May 2, 2024
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Review: Little Women (no spoilers)
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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
“I’ll report her to the fucking people that take fucking money from the wetbacks, ok?”
Quite possibly the strangest thing I’ve read all day. In what dark corner of Mel Gibson’s mind lives the belief there is a shadowy organization that exists solely to collect money from hispanics?
Saw Predators last night and found it to be very solid summer fun. The cast is pretty good (Fishburne is pretty ridiculous but he’s barely in it so it doesn’t hurt the movie overall), the action is effective and brutal when it needs to be, and it’s awesome seeing fierce and imposing predators again. The effects are good for the most part and it’s amazing how much better looking Antal/Rodriguez’s $40M version is compared to PWS Anderson’s $60M AVP. Other than a few nitpicks (character inconsistencies, some cliches, and Brody giving trailer-ready somber line readings in close up for what feels like at least the first half) I really enjoyed it.
This was also the first time I saw the Scott Pilgrim trailer, and I think it looks pretty dumb. Same old Cera and just not all that funny or interesting. IO, please realize that this is just my opinion, and try to restrain yourself. I like Edgar Wright and maybe it’ll be great, but the trailer did nothing for me.
anyone read Ed Norton’s letter regarding the Avengers bru-ha-ha. He came out smelling like roses. Thanked everyone for their support. Thanked Marvel for the opportunity given to him.
Knowing how he works behind the scenes, not sure how believable it is, but he his PR people did a good job of making him look like he got shit on.
I also saw Predators, and liked it a lot. Fishburne was awful. I would have just cut out his part. What would you have lost? 5 minutes of psycho babble?
Stella’s Boy – I recently read the Scott Pilgrim books and found them enjoyable. I also happen to think that Michael Cera is all sorts of wrong for the part. I am still not convinced that the movie will be great like so many others are. All of the nerd hype from pre-screenings etc strikes me as a bit like what happened with Kick-Ass – all buzz, no delivery. That being said, the Scott Pilgrim source material is infinitely better than Kick-Ass…so there’s hope.
There’s definitely hope. So far I have liked Wright’s work, and maybe it’s a tough sell. The trailer just didn’t grab me and while Cera appears to be doing a replica of several previous roles.
I personally thought Fishburne gave the most entertaining performance in Predators (note that I don’t say ‘best’). Also, I hope Alice Braga continues to get bigger roles. Maybe she’s the less screwed-up Michelle Rodriguez.
I’m a fan of Cera, Scott Pilgrim, and Wright, but the casting looks off for the character. More slacker, less stutter.
Fishburne certainly isn’t boring in it, but I think the performance is strained in its overt over-the-top nature. Its brevity also renders it somewhat pointless, like Anghus mentioned.
SB, if you think that’s Cera being Cera and that the movie looks dumb, then awesome bad-assery is apparently not your forte. Seriously, seeing that trailer on a big screen made me all giddy. Excuse yourself for not feeling the same way then go look in the mirror and ask yourself; “Why can’t appreciate bad-assery?”
Angus, you need Fishburne’s character for exposition purposes. Without him, the rules of the universe are not set up and the finale does not happen.
Cera notwithstanding it looks like fun. Part of me thinks that he can’t really hurt the film too much if everything else hits the right notes- but I get the people that can’t stand him.
The appeal seems more universal than Kickass though, and the mainstream knows Cera so if the film delivers it should breakout.
It’s funny that both Supes and Captain America are in this and neither of the actors is big enough to help drive the film on star power.
I have no familiarity whatsoever with the source material IO, for what it’s worth. I am a huge Arrested Development fan and used to like Cera a lot, but it’s starting to feel like he’s playing a variation of George Michael over and over again. Scott Pilgrim doesn’t look like much of a stretch in the trailer. The wacky fights with her ex-boyfriends didn’t come as across as “awesome bad-assery” to me. Sorry. Just my opinion.
