April 16, 2024
Box Office
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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
While catching up with “Zombieland” this afternoon–decent, if a tad overrated, and not remotely in the same league as “Shaun of the Dead”–I peeked into “Invention of Lying” and was pleasantly surprised to see a nice crowd for the 2:00 matinee.
The first two-thirds of “Lying” are brilliant: it reminded me of Albert Brooks masterpieces like “Lost in America” and “Defending Your Life.” And while it tapers off a bit in the final act, the movie engenders so much goodwill until hen that I didn’t really mind.
Yes, “Lying” looks kind of homely for a major studio release in 2009, but who said comedies have to be pretty? Whatever it’s ultimate b.o. fate (and that opening day matinee at my neighborhood ‘plex may have been an aberration), I think it’s destined to pick up a major cult following on dvd and cable.
While catching up with “Zombieland” this afternoon–decent, if a tad overrated, and not remotely in the same league as “Shaun of the Dead”–I peeked into “Invention of Lying” and was pleasantly surprised to see a nice crowd for the 2:00 matinee.
The first two-thirds of “Lying” are brilliant: it reminded me of Albert Brooks masterpieces like “Lost in America” and “Defending Your Life.” And while it tapers off a bit in the final act, the movie engenders so much goodwill until then that I didn’t really mind.
Yes, “Lying” looks kind of homely for a major studio release in 2009, but who said comedies have to be pretty? Whatever it’s ultimate b.o. fate (and that opening day matinee at my neighborhood ‘plex may have been an aberration), I think it’s destined to pick up a major cult following on dvd and cable.
sorry for the double post:
I was trying to correct “until hen,” and both the original and corrected post made it through simultaneously.
Weird.
Sony is really coming on strong in the last couple months…can’t quite figure out why Searchlight is going wide with “Whip It.” Barely seen any ads…=(
Surprised Zombieland is picked to be tops…pleasantly surprised.
I may be a ridiculous Anglophile, and would seriously consider naming a kid Steven Patrick, but Zombieland puts Shaun of the Dead 36 feet under. Shaun of the Dead is not even in the same league as Zombieland.
Ethan, you have to watch certain networks to see Whip It ads. The audience that I saw it with had mainly women in it. So Searchlight obviously went after that quadrant more than anyone else.
Whip It is a great movie by the way. Devin Farci once again demonstrates why he is why he is, and Drew Barrymore throws some interesting mom issues into the film. Which really pushed it over the top for me. Oh yeah, Zoe Bell in a skirt. GOOD TIMES!
“I think it’s destined to pick up a major cult following on dvd and cable.”
So Ricky Gervais is like the new Bruce Campbell, where everything he makes is “cult”.
“Whip It is a great movie by the way. Devin Farci once again demonstrates why he is why he is, and Drew Barrymore throws some interesting mom issues into the film. Which really pushed it over the top for me. Oh yeah, Zoe Bell in a skirt. GOOD TIMES!”
Well I hope it outperforms expectations. 7 or 8 million is pretty weak…
Pretty weak for what? Zombieland is a horrour film opening in freakin September. It also has had great marketing. It should do well. While Whip It a sports film for mothers and daughters. Yeah, the folks out in Hollywood really know how to market films like this one.
So, again, pretty weak for what?
A double feature of movies that have been available on DVD for over a decade will make twice as much as Whip It. That’s the definition of weak.
Wait, wait, you’re debating the box-office ranking of films that have no ranking yet?
WHIP IT! is going to be a word-of-mouth long-lingering slow-burner more than a big opener.
However it does this weekend, I’d expect minimal drops every week and it’ll be in the top 10 for weeks and weeks. It’s from the people who generally milk their movies for MONTHS; Isn’t 500 Days still making bank? Whip It will play through Thanksgiving, GUARANTEED.
Wrecktum, have you seen Whip It?
Whip It is only opening on 1700 screens. That’s… sad.
I haven’t commented on “Cloudy” previously–it opened while I was in Toronto and was (understandably) at the bottom of my catch-up list–but those incredibly sturdy legs make sense after finally seeing the movie.
It’s genuinely clever without being snarky: consistently funny throughout and even (unexpectedly) touching at the end. Despite a third act that feels like a reprise of “Monsters Vs. Aliens” (an inferior movie in every way), I liked this a lot. After “Up” and “Ponyo,” it’s hand’s down my favorite 2009 ‘toon.
