More Chris Doyle-trashing-Martin Scorsese stuff, this from a fall '05 issue of Filmmaker magazine. (Thanks to JD for passing it along.)

Cinematographer Christopher Doyle

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 28, 2006 at 7:02 AM

comment #1

dubbs says ...

Doyle doesn't stop at Scorsese. Tarantino, Kubrick, and Stone are all bashed by name.

In a related note, I remember a Premiere article from around the time of Kill Bill, Vol. 1, when Tarantino bashed Scorsese by comparing himself to Scorsese, and Tarantino concluding that he's young and vibrant and interesting, whereas Scorsese's essentially making watered down, old-man movies. The quote is much subtler than that, but he basically concludes Scorsese's lost it and that he's not interested in Scorsese's recent films.

Posted by dubbs at May 28, 2006 10:15 AM

comment #2

Dubbs says ...

Doyle doesn't stop at Scorsese. Tarantino, Kubrick, and Stone are all bashed by name.

Posted by Dubbs at May 28, 2006 10:16 AM

comment #3

Patrick says ...

What a fucking jerk! This guy needs to die, soon!

Posted by Patrick at May 28, 2006 10:30 AM

comment #4

Mathew says ...

It's easy to bash people when they go out of their element. What I admire about Scorsese is that he pushes himself in exploring genres. He may be the master of the gangster film but as a creative person he wants to explore. No doubt he that he wouldn't like an Oscar but I'm sure 'Doyle' the DP would like one as well. Of course Wells bashed 'The Aviator' so he probably feels a kinship thus the need to post this article. Wells is basically a 'basher' himself so nothing new.

Posted by Mathew at May 28, 2006 12:23 PM

comment #5

Daniel Zelter says ...

"In a related note, I remember a Premiere article from around the time of Kill Bill, Vol. 1, when Tarantino bashed Scorsese by comparing himself to Scorsese, and Tarantino concluding that he's young and vibrant and interesting, whereas Scorsese's essentially making watered down, old-man movies."

So Carradine is young and vibrant? Well only if you don't notice the pot-belly...

Anyway, I generally agree with Doyle, but trashing Aviator while working on the Psycho remake and (probably) Lady in the Water shows a double standard.

Posted by Daniel Zelter at May 28, 2006 12:44 PM

comment #6

JD says ...

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure those comments from Tarantino were general and not specifically directed at Scorsese. Personally, I think Scorsese, Spielberg, Altman, and several other directors have proven Tarantino wrong. As they've gotten older, they've stumbled here and there, but they've also made some of their best films. For my money, The Aviator and Casino are two of Scorsese's best, Minority Report and Munich are two of Spielberg's best, and Short Cuts and The Player are two of Altman's best. Then again, maybe Tarantino's really talking about people like William Friedkin, Brian De Palma, George Lucas, and Peter Bogdanovich, directors who clearly have lost something with age.

Posted by JD at May 28, 2006 12:51 PM

comment #7

Alexander says ...

I used to like Tarantino but the guy has become something of an annoyance. He makes a couple of films that are almost universally praised and then uses his stature to largely just complain about older, more experienced and more mature filmmakers. It's like the fourth-grader who was able to beat up a first-grader who then goes to the tenth-graders and tries to pick a fight with them. Of course, as JD says, it depends on whom Tarantino was speaking but still...

Posted by Alexander at May 28, 2006 2:09 PM

comment #8

Daniel Zelter says ...

Alex: "I used to like Tarantino but the guy has become something of an annoyance."

I think beating up critics who don't like your work would be considered more than an annoyance.

" He makes a couple of films that are almost universally praised"

I would say universally over-praised myself.

" and then uses his stature to largely just complain about older, more experienced and more mature filmmakers."

Probably because he's got a lot of self-loathing that he ripped off their work and took credit for it.

Posted by Daniel Zelter at May 28, 2006 3:16 PM

comment #9

Steve C. says ...

I think all of Doyles points are well taken (the only thing he bashes Oliver Stone about is his confrontational approach to filmmaking. Read "Killer Instinct" and you'll see he has it right). In fact that whole thing about how Americans feel the need to fuck each over to make films is pretty well reasoned.

He does get some things wrong for the sake of hyperbole, like the fact that no one in the Academy who votes for Oscars is under 65.

But goddamn you have to love someone who speaks his mind, being a rare thing is this age. Reminds me of reading an interview with Joss Whedon who makes no bones about who he thinks fucked up his film scripts (just read his original for ALIEN RESURRECTION, have to agree).

Posted by Steve C. at May 28, 2006 3:47 PM

comment #10

goldenhorse says ...

The caption to that photo should be 'Notrious Douche'.

Anybody seen Away With Words the movie Doyle directed himself? It's unwatchable.

Posted by goldenhorse at May 28, 2006 4:35 PM

comment #11

Joshua Mooney says ...

Doyle's distress is written on his face (in your photo) for all to see. But how wonderful, how soothing, to read the words of a man who is telling it like it is because he DOESN'T GIVE A FUCK.