Scott Pilgrim is a great series. I think the trailer is aces. Bonus points for the inclusion Aubrey Plaza. I have moderate hopes for the film. I love both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Here’s hoping…
IO, i get your point. He does serve as Captain Exposition. But yikes, that was painful.
GO LOOK IN THE MIRROR BEFORE YOU POST, SB! YOU HAVE CLEARLY NOT LEARNED YOUR LESSON! EMBRACE IT, LIVE IT, AND LOVE IT! RAMONA FLOWERS FOREVER!
Thanks, Stella, for setting up an entirely IO BYOB where he yells at everyone for doesn’t think MICHAEL CERA is “badass” (?!?!?!?!?) for 100 posts.
Anyone wanna hear about Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart instead?
Seriously, though, IO… And you might’ve answered this for me before: In the source material, is it acknowledged that the Winstead character is like 20ish and has already had seven era-defining serious relationships? That’s almost as big a red flag as Dev Patel’s “dream girl” in “Slumdog” who’d been a 70-johns a week prostitute for HALF A DECADE and he still kept after her.
I looked! I learned!
I do think Mary Elizabeth Winstead is quite fetching, if not the world’s greatest actress.
Sorry Lex.
Ang, I did not state it was not painful because in the entirity of that movie, it’s very off-putting, but it sort of works in a Cast Away sort of way. All you need is for him to have a volleyball and the homage would be complete!
Lex, so far in the comic, we have no real indication how old Ramona is and I have always taken that as her being several years old than Scott. She’s also only been in those seven relationships in her life and all seven of those people are dbags in need of a beat down!
Now on to SB playing into the standard “down on everything” Hot Blog poster. Here is your question that will be asked to everyone who hates on something or someone. NAME THREE THINGS YOU LIKE… GO NOW!
Down on everything? I just said I liked Predators. Cripes.
Not to mention Arrested Development and Edgar Wright, so there’s your trio. Hope that is sufficient.
Michael Cera playing the same George Michael character isn’t a negative…it’s the damn selling point! He should mine that well dry until Tarantino can figure out a way to revive his image.
But then again I even thought the Year One trailer was awesome so what do I know?
Is anyone already bored of the Scott Pilgrim conversation before it happens come opening week? It’ll be a hybrid of any generic Cera film post Superbad + Kickass + Watchmen type argumenting. And while we’re on the subject how old is he? It feels like he’s been playing the barely post-pubescent romantic self-effacing awkward character FOREVER. I know he showed a bit of range in that flick where he had an evil alter ego but surely he’s not going to carry on like this forever?
Anton Yelchin would’ve been fun in the role
The second forever is meant to read foreverer
Just tryin to be funny
*crickets*
Spoiler** Fishburne is essentialy a plot device to get the team in a spaceship setting so they don’t spend the whole film running into the jungle. I think the issue about his performance have more to do with body fat than delivery. A man surviving on his own for that long on that preserve would be thinned out and the stress probably aged him prematurely.
Also, if he wants to kill the human team, last thing he’ll do is bring them to his secret spot by fear to lead the predators there. He could just wait the predators kills them all and collect their gear as they’re only interested in skull.
RIP George Steinbrenner – I never really liked him, but cannot deny that he was a big part of a my childhood in New York.
Even if I really never really believed he did what was best for baseball, he definitely did what was best for the Yankees, and he was featured in some pretty funny Seinfeld episodes. I will still NEVER root for the Yankees, but I am sure he will be missed.
Jeez, guys, Michael Cera is still only 22. Do we need him to start playing angry cops or mid-life-crisis guys already?
And I’ve said it before, IOI: EVERYBODY DOESN’T HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU ALL THE TIME.
Jeff, I now know what you look like Mr. JD Harmeyher http://www.oceanviewpress.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/JD.jpg !!! No wonder you are so angry. I would hate to look like that guy as well and JD, you never get it and you never will. It’s not about agreeing with me. It’s about how things are phrased. If you do it with respect. Mj
Mjollnir is a euphemism yes? 🙂
Not a fan of the other Boss, I hate his team, and I hate what he has done with baseball. I also hate that ESPN really thinks he’s this big of a story and that pretty much cements their east coast bias in my mind. All of that being stated, if you have to go, going on the day of the All-Star game when they have to give you a tribute in front of millions of people, is the way to do it. Not a fan of the man but someone obviously wanted him to go out big and with style at the All-Star game.
