April 23, 2024
BYOB
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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
this is the only movie-related bermuda i could think of given the late hour (at least it’s not dorky-looking long shorts). and the boys – or girls if you’re that way inclined – might like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gs5MXDkwyw
actually, i was having trouble before and just got it to play for me all the way through, and the clip ends before ‘the bissets’ really make a proper appearance, false alarm
Kristin Thompson and David Bordwell stopped into my theatre last week and then wrote about the visit on their blog which MCN linked to yesterday. I was so excited when I logged on for my morning Poland hit and there was the Smith Opera House. Just wanted to share. Here’s the link: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/?p=3941
You’re all invited. Geneva’s not Austin but we’ll still have a party.
BHO went on Leno last night and made fun of the Special Olympics. Mistake or not, he needs to apologize to the nation immediately. my wife voted for the guy and she DVR’d the show last night. We watched it this morning and she was disgusted. She’s a teacher and works with special needs children everyday. to make fun of it in such a light, offhand manner was a mistake and just adds to his problems. A sitting Prez ain’t ever doing that again.
Stunning how the right is so against political correctness until they can use it to score a cheap point against a popular president.
Saw Elegy last night and it might be my favorite movie of last year. I liked Coixet’s previous two films but this was quite a leap forward. Cruz was as dynamic and beautiful as she was in Volver while playing a dramaticly different part. Prior to Volver I had never paid much attention to Cruz and wondered why people still gave her work. I also did not find her all that attractive, once describing her as looking like a Muppet (this was in the Vanilla Sky, Sahara days). Volver turned my ass around quickly and now I can’t wait to see her on the screen. So my question is, has the rise of independents and boutique studios (Miramax, Focus) created a vacuum at the major studio level as far as women’s roles are concerned? Do the major even bother trying to cultivate decent roles for women or have the simply given up the ground to their dependents?
Even more stunning, since I’m not on the right or left, neither a Dem or a GOP. To be an admitted member of either of these parties is to admit you’re a fool. Period.
Well, it’s the headline on Drudge at the moment so the point stands. But if I was confusing you for another regular poster, my apologies.
Obama apologized to the Special Olympics before the joke even aired, and he’ll probably make an appearance or something at an event sometime soon to make up for it. If I have to hear about this all weekend now I’m going to throw up.
Doesn’t change that it’s what he feels in his heart, just like when Brando spouted his anti-Jew remarks years ago. That’s how it starts.
Don’t worry. you won’t hear bout it cause the lib media will protect their golden boy.
If Dubya had said it. WHOA.
Doesn’t change that it’s what he feels in his heart, just like when Brando spouted his anti-Jew remarks years ago. That’s how it starts.
Don’t worry. you won’t hear bout it cause the lib media will protect their golden boy.
If Dubya had said it. WHOA.
I first heard about the remark this morning when I read the New York Times.
Here’s come the barrage of mock outrage! if there’s anything our political system and it’s myriad pundits are efficient at it’s mustering up insane amounts of mock outrage when the need arises. The media loves this shit too.
It’s all a tempest in a teapot. I’ve worked with special needs kids too and I would say that anyone seriously “disgusted” by the remark has more issues than Obama.
8:03am: “I’m not on the right or left, neither a Dem or a GOP.”
9:34 am: “Doesn’t change that it’s what he feels in his heart, just like when Brando spouted his anti-Jew remarks years ago. That’s how it starts.
Don’t worry. you won’t hear bout it cause the lib media will protect their golden boy.”
Contradictory bullshit.
What’s better than winning at the Special Olympics?
Not being disabled.
“Don’t worry. you won’t hear bout it cause the lib media will protect their golden boy.”
Jeff may have beaten me to it – but it’s kinda hard not to say “bullshit” after reading this from someone who says they’re not on the right.
I work with special needs kids, and have said simmilar things on occation, in certain company. It’s bullshit – mock outrage – to say that reveals what’s really in his heart. porrly chosen words, no doubt, but the outrage is crap.
