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
Australia the 19th? Ignoring my bias against Fox, the negative buzz against the film and Oprah’s claim that it’s the film of the century….they are holding it much too closely.
That’s all that’s left? Cripes, maybe The Dark Knight has a Best Pic chance for a nom after all.
Since you cite my fellow attendees of the Benjamin Button screening, I hope it’s OK I give my own brief report. It ain’t Gone With the Wind, though it felt as long. The script is indeed like Forrest Gump – Eric Roth is drinking from the next well over – but the film-making and actors are not well schooled in connecting (actor to actor, film to audience). Technically, it’s a beaut.
I’m as surprised as Hallick. Really? That’s it? And I had forgotten all about Rev Road since The Reader came back into play and started looking all amazing (as we should have never doubted).
Just a thought… if Paramount were so psyched to show off Benjamin Button, why would they hold the first major press screening on Thanksgving day? It seems like just the day that many critics and what not would be out of their home states, or back in their home states, and thus unable to make the screening.
samias, you pretty much nailed it.
David,
I’m curious to know why you (and other oscar pundits) are hearing this second hand talk of the movie being so fabulous, but the people who actually have seen the movie and share with us online are not so keen about it.
David,
I’m curious to know why you (and other oscar pundits) are hearing this second hand talk of the movie being so fabulous, but the people who actually have seen the movie and share with us online are not so keen about it.
Kami – The first press screening is actually on the 20th… the first DGA screening, which is the first after I am back in town, is Thanksgiving Day.
And DJ – I am not taking a position, actually. We are a short run from seeing the film itself… and in the end, that is all that matters. I really, really, really don’t care what long lead people say or what studio buzz is or what the rumbling on the street is. Same with Australia.
Of course, on every film there is going to be a WIDE variation on what people think of the work on screen. I would still argue that Titanic was two very weak acts of melodrama saved by one of the best third-act action movies of all time. Flip side, I
No DEFIANCE, DP? Or have you seen already?
After five years, I still sure wish I knew what DP thought of Matrix Revolutions (except that he wouldn’t ‘take on all comers’ over it, which is something, I guess).
Defiance closed AFI last Sunday… so it is already in media play…
Karina, thanks for the compliment. DP, I agree about your assessment of the principals’ work til this one. I look forward to hearing what you think Fincher was going for and whether you feel Pitt approached this as a character role.
I saw Benjamin Button over the weekend at the DGA screening in NY. It is truly a masterpiece. All the snarks out there should grab their kleenex and see the film. I think Fincher will win the Oscar for CCBB…although he should have won last year for Zodiac…but Jake G. was the reason that film has not been viewed as the classic that it is.