I think Diesel is trying to establish himself, and as you said, maybe some ego got in the way. Yet, he did that family-friendly flick where he was agent having to babysit a family, so surely that was just to please the crowd and make some dough (a la Eddie Murphy). "A Man Apart" was pretty good, but not spectacular. I sometimes think Diesel is from the Kevin Costner/Wesley Snipes school: they aim high, trying to make big, epic, soaring pictures (Waterworld, The Postman), or high-octane action flicks (Murder at 1600, others) that don't always do as well as hoped. So people then see the movies and the actors as just average. While the actors are aiming high and big, the audience seems them as just average. Some actors seem to have built in likability/visability/studio support, and get attention that frankly may be out of proportion to their abilities (Schwarzenegger, Will Smith) but they make it work. Arnold had his weightlifting background, and the good sense to team up with Camero n (Terminator) and DeLaurentis (Conan) to help get him going. Smith had the Fresh Prince background, and a couple of crowd-pleasing hits (Bad Boys, Men in Black) to get his visibility.
Is it that Diesel and Snipes aren't as good/likeable as Arnold and Smith, did they make worse choices, rush their careers too fast, or haven't been as lucky? One thing I will say about Diesel: "The Chronicles of Riddick" is one of the closest disappointments i've seen in recent years. That trailers promised a soaring epic, a scifi film to stand on the same level as LOTR and in the scifi world, we haven't had that in ages. And will i love The Chronicles of Riddick, everytime I see it I realize it falls short of the glory Diesel intended. So many great moments, such great background and setup, but spoiled by a beginning and middle that's too much cliched scifi. By the time they really try to bring in the mythos and otherworldliness of the Necromongers, it's too late. I think that's the film that could have put him on the road to Arnold territory, but it just missed the mark. Too bad, 'cause I really wanted to see a third film too, the second was so damn good in spots... -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I liked both Pitch black and the sequel. After Pitch Black and Boiler Room, I thought he was really going places. I guess his career sorta fizzled Mike Street wrote: > yeah Vin is doing an animated Hannibal for BET and looks like he might > be in another Fast and Furious flick. But i think that franchise is > pretty much dead. So looks like he is trying to rebuild his career > with Hannibal as an epic movie. But I think he was at his best in > Boiler Room. That was the only movie I ever really liked him in. > > > On Dec 29, 2007 12:03 PM, Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. > Minor) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> >> >> >> >> Regarding Vin. I think there was room for both. i think him, his ego >> and his decisions about watch movies to do killed it. >> >> >> >> Mike Street wrote: >> > I feel sorry for Vin Diesel cause he was gonna be the next big action >> > star. Then The Rock came along and pretty much killed his career. >> > >> > There are some good movies on this list. Lots of stuff I wanna see and >> > a lot of stuff I will never watch. Narina is gonna do big number and >> > I'm glad they are doing the books justice. I watched the British >> > version and I think they are doing an excellent job. I just wanna know >> > what will happen after the 3rd book. Cause the kids can't come back to >> > Narina after the Silver Chair. >> > >> > On Dec 29, 2007 8:44 AM, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "One Missed Call"- sums it up perfectly. >> >> >> >> "In The Name of the King"- it'll probably flop, but I'll pay to see >> Statham >> >> go medieval on someone's a$$. (pun fully intended) >> >> >> >> "Cloverfield"- the young'uns will make it happen. >> >> >> >> "Teeth"- doubt it'll have any bite. >> >> >> >> "Untraaceable"- I think it's got a great chance, in the Internet-voyeur >> >> era. >> >> >> >> "Jumper"- another one for the kids. If it's done right, it might pick up >> >> some of the adults who read the book. >> >> >> >> "The Spiderwick Chronicles"- my niece and her friends have been talking >> >> this one up since it was announced last year. Based on that, I'll say >> yes. >> >> >> >> "The Signal"- "One Missed Call" again. Cancellation effect. >> >> >> >> "Babylon A.D"- no. Not even with the Big Diesel in front. >> >> >> >> "The Water Horse"- I've heard that this one's not really even for kids, >> >> that it as a few bits that might spook the younger kids. If my >> scuttlebutt >> >> is right, then I think it'll draw the first weekend, then tail off as >> word >> >> of mouth gets out. >> >> >> >> "10,000 B.C."