Movies and Actors

[kybearfuzz]

Yesterday, a group of the guys and I went to go see the new "Total Recall" remake. I thought it was a fun movie, a few plot holes here and there, but lots of great action scenes and some good shirtlessness on the part of Colin Ferrell. While chatting online today, a friend asked me what I thought of it in comparison to the original. I said it wasn't as comical in places as the original and that the original is still probably the superior movie in terms of story.

Then I ended it with saying, "... and I'm just not a fan of Ahnold these days."

It started me thinking about movies I used to enjoy and the actors who are in them. The more I learn these days about actors, their political affiliations and views, their religious views, etc., the more I find my opinions adjusted about their acting talents. It has become harder to separate my view of the actor and my view of the role he or she plays.

Personally, I find actors like Arnold, Mel Gibson, and Tom Cruise unpleasant (and I'm being kind in the wording here). As a result, I find myself skipping any of their new movies, no matter how good they may be in their roles. When a new Tom Cruise movie gets released, I almost automatically get turned off on the idea of seeing it. In addition, I sometimes find myself no longer enjoying their older movies that I used to like watching, like Total Recall, Lethal Weapon, etc.

Does anyone else feel this way?

Comments

[notmypresident.livejournal.com]

I find myself skipping any of their new movies

Ditto.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Think of the money we're saving at the movies, at least. :)

[madknits.livejournal.com]

There are certain actors and directors I won't go see. Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise, Woody Allen, among others. Just as I don't want my money to support places like Chik-fil-A, I don't want my money going to people I find reprehensible.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I think that very well might be my same position. When you learn a negative aspect of the actor's character, why spend money on any movie they are in.

I know I fought hard not to watch the latest Mission Impossible movie because it also starred Simon Pegg, who I adore. I still haven't seen it. I'll just wait for Pegg's next movie to get my fix of him.

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

One of the things I love about Simon is that he's lovely in real life, too. (I was unable to resist seeing MI:GP just for him.)

A related problem is that when an actor's off-screen presence gets too big, it becomes very difficult to see them as a character rather than an actor. Part of the problem with Tom Cruise is that it's very hard anymore to see him on screen and not have him jumping up and down on Oprah's couch in the back of your head...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

First, I'm incredibly jealous seeing that icon! :)

And I do only see Cruise bouncing up and down on the couch like a freak.

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

I don't even think about the money, I just can't ignore who they really are. Even if they're famous, I need to be able to "suspend disbelief" to accept them in a screen role.

[trulygrateful.livejournal.com]

Funny you should ask this as I was talking about this with people in California last week.

If I know an actor's political leanings (on my on and not through secondary sources) and those leanings are against GLBT or anything else for which I strongly advocate, I choose not to see their film or take part in their [whatever].

I do realize that there are still many other good people who do not share that person(s) leanings and deserve to make a living. I suppose before film production starts (I would hope) any studio would think about such things and carefully consider who is playing/directing/whatever their film.

Sadly, it seems to me that as of late it's not so much a case of "right v. not right" but more about the financial bottom line - and that always seems to win out with rare exception.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised that the movie industry doesn't consider it more, especially when you think how much money is at risk.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do. I wouldn't go to any film featuring any of the actors you've listed, especially Cruise. But, then again, I've never been to any of their movies in the first place.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... then such an argument is easy, huh? :D

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. Road Warrior used to be one of my favorite movies. Even though I know Gibson isn't making money off it these days it's still hard to watch him so I don't.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

It is difficult, isn't it? When I see any of his movies, even "Braveheart," I see his face, but all I think about his smarmy looks and nasty comments that he makes nowadays.

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I remember hearing an interview with George Miller (Mad Max's director) about the upcoming movie Mad Max movie. He mad a point of saying he wouldn't be working with Mr. Gibson any more.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

I have issues with all the above listed actors.

I have a few of the Terminator dvds, but cannot get myself to buy a 12" Terminator figure for my collection.

I don't think I could stomach looking at Ahnold
every day. :P

Tom Cruise? Mel Gibson? I have nada zip zilch to say about them. It's already been said and said again.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I think the first two Terminator movies are the only ones of his I could watch now.

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Same here!

I do like the 4 th Terminator movie - he wasn't in that one! :D

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

Yep. Arnold, Tom, and Mel have all fallen off my movie radar, and I no longer have any interest in their movies.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

There are far better actors to watch, in my opinion. :)

[labeartorycub.livejournal.com]

My attention to actors and movies, in general, is dismal. I'm often months or years behind. In fact, friends have threatened to tie me to a chair to watch some of the classics that I should have seen many years ago. Sad, but true.