How does this guy keep getting films?
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Robyn51 — 9 years ago(June 06, 2016 09:01 PM)
I'll stick with Gerry and have patience and faith that he'll deliver excellence again, as some other unlikely actors have done, with an exceptional script (that he doesn't tamper with) and director. Look at Mathew M. Who knows? maybe The Headhunter's Calling will be it.
I did enjoy the first season of Outlander, especially Tobias as Black Jack, but I don't know, I like Sam and most of the cast, but I've just lost interest lately and moved on to other shows. I think it's the script or storyline or something just at the moment. Maybe I'll catch up later as it is a good production. Caught the final of Vikings and thought it was epic.
I do hope you're all up to date with Game of Thrones, otherwise I'm really in for it.
SPOILERS:
Who else is doing star jumps to see The Hound back? and who else is tipping he does great violence in the next episode after that massacre? Wow! the way he seized that axe with such purpose and will The Hound be the one to take on The Mountain? Don't suppose we'll see it this season though. They really need to get a wriggle on with this show IMO, how many more seasons are left? -
barberry2 — 9 years ago(June 06, 2016 10:04 PM)
I'll stick with Gerry and have patience and faith that he'll deliver excellence again, as some other unlikely actors have done, with an exceptional script
(that he doesn't tamper with
) and director. Look at Mathew M. Who knows? maybe The Headhunter's Calling will be it.
The tampering part is crucial, Robyn. The script is award-winning, I believe. This may be his last chance to show some gravitas, imo. Will it be 'Dear Frankie'-ish or 'Love Story'-ish? Will he use restraint or overact? It could go either way, but this is the first film of his in years with potential. -
joe16vind — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 12:25 AM)
barberry2/robin
First time directors are a gamble. Williams could be the next Robert Redford, Ben Zeitlin or Carl Rinsch. Dubuque wrote the screenplay for Robert Downey jr's The Judge which I found boring, tedious/repetitive. RDJ and cast could not save this dysfunctional family drama. I'd heard how terrible it was, skipped a free screening as it was football season and caught up to it premiere night on cable. The Accountant starring Ben Affleck which Dubuque also wrote is slated for release later this year.
I've read of a few actors having input into their characters once shooting begins. Is it tampering? Some directors appreciate their notes/take while others are highly dismissive of such interaction. Some bring more than what was on the page and its reflected in their portrayal. Others follow the script as written. As a producer I'd think Butler would have a say. Whether he chooses to excerise it, remains to be seen.
Early press clippings remarked he was taking a break from his typical action roles for something more understated.
If Williams understands his material and Butler is willing to find it within himself to deliver a Johnny Donne/The Stranger performance, the film will be elevated above what is typically relegated to television. Love Storyish- I sure hope not. And having worked in cancer medicine throughout my first postgraduate
degree, I'll have a tendency to judge the scenes of cancer for accuracy in their depiction which will be grossly unfair.
I'd like to think Butler can do this. Come Fall, we will be able to see for ourselves.
annie
"Ain't it hard when you discover that he really wasn't where it's at?" like a rolling stone -
barberry2 — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 12:47 AM)
Dubuque wrote the screenplay for Robert Downey jr's The Judge which I found boring, tedious/repetitive. RDJ and cast could not save this dysfunctional family drama
Couldn't disagree more. I thought it was very good, and any film that includes Vincent D'Onofrio is a winner.
I've read of a few actors having input into their characters once shooting begins. Is it tampering? Some directors appreciate their notes/take while others are highly dismissive of such interaction.
Butler's history with interfering is not impressive. (One example is 'Law Abiding Citizen', which was dramatically changed7ec from the original.) This is what Robyn and I are referencing. -
Robyn51 — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 02:00 AM)
Well, we know how Gerry, as producer, interfered with Frank Darabont's script for LAC, to the point where FD left the project. Gerry preferred to add the scenes which more or less ended up making the film like torture porn, just to get more of an audience reaction. I remember him kind of bragging about his contribution to LAC. I think I read also that he, again as producer, suggested some of the varied ultra violent acts in OHF and LHF.
As a producer, is Gerry now playing more to a lowest common denominator movie audience, reasoning that this will bring in more box office dollars? If so, I could be wrong, but I've got a feeling Gerry is more of business man now and, if this is not an artistic project for him and he does have input, he will be milking for the big bucks again with THC by pulling out all stops with the tears and melodrama. IMO poignancy and tears are something that Gerry does best, so it could just work and I always like crying along with Gerry, plus the kid has the adorable factor. That might be the only way this movie, with a kind of established main star with some audience appeal, a not so hot supporting cast and an unknown, first time director, could make some money. I remember Love Story, a cr*p movie with the absolute worst actress ever, that made a mozza at the box office in its day.
