Yeah Bruce McGill is in like 90 movies a year, maybe Mooney was being facetious. Also why can't Butler just employ Connery's rule and always use his natural accent? Would this story really be changed at all if his character were Scottish by birth?
Also having just seen THE SOLOIST last night and the near staggering work Foxx did in it, I wonder if he realizes how much his Alpha Male performances always grate?
OK, Butler's still got a way to go with his American accent but he's making strides toward filling the foreign-born, American-looking action/thriller hero slot that Russell Crowe recently vacated with his recent slate of poorly chosen star vehicles. The Ugly Truth bombed but Butler has Gamer on 9/4 which might intrigue the Transformers/G.I. Joe crowd.
Remember in 2004 when Jude Law was everywhere (and then, semi-abruptly, less ubiquitous)? 2009 could be the make-or-break year for Butler.
Gosh, guys, I was just taking the piss. I didn't mean to diss Bruce McGill. The cat's first rate. Hell, he was damn good as Tenet in "W." I just saw "Runaway Jury" on network TV last week, for the first time, and I guess that film stuck in my craw a bit. As to "Law Abiding..." what happened to Darabont? I could research it, but I'd much rather hear your takes.
My theory on Butler: Even "300" fans kinda don't really know who he is. Yeah, there was all that hype that he was THE NEXT BIG THING after "300," but his appearance was so modified by that big stupid beard and the golden sheen and the CGI abs... that I honestly don't think people recognize him in other movies. If he had a Caesar cut and that beard in this movie, then MAYBE a lightbulb would flash over his "fans'" heads and they MIGHT go see it.
Basically it'd be like if the media had made Eric Stoltz out to be THE NEXT BIG THING in "Mask," then in his next movie when he showed up all clean-scrubbed like a redhead douche everyone was tripping all over themselves asking, "WHY ISN'T STOLTZ SELLING TICKETS? Millions of people loved him in MASK!"
Butler was in 40 HUGE studio movies before "300" (seriously, look it up) and no one knew him by name... I don't think "300" did much to change that.
It is surprising how many studio films Butler was in before 300 (not 40 but certainly 10-20). But to say that film didn't propel him to leading man status is shortsighted. Maybe the fans aren't making the connection but Hollywood is.
Still, he needs another hit to become more than the flavor of the summer/fall.
I don't know if we can say THE UGLY TRUTH bombed. It's already made 70 million and last I checked my edge city multiplex listings it's still going strong. As far as lady-centric summer counter-programming goes, I'm afraid to say it's doing moderately well. Now who knows if he benefits from that at all.
"When F. Gary Gray films nighttime scenes, do you think he just tells his DP, "Set the cameras to ANDREW DAVIS SHEEN"?"
BRILLIANCE.
This film looks ridiculously contrived. When I first heard about it I pictured something very different in my head. First sign of suckage: Overture.
Off topic, but A Perfect Getaway delivered some nice, nasty thrills. Thwoy had some fun with this one. It's ludicrous to be sure but I went with it and had a really good time. Gets very violent at the end.
Also, GI Joe fucking sucked -- easily one of the worst big-budget movies I've ever seen.
And District 9 is a masterpiece, the boldest piece of sci-fi since Children of Men. Just fucking incredible.
Three days without the net (and without HE) has been tough!
Michael - Not even him singing, or whatever it was called, Steve Earle's classic song AGAIN to Swank (AE) would make me go see this thing. Nice to see Philly being used so much in movies lately. Nutter must be offering up the goods for for cheap.
actionman knows the score. Transformers > G.I. Joe, by a country mile.
Butler used to be a figure of fun in Britain, not known for anything except endlessly linking himself with the James Bond role in the tabloids.
He seems like an alright chap.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey at August 14, 2009 12:02 PM
comment #24
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...
This movie looks like a solid Netflix/Starz on Demand choice for me. There's nothing wrong with that. Some films just aren't designed to be seen on a big screen.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey at August 14, 2009 12:06 PM
comment #25
Jonah says ...
I need help with the math, Bosh. If Transformers 2 is the worst film ever made, and we all know it is, where does that leave GI Joe?
Posted by Jonah at August 14, 2009 12:19 PM
comment #26
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...
It's not really the worst film ever made though, is it?
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey at August 14, 2009 12:23 PM
comment #27
Jonah says ...
I haven't seen every film. But considering how much money, access, past experience, and talent they had working for them it is the worst film ever made.
Posted by Jonah at August 14, 2009 12:37 PM
comment #28
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey says ...
No, it isn't. But if you'd like to believe it is, then go ahead.
Have people forgotten the likes of Batman & Robin already?
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey at August 14, 2009 12:42 PM
comment #29
Jonah says ...