No it’s a HAMMER… OF A GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of AWESOME BAD ASSERY! http://chud.com/articles/articles/24405/1/LOOK-INSIDE-SCOTT-PILGRIM039S-PRECIOUS-LITTLE-LIFE/Page1.html
My mental image of IOI is an African-American version of this:
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/apmir1AURIE/0.jpg
Again JD, that’w who you look like. Grow out your hair a bit and the fact that you think I am a Timmy, once again demonstrates you are an intolerant ass. Nice of you to once again think referring to me as “RETARD” as being okay. It’s not, you are a punk, and Don Murphy should pop you in your weaselly face.
At the risk of sounding like I’m pimping for Barnes & Noble: If there’s a store near you, you might want to check out the current half-price sale on Criterion DVDs. If you have a B&N membership card to get an additional price break — well, let’s out it this way — I got Antonioni’s Red Desert and L’Avventura for $18 each, Melville’s Army of Shadows for $16.20, and Fuller’s White Dog and James’ Hoop Dreams for $13.50 each today.
It would seem they are having their criterion sale again. Unfortunately, not all Barnes and Noble are like yours Joe, because out here our Borders have the movies and our B&N have books. I hate missing out on that sale because of geography.
IO: I think you can take advantage of it on BN.com as well.
Joe, I tried last year but at that time you needed to be a B&N club member, which made me so darn upset because criterions at a bargain always makes me happy.
For Lex (the “Scarlett” comment in the other thread reminded me):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_kVA6bfiJw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCIia7DKkU8
Watching Backdraft on cable, right now – wow, was Michael Bay a PA on this movie or something? You add about five cuts a minute and juvenile hose jokes every 10 minutes and you have a Bay film, down to the heavy-synth Hanz Zimmer music (which is awesome, by the way) and completely overqualified cast.
That and the movie has about eight different endings. Sublime stuff….
“Look, look at him…..that’s my brother, goddammit!”
Foamy, thanks for the Heigl hotness and loved when she talked about her awesome rack… But what’s with her Morris Day coif in that interview? Back to blonde, please, K-Heig.
You know who’s a HOT-ASS CHICK is that vaguely half-Asian brunette with the cute bangs, skinny jeans and cool flats in the VERIZON RULE THE WORLD ad with the INCEPTION-esque Folding Buildings. SO HOT.
BACKDRAFT POWER. Only bummer about that movie is Kurt’s hair. It’s one of his rare BORING-HAIRED roles, like “Soldier.” When you’ve got a COIF like Russell, why would you ever cut it short in some totally generic style? ESPECIALLY since that movie is so damn 1991, it practically cries out for Kurt to be rocking some curled out the back, short on top period-appropriate mullet insanity like he just walked off a Glenn Medeiros video.
Also William Baldwin’s facial hair is something else. I was 18 when that DROPPED and trying to grow my first beard, which TO THIS DAY at age 37 is a ratty, patchy disaster that takes SIX DAYS just to achieve “FIVE O’CLOCK SHADOW.” Baldwin couldn’t have been 30 when he did Backdraft, and he’s clean-shaven through most of it, but his idea of “clean shaven” is to look like someone smeared fucking jet-black Sherman Williams on both sides of his face… Shit, there’s Lebanese rug merchants who could shave there head and wouldn’t have thicker stubble by 9:00pm on the second day of it than Baldwin appears to have six minutes after fucking shaving. I remember just being IN AWE of how many zillions of individual facial hairs the guy had per square inch, when I’d get like six pieces of peach fuzz between the goatee and the sideburn.
