This is one of the most ambitious films in years. This could either be a smash hit or an utter catastrophe, especially since Stone's been pretty 50/50 in recent years.
I like Cromwell, Burstyn, Dreyfuss, Glenn, and Newton for their assigned parts; I think they can all pull it off. I must question casting Brolin as W himself...I'm just not sure he's up to it. We'll have to wait and see.
Talwyn- 07-31-2008
I've had a look at the trailer and agree with Apatheria, this has potential to be pure gold however with Stone's 50/50 track record, this still has potential to suck.
Yet saying all that, since I saw Josh Brolin's performance in "No country for old men" I am of the opinion he's an outstanding actor who might just be able to pull this off and sell it. The rest of the cast is top notch and all it takes is a really good script and for Stone to be on his game directorially.
Apatheria- 07-31-2008
I suppose his performance in No Country does display his skills as an actor, but even so...this isn't an easy role. As with all disliked historical figures, It's too easy to turn Bush into a cartoon (I mean moreso than he actually is.) If he can do what Bruno Ganz did with Hitler in Der Untergang, and portray Bush honestly, that'd be quite an accomplishment.
Future Filmmaker- 07-31-2008
Stone is very good at portraying questionable men. If you've ever seen "Nixon", it's one of the best biopics I've ever seen.
However, I agree that he has been a little wishy-washy lately. Alexander and World Trade Center weren't that great. I remember watching a documentary in which he had the balls to interview Fidel Castro 5 years ago.
I've spoken with Oliver Stone in person in a Q&A, he's a real cool guy.
There are two people in this film that are going to have a lot of my focus on, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney and Toby Jones as Karl Rove. Both excellent actors. If you have not heard of Toby Jones, look him up, he's an up and coming actor he has a great ability to emulate entirely different personas.
Although, I really wish Stone would wait about 4 years to do this movie. We usually don't get all of the facts until long afterwards.
c bass98- 08-07-2008
I really wish Stone would wait about 4 years to do this movie. We usually don't get all of the facts until long afterwards.
or even longer. I really don't think it is appropriate for a filmmaker to be cashing in on a president, regardless of how questionable his leadership has been. By doing this too soon (i.e. having a trailer finished before he even leaves office) I feel Stone is risking credibility and objectivity. If there really is a compelling story here, it should be able to stand the -*test*-('") of time.
Personally, I feel most of the buzz generated around Bush is blown out of proportion. In 4 years his poor leadership will not leave the mark on history most people would like to think.
Macshat- 08-07-2008
By doing this too soon (i.e. having a trailer finished before he even leaves office) I feel Stone is risking credibility and objectivity. If there really is a compelling story here, it should be able to stand the -*test*-('") of time.
Personally, I feel most of the buzz generated around Bush is blown out of proportion. In 4 years his poor leadership will not leave the mark on history most people would like to think.
Stone has no obligation to be objective. This isn't a piece of journalism. I personally hate the mentality of, "I'll read the book ten years after the fact, when they tell us all the truth that they were too afraid to tell us when it was actually happening..."
Voters burying their heads in the sand is one of the reasons George Bush has been able to rise to power and pretty much take a steaming shit all over the U.S. Constitution, human rights, America's poor and middle class, our status on the world stage.... you name it.
The guy's a fucking liability and historically, he'll as noteworthy for his lack of achievement as his ruinous policy-making...
c bass98- 08-07-2008
Stone has no obligation to be objective. This isn't a piece of journalism.
This is true, Stone and his team can take as many creative licenses as they wish. He can make Bush morph into a T-Rex and eat babies if he wants. However, I feel it is bad form to embelish on a current political figure if a filmmaker intends on having his agenda carry any weight.
What's the point of this film? To combat Bush's influence? To expose a truth of what the American public is blind to? If so, then objectivity is a MUST, otherwise, Stone and Bush are employing the same tactics of misinformation to forward an agenda.
Again, I don't know the focus of this film, but I don't see anything particularly valuable coming from it. I doubt I'll see the film, but I am interested in how this is going to play out.
Future Filmmaker- 08-07-2008
I'll have to see it. For the comedy, no doubt. Stone usually does a very good job on biopics, but I don't think that now is a good time, like you said. :?
Macshat- 08-08-2008
I jsut don't get this. Why is now not a good time?
Even if the movie is ridiculous, if it prompts discussion and thought, it is meritous.
Consider also that Bush's reign is coming to an end. For Bush lovers, it's not like anything can hurt him now. He's at the end and can coast.
Although I do hope Ken Starr is able to impeach that sorry sack of shit....
Future Filmmaker- 08-08-2008
Because we don't really learn a lot of the specifics about people in power until years after, which is why Nixon and JFK were so accurate. Imagine a movie about them being during their lifetime. I just don't want Stone to screw up and make another crappy film. He's done that with Alexander and World Trade Center.
He's capable of doing a terrific film, but I fear that the film will feature incomplete things and he will be forced to be creative.
Besides, I never saw Bush much as the cowboy type, being he's mostly from Connecticut, not Texas. He was a Yale rich shit.
Macshat- 08-09-2008
I take your point, FF...
I just get emotional when it comes to my country being rode hard and put away wet by that "cowboy".
I've been a member of Outpost31 since '03 and most of the members know to tune me out when I get on this subject. I remember once, back when Cam was a mod, I almost got my ass exiled for bashing Bush with all my might.
But Cam, in his infinite patience, allowed me to stay on...
Future Filmmaker- 08-10-2008
Lol, I just wish cam would participate in discussions more. I value his opinion a lot on matters.
I understand, though. However, I hope the film will show that it is not exactly Bush's direct actions that have resulted in a lot of the messes we are in today, but from manipulation by the "friends" and interests around him. I would put a lot more blame on neocons like Karl Rove, Donald Rumsfield, and Dick Cheney and Bush's blind loyalty and trust of them. Bush likes to kind of sit and let everyone else do everything for him.
I've met Oliver Stone in person and he's a very intelligent guy and passionate about what he does. I really admire him and I hope he puts everything he's got into this movie. His movie on Nixon was just unprecedented.
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