F@#$ Ron Howard

[DarthBelichick]

Thats right I said it. Where do I start, Mr. Howard is probably the most overrated director in Hollywood. The problem is he makes what are supposed to be very good movies. He is either in a position where he gets the best scripts or he is very good at finding interesting material. The problem is he does not have the artistic cahones to make a truly great film. The sad things is he takes these very good intellectual properties and fucks them up the ass. I have always felt this way about him. Starting at age 10 with Willow,I came out thinking man I wanted to like this so much more than I did( If I am wrong tell me you have never felt this way about any or all of his movies). He never makes a total disaster. There are always a few things you can say were done well.
He always has major flaws as well.


1.Apollo Thirteen(His best movie Thank God for Hanks and Ed Harris though) 8/10

2.Parenthood
7/10

3.Beautiful Mind(I know a bunch of you will fight this.I think it was a good story,just poorly executed)
7/10

4.Ransom
7/10

5.Willow
6/10

6.Grinch
2/10

7 The Davinci Code
2/10

Overall he doesn't get horrible scores. A big part of that is the fact that he gets the best material. Also he does get good performances. I think as a story teller he is pretty poor.

[bigred760]

He's hit or miss with me; I enjoyed Willow more than most, and I think A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13 are excellent movies. He has made some less than spectacular flicks along the way, but I think he's a talented director.

[Moviefan1234]

His films I have seen:

SPLASH - 5/10
COCOON - 4/10
WILLOW - 7/10
BACKDRAFT - 7/10
FAR AND AWAY - 7/10
APOLLO 13 - 9/10
RANSOM - 8/10
EDTV - 6/10
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS - 2/10
A BEAUTIFUL MIND - 10/10
THE MISSING - 6/10
CINDERELLA MAN - 9/10
THE DA VINCI CODE - 8/10

So overall, I'd say he's a pretty solid director. Can't wait for FROST/NIXON, could win a lot of awards later this year.

[DarthBelichick]

If Zemekis had directed any of those movies they would all be 9's or higher.

[LordSimen]

Disagree completely. Howard is an absolutely stunning director. The thing is though, he's not the kind of director who has his own unique artistic touch. A Ron Howard film does not tend to stand out from most others. The reason for this, I think is that Howard is an actor's director, and the greatness of his film seems to stem from the performances he pulls out of his actors

The Da Vinci Code - 8/10
Cinderella Man - 9/10
A Beautiful Mind - 10/10
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 10/10
Edtv - 8 /10
Ransom - 10/10
Apollo 13 - 10/10
The Paper - 7/10
Backdraft - 8/10
Willow - 9/10
Cocoon - 7/10
Splash - 8/10

[athf1980]

I like some Ron Howards movies

I like Apollo 13 and Ransom

[starcat]

im pretty much with lordsimen

[sarah1980]

im pretty much with lordsimen

same

[DarthBelichick]

Disagree completely. Howard is an absolutely stunning director. The thing is though, he's not the kind of director who has his own unique artistic touch. A Ron Howard film does not tend to stand out from most others. The reason for this, I think is that Howard is an actor's director, and the greatness of his film seems to stem from the performances he pulls out of his actors

The Da Vinci Code - 8/10
Cinderella Man - 9/10
A Beautiful Mind - 10/10
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 10/10
Edtv - 8 /10
Ransom - 10/10
Apollo 13 - 10/10
The Paper - 7/10
Backdraft - 8/10
Willow - 9/10
Cocoon - 7/10
Splash - 8/10
I agree with you in that he gets good actors to work for him and they give him great performances.IMO your ratings are high but thats only my opinion.
The Grinch a 10 is a joke right?

[JJFlamingo]

A talented workmanlike director but certainly no genius...

[Raoul Duke]

Disagree completely. Howard is an absolutely stunning director. The thing is though, he's not the kind of director who has his own unique artistic touch. A Ron Howard film does not tend to stand out from most others. The reason for this, I think is that Howard is an actor's director, and the greatness of his film seems to stem from the performances he pulls out of his actors

The Da Vinci Code - 8/10
Cinderella Man - 9/10
A Beautiful Mind - 10/10
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 10/10
Edtv - 8 /10
Ransom - 10/10
Apollo 13 - 10/10
The Paper - 7/10
Backdraft - 8/10
Willow - 9/10
Cocoon - 7/10
Splash - 8/10

Are you sure you're not mistaking The Grinch for Schindler's List or something?

