"I’ve been surprised by the intensity of the Meryl Streep loyalty."

He was already a star by then, and I think he wanted the experience of being the heroic lead in a major Hollywood movie. You can really ask the question about any job he took after Room with a View.

Why this, not that?

Why disappear for two years to make shoes in Florence?

Why not?

 

Mmmm...he is and he isn't. Pitt's pretty interesting and revealing in some interviews. Day-Lewis is indisputably a genius who doesn't always know how to unpack what he's thinking as it relates to how he does something.

 

Speaking of Orlando Bloom, just gotta say that "Kingdom of Heaven" is a truly underrated film, sadly lost amongst this century's other greats.

Such an evocative recreation of a long-forgotten period in history, with incredible production design, beautiful score, great cinematography.

And its cast is so deep! Michael Sheen has a bit part in the first five minutes. Liam Neeson, solid. Ed Norton, amazing. First time I ever saw the gifted Eva Green....and Brendan Gleeson (another awesome actor) is in it too! With smaller roles played by David Thewlis, Jeremy Irons and Iain Glen.

 

He and I have that in common.

 

So does Denzel. Except he's No. 1.

And I'm fine with that. Fences and Flight, he's terrific. And he's better than Tom Hanks anyhow anytime. No one would ever dispute that. Just like I can imagine any actor looking at that list and seeing Catherine Denueve's name there instead of Streep and thinking "yeah, OK."

I'll listen to any argument. When pressed, neither made one against Streep. That's a copout. If the purpose of the list was some kind global diversity, say so. I can respect that. I can't respect Keanu Reeves - somebody will have to tell me what he did in the last 20 years, in terms of range, that Jennifer Lawrence didn't do better in some of the same genres - but I can respect that. But write it. Say it. Then own the criticism for that. Don't play coy when the most obvious question arises.

Whether she should or shouldn't be, Streep is considered the best actor in history. Male, female, at this point, you took a poll, she wins.

 

Alma-

I've read some good Pitt interviews, but those were leavened by his reflection on substance abuse. He is unabashedly liberal, or at least liberal-minded, which must be dismaying to some.

What else has he said that's interesting? He's had high-profile relationships. Big deal, so does most of Hollywood.

 

Four pages and no mention of Brad Renfro? We're slipping, people.

 

Meryl really needed to open the car door and run away to follow her heart.

 

But she did the right thing in front of the elevator.

 

i knew it was going to be really great when he threw that spear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr4K28Kl8hg

 

My wife loves Eric Bana. I like him just fine. To me he is Hector. And that tells me the movie did its job.

 

Read up on his funding and support of Black-made movies.