Guess that “Lying” matinee I peeked in on wasn’t a fluke.
A $9-million weekend is a lot bigger than anyone (even Warner Brothers) was expecting.
Poor “Whip it”! Not entirely sure what went wrong here–
“Juno” backlash/fatigue?; roller derby turn-off factor?–but hopefully positive w.o.m. will give it an ancillary bump. This really should have been the sleeper hit of the season.
101: do you really think that “Zombieland” is better than “Shaun”?? I liked “Zombie” okay (terrific cast, pacy 87-minute run time, a genius Bill Murray cameo), but “Shaun” really is a minor masterpiece.
movieman, don’t question IO on Zombieland. He’s had a hardon for that movie for some time now, I believe. Or a hardon of Jesse Eisenberg. One of the two.
Great numbers for it though. Although I reckon it’s more due to its great title and the lack of anything remotely interesting to the target audience.
Naturally, the Pixar scheduling sucks balls for anyone who dares to not live in North America. Having to wait until Christmas to see the Toy Story flicks because Up is still screening (it only just came out here a few weeks back). And if you’re looking for a reason as to why Ice Age 3 was such a big success, it’s because Up was withheld for so long.
“So, again, pretty weak for what?”
The early weekend estimate is less than $5 million. For Searchlight that’s worse than “I Think I Love My Wife” and barely more than Nia Vardalos’s Greek disaster from earlier this summer. They should have gone the 500 Days route. If your per theatre average is less than $2000, you aren’t going to last much longer in theatres than theatre owners are contractually obligated to keep you. “Whip It” won’t hit $15 million, and may not break 10.
Movie: I am a huge fan of Shaun, but the film lacks an emotional core. It’s too British and stoic for it’s own good. Zombieland just has more heart than Shaun, and that’s why it’s one of the better zombie films ever made. It has a very strong emotional core, and how can you not love Tallahassee?
Ethan: it’s still a sports flick for chicks, and those rarely bring in the numbers without a beanpole Brit in them. It should linger for a while, and make some bank if it gets a bit more expansion.
You are right that the film should have followed the 500 Days model, but this weekend had a horrour movie opening. So the girls who may have gone and seen Whip it. Went and saw something else. These things happen, but here’s to DVD!
Yeah…they should have been able to leg at least 25 mil. out of this flick. Expansion appears unlikely given that “Capitalism” and “Invention of Lying” have similar screen counts but better per theatre hauls.
101- I’m a little surprised to hear (read?) that you didn’t think “Shaun” had an emotional core since that was what I most responded to about it. I remember being pleasantly surprised at how moved I was by the film’s ending–had a similar reaction to “An American Werewolf in London” back in ’81 and (more recently) the ridiculously pissed-upon “Jennifer’s Body.”
But apples and oranges. I liked “Zombieland” well enough, and I’m glad to see that something besides “Meatballs” is finally banking some serious coin.
I agree. It’s definitely a very British, stoically restrained emotional core, but I can’t think of any other horror comedy with as much strong male emotionality to it (haven’t seen Zombieland yet).
“I am a huge fan of Shaun, but the film lacks an emotional core.”
That’s just bizarro. What kept me away from SOTD at first was far of that British snark sensibility, but it’s the only zombie film that tears me up. That’s what’s brilliant about Wright and Pegg. They get geek, but they have an inate compassion. Diablo Cody has that too. I mean, Pegg is weeping throughout the movie. And he kills his own mother! The movie’s about friendship and family. I can’t think of too many genre films that leap like SOTD.
It’s very British because it’s actually British. I haven’t seen Zombieland, but the trailer makes it look very American.
WOW. Whod’ve thunk it.
No reason to get snakry Kiki. I love the Brits, but Shaun is too British for it’s own good. This is why I dig Zombieland so much. It’s like Shaun. If Shaun actually had that GO GET AMERICAN ATTITUDE! WOOOO!!! Again, Edgar and Co. rule. It does not change the fact that outside of the British isle. Some people have the ability to get blubbery, and have it hit you. Tallahassee crying over his wallet has more emotional punch than anything in Shaun. Luckily Edgar got over his stoicism, and made the overly awesome Hot Fuzz.
Christian: It’s called ZOMBIELAND. Go give Columbus, Little Rock, Tallahassee, and Wichita your money :D!
EMMA STONE + AMBER HEARD = MEGABONER.
I need to see this asap.
