Not much more to say about the Sunday estimates… enjoying the TT excuses… of course, we all know that The Clone Wars underperformed as a result of the geek reverse embargo.
Still in NC, seeking the best BBQ. Had to come east to see Phelps win his seventh and eighth gold in real time.
Onward.
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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
‘Pride & Glory’, with Norton & Farrell and co-written by Joe Carnahan, has finally got a release date: Oct 24th. Only 2 years after it finished, well done.
I know Wells raved about it. Anyone else seen it?
The Dark Knight is now at a cool $800 million exactly, making it officially the #1 film of the year.
“Still in NC, seeking the best BBQ.”
—
Eastern part of the state, or western? Cause you’ll get one of two distinctly different types of BBQ depending on where you are.
Welcome to North Carolina, David! As Bart said, it definitely depends on where you are in the state if you want to find good BBQ, I’m sure we can help you out.
Hurray for Dark Knight, it deserves every penny.
Forget East or West, you’re in the wrong Carolina. Slide down to the Palmetto State and try our mustard based sauce. Now that’s BBQ. With chicken, it doesn’t even get put on until after cooking, but if done right a hot bird will soak it up.
I have folks ship it out to me in LA, so get in touch if you want a taste when you are back in town.
Damn, think I need to get some mesquite from Trader Joes, some fresh fryers and have me some tonight.
Just work your way to Tennessee and then you’re cooking with BBQ. The vinegar-based sauce of the Carolinas just ain’t the same.
Carnahan’s trajectory since Narc has been an interesting one, wouldn’t you say? I’m hoping he’s back to form. I saw the trailer for Pride & Glory one time in the theaters, in January I believe. Can’t say it stood out much. Felt a bit like We Own The Night which didn’t really stand out for me either.
I’m gonna have to stick up for Texas, South Texas, when it comes to BBQ. I think my man Joe will back me up on this one.
Thw Salt Lick or Stubb’s in Austin, or anywhere in Lockhart, TX.
Speaking of the Olympics, the best thing I’ve seen in the athletics so far has been Jamaica in the 100m womens. They had an interview with the winner and she was so nice and I like it when people are actually shocked by their win.
The “Pride and Glory” director (and co-writer of the script with Carnahan) is Gavin O’Connor whose (very) mixed credits include 1999’s “Tumbleweeds” which inexplicably won a Best Actress nomination for Janet McTeer, and Disney’s Olympic hockey flick “Miracle” w/ Kurt Russell, a modest hit in the winter of 2004.
I doubt whether the success–or failure–of “P&G” will have much of an effect on Carnahan’s directorial career.
I wasn’t aware there was a geek embargo against star wars. I do know that every commercial/trailer has been awful. The dialogue/voices sound sub-prequel trilogy and although it has the look of Gendy’s series he’s not involved which leaves me with at best passing interest.
I think people could tell it looked like a stinker, that’s why its underperforming, and it’s getting bad word of mouth because it dropped from friday to saturday which family/animated films rarely do.
You know your BBQ, Jimmy. Throw in Iron Works and you’ve got Austin covered.
Has anyone been to the Spring Street Smoke House in Chinatown, Los Angeles? They brought in a pit from Texas; I think it’s the only authentic pit BBQ in California.
Damn good place with a good microbrew collection, including some local beers.
It ain’t Stubbs (which I just had a few months ago), but still…
The original Texas Chain Saw Massacre was a pretty good commercial for Texas-style BBQ…
I’ll have the prime rib of Franklin…
Uhhh…Stubbs sucks guys.
It’s allll about The Ironworks in Austin. There’s also some podunk small town BBQ on some backroad near Austin that my buddy once took me to. It was amazing but I have no idea where it is.
Stubb’s is definitely the most “commercial” of Austin’s many fine BBQ establishments. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, just commercial.
Iron Works is the shit.
Don — We may have some podunk towns, but our BBQ is anything but…
Ah, those summer nights of Austin and beef…
Texas? North Carolina? Bollocks. TENNESSEE IS WHERE IT’S AT PEOPLE! If you want awesome barbeque. Come to Tennessee. If not… bugger off. There’s no room for you here.
IO
I don;t agree with much of what you say, but I will agree that Memphis barbecue is THE barbeque to beat.
Even my N’ohlins Mama would say it was the best. I’ve had barbeque all over the south and midwest…and yes…Memphis…the home of Elvis and barbeque!
