May 15, 2024
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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
“in spite of the comeuppance, the male fantasy of the torture is all about the whack-off over dominating out-of-reach girls.”
It really isn’t. It’s about _being_ those girls, becoming victimized, and finding a way to overcome it against a loser wannabe torturer who seems like a nice guy but winds up giving in to his inner jerk.
I think you are completely correct about Superbad, however. It’s more progressive than your Porky’s or your similar-type movies from a generation ago because, ultimately, it’s a buddy picture about guys dealing with their emotions.
HOSTEL II FUCKING OWNS.
Uh… it really is.
The scam is that it is, somehow, about the one girl who survives and turns the tables. But that is not the red meat, any more than Saw is about someone escaping in the end. It is, obviously, a film about people facing their own death and the choices they can be pushed to make.
“It is, obviously, a film about people facing their own death and the choices they can be pushed to make.”
Sounds like we’re in agreement, then.
The ‘red meat’ of the movie is in two parts, in this movie: it’s identifying with the three girls who get chased around and frightened, in standard horror-movie fashion; and identifying (in a more complicated way) with the two guys who are intending to be the ‘clients’ who meet their fates in a clearly moralistic manner.
I’m sorry to continue to have to bring this argument up.
Have any of you folks watched Saturday Night Fever lately? Trust me: If this were a contemporary film, people would be screaming about how close John Travolta’s character comes to committing date rape.
Stephanie Mangano was such a pain in the ass, too. Tony should’ve stuck with Pescow and her arsenal of condoms.
And Tony does the right thing just in time. Unlike that stone prick Double-J, who had no such qualms about taking advantage of Pescow there near the end.
But the kid in the giant ‘fro cock-blocks ’em all with that dive into the drink.
Movie FUCKING OWNS. I’ve seen it 167 times.
Donna Pescow? Geez, another name I haven’t heard in a while…
Back to Saturday Night Fever: I’ve shown this movie to students, and some of them are quite shocked by Tony’s casual racism. But then I show them Popeye Doyle in French Connection and…
In the 1970s, they really didn’t give a flip about making movie protagonists likeable all the time, did they?
Sorry… you misunderstood. I was describing Saw.
Hostel II is not about anything other than arousal by horrific abuse of women.
Nice job, Poland. You’re take on Superbad is astute and accurate. The argument in question is beyond stupid and grasping at non-existent straws. If the film did anything that they imply or had anything to do with date rape it would have been discussed, criticized, or ripped apart a long time ago.
Goddamnit, Hunter. Don’t talk or write about comedies.
Is it just my imagination, or are people posting a lot less frequently than they used to do on this blog?
Thank you Dave, well put. I sort of got sucked into this argument with Hunter on another site and ended up giving in after two half-assed responses. The thought of engaging in any further defensive back and forth made me feel like a creep in need of a shower.
Absolutely right Joe
This blog has become an outlet for political flotsam and jetsam. When it gets back to film 24/7 give me a call.
Joe: let them. This is more important than relatively stupid movie discussion. Once the fate of the free world is secure. Everything else will be cool. Hopefully.
Superbad has nothing to do with date rape, no matter how you twist it.
WALL-E, however…(see Devin Farici’s funny editorial on it over on CHUD)
To paraphrase “Billy Madison”: What Devin and Hunter just wrote are two of the most insanely idiotic things I’ve ever heard. At no point in their rambling, incoherent responses were they even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone commenting on this post is now dumber for having read them. I award them no points, and may God have mercy on their soul.
I never realized until this weekend how much Devin resembles Peter Jackson.
And while SUPERBAD has nothing to do with date rape, it has a lot to do with two teenage boys denying their love for each other. Their awkward, post-sleepover conversation is supposed to mimic a straight guy waking up next to his female conquest from the night prior. It’s so clear Evan loves Seth, and vice versa. Where’s that column?
I never realized until this weekend how much Devin resembles Peter Jackson.
And while SUPERBAD has nothing to do with date rape, it has a lot to do with two teenage boys denying their carnal lust for each other. Their awkward, post-sleepover conversation is supposed to mimic a straight guy waking up next to his female conquest from the night prior. It’s so clear Evan loves Seth, and vice versa. Where’s that column?
TMJ:
http://tinyurl.com/6jmhrz
“It’s so clear Evan loves Seth, and vice versa.”
There’s absolutely no question in my mind that Seth is gay. It’s practically advertised in bright neon from the opening gas station scene.
Sadly, it will remain unrequited as Evan appears to be straight.
“Sorry… you misunderstood. I was describing Saw.”
Fine and dandy, but please tell me this doesn’t mean that David thinks the Saw movies are somehow worthwhile?
Oh David, David, David.
Also, I’m sorry you were aroused by Hostel 2.
Trying to be clever doesn’t suit you, J-Mc… above your pay grade.
Your words, not mine. I think we saw two different movies, personally.
The nine most annoying words in the essay: “Now, I never got around to seeing Superbad, myself(…)”
At which point my attention span grabbed it’s hat, politely excused itself, and made it’s way for the door.
Thanks, Nick (way late)