[jdparker]

My favorite work of his is as narrator for Arrested Development.

Beautiful Minds a great flick, and I enjoyed Cinderella Man. I'd say he gets too much credit... but does he? I don't know anyone who is like, "I'm a real big fan of Ron Howard's films". He's REALLY Hollywood and he seems to bring in the bucks for the studio pretty consistently, but I doubt they'll be showing edTV in film schools anytime soon.

[Buck Turgidson]

The only problem I have with Darth's original post is that he overrates Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and Ransom. They all suck, too. Monotonous, boring, predictable, run of the mill Hollywood shit.

Happily, he usually ties up hacks like Hanks, Sinise and the execrable Mel Gibson with this twaddle, rather than top notch talent (although he managed to corral some legitimate A listers for A Beautiful Mind, with all but Jenny C embarrassing themselves in the process.)

Opie is much like Robert Zemeckis (except that as much as I hate most of Bob's movies, he's done a few that I like, unlike Howard who is 0-resumé), in that they embody all of the things I hate about Spielberg's style with few (Zemeckis) or none (Howard) of the redeeming virtues that Steve brings to bear that always make me realize I'm watching the work of an artist, even as he's infuriating me with treacle.

[electriclite]

Are you sure you're not mistaking The Grinch for Schindler's List or something?
I can't believe he gave EdTV an 8/10!

As far as I'm concerned, that movie is excrement when you have full knowledge that The Truman Show is in existence.

I give Howard a pass for his 80's work, since its pretty much the basis of some nostalgic childhood memories, ESPECIALLY Willow, but as of the past few years hes REALLY gotten trite, forgettable and/or just goddawful.

Thanks for the memories Opie, but that's all ya got from me.



And I just remembered I saw Brian Grazer in front of my job a few days ago.... could've filed a complaint.

[DarthBelichick]

[QUOTE=electriclite;2740387]I can't believe he gave EdTV an 8/10!

As far as I'm concerned, that movie is excrement when you have full knowledge that The Truman Show is in existence.
QUOTE]
One of the greatest things ever said on these boards!

[LordSimen]

The Grinch a 10 is a joke right?

Why would I joke about that? It's one of the most perfect holiday films I've ever seen (right up there with A Christmas Story). It's funny, it's got great performances, it stands out on it's own despite being an adaptation of a children's classic. It's an all around great film. Why wouldn't I give it a 10/10?

Are you sure you're not mistaking The Grinch for Schindler's List or something?

How is Schindler's List even relevant? I graded The Grinch, not Schindler's List. I don't grade movies based on other movies with the rating, I grade movies based on their own merit and how much I enjoyed said movies.

[The Postmaster General]

I think Grand Theft Auto was (one of) his best outings as a director in terms of technical skill.

[ilovemovies]

Splash - 7/10
Backdraft - 7/10
The Paper - 7/10
Apollo 13 - 9/10
Ransom - 7/10
EdTV - 7/10
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 7/10
A Beautiful Mind - 8/10
The Missing - 8/10
Cinderella Man - 9/10
The Da Vinci Code - 3/10


Yeah. Howard rocks! One of my favorite directors. As far as I'm concerned, The Da Vinci Code is the only misstep in his career.

[Moviefan1234]

And I just remembered I saw Brian Grazer in front of my job a few days ago.... could've filed a complaint.


Sorry, I'm really tired and may be missing your point completely. But, is he a dickhead? Or are you just not a fan of his work?

[ilovemovies]

I'm a HUUUUUUUUUUGE Brian Grazer fan! For many reasons but most of all because he's one of the executive producers of the greatest television show of all time! And that would be 24.

[KcMsterpce]

I think Ron Howard is terrible.

He's all about making "sweeping" pictures, with overblown and laughable melodrama in every movie he makes, if it's after the 80s.

He is very manipulative, and I feel 90% of his stuff is painfully trite.

