the landlord wants it for retail space. Clearview Cinemas transferred the Beekman name to a nearby twin at 2nd Ave & 66th St.
Do check out the AMC Empire — it’s a better theater than the Loews E-Walk across the street.
I say “no” to the Landmark Sunshine Cinema. It may have “a nice vibe” but it has steep steps, which means you can easily fall and get injured. The 2 halls on the top floor are not stadium seating. Also, the Sunshine has to fight for product with the Angelika Film Center, IFC Center, Loews Village VII and Regal Union Square.
The Film Forum upgraded to digital sound (good) but its seating is still skin-tight (not so good).
Jersey just has bad smells. Avoid the Garden State!
Thanks you guys! Unfortunately I’m only in NY for 6 days and most of that time will be pretty much filled up. I don’t have the money to spend on a Broadway show, and I won’t have the time to cue for hours in the discount line they have every day.
trust me, I’d love to go see a Broadway show but I have a feeling it ain’t gonna happen. Maybe in the spirit of Waiting For Guffman I could see something Off Off Off Off Off Broadway.
You don’t have to queue for hours. Curtain most nights is 8 PM. Show up around 6 and you can usually walk up with a decent selection of tickets at the discount booth in Times Square. GRab a quick dinner and enjoy. And yes, even at at half price, top seats for musicals are 50-55 bucks, but I’ve seen Broadway theatre from TKTS for as little as $15 (though, admittedly, in the nosebleed section of a tiny theatre).
Go to a matinee. Pretty cheap and they’re usually a lot of seats.