Well, it is. But if you'd like to believe it isn't, then go ahead.
I hated Batman and Robin but I'd watch that in a heartbeat over Transformers 2.
I read the script (which was not only written by Darabont, but Kurt Wimmer as well) and it is a nasty, clever and brutally violent revenge tale. The ending was somewhat far-fetched.
The story reminded me a little bit of an old Max Von Sydow movie called "The Night Visitor," where you kind of wondered how a guy was pulling off all these murders when he was deeply locked up in jail.
Frankly, I had more trouble buying Jamie Foxx as the DA at first than Butler in his role. But the proof will be in the pudding.
I can't go by the trailer because that's all smoke and mirrors anyway, pushing the revenge buttons very quickly.
Posted by White Castle Studios at August 14, 2009 12:57 PM
Ah, good old predictable Hollywood, where you don't even have the sound on during the trailer, but know from the title and the happy family scene in the first 10 seconds of it exactly what sort of movie it's going to be. I turned it off when he opened the door and the inevitable bad guys came in to, no doubt, 'make him lose everything'.
Basically, if I've already seen it, then there's no need for this movie to exist.
Posted by Anonymous Bosch at August 14, 2009 1:49 PM
I like F. Gary Gray (hey, I liked THE NEGOTIATOR and his remake of THE ITALIAN JOB. And I'd rather have "Andrew Davis Sheen" than "Michael Bay Incoherence" or whatever), but yeah, this looks like just another stupid revenge movie.
I paid to see Death Sentence, I'll definitely pay to see this. I loves me some revenge flicks that aren't pansy message movies (ie. not The Brave One).
Yeah, while I never plan on watching either B&R or TF2 again, I would pick the former over the latter.
GI Joe wasn't as bad as I was expecting, and I can't say that it bored me with its ridiculous ways like TF2 did.
comment #1
Joshua Mooney
says ...
It's so crazy, it just might ...! Or not.
Nice to see D-Day working again.
Posted by Joshua Mooney
at August 14, 2009 10:20 AM
comment #2
Steven Kar
says ...
Watch him struggle with his American accent.
Isn't there a hyphen in law-abiding?
Posted by Steven Kar
at August 14, 2009 10:24 AM
comment #3
Michael
says ...
The #1 way to get my money to sit in a theatre is a revenge flick. I just hope he sings 'Galway Girl'.
Posted by Michael
at August 14, 2009 10:24 AM
comment #4
p.Vice
says ...
From Frank Darabont to F. Gary Gray... that's pretty much a death sentence.
But, it's not like the producers had a death wish for their movie, right?
Whoever signed Gray really was the brave one.
Posted by p.Vice
at August 14, 2009 10:26 AM
comment #5
MikeSchaeferSF
says ...
D-Day's been working steadily for the last 30 years, actually. This one will be big with the TobyKeith/Glenn Beck crowd. "It's gonna be biblical".
Posted by MikeSchaeferSF
at August 14, 2009 10:26 AM
comment #6
Floyd Thursby
says ...
Wish Wells cared about sports so he would weigh in on the Rick Pitino sex scandal. With that smug smirk, Butler could play Pitino.
Posted by Floyd Thursby
at August 14, 2009 10:29 AM
comment #7
BurmaShave
says ...
Yeah Bruce McGill is in like 90 movies a year, maybe Mooney was being facetious. Also why can't Butler just employ Connery's rule and always use his natural accent? Would this story really be changed at all if his character were Scottish by birth?
Also having just seen THE SOLOIST last night and the near staggering work Foxx did in it, I wonder if he realizes how much his Alpha Male performances always grate?
Posted by BurmaShave
at August 14, 2009 10:31 AM
comment #8
NightWriter
says ...
Agreed with Mooney; this is 50-50 at best.
OK, Butler's still got a way to go with his American accent but he's making strides toward filling the foreign-born, American-looking action/thriller hero slot that Russell Crowe recently vacated with his recent slate of poorly chosen star vehicles. The Ugly Truth bombed but Butler has Gamer on 9/4 which might intrigue the Transformers/G.I. Joe crowd.
Remember in 2004 when Jude Law was everywhere (and then, semi-abruptly, less ubiquitous)? 2009 could be the make-or-break year for Butler.
Posted by NightWriter
at August 14, 2009 10:31 AM
comment #9
moviemaniac2002
says ...
"Death Wish" meets "Taken" meets "Hannibal"
...whoopee. It needs Legos.
Posted by moviemaniac2002
at August 14, 2009 10:32 AM
comment #10
Ryansi51
says ...
I love that Pitino banged her in a RESTAURANT.
Jeff can't even bring in dessert to restaurants, meanwhile Pitino's in the ladies room spreading frosting.