My ratings for the movies I've seen by him:

Night Shift - 6/10
Splash - 6/10 (but fun for the memories)
Cocoon - 5/10
Gung Ho - 5/10
Willow - 5/10
Parenthood - 6/10
Backdraft - 4/10
Far and Away - 3/10
The Paper - 4/10
Apollo 13 - 3/10 (I thought it was GOD AWFUL)
Ransom - 7/10 (THIS is an exception)
EdTV - 3/10
The Grinch - 3/10
A Beautiful Mind - 4/10 (This is based on a TRUE STORY? Not the story I read!)
The Da Vinci Code - 6/10 (At least it's better than the book)

Many of these movies are better in CONCEPT than execution. It's almost a crime to have such great potential be put to waste. In the hands of a director that didn't try so hard to be "important" with the subject matter - and directed with a natural hand, without pretention - than emost of these flicks would have kicked ass.

[God of War]

The Missing is my favourite movie of his so far. And I like Apollo 13. :)

[thedudeman69]

He's a decent director. I mean, he's not like Scorsese or nothing, but he's good.

A Beautiful Mind - 10/10
Cinderella Man - 9/10
The Da Vinci Code - 5/10
Splash - 6/10
Apollo 13 - 8/10

[Superplasmatron]

I like his involvement in Aresseted development. I love him for the fact he was Richie, he made splash and willow, ed tv is pretty fun and his daughter is awesome. But the de vinci code? wtf?

[Cosimo]

yeah terribly boring tame filmmaker but he likes to parody himself so he is oright

[Orson-Cockart]

He's alright. I liked Apollo13, Cinderella Man, Ransom, and A Beautiful Mind. There are certainly worse directors out there.

[The Postmaster General]

Did anyone see him when the paparazzi where hassling him outside a restaurant as he was waiting for his car, and he took the video camera away and started filming the paparazzi and asking them questions?

This is all I could find and it's not the whole thing:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/16/sorry-ron-they-dont-give-oscars-to-paparazzi/

Say what you want about his films, but Ron Howard rocks. "It *is* a slow night... Hey look, Angelina Jolie's across the road!"

I love how limp the pap gets when Howard starts shooting him.

[LordSimen]

Did anyone see him when the paparazzi where hassling him outside a restaurant as he was waiting for his car, and he took the video camera away and started filming the paparazzi and asking them questions?

This is all I could find and it's not the whole thing:

http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/16/sorry-ron-they-dont-give-oscars-to-paparazzi/
I love how limp the pap gets when Howard starts shooting him.

Hahaha. That's priceless. :D

[electriclite]

Sorry, I'm really tired and may be missing your point completely. But, is he a dickhead? Or are you just not a fan of his work?
I meant more like complaining about Ron Howard's recent work to him ;)

[bigred760]

I can't believe I forgot Backdraft, the only movie of his I own. Excellent movie!!

Splash is a pretty good comedy too.

Ron Howard is one of the few directors that can make many different genres, and do them well.

[AceD]

Happily, he usually ties up hacks like Hanks, Sinise and the execrable Mel Gibson with this twaddle, rather than top notch talent

Hanks is a hack? Come on, aren't you being a little extreme here? Not by any means the greatest actor, but he has done good work here and there, so it seems that the 'hack' reference is more in response to those who love him than to his actual work.

Opie's not the greatest directer by any stretch, but he understands storytelling very well and gets good performances from his actors. He lacks personality like a Richard Donner or Bob Zemekis does, but that's not always bad considering the types of movies that he makes.

And he's aware of who he is. Guys like Gondry, Shymalan, Nolan sometimes veer into territory (be it writing their own stuff or something else) that stretches them beyond their talents). Not saying Howard's a better director than all those guys, but again, he obviously loves what he does and does it well. I think he's pretty solidly in the 2nd tier of the major Hollywood directors. Cinderella Man is probably my favorite.

"The only problem I have with Darth's original post is that he overrates Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and Ransom. They all suck, too. Monotonous, boring, predictable, run of the mill Hollywood shit."

You obviously have the right to that opinion, but I think that gets to the core of people's feelings about him: What you find boring or predictable, many find evenly paced and classical in storytelling. He's just one of those people who you are going to like or dislike. As someone else said, he does jump genres pretty well, but all in all his movies have a pretty similar feel (just like almost every good director).

[Moviefan1234]

[B]
You obviously have the right to that opinion, but I think that gets to the core of people's feelings about him: What you find boring or predictable, many find evenly paced and classical in storytelling. He's just one of those people who you are going to like or dislike. As someone else said, he does jump genres pretty well, but all in all his movies have a pretty similar feel (just like almost every good director).