BTW, is RRuin still around? I'm missing her posts. -
barberry2 — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 08:09 AM)
Gerry preferred to add the scenes which more or less ended up making the film like
torture porn
, just to get more of an audience reaction. I remember him kind of bragging about his contribution to LAC. I think I read also that he, again as producer, suggested some of the varied ultra violent acts in OHF and LHF.
Perfect term for this genre, which GB now seems to relish, way too much. I've said before that I find his gleeful enthusiasm for sadism disturbing, and is the main reason I have no interest in his 'Fallen' films.
As a producer, is Gerry now playing more to a lowest common denominator movie audience, reasoning that this will bring in more box office dollars?
It seems that way. I prefer to believe this, though, rather than that he actually enjoys some of this garbage.
BTW, is RRuin still around? I'm missing her posts.
Don't know. Hope so. Robin, -
joe16vind — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 12:29 PM)
Robyn51'
I thought Kurt Zimmer wrote LAC? Was Darabont brought in as the script doctor which is typical Hollywood behaviour? if so, it would suggest there were problems with the script and the shooting script often differs from what is initially greenlit/cast from?
always thought torture porn was the term used to describe Saw and their ilk?
from what I can assauge from clippings- Darabont left mere weeks before production was set to begin due to typical creative differences.
Aintitcoolnews stated the relationship between Darabont and the studio ended ugly. I have an idea what that might mean. And as this was Butler's first foray into producing, -it was felt the film might not be able to move forward
having to scramble for a director, settling on F Gary Gray.- Based on the original concept= Butler was the DA at the center of a traumatized victim's vigilante plot. It shifted when Darabont was attached the vigilante becoming a criminal mastermind controlling the city from the confines of his cell.
When Foxx signed on the concept was altered once more shifting back to the vigilante storyline, with Foxx playing the vigilante hellbent for justice accomodating Foxx's wishes and then somewhere along the way once filming began, Butler and Foxx shifted roles ending in the final version of the released film.
re:Love Story- I so totally agree. It was stupid and embarassing. Cancer is generally used as the precipating event in so many films.
If The Headhunter's Calling is half as good as Brian's Song/ Dark Victory/Stolen Hours, Butler will have accomplished much.
Perhaps Butler is nothing more than a guilty pleasure. Someone you'd want to but not be with.
"You ain't got nothing. You got nothing to lose" Like aRolling Stone
- Based on the original concept= Butler was the DA at the center of a traumatized victim's vigilante plot. It shifted when Darabont was attached the vigilante becoming a criminal mastermind controlling the city from the confines of his cell.
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Robyn51 — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 02:15 PM)
This states that it's a review of the Frank Darabont draft of the script for LAC, the previous draft was by Kurt Wimmer. Darabont was originally attached as director, but left over script disagreements apparently. IMO perhaps LAC might have been a different and possibly better film with Darabont at the helm. The movie did okay, but the critics kind of hated it, with only a 25% rating on RT. It's not one of my favorite Gerry movies. I also thought Jamie Foxx was very lack lustre, maybe he wasn't happy with the role switching? Here are some links:
http://woutthielemans.blogspot.com.au/2009/05/script-review-law-abiding-citizen-frank.html
I also found this link about production etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Abiding_Citizen
This is a really good interview with Gerry where he mentions how he had a lot to do with how LAC turned out.
http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/law-abiding-citizen-gerard-butler-interview -
joe16vind — 9 years ago(June 07, 2016 07:49 PM)
Robyn51
thanks for the links particularly Gerry's interview- he's the typical actor/producer
the original script/subsequent revisions/polishes invariably altered tone/shifted p.o.v.s and based on the script analysis, outside of the two principals, everyone else was undescriptive/interchangeable.
the concerns Butler had were somewhat similiar to what Renner experienced on Kill the Messenger (some actors are better at producing than others) Renner has said its a lot of responsibility to "get things right"
annie
"I have experience and patience. A man can do anything if he has those." Zemo -
SiriusGrande — 9 years ago(June 09, 2016 06:42 PM)
Who else is doing star jumps to see The Hound back? and who else is tipping he does great violence in the next episode after that massacre? Wow! the way he seized that axe with such purpose and will The Hound be the one to take on The Mountain? Don't suppose we'll see it this season though. They really need to get a wriggle on with this show IMO, how many more seasons are left?
Me, me, me!!! I got so excited and started squealing and bouncing in my seat and the dog went berserk running around the house because he thought there was something wrong, LOL!
