August 20, 2013
— Ace Most folks would know him as the mind behind Get Shorty and FX's Justified.
I've only read one of his many, many books. I know that's a character flaw.
"The post I dreaded to write, and you dreaded to read. Elmore passed away at 7:15 this morning from complications from his stroke. He was at home surrounded by his loving family. More to follow," Sutter posted on Facebook....
His millions of fans, from bellhops to Saul Bellow, made all his books since "Glitz" (1985) best-sellers.
His more than 40 novels were populated by pathetic schemers, clever conmen and casual killers. Each was characterized by moral ambivalence about crime, black humor and wickedly acute depictions of human nature: the greedy dreams of Armand Degas in "Killshot," the wisecracking cool of Chili Palmer in "Get Shorty," Jack Belmont's lust for notoriety in "The Hot Kid."
This is a neat fact: He was an overnight sensation. Well, at age 60, and after having written dozens of books.
One remarkable thing about Leonard's talent is how long it took the world to notice. He didn't have a best-seller until his 60th year, and few critics took him seriously before the 1990s.
So that's... well that's somehow both interesting and hopeful, I guess.
Posted by: Ace at
09:19 AM
| Comments (292)
Post contains 225 words, total size 2 kb.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:23 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 09:23 AM (45N4D)
which one had a dog named "Bo"?
Posted by: Mallfly at August 20, 2013 09:23 AM (bJm7W)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 09:24 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:24 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: Adriane... at August 20, 2013 09:25 AM (/yH2j)
Posted by: Adriane... at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (/yH2j)
Posted by: Mallfly at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (bJm7W)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: San Dear at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (/IWYB)
But now got this image of Greg mincing in black stilettos with black bustier and fishnet stockings chasing after Emilie with the pink electric chainsaw while screaming in falsetto, "I just want to give you a trim!!"
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 01:23 PM (45N4D)
Clearly I missed something.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 09:26 AM (4df7R)
What you writing a book? Ewoks take Manhattan?
Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectal at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (wR+pz)
Posted by: Teh One and Future King at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (/lWM8)
It seems odd for a 60 year old to suddenly become and overnight hit, but its probably more common that someone of an age you wouldn't expect gains popularity. Wasn't Rodney Dangerfield over 40 before he really hit it big as a comedian?
Posted by: buzzion at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: Waterhouse at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (uYaYO)
Posted by: baldilocks at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (Tnlh/)
Never read him, don't read crime novels. RIP tho, dude
Posted by: Bigby's OTOH at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (3ZtZW)
Posted by: Nighthawk at August 20, 2013 09:27 AM (OtQXp)
Posted by: Emilie and Sanjay at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (UrtRh)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (5VGZi)
Clearly I missed something.
NGU had a funny experience this morning involving a skunk with a yogurt cup on its head.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (GQ8sn)
Interesting and hopeful, yeah. One of my consolations in having let sloth prevent me from realizing my literary dreams is that Norman Maclean never published anything until he was (I think, my rules of internet use forbid looking things up) 76 years old, and then out came A River Runs Through It.
So I have time.
Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (A0sHn)
Posted by: Adriane... at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (/yH2j)
Posted by: Yip at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (/jHWN)
That and Ace likes to rip off the NY Slime.
Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectal at August 20, 2013 09:28 AM (wR+pz)
Of course, that ignores your already renowned body of work in movie reviews...
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at August 20, 2013 09:29 AM (f9c2L)
male stars persist for up to 30 years but female ones have 5 years in which they are in three movies a year, and then get barely any work.
You know what year you're in movies, within 2-3 years, based on what actress is the costar.
It's a sad thing but actresses are like running backs-- they work them to death for five years and then their careers are all but over.
An especially huge star like Julia Roberts has a 10 year run.
Posted by: ace at August 20, 2013 09:29 AM (/IWYB)
>>>NGU had a funny experience this morning involving a skunk with a yogurt cup on its head.
Or possibly a bunny with a pancake on its head
Posted by: Bigby's OTOH at August 20, 2013 09:29 AM (3ZtZW)
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 20, 2013 09:29 AM (ZshNr)
Rene Russo plays the wife of Odin in the Thor movie.
Looks like she gets to kick some ass in The Dark World. She didn't have much to do in the first one except stand there and look pretty next to Anthony Hopkins.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 01:23 PM (45N4D)
Clearly I missed something.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at August 20, 2013 01:26 PM (4df7R)
Does this mean "Skunks with yogurt containers on their heads" is going to become the new barrel?
