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
geisha is very quietly at 50 million. doing well for itself. i thought it wouldn’t crack 20.
Someone get the Weinsteins a medal for getting Hoodwinked to first place and 17 million. They deserve it.
What better way for Harvey to stick it to Disney.
Glad to see “Glory Road” up there. A good real life story let alone a movie. Texas Western bball. Maybe it could have done ten mill more if they had a bigger star playing Don Haskins. I don’t know if Josh Lucas is a star. Yet anyway. He probably will be.
Their hatred of Disney could prove to be a rallying cry for their new biz. A little motivation never hurt anyone.
Geisha is doing well. Even some of my male Asian friends want to see it. And no, they’re straight, unlike me. All they ever want to see are horror, sci-fi, and comedy flicks.
But guess which movie is doing even better than Geisha. Oh yeah, Brokeback baby!
I’m afraid to make a Brokeback quip.
The gay mafia is all over me. Not all over like sexually either. Not that theres anything wrong with that. Ahh forget it.
josh lucas needed this to get the awful stench of stealth off of him.
I’m glad it was Lucas and not Affleck starring in it. Helped make the movie for me.
The Producers at 17.5 million$?
You can make the argument that it is the biggest flop of the winter season. A budget of 45 $ mill and thats not including marketing costs. A huge misfire from a film most thought would be a hit.
theoretically it bombing like this saves us from seeing broderick and lane in every 2 man vehicle every made.
Brokeback has some work to do before it hits Geisha. A win tonight should help the cause.
Hehe, josh, you know you want the gay mafia to be all over you sexually.
I really do wonder how much Brokeback’s going to end up with, domestically. Could top out at 50, could go as high as 90. I’d be amazed to see it go above that, but then hitting 50 would have seemed pie-in-the-sky six weeks ago.
Pie in the sky? I seem to recall numerous references to how good it was going to do.
If it does less than 60 at this point I’d have to call it a disappointment. I think 80 is a legit figure. We won’t know til it opens up wide.
Hummm…. Maybe. Angelus. However, I remember executives from Focus talking about how they
I’m just wondering if after the Oscars when BBM wins its Best Pic prize (I know, i know, I’m a fan, knock on wood), will the other BBM fans stay with the Hot Blog?
I first came here solely because I heard that BBM was ill-treated by a certain someone. But now I don’t know, this blog is kind of fun to post.
BBM was ill treated because it wasn’t the Oscar front runner in October????
It’s Brokeback all the time. I wonder what the Brokeback Mountaineers will do when it ends its run?
Beg for a sequel?
No, not because it wasn’t the front runner in Oct. But because of that certain someone’s insensitive review. Don’t worry, he has since made his reasons more understandable. We fans don’t lynch people for not liking the movie like everyone here claims we do.
I don’t understand why anyone would want the Weinsteins to succeed. They have released some good movies, but they produce horrible ones.
Do you guys go to every critics website that didn’t think BBM was the new Citizen Kane?
You root against the Weinsteins? They do what a lot of producers don’t do. Produce movies. And a lot of them. You can’t really fault that. I can find a lot to fault about their business practices, personal lives, how they treat talent, and other things but they do put themselves out there and make movies. Which is the least I can ask for. Not syaing they’re saints. Far from it. But they have given us some real good movies.
Yeah, I can fault that, because they have bad taste. They have gotten lucky with their relationships with Tarantino and Rodriguez, but when you look at most of their output, it’s glossy, boring prestige movies and cheap, badly made horror crap. The two most recent examples: Mrs. Henderson Presents and Wolf Creek. The great movies released under their banner, like Pulp Fiction, are to be credited to their directors, not to the Weinsteins.
Despite what you think of Harvey, Hoodwinked is a great underdog story. It gives hope to the low cost CG films that can do an interesting story.
BBM still has a lot of places it can open. We just got it on one screen only this week for the first time and we have 250,000+ people (11 theaters) in town and about 400,000 in the metro area. I think it can still make a lot of money when it gets to places even smaller than we are. It still has a lot of expanding to do. Look for it to make over $80 million.
What part of the country are you in, JB?
The only taste the Brothers W have is money. Green. That is the only thing that motivates them. I’ll give them credit. They do it well.
No matter what Brokeback makes it will be spun into a success. 50 mill and it was the little film that could and wanted to be small and all that. 80 and it is a solid almost cross over that defied expectations. 100 mill? break out the champagne it is the best movie and most successful movie ever and the gov’t should make a day a “Brokeback Day”.