IO: You are wrong. In fact, you are not even wrong. Texas is where you go for BBQ. Ironworks in Austin is great, of course. But I can remember that, after he visted Houston for a TV convention, Gene Siskel, bless his soul, always asked me to bring him some BBQ from Goode Company here in Houston whenever I visited Chicago.
Leydon: bollocks. Tennessee barbeque is a culmination of EVERY BARBEQUE IN THIS NATION, and it TAKES IT UP A NOTCH. So keep your Texasque in the most self-centered state in the Union. The rest of the world knows where to get it, and it’s shipped out daily via FEDEX.
IO,
I hate to break it to you, but BBQ from Texas is shipped around the world. It’s like Pink’s Hot Dogs around these parts.
I think Joe and I aren’t dissing Tennessee, but Texas is where it’s at. Oh, BTW:
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS!
Fuck Texas. It’s that simple. I am going to call some people from Alaska and let them BREAK IT TO YOU, that you are not the biggest state in the Union anymore. You also need to realize that Texas barbeque is not even as good as Kansas City barbeque. So, before you go running off your figurative lips, make to give dap to Missouri first.
The population density of Tennessee is 138/square mile. Compare that to, say, Singapore (16,000/square mile) and I’d say there’s plenty of room.
And what’s the deal with Pink’s? The one time I went there, I thought it was a perfectly good hot dog, but not stand-in-line-for-an-hour good.
“It’s allll about The Ironworks in Austin. There’s also some podunk small town BBQ on some backroad near Austin that my buddy once took me to. It was amazing but I have no idea where it is.”
Don, I’m agree about Ironworks, and I have a hunch that the other one you’re mentioning might be the Salt Lick, which I’ve failed to make it to each time I’ve been to Austin. (Then again, it’s their fault that it’s not right behind the Convention Center or anything…)
Oh, and I’ve been to Stubb’s but have yet to eat there.
The Salt Lick in Austin is Mecca. Seriously.
But if you’re in LA and you’re feeling adventurous, you might try a drive down to a place called Jaybee’s.
http://www.jaybeesbbq.com/
It is, quite simply, the best damn BBQ in this entire city. Holy shit good real Southern Memphis style, and worth even a slog through rush hour traffic on the 405. So that’s saying something.
Pinks was one of the more disappointing L.A. experiences I had. I get the feeling it’s just something you say you did. The hot dogs aren’t even grilled. They tasted boiled. A Dodger Dog tastes better than that.
When a guy goes to the coast, he looks for in N Out, Fatburger or even Tommy Burger. You also have to get a quality taco (fish and chicken).
Never going to Pinks again.
The hot dogs at pinks are steamed, so they don’t dry out or burn like grilled dogs so often do. (actually steaming is a great way to cook hot dogs at home when you don’t feel like fireing up the grill, and microwave won’t cut it, probably the best way to treat a good kosher dog for the home cook).
Saw Tropic Thunder. The best joke is that Inglorious bastards is gonna be exactly like the movie they were trying to make in the movie (but failed to make), how prescient of the writers. I bet no one else picks up on the similarities and the critics take tarentinos faux-war seriously.
Once Tom Cruise popped on screen I could see why Dave disliked it so much. all that body hair, lol. perhaps instead of leveling jewface at the movie manolha should have come up with something new, like jewhair. :p
But yeah a lot of the movie didn’t make sense, it was funny and entertaining and had a lot of great ideas but some of the stuff didn’t click. But there were times where everything worked and the film was outstanding.
hahaha…. no Tennessee BBQ owns, total fucking ownage, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
Tropic Thunder… How great would it have been if Stiller and Cruise switched roles, or we atleast had bruce willis or john travolta in the tug speedman role? What other actors would you think to cast as Tug instead of Ben, who was obviously the weak link casting-wise in the movie… ?
Cruise should have played both Grossman and Speedman.
Or Bob Odenkirk should have played Grossman and Cruise Speedman.
A coincidence for Mr. Poland: “Bottle Shock” expanded to Raleigh/Durham but not (as yet) to Northern New Jersey. Film also lost a good number of choice NYC and Philadelphia bookings.
Why would anyone need to make excuses for Tropic Thunder? It’s a solid gross, isn’t it? Plus, it should have pretty good legs and doesn’t have much competition for several weeks.
You haven’t tasted BBQ until you’ve eaten the pulled pork at Mac’s in Charlotte. Make sure to order the beef brisket while you’re at it. Truly, the South is culinary Heaven here on Earth. Y’all can have your New York pizzas and Philly cheesesteaks (extra whiz). But authentic Carolina ‘cue is worth twice its weight in gold. Or hush puppies. Whichever you’ve got.
