Ridley Scott is a workaholic similarly to Eastwood (he's 94!). I think he's afraid that if he stops making movies he'll drop dead within a year or two. He's got 5 upcoming productions, which is insane. From his recent films, The Last Duel was a sweetspot of serious and fun yet it was also a massive flop at the box office. People were not entertained, apparently. Which isn't what you'd think when you look at the movie's ratings and reviews online.
I don't necessarily think that film culture is as dire nowadays as you describe it here. I mean, it wasn't that long ago that pretentious movie fans recorded themselves during watching popcorn Marvel flicks while they shouted "LET'S FUCKING GO" about 17 times to "express" how much fun they're having. There will always be film bros and snobs, but I don't think the scale is that skewed. But I agree with you in that you shouldn't go in with preconceptions of expecting high art from a sequel whose trailer clearly showed what kind of blockbuster you'll be seeing with Gladiator II. And yes, the main reason I would want to watch this film is Denzel 'Motherfuckin' Washington.
I love the line about "Constantine," the source material of which I have never encountered. Like, I respect anyone's opinion who knows the source material and felt disappointed, but all I know is that it utilized Good Keanu and, hey, Rachel Weisz is here, too!
same feelings here! It's valid if you have strong opinions on something but pointing intellectual fingers at other people who just want to have a good time - ain't it.
That was superb. I felt the same way about Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis. He’s at the same stage of life as Ridley Scott and made a huge spectacle of a movie that was (to me) incredibly entertaining. And he made it that way because he wanted to make it that way, and he, too, earned that right.
James, thank you for this! And for reminding me I need to get on Megalopolis. I missed it while it was out on theaters but my god, I think I'll have the same experience as you. Feels like we've lost the ability to understand why a director would go out of their way to put together something like this other than...entertain.
Great job. I'm reminded of a story that happened in the 1950's. Ingrid Bergman took Alfred Hitchcock to see some European art film, possibly Last Year at Marienbad. About halfway through, Hitchcock got up to leave. Bergman looked at him, puzzled. "Where are you going, Hitch?" He replied, "To the movies."
Ridley Scott is a workaholic similarly to Eastwood (he's 94!). I think he's afraid that if he stops making movies he'll drop dead within a year or two. He's got 5 upcoming productions, which is insane. From his recent films, The Last Duel was a sweetspot of serious and fun yet it was also a massive flop at the box office. People were not entertained, apparently. Which isn't what you'd think when you look at the movie's ratings and reviews online.
I don't necessarily think that film culture is as dire nowadays as you describe it here. I mean, it wasn't that long ago that pretentious movie fans recorded themselves during watching popcorn Marvel flicks while they shouted "LET'S FUCKING GO" about 17 times to "express" how much fun they're having. There will always be film bros and snobs, but I don't think the scale is that skewed. But I agree with you in that you shouldn't go in with preconceptions of expecting high art from a sequel whose trailer clearly showed what kind of blockbuster you'll be seeing with Gladiator II. And yes, the main reason I would want to watch this film is Denzel 'Motherfuckin' Washington.
Great piece, by the way.
I love the line about "Constantine," the source material of which I have never encountered. Like, I respect anyone's opinion who knows the source material and felt disappointed, but all I know is that it utilized Good Keanu and, hey, Rachel Weisz is here, too!
same feelings here! It's valid if you have strong opinions on something but pointing intellectual fingers at other people who just want to have a good time - ain't it.
love to take words out of the intellectual orbits and smush em into rhyme crime
breaks down into its oppo sits. for sure.
and then get all slippery in the betweens and the abstract and meta feta...
I cant bring myself to watch it but then I have gone off movies...
reading instead.
Great piece. This was exactly my take of the movie. Frankly, Denzel runs away with it
Exactly. Got similar vibes from Pacino in House of Gucci. Guy showed up to entertain 😂
That was superb. I felt the same way about Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis. He’s at the same stage of life as Ridley Scott and made a huge spectacle of a movie that was (to me) incredibly entertaining. And he made it that way because he wanted to make it that way, and he, too, earned that right.
James, thank you for this! And for reminding me I need to get on Megalopolis. I missed it while it was out on theaters but my god, I think I'll have the same experience as you. Feels like we've lost the ability to understand why a director would go out of their way to put together something like this other than...entertain.
Great take, great writing.
Thank YOU, Brendan 💗
Great job. I'm reminded of a story that happened in the 1950's. Ingrid Bergman took Alfred Hitchcock to see some European art film, possibly Last Year at Marienbad. About halfway through, Hitchcock got up to leave. Bergman looked at him, puzzled. "Where are you going, Hitch?" He replied, "To the movies."
Eddie (Suzy) Izzard has a bit about Brit vs American film and it speaks to your point.
https://youtu.be/TjC3R6jOtUo?si=y7ZFrtgCnzK_WMiA
Aw thank you for sharing this 💖
That was awesome. And I needed to hear it. Thank you