Posted by Ryansi51
at August 14, 2009 10:37 AM
comment #11
Joshua Mooney
says ...
Gosh, guys, I was just taking the piss. I didn't mean to diss Bruce McGill. The cat's first rate. Hell, he was damn good as Tenet in "W." I just saw "Runaway Jury" on network TV last week, for the first time, and I guess that film stuck in my craw a bit. As to "Law Abiding..." what happened to Darabont? I could research it, but I'd much rather hear your takes.
Posted by Joshua Mooney
at August 14, 2009 10:40 AM
comment #12
LexG
says ...
My theory on Butler: Even "300" fans kinda don't really know who he is. Yeah, there was all that hype that he was THE NEXT BIG THING after "300," but his appearance was so modified by that big stupid beard and the golden sheen and the CGI abs... that I honestly don't think people recognize him in other movies. If he had a Caesar cut and that beard in this movie, then MAYBE a lightbulb would flash over his "fans'" heads and they MIGHT go see it.
Basically it'd be like if the media had made Eric Stoltz out to be THE NEXT BIG THING in "Mask," then in his next movie when he showed up all clean-scrubbed like a redhead douche everyone was tripping all over themselves asking, "WHY ISN'T STOLTZ SELLING TICKETS? Millions of people loved him in MASK!"
Butler was in 40 HUGE studio movies before "300" (seriously, look it up) and no one knew him by name... I don't think "300" did much to change that.
Posted by LexG
at August 14, 2009 10:42 AM
comment #13
Michael
says ...
He owned in P.S. I Love You. Not kidding, that movie destroys me.
Posted by Michael
at August 14, 2009 10:48 AM
comment #14
NightWriter
says ...
LexG:
It is surprising how many studio films Butler was in before 300 (not 40 but certainly 10-20). But to say that film didn't propel him to leading man status is shortsighted. Maybe the fans aren't making the connection but Hollywood is.
Still, he needs another hit to become more than the flavor of the summer/fall.
Posted by NightWriter
at August 14, 2009 10:52 AM
comment #15
LexG
says ...
Also:
When F. Gary Gray films nighttime scenes, do you think he just tells his DP, "Set the cameras to ANDREW DAVIS SHEEN"?
Posted by LexG
at August 14, 2009 10:54 AM
comment #16
BurmaShave
says ...
I don't know if we can say THE UGLY TRUTH bombed. It's already made 70 million and last I checked my edge city multiplex listings it's still going strong. As far as lady-centric summer counter-programming goes, I'm afraid to say it's doing moderately well. Now who knows if he benefits from that at all.
Posted by BurmaShave
at August 14, 2009 10:56 AM
comment #17
Travis Crabtree
says ...
"We're gonna put the SYSTEM on trial!"
Man, I'm going to be so shocked when the judge picks up her phone and it kills her. I won't see that coming.
Posted by Travis Crabtree
at August 14, 2009 10:58 AM
comment #18
BurmaShave
says ...
Lex you are on fire today. I am calling my next band Andrew Davis Sheen.
Posted by BurmaShave
at August 14, 2009 11:01 AM
comment #19
NightWriter
says ...
Fair point, Burma; I didn't check the grosses. It's not The Proposal in terms of NA B.O. but $70M is decent.
That said, expectations were higher and, not surprisingly, the critics were unamused. (Heigl's presence likely didn't help.)
Posted by NightWriter
at August 14, 2009 11:02 AM
comment #20
George Prager
says ...
Waxing poetic about Bruce McGill's career in this piece of crap is like critiquing Tom Sizemore's cocksmanship in
"Triple-X Tom".
Posted by George Prager
at August 14, 2009 11:18 AM
comment #21
actionman
says ...
"When F. Gary Gray films nighttime scenes, do you think he just tells his DP, "Set the cameras to ANDREW DAVIS SHEEN"?"
BRILLIANCE.
This film looks ridiculously contrived. When I first heard about it I pictured something very different in my head. First sign of suckage: Overture.
Off topic, but A Perfect Getaway delivered some nice, nasty thrills. Thwoy had some fun with this one. It's ludicrous to be sure but I went with it and had a really good time. Gets very violent at the end.
Also, GI Joe fucking sucked -- easily one of the worst big-budget movies I've ever seen.
And District 9 is a masterpiece, the boldest piece of sci-fi since Children of Men. Just fucking incredible.
Three days without the net (and without HE) has been tough!
Posted by actionman
at August 14, 2009 11:39 AM
comment #22
Brendan
says ...
Michael - Not even him singing, or whatever it was called, Steve Earle's classic song AGAIN to Swank (AE) would make me go see this thing. Nice to see Philly being used so much in movies lately. Nutter must be offering up the goods for for cheap.