There’s no way Zombieland is even in Shaun’s ballpark. I liked it fine, but it was essentially a more sitcommy, dumb kind of zombie comedy. And in terms of emotions, it pulled back where Shaun never did…like Tallahassee is crying over the wallet, but it’s sort of overdone and then he wipes his eyes with money so we know the movie is still a wacky comedy. In Shaun, when Shaun’s mother dies, there’s in humor there. And yeah, the male bonding in Shaun is just as effecting.
Basically, Zombieland is the more obvious version of Shaun. I liked it pretty well, but in the end it was a good movie and not a great one. And it’s hard to get too invested in the big climax of the movie seeing it’s predicated on the characters making the dumbest decision possible and then being surprised by the outcome.
And Shaun got the small details right…like, after just one day of zombie attcks, the power goes out. How long did they say the world has been under siege in Zombieland, six weeks. Yet no matter where they went, there was power. How convineient, and good thing there are only about 20 zombies in all of LA.
So, you’re saying that Shaun of the Dead is “too British” by not being enough American enough?
Probably jumping the shark here..but since people are touting “Basterds” for best pic..and some even “Distict 9” (AwardsDaily’s cred drops by the day. They annoint District 9 upon release as a contender but are forced into adding “Up” to their list by site posters…riiiight) why not “Where the Wild Things Are?” This is the third feature from the director of “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation” after all, even if its a kiddie flick on the surface. It has one of the most masterful trailers I’ve seen ever (thank you Arcade Fire), though I’m sure the test screenings turn some people off, and the posters annoiting the Wild Things with names like “Carol” make me wary…but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Two other “deep sleeps” to keep an eye on this late in the game that I’m going to plug for:
*All Good Things. The plotline screams “too-genre,” and the lack of a trailer is not so good, but it’s been moved continually right into the heart of awards season. Also, it’s the second feature of “Capturing the Friendmans” helmer Andrew Jarecki, and the MPAA just rated it which is a sign it won’t move again. Oh yeah, it also stars Ryan Gosling, Frank Langella, Kirsten Dunst, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kristen Wiig. I guess the biggest question mark is why it didn’t premiere at a fest. Still it’s worth keeping an eye on.
*Me and Orson Welles. Yeah it’s been waiting on a distributor for over a year, and it co-stars *cringe* Zac Efron and has a shot in the dark, but I actually think Efron is a decent actor. Plus it’s Linklater, and though it’s only 60% early reviews on rottentomatoes, the 3 positive reviews are the legit publications are are EXTREMELY positive. It’ll probably die anyway…
And by extremely positive, I mean it seems like Todd McCarthy practically wet himself over “Orson Welles”:
“An extraordinary impersonation of the American theatrical boy wonder by the young English actor Christian McKay is the indisputable highlight of
Perm: do you know what it takes to take down a power grid? Do you really? The small details? Let me over inflate my self worth and others by stating that all of your responses can be summed up by the way you think I feel. You are defending the movie you like better, that’s fine. If you think Shaun went all the way. I disagree. Zomebieland is the best zombie film of this decade. Nothing comes close to touching it. Small little touches. Jeebus.
Kiki: apparently Australians never ever feel this way about the country that still has bragging rights on their flag. Yes, some things can be too British. A prime example is the Office. The Brits give us Tim and Dawn. We give you Pam and Jim. Which one is better? The sad sack shit or the happy ending? Hmmm. I wonder?
Brits just get mired in weird shit that’s so emotionally crippled compared to the country in which I live, that I do feel occasionally some of their finer entertainment can be too damn British.
This is a saying over her Kiki, and it’s not because we want it to be AMERICANIZED. Some people either do not get it, or wish it was less stiff upper lip. Again, move over here, stop being Australian, and become a dude living in West Hollywood, then you might get it. Until then, I am glad I brought this little bit of illumination into your life.
Ethan: The critics are scared of what Where The Wild Things Are will be. If it’s anywhere close to being similar to that article about the movie in like the Times or whatever, where Jonze wanted to make a fucking Cassevettes kids film. Well, really, the critics will either eat it up with utensils, spit at it. I hope it gets Oscar consideration. Why? The Academy owes one to Warners. You dig?
You don’t have to “take down” a power grid. What you do is not tend to it for a little while and it shuts down. You think those things work forever with no one manning them?
I don’t even know what you mean by “the way you think I feel.” Like, that’s English but I can’t understand it.