I'm not sure how many more seasons, but something tells me only one more after this one? Not sure that's accurate though.
This season has been pretty great, and having the Hound back is the best! I'm so hopeful that he'll kill The Mountain ("FrankenMountain" I call him). And I hope he meets up with Arya (eeek!!!) and/or Sansa again. And please, God, let Jon kill Ramsay! Ugh! And Jaime and Brienne are going to meet up again! Andandand!
Loving it so much. Great show. -
Robyn51 — 9 years ago(June 09, 2016 10:07 PM)
LOL, I thought of you when The Hound appeared Gretchen. I wonder though if his injuries might affect any future battle with The Mountain, he's been pretty beat up. It sure will be interesting when The Hound meets up again with Arya or Brienne. I was reading that Ramsay Bolton is the most hated man on TV at the moment, but that the actor who plays him is really nice in real life and best friends with Alfie Allen who plays Theon (Reek) My sister has read the books and mentioned something about another child or twin babies or something who might also have a claim to the throne? I get a bit lost with this show sometimes LOL.
I wish they would find a role for Gerry on GOT and also for Toby Stephens. Toby kind of reminds me of Iain Glen who plays Lord Jorah Mormont, both are such wonderful classically trained actors who really add something to whatever they are in. I'm so sad that Jorah has the stone disease and hope that someone can stop it. I think that whatever part Gerry played, he would have a real impact. -
SiriusGrande — 9 years ago(June 10, 2016 04:25 AM)
Toby kind of reminds me of Iain Glen who plays Lord Jorah Mormont, both are such wonderful classically trained actors who really add something to whatever they are in. I'm so sad that Jorah has the stone disease and hope that someone can stop it.
I freaking LOVE Jorah!! When he confessed his love to Daenerys before she sent him off to find the cure, I was getting all teary-eyed! She's a fool for not loving him back!
Speaking of cryingHODOR!!! OMG, I blubbered! "Hold the doorhold the door.." Nooooo!
I have only read the first three books, so I'm not sure about who else could have a claim to the throne. It seems like they're definitely setting it up for Daenerys to sweep in and save the day from the White Walkers, and probably take the Ir1908on Throne. I cannot really imagine anyone else ruling Westeros in the end. The rest of the great Houses seem to be on a path of self-destruction. The Lannisters are completely defunct now that Tywin isn't there to hold them together (I miss Charles Dance!). The Starks are obviously screwed. The Baratheons are pretty much extinct at this point, since Tommen is technically a Lannister and Robert's bastard son, Gendry, hasn't been seen since Ser Davos set him adrift in a rowboat one night.
Hopefully there are more surprises to come though. This is the first season when I didn't know ahead of time what would happen because I had read up to Jon getting stabbed by the Night's Watch. So I'm enjoying the surprises! -
SiriusGrande — 9 years ago(June 09, 2016 06:32 PM)
Every episode I've watched of Starz 'Outlander' makes me eternally happy GB wasn't allowed anywhere near the project. Sam Heughan is the perfect Jamie. The producers and the entire cast and crew should be proud of that show. It's just magical. GB could possibly have played the dual role of Frank and Black Jack Randall but Tobias Menzies has the range to play both an evil and a good character. I'm not sure GB could have done the roles justice in the same amazing way.
Truth. I've been watching somewhat sporadically, but my mother is really into it and I go watch with her most weeks. Last week I was thinking about how perfectly cast Sam is as Jamie. He LOOKS just like how I imagined Jamie, and he does a great job with the part.
The guy who plays Dougal is here in NC at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games this weekend. Kind of cool.
And Tobias Menzies is pretty fantastic as Blackjack/Frank. I don't think Gerry could do that role justice at all. I've never thought he has the stuff to play a villain. And Blackjack is about as heinous as they come. He does a great job. I always pictured Jason Isaacs' Col Tavington when reading the books, but Tobias nailed the role and owns it. It was good to see him back on Game of Thrones recently too. Dude is everywhere!
ETA: Funny that Tobias' characters on both shows are having to deal with a Jamie/Jaime. -
davsny1 — 9 years ago(September 15, 2016 08:56 PM)
To answer the OP's asinine question:
"How does this guy keep getting films?" I would say he probably goes to Best Buy, Target, Walmart or maybe he goes online to Amazon of Ebay just like the rest of us. Those are the ways I get my films.
If you mean, "How does this actor, Gerard Butler, continue to be cast in films as a lead actor or for a supporting role? I would say it has something to do with luck of the Irish or Scottish in Gerry's case. Perhaps, because he is intelligent, charming, talented, good looking, affable, physically fit and likable. That's usually how it works.