January 10, 2005
Maybe It's Not Us. Maybe It's You.
I've been saving this link for the last day and a half, deciding how to respond...
Oliver Stone blames American homophobia for his movie, Alexander, tanking. (Link found at Israellycool.)
Director Oliver Stone has slammed American audiences as homophobic, and blames this prejudice for the flop of his latest movie Alexander in the US.Stone expects the epic biopic, which stars Colin Farrell as bisexual Alexander the Great, to perform better in Europe as he believes Europeans have a better understanding of ancient history.
He says: "Americans don't read about ancient history like the Europeans. And in America there is a raging fundamentalism and morality.
"From day one the Bible Belt people did not show up because there was one phrase throughout the media and that was 'Alex the gay'.
"So you can bet you’re a*s the Americans aren't going to see a war hero who in their heads has something wrong with him.
"But I don't regret what I have made here for a minute. It's the epic of my life."
Interesting take, Ollie, but if I may suggest an alternate theory: we just think your movies are crap.
Well, okay, I won't presume to speak for everyone else. I think your recent movies are crap. I'm not homophobic in the least, and I know a little bit about history, but I had zero interest in seeing the movie because you made it.
Love Angelina Jolie. Interested in the story of Alexander. Not interested in the story as you would tell it. And I'm not the only one, you pompous ass.
Even Roger Ebert, who normally wets himself in anticipation of fawning over this sort of portrayal, gave it a thumbs-down. So maybe--just maybe--it was just crap.
Posted by Jennifer at January 10, 2005 04:40 PMAs I recall, there was another Alexander project that got cancelled because Stone got there first. Shame, really. Because if VDH is going to make a point of dissing a movie about Alexander, you know its bad. Ancient History happens to be his bag so Stone's little tantrum about 'ignorant Americans' just doesn't fit there.
Posted by: Dr_Funk at January 10, 2005 09:40 PMI understand that Platoon was good, as was 4th Of July.
But, the only Oliver Stone films I've seen are JFK and Nixon. Both were well-directed, well-acted and well-produced. And they were both crap.
If Oliver Stone never makes another movie again I'll never know the difference.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at January 10, 2005 10:15 PMI haven't seen an Oliver Stone movie that I actually liked. Platoon I could tolerate, I haven't seen Alexander yet. I know I will rent it or something in the future, but I have no expectations for it.
Posted by: contagion at January 11, 2005 07:27 AMI had no desire to see Alexander, bi or not, it is irrelevent to me.
Posted by: Boudicca at January 11, 2005 10:28 AMI'm not bothered by gay content. Hell, I *like* gay content.
But I just can't get excited about any film by Oliver Stone. Boring, boring, boring. Haven't seen one since JFK. Not likely to see any in the foreseeable future.
Posted by: Keith at January 11, 2005 10:58 AM
Jew