[Film] Clooney, Wahlberg, Neeson etc.

Cheeky Monkey · Sep 12, 2024

What drives these actors to keep on churning out films of increasingly diminishing quality, often for streaming services, middle and older aged men, Stallone, Pitt, Damon, Cruise, pre-dementia Willis etc.? It can surely only be ego or boredom because none of them need the money. Not a new phenomenon I appreciate, but it does seem to be largely the preserve of men, often in the 'action' genre, which makes the whole thing even more absurd.

BBassic · Sep 12, 2024

Pre dementia Willis I'd read was definitely for the money. Post diagnosis and decline I'd read he was doing those terrible films because being on set have him a sense of self and structure.

Super Sub · Sep 12, 2024

I guess it’s all about personal preference and what kind of films you like but in the last 2 weeks, I’ve watched Arthur the King (Wahlberg) and Ticket to Paradise (Clooney) and enjoyed them both.

LamieRobertson · Sep 12, 2024

Cheeky Monkey said:
What drives these actors to keep on churning out films of increasingly diminishing quality, often for streaming services, middle and older aged men, Stallone, Pitt, Damon, Cruise, pre-dementia Willis etc.? It can surely only be ego or boredom because none of them need the money. Not a new phenomenon I appreciate, but it does seem to be largely the preserve of men, often in the 'action' genre, which makes the whole thing even more absurd.

Fine set of actors….how dare you criticise Liam, so take that back…or…
I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will tickle you.

BiffyBoy · Sep 12, 2024

I imagine Mark Wahlberg is surprised people actually pay him to act. I guess he'll take the cash while he can. He is such a bad/one-dimensional actor; I'm sure he's delighted he can do movies instead of all that Marky Marky stuff.

SkirlieWirlie · Sep 12, 2024

My perception is it's not just the older middle age actors with careers are in decline. I've been taken aback by the number of supposedly younger 'A listers' appearing in mediocre streaming productions in quick succession.

I get a sense that the pandemic has had a part to play with cinemas losing importance more quickly than they were, but the reality and wider issue is the money shifting to Netflix/Prime/Apple/etc as that's where the public are spending their hard earned cash.

And the streamers are in a rush to generate as much of their own "exclusive" content as quickly as possible to grow and retain market share and I guess the actors don't have much of a choice if they want to continue in the industry.

Sad really. Used to love the likes of Film 87 with Barry Norman and the anticipation of going to the cinema for the release of the next big movie, which you knew you wouldn't see on TV/Video for several years if you missed it on the big screen. Much more of an occasion and made films much more enjoyable for me.

BiffyBoy · Sep 12, 2024

The streaming services must also be throwing cash at these actors to get some market share.

Everyone wants a big name attached to it. It reminds me of when independent filmmakers needed a big-name star, so they brought in heavy-hitting actors like Callum Best or Asif from Eastenders. Award-winning movies like "Dangerous Game" would have flopped without Callum Best.

Harry Wilson's tackle · Sep 12, 2024

BiffyBoy said:
I imagine Mark Wahlberg is surprised people actually pay him to act. I guess he'll take the cash while he can. He is such a bad/one-dimensional actor; I'm sure he's delighted he can do movies instead of all that Marky Marky stuff.

I liked him better when he was lead singer of The Fall.

Cheggers · Sep 12, 2024

I hope you are not including Steven Seagal in that shower of shite. Arguably the finest thespian of his generation. 'Has anybody seen Ritchie?'. Incredible work.

Weststander · Sep 12, 2024

Damon, Cruise, Neeson, Butler, DiCaprio, Wahlberg. I still love most their movies. Nothing wrong with escapism, through a simple plot. Hip movies that appear in Guardian best movies lists are largely great too.

Jackthelad · Sep 12, 2024

Weststander said:
Damon, Cruise, Neeson, Butler, DiCaprio, Wahlberg. I still love most their movies. Nothing wrong with escapism, through a simple plot. Hip movies that appear in Guardian best movies lists are largely great too.

Early Wahlberg was good when he’s basically playing himself early bad boy BasketBall diaries. I don’t know what to make of religious family man Wahlberg now. Di Caprio imo was/is a level above the others. And dare I say it I think Tom Cruise is actually a good actor. Butler is B movie level imo, but the women love him or at least they used to.

Weststander · Sep 12, 2024

Jackthelad said:
Early Wahlberg was good when he’s basically playing himself early bad boy BasketBall diaries. I don’t know what to make of religious family man Wahlberg now. Do Caprio imo was is a level above the others. Dare I say it though I think Tom Cruise is actually a good actor. Butler B movie level the women love him though or at least they used to.

There’s often been snobbery about movies, of actors ‘selling out’ chasing money. Kermode is scathing of Neeson for lowering himself for the Taken trilogy. I love them.

studio150 · Sep 12, 2024

Easy money.

Weststander · Sep 12, 2024

studio150 said:
Easy money.

With Peter Fonda?

Cheeky Monkey · Sep 13, 2024

Weststander said:
There’s often been snobbery about movies, of actors ‘selling out’ chasing money. Kermode is scathing of Neeson for lowering himself for the Taken trilogy. I love them.

Brilliant trilogy, but the most recent was made a decade ago, so not really what I was talking about.

Cheeky Monkey · Sep 13, 2024

Weststander said:
Damon, Cruise, Neeson, Butler, DiCaprio, Wahlberg. I still love most their movies. Nothing wrong with escapism, through a simple plot. Hip movies that appear in Guardian best movies lists are largely great too.

I imagine Cruise would be a danger to himself if he ever stopped working.

Baldseagull · Sep 13, 2024

I suspect there is quite a bit of cash involved in the decision.
I also doubt Mark Wahlberg was ever in it for the sake of art, has he ever made a film that wasn't just fun and not serious?

BBassic · Sep 13, 2024

Baldseagull said:
I suspect there is quite a bit of cash involved in the decision.
I also doubt Mark Wahlberg was ever in it for the sake of art, has he ever made a film that wasn't just fun and not serious?

I quite like Marky Mark, he's got some decent films in his back catalog

Boogie Nights
The Departed
The Fighter
Deepwater Horizon
The Perfect Storm

Dibdab · Sep 13, 2024

Cheeky Monkey said:
What drives these actors to keep on churning out films of increasingly diminishing quality, often for streaming services, middle and older aged men, Stallone, Pitt, Damon, Cruise, pre-dementia Willis etc.? It can surely only be ego or boredom because none of them need the money. Not a new phenomenon I appreciate, but it does seem to be largely the preserve of men, often in the 'action' genre, which makes the whole thing even more absurd.

Maybe they like working?

SAC · Sep 13, 2024

Actors are self employed and similar to many self employed people will wonder where their next payday will come, so they take any old shit if the price is right.

We think that these multi millionaires can't need the money but perhaps they have expensive "habits", expensive children, expensive divorces etc to pay for. Or, they may just be bored when not working. If you enjoy the process, however shit the films turn out, then why not?

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[Film] Clooney, Wahlberg, Neeson etc.

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