Posted by: Billy Bob, pseudo intellectal at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (wR+pz)
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (bufJH)
If you saw the movie you didn't miss much.
Posted by: Gaff at August 20, 2013 09:30 AM (jPS2y)
I had to work so many years before I hit it big. That Elmore dude has no idea.
Posted by: Justin Bieber at August 20, 2013 09:31 AM (45N4D)
Posted by: baldilocks at August 20, 2013 09:31 AM (Tnlh/)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 09:31 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 20, 2013 09:31 AM (TIIx5)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 01:30 PM (9XBK2)
Rum Punch turned into Jackie Brown in the movies.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:32 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:32 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:32 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: awkward davies at August 20, 2013 09:32 AM (WK8VM)
Posted by: ace at August 20, 2013 01:29 PM (/IWYB)
--Like Curtis Martin
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:33 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 09:34 AM (0SHei)
-----------------
Or Grace, one of my favorites.
I just about blew a fuse when my nephew and wife named their kid 'Skye'. I asked them WHO in their family had ever been named 'Skye'.
I was actually kind of favorably impressed when Cher named her kid 'Chastity'..., a fine name, but it was Cher's kid, so it was doomed.
Posted by: Mike Hammer at August 20, 2013 09:34 AM (aDwsi)
It's a sad thing but actresses are like running backs-- they work them to death for five years and then their careers are all but over.
An especially huge star like Julia Roberts has a 10 year run.
Posted by: ace at August 20, 2013 01:29 PM (/IWYB)
*CRIES*
Posted by: Katherine Heigl at August 20, 2013 09:34 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 09:34 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:34 AM (5VGZi)
Take the rest of the day off and work on your novel.
Posted by: HeatherRadish™ needs a beer at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (/kI1Q)
At the Smart Military Blog (tm) I expect some indignation over Obama's continued cover up of Nidal Hasan's jihad, the denial of military benefits as a result, and the recent ruling excluding evidence of motive. How the hell can the judge exclude e-mails back and forth with al Awlaki? Sidebar? C'mon.
Al Awlaki is an illegal combatant terrorist for the purposes of a drone strike and the law. Then, magically, al Awlaki becomes just a cleric of the RoP and it's 'workplace violence' when Hasan follows his fiqh to kill the kuffar.
This is yet another example of what happens when the media completely gives up its critical role as the Fourth Estate and becomes Obama's Pravda. Deceit is allowed to flourish.
Posted by: Beagle at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (sOtz/)
Posted by: Yip at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (/jHWN)
Posted by: Helen Mirren at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (r2PLg)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (9XBK2)
One of my very favorite authors.
Great noir, flawed hero, characters
Continued to call the Detroit Metro area home. Although when you live in, I believe, Bloomfield it's easier.
Posted by: Finn McCool at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (xfPn3)
Posted by: BlueStateRebel at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (7ObY1)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:36 AM (LSJmV)
Elmore Leonard didn't have that much to do with FX's Justified. He wrote the short story, Fire In The Hole, of which the tv show was based on. I don't think he wrote any material for the show either.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:37 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 09:37 AM (ZPrif)
>>>I like the name Elmore.
Really? I look at the name "Elmore Leonard" and think I'm supposed to be reading Module T-4 Barrel of the Hobo Douche King rather than a crime thinger
Posted by: Bigby's OTOH at August 20, 2013 09:37 AM (3ZtZW)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 09:38 AM (0SHei)
He lived there since the '30s. Unbelievable.
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 09:38 AM (WhJf8)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:38 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 09:38 AM (9XBK2)
I just about blew a fuse when my nephew and wife named their kid 'Skye'. I asked them WHO in their family had ever been named 'Skye'.
--------------
I was quite surprised when my sister and brother-in-law named their daughter 'Ella'. I didn't say anything, but my thought was basically, "You're naming your daughter 'girl'?"
I was even more surprised when I discovered a few years ago that for a little while it was the most popular girl's name in the country.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 09:38 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (cb/Vq)
Looks like she had her only kid around that time too.
Impressive she was a sex symbol in her early 40s. Not surprising she couldn't maintain that for many years afterwards.
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 01:34 PM (ZPrif)
--Don`t forget that Virginia Madsen had a double-dip career as well; she was hot in Sideways.
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (bufJH)
I never read one of his books - though saw some of his movies - until after Justified came on TV. I read the short story that created the characters, then followed up with the rest of his short story book and few novels. Fun reads - good characters. Interesting career - started out writing westerns - several made into good movies. Then switched over the crime genre he is better known for today thanks to Get Shorty.