You think you hit the nail right on the head with that one. To me, filmmaking doesn't get much better than movies like A BEAUTIFUL MIND or CINDERELLA MAN. Each of those films are in the top 100 movies of all time as far as I'm concerned. The direction, action, production, emotion, and execution in those movies are flawless.

[spacemonkey]

I cant agree with you on this one, Ron Howard is one of the greats for me.

I mean Willow's always been one of my favorite fantasy films ever. Its got a lot of heart, a lot of warmth to it. That plus the effects and action kick ass. Plus Val Kilmer rules in it as Madmartigan, and Warwick Davis shines in his role. Its not just about getting big names, he is a great director. Otherwise he couldnt have crafted such exhilirating action sequences, like the big dragon fight or the battle between Fin Raziel and Bavmorda. But then its not only about the fx and fantasy elements, because the movie has a lot of heart like the scenes in the little peck village.

Cocoon, its one of those movies that can genuinly move you. And his got a great cast yes, but his also got great movie moments, like those last sequences with the boat rising up towards the ship.

A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man, both attest to the fact that he can do a solid drama film without relying on effects on action. He can handle a solid drama and get the best performances he can from his actors. Or he can mix both great effects, action and drama in films like Backdraft.

I dont know, to me it seems like his films always categorize themselves for the fact that they can move you. They can entertain and dazzle, but they also have a lot of emotion.

[DarthBelichick]

filmmaking doesn't get much better than movies like A BEAUTIFUL MIND or CINDERELLA MAN.

HA HA HA HA

How about:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/Carter369/Lawrence_of_Arabia_1__html_m55489a7.jpg

OR

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff60/br0k3n9102/061221sports_raging.jpg

These are only two examples and I'd say they are a 100 times better than those two.

[Moviefan1234]

HA HA HA HA

How about:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/Carter369/Lawrence_of_Arabia_1__html_m55489a7.jpg

OR

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff60/br0k3n9102/061221sports_raging.jpg

These are only two examples and I'd say they are a 100 times better than those two.

While I love those two films, I would place A BEAUTIFUL MIND over them. CINDERELLA MAN is on the same level.

[spacemonkey]

Anyways, were not here to compare Scorcese to Howard, were discussing if Howard sucks as a director or not. Which he doesnt, at least in my opinion. Damn, he was good from the get go, back in his Splash days.

I remember Splash was one of those movies I saw a lot as a kid, and I always found it entertaining. And I still find it entertaining, even today.

[Buck Turgidson]

Happily, he usually ties up hacks like Hanks, Sinise and the execrable Mel Gibson with this twaddle, rather than top notch talent

Hanks is a hack? Come on, aren't you being a little extreme here? Not by any means the greatest actor, but he has done good work here and there, so it seems that the 'hack' reference is more in response to those who love him than to his actual work.Nope. That is my honest, considered opinion of Hanks, his skills and his place in the Hollywood firmament. I don't write things here to try to get a rise out of anybody. I tell you guys what I think. Nothing more, nothing less.

[The Postmaster General]

Hahaha. That's priceless. :D


I know, man. Ron Howard is awesome. That small clip just proves it. Only someone who genuinely loves making movies would pull off something like that.

Plus, on a personal note, it's about fucking time someone did that. Who woulda thunk The only celebrity hounded by these assholes who's nice enough to pull of something like that would be the one to actually do it. I have a feeling that with that pricey piece of equipment in his hands, that cameraman might have gotten a little bit scared of Little Opie for a moment.

It was awesome that you could tell he was making them feel kind of insecure too "Do you have a steady cam?"

[Danger^Cart]

Agreed.

Fuckin' ginger...

[xseanymacx]

Absolutely hated APOLLO 13. Loved A BEAUTIFUL. Was indifferent to THE DA VINCI CODE.

Meh, in my opinion, he's like most directors.

[MisterTwister]

Fuck Ron Howard? You can find someone much better looking than him.

[AndrewDB]

Apollo 13 followed by Beautiful Mind, followed by Willow.

The rest, I don't give a squirt about, I do agree he's extremely over-rated, but if he made more movies like Apollo 13 and Beautiful Mind, I'd be haoppy to change my mind.

[ilovemovies]

Happily, he usually ties up hacks like Sinise



:eek:


I've known about your hate for Hanks and Gibson but why Sinise? I mean, he hasn't done too much in a while since he's started doing that CSI show. But back in the 90's, he's an awesome actor. Why do you hate him?

