Binder Unveiled

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Director/writer Mike Binder (Reign O'er Me, The Upside of Anger) didn't want me writing that he wrote most of (significant portions of?) Owen Wilson's scene in front of that classroom of eight year- olds in You, Me and Dupree, a.k.a."the Mothership scene" But I guess it's okay to report this now that Wilson has told USA Today's Susan Wloszczyna almost the same thing. "Take the scene where Dupree speaks before a grade-school class on a career day," she writes, "Wilson was supposed to give a spiel about being a copy-machine salesman. Instead, he and pal Mike Binder spent an afternoon brainstorming on a speech."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 17, 2006 at 1:11 PM

comment #1

Mark says ...

Don't be ambiguous Jeff. Did Binder want separation from Dupree, or was he uncomfortable with receiving a significant credit when Owen is due more?

Posted by Mark at July 17, 2006 1:43 PM

comment #2

lesterg says ...

Speaking of Binder, I'm assuming Man About Town is damaged goods. It's already come and gone in multiple international markets, but there hasn't even been a trailer released stateside...

Posted by lesterg at July 17, 2006 2:14 PM

comment #3

lesterg says ...

Never mind, a minute of research shows that it's been picked up by LionsGate.

Of course, the dreaded "TBD" release date (and rumors of DTV) aren't comforting.

Posted by lesterg at July 17, 2006 2:23 PM

comment #4

berg says ...

WHO WROTE THE LINES: "... sofa burning mastubator" and "My garlic technique I got from Goodfellas" ... those were the only two times I even cracked a smile ...

Posted by berg at July 17, 2006 2:37 PM

comment #5

Hopscotch says ...

I'm not a fan of Binder's. Hated his TV show, i think "Upside of Anger" is a noble effort at best. But a lot of industry people like him, and he keeps finding work. go figure.

Posted by Hopscotch at July 17, 2006 3:09 PM

comment #6

Anonymous says ...

Anyone who's seen Upside of Anger or Man About Town knows that Binder is a talent of extroadinary averageness (actually...maybe quite a bit less than that) - and yet guys I usually agree with like Jeff adore him. He must throw really terrific parties with lots of gorgeous women....

Posted by Anonymous at July 17, 2006 3:15 PM

comment #7

Mike Schaefer says ...

FYI, imdb says "Reign O'er Me" is now called "Empty City".

Posted by Mike Schaefer at July 17, 2006 3:15 PM

comment #8

Eddie says ...

I'm not really a Binder guy, but so help me, I like Blankman.

Posted by Eddie at July 17, 2006 3:27 PM

comment #9

mike says ...

I kind of enjoy Indian Summer.

But I hated his HBO show. And tthe flick he made about wanting a 3 some with Mariel Hemmingway.

Posted by mike at July 17, 2006 3:53 PM

comment #10

Pinko Punko says ...

Upside of Anger was so obviously a movie directed by the writer. That is not a compliment. However, I thought Costner was actually good and would have wanted to see that character in a different film. Or if they had gone super dark. Maybe they go on a crime spree?

Posted by Pinko Punko at July 17, 2006 4:09 PM

comment #11

Mark says ...

Jeff never sold me on Binder. His praise sounded too much like his praise of Labute, and I still haven't forgiven Jeff for getting me to see The Shape of Things.

Posted by Mark at July 17, 2006 5:51 PM

comment #12