So Shaun is emotionally crippled even though several characters cry, but not wipe their eyes with money to make it funny…and I guess Zombieland is not emotionally constipated because Woody likes to fight and shoot and yell?
Can you stop calling me Kiki? I’d really appreciate that.
Perm: you have responded to countless arguments of mine by stating, that I am only responding the way that I am because I like this or that. I am starting to figure out more and more that people really have a hard time putting shit together on entertainment websites. Luckily other websites feature different people that understand the English, and roll with the punches.
Snarkiness aside, again, the power going off in Shaun is fucking retarded for a few reasons. I may be wrong, but I could have sworn that unlike America, GB has a lot of it’s power lines underground. So, yeah, how does that work with zombies on the top levels?
Secondly, it had been maybe four months past Z-day when we meet Columbus. A power grid could last for maybe a year without maintenance.
Third, the little touches in all zombie movies are all bullshit. The simple fact of the matter will always be this: there are a lot of bullets in this country. I mean a lot. Almost every zombie movie likes to act as if the US Military lack the ability to deal with biological threats, but they do. So any little touch should feature the military immediately and effectively liquidating any and all areas upon arrival. So Shaun nor Columbus would have much time walking around with zombies in close proximity.
Finally, I just buy the characters in Zombieland more. Shaun still til the last time I watched it about three weeks ago, feels tonally off to me. Everything in that movie, while good in parts, does not really come together as a whole for me.
It’s not like I hate Shaun of the Dead. It’s just that I like what Zombieland did with the whole zombiepocolypse a lot better.
If Kiki upsets you that much. Imagine a person reading your nick or Perm’s. Easily two nicks that make mine look some what decent in comparison.
It doesn’t matter if power lines are underground or above ground. You don’t have to rip out a power line to shut down power. Luckily, someone has researched the matter:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2165/when-the-zombies-take-over-how-long-till-the-electricity-fails
Also, the military would most likely not be able to contain a fast moving zombie apocalypse one it became full blown. Slow moving, I could buy. But once a city got hot, how do you shut it down?
And yeah, based on your past posting, Zombieland seems like something you’d like more. I’m not surprised to hear this.
I hear you, but just because Warner Brothers has suddenly turned into the studio behemoth, I don’t think that’s reason for the Academy to take notice (and isnt some kind of ridiculous consolation for “Dark Knight.” I was on the Rev Road train last year so I feel the pain..but cmon). “Invictus” is its Awards pony for sure, first of all. If WB decides it wants to push two films, or if “Invictus” isn’t praised, then Wild Things will fly if it’s well received. Warner Bros. is at a point where its hits are so big, its flops (Inkheart, Whiteout, Terminator 4, Shorts are significant losers for just this year while Watchmen hugely underperformed) aren’t consequential.
Track record on awards tho: Warners, like Big Fox, only goes with one major film per year. Last year it was Gran Torino, with “Body of Lies” and “Appaloosa” unsuccesfully looking for scraps with no help from the studio. Oh yeah. And “Dark Knight.”
The year before that Warners had 3 of the 6 best films of 2007 in my opinion. What did they do? They stranded “Assasination of Jesse James,” but on the other hand the director staged disastrous screenings that went 25 minutes over the eventual release on September 20 and October 5, 2007 that destroyed that film. Sad. Throw out 2 self-indulgent screenings and you have one of the masterpieces of the decade.
Warners stuck “In the Valley of Elah” on the same day as its “The Brave One” with Jodie Foster. Elah got little or no promotion, despite it being EASILY the best Iraq film until Hurt Locker.
Michael Clayton was its baby that year…
Perm, not once did I state you are emotionally stunted for liking Shaun of the Dead. Yet you are throwing that in my face? Wow. Thanks.
Again, you are citing an article based around something hypothetical? Really? It’s called the AIR FORCE, Perm. Why would Cloverfield never ever happen? The AIR FORCE. Why would fast moving zombies be easy destroy? We have bombs that can pretty much come close to disentegrating all living matter. Think about that for a minute. That’s how you survive. We also have these things called tanks and cannons. Seriously, the military is always the biggest plot hole in any zombie or monster film. Michael Bay at least gave the US Military the ability to kill Transformers for fuck’s sake.
IO, my username has a meaning behind it that I won’t go into, but I can’t change it now anyway since – as you have demonstrated – you can’t change your name around here. Old usernames stick.
“Kiki” though is actually kind of insulting though. Is it so much harder to type KCam or something like that? Not particularly, no.