The interviewer wasn't up the the challenge, of course, but it's a nice taste of honesty nonetheless

Posted by Joshua Mooney at May 28, 2006 4:41 PM

comment #12

Joshua Mooney says ...

Doyle's distress is written on his face (in your photo) for all to see. But how wonderful, how soothing, to read the words of a man who is telling it like it is because he DOESN'T GIVE A FUCK.

The interviewer wasn't up the the challenge, of course, but it's a nice taste of honesty nonetheless

Posted by Joshua Mooney at May 28, 2006 4:42 PM

comment #13

A says ...

The newsworthiness of one particular element of the interview caught my eye. Doyle basically admits that he sought a consulting job on Scorsese's new film. But when rejected, he lashed out accordingly.

Posted by A at May 28, 2006 10:29 PM

comment #14

Dixon Steele says ...

In looking at his picture and reading his interview...

Were Chris Doyle and The Grinch separated at birth?

Posted by Dixon Steele at May 28, 2006 11:14 PM

comment #15

TBN says ...

"The newsworthiness of one particular element of the interview caught my eye. Doyle basically admits that he sought a consulting job on Scorsese's new film. But when rejected, he lashed out accordingly."

Hell, I would be bitter if my Asian film was gonna be another watered down American remake.

Posted by TBN at May 29, 2006 12:26 AM

comment #16

Rogo says ...

Doyle is a freak .. and I mean that in the most positive sort of way. He doesn't give a flying fuck, cause he KNOWS he owns them all. And he's totally correct ... he's the best DP out there at the moment. No doubt about that. So fire away Chris, don't hold anything back.

Posted by Rogo at May 29, 2006 2:44 AM

comment #17

guy steele says ...

Wow, I finally just read Chris's interview. Man oh Man. He is of course entitled to his opinion. But to attack other filmmakers the way he does seems strange. He attacks some of them because they are remaking a picture he worked on... Um what was Psycho? He claimed he made that without ever seeing the original. I would think Psycho would be one of the films a filmmaker would need to see. And then he goes on to say there isn't a Great Challenging Filmmaker working in the US of A... Well Bollocks to him on that score. I guess he isn't familar with P.T. Anderson, Terence Malick or other visionary filmmakers who live here. I think it's great that a 'Pink' man embrace his new home/country. I loved the look of Hero and most of his other movies he shot. But to here him talk his movies and those of his now-fellow countrymen are the only important, daring and original works out there. I do agree with his statement that Asian Cinema is intriging and great movies are coming out of Japan, China and Korea. Since the days of John Woo the world has focused on the output from Aisa. Fine. We did so in France in the late 50's and 60's. It's always refreshing to see new voices in cinema. But America is still making original visions as well. But yes Chris... America is also Boxoffice Bound as well. After all the dunderheaded big b.o. drives Hollywood and without those films there wouldn't be the indie finaced film. It's really ok to make a profit in film. See... Film is art but it takes a whole bunch of folks to make it so. Painting, sculpting or writing is art but can be done by oneself and can survive without profit. Movies cannot... And Chris... You have a wonderful eye, you paint great with your lenses, lighting but you are not alone... See any Michael Mann, Malick, De Palma movie and tell me they are ugly? Not on your life. Are all their films brillant? No of course not. Are all your films? No. You have been a part of many wonderful movies... but they are not all masterpieces.
Who says in this world of filmmaking that great fimmakers need to hit it out of the park everytime? Or are you just sadden that Scorsese and Tarantino haven't asked you to shoot one of their films? After all you did shoot a M. Night flick... what have you to say for that?

Posted by guy steele at May 29, 2006 8:40 AM

comment #18

TBN says ...

"Or are you just sadden that Scorsese and Tarantino haven't asked you to shoot one of their films?"
Wong Kar-Wai >>>>>>>>>Tarantino

Posted by TBN at May 29, 2006 9:42 PM

comment #19

Daniel Zelter says ...

TBN: I agree. Quentin's films are just as emotionless and pointless as the average Hollywood blockbuster.

Posted by Daniel Zelter at May 29, 2006 11:54 PM

comment #20

guy steele says ...

Daniel, I wouldn't say QT's flicks are pointless or as average as a hollywood blockbuster. QT might borrow from a lot of films he loves but he re-jiggers what he steals and makes them fresh again.

My point was Chris was trashing both directors and even Kubrick for God's sake and I felt well... You have a film being remade by one and the other has helped a few of your films (Hero and Chunking Express) to our shores and yet you talk bad of them and I just wondered if it's because you have yet to work on any of their films. Scorsese usually has wonderful DP work and Yes QT's movies keep getting better in the visual department as well. Kill Bill is his best shot film yet. Now Chris has shot M. Night's new pic and if there is one thing you can say about a M. Night pic they are beautifully shot. So Chris will I am sure just add another well shot flick but not improve on the M. Night oeuvre.

Posted by guy steele at May 30, 2006 1:06 AM

comment #21