The irony is that the last few big movies to open well over MLK weekend were Disney’s Snow Dogs, Joel Bruckheimer’s Kangaroo Jack and Coach Carter…and yet somehow when Disney and Bruckheimer team up for their own basketball drama, they’re beaten by a fairly low budget computer animated film by a former Disney affiliate. I heard that Weinstein already plans to expand it into closer to 3000 theatres next weekend, too
Snow Dogs and Kangaroo Jack. I just got chills thinking about them.
Yeah, Joe…just goes to show that the next generation is going to grow up to have really, really bad taste.
The Weinsteins are bullies, who have forced great directors to cut the hearts out of their films–one of Harvey’s nicknakes is “Harvey Sissorhands” and they’ve actually purchased great films only to shelve them. It’s as if they don’t want to try to make money off of risky projects but they don’t want anyone else to either, so they’re swallowed up in their valuts. Ever wonder why most people in the US, even foreign film lovers, have never seen “Through the Olive Trees”, even though it’s a masterpiece? It’s becasue the Weinsteins had the US rights and they didn’t give it a fair release.
If the Weinsteins had been in business in the 60s, the golden age of foreign cinema would have been nothing but Roger Vadim. Antonioni and Resnais would have been bought up by the Weinsteins and shelved or forced out of theatres so their slate of Brigit Bardot films could rake it in…
Ah Bruce, gotta love him. May the BBM god be with you.
“No matter what Brokeback makes it will be spun into a success.”
No spinning necessary, Bruce. It’s already made a profit. Go back to your UCLA film business class, and have the professor explain the difference between
Jesus. Every thread is about how GREAT BBM is. Do they pay you guys to lobby for the film? You should try boards where people haven’t seen the film or won’t see it. It’s just tiresome at this point.
Danny, I realize the movie means a lot to you because you can walk around with your head held high because it reaffirms your life choice. And maybe you can show it to your father and watch him react to your lifestyle. And maybe you too can find love and not have to hide. But theres no need to throw it in everyones face and get antagonistic everytime someone posts something not 110% praising the film. I got bad news for you, Danny. Not everyone likes it.
But it’s fun here. Don’t worry, it’s only until March or so.
The Weinsteins are bullies, DannyBoy?
I guess they don’t go out of their way to support gay films and openly fawn over BBM.
Can someone explain to me how THE RINGER is up to 32m and still has legs? That’s first AUSTIN POWERS trajectory – does that mean we’re going to see a series of Knoxville impersonation sequels… THE PROCTOLOGIST (Johnny pretends he’s gay and sticks his finger you know where) THE GYNAECOLOGIST (Johnny pretends he’s gay and sticks his finger you know where)….
And what is this Brokeback movie people are mentioning? I ain’t seen nothing down here in Dalton bout it.
As long as THE GYNAECOLOGIST and THE PROCTOLOGIST are part of the gay niche and Danny and Waterbucket and Palm and Jeff support it, it will be considered a success and change lives.
Equally, is someone paying Brokeback naysayers to speak ill of it no matter what? Flip sides of a coin. But I agree, it is tiring when we can’t even agree on simple definitions like what box office success means or what a niche film is.
“Danny, I realize the movie means a lot to you because you can walk around with your head held high because it reaffirms your life choice.”
Bruce, this is particularly revealing of your biases. Why don’t you tell us about your life choices, since you’ve raised the subject?
Bruce, seems to me you need some serious man love to set you right. Because whatever that you have right now ain’t doing it for you.
Note: This is not an offer of any kind.
“I guess they don’t go out of their way to support gay films and openly fawn over BBM.”
The Crying Game? The Talented Mr. Ripley? The Weinsteins have supported gay themed films before.
And why would they fawn over BM? They didn’t make it and don’t own it.
Interesting that all of you post right in a row after me. It’s like the marching horn sounded or something. Or something else maybe.
There’s a difference between being an army of one and part of The Movement. You should know that be now.
The Weinsteins are all about Green. No matter what the content of their pictures are. They could give a crap. As long as it produces greenbacks for them.
i just had a movement in my chaps!
The Movement is strong. In San Fran, NYC and Miami.
uhm…ew.
Joe, I would say gold is more like it. As in Oscar gold. Their lavish award campaigns are not the mark of someone who cares about fiscal responsibility.
Now I know how Kramer felt on Seinfeld when he refused to wear the ribbon.
I won’t wear it.
Their lavish Oscar campaigns are partially about prestige but also largely about the fact that when movies get nominations and awards, they make a lot more money. Awards campaigns are another form of investment with often-lucrative payoffs.
harvey would back BUMFIGHTS: THE MOVIE if he thought he could swing the pink dollar with misleading advertising.
