MovieChat Forums > Ring Around the Rosie (2006) Discussion > DAMN ED NORTON TO HELL...

DAMN ED NORTON TO HELL...

posted 21 years ago by odor007
86 replies | jump to latest

Am I trapped in a nightmare? How is this happening? A remake of "Straw Dogs?" What the f*@%? This really upsets me.

First of all, Ed Norton. His career started off with a promising bang ("Primal Fear"), then gradually slumped to mediocrity, and lately he has been involved in utter crap (the golden exception being "25th Hour"). He's still an amateur in the business and seems to have no ability to know where to invest his obvious talent. And the "director," if you want to call this hack that, John Polson--he's made like four movies, "Swimfan" was the last one! And this pair, both extremely new to the business, are already so pretentious and ignorant that they are going to remake a classic by one of the greatest American directors? This is like McG remaking "The Godfather," or Brett Ratner remaking "8 1/2." I feel sick--I usually don't mind remakes, especially if they're going to explore a new side to an original source, but what I do not support is remaking perfection. Should "Phycho" have been remade? Absolutely not. Should someone make a remake of "Apocalypse Now?" No. When a movie is great and thought provoking the great time around, and when the original is like a film archetype like the ones mentioned above, who the hell is stupid enough to remake it? I hope Ed Norton and John Polson both die in car accidentents before this sludge is completed...

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] 21 years ago

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[–] xDerekRx 21 years ago

Edward Norton truely is great, though he has put a couple crap films on, he has only made 14!! And look at how many IMO are great movies of his 14

Great:
Fight Club
American History X
Primal Fear
Red Dragon
Rounders

Good, not bad:
The Score
People vs Larry Flynt

Ok
25th Hour

Bad:
Death To Smoochy, this was an insult to his carrer.

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[–] Dax22 21 years ago

what???????

Edward Norton is a great actor. In my opinion the only actor that is better is Kevin Spacy and this, only for his experience, not talent.

And I agree to first post... the perfect movies should not be remade.... but there's no such a thing as perfection... so everything could hae been done better. Or more easy... can be done different in other perspective. But I don't know nnothing about this movie so I will not comment.

And his carreer is great. All actors, to gain experience should play in all kind of movies. An Ed is doing exactly this. And in my humble opinion he rocks. And he does his best always. And you can tell anytime he got the talent!

Great movies
American History X
Fight Club

Good Movies
Primal Fear

Average Movies
Rounders
The Score
25th Hour
People vs Larry Flint
Keeping the Faith
Red Dragon

Mediocre - Above Average
Frida
Death to Smoochy
Everyone Says I Love You

But this was my opinion on movies... an now on his performance

Great
American History X
Primal Fear
The Score
Rounders
Fight Club

Very good
People Vs Lary flint
Red Dragon
25th Hour
Death to Smoochy
Keeping the Faith
Frida

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[–] kidm319 20 years ago

What's with you people? You must not have heard of Johhny Depp, or Al Pacino, or possibly Robert Deniro? How about Daniel Day Lewis, ring a bell? Edward Norton is not the best out there I'm sorry. Anthony Hopkins? Ed Harris? Maybe no one knows who these people are? Anyways, he's good, just not that good.

[–] eaten_peppermint 21 years ago

Actually, I thought Death to Smoochy was a wonderful movie! I love the fact that he could go from playing Derek in American History X and then you watch him play Sheldon in Death to Smoochy. Look at that range of acting!! I think that's amazing! It's like he's got all levels of the acting spectrum under his belt!

[–] shoppingcart888 21 years ago

im going to have to diaagree withyou
the score is definitely a wicked good movie and how can it not be with robert di niro AND edward norton and edward norton actsawesoem in this movie he goes from acting retarded to normal in a matter of seconds...25th was good...death to smoochy was good but edward norton shouldnt have played such a faggot in the movie...peple vs larry flynt is funny i like it.....