- only if Raquel does a cameo. >> >> >> >> "The Forbidden Kingdom"- it might recover its money, but I don't see it >> >> going big big big. >> >> >> >> "Iron Man"- if it doesn't do well, it'll be because they refused to let >> the >> >> Technonerdati in the door. >> >> >> >> "Prince Caspian"- ditto. I wasn't expecting much out of the first Narnia >> >> movie, and was pleasantly surprised. >> >> >> >> "Indiana Jones IV"- if they offer Geritol at the door, they might >> recoup. >> >> Not even *I'm* game for this. And I *hate* Nazis... >> >> >> >> "Starship Dave"- no. Just no. No, I take that back. It'll probably do >> well, >> >> but I won't be there. >> >> >> >> "Speed Racer"- yes. Kids like retro. Adults like retro, too. >> >> >> >> "The Incredible Hulk"- doubt t. People's memories are short, but their >> >> senses of smell are long, and "The Hulk" stunk the joint up but good. >> >> >> >> "The Dark Knight"- try to keep 'em out of the theaters. I dare you. >> >> >> >> "Wallace" to quote the eminent scientist Hubert Farnsworth, "Hu-WHA?" >> >> >> >> "Hancock"- probably. But I'm not sold on it, especially after seeing the >> >> trailer. Just me and my weirdness. >> >> >> >> "Hellboy 2"- yes. Yes.YES. >> >> >> >> "The Mummy 3"- no. No. NO. To paraphrase, once was enough. >> >> >> >> "Jurassic Park IV"- see above. >> >> >> >> "The Day The Earth Stood Still'- Klaatu. Barada. NiktNO... >> >> >> >> "Star Trek XI'"- Probably will do well. My only question- WHY? >> >> >> >> "The Mutant Chronicles"- X-fans will go to see it, be p*ssed off because >> >> there are no X-Men in it. Word gets out, and it's on DVD the following >> >> month. >> >> >> >> "Deathrace 3000" Zelazny will rise from his grave just long enough to >> beg >> >> the masses *not* to see this. He won't have to be out for long. >> >> >> >> "They Came From Upstairs"- probably won't do well at the box office. >> Based >> >> on this blurb, I'll go to see it. >> >> >> >> "Watchmen"- if it doesn't, I'll be surprised. >> >> >> >> "The Lovely Bones"- Peter Jackson. Need I say more? >> >> >> >> "Wolverine"- uh, this is a trick question, right? >> >> >> >> "Monsters vs. Aliens"- it'll do even better if the Aliens in it aren't >> the >> >> Aliens from "Aliens vs Predator". >> >> >> >> "Terminator 4"- I don't think it will fly. I think that all but the >> >> hardcore fans are sick of the franchise. >> >> >> >> "Sin City 2"- The Yellow B*stard will be swimming in green. >> >> >> >> "Logan's Run"- it might do well, appealing to the young'uns who are >> afraid >> >> to grow old. >> >> >> >> "The Hobbit"- another trick question, right? >> >> >> >> "Deathlok"- not enough people know who he is to make it work. Unless >> Marvel >> >> brings him back again (I think he was in a major book earlier this >> year), >> >> not much of a chance. >> >> >> >> I now leave you to wonder why anyone with common sense would sell me a >> >> wireless PC card... >> >> >> >> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" >> >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The following is a list of >> >> Speculative Fiction Movies Coming Out on >> >> >> >> >> >> 2008. Which ones are you looking forward to? Which ones do you think >> >> will hit and which ones do you think will flop? >> >> >> >> One Missed Call >> >> U.S. Opening Date:January 4. >> >> A chain of people receive terrifying cell phone messages--actual >> >> recordings of their own horrifying last moments before dying. >> >> >> >> In The Name Of The King: A Dungeon Siege Tale >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 11 January 2008 >> >> Jason Statham must find his kidnapped wife and avenge the death of his >> >> son, amidst the backdrop of war in the Kingdom of Ehb. >> >> >> >> Cloverfield >> >> U.S. Opening Date:January 18 >> >> A group of friends document their attempt to survive when a monster the >> >> size of a skyscraper descends upon New York City. >> >> >> >> Teeth >> >> U.S. Opening Date:January 18 >> >> A high school student discovers she has a bizarre "physical advantage" >> >> when she becomes the object of male violence. >> >> >> >> Untraceable >> >> Opening January 25, 2008 >> >> Within the FBI, there exists a division dedicated to investigating and >> >> prosecuting criminals on the internet. A tech-savvy internet predator >> >> is displaying his graphic murders on his own website--and the fate of >> >> each of his tormented captives is left in the hands on the public: >> >> >> >> Jumper >> >> U.S. Opening date: 15 February 2008 >> >> A teenager (Hayden Christensen, Young