So Bruce, does that mean you walk the walk and you talk the talk? Are you in fact a huge supporter of AIDS research?
i better save a few of these for Jon Stewart’s big night !
Jeff is it hard for you to comprehend and read? It is what it is. I now know how Kramer felt when he wouldn’t wear the ribbon. I may walk and not wear the ribbon this year instead of donating cash just to see how guys like you respond to it. You going to try and beat me up???
So you donate cash to AIDS charities, is that what you just said?
The only reason the Brothers go after awards is to further their business. Thinking a few Oscar nods means a few million more. That’s all. Once a movie doesn’t have a shot anymore they write it off and give up on it.
They’re not into collecting awards. Just a means to an end.
Don’t get me wrong. They’re the best in the business right now.
Jon Stewart is going to need all the help he can get. If Chris Rock can’t do it; no one can.
God how many times do we have to go over this? If the Weinsteins were solely about money they would focus only on producing crap. Lowest common denominator. Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t Bob’s Dimension Films made more profit than Miramax? You can call them assholes or arthouse light or whatever but the bottom line is that they wouldn’t bother with people like Tarantino, Rodriguez, Minghella, Noyce, etc. if their sole interest was cash. There’s way more money to be made off teen comedies and horror films.
Joefitz your judgement is obviously clouded by some kind of hatred, as you don’t appear objective enough to see the fallacy in your argument. Maybe you just don’t like Jews?
You’re right lazarus, they have two goals: money and Hollywood prestige. Dimension brought them one, Miramax brought them the other.
Jeff, I agree, but I think Harvey goes overboard on awards to a fault. Filmmakers like Scorsese don’t have huge hits (Aviator was his only one to cross $100 mil, Gangs probably lost money theatrically), but they will bait the Academy. Sure, it’s a business decision too, but Disney didn’t get rid of him for making too much money.
lazarus – if thats the case then why do they shelve certan films from major foreign directors that might not make a profit?
Okay, I’ll buy the split personality company theory.
Heres my opinion of Harveys thinking:
If he can squeeze a best Pic for say The Aviator it will mean 40 million more at the box office. And lead him into more of a relationship with Marty S which is always good for business.
I don’t think he sits around his mansion dreaming of winning gold statues. I think he dreams of making a billion dollars and a few awards helps him out.
and Lazarus – you say they wouldn’t bother with Tarantino and Rodriguez???? ummm those two guys kept them in the black boyo. wake up.
And are continuing to do so, with the release of Grind House and Sin City 2 in the near future.
Harvey lost a lot of money when Disney took his hard-earned film library. His new company is now all about freedom. Hoodwinked is a great example of a film he couldn’t make at Disney’s Miramax but he can now do.
Harvey may have more freedom, but he used it to make a Shrek ripoff with a ‘rotten’ on rottentomatoes.
“Glory Road” had corporate synergy and a ton of hype behind it. Most newspapers where I live had a story related to that movie.
“Hoodwinked” at #1 is a major upset. Now if the Weinstein brothers would stop acting like the reactionaries they have become.
He didn’t make Hoodwinked…Kanbar did. But I do think he’s using it to move the perception of his company in a new direction that will help him achieve more freedom.
You are correct.
You can say Hoodwinked is am upset.
Now who was the market for Hoodwinked????
Kids and families, and also adult with some of the references. Basically, as one pointed out, the Shrek audience which is pretty much everyone. I think it’s an example of a relatively low budget film that is created for a mass audience, and therefore not niche.
“Danny, I realize the movie means a lot to you because you can walk around with your head held high…”
Kind of the way you must have felt after “Rain Man” and “Forrest Gump” won, Brucie. See, Oscar ends up shining on everyone.
The difference is me liking a movie doesn’t reaffirm my life and make it all better. I enjoy movies for movies. But I can see how you have a problem with people like Forrest Gump and Ray Babbit. They are actually happy being themselves. Unlike you. I’m sure if BBM wins an Oscar it’ll make your life better. I hope so.
We don’t actually know that you like movies, Bruce, since all you talk about is one movie you hate (if you’ve even seen it, which I doubt).
It’s too bad reading isn’t your forte Jeff/Danny. You’re so fixated on one thing it really clouds your thinking. If you would be reading instead of reacting you would know that I thought BBM was pretty good. But you wouldn’t understand that since you refuse to do anything other than argue.
Again, why even respond to jeffmcm? He never has anything to say besides hatred. Just ignore him. All he wants to do is get a rise out of people.
Bruce, it must be nice to have such an all knowing grip on life. But please don’t try to pass it off on others.