[–] TorsoDahlia 20 years ago

I agree with you mostly but 25th Hour is in his top 3 along with Fight Club & American History X. Those being his best 3 films. Best 3 performances naturally are:American History X,25th Hour & Primal Fear-whcn I became a fan back in 96'. 25th Hour is easily his best performance,way better and a complete performance unlike American History X which almost was,even though it remains brilliant. Still everyone jumped on the bandwagon on that film cuz he was amazing in that and bulked ala De Niro when the man still had some pride.
25th Hour for the scene alone with Barry Pepper at the end man that is acting. I think Norton is one of the 4 best actors out there period along with Penn,Oldman & Depp. Noone is even close to these 4 guys and all of them are interesting offscreen except Norton. When I see him talk on a late night show-still a rarity or like on actor's studio he just comes off as so arrogant and dull. That just shows you how damn good his acting is and how serious he is about acting. That's rarity these days. Most young actors suck. Funny thing about 25th Hour is Spike Lee is a racist he hates white people and his best film 25th Hour the whole cast was white except Dawson. I find that to be quite ironic even though just a bit off subject while talking about Norton.

[–] peteroumanos 20 years ago

Spike Lee a racist? Tell me you're not serious.

I usually like these film forums as most of my mates aren't interested in movies that much, and I usually find solace in these message boards.

However, comments like that should seriously make you reconsider your ability to function as a regular human being.

If you know anything about directors it's that they more often or not participate in projects which they are passionate about. Spike Lee is a very courageous film maker whereby he does not follow the typical conventions of a Hollywood director. Most of his films involve African-American subjects because he is passionate about the narrative - not because he hates white people.

On the subject of Lee's films, 25th Hour is good, but it does not come close to 'Do the Right Thing', 'Malcolm X' or 'Four Little Girls'.

I assume your brain is the size of a peanut.

[–] lostcityprodllc 19 years ago

Um, you need to rethink your response, it has been documented and there are numerous articles hwere he says himself, that he is racist.

Better do research before you comment on something you know nothing about.

[–] reddeb13 18 years ago

Unfortunately, I do believe Spike Lee has racist tendencies. Many years ago I was hired over the phone to work on one of his films. He was on location and I came very highly recommended. But when I met him in person at a party before the shoot was to start, he realized I was white and I got a call the next day telling me they had filled the position with someone else. My African-American friend who got me the job told me that it was because I was white. She was bummed (as was I). But that's cool. I still completely respect him for the filmmaker that he is.

[–] drgreenthumb1001 9 years ago

Thats not a racist "tendency" like dropping the N-word. THAT is STRAIGHT UP THE DEFINITION of RACISM.

You werent hired because of the color of your skin, and NOT the content of your abilities.

That is Racism, Spike Lee is a racit bigot

[–] Thonolan3 20 years ago

Ive only seen a few of his films:

Great: American History X, Death to Smoochy
Good: Keeping the Faith
Mediocre: Fight Club

All in all, he's picked his projects rather well.

[–] AliceAlice 20 years ago

I thought Death to Smoochy was sweet. I like Edward Norton. I think Red Dragon badly rewritten.

[–] spacyrocks 19 years ago

This appears to be the unfortunate down side of being an artist, especially an actor. Your work is thrust naked to the mercy of the wolves, vulnerable to the predators and vultures that would tear at it mercilessly without consideration for the blood, sweat and dedication it took to reach that point. I would like to think that these sorts of criticisms, or thoughtless remarks would just roll off the broad shoulders of fine artists like Edward Norton and John Polsen, but a part of me knows that even the slightest criticism, although dismissed as though it is insignificant will be remembered. Or maybe it will just make them more determined.

As most others that have submitted replies I agree that Ed Norton is a naturally talented and deeply dedicated artist. The reason I rate him as a great actor is because watching his movies I believe that everything he has is given to the movie he is involved in. He gives his soul, his sleep, every essence of his ability. He stikes me as a consumate professional. I also believe that John Polson is a great Australian ambassador and am proud to say that I have seen him in some extremely important and great Australian films, such as The Boys, The Sum of Us and Idiot Box. I have also witnessed his ability as a director in Siam Sunset, which I felt was extremely refreshing, unique and highly entertaining. Albeit he has made some mistakes (MI:2 and Swimfan) but there are plenty of talented, award winning actors out there who have. Robert DeNiro - Analyse This; Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks; Tom Cruise - Far and Away; Al Pacino & Christopher Walken - both involved in Gigli.