Posted by Brendan
at August 14, 2009 11:44 AM
comment #23
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
actionman knows the score. Transformers > G.I. Joe, by a country mile.
Butler used to be a figure of fun in Britain, not known for anything except endlessly linking himself with the James Bond role in the tabloids.
He seems like an alright chap.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at August 14, 2009 12:02 PM
comment #24
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
This movie looks like a solid Netflix/Starz on Demand choice for me. There's nothing wrong with that. Some films just aren't designed to be seen on a big screen.
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at August 14, 2009 12:06 PM
comment #25
Jonah
says ...
I need help with the math, Bosh. If Transformers 2 is the worst film ever made, and we all know it is, where does that leave GI Joe?
Posted by Jonah
at August 14, 2009 12:19 PM
comment #26
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
It's not really the worst film ever made though, is it?
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at August 14, 2009 12:23 PM
comment #27
Jonah
says ...
I haven't seen every film. But considering how much money, access, past experience, and talent they had working for them it is the worst film ever made.
Posted by Jonah
at August 14, 2009 12:37 PM
comment #28
BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
says ...
No, it isn't. But if you'd like to believe it is, then go ahead.
Have people forgotten the likes of Batman & Robin already?
Posted by BoshBarnetWonkyDonkey
at August 14, 2009 12:42 PM
comment #29
Jonah
says ...
Well, it is. But if you'd like to believe it isn't, then go ahead.
I hated Batman and Robin but I'd watch that in a heartbeat over Transformers 2.
Posted by Jonah
at August 14, 2009 12:43 PM
comment #30
MovieBob
says ...
Wasn't this already an SVU with Robin Williams?
Posted by MovieBob
at August 14, 2009 12:55 PM
comment #31
White Castle Studios
says ...
I read the script (which was not only written by Darabont, but Kurt Wimmer as well) and it is a nasty, clever and brutally violent revenge tale. The ending was somewhat far-fetched.
The story reminded me a little bit of an old Max Von Sydow movie called "The Night Visitor," where you kind of wondered how a guy was pulling off all these murders when he was deeply locked up in jail.
Frankly, I had more trouble buying Jamie Foxx as the DA at first than Butler in his role. But the proof will be in the pudding.
I can't go by the trailer because that's all smoke and mirrors anyway, pushing the revenge buttons very quickly.
Posted by White Castle Studios
at August 14, 2009 12:57 PM
comment #32
Joshua Mooney
says ...
Prager: Well said about Sizemore, er, less. But of all the celeb porno tapes I've seen, his is genuinely dramatic, even tragic. As such, it holds up.
Posted by Joshua Mooney
at August 14, 2009 1:36 PM
comment #33
Anonymous Bosch
says ...
Ah, good old predictable Hollywood, where you don't even have the sound on during the trailer, but know from the title and the happy family scene in the first 10 seconds of it exactly what sort of movie it's going to be. I turned it off when he opened the door and the inevitable bad guys came in to, no doubt, 'make him lose everything'.
Basically, if I've already seen it, then there's no need for this movie to exist.
Posted by Anonymous Bosch
at August 14, 2009 1:49 PM
comment #34
lipranzer
says ...
I like F. Gary Gray (hey, I liked THE NEGOTIATOR and his remake of THE ITALIAN JOB. And I'd rather have "Andrew Davis Sheen" than "Michael Bay Incoherence" or whatever), but yeah, this looks like just another stupid revenge movie.
Posted by lipranzer
at August 14, 2009 2:40 PM
comment #35
Josh Massey
says ...
I paid to see Death Sentence, I'll definitely pay to see this. I loves me some revenge flicks that aren't pansy message movies (ie. not The Brave One).
Posted by Josh Massey
at August 14, 2009 3:57 PM
comment #36
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Batman & Robin >>>> Transformers 2
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at August 14, 2009 4:27 PM
comment #37
actionman
says ...
Tony Scott put the revenge movie to bed with Man on Fire. That movie is so fucking bad-ass. Completely and utterly bad-ass.
Posted by actionman
at August 14, 2009 7:02 PM
comment #38
pablobondi
says ...
At least Batman & Robin didn't last 150 long minutes like Transformers 2
Posted by pablobondi
at August 14, 2009 10:44 PM
comment #39
Jonah
says ...
And I had a clue what the story was in B & R.
Posted by Jonah
at August 14, 2009 11:56 PM
comment #40
Dan Revill
says ...
Yeah, while I never plan on watching either B&R or TF2 again, I would pick the former over the latter.
GI Joe wasn't as bad as I was expecting, and I can't say that it bored me with its ridiculous ways like TF2 did.
Posted by Dan Revill
at August 15, 2009 12:02 AM
comment #41
free games
says ...
It's so crazy
Posted by free games
at November 1, 2009 6:15 AM