Seeing others accept BBM is a little self-confirming. After being put down at every turn, it’s nice to know not all people think as you do. That may sound silly to you. But, maybe you’ve never experienced a hate crime, or to walk through life with people attempting to make you feel like less than them. Your commentary is elementary at best. Stick to talking about movies and not life. You’ll be better received.
Mark: all you do is repeat yourself. Just because when you argue with me does not mean that I argue with everyone else.
Bruce: “I thought BBM was pretty good.” Really? You just blew my mind.
By the way, Mark, you’re the one making this personal. The vast bulk of what I have said is actually about movies. Your comment was uncalled for and is only intended to intimidate and be snide. If you don’t like what I have to say, come up with a counterargument. Even a weak one.
Wait a minute, Bruce likes BBM??? Did I miss something here?
My mother called me today very upset. she told me she heard an avangelist on tv saying “homosexuality was the breeding ground for future homosexuals, and that Homosexuals are tearing at the fabric of morality.
I calmed her down and said, “no mom, hetrosexuality is the breeding ground for future homosexuals, and besides, what does a straight man know about fabric!”
Just a joke. I stole it. But I for one thought it was rather funny.
I don’t particularly care if BBM is a good movie or bad, wins best picture or not, but the BBM fans are making this blog goddamned boring reading. I’d give partial credit to the rabid anti-BBM people but most of them actually posted here before the movie came out.
I can’t wait till April.
i can’t wait til it fades away. i thought it was decent but to hear about it everyday like its a landmark is not easy on the eyes.
“Once a movie doesn’t have a shot anymore they write it off and give up on it.”
Like every other studio, right? Surely Sony has given up on Geisha now. And every other studio – if they realise it’s fruitless – stop gunning for Oscar. It’s just losing them money. I would also like to say that because of Miramax we have Steven Soderbergh. But what has HE done, really?
I agree that the constant BBM talk (every single topic seems to lead to it for some reason) but I don’t begrudge people for being passionate about it (whether that be passionate in love or loathe). It’s just it’s one of those movies that arises stubborn feelings in people and feelings that will not budge. And like any movie that is perceived as important, it’s fans do everything to praise it, and it’s detractors do everything to defame it.
I think they need to just admit that BBM is a hit. Where it will end is anyone’s guess, but surely even a remotely intelligent person can see it’s successful.
Well done with Hoodwinked I think. I think it’s pretty obvious that Weinstein Co saw the fact that there was no kids films in the market other than Narnia. Getting to $50mil is a reasonable expectation.
What is your definition of a hit? Awards? Money? Passionate fans? Equally passionate detractors? Let’s get some perspective here before we coronate something as a hit.
Bob, Josh, you’re the only ones talking about Brokeback today.
I have to say, it’s odd to see hordes of people saying they tire of hearing about BBM… When there is no actual BBM discussion other than people saying they tire of hearing about… Discussion… Of…
oh man i just blew my mind
I forgot where it was stated I couldn’t talk about BBM. My bad. You kidding me? This is why everyone says you like to argue over nothing, jeffmcm. You just are incapable of having a discussion or letting others have one without chiming in about nothing.
Being classified a “hit” is really a subjective thing. The Matrix sequel made almost 800million and it’s looked upon as a disappointment. It’s really in the eye of the beholder.
blah de frickin blah
I’m going to ask you a serious question now. Now stay with me here. Do you ever have anything to add that doesn’t single someone out or asks someone to elaborate on a statement they make? I’ve gone thru every single post you have and it is either one or the other. Is anything you have to add movie related? Even halfway related? Or is it just to rile people up? If that’s not your MO I’d be glad to listen to whatever it is. Just seems that way to me. I don’t think you have any points other than to pick people out and disagree with them. I’m sure it’s fun but it would be even better if you tried not being an ass. You might like it.
Yes, it just seems that way to you, name any subject and I would be happy to have a discussion. What do you think of Narnia’s hold? I didn’t like it much as a movie, and yet it keeps raking it in. How about Munich’s inability to find an audience? I think it’s too bad. Or you can name your own subject. But somehow, I think you would rather just hurl invective at me.
You’re just always so angry all the time. Have some fun in life. Lighten up. It’s a movie discussion. Movies are supposed to be fun and not anger consuming.
Here’s some homework. Watch some comedies this week. It’ll brighten up your day.
I only get angry with the willfully ignorant.
You do realize, everything you said in your last two point about me can very easily be turned around to apply to you. If you’re so lighthearted and free, let the gay babies have their Brokeback bottle and stop complaining about it.
