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Deepfocuslens
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Kevin Smith Weinstein Story

I always found this story interesting. I respect Smith because of how unpretentious he is, and he genuinely just likes to make what he wants and doesn't care about the critics. Whether you like his movies or not, he seems like a nice guy to get a beer with. Always sensed his anecdotes were more genuine and less played-up/rehearsed than perhaps other celebrity film directors. As an example, if anyone ever tries to get Tarantino to discuss Weinstein...he all but takes a big gulp of water, and wipes the sweat from his brow, before dancing around the entire topic, very carefully choosing his words, which are vague as shit typically. Of course it's understandable why that is....as Quentin praised Weinstein more than anyone over the years, and likely knows more than most about his peak success years. Smith by contrast, had a beef. 

Kevin Smith Weinstein Story

Comments

I do too, which is why I like to get the whole story, if possible.

Deepfocuslens

I see. Well I would say then that your use of the word ambition is quite perfect. I do agree that the standard for MCU movies has gone down at an alarming rate, and it's rare for any of them to stand out. And I really don't know Smith's opinions on that specifically but...I'd be interested to hear them. Mainly because I think it's very rare, as you say, for people to get behind those movies from a quality perspective. So if he were to offer a compelling reason as to why he feels that way, then I'd likely find it refreshing, even if I disagree strongly.

Deepfocuslens

Sorry, I was using the word “pretention” in a very confusing, esoteric, and yes, incorrect way. I know that it’s a derogative word, as well it should be. Pretentious people can be very insufferable. But when I say that Smith could do with a little more pretention…I mean that I wish he would raise his standards of taste and be more discerning about matters. For one thing, he is a big-time cheerleader for Kevin Feige and the MCU, and I always felt that he’s too smart for that kind of unabashed support. I get that he’s a huge comic book fan, and the wave of superhero movies that have come out over the past 20 years are something of a godsend to people like him, but…at this point, even the most fervent fanboys have more than a little ambivalence towards the Marvel machine that has been built. And Smith’s enthusiasm, as far as I know, has not diminished one bit in light of the current state of things. He’s entitled to his opinion of course, but…that doesn’t make it any less disappointing to hear. I didn’t go into any of this in my previous post of course, and I should have because I wasn’t at all clear. So hopefully I’ve clarified it now. But yeah I agree, he seems like a cool, genuine guy (so does Sandler). There doesn’t seem to be any kind of act or performance he puts on when he’s out in public. He’s very much being himself. I doubt he’s a creep. As you said, he seems like a good guy to hang out and have a beer with.

Bennett Oliver

Ha, ok. I tend to be very judgemental when it comes to scumbags... so I better not know.

Tom Rufer

I meant more him as a person/persona, and how he relates to fans more than as an artist. I tend to just like him as a guy, but I'm really not a fan, or familiar with much of his work other than the obvious ones. Also I haven't seen many of the recent ones you mentioned, mainly because they looked kinda derivative. But yeah, just meant as a guy. And, I think I know what you mean but...I'm against pretentiousness so long as I recognize it. Ambition though is a different thing. Sure he could use more ambition. Won't argue that. So could Adam Sandler. And yet...they seem like genuine guys, which to me is often overlooked. Could be wrong of course. Maybe they're all creeps too. But just from what it seems...

Deepfocuslens

oh of course he does. C'mon. Those two were simpatico for a long time, and often running in the same circles publicly. And yes, don't forget Uma Thurman and her Weinstein experience as well. All very close to the chest, I'd say.

Deepfocuslens

Haha...I do!

Deepfocuslens

hard agree, he’s a niche filmmaker for sure, but he’s without a doubt on the Mt. Rushmore of podcast hosts, so it’s always great when he engages with film crowds in a way that’s similar to his shows

Jared Angcanan

Deep down, nobody wants to know what Tarantino knows or thinks about this stuff. It's just not worth it.

Tom Rufer

Interesting didn't know this about Dogma. Hopefully, some day he can get the rights back. It's definitely one of his better movies imo. Also, couldn't agree with you more about Tarantino. As much as I enjoy him, I get the sense he knows more about Weinstein then he lets on, especially given the fact that Weinstein approached his own girlfriend at the time - Mia Sorvino. I also doubt he didn't know about Daryl Hannah's story of being cornered by Weinstein while promoting Kill Bill.

Stephen

I like Kevin Smith, too. He’s funny as hell, but…if anything, he could do with a little more pretension. Or at least ambition. I’ve never faulted him for being the slipshod, lackluster filmmaker he is the way others have. For me, that’s part of the scruffy charm of his movies , and of who he is as a persona: a witty, intelligent slacker fanboy who had the good fortune to cross over and become a director able to, as you say, make the films he wants to make. Besides, he’s usually made up for his lack of skill as a director by being a strong writer, not just with the hilarious dialogue scenes he crafts, but also the insight he brings into the subjects he explores in films like Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Red State. In recent years though, his quality of work has gone to hell. It’s devolved into hacky, self-indulgent, half-baked dreck. Some people blame his prodigious weed habit, others say he just became complacent. One thing is for certain: Yoga Hosers is godawful. He’s said to have bounced back with Clerks III, but…I’ll have to see. At any rate, it could be argued that he’s a far better raconteur than he is a filmmaker, and always has been. There’s certainly no shortage of great stories he’s told over the years on the Internet. Here’s one of his greatest: https://youtu.be/Wo2KB1dEDdk https://youtu.be/53hMYw8LX60 He’ll give you plenty of reference as to who Jon Peters is, but it should be known that he is also the person that Bradley Cooper plays in PTA’s Licorice Pizza. His whole segment in that movie is based on a story that Gary Goetzman told Anderson about his encounter with him. He’s quite a character, and as you’ll see if you follow the links, he had no business producing a Superman movie.

Bennett Oliver

He doesn't hold back but he has made some questionable statements. I thought his comments on the He-Man Netflix show from a year ago which he had a voice role in were disingenuous and showed a lack of understanding for the disappointed fan base. I remember when nerd culture like The Quartering and Nerdrotic, both of whom I respect, covered it.

Wolfman Brandon


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