Posted by: JackB at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (Rb147)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 01:34 PM (5VGZi)
Should we reclassify Anime as a drug? Seriously, Japan, you can tone down the weird now.
Posted by: ConservativeMonster at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (oY6Yp)
*
*
It's funny, but I enjoy Leonard's Westerns, like Hombre, more than I do his crime stories. Perhaps because he wrote the Westerns earlier, when he was starting out. His crime novels, except for 52 Pick Up and one or two others, are hard for me to follow precisely because he reproduces street thugs' talk so well. Maybe the film version of Get Shorty is actually funny -- I didn't find the novel that chucklesome.
Loren D. Estleman of Michigan is carrying on the crime novel/Western flame. He's incredibly good.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (BDU/a)
Posted by: Helen Mirren at August 20, 2013 01:36 PM
------------
Seriously. What's with some people these days?
Posted by: Dame Judy Dench at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: awkward davies at August 20, 2013 09:39 AM (WK8VM)
So you're enjoying King Barky's reign?
Posted by: Mallfly at August 20, 2013 09:40 AM (bJm7W)
Posted by: A Skunk with a Yogurt Container on his Head at August 20, 2013 09:40 AM (d2kC8)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at August 20, 2013 09:40 AM (v1DlA)
I respected Leonard's work ethic. I admired his prolixity. I was glad he entertained millions of people. I just never cared for his work; it's not my style.
But still, RIP, Mr. Leonard.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at August 20, 2013 09:40 AM (zF6Iw)
I watch a good deal of Turner Classic Movies and I notice that while the male stars are often big stars whose names I recognize, with few exceptions the female leads are flavors of the month who are long ago forgotten.
Posted by: WalrusRex at August 20, 2013 09:40 AM (XUKZU)
Impressive she was a sex symbol in her early 40s. Not surprising she couldn't maintain that for many years afterwards.
Absolutely smoking in the remade Thomas Crown Affair.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:41 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 09:41 AM (cb/Vq)
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 01:38 PM (UWFpX)
Relative named girl "Talitha" - Aramaic for "little girl".
'tis running joke in family that she's not going to be a little girl forever.
Posted by: ConservativeMonster at August 20, 2013 09:41 AM (v3pYe)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:41 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: Chloris Leachman at August 20, 2013 09:42 AM (/kI1Q)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 01:38 PM (0SHei)
Well sure. But are they getting 2-3 roles every year, or is it more like one movie role every year or 2 with a major role every few years.
Posted by: buzzion at August 20, 2013 09:42 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 20, 2013 09:42 AM (v8wYt)
Posted by: shredded chi at August 20, 2013 09:43 AM (0k2IJ)
@ 70 He also wrote I believe three or four novellas after the series hit, which were incorporated into episodes.
Rumor has it Oliphaunt insisted he was brought on as script advisor/assoc. producer.
Posted by: Finn McCool at August 20, 2013 09:43 AM (xfPn3)
I can name a lot of actresses that have had 30 year careers. They may no longer be sex symbols but they get a lot of work.
------------
Sometimes they get work. And sometimes they don't. And they kind of work and the size of the roles often change as well. I've read multiple times about actresses who are no longer quite as young as they used to be bragging about how they decided to do a nude scene in their latest flick so that they could show everyone they were still sexy. They come across as desperately trying to grab hold of their last fleeting moments of female stardom before they disappear into more grandmotherly and/or female matriarch type roles.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 09:43 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 20, 2013 09:44 AM (9Xc5j)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 09:44 AM (BDU/a)
Posted by: UGAdawg at August 20, 2013 09:44 AM (osx1V)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:45 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 20, 2013 09:45 AM (9Xc5j)
Posted by: baldilocks at August 20, 2013 09:45 AM (Tnlh/)
I was quite surprised when my sister and brother-in-law named their daughter 'Ella'. I didn't say anything, but my thought was basically, "You're naming your daughter 'girl'?"
I was even more surprised when I discovered a few years ago that for a little while it was the most popular girl's name in the country.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 01:38 PM (UWFpX)
--More to the point, Ella means "She."
But damn, You can do worse for a namesake than the great Ella Fitzgerald.
http://youtu.be/PVnAQcRIkZo
(My absolute fave Ella song and she's a native Virginian!)
