So I was thinking the other day, WTF happened to Edward Norton?! He hasn't done anything in years. Then I realized he actually had three movies distributed this year I just didn't see any of them. So I thought I should, like, you know, see them. Truth be told, I have a problem with Edward Norton. I used to be REALLY into him. Like Ruffalo into him. And then I completely embarrassed myself in front of him when I was really wasted and stalked him for about an hour.
He was so freaked out by me. Like, not in a good way, and since then, I just haven't felt the same about him. I've gotten really judgemental when really my dislike of Norton stems from my own feeling's inadequacy and awkwardness. It's moments like that cringe-inducing memory that really just make me hate myself. But then I see movies like this and realize that if embarassment affected Edward Norton the same way it affects me... he would be locked up in a motel pointing a gun at himself.
Whoa! That's what he does in Down in the Valley! This movie... *sigh* is just so stupid. This movie was about nothing except other movies. It was about Badlands, Urban Cowboy, and Taxi Driver. It was not about people or their feelings or even a titular theme like society or masculinity. It was so much like The King it was frightening. Like, that film I could chalk up as an anomoly of wayward auteurism mating with staggering unoriginality. But with Down in the Vallet there seems to be an epidemic spreading.
I hate Evan Rachel Wood. Cannot stand her. The only thing that separates her from the girl in high school who was inexplicably cast as the lead in everything despite her lack of talent and her vacancy is her willingness to take her clothes off. She can cry on cue but she's absolutely incapable of acting. She's awful in this film. Norton is... okay... but as with Bernal in The King the part was written for a completely different style of actor. It was written for DeNiro circa 1973 or Walken circa 1978. Certainly not Norton circa 6 years after Fight Club. All the embarrassing encounters aside, Norton is an actor I long to write a part for and when he does this kind of film it frustrates me. Kind of like when he doesn't hang out with me...
Bottom Line: Just... don't. Just rent something with DeNiro in it.
10 comments:
Evan Rachel Wood sucks balls. I haven't seen any movies with her in them, I just can tell she sucks because she's a slut.
I could be her in a heartbeat, but the taboos of our society just don't work in favor of underage guys.
Correction: Evan Rachel Wood sucks Marilyn Manson's balls.
I think you're way off base here. DOWN IN THE VALLEY has a lot to say about role models. As far as I'm concerned, Rory Culkin is the main character, and the battle between Norton and Morse for his respect is what the film is really about. As for Norton's character...when your role models all come from movies, you have no place in the real world. I like the film quite a bit.
Arden is never off-base.
Agree completely with the suckiness of this movie, but I really enjoyed The Painted Veil, one of Norton's other outings this year. It's worth a view, and it'll get the bad taste out re. Edward.
Arden, next time you're feeling down and start beating yourself up over embarrassments, just remember all of us little people who would give our right eye to make complete asses of ourselves in front of our idols, thereby leaving some impression on them.
Slobbering fans come and go, but a shit-faced, slightly unbalanced groupie lingers in a superstar's memory. Aspects of your personality may even start to show up in future Norton characterizations, as he is unable to shake off your imposing presence. How I envy you.
You handled your Ruffalo encounter with too much dignity- next time you meet him, don't freeze up like Joanie does on that Happy Days episode when she gets on "The Howdy Doody Show" and almost craps her pants in terror (of course you remember it). Instead, puke on him or something. Rest assured, Ruffalo will never forget you.
Never saw Down in the Valley. Is it located Beyond the Valley of the Dolls? (now there's a movie for Evan Rachel Wood to doff her duds in).
Yeah, Vertigo's Psycho, I wouldn't mind freaking Ed Norton out either...
I cannot BELIEVE joe swanberg posted on my blog.
PS: I didn't see this movie, and I haven't seen any of Swanberg's. I just defend Arden to the death because I have to.
You are fucking insane. Evan Rachel Wood is a good actress.
And someone calls her a slut who doesn't know her or hasn't seen any of her movies?
Because, we all know women are sluts and men are just...sowing their wild oats?
Jesus Arden. She is 21. She was 16 when she filmed Down In The Valley. She was 14 when she did thirteen. Who do you prefer? Scarlett Johansson? Camilla Belle? Megan Fox? There are so many great actresses in her age range aren't there?
At least she is taking chances and not just trying to get rich or be a movie star.
I suggest you go back and watch the T.V. show Once And Again. She is phenomenal in that, and if she hasn't quite had a movie role to win you over yet...you can't deny the work she did on that show.
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