The irony there is, if he's to be believed, is that he got into writing/directing because he really wanted to act.
He gave me Reservoir Dogs. For that I'll always be grateful. But I don't like most of his work, in front of or behind the camera.
Mal: How come you didn't turn on me, Jayne? Jayne: Money wasn't good enough. Mal: What happens when it is? Jayne: Well... that'll be an interesting day.
'Serenity'
Buffista Movies 5: Development Hell
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
§ ita § - Jul 26, 2006 7:17:12 am PDT #3150 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
Strega - Jul 26, 2006 7:18:56 am PDT #3151 of 10001
Oh, I get why Shymalan's role in Lady in the Water is eyerolly. But Zenkitty seemed to be saying that giving yourself a major role is always bad.
minus talentI think he has talent. That's why I think it's a shame what he's doing with it.
a director has the power to cast himself as an actor
A star has the power to say "I'll only be in this if I can direct." Or "I'll do this for your studio if you'll produce this other movie I want to direct."
§ ita § - Jul 26, 2006 7:22:19 am PDT #3152 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
A star has the power to say "I'll only be in this if I can direct." Or "I'll do this for your studio if you'll produce this other movie I want to direct."
I think your average director of note (if that's not too oxymoronic for you) has more power to appear in their films than your average actor of note has to direct--it's possible to cast yourself in varying size roles, but directing is directing--the guild doesn't even like to admit it's a task that can be split over more than one person.
Frankenbuddha - Jul 26, 2006 7:23:11 am PDT #3153 of 10001
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
He gave me Reservoir Dogs. For that I'll always be grateful. But I don't like most of his work, in front of or behind the camera.
Well, that's how I feel about PULP FICTION, which I know you've got a large hatred for, but it's also how I feel about JACKIE BROWN. Just giving Pam Grier and Robert Forester (and where the hell are the Karen Sisco dvds, I ask?) those great roles earn a huge deal of gratitude from me.
§ ita § - Jul 26, 2006 7:25:10 am PDT #3154 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
I am similarly grateful for Jackie Brown, but not in a way that makes me think more than idly about rewatching the film. I'll give him half a point for that, since I'm in a generous mood.
bon bon - Jul 26, 2006 7:28:01 am PDT #3155 of 10001
It's five thousand for kissing, ten thousand for snuggling... End of list.
a director has the power to cast himself as an actor
A star has the power to say "I'll only be in this if I can direct." Or "I'll do this for your studio if you'll produce this other movie I want to direct."
I can think of one actor who does this (Clooney); I doubt there are more than half a dozen who could. If a studio wants to sink $20-30MM dollars on a movie I won't see so it can make $200-300MM on another, that's a business decision. If a good director uses nepotism to put a terrible performance in the middle of a good movie, that's more irritating.
beekaytee - Jul 26, 2006 7:28:31 am PDT #3156 of 10001
Compassionately intolerant
I think he has talent. That's why I think it's a shame what he's doing with it.
This. And double this for QT. I love his geekitude and willingness to flaunt it shamelessly, but oy. Powerdown, dude.
Another director who's cameos I've enjoyed is Sydney Pollack. Pretty much always plays himself, but that booth scene in "Tootsie" cracked me up. Plus, I thought he was the best part of Eyes Wide Shut...though he was not directing himself.
Matt the Bruins fan - Jul 26, 2006 7:32:13 am PDT #3157 of 10001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
Based on Tootsie and Will & Grace, I'm of the opinion that Pollack has some pretty decent acting chops.
beekaytee - Jul 26, 2006 7:34:25 am PDT #3158 of 10001
Compassionately intolerant
Oh, and Peter Bogdanovich...must check imdb to see if he's ever directed himself.
Oh. OH. And Paul Schrader.
Now I'm just decending into a directors who have acted thing.
Should get back to work.
§ ita § - Jul 26, 2006 7:37:27 am PDT #3159 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.