'First Date'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Based on Tootsie and Will & Grace, I'm of the opinion that Pollack has some pretty decent acting chops.
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.
I didn't think Unbreakable had a twist.
Being the misunderstood guy that gets the marvellous girl is more palatable a wish fulfillment scenario for me than the writer who's of tremendous importance to world peace and whatever.
And a hell yes to this specifically regarding Lady in the Water. I don't plan on seeing it, but from the spoilers...ugh. The mermaid/lady/etc's name is STORY, for chrissake. He's cast himself as the CREATOR OF STORY who gets to save the world. After the film critic character gets mauled to death by a magical wolf, natch. Issues, much?
I didn't think Unbreakable had a twist.
He's a supervillian! OMG!