Ethan: the 10 film rule exist because of TDK. You give those motherfuckers in the Academy the 2nd biggest film financially ever (fuck you adjusting for inflation!) that is almost universally loved by people not in love with Broadway and Hugh Jackman’s version of the Academy Awards, and THEY STILL PICKED THE READER OVER IT! THE FUCKING READER! They then go with a best picture winner that has hit the bargain bin quicker than freakin Crash, and you have the reason for the 10 rule. Hopefully they can break the vote up enough this year, that something absolutely trippy will win.
KC, Kiki was meant in a very endearing way, and I never meant it to be insulting. So this is why I am not going to make a big stink or anything, because if it upsets you, then it’s gone. Apparently you met a crazy Camel in life. I am sure that’s a good dinner story.
Who said emotionally stunted, IO? Everyone will tend toward certain things they enjoy, obviously…and you’ve been pretty clear about what gets your boat floating the most. Like, maybe just possibly LexG might prefer to see a colorful action movie starring Jessica Alba over A Room with a View.
IO, have you read World War Z? That book pretty well gives reasons for how the military could fail taking down zombie hordes. And when fighting zombies, you don’t need bombs that disentegrate all living matter when they’re taking over a city and you’re trying to save the city and the non-zombie people inside. If zombies are everywhere, sure you can get rid of them by nuking the planet…too bad that will kill all of humanity too.
If your mom is in a house and there’s a zombie in there, do you blow up the house? See what I mean? Think of how bad riots can get. Or look how well the disaster in New Orleans was handled.
Did you read the article about power grids? That’s hypothetical, but based on people not manning them, so it’s pretty much true as far as I can figure. I actually know some guys who used to work nuclear power, I could always ask them for a second opinion.
Thank you, I think I’m justified in being sensitive towards people calling me a woman’s name since I had enough of that in high school.
No. Declining ratings was the cause. Not TDK or Wall-E. “Jurrasic Park,” “Shrek 2,” “E.T.,” “Star Wars,” and “Forrest Gump” made equivalent BO next to TDK. The new policy was to force back declining ratings. And it also increases the liklihood niche films win. With 10 films, there is no question to me “Up” will win this year. In fact Im saying it here first…unless something apreshit phenomenal comes (Up in the Air is no Slumdog…sorry)…Up wins.
EthanG: I honestly don’t believe an animated feature — any animated feature, ever — could win the Oscar for Best Picture. Seriously. For a variety of reasons, the most prominent being: I don’t believe the majority of folks in the Actors Branch (which, as I understand it, constitutes the largest group of Academy voters) would vote for a movie in which there are no, well, you know, actors. I’m not trying to be snarky, or bait you, I’m being pragmatic.
Joe…I agree in principle. But what would be the vote split at this moment? This is such a weak year..you really don’t think even 20% of the actors would go for Up which would be enough for the win?..and Joe I agree the film has major issues (personally Pixar I go 1. Ratatouille 2. Nemo 3. Up), but think that no film will capture enough of a vote to defeat “Up.” To be fair “Up in the Air” has a decent shot as of now. But will it get enough votes? Depends. As of this minute its “Hurt Locker” vs Up and “Up” is about 10 to 1…just fyi. I could easily see 22% of voters going for “Up” and it winning. Thank you 10 noms.
Well, first off, 22 percent would not be enough to beat 23 percent. And I think it’s entirely more likely that something like Up in the Air — my personal fave of the year so far, I admit– would get 23 before any animated feature claims 22. But, really, I think it goes even beyond the Actors Branch — I just can’t see how people in other branches where members have a vested interest in promoting live-action movies with real sets, real cinematography, real actors, real costumes, and so on… I just can’t see them voting in any significant number for a cartoon. Hey, I could be wrong. But I don’t think I am.
BTW: What makes you say it’s down to Up vs. The Hurt Locker at this point? Again, not trying to bait you. Just curious.
“you really don’t think even 20% of the actors would go for Up which would be enough for the win?”
No, because most actors are older than 7.
I’m thinking it’ll be a year where something TOTALLY unexpected will come out at the 11th hour (a la Million Dollar Baby in 04) and go on to clean up.
Up in the Air has that “not quite big enough” vibe of Lost In Translation. I love “Hurt Locker” but honestly can’t see it being the winner.