Darth Vader) discovers he can >> >> teleport from one place to another and uses this ability to search for >> >> the man he believes killed his mother . >> >> >> >> The Spiderwick Chronicles >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 15 February 2008 >> >> The quest for the next Harry Potter/Narnia franchise continues >> >> >> >> The Signal >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 22 February 2008 >> >> People being turned into homicidal psychos by their cell phones? So it's >> >> a documentary then >> >> >> >> Babylon A.D. >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 29 February 2008 >> >> Vin Diesel's upcoming sci-fi actioner looks kinda cheap >> >> >> >> The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 29 February 2008 >> >> Old-fashioned tale about a boy and his, um, sea monster >> >> >> >> 10,000 B.C. >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 7 March 2008 >> >> Latest Roland Emmerich special effects epic >> >> >> >> The Forbidden Kingdom >> >> Release Date: >> >> 18 April 2008 >> >> An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu >> >> classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the >> >> legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. >> >> With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself >> >> traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial >> >> arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King. Stars >> >> Jet Li and Jackie Chan >> >> >> >> Iron Man >> >> U.S. Opening date: 2 May 2008 >> >> Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and inventor, is kidnapped and >> >> forced by his captors to design and build a weapon. Secretly, Stark >> >> instead creates a mechanized suit of armor and escapes. Returning to the >> >> U.S., he discovers a dangerous plot and becomes Iron Man to stop it >> >> >> >> The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 16 May 2008 >> >> Time flies much faster in the magical world of Narnia than it does in >> >> our world, so the next time the Pevensey siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund >> >> and Lucy) travel there from an English train station, they find >> >> themselves on an island during a time when Narnia is ruled by the Wicked >> >> King Miraz. The Pevenseys ally themselves with the young Prince Caspian, >> >> and the mighty lion Aslan, in an effort to revive Narnia's past and >> >> overthrow the evil king. >> >> >> >> Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 22 May 2008 >> >> Considering that its star Harrison Ford is 64 years old a better title >> >> might be Indiana Jones and the Pensioner's Discount >> >> >> >> Starship Dave >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 30 May 2008 >> >> Eddie Murphy's upcoming sci-fi comedy has a cool idea behind it >> >> >> >> Speed Racer >> >> U.S. Opening date: 13 June 2008 >> >> Follows the racing exploits of Speed Racer, a charming young driver >> >> lucky enough to be behind the wheel of the Mach 5, a "super car" that >> >> can make amazing jumps, go underwater, and other tricks using amazing >> >> gadgets >> >> >> >> The Incredible Hulk >> >> U.S. Opening date: 13 June 2008 >> >> The hunt for the Hulk is escalating, even as Dr. Banner thinks he might >> >> be closer to finding a cure for his dark (green) curse. The screen won't >> >> feature just one big green monster, however, as the Hulk's enemy this >> >> time around will be the Abomination, another gamma-radiated creature. >> >> >> >> The Dark Knight >> >> U.S. Opening date: 18 June 2008 >> >> The follow-up to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight reunites director >> >> Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of >> >> Batman/Bruce Wayne. >> >> >> >> Wall.E >> >> U.S. Opening date: 27 June 2008 >> >> Pixar's upcoming flick about a cute robot. Some wags have called it >> >> Short Circuit 3, >> >> >> >> Hancock >> >> Release Date: 2 July 2008 >> >> A hard-living superhero (Smith) who has fallen out of favor with the >> >> public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife (Theron) of >> >> the public relations professional (Bateman) who's trying to repair his >> >> image. >> >> >> >> The Dark Knight >> >> Release Date: July 18 >> >> Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of >> >> Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out >> >> to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city >> >> streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find >> >> themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal >> >> mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker. >> >> >> >> Hellboy 2: The Golden