Still flying about… but the weather in Bermuda was lovely and NY, upcoming, is cold and wet, so I gather… still, quite a lot to be thankful for…
Here’s room to stretch out. I don’t think we’ll be obsessing on box office on MCN until Saturday, so feel free to start here…
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BYOB: 235 Years Of Relative independence
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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
Christian Bale for Terminator? Hmmm. McG for Terminator? Hmmmmmmm.
Because what we need is another Terminator movie. What is with Hollywood running every franchise into the ground and then some? Would you think back in the 80’s that anyone would predict that in 2007 we would still have new Rambo, Terminator and Indiana Jones movies coming out?
When’s the new Jaws re-interpretation coming out?
no box office talk this week…..
Okay, I’ll bite – Enchanted is very possibly on it’s way to a $60mil five-day opening. Could Adams pull a Julie Andrews and snag an Oscar for a family blockbuster that merges animation and live action? It would certainly be a welcome change of pace from actresses having to play biopic or ugly in order to win.
Of course, Enchanted is hardly going to get the across-the-board nominations that Poppins received back in the day.
i think adams is pretty wonderful in ‘enchanted’ and if academy members pay any attention to the kids in their lives, she may very well bag a nomination…not sure she would actually win though…..
When’s the new Jaws re-interpretation coming out?
Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxkkomhESH8
Amy Adams was wonderful in Enchanted. It’s damn funny, and the songs were great.
The thing that is different from Terminator is… WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THE PART OF THE STORY. It would also be a squandering of Bale to make him the Terminator. There is no finer an actor out there to play John Connor than Bale… himself. Nevertheless; these movies better hope the Sarah Connor Chronicles do not take off because if they do… danger danger.
I think we have seen that part of the story…in every sci-fi action movie involving cyborgs made in the last hundred years. I don’t anticipate McG bringing anything particularly original to the table.
Interesting 3-day figures.
Even without Tyler Perry’s name attached, “This Christmas” overcomes generally poor reviews to eke out a solid and surprising second place finish. Does its success help or hurt the other African-American Christmas movie opening next month?
Apparently there was more interest in “Hit Man” than I thought, but poisonous w.o.m. should make it a one-weekend wonder. It’s probably too soon for Fox to greenlight the sequel….or is it?
All things considered, that was a pretty nice opening for “August Rush.” And a somewhat weaker-than-expected launch for “The Mist.” W.O.M. should help both (especially “AR”) in the stretch.
Unless I’m reading the gross incorrectly, “I’m Not There” had a really disappointing limited bow. Very odd considering the rave reviews, hip cast and cult director. Any theories, gang?
“Enchanted” was the preordained smash it was manufactured to be. Although Adams is terrific, I had a strangely muted reaction to the film overall. It felt plodding when it should have been soaring, plus Dempsey was a wan male lead (he’s also a good ten years too old for the part). And that “Ghostbusters”-lite CGI finish was definitely a mistake.
I wonder how long it’ll take before Disney announces (a) the sequel, and (b) a Broadway musical version.
The only thing more boring than Bob Dylan… is six Bob Dylans.
To crib a line from Howard Stern, they’re always making movies about boring musicians I don’t care about.
Then don’t see it. Problem solved.
And if you already did, you can’t say you didn’t know what you were getting into.
“I’m Not There” is a masterpiece: the perfect, and logical, companion piece to Scorsese’s great 4-hr. Dylan doc from two years ago.
I’m a little stunned that–as I said earlier–the rapturous reviews from some of America’s best critics, a hip cast and a major cult director like Todd Haynes weren’t enough to get the “Film Culture” types out in full force. Of course, the jury’s still out on whether there’s even a “F.C.” in America anymore. The disappointing opening figures for “INT” and Richard Kelly’s “Southland Tales” last weekend would seem to indicate that maybe there isn’t a “F.C.” anymore. That’s sad.
“And that “Ghostbusters”-lite CGI finish was definitely a mistake.”
I thought it was a homage to Sleeping Beauty.
Felt more like an homage to “Ghostbusters” to me (down to the dorky, mid-80s f/x, but minus the charm). And the animation looked shockingly cut-rate for the Mouse House, too.