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:45 AM (bufJH)
I've read multiple times about actresses who are no longer quite as young as they used to be bragging about how they decided to do a nude scene in their latest flick so that they could show everyone they were still sexy. They come across as desperately trying to grab hold of their last fleeting moments of female stardom before they disappear into more grandmotherly and/or female matriarch type roles.
Sometimes it works.
e.g. Marisa Tomei
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:46 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: jwpaine @PirateBallerina at August 20, 2013 09:46 AM (/lWM8)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 09:46 AM (BDU/a)
'tis running joke in family that she's not going to be a little girl forever.
I've a new nephew named Heath. The first baby name book I found it in said it means "wasteland". Yeah.
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 09:46 AM (9PrpA)
***
I read Dean Koontz's A Big Little Life about his dog but which also included a glimpse into his life. I was rather disappointed to learn that he publishes all those books by working hard. I was sure he had made a pact with the Devil.
Posted by: WalrusRex at August 20, 2013 09:46 AM (XUKZU)
Posted by: EC
After the show started he wrote a book "Raylan" about the main character. He was more involved than just the short story.
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at August 20, 2013 09:47 AM (hSwFv)
Posted by: awkward davies at August 20, 2013 09:47 AM (WK8VM)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:48 AM (/PCJa)
14 ... chasing after Emilie with the pink Hello Kitty electric chainsaw while screaming in falsetto ...
fixt
Posted by: Anachronda at August 20, 2013 09:48 AM (FzhYM)
Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 20, 2013 09:48 AM (v8wYt)
"Cormac McCarthy is an important writer, in that he wrote boring, depressing, unreadable horseshit with shitty punctuation that critics tell themselves they enjoy."
Ever read "Requeim for a Dream"? Almost incomprehensible style, and quite possibly the bleakest book I've ever read, until I decided to read "Let's Go Play at the Adams". Herbert Selby Jr makes Cormac McCarthy read like a comic book (I do like McCarthy's stuff, but I get how his style could be grating, and the books are great to commit suicide to)
Posted by: UGAdawg at August 20, 2013 09:48 AM (osx1V)
Believe that he (and a relative/son) are listed as consultants on Justified.
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 01:41 PM (cb/Vq)
Beat me to it. And some scriptwriting credits on individual episodes, IIRC.
Posted by: baldilocks at August 20, 2013 01:45 PM (Tnlh/)
I don't see any other credits on his IMDB page for Justified, other than his short story credit.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:49 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Frederic Rich at August 20, 2013 09:49 AM (d2kC8)
Posted by: awkward davies at August 20, 2013 09:49 AM (WK8VM)
Must be a relative age thing. The latest movie I saw her in was Red. I can admire that she's still takes very good care of herself. However, she's not sexy to me.
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 09:49 AM (9PrpA)
I read Dean Koontz's A Big Little Life about his dog but which also included a glimpse into his life. I was rather disappointed to learn that he publishes all those books by working hard. I was sure he had made a pact with the Devil.
----------------
Not nearly as exciting, is it?
Brandon Sanderson, who also writes lots of books, apparently stated at one point that working on multiple books helps keep him fresh mentally. Presumably that helps him to avoid burnout.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 09:49 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 01:48 PM (/PCJa)
Some humans are more equal than others.
Posted by: ConservativeMonster at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (oY6Yp)
Posted by: Earnest Hemingway at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (3ZtZW)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (ZPrif)
Again, damn.
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (v8wYt)
Hello Kitty, yeah that must figure in there somewhere. The Sony Hello Kitty laptop or the Hello Kitty microwave or the Hello Kitty back massager...
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:50 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:51 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: alexthechick - Commence drinking now. at August 20, 2013 09:52 AM (VtjlW)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:52 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 09:53 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:53 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: baldilocks at August 20, 2013 09:53 AM (Tnlh/)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 09:54 AM (cb/Vq)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 09:54 AM (Wf0TQ)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 09:54 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 01:51 PM (LSJmV)
--I gotta be drunk to enjoy Billie. I can enjoy Ella any which way.
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 09:54 AM (bufJH)
_______________________________
I would crush that.
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 01:41 PM (LSJmV)
Saw her swimming in Hitchcock, and I'd be happy and honored to give her what the hurricane gave the screendoor.
Posted by: jwpaine @PirateBallerina at August 20, 2013 09:55 AM (/lWM8)
Secretly wrote his earliest novels while working at an advertising agency. He kept paper in a desk drawer and wrote with his arm stuck in the drawer. When somebody came by his desk, he closed the drawer. He took his writings home every night and rewrote them.
