Anghus Houvouras with this week’s disappointments from the entertainment world…
“Peter Jackson admits ‘I didn’t know what the hell I was doing’ on the Hobbit”
You know, I have to give Peter Jackson some props. Last year when I included The Hobbit films amongst ‘the most disappointing films of all time’, I got so much grief from fans who told me I was crazy. When I called them ‘half assed circle jerks’, people said I was being harsh. Now the guy who produced and directed these garish bores steps up and readily admits that he was just ‘winging it’. To hear someone readily admit their failings is so refreshing. I wish more filmmakers were capable of being honest and recognizing when something doesn’t work and not just live in a constant state of denial over the quality of their output. Speaking of…
“George Lucas: ‘I’m done with Star Wars'”
What’s the opposite of disappointment? According to the dictionary it’s ‘satisfaction’, but that doesn’t seem a strong enough word to describe what I’m feeling right now. Elated? ecstatic? Orgasmic? In all seriousness, it must be weird being George Lucas right now. You create this amazing story that completely levels and rewrites the cultural landscape. Something so popular that it crosses over into every medium of entertainment, unifies generations together, and is easily the most quoted/recognized/beloved franchise of our lifetime. And you have to sit back and watch as people celebrate the fact that you are no longer tinkering with their favorite toy. The guy who created Star Wars somehow became the Emperor and we’re all celebrating the moment he was metaphorically chucked down the chasm ending his evil, poorly conceived reign.
That’s got to be horribly sobering. You’re the guy who conceived this whole pop culture maelstrom, and everyone seems perfectly fine with you never having anything to do with the franchise. The guy created all the toys in my childhood toy box, but he’s the last person on earth I would want to play with.
“George Lucas on new Star Wars film: ‘Disney wasn’t keen to have me involved'”
Can you really blame them? I mean, I feel bad for Lucas, but has anyone in the history of any creative medium done to fuck with his fan base. The guy created Star Wars, but he sure as hell seems hell-bent on letting everyone know how little he values their opinions.
“George Lucas wasn’t OK making something for the fans”
This is no surprise to anyone who has seen the prequels.
“The Lord of the Rings screenwriter Philippa Boyens to adapt The Merlin Saga”
I’m guessing the first draft is 412 pages long, deviated heavily from the source material and will eventually be made into three very long, very boring films.
“Pierce Brosnan wasn’t too impressed by Spectre”
And if ANYONE knows about terrible Bond films, it’s Pierce Brosnan.
“Simon Kinberg describes Gambit movie as a sexy heist thriller”
Rest easy, Gambit fans. Sounds like this guy totally knows what people love about the character: His sexiness and heist skills. Sounds like another Marvel masterpiece from our friends at 20th Century Fox.
See you next week.
Anghus Houvouras is a North Carolina based writer and filmmaker and the co-host of Across the Pondcast. Follow him on Twitter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=ROisAvdW5SY
Originally published November 21, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