Er, “Poorly”, that is… How appropo.
Outrage? – that comment is not deserving of an outrage by anybody.
I watched the clip this morning, and yeah my first thought was a) Obama is making fun of himself about his bowling, and b) yeah not the best example there Prez.
So, yeah it’s a made-up contraversy like so many. He apologized, I don’t really feel he upset anyone. BUT, had W. or HRC or Bill or ANY other “normal” politician had said it…what would you think then?
“Doesn’t change that it’s what he feels in his heart, just like when Brando spouted his anti-Jew remarks years ago.”
Yes, what a perfect corallary. I bet Obama jes hates all those gimps! Glad he was outed on teevee!
But EOTW, did you demand Bush apologize for lying the nation into war six years ago? People ended up with their limbs missing after his decision…
EOTW is correct in stating that if Bush had made the same gaffe, there would have been outrage on the left. Since its Obama, its “no big deal”.
And it isn’t. Its only interesting to me in the sense that its yet another gaffe by history’s most elegant and articulate president, who’s early batting average is rivaling Bush’s (which is a feat). But Obama’s comment wasn’t mean-spirited in the least. He apologized. End of story.
For mock outrage, look no further than the political grandstanding surrounding the AIG bonus flap.
GWB was a walking gaffe.
But I agree that the AIG bonus thing got real stupid, real fast, and the House leadership has acted poorly.
This Obama thing may be the stupidest “issue” ever launched by one side of the spectrum.
And yes, the liberals would have been just as stupidly happy to hang it around Bush’s neck.
Of course, to suggest that the rather long for Leno interview was remotely about the Special Olympics or making fun of the Special Olympics, when what Obama was doing was making fun of himself, is absurd.
My first thought was to think about what fun it will be watching the best Special Olympics bowler beating Obama in a grudge match at The White House bowling lanes.
To say that Obama’s first two months in office, burdened with what is undeniably Bush’s destruction of the American banking system by non-regulation – which Clinton might have also done, as he did for the internet bubble, though not to nearly as serious an effect – is comparable to Bush’s tenure of leading America right into harm’s way (he took a country with a decent economy and some serious issues for the future and drove us to edge of a depression with very little progress towards a better tomorrow and much looking back in his/his cronies’ philosophies) is just as load of pucky.
The “side” of the spectrum, in these kinds of things isn’t left or right. It’s the media. Which isn’t left or right. It just looks for screw-ups, reports it, then the rest of the media comments, then people blog about, then they’re are 50 different (but usually mostly the same) opinions and here we are. They report ANYTHING that might kinda sound like a contraversy and go from there.
Frankly, NBC news lack of covering the Stewart / Cramer interview was much more of a story. Until Zuker talked about it a good 6 days after the fact.
DP – I love you, but why am I not at all surprised that you bring up Clinton in your response. If you think that President Clinton “might” be at fault for this recession, shouldn’t you be mad at President Obama for having mostly former Clinton Advisors in his White House?
The AIG bonus “mess” being solved by this bill that passed yesterday is why everyone hates congress. Knee-jerk reactions like this don’t solve shit.
mystery, for once we are in perfect agreement. There was no malice in the remark.
Yes, it’s always nice to see the staunchest opponents of political correctness in nearly every other form band together in faux outrage to score a cheap political point on a popular U.S. president.
Sure, there was no malice in the remark, but that’s not going to stop Obama’s enemies from laying a haymaker on the guy. There, my friends, is the subtle difference between being a hypocrite and a fucking hypocrite.
Well, if Bush had made that comment, we would have all agreed that, yes, it was just like the Special Olympics because he’s disabled in many, many ways.
man. i hate conservatives, but i hate p.c. liberals more.
He made a slightly offensive comment about being a poor bowler and compared it to the special olympics. Are we supposed to act like the contestants at the special olympics are spectacular at their sports?