There’s also Doctor Hogly Wogly’s in L.A….well, Van Nuys:
http://www.hoglywogly.com/
I went a few times…it’s good. Especially considering you’re in L.A. and there’s not alot of BBQ. I gotta try Jaybees!
“What other actors would you think to cast as Tug instead of Ben, who was obviously the weak link casting-wise in the movie… ?”
In my fantasies, the movie’s other writer, Justin Theroux. That man is too hot to be working anywhere but in front of the camera.
The ending action set piece was pretty lame. I was bored. The movie’s beginnging set-up, and ideas are fun. But it lost steam about halfway.
I laughed loudly a couple of times. But Cruise and Mconahey cameos was milked too much. pretty “Meh” overall.
The funniest thing for me was the song selections, very cleverly (but not hitting over the forehead) the most over-used songs in war dramas.
Now that it’s looking like The Dark Knight will top out at about $530 million domestic, wouldn’t it make sense to push off the expected December DVD release for a full theatrical re-release in January? This seems to make sense from a number of different perspectives:
Possibly pushes it over the Titanic hump of $600 mil domestic – not a sure thing, but could happen
Gives WB a sustained lead-in to Watchmen in March of ’09, with Harry Potter 6 following in July
Pushes Ledger towards his posthumous Oscar win, assuming the nomination comes through, in tribute for the one-year anniversary of his death
I’m sure I’m not the first person to suggest this, but it seems like there’s enormous upside to a theatrical re-release. What are the chances that WB would consider it?
Absolutely none whatsoever Mark, since none of those factors you mention outweight the bounty to come from the pre-Christmas DVD platform.
Seems like they would make more money simply by releasing it on DVD than by having to deal with the added costs of a theatrical re-release.
re: barbeque in l.a.—i used to be a dr. hogly wogly fan but then discovered this….truly the best i’ve had in socal….
http://www.swingingdoorbbq.com/about.php
I heard something about a rerelease of TDK around Thanksgiving so they can help fill the slot they emptied with Potter, make a few more bucks and piggyback the advertising with the DVD release.
Thanks for the tip, scooterz. I’m in Burbank, so The Swinging Door is pretty close by. My mouth is watering.
Manny Farber, RIP.
Don’t count on a a pre-DVD re-release of “The Dark Knight”. Regal, the largest US theater chain, will not play a film once it comes out on DVD.
Besides, Disney has moved “Bolt” up to fill the Harry Potter hole.
So if Regal won’t play a movie once it comes out on DVD…a pre-DVD re-release should be no problem for them.
Right?
There’s a book on my shelf called *Movies.* I don’t think Manny would mind this: “The old rule-of-thumb that one dog year equals seven years of a human life is not accurate. The ratio is higher with youth and decreases a bit as the dog ages. Depending on breed, a dog experiences the raging hormones of adolescence anywhere from eight months to two years or more. Generally, a dog of six has aged about as much as a 45-year-old human. At 10, she’s like a human of 65; at 12, a human of 75; and at 15, a human of 90.”
Who thinks anyone at AICN has ever heard of Manny Farber, let alone read any of his reviews?
Anybody ever listen to that No Country for Old Men podcast with Elvis Mitchell, Glenn Kenny and…Harry Knowles? VERY uncomfortable, especially the Star Wars comment at the end.
Pretty sure The Swinging Door is closed. Try Ribs U.S.A. in Da ‘Bank. 🙂
To jeffmcm: Regal did play the re-release of “The Departed” but once that film hit DVD it was gone from Regal theaters come Friday.
“Movies” is a paperback offprint of the original edition of “Negative Space.” The 1998 DaCapo reissue has more material and a more legible typeface to boot. Several swell appreciations of the Manny’s metier so far… linked on the front page.
I have an offspring. I experienced the termite aesthetic in the 20th anniversary screening of “Die Hard.”
Is there a cause and effect relationship there, T.?
Can you find a better *modern* example?
Now I really don’t understand what you’re saying/asking.
Let me try again: what does your offspring have to do with Farber and/or Die Hard? Unless your offspring is still an inspring, in which case ‘termite’ suggests a somewhat itchy feeling.
Stop. What’s an offprint of a negative space if it’s not an offspring? Ciao.