To be honest, a 3-D animated movie winning Best Picture sounds as unlikely to me as once did a black man with an African name beating a war hero for the presidency, so who knows anything…
Perm: a lot of things float my boat. Seriously, the DVD collection is not made up of all action flicks. This week alone it consist of the Wizard of Oz, Madonna’s Celebration video collection, Monsters Vs Aliens, Bird on a Wire, and Metropolis. So I am all over the place.
You also have to realize that if there’s a zombie in the house with my mom. There’s a good chance there could be two zombies at the end of the day. That’s why I am a fan of Return of the Living Dead. The movie scared the shit out of me as a child, but it ended on the right note. There have been times in life when the many have been sacrificed for the few. If blowing up one city saves more than one city, then a city has to go. Again, if it’s all falling a part, then you have to do the best you can without using NUKES. Luckily for us, we have missles that are not nuclear, but would leave nothing in their wake.
I have been listening to the World War Z book, and it is fascinating for what it is. I simply have a different personal take. I would also not blame the Chinese for WWZ, but that’s just me.
Finally with Katrina, that’s one event in the history of this country that comes down to this: idiots were running the country. God forbid something epic happens again with idiots being in charge, but idiots fuck shit up. The military however were mobilized and ready to go by the following Monday and Tuesday. They simply were not allowed to handle the situation until Friday. So, yeah, if idiots are running things. GAR (George A. Romero) may have a point.
KC: that’s fucking horrible. Fucking people just give people shit for being themselves. It really does bring the RAGE out of me. Seriously, that’s just fucked up, and I am sorry again if that in any small brought up that shit from back in the your past.
ETHAN: BULLSHIT. You can site all of those other films, but the Academy had the chance last year. You should know the spiel that follows that last sentence by now.
The Academy has those declining ratings because their members are fucking stupid when it comes to nominating films like TDK. This way, the Academy seems to be hoping, that they can get enough votes to get a fan favourite in there, and hopefully get people excited enough to watch their show.
Unfortunately, this system is not going to work. Up is not going to win shit even though I love it. It also better not win an Oscar that Toy Story 2 so richly fucking deserved. Nevertheless, the Academy are trying to come correct. Until they watch the year 2000 award ceremony, and bring back Peter Coyote to MC the event. Put a fork in her folks, that show is done.
Bird on a Wire? Never figured you for a Goldie Hawn fan, IO.
Joe: this is how much I love Goldie Hawn. This is the song I started singing a month ago when the NFL came back into our lives; “It’s the sport of kings, better than diamond rings, football. Football.”
Bird on a Wire also features the last purely great comedic performance by Mel Gibson. Before that guy lost his damn fool mind. He really had it going back in the day.
Riiiight. So under this understanding of the box office, leading contenders of 2009 are Tranny 2, The Hangover, Monsters vs. Aliens etc….this is why awards are dependent on year to year comparisons.
IO: “You can site all of those other films, but the Academy had the chance last year”
So cute..but no. Good numbers for Monsters vs. Aliens beg the question, why don’t you BACK THE FUCK OFF. Also Im established as a brand. “Forever,” which incorporates Kanye, Lil Wayne, Eminem and newcomer Drake….perfect.
Haha had to shoot that single to top of
charts…sorry!!!
Are yall fuckin nuts. Ill come over with weezy and kanye to correct you…haha. Im hit so hard…the fact yall are hit as idiots makes me laugh…hahaha. Eminem and Lil Wayne KILL THE TRACK IM ENDORSING. Regardless…whatev.
Whoa LEX’s faction took control. Apologies.
I like this Ethan guy’s style.
I’m also wondering how the interesting Oscar chat ended up over here, instead of the Oscar chat thread.
So….going to bed/getting sleep requires more than I thought? Nite yall/sorry?
Thanks IO. It’s just… yeah, ya know.
I still have a hard time picturing Up as a nominee, let alone as a winner. And I doubt Up will be winning anywhere as many awards as Wall-E did in the lead up to the Oscars. Not to mention all that stuff that Joe’s mentions. I honestly think a lot of Academy members are like Lex and think animation is strictly for kids (hell, even the animation branch thinks so – Surf’s Up and Shark Tale amongst others can attest to that)
BIRD ON A WIRE. Zoiks. I saw that on a plane to Japan and wanted to hijack it there. And why was David Carradine’s voice dubbed?
Haha LexG you’re about to hate me..I’m an openly bi film lover, and yeah…that’s it.