[Buck Turgidson]

It's nothing personal, he's just a bit of a stiff. Plays essentially the same guy in every film he's in. Vaguely decent, maybe with some writer's construct "issues", maybe not.

A slightly more convincing version of Hanks. For what that's worth.

[The Postmaster General]

That's funny because I thought about Sinese and feel his best role is in Forrest Gump, and earlier someone said how much better Ron Howard's movies would be if Zemeckis directed them.

Howard is competent, but the thing I think no one likes is that he's the least edgy director in Hollywood. I mean, geez, Al Gore is edgy compared to Ron Howard. He somehow managed to make The DaVinci code totally uncontroversial. People were like protesting it and stuff, then when it came out, everyone was like "Oh. That's it? Never mind."

I think Howard can shoot a film, and knows his craft, but he's so non-flamboyant that it's hilarious. Howard gets points for me just by being a cool guy. We have fucks who are media whores, brag about their films, and still aren't making anything as good as Ron Howard, as run-of-the-mill as it might be.

[DME]

Howard seems almost too unassuming to be overrated.

[KingofKings2525]

SPLASH - 5/10
COCOON - 2/10
WILLOW - 7/10
BACKDRAFT - 6/10
FAR AND AWAY - 6/10
APOLLO 13 - 7/10
RANSOM - 8/10
EDTV - 7/10
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS - 0/10
A BEAUTIFUL MIND - 10/10
THE MISSING - 4/10
CINDERELLA MAN - 9/10
THE DA VINCI CODE - 8/10

Not great, but definitely not bad. Over rated is a bad way to describe him. I would say he is mediocre to good. A Beautiful Mind was a fucking masterpiece.

[spacemonkey]

I would say his only "bad one" is EDTV, its really the only one I didnt enjoy that much. But every good director is entitled to a couple of stinkers.

[KingofKings2525]

EdTV rocks.

[JohnLocke2342]

I hated the DaVinci Code... maybe because I enjoyed the book so much and the movie couldn't compare to it, so I'm being biased I guess.

Cinderella Man is a solid movie, and I enjoyed Apollo 13.. I dunno, I guess hes ok.. I wouldnt call him A-list but I wouldnt call him mediocore.. Hes in the middle.

[KingofKings2525]

Ron Howard is the only director to get Matthew McConaughey to keep his shirt on for an entire movie = skill.

[eljefe15]

I wouldn't say I'm a fan but I think at the very least he's a solid director. I think A Beautiful Mind is an exceptional film and along with Apollo 13 is probably the only film of his that I would rate a 8 or 9/10. But I've enjoyed or rather, have been entertained by most of his other films too. But my problem with Howard is that he panders to mass audiences too much. Some filmmakers make films how they want to and motherfuck the audience and critics. But I get the sense that Howard really wants the audience to like the film and that ends up hurting his films in some way. They don't seem to have his mark on his films. But I wouldn't go as far as to say that he's a bad director, far from it, in my opinion.

[Tweek]

I can't believe he gave EdTV an 8/10!

As far as I'm concerned, that movie is excrement when you have full knowledge that The Truman Show is in existence.

Agreed. :cool:

HA HA HA HA

How about:

.


Sorry, I don't like reposting stills in quotes. :o

A Beautiful Mind is among one of my favorite movies... It was effective as were Lawerence of Araba and Raging Bull, but comparing the three movies seems a tad peculiar.

[WhatsInaName]

A Beautiful Mind was great. 10/10

Cinderella Man and Ransom were very good. 9/10

Apollo 13 and Backdraft were fine. 7-8/10

The Da Vinci Code was good enough. 6/10

The rest I have not seen

So, suck he does not.

[RagingWool]

He's basically a pretty boring, safe, mainstream director. I think that's the perception of him, so I don't know that "overrated" is the right word. "Boring" is better.

Apollo 13 is a capital-G GREAT movie, and the rest is fairly "meh." That includes "A Beautiful Mind," which is on the shortlist of the worst movies ever to win a Best Picture Oscar.

"Parenthood" is pretty good too, mostly because of Martin. The rest is totally forgettable.

-------------
At the Box Office.com (http://www.attheboxoffice.com)

[DareDevil]

Ron Howard is a borderlining hack...

With that being said his only movie I actualy really liked was EdTV.