Posted by: epobirs at August 20, 2013 09:55 AM (kcfmt)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at August 20, 2013 09:55 AM (v1DlA)
Posted by: The littl shyning man at August 20, 2013 09:55 AM (p1NTA)
Posted by: I haz boocks at August 20, 2013 09:56 AM (bUmSq)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 09:56 AM (cb/Vq)
Posted by: alexthechick - Commence drinking now. at August 20, 2013 09:57 AM (VtjlW)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:57 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:57 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:57 AM (/PCJa)
Watch the credits on Justified, I trust them more than IMDB.
Did he do any writing during the last season?
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (jTgAg)
Just as many guys today are the flavor of the week. You got Matt Damon , Tom Hanks and Denzel and maybe Christian Bale that continue to have the box office juice.
--------------
Does Damon still qualify? I know Elysium is tanking, and I'm thinking his last film tanked as well though I can't remember what it was. Also, Hanks isn't in all that much these days. His name's still a decent draw, but the most recent thing that I associate his name with is his work (off-screen) with The Pacific mini-series.
Oh, and iirc, he voiced Woody in the Toy Story movies (including the third one).
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 01:54 PM (Wf0TQ)
MATT DAMON!!! not so much anymore (thank goodness). See his latest cinematic disaster "Elysium."
Tom Hanks is tetering; he's not a guaranteed opener anymore.
Christian Bale has always been one of those actors who does big movies and small movies with equal panache.
Denzel, yes. Still a draw, and still worth it.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (4df7R)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (u+9Sb)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 09:58 AM (/PCJa)
Which makes it the perfect murder weapon- because everyone knows how much he abhors guns.
But, okay: Hello Kitty lamp.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 01:58 PM (/PCJa)
I like lamp.
Posted by: Brick Tamland at August 20, 2013 09:59 AM (GQ8sn)
EoJ,
I'm with you there. I read a chapter or two of "Dunces" and lost interest. I hate quirky for quirky's sake, too, be it in a book or the countless insufferable independent movies that I make sure to ignore every year.
Posted by: UGAdawg at August 20, 2013 09:59 AM (osx1V)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 09:59 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: The littl shyning man at August 20, 2013 09:59 AM (p1NTA)
Posted by: blaster at August 20, 2013 09:59 AM (W6bkf)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 01:58 PM (u+9Sb)
I KNOW Salma Hayek has shown her boobehs. I can't remember if Heather ever did.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:00 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Countrysquire,
Yeah, 'Assturd' would never get teased in school.
Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at August 20, 2013 10:00 AM (hSwFv)
There's quirky and there's clever-quirky. Catch-22 was clever-quirky. Confederacy was 100% "Hey, look at all these people - can you believe how QUIRKY they are? All the time? On every page?"
No. No I can't. Eat my ass.
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at August 20, 2013 01:55 PM (v1DlA)
Thank God I'm not the only one. People keep saying that it's so damn good but I couldn't get halfway through it. I guess that's the problem with characters that inspire disgust more than identification.
Posted by: joncell at August 20, 2013 10:00 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 10:00 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 10:00 AM (cb/Vq)
Do what? My spidey-sense is tingling....
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 10:01 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: Astrud, Quick of Wit and Sharp of Tounge at August 20, 2013 10:01 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: soothsayer lightfoot at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (h3Jfh)
Heather Graham and Selma Hayek haven't had to do it yet. Don't keep us waiting ladies.
They already have, and don't really need to.
Life must be like being lost in a forest of turgid members for those two.
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (jTgAg)
Does Damon still qualify? I know Elysium is tanking, and I'm thinking his last film tanked as well though I can't remember what it was.
Promised Land. It was the one about anti-fracking.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (pJB7q)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 02:00 PM (LSJmV)
--Desperado leaves From Dusk 'til Dawn in the dust.
And Virginia Madsen. [primal grunt]
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:02 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 10:03 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 02:02 PM (9XBK2)
WHERE?!?!?!?
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:03 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 10:03 AM (LSJmV)
@182 Promised Land. It was the one about anti-fracking.
-----------------
Even he (i.e. Damon) swore off that one, didn't he? Though I think it had more to do with his discovery that the Saudis were financing it than it did with the issues regarding the veracity of the claims made in the film.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 10:04 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 10:04 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 02:02 PM (9XBK2)
"Killing Me Softly"
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 10:04 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (cb/Vq)
What actor am I missing that is a big draw today with staying power? I would have bet on Ryan Reynolds a few years ago but would have lost that bet. His movies have tanked. Forgot about Comeback kid , iron man.