Why do we live in a world where people expect our leaders to not make a single mistake? What a hypocritcal and obnoxious nation we live in. Stop treating politicians like celebrties people. I don’t give a fuck if the guy went on tv and declared he liked to sodomize the elderly. There’s bigger things to worry about.
Bunch of whiny little bitches.
WHO GIVES A SHIT.
WHO GIVES A FUCK.
He’s a real guy, and real guys talk like real guys to other guys. We finally have a guy in the White House, and he’s THIS GUY. How exactly did that happen? WE get a guy, and he’s not a slag ass. God bless us… everyone.
Nevertheless; the right have been insulting McCain’s daughter all week, want the country to fail, and continue to be a bunch of out of touch wankers. So, yeah, they can go fuck themselves. If they make a big deal out of this.
It was an unfortunate comment. He apologized. Moving on.
DP- Your economic analysis is… terrible. Stick to your day job.
Mystery: you lost. Move on.
BSG pretty much ended with a “GIVE PEACE A CHANCE AND DO NOT TRUST TECHNOLOGY NOT TO KILL YOU” ending. Good times. Good times.
Two quick questions:
First, has anyone here seen Let the Right One In? I just watched it and thought it was amazing. Would love to know what the rest of you think.
Second, where is LexG? I usually read quietly from the sideline and don’t post. And as “unique” as Lex’s posts may be, I’ve actually grown to root for the guy. Just hope all is well with him. The last two days worth of BYO(x) threads haven’t had any of his free spirit.
Just asking.
HoopersX
It’s not like he said “I look like one of those one-armed retards at the special Olympics, don’t I?” Mountain, Molehill. And if Bush had said this not even half a year into his first time it wouldn’t have been made that big a deal of, I’m sure.
Hoopers, I saw Let the Right One In back in August. I liked it quite a bit, but didn’t think it was the revelatory masterpiece so many others seem to think. I guess I just wanted it to make up it’s mind as to whether it was going to intellectual or a gore-fest. Sure, you can be both, but I thought the radical shift in tone was jarring.
However, if by Lex’s “free spirit” you mean “bourbon-fueled rants about his dick and the breasts of famous actresses” then yes, the threads have been missing that.
I thought “Knowing” was awesome. That is all.
And to para-quote OFFICE SPACE: “I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing Lex.”
Lex is on Triple-Not-So-Secret Probation.
I’m sure this will be exciting/infuriating, but you will get to live part of the real-time LET THE RIGHT ONE IN experience with me.
Okay, 46 minutes into this and I just got bored enough to switch over to “Spawn” for 20 minutes. Yes, the Michael Jai White one.
I appreciate the austere look and overheard feel, but does anything eventually HAPPEN in this movie? Perhaps just one of those nights where it’s not remotely the right mood to get into the spirit of a slower, more cerebral take on genre material, but the setups and light just seem flat and drab too. I’m also pretty sure I’ve called a mind-blowing “twist” before the 1/3 mark.
Right about now I wish I WAS watching the upcoming American remake; I hope it’s shot and set in the sun-drenched San Fernando Valley and has a clueless rap-metal soundtrack, and runs about 81 minutes.
Again, I’m barely halfway and it’s had a couple moments, so we’ll see.
Mostly I’m just STUNNED that ***BEN LYONS*** had this on his best-of list; I can’t believe his allegedly-texts-through-screenings frat-guy ass knew what to make of this.
This is why nobody likes you.
With all due respect to my man HoopersX up above and all the very, very smart people both here and whom I know in real life who raved about LTROI for months on end:
I have to say, speaking solely subjectively, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is absolutely the LEAST interesting, least involving, least entertaining, least visceral movie I have seen in 36 years.
I absolutely cannot, NOT FOR ONE SECOND, see what any of you could remotely respond to or relate to in it.
Never mind that in attempt one it took me THREE HOURS AND 21 MINUTES just to get to the 80-minute mark, and that I started from scratch a day later with no baggage and an open mind, and it STILL took me FOUR EXCRUCIATING, rewind-heavy hours to sit through this endurance test of sheer, unbearable BOREDOM.