This moment in facial hair brought to you by “I rented a movie and don’t feel like watching it because watching rented DVDs is the most boring shit of all time and I don’t know why people like Netflix any better than Blockbuster, because wherever I get it from, it spends eight days on my coffee table even though it sounded like a good idea in the store/when making my queue, but in the end I’d rather go on the Internet than sit still in my apartment for a rented video with the sound on Volume 2 because of the neighbors and because with the pause and rewind buttons it’ll take me 5 and a half hours to get through 90 minutes of a Colin Farrell DTV called TRIAGE.”
One of the reasons I love my girlfriend, is her determination to sit through her netflix as soon as she gets them. Seriously, it’s impressive.
Lex, I feel you with the beard thing. The best I can do is Keanu level facial hair and we all know that’s not high quality. I have a decent goatee but that’s as good as it gets on the facial hair scale.
Heigl’s hair reminds me of another of your favorites: Mandy Moore’s “In My Pocket”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPg5zKPRxIg
(Speaking of which – I’m still kinda uncertain about the premise of “Tangled”. What’s keeping Rapunzel in the tower? The trailer shows she has no problems getting out under her own power)
Rumour has it that James van der Beek had to shave twice daily to keep up the “teenager” facade in Dawson’s Creek.
JVB having to shave a BEARD twice a day, is sort of funny in retrospect. Nevertheless, they sell Rapunzel being grounded in the Tangled trailer, so maybe she’s just staying in there because someone told her to stay in there.
IO,
I’m in Canada, hardly a BN member and got the deals. It’s open for everyone as far as I know online.
Thanks for sharing Sane. I may have to take advantage of it. Oh yeah.
When I was 14 or 15 Backdraft was pretty much my favorite movie. I had two VHS copies and beat them both to death. It’s not quite my favorite flick anymore but I love revisiting it. The great cast, the melodrama, the cool fire scenes, the Windy City. It’s awesome.
Lex is Triage any good? I like Farrell and Paz Vega and the director.
You guys don’t know how good you have it – I have a dark hair and am like a freaking Chia pet. I can shave in the morning and have super-obvious stubble by 1 PM, it’s annoying.
And if we’re going to get intricate and fratboyish about Backdraft, how about Jennifer Jason Leigh in that movie – has she ever been hotter? I think it’s probably her only real “girlfriend” role and the firetruck scene with lingerie getting stuck on the hose is about as good as it gets.
And I take back the Bay thing a big – this movie was in ’91 and yeah, it could have easily been done by Tony Scott and the “Visionairy Alliance” at the time, and you would not have even known the difference. Certainly has more swagger and sun-drenched “men being men” scenery than any other Ron Howard movie I can remember.
And sorry, Lex, seems silly for firemen of all people to have mullets – because the rest of the movie is so true to life, of course…..
Looks like we got ourselves a barbecue. You see that little light in the corner of your eye? That’s your career dissipation light. It just went into overdrive. Sorry to hear about the mannequin. I hear you two were close. Ha. I’ve got Backdraft on the brain now. And the firetruck sex is pretty hot.
I saw it in theaters and I can remember half of the audience cracking up during the scene when Sutherland is doing the quid-pro-quo thing with Billy Baldwin about “Did this boy REALLY want to be like his father, did the fire look at you?” stuff – it came out only three months after Silence of the Lambs.
Just bad timing for Howard – what could have come off as a pretty chilling stuff just seemed derivative even though there was no way he could have seen ‘Lambs before even finishing shooting.
At least it made $78 million, which had to make Howard feel better.
The little boy on the cover of Life. Sutherland is great. What do you want to do to the whole world Ronald? Burn it. Burn it all.
I caught Todd Solondz’s LIFE DURING WARTIME last night and was caught completely off-guard by how mature and AWESOME it is. It’s as if he’s sorta morphed his provocations into genuine adult issues and it’s just a terrific film. There’s literally not ONE gross-out moment in the whole thing and the discomfort is derived very cleverly. I cannot wait to see it again in fact, it demands repeated viewings.
How wide is this dreadful “Standing Ovation” opening?