naked statues and stuff

[Harlan Huckleby]

I watched an artsy-fartsy movie from the 90's on DVD last night, "The Center of the World" by Wayne Wang. It's a story about a .COM millionaire nerd who hires a stripper to spend a weekend with him in Las Vegas. There were a few wanker opportunities, but it was a thought-provoking movie about love & sex & loneliness. I got the movie because it has a really great actress, Molly Parker, and yes she was sure to take off her clothes.

OK, stay with me, the story WILL get better. On the EXTRAS is a documentary on "the making of the website." Wayne Wang has created a porn website, center-of-the-world.com, where you can go and tell (virtual, I think) strippers to do stuff. Wayne Wang, famous artist, says sheepishly that a lot of people get started in the porn industry and later get into serious films, and he just is doing the reverse.

Anyway, I felt a little embarassed. I think I'm watching an uplifting art film, and it turns into a come-on for a porn site. This is like inscribing a gay web site promo into the base of Michelangelo's statue of David.

I can't entirely blame the guy, he's in his 50's, and he probably never made any money from 30 years as an art film maker. But it was humiliating to discover I'm just another perv. And to add insult to injury, the website is down.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

wang has been a working director for years. I don't know what you are talking about.

You do get paid to direct:

1. Joy luck club
2. Because of winn dixie
3. Maid in Manhattan (jlo movie)
4. Anywhere but here (sarandon and portman)

I'm a big fan of Smoke (keitel, hurt, stockard channing, ashley judd, f whittaker) and it's follow up..blue in the face.

[Harlan Huckleby]

ya, but those are indie films that don't necessarily make much money. Guess he had a couple mainstream movies too.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

ya, but those are indie films that don't necessarily make much money. Guess he had a couple mainstream movies too.

Indie movies, if done right, probably make more for him than the mainstream.

Let's say he gets a mill for directing mainstream. One of those indies that he writes/directs/produces can earn him more if it does modestly well. And, since he was in the asian market..who knows how much they earned overseas.

You think roger corman was hurting?

[Harlan Huckleby]

Tyrone, I will attempt to edumicate you. an indie film that makes money is unusual. Indie directors make films when they are young, then either go mainstream or get out of business. Maybe you are right that Wayne Wang is more of a big-time director.

Roger Corman!? Those were budget movies with a decent size audience. Corman made hundreds of movies for drive-in theaters, etc.

Try this: think of some cool small-budget film from the 90's. Then check if the director is still making small-budget movies today. not likely.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Tyrone, I will search around and attempt to edumicate you. I think an indie film that makes money is rare. Indie directors make films when they are young, then either go mainstream or get out of business. Maybe you are right that Wayne Wang is more of a big-time director.

Roger Corman!? Those are budget movies with a decent size audience.

Go ahead and try...neither my parents, high school teachers or college profs could, but an anonymous poster on a packer board might!

First, a film like Joy Luck isn't very costly to make. If you knew about it you'd know it was like 10 mill. So, if it did well and he had points..which he of course would..he'd make out.

The caveat, which you have skipped is the Chinese market. Indie here, but they prolly have a decent release over there.

Do you really think that the all asian casts of "chan is missing," "dim sum," "dim sum takeout," "Life Is Cheap... But Toilet Paper Is Expensive," etc. were made for the U.S. audience?

[Harlan Huckleby]

you are right in this case, the movies you mention probably made decent money.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

you are right in this case, the movies you mention probably made decent money.

ah, the sweetest words on a message board.."you are right."

Boner inducing!!

[BallHawk]

The plot is kinda similar to Leaving Las Vegas, at least the whole sad dude and striper thing.

[Scott Campbell]

Re: naked statues and stuff

But it was humiliating to discover I'm just another perv.

If you were just another perv, we wouldn't have to keep our kids at a safe distance.