...are director egos getting too big?
by J.A. Hamilton
Let’s be real for a moment, when it comes to films, there aren’t many totally original ways to go anymore, which in my opinion challenges writers and directors both creatively. So for me, it’s not so much the original ideas I’m looking for lately, it’s the way with which we present these ideas that count. Give me empathic, real characters with flaws both morally and emotionally caught in a multi-paneled web of intrigue and adventure and I’ll be there with bells on. But what I’m tired of seeing are directors promising the world, and then blaming everyone else when they don’t deliver. Not all are guilty of this, but we’ve seen our fair share this year especially.
"Yes, my pinky IS touching her ass."
I’m big fan of Tarantino, I truly am, but I was underwhelmed by INGLORIOUS BASTARDS. He was making it out to be something special, but this film was anything but. I dug Tarantino’s vision as far as Hitler was concerned, but I didn’t see the need for another WW2 based film, especially when the original was not worth remaking in the first place. Then we have Bay (another of my favorites) but I didn’t like how his and Megan Fox’s “debockle” got so out hand only to have him start working on TF3 with her back. I’m sorry, but this makes the whole thing feel staged, if this situation was anywhere near as bad as it was made out to be, he could have easily killed her off in the beginning and it wouldn’t have hurt the film at all.
"So get this, then we like KILL Professor Xavier..."
I’m not going to beat up on Boll too much (he’s his own worst enemy), but I’m not sure what he thought would happen after making an angry online video where he bashes Bay and Clooney in a fit of rage that went totally overboard. Then we have Ratner (love you Niki) who starts blowing up at anyone and everyone who commented on LAST STAND. I loved the X-MEN movies, and LAST STAND had the potential, but in my opinion suffered from 1) mutant overload, 2) uncharacteristic behavior in heroes and villains, and 3) a flimsy concept by way of a “cure”. Is this all Ratner’s fault, probably not, but publicly losing your mind at the fans will put the guilt on your tab pretty damn quick.
It's not perfect, but it IS worth the hype
McG didn’t make the mess of TERMINATOR that some people are saying he did, but again, running your mouth about it isn’t going to help you much. Cameron promised that AVATAR would be the next big thing, and it was on most levels. So some of the dialogue was cheese and the story resembled a few other films, you can’t win em all, and bottom line; it was an A+ movie experience. On the flip side, we have guys like Abrams, who’s on fire right now and keeping a cool head about it. We also have Scorsese, Nolan and Woo keeping the hits coming with SHUTTER ISLAND, INCEPTION and RED CLIFF, all of which look fantastic thus far.
This baby's up there on my 2010 "must see" list
Each and every one of these directors has contributed great films to the industry (a lot of my all time favorites to be exact) but we live in a day and age where integrity has the power to make or break you in the public eye. It doesn’t matter how many amazing films you direct, write or star in, it can all be taken away in one foul swoop if you’re not careful. People don’t forget drama, and tend to focus on the bad so exclusively that they often times forget the good. Our directors aren’t the only culprits in this regard, but they really have to watch what they say if their integrity is going to stay intact. I’m thankful for all your hard work guys, just do us all a favor and think before you speak, especially if you’re in front of a camera.
Source: JoBlo.com
11:24AM on 01/06/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
11:15AM on 01/04/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The fact that you liked Avatar has nothing to do with James Cameron having a big ego or not, and the fact you were disappointed with Inglorious Basterds doesn't mean you should blame Tarantino for being enthusiastic about his film.
In fact, the last paragraph and a big chunk of th...
The fact that you liked Avatar has nothing to do with James Cameron having a big ego or not, and the fact you were disappointed with Inglorious Basterds doesn't mean you should blame Tarantino for being enthusiastic about his film.
In fact, the last paragraph and a big chunk of the one before that have nothing to do with director's ego at all! When you write an article, try to stick to your main point.