This Jeff guy strikes me as one who has trouble leaving the basement on a daily basis. To each his own I guess. The rage in every post of his is truly frightening.
“If you’re so lighthearted and free, let the gay babies have their Brokeback bottle and stop complaining about it.”
Does that sound like someone who is on an even keel and of sound mind?
You didn’t get the irony.
But hey, he’s not angry.
I don’t know if posting on a movie blog is the right forum for you. There has to be better places on the web to pick fights and vent. Why movies? Do you think people that love movies are just easy targets for you?
No one with this much vitrol in his postings is happy in life.
If you exist and aren’t just another phantom posting name, I may hire you as my therapist.
Now does anyone have anything to talk about movies? I really would be curious to know why people think Munich isn’t making any money.
Actuals from Mojo: “Glory Road” tops “Hoodwinked” for the weekend — by $48,000. My call of a major upset proved wrong.
Watching Jeffrey rant and rave is half the fun here. He’s like a loon on a city street. You just can’t take your eyes off him. Like a train wreck.
48,000$???? That has to be some HINKY ACCOUNTING. Very hinky.
Glory Road had more on the line than did Hoodwinked. It could definately be a matter of fudging the books in one way or the other. It’s not hard.
Walk the Line at 100mill.
That’s really good for it. I don’t think they had 100 mill expectations.
“Ray” did 75 million.
They had to be thinking of somewhere in that vicinity.
Ray’s also a better movie than Walk the Line.
Did we see the same movie Rufus????
One thing Ray didn’t have?
Reese Witherspoon.
If Phoenix kisses as much tush as Foxx did last year he’d be the leader.
Tough call. Both good movies. Have to see “walk the Line” again to make sure.
I believe Walk the Line is a better movie. It has a more interesting dynamic between Carter and Cash, two strong performances instead of one, and it doesn’t end with the lead character being applauded, which is a cheap way to end a movie on a happy ending. Why do you prefer Ray, Rufus?
Haven’t seen Walk the Line (out here in Feb i believe) but Ray? RAY? That was horrible.
$48,000? Wow. Has there EVER been a situation where the #2 film actually sold MORE tickets but grossed less? I’d love to see ticket number details. Hoodwinked is a kids film so it would’ve had more matinee tickets sold and kids priced tickets at cinemas compared to Glory Road, which would make it’s gross lower but tickets sold higher. Has that ever happened before? Interesting.
$48,000 is really miniscule. They need an audit on that.
What you have against “Ray”? Jamie Foxx gave one of the great leading man turns in some time. Which is reason enough to make the film good.
Should also be mentioned that while Walk the Line crossed $100mil this weekend, King Kong just scraped over the $200mil line as well. I can’t see it overtaking War of the Worlds ($234mil). Although if it does it won’t be by much.
Also, for the 3-day portion of the weekend, without any expansion, Brokeback Mountain increased by 1%.
Walk the Line is the superior film. I think even Phoenix is better than Foxx. Just personal preference. Witherspoon makes it that much better for me too.
kong really needs to chug and get a third wind to catch war of the worlds.
Jefferey wrote: ” I really would be curious to know why people think Munich isn’t making any money.”
I’ll bite. I think there’s always been a big animus against movies dealing with the middle east. Did any of these movies do as well as their producers hoped: Jarhead, Three Kings, Syrianna, (big gap here) The Little Drummer Girl, Hannah K. (A couple of them deserved to bomb due to sheer boringness like Drummer Girl and Hannah K., but still…)
Also, no big stars may have been a factor, and as marketed, the film seemed to me like it was going to be some sort of global civics lesson moive. The ads didn’t get across to me that it would be exciting and suspenseful, really. Then there’s the political controversy that turned a lot of people off.
Brokeback Mountain is #1 at the Box office for Tuesday!!! Woohoo.
Munich isn’t making any money because it doesn’t have big stars, accessible story, and any buzz. It is certainly good enough to make 60-80 million. Maybe it kicks into overdrive in the next three weeks. But I doubt it at this point.
DannyBoy,
You’re right though. Those movies are a tough sell.
Well, it had plenty of buzz. It had the cover of Time! Which obviously means it was climbing out of a bigger pit than anyone realized. Is it getting bad word-of-mouth? Will it out-gross Syriana, a much more simplistic movie?
DannyBoy, I’d throw “Kingdom of Heaven” on that list as well. Doesn’t help that the movie was shit, but you get that from time to time…
DannyBoy, I’d put “Kingdom of Heaven” on that list too. Didn’t help that the movie was shit, but you get that from time to time.
Considering Munich fell out of the Top 10 last week, that can’t be a good sign.