But these faux pas we may have overlooked, if not because we adore them, but because they have been acting for years and their experience can forgive them a bad movie every now and then.

I have seen Straw Dogs and I found it very disturbing yet extremely thought provoking. I agree that it is a one of a kind movie. However I have also seen the original of Cape Fear and felt that the remake (care of Martin Scorsese) encapsulated the feeling of the modern day release. It terrified me in a way that the original could not. Maybe Straw Dogs needs to be revisited, reintroduced in light of all this violence, terrorism and general disregard for human rights, and human life that we experience every minute of every day. Maybe updating this spectacular insight to the nature of violence would give audiences an awakening as to the way the world is corrupting itself.

This is merely a reply to a great debate and just the thoughts of someone looking at things from a different perspective.

[–] etroffline 21 years ago

hartlowry, you are a semi old film fan, correct? I say semi, as in the 70's and 60's, right? For some reason, from the people I've heard, 40's and 50's film fans love Norton's acting, 60's and 70's fans hate it, while 80's and 90's (Myself) adore it. Strange how that works out. Must be the films that were being pushed out around that time. Eh.

-Ø

[–] trustkill782 21 years ago

probably the only movie i had a problem with his acting in was red dragon. they just didnt give him enough to work with, although the scene where he teases the killer at the end was cool. and same with italian job, he wasnt too believable. but i believe he can pull this role off.

[–] ranmalein 21 years ago

in my opinion:

great movies:
american history X
primal fear
red dragon
fight club

really good movie:
death to smoochy

okay-movies:
the score
keeping the faith

i haven't seen more of ed's movies.

but he as an actor was great in all of the movies

[–] Raaidjericho 21 years ago

good thing about Norton is that he has tackled evey kind of role

[–] odor007 21 years ago

Don't get me wrong guys...I do appreciate the way Norton tackles diversive roles and wants to evolve as an actor. I just find it moronic to the point of being offensive that he would want to remake a classic. If a remake needs remaking, then I approve. If it's great the first time around, and thought-provoking, why remake it? Is he out of ideas? Bored? Has he lost his desire to create originality? One reason I think I don't appreciate Norton as much as other people is my taste in film, which seems to differ from others:

Great:
25th Hour
Primal Fear

Good:
Fight Club
American History X
Red Dragon

Mediocre:
Rounders
People v. Larry Flynt
Death to Smoochy
The Score
Keeping the Faith
Frida

Crap:
Italian Job

I feel that Norton is undeniably talented...probably the best young actor working today. BUT...I don't care if we're talking about Deniro or Pacino - you don't remake films like "Straw Dogs."

And etroffline , in response to you: yeah, you nailed it on the head: I'm a film fan primarily of the 1960's and 1970. This isn't to say that there are tons of films from other era's that I love dearly, and have in my top ten best movie list, but I am a big fan of that period.

[–] mavericketerna-1 21 years ago

Who knows? True the unspoken filmaker's law is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but this could be an exception. And I know that we're talking about a fledgling filmaker who could very well suck but, it's been my experience that no matter how bad a film is, it's at least worth trying if Ed Norton's in it. He's cool like that.

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[–] odor007 21 years ago

AMEN!

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[–] tylerdurden11 21 years ago

I think Edward Norton is one of the greatest actors and deserves more respect (except maybe death to smoochy).

GREAT
Fight Club

Very Good
25th Hour
Rounders
American History X
The Italian Job
Primal Fear
Red Dragon

Good
The Score
Keeping the Faith
Frida

OK
The People vs. Larry Flynt
Death to Smoochy
Everyone Says I Love You

Based on Norton's Performance
AMERICAN HISTORY X
FIGHT CLUB
PRIMAL FEAR
25TH HOUR
THE SCORE
KEEPING THE FAITH
ROUNDERS
DEATH TO SMOOCHY
EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU
RED DRAGON
THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT
FRIDA
THE ITALIAN JOB

That's all I have to say.