7:33AM on 01/04/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
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5:56AM on 01/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
5:46AM on 01/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
For the record, I love mos...
For the record, I love most of Cameron's films, but the man's ego has always bothered me.
3:31AM on 01/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
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6:36PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
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5:44PM on 01/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
but saying X2 was boring as hell, and that X3 is the best is just .....well unbelivable, and i must disagree with your opinion.
Happy New Year
but saying X2 was boring as hell, and that X3 is the best is just .....well unbelivable, and i must disagree with your opinion.
Happy New Year
3:58PM on 01/01/2010 Add as a friend | MFC profile
6:24PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
1:07PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The other thing to note is that we live in an age where we know everything directors (and everyone else) says. TMZ, tweets, facebook - if you say it - everyone knows it. I think Directors could be just as boorish 50 years ago, only it was at dinner parties and red carpet affairs, and not on their blogs.
As far as which pictures justify the boorish behavior - I'd just remind J.A. Hamilton that its totally subjective, which makes your article a tough read, as the comments about Tarantino below suggest. It's important to abstract the larger concept out away from your personal pics. If Avatar seemed mind-numbingly dumb to someone - then all of a sudden Cameron is in the same boat with Ratner.
Personally, I don't really give a shit what the directors say on press junkets. Either I like the movie or don't. If I like a lot of movies by a director, I'll be more prone to see another movie by that director. I don't need to like them as a person. Shit, Roman Polanski makes awesome movies, and he's a girl raping douchebag.
12:55PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
12:30PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Most of these guys are working in much-loved franchises. Terminator, X-Men, Transformers, all have a built-in audience. Actually, so do Cameron and Tarantino, but they're working with original scripts. But the franchise stuff is trickier. And when these guys don't make back their budgets, or in the case o...
Most of these guys are working in much-loved franchises. Terminator, X-Men, Transformers, all have a built-in audience. Actually, so do Cameron and Tarantino, but they're working with original scripts. But the franchise stuff is trickier. And when these guys don't make back their budgets, or in the case of Bay, deliver a critically-reviled blockbuster, they feel the need to defend themselves.
Tarantino, I don't think is quite like that. Sure, the ego is there, but he seems much more interested in making movies than delivering something for the masses. It's just that his stuff is usually pretty well-liked.
12:25PM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
But since when did Tarantino say IB was a remake. I can't change your opinion on the movie (I think it's my fave Tarantino flick, every time I watch it it gets better), but it has nothing to do with the old "Bastards" except the name. There's even an interview where he says that.
I know some people were underwhelmed when the...
But since when did Tarantino say IB was a remake. I can't change your opinion on the movie (I think it's my fave Tarantino flick, every time I watch it it gets better), but it has nothing to do with the old "Bastards" except the name. There's even an interview where he says that.
I know some people were underwhelmed when they didn't get a traditional "men on a mission" movie (it's Tarantino c'mon), but they mostly positive reviews and praise shows many people weren't disappointed with it.
Love your column though, even when I don't agree with you.
11:54AM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
With all that being said, I agree very much with the rest of the article.
With all that being said, I agree very much with the rest of the article.
11:45AM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
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9:59AM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Or if my movies make close to an average $200M at the Box Office (Micheal Bay)
I totally agree about the rest though. However, to his credit Ratner was brought on very late into X3 and he might be getting all the flak for the writer's mistakes.
Or if my movies make close to an average $200M at the Box Office (Micheal Bay)
I totally agree about the rest though. However, to his credit Ratner was brought on very late into X3 and he might be getting all the flak for the writer's mistakes.
11:56AM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
9:41AM on 12/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
As for the rest, they're just a tad overrated, but everyone knows that. They are just the directors making the big box office action films. So in turn the big head inflates....
As for the rest, they're just a tad overrated, but everyone knows that. They are just the directors making the big box office action films. So in turn the big head inflates. That's what makes me appreciate directors like Scorsese and Nolan.
Good rant sir.