Published March 4, 2008
in People.
I didn’t read this TIMES article until today, but I’ve actually thought about this before. Why are there no movie stars anymore? What’s the difference between the actors of the past, of Hollywood’s so-called Golden Age, and those we’re having today? And then it crossed my mind, if anybody, George Clooney is a movie star. There are many great actors, but real movie stars? George Clooney, definitely. Another talented actor I thought could have become a movie star was Heath Ledger, who recently passed away.
George Clooney wasn’t supposed to say yes. A reporter interviews a movie star at a restaurant or a hotel lobby or an office, with his publicist lurking in the corner, ready to cut off any vaguely interesting questions. But to come over to my house for dinner? That’s a trap no sucker has ever shoved a famous foot into. Partly because there are so many unknowns—you’re stuck alone chatting up the family while the reporter cooks, you accidentally let slip a cruel joke about a wedding photo, you somehow use the bathroom wrong—and partly because who the hell wants to spend Saturday night stuck at some dork’s house eating undercooked lamb? Would Gwyneth Paltrow come over? Johnny Depp? But George Clooney said yes, of course, why not, sounds fun.
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P.S.: Watched Michael Clayton yesterday. Very good movie based on an astounding screenplay, although it had a few “lengths”. Tony Gilroy is one of Hollywood’s best screenwriters as of today, in my opinion. The dialogue he writes is mostly to the point, but what sets Gilroy apart from most other writers currently working in the LA film business is his ability to use an extraordinary structure to tell the movie’s story. He did it when writing the Bourne movies (watch Bourne 2+3 back to back if you’d like to know what I’m talking about) and he did it again with Michael Clayton, which he also directed.
“I don’t get the torture porn films. They’re lacking metaphor. For me the gore is always a slap in the face saying: ‘Wait a minute. Look at this other thing.’” - George A. Romero (on gore franchises like “Saw” and “Hostel”)
Published February 8, 2008
in Quotes.
“Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window.” - Steve Wozniak
Go to Google.com, enter the search term find Chuck Norris and hit I’m Feeling Lucky.
The Australian-born actor Heath Ledger was found dead at a Manhattan apartment, which is believed to be his home in Soho, at around 3:30 pm Tuesday afternoon. He was 28. NYPD says it might have been a drug-related death; pills were found by the bed. Ledger had an appointment for a massage. The housekeeper found him dead when he came to inform him about the masseuse’s arrival. No evidence of suicide, even if his death is indeed related to the sleeping pills found near his body.
Excerpt from a NY Times article (Nov 04, 2007):
He is here in London filming the latest episode of the “Batman” franchise, “The Dark Knight.” (Mr. Bale, as it happens, plays Batman; Mr. Ledger plays the Joker.) It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.
“Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.
Ledger was a very talented actor, probably best known for his role in Brokeback Mountain. He just recently wrapped filming on the next Batman sequel The Dark Knight (he played the Joker). Filming of The Dark Knight is finished, but it is still in post-production, so the film might still be impacted by the actor’s passing.
Published January 14, 2008
in Quotes.
“Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists. ” - John Kenneth Galbraith
Published January 13, 2008
in Quotes.
“If you can talk brilliantly about a problem, it can create the consoling illusion that it has been mastered.” - Stanley Kubrick
Published January 4, 2008
in People.
Isn’t that interesting? The way you feel when you’re absolutely unmotivated, wandering the day asleep, watching TV with your eyes actually seeing through the screen, the wall behind and into another world of blurry images and quiet feelings?
Well, personally I do not feel that way today. I’m just tired, but that’s it. Anyway, few minutes ago I couldn’t help but think of how it would have felt if I had been totally unmotivated in that instant. If this sounds weird it probably is; I can’t explain why I thought of this and, frankly, I don’t really care.
It’s good to have this blog running, because I can spam the world with my invaluable thoughts and posts to no end. Smoky/glass is my treasure chest and my trash can at the same time. YOU shall be my guests. But don’t be afraid, I’m going to tolerate you quite a bit longer.
Oh, beautiful blog, my dear, hold on to me. And forgive my current state of cluelessness.
$$$
Published December 8, 2007
in People and TV.
Donald Trump left a $10,000 tip for a waiter at the Buffalo Club in Santa Monica on December 03, 2007.
Read more…
Published November 26, 2007
in Quotes.
“A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction. It should be a progression of moods and feelings.” - Stanley Kubrick