By “Offprint” I meant the paperback “Movies” was a copy from the original plates rather than a resetting of type, which used to be the way houses like DaCapo (and “Hillstone, a Division of Stonehill Publishing”) did to save a few bucks.
What excuses does a picture need when it’s really funny, smart and number 1?
Not everybody’s gonna like it, but more pictures like it should get made.
i’m stunned / broken hearted that swinging door may have closed (i was just there a couple of weeks ago)….i’m going to drive by tomorrow and check it out…..*sigh*…..
Re BBQ: The Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati is The One. Even Bob Hope had it flown out to L.A.
If Swinging Door is closed, they haven’t bothered to update their website, which makes no mention of it.
RP, I guess I tend to take Ribs USA for granted, since it’s just up the street here. Haven’t eaten there in ages.
T. Holly, thanks for letting me know that nobody was ever supposed to know what you were talking about with the possible exception of the ghost of James Joyce.
Whatever about ribs.
There’s a FRED DURST MOVIE dropping in a week. FUCK YEAH.
DURST = GOD.
I recommend people try this one out. It’s a little game to see how well you know movie posters. Each letter comes from a poster. I got 22 out of 46.
http://www.empireonline.com/features/posterletters/
Lex: Durst will need all his God powers to make a sports underdog kids movie starring Ice Cube into something that OWNS. 🙂
Durst..Durst…that white idiot who was onstage telling people to break shit while girls were being raped in the mosh pit at Woodstock 99? Now he’s doing a kids movie with Ice Cube? I await the Saturday morning Snoop Dog toon…
Lex, are you actually proud of your awful taste in media? Wait, don’t answer…
The rape stuff is awful but you can’t blame the band, it’s like blaming Jimi Hendrix for people ODing on the brown acid in 69. They were playing their hit song named “Break Stuff”, which is slightly different then yelling “Break Stuff”.
Know what would be cool? A Manny trivia board game.
Actually, I was there with my son at Woodstock ’99. I don’t blame Limp Bizkit for revving up a riot, anymore than I blame the dozen or so equally racucous acts that worked up a sunbaked crowd over three days. Hell, looking back, I blame no one but myself for not getting out when the getting was good, for placing myself and my son in such a volatile situation during the longest MFing night of my life. I am not ashamed to say that, as bad as the media made things out to be there, it actually seemed quite worse at the time. Really. In fact, I hope none of you — yes, none of you — ever find yourself in the position I was in, trying to lie low but remain awake all night in a tent while hearing all hell break loose, and asking yourself the question ever parent dreads having to ask himself/herself: “If this goes down the way I think it might, am I going to be badass enough to take care of my kid?” LOL: Imagine my reaction when I saw The Blair Witch Project just a few days later.
I was also at Woodstock ’99. I thought Durst’s behavior was pretty reprehensible. Of course the blame isn’t entirely his or any other band’s, but he certainly encouraged certain behavior, and instructing that crowd to break shit, etc. told me everything I need to know about Fred Durst. During that entire weekend I only remember one band openly discouraging the crowd’s bad behavior, and that was the lead singer of The Offspring.
Stella: Did you stay over the last night? Remember what the place looked like the morning after? With all the cops in line, wearing riot gear?
Joe, we didn’t stay over the last night. We got there on Friday afternoon and left Sunday night.
You were smart.
Yeah that’s what I hear. I’m glad we got out when we did.
Durst fan or detractor, this is one of the weirder interviews I’ve seen in a while…
http://www.tomgreen.com/blog/?post=548
Plyp: I am deeply ashamed to admit — I got only 17 correct.
Thank you moviecityindie for all the coverage of non-reductionist Manny Farber appreciation. I hope you didn’t take it way too hard.
BIZKIT = FUCK YEAH.
Durst for President.
Go see LONGSHOTS and SUPPORT FRED DURST’S CONTINUED OWNAGE.
Oh LexG. Poor LexG. I hate to break your heart, but….
http://movingpictureblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/longshots.html
Wha wa wa? Fred Durst is the director of an inspiration, teen-girl focused sports comedy?
Can YOU handle this much OWNAGE????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ney8EPrG6ys
DURST 4 LIFE.
BIG weekend at the BO, between DURST, FARIS AND STATHAM. WHOLESALE OWNAGE.
Or perhaps Wholesale Timesharing.
Wholesale ownage could be the white elephant.
Said it before, I’ll say it again…
Huh?
Jimmy,
Where exactly on the NCFOM site do I find the podcast? Or is it gone?