Army >> >> U.S. Opening date: 1 August 2008 >> >> The sequel to the 2003 movie based on Mike Mignola's Dark Horse comic >> >> character. >> >> >> >> The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 31 August 2008 >> >> The third Mummy movie has no mummy in it >> >> >> >> Jurassic Park IV >> >> U.S. Opening Date: Summer 2008 >> >> Nothing is firmly known about the details of this fourth movie's >> >> premise, except that it will surely involve cloned dinosaurs running >> >> around, attacking and eating people. >> >> >> >> The Day the Earth Stood Still >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 12 December 2008 >> >> A remake starring Keaunu Reeves! >> >> >> >> Star Trek XI >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 25 December 2008 >> >> Zachary Quinto (psycho bad guy Sylar from Heroes) will play Spock and >> >> Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) will be Scotty in the upcoming >> >> Trek reboot by the creative team of Lost . >> >> >> >> The Mutant Chronicles >> >> U.S. Opening date: TBA 2008 >> >> Thomas Jane (The Punisher) battles mutant hordes in a distant future >> >> where everything is run by huge corporations, a bit like today then >> >> >> >> Deathrace 3000 >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 2008 >> >> "Set in 2020, ours is an ultraviolent, no-holds-barred race with heavily >> >> armed Escalades, Ferraris and Aston Martins," says director Paul W.S. >> >> Anderson of his planned remake of this camp 1970s classic >> >> >> >> Movies Coming Out Beyond 2008 >> >> >> >> They Came from Upstairs >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 16 January 2009 >> >> Kids defend their vacation home from invading aliens >> >> >> >> Watchmen >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 6 March 2009 >> >> >> >> The Lovely Bones >> >> Release Date: 13 March 2009 >> >> The Lovely Bones is the story of a 14-year-old girl from suburban >> >> Pennsylvania who is murdered by her neighbor. She tells the story from >> >> Heaven, showing the lives of the people around her and how they have >> >> changed all while attempting to get someone to find her lost body. >> >> >> >> X-Men Origins: Wolverine >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 1 May 2009 >> >> Wolverine-A mutant with regenerative powers, three claws on each hand >> >> and a skeleton all laced with the rare metal known as adamantium. Logan >> >> struggles to find the secrets to his past. After learning little >> >> information through the help of Charles Xavier (X2's Patrick Stewart), >> >> Logan takes his search even further by learning the full truth of his >> >> origin, while also heading in a bold, new direction >> >> >> >> Monsters vs. Aliens >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 15 May 2009 >> >> DreamWorks Animation's next effort looks like fun >> >> >> >> Terminator 4 >> >> U.S. Opening Date: Summer 2009 >> >> >> >> Sin City 2 >> >> Release Date: 2009 >> >> The film's plot follows multiple storyline. One is based around A Dame >> >> to Kill For which follows Dwight (Clive Owen) and his former love Ava >> >> Lord (Rachel Weisz), who betrayed him and ended their relationship for a >> >> wealthier man. Ava now returns years later claiming her marriage is >> >> abusive and insisting that Dwight help her. After she frames him for the >> >> murder of her husband, Dwight, with the help of Marv, seeks to clear his >> >> name. Dwight's storyline in this film is a prequel to The Big Fat Kill, >> >> which occurred in the first film. It explains how Dwight came to have >> >> his "new face" and his connections with the Old Town prostitutes. >> >> Another storyline follows Nancy (Jessica Alba) as she grieves the death >> >> of Detective Hartigan, the man she had grown to love after he rescued >> >> her from That Yellow Bastard who had kidnapped and attempted to rape >> >> then kill Nancy when she was a child. >> >> >> >> Logan's Run >> >> U.S. Opening Date: TBA 2010 >> >> Remake of the 1970s sci-fi movie in which everyone dies at 30 >> >> >> >> The Hobbit >> >> U.S. Opening Date: 2010 >> >> >> >> Deathlok >> >> U.S. Opening Date: TBA >> >> Based on a cool violent 1970s Marvel comic book about a half-man >> >> half-machine cyborg hybrid anti-hero . . >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels will >> get >> >> organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man Without >> A >> >> Country" >> >> >> >> --------------------------------- >> >> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try >> it >> >> now. >> >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> > >> > >> > >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