I’d be delighted if “Enchanted” finally makes Amy Adams a star (I’ve been a fan since Spielberg’s great “Catch Me if You Can”), but you could never get me to sit through the movie again.
Speaking of repeat viewings: I indulged myself with that rarest of “movieman” rarities tonight, a second look at a favorite film, (Jason Reitman’s “Juno”). It’s every bit as wonderful as I remembered–a practically perfect “little” movie that, hopefully, will have a major impact when it opens next month.
I get what you’re saying about the dragon looking like a CGI version of the “Sleeping Beauty” dragon (not to mention the whole awakening-with-a-kiss business), brack. But the style, tone and slapsticky bits of business (not to mention the movie’s NY setting) reminded me more of “Ghostbusters.” And it reminded me of how special Reitman’s ’84 original (not the strictly-for-profit ’89 sequel) was.
I will probably end up owning “Enchanted” for the musical numbers alone, up to par with the late 80’s/early 90’s Disney animated musicals. I wish there were a few more songs.
“”Enchanted” was the preordained smash it was manufactured to be.”
You make it sound like that’s a bad thing. Like the fact that it was made for be seen my large audiences somehow means it’s less worthy or something.
Perhaps the Thanksgiving weekend was a bad move for a movie such as I’m Not There, when people seem to be more interested in lighter fare.
Still, yet another bad weekend for the Weinsteins.
I have no problem with Bale as John Connor, but please, not McG. I wonder who will play the Claire Danes character.
I won’t get to see Enchanted until Jan. 24th. Alien Vs. Predator 2 is actually coming out before that (Dec. 27th) How sad is that?
Stop it with this “NO McG” crap. Seriously… it’s as tired as you freakin typing it out. The dude made a sappy sports flick without any of his trickery. He may have it in him to make a good trilogy of Terminator flicks. Why a trilogy? Christian Bale has kids. That’s why. HE NEEDS THE MONEY! This trilogy Jeff; WE HAVE NEVER SEEN! Unless your tired ass is having Cherry 2000 flashbacks. Seriously though; you like TORTURE PORN (When does this get tired? Nevah)! Yet the story about one man leading the human insurrection against the all-powerful and evil WINAMP does nothing for you? All and all: I am glad you have no reason to be picketing.
“Seriously though; you like TORTURE PORN (When does this get tired? Nevah)!”
It’s funny because it’s not true.
“Unless your tired ass is having Cherry 2000 flashbacks”
Ouch! That was a kick in the arse to the late ’80s.
Shit brother, CHERRY 2000 made TANK GIRL look like fucking BATTLESHIP POTEMPKIN.
I’M NOT THERE was wonderful. So glad I took the extra effort to find it and see it.
I still say Charlie’s Angels was a fun time at the movies. Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle most definitely was not.
Jeff; HOSTEL… enough said… but your argument is still hokier than The Huskers running a West Coast Offense.
Yes, I like Hostel and Hostel 2 and Masque of the Red Death. But I hate Saw 1-4, Captivity, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre ’03. The common feature is not ‘torture porn’, it’s that I like good movies. Tough notion to wrap your mind around.
Thankfully, I have no idea what the second half of your statement means.
It’s okay Jeff, IO thinks that Adventures of Ford Fairlane is one of the best movies he’s ever seen.
As for the Christian Bale as Terminator news, I think it’s really disappointing to have an actor of his caliber waste his talents on a role like that. I mean, the ceiling for that role is not as high as the ceiling for a role like Rescue Dawn or The Prestige or even Bruce Wayne, so it’s a straight up money job I would guess. Bale has proven to be one of the most committed actors in the business, who takes his art very seriously, so this move is quite baffling. I can’t quite understand why a man who has worked with Werner Herzog and Christopher Nolan in recent months would want to work with OC-creator McG.
Perhaps – and this is a crazy thought – there’s something going on behind the scenes we don’t know about. I know it’s mindboggling to think we don’t know everything there is to know about an in development movie, but perhaps there really is something afoot that isn’t being blurted on every squealing blog.
Or, yes, it could just be another Alien Resurrection. That was the fourth Alien movie, right? Ugh…