----------------
Iron Man? You mean Robert Downey Junior? I think he's pretty safe bet these days for lead actor in a film.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (UWFpX)
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 02:04 PM (UWFpX)
I can't remember if he ever publicly disavowed it after it came out that the movie took money from the Saudi oil companies. Even so, he's a dumbass for taking that project on as a political statement.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (GQ8sn)
NSFW, Helen Mirren: http://tinyurl.com/m3ol3q5
Rene Russo has done 5 movies in 10 years. If you think about it, for someone who has a life, and what they pay actors, and isn't addicted to anything, that's probably about right. She has only been married once. Must not want real success.
Posted by: comatus at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (JNUY4)
if it's a white male, we'll know shortly
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: soothsayer lightfoot at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (h3Jfh)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (8xOfO)
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 10:05 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: alexthechick - Commence drinking now. at August 20, 2013 10:06 AM (VtjlW)
Yer on teh interwebs.
Posted by: bonhomme at August 20, 2013 02:05 PM (4QSOR)
I'm at work!
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:06 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:06 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 20, 2013 10:07 AM (ZshNr)
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at August 20, 2013 10:07 AM (IXrOn)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (cb/Vq)
Name - Emily Rachel Dawson
Age - early 20s
Social Class - Father is a well paid legal partner in a Boston firm.
Education - Ivy League so head is full of useless twat.
Physical Appearance - About average height. A bit frumpy. Pale clear complexion. Sneakers, ripped faded jeans, NOW t-shirt with a Che jacket is her fashion style. Her most striking feature is her reddish blond hair in long unwashed dreadlocks. Her eyes are green but close set, giving her a shrew look.
Personality - self centered with a streak to torment her parents. She feels they ignored her for her brother. So is very radical against all her father has worked for to support her. She still accepts without a ripple in her conscience the apartment that costs $3,000 a month, she figures she is sticking it to her father and getting revenge. Her current boyfriend is another way for her to get back at her parents.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: Null at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (P7hip)
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 20, 2013 02:07 PM (ZshNr)
That one scene where Jayne tries to buy her from Mal with his "most favourite gun" had me in stitches.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 10:08 AM (8sCoq)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 10:09 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: artisanal 'ette at August 20, 2013 10:09 AM (IXrOn)
Posted by: SMFH at it all at August 20, 2013 10:09 AM (P7ej2)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:09 AM (ZPrif)
I'm with you there. I read a chapter or two of "Dunces" and lost interest. I hate quirky for quirky's sake, too, be it in a book or the countless insufferable independent movies that I make sure to ignore every year.
*
*
I grew up in the same hellhole that Toole describes so accurately in Dunces. Some of the novel is funny, some of it's not. But trust me, the dialect, the accents? Spot on. I never in my life heard someone say "chillun" for 'children," but that's just how everybody spelled it in novels. Then Toole came along and described it as it's actually spoken: "chirren," as in "I got seven grandchirren studyin' with the sisters." For that alone he deserves applause.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 10:10 AM (BDU/a)
Posted by: soothsayer lightfoot at August 20, 2013 10:10 AM (h3Jfh)
Posted by: sc at August 20, 2013 10:11 AM (x4/lX)
Posted by: Countrysquire, back just for this comment at August 20, 2013 10:11 AM (LSJmV)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:11 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: Null at August 20, 2013 02:08 PM (P7hip)
--Have not seen it yet, but I heard Jennifer Lopez's ass made a great turn in that flick.
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 10:11 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 10:12 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 20, 2013 10:12 AM (cb/Vq)
But they won't put The Blaze on.
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 02:05 PM (ZPrif)
Comcast originally had some ownership in Current TV. I wonder if they kept some of their ownership after Gore sold to All Jizzers. That might explain why they are broadcasting it.
Posted by: buzzion at August 20, 2013 10:12 AM (LI48c)
So to all the big fans of Elmore Leonard out there:
If you were to recommend a book of his to try out reading, which would it be? Preferably not one of the movies, since I have seen them all and liked them.
GIVE ME RECOMMENDATIONS!!!