Not sure why you’d say that… it’s WELL KNOWN that the Lexman is friends to people of all stripes… In fact, one of the regulars here once said plenty of gay dudes enjoy my posts; Don’t know if that’s true or not, but it’s all good across the board. Whatever makes anyone happy, hey man, have at it.
Shaun of the Dead is a better film than Hot Fuzz, because SotD has an emotional core, and HF pretty much doesn’t.
Also, I agree with Joe’s logic re: an animated picture never winning. I can see it happening once in 150 years, but it’ll take at least one more nomination-and-not-win before a win can happen. Ironically, the Academy, made up of a huge number of liberals, is quite conservative aesthetically.
“Shaun of the Dead is a better film than Hot Fuzz, because SotD has an emotional core, and HF pretty much doesn’t.”
I think I might agree with this McDouchism.
Also, both movies are WAY TOO DESATURATED POWDERY-BLUE. Those dudes need more bright colors and visual flamboyance, ESPECIALLY IN HOT FUZZ where it would’ve made sense, instead of that drained BennyHillVision they shot it in.
Plus NO action movie they’re sending up would have a fucking HORSE in it.
Edgar Wright has pretty amazing visual skillz, Lex. Just because he doesn’t go the full Tony Scott isn’t reason to castigate him.
Also, horses can fucking crush your skull if they want to.
wow, can i just say, this thread is a weird read
(can i get anyayoucunts a drink?)
Leah, I would TOTALLY buy you a drink if I could. I bet you could drink most of us under the table (probably not Petaluma though, he was threatening to demolish me when I was drinking with him last year).
well jeff, i guess we could duke it out shot-for-shot like marion ravenwood and that russian dude in ‘raiders’ and find out…(not to say you seem in any way like that weirdo, that was just the first epic drinking contest that popped into my head)
No, you’d win. I defer to you in every way.
I ain’t gonna bow out of a drinking contest pre-start…though I will say that James Duval, who’s like a foot shorter than me, gave me the worst hangover I’ve ever had when I went toe to toe with him.
But that’s a Gregg Araki star. Anyone else must compete!
(My mom’s in New Zealand about now; sadly, it’ll be a while before I ever get there)
JAMES DUVAL?????
HOLY FUCK THAT GUY RUUUUUUULES.
DOOM GENERATION POWER. MASTERPIECE. GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS POWER.
How do you know that awesome motherfucker, Caddyshack? I seem to know some TOP NOTCH motherfuckers on here, all knowing THE DUVAL and shit.
ARAKI SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT ME. GOOD IDEA. But like one of the less-gay ones like Smiley Face or something, where I eat cupcakes and blaze the fuck out with Faris and that hot-ass sister from Buffy who was in Mysterious Skin (GOOD MOVIE.)
And there’s NO FUCKING WAY Leah with her Zoe Bell chick ass, or McDouche and his FUCKING BARTLES AND JAYMES WINE COOLERS, would drink THE LEXMAN under the table. THERE IS NO WAY.
I’d CRUSH that fucking Max Perlich-looking Don Lewis too, while I’m at it.
Too bad all the LYT/Perlich/McDouche hangs are in Los Feliz/Hollywood, because I don’t drinkndrive.
hey jeff, my Achilles heel: tequila. six shots of the agave and i babble on high-speed for about 10 minutes and then black out like a school girl
(LYT: i hope your mum enjoys our little slice of heaven. i’m a huge sap for my home tho so i’m incapable of objectivity)
and lex: you’d never take me alive
Lex – imdb is your friend. Duval and I acted together in MAD COWGIRL.
I’ll come drink in your hood if you let me pass out on your floor. Or you take the subway to Hollywood during the day.
Lex – imdb is your friend. Duval and I acted together in MAD COWGIRL.
I’ll come drink in your hood if you let me pass out on your floor. Or you take the subway to Hollywood during the day.
Picture from the night in question:
http://lytrules-mcg.buzznet.com/user/photos/sf-indiefest-078/?id=2230012&p=1#pt
That sure was some… interesting hair you sported back then.
Had it for five years. Useful gimmick. Ditched it when I decided to go all-in on acting.
“can i get anyayoucunts a drink?” is one of ed’s lines in the pub at the beginning of ‘shaun of the dead’.
for some reason i feel compelled to say that, since i used the quote last night but neglected to use quotation marks. i wouldn’t want anyone to think i was trying to pass off ed’s material as my own