[–] Sfpsycho415 21 years ago

I think Edward Norton is one of the next screen legends. He was great in American History X and the 25th Hour. In twenty years, he will be where Robert De Niro and Harrison Ford are now.

[–] PersianPlaya408 21 years ago

ratings of norton films i have seen:

Rounders- 10/10
American History X- 10/10
Fight Club- 10/10
Death to Smoochy- 7/10 (didnt work for me...)
Frida- 9/10
The 25th Hour- 10/10

thats a pretty darn good record... and although i have not seen several of his films which are also fan favorites... its safe to say YOUR WRONG when you say he has chosen bad projects... he was forced to do Italian JOb for paramount, and even that is considered a graet action movie... and although i dont particularly like death to smoochy, many do..

www.geocities.com/rearar

ANTI-WAR FOR LIFE!

[–] eyekyu 21 years ago

Love Em:
Fight Club
American History X

Great:
Primal Fear

Good:
Red Dragon

OK:
People v. Larry Flynt
The Score

Bad:
Keeping the Faith
Death to Smoochy

Not seen yet:
25th Hour
Italian Job
Frida
Rounders

[–] PersianPlaya408 21 years ago

well out of the 4 you have not seen yet... 2 are masterpiece, 1 is great and the other i havent seen yet either...;)

25th Hour- one of my fav movies of all time, and my fav Spike Lee film... great acting by Ed, as well as Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox and Barry pepper, 10/10

Rounders- also one of my favs, great performance by ed, one of my favs by him... Matt Damon was also great... 10/10

Frida- also loved this film, after watching it second time i reduced my rating from 10/10 to 9/10... still great film with fine acting, Ed really has a small cameo-type role though

havent seen italian job

www.geocities.com/rearar

ANTI-WAR FOR LIFE!

[–] eyekyu 21 years ago

yeah i really have to see 25th and rounders soon.
but i've seen frida just the other day and i gotta say i really didn't like it that much. for me it was just a movie about an alcoholic couple that f***ks around like rabbits. ed was only like 5 minutes in the movie anyways.

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] Robbin9 21 years ago

You should see 25th hour, it has an independant film kind of feel. Rounders was ok, it was really a genre film but if you like poker you'll love it. But Norton's character in the movie is great. Frida just wasn't for you. But you don't give it enough credit. They had to show all the intimate stuff because that's what happened to the real Frida. If they would have left the alcohol and affairs out of the movie, people would be complaining that they didn't accurately protray the life of Frida. I definitly think that Norton should have been in it more, but what can you do, it's what people call a cameo.

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] Robbin9 21 years ago

Woah, fella, take a easy there! Even if this movie is a bomb, it won't be the end of the world. I don't think it's a big enough deal to go around damning people to hell and hoping that they die in car accidents. I don't care what you say, even if I disliked Edward Norton's films (which I don't) I still couldn't deny the fact that he has talent. And you shouldn't be condemning him for his choice in movie roles. You should be thanking and applauding him for not turning out to be one of those self conceited-macho-sell out actors who always pick the big cash movie roles over their interest of the material and staying true to themselves. It's refreshing to know that an actor, like Edward Norton, exists and that even after some of his movies bomb, he doesn't regret it, because he felt moved by the material and genuinely liked playing diverse roles. He's a great actor and is better than most because he steps of conformity roles. I hate actors who don't have the guts or talent to try a different role than what they're used to.
If the remake is bad, so what. I agree with you that a lot of remakes are bad. But I can guarantee that Norton will deliver a great performance. I hope Edward Norton lives to be a 100 and dies of old age!

He's had oscar nominations, what do you have to show for yourself?

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[–] janetbrien 21 years ago

Yes, one of Ed's best features is the diversity he shows in the roles he chooses. Few actors are so versatile. And he obviously works hard - huge work ethic. Go Ed!!

[–] 21 years ago

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