Posted by: dan-O at August 20, 2013 10:12 AM (D0bIN)
Posted by: Odie1941 at August 20, 2013 10:13 AM (K1yOA)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) MFM Delenda Est at August 20, 2013 10:13 AM (/PCJa)
Posted by: UGAdawg at August 20, 2013 01:48 PM (osx1V)
I saw the film version of Requiem For A Dream, and was depressed for days afterwards. It was an amazing movie, stellar performances everywhere, beautifully filmed with an extraordinary soundtrack, but I will never watch it a second time. Watching it was a brutal emotional ordeal. Mel Gibson's Christ film, The Passion? Same thing.
Posted by: troyriser at August 20, 2013 10:13 AM (V9ol4)
http://tinyurl.com/k6hfya3
Posted by: sc at August 20, 2013 02:11 PM (x4/lX)
Oh for heaven's sake. School just barely started up again, and already a shooting? Sweet Lord, people are insane.
I'm glad nobody appears to have been hurt.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 10:14 AM (4df7R)
Posted by: Rory at August 20, 2013 10:14 AM (IL9gH)
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at August 20, 2013 10:14 AM (faahM)
Posted by: maddogg at August 20, 2013 10:14 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:14 AM (ZPrif)
I saw the film version of Requiem ForA Dream, and was depressed for days afterwards. It was an amazing movie, stellar performances everywhere, beautifully filmed with an extraordinary soundtrack, but I will never watch it a second time.
-------------
Sounds like Jean de Flouret. I swear that the main reason to watch the sequel, Manon of the Spring, is so that you don't slit your wrists by the end of the week.
Posted by: junior at August 20, 2013 10:15 AM (UWFpX)
Ichiro 2 hits from 4000. Still a game and a half left to play today.
Can't wait to see him get there.
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:15 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 20, 2013 10:15 AM (5VGZi)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 02:13 PM (jTgAg)
Niether am I. She should come over to my place so I can correct that.
Posted by: buzzion at August 20, 2013 10:15 AM (LI48c)
Posted by: Rory at August 20, 2013 02:14 PM (IL9gH)
--Oh, good grief!
Now even cracked.com is caught in the AGW tether.
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 10:16 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: 2 x 4 at August 20, 2013 02:15 PM (jTgAg)
Aaaaaand THERE"S the Sonata Arctica song.
Dammit. I'll be humming that the rest of the day now.
Ah well. Could be worse! *shudders at memory of "Corrina, Corrina" incident*
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 10:16 AM (4df7R)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 02:13 PM (jTgAg)
--Sucks to be you. 
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 10:16 AM (bufJH)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:16 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:17 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: soothsayer lightfoot at August 20, 2013 10:17 AM (h3Jfh)
Posted by: logprof at August 20, 2013 02:16 PM (bufJH)
Cracked has always been left-leaning. They were better at being even-handed once upon a time, but lately they've been hammering the prog message like Mike Tyson on a speedbag.
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 10:17 AM (4df7R)
Yeah, I don't see it.
That nsfw Mirren pic was a serious letdown.
I'll have go over to kateuptondancing dot com to recover.
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:18 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: comatus at August 20, 2013 10:18 AM (JNUY4)
Posted by: soothsayer lightfoot at August 20, 2013 02:17 PM (h3Jfh)
Since he plays for the Yanks now, can we hope for them to break and burn shit in New York this time?
Please?
Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/i][/s][/u][/b] at August 20, 2013 10:18 AM (4df7R)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:19 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: Flatbush Joe at August 20, 2013 10:19 AM (ZPrif)
Posted by: LaQuisha Largess' at August 20, 2013 10:19 AM (IkHXL)
If you were to recommend a book of his to try out reading, which would it be? Preferably not one of the movies, since I have seen them all and liked them.
GIVE ME RECOMMENDATIONS!!!
*
*
I got nuthin'. All of his best works were done as films. You could try Unknown Man No. 89, which is set partly in New Orleans, and City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit, but the best books were made into films already.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 10:20 AM (BDU/a)
Posted by: steevy at August 20, 2013 10:21 AM (9XBK2)
Posted by: maddogg at August 20, 2013 02:14 PM (xWW96)
I wish I had a motorcycle again. The wife said she would divorce me if I ever got one, because I might get dead or worse, end up a vegetable.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:21 AM (GQ8sn)
400 hits ion Japan plus MLB
How many hits has he averaged since being in the majors? Pretty sure it's north of 200 a year...he's been a pro for 17 years? I'll ask Amishdude, but that math would indicate there isn't too much of a difference.
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:22 AM (jTgAg)
So if you had to recommend one that was made into a movie, which one would you recommend? Not Get Shorty though, I love that movie and could basically recite it by heart.
