I was thrilled when I first read about Francis Ford Coppola producing an on-screen version of "On the Road", to be released in 2009 and directed by Walter Salles, the Brazilian-born director responsible for 2004's "The Motorcycle Diaries". (link). And now, after scouring around on imdb.com, I have come to find that James Franco will be playing Allen Ginsberg in the Gus Van Sant-produced biopic "Howl", a drama centered on the obscenity trial Ginsberg faced after the publication of his poem--also to be released in 2009. Franco is said to be playing alongside actors Paul Rudd, Jeff Daniels, and Oscar nominees Alan Alda and David Strathairn (link).So my question stands: are these two movies coincidentally intertwined with similar story lines, or are the Beatniks making a comeback as the next profitable genre in Hollywood?
It's probably because the baby-boomers are feeling a bit nostalgic, and with Obama winning they'll be out front with it now; especially after 'Milk' and 'Che' comes out. Expect more films dealing with the '60's too, not just the Beats. Wonder what Jerry Rubin is doing? Oh I almost forgot - he's a stockbroker!
ReplyDeleteKerouac and Ginny would be rolling in their graves...they'd have a few chose words for the whole system...words I dare not share here.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this really has any chance of becoming the next really profitable genre in Hollywood. Movies about poets may be good films, and they may still make some money, but as far as the box office is concerned, the pen will NEVER be mightier than the sword. Warriors will always be at the core of more profitable films than poets. "I'm Not There" made money because it was unique. Now that quality could easily be stamped out if more films like it are made, diminishing its one and only moneymaking quality.
ReplyDeleteOh and Costal, I believe the word you're searching for is "Moloch."
ReplyDeletehollywood has a funny way of making similar movies in twos around the same time. i pictured Franco as more of a James Dean than Ginsberg
ReplyDeleteinfamous-capote
deep impact-armagedon
madagascar-The wild
tombstone-wyatt earp
mission to mars-red planet
dantes peak-volcano
there is usually one that is 10 times better or 10 times not as crappy but still crappy.
i guess 2009 is the year of two Beat films. Maybe i'll make i film on Burroughs this summer to compete.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or does Ginsberg look like Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords in this picture?
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