Which actors or actresses should stop making movies? - Page 2

Sean Penn is the only actor who I'm sick of hearing espouse his viewpoints. Eventhough I generally agree with him, I still want to scream "Shut up, Spicoli!" since he's a fairly constant stream of complaints about x, y or z.

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Originally Posted by TravisR 

Sean Penn is the only actor who I'm sick of hearing espouse his viewpoints. Eventhough I generally agree with him, I still want to scream "Shut up, Spicoli!" since he's a fairly constant stream of complaints about x, y or z.

I must be tuned into the wrong things (or too busy watching movies). Or maybe it's just that, when I'm sick of hearing something, I switch it off -- physically, mentally, either way works.

While I don't click on the "Sean Penn is mad about..." headlines, I still see the headline. And for the record, I think Sean Penn is an amazingly talented actor and not liking him constantly voicing his opinion (which is different than disagreeing with the opinion) hasn't changed my view of his wonderful work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisR 

While I don't click on the "Sean Penn is mad about..." headlines, I still see the headline.

Ah, but is the headline always deserved? Reporters and bloggers write them, because they make good copy and play to expectations. "Well, of course, there he goes again!" But as someone who's been following Penn's career since the early days, what I've noted most about him is a desire to be left alone to do his work. That got him an early reputation with the press as someone who was easy to provoke. The political stuff was just a later development.

Here's what strikes me. Every time I see the familiar complaint about actors spouting political opinions, it's always phrased in terms of expression ("your acting's important, not your views"), but the list is usually weighted toward one end of the political spectrum. This tends to leave the impression that it isn't the expression so much as the content that's objectionable. I'd be more convinced if it were an equal-opportunity list like: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, James Woods, Brian Dennehy and Jon Voight. (BTW, all of these are actors I look forward to seeing at any and every opportunity.  )

Ironically, I'm writing a review of a film with Sean Penn film right now, and it's precisely the kind of film where one's evaluation of the work will almost certainly depend on the ideological lens through which one views it.

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Originally Posted by Michael Reuben 

 

Here's what strikes me. Every time I see the familiar complaint about actors spouting political opinions, it's always phrased in terms of expression ("your acting's important, not your views"), but the list is usually weighted toward one end of the political spectrum. This tends to leave the impression that it isn't the expression so much as the content that's objectionable. I'd be more convinced if it were an equal-opportunity list like: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, James Woods, Brian Dennehy and Jon Voight. (BTW, all of these are actors I look forward to seeing at any and every opportunity.  )

Considering what I've already said in this thread, it makes me a hypocrite but I've never really understood the celebrities-should-shut-up mentality either. Everyone has political opinions and alot of people share them amongst friends, at work, on social networking sites, message boards, talk radio, whatever. Just because a person is a celebrity and has a bigger stage to share their views doesn't mean that they should silence their opinions. Being a celebrity doesn't mean that they're right but it doesn't mean they're wrong either.

Huh.....tastes differ I suppose as I rather like Jack Black.  I agree that he was fairly miscast in King Kong but that didn't stop me from liking the movie.

Hmm..............I suppose Sarah Jessica Parker could fall off the face of the filmmaking earth and I wouldn't mind, same goes for Adrian Brody and Nick Cage's self absorbed behinds.   

Generally, if I don't like someone's acting then I just don't watch their movies; however, I wouldn't presume to state that they should stop making movies. And the fact is that even actors I think aren't very good, (*cough* Kevin Costner *cough*) do sometimes put out work that isn't that bad. For example, I thought he did a good job in The Guardian, so I never automatically write off an actor. Every once in a while a supposed 'dog' can surprise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Reuben 

Here's what strikes me. Every time I see the familiar complaint about actors spouting political opinions, it's always phrased in terms of expression ("your acting's important, not your views"), but the list is usually weighted toward one end of the political spectrum. This tends to leave the impression that it isn't the expression so much as the content that's objectionable. I'd be more convinced if it were an equal-opportunity list like: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, James Woods, Brian Dennehy and Jon Voight. (BTW, all of these are actors I look forward to seeing at any and every opportunity.  )

I don't think there are enough loudmouthed right-wing celebrities in Hollywood to get annoying!  :)  Aside from maybe Voight, not too many of them are particularly outspoken about political issues.

I think, at least for me, there is just a certain smugness that goes along with it which becomes irritating. It's not necessairly the voicing of the opinion that is annoying, it's more the making a point of voicing the opinion that's annoying, especially in a forum where political expression isn't necessarily warranted. And there are also some who are blatantly insulting and disrespectful to the other side as well with the "We're more enlightened than you, we know what's best" air to it all. Also I think people might resent some of the attitudes considering many of these celebrities do not live the same kind of life that regular people do (and there are some who live extremely hedonistic lifestles as well) like a "what do you know about how people really live" kind of thing. I think it's understandable for people to feel this way. There is also hypocrasy as well. Consider, many of these "loudmouth" celebrities will spout off about what should be done, or what the world needs, or whatever, but would also be honored to have the opportunity to work with a child rapist.

Of course, it's not everyone, I've seen celebrities talk politics is appropriate forums and be perfectly reasonable about it (even if I don't agree with what they are saying).

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Originally Posted by WillG 

And there are also some who are blatantly insulting and disrespectful to the other side as well with the "We're more enlightened than you, we know what's best" air to it all.

That quality isn't limited to celebrities. You can find it anywhere on the internet, including here (plus lots of other places that would be inappropriate to mention under the HTF Rules).

I think that an actors personal politics or advocacy are separate from their work. I don't particularly care for the personal beliefs of Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but I don't mind watching them in the movies. A Shea La Beauuauef could cure cancer and bring world peace and I'd still hate seeing him wreck yet another potentially good film with his piss poor acting and obnoxious screen presence.

That said, I typically don't care for actors rattling on about world issues like they were experts. Don Cheadle seems like a nice enough guy. I saw him on Henry Rollins talking about some Rwanda thing he's involved in since making that Hotel movie, and he actually claimed that actors are actually the better people for this type of thing. You see, Actors are capable of transforming into characters and getting in touch with emotions that us regular mongrel plebs have no inkling about, and that makes them better suited to fully understand these complicated issues. Kind of like how Jenny McCarthy understood that vaccinations cause autism in children.

The problem of course is this, movie stars bring advertising dollars since people like celebrities., and news agency's will report anything a celebrity does in order to get that ad revenue. Which is fine if it's a red carpet, but not so good when it's well intended but miss guided information. Even if they know what they are talking about, Celebs typically aren't scientists, they should keep their mouths shut.