Posted by: dan-O at August 20, 2013 10:22 AM (D0bIN)
I heard that the Korean owners of that Forever 21 store chain don't like persons of color and are reducing workers time to under 30 hours to make President Obama look bad.
Forever 21 is how many hours you get to work in a week now.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:23 AM (GQ8sn)
Actually, in truth, Mr. Leonard had fans, and an audience, and it took a long time for the media to notice. I suspect there are a lot of things the media doesn't know or doesn't notice.
Posted by: Paperback Writer at August 20, 2013 10:23 AM (KF4n4)
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 02:21 PM (GQ8sn)
You could get that crossing the street. A helmet reduces the chances of that by a lot. The body can take a hell of a beating (believe me, I know) but the brain case, not so much.
Posted by: maddogg at August 20, 2013 10:24 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 20, 2013 10:24 AM (ZshNr)
Posted by: rickb223 at August 20, 2013 10:25 AM (uVkIH)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:25 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: Finn McCool at August 20, 2013 10:25 AM (xfPn3)
Posted by: maddogg at August 20, 2013 10:26 AM (xWW96)
Posted by: EC
After the show started he wrote a book "Raylan" about the main character. He was more involved than just the short story.
Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 20, 2013 01:47 PM (hSwFv)"
I think Leonard first wrote the Raylan character in the book "Pronto" which was later made into a movie with Peter Falk as Harry Arno and James LeGros as Raylan Givens.
One of the scenes from "Pronto" that was recycled in "Justified" is where an experienced hit man tells the younger gangster that he is going to chat with Raylan while he gets close enough to shoot him. After he has chatted amiably while slowly walking forward, Raylan tells him that if he takes one more step, Raylan will shoot him. The guy smiles and talks in a friendly way and takes another step and Raylan shoots him dead.
Posted by: Obnoxious A-hole at August 20, 2013 10:26 AM (31Nrp)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:27 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: maddogg at August 20, 2013 02:24 PM (xWW96)
Yeah, I know. I used to ride but not anymore. Still wish I had kept it.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:30 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Lincolntf at August 20, 2013 10:31 AM (ZshNr)
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 02:30 PM (GQ8sn)
what bike did you have?
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 10:32 AM (8sCoq)
Yeah, actresses don't have much of a shelf life.
One day on cable there's Mira Sorvino in "The Replacement Killers" and on Hallmark channel at the same time she's playing Mrs. Claus in some direct to video holiday movie. Her career really flamed out.
Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at August 20, 2013 10:32 AM (rXcBX)
Posted by: garrett at August 20, 2013 10:33 AM (jTgAg)
Posted by: rickb223 at August 20, 2013 10:34 AM (uVkIH)
Posted by: alexthechick - Commence drinking now. at August 20, 2013 10:35 AM (VtjlW)
Posted by: Jones in CO at August 20, 2013 02:32 PM (8sCoq)
I had a Suzuki GSX-R.
I would love to get a cruiser bike so I could take the wife riding with me, but her sister and BIL got in an accident on their bike. BIL was killed, sister's shoulder got destroyed. Now she's scared of that happening with me if I ever got one again.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:36 AM (GQ8sn)
*
*
Hombre or 52 Pick Up. I recommend the former even if you're not fond of Westerns, as the best Westerns (and Leonard's are very very good) have a lot in common with the hardboiled crime story. The latter features a hero who doesn't just give up and wait for the police to rescue him from the situation he's in. Sharp stuff.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 20, 2013 10:46 AM (BDU/a)
The latter features a hero who doesn't just give up and wait for the police to rescue him from the situation he's in. Sharp stuff.
52 Pick Up was also made into a movie.
Roy Scheider, Ann Margaret, and a very young and nubile Kelly Preston.
Posted by: EC at August 20, 2013 10:55 AM (GQ8sn)
Posted by: Chris W. at August 20, 2013 12:03 PM (IPIM+)
The man could lay down four pages of dialog without a single tag and you could usually tell exactly who said what because every one of his characters had his own voice.
Not a 'crime writer.' A writer of characters. RIP Mr. Leonard.
Posted by: Bivalve Curious at August 20, 2013 03:11 PM (sYUAj)
Posted by: Rex the Wonder God at August 20, 2013 10:33 PM (w45V0)
Posted by: Rex the Wonder God at August 20, 2013 10:38 PM (w45V0)
Hide Comments | Add Comment | Refresh | Top
64 queries taking 0.4846 seconds, 420 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
Posted by: Invictus at August 20, 2013 09:21 AM (OQpzc)