What is to remotely like, relate to, or CARE ABOUT Oskar or Eli in ANY WAY?
If I had a nickel for every time some pompous windbag declared this austere drone-fest “infinitely superior” to, say, Twilight or Tru Blood or American horror in general, I’d be a fucking TRILLIONAIRE.
But what, honestly, could AAAAAAAAAAAAANYONE have enjoyed for one single, solitary second about LET THE RIGHT ONE IN? The completely loathesome and annoying protagonist? The undeveloped “vampire” kid?
The completely boring adult characters? That inept and retarded wannabe-Argento moment with the attacking cats? The complete lack of any relatable human behavior? The cinematography that looks like the director turned a fucking flood light on some snow? Yeah, great “visual style”– aka, LIGHT EVERYTHING AS BRIGHT AND FLAT AS POSSIBLE.
The pacing that makes Warhol’s “Empire” look like fucking “Crank”?
Boring characters, boring actors, absolutely not ONE SECOND of remote interest whatsoever.
I have obviously seen much, much worse movies, but I have never, EVER been as disengaged, unmoved, uninterested and confounded.
WORST MOVIE OF 2008 by 10 billion, trillion fucking miles.
They should have added some rap metal for you.
I think LTROI is one of my top 5 best movies of the year–despite some misgivings and mixed feelings regarding the ending.
But somehow Lex’s dislike of it warms my heart–something tells me I don;t want to idolize the movies that Lex thinks “own”.
Well, the movie’s been discussed here ad nauseam, and there are plenty of online reviews I can refer to singing its praises.
So asking “What exactly did you like about?” sounds like disingenuous bait. I’ll just say, at the wholesale risk of making myself sound even stupider than I usually do, I’m being pretty sincere in that I found not one shot, not one line of dialogue, not one exchange, not one image, not one second of screen time to be remotely interesting or involving.
I literally felt NOTHING one way or another watching it. And I tried TWICE and spent probably a grand total of seven hours slogging through LTROI, often rewinding and rewatching from scratch, practically willing myself to find something, ANYTHING worthwhile or visceral or exciting or moving or interesting or relatable. A lot of very smart people have been talking this up, and no one wants to be the last dunce raining on everyone else’s parade.
There are dozens, hundreds of beloved movies that just might not do it for me, or for you, or for a certain type of person… But usually the thoughtful or well-reasoned or film-savvy among us can at least objectively see what others MIGHT appreciate about a work of art.
Honestly, not only did I aggressively dislike the movie and find it monumentally boring, but I can’t even conceive of how anyone could have enjoyed or related to a single frame of it.
If nothing else, the absolutely terrible scenes with the charisma-free drunken adult characters and the crazy cat man and the cat attack should be enough to keep this well out of “masterpiece” range for even those who find something touching about the central story with the boy and the vampire.
“I can’t even conceive of how anyone could have enjoyed or related to a single frame of it.”
The sheer number of people who love it, and have expressed themselves in reviews all across the internet, should be adequate for you.
And if not ‘infintely’ better than Twilight, it’s still better in just about every possible way – performances, direction, cinematography, story, etc.
Lex, if you spent as much time working toward getting acting jobs as you do rewatching movies you hate, maybe you’d get an extra job in some shit movie and get a SAG point.
personally i have loads of charisma when i’m drunk
so lex really didn’t feel ‘let the right one in’, big deal. i liked it ok but i didn’t think it was all that, probably because all the over-hyping had me expecting too much. and i can’t remember if it was lex who lamented about the lighting, but it was indeed crap, imho
(i’m starting to feel like chucky version II with my multiple-comment-crusade about ‘over-hyping’, but i have a bug up my ass or a bee in my bonnet, either way; the bonnet is far more ladylike and dainty so i’ll go with that)
If there’s one thing the internet does extremely well, it’s overhyping movies. I remember hearing nothing but amazing things about Equilibrium, and that movie was a shoddy piece of garbage with the lamest action I’ve seen in a good long time.