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!
I'm confused, because the Ed Burns I can place is ex-murder po-lice, ex-middle school teacher, TV producer-man. Which one are you speaking of?
Although "Up against the wall, shitbird," probably counts as direction.
Ed Burns I can place is ex-murder po-lice, ex-middle school teacher, TV producer-man
He's the good one. The evil one is the dopey schmuck who made "She's the One" and "The Brother McMullen."
The evil one is the dopey schmuck who made "She's the One" and "The Brother McMullen."
Heh, who was on The Daily Show plugging his latest flim (no, that's not a mispelling), THE GROOMSMEN. Gee, I wonder if it's about guys who are trying to grow up and shit.
