tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post2469488948060034908..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: In Character: Willem DafoeAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14376979260834349102014-11-03T19:47:44.882-05:002014-11-03T19:47:44.882-05:00Yeah, I agree. He's a pretty well known dude. ...Yeah, I agree. He's a pretty well known dude. Love his work though.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-59787935517032391282014-11-02T14:08:07.477-05:002014-11-02T14:08:07.477-05:00I, like you, think Willem Dafoe is fantastic. But,...I, like you, think Willem Dafoe is fantastic. But, I've always thought of him as being a well known and popular actor even if some of his output is obscure.Kaz Jarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00991776825437692191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76785843675856386222014-03-19T11:57:07.375-04:002014-03-19T11:57:07.375-04:00Again, this is all very interesting to me. I'd...Again, this is all very interesting to me. I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on Passion of the Christ as well. Only saw that film once. And that was enough.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-37415641010980676482014-03-18T20:29:28.900-04:002014-03-18T20:29:28.900-04:00It's funny, I took a lot of your comments into...It's funny, I took a lot of your comments into consideration before and after posting. I do think my being religious to a point, clouded my being a cinephile in this instance. I was talking to some fellow film pals about The Last Temptation of Christ and what struck me more than anything else was that it was the film they we're tackling, not Christ, not the adaptation of the book, not Scorsese's religion. <br /><br />When you're looking at something like Last Temptation or Gibson's less cerebral, more antisemitic Passion of the Christ, it's that taboo topic that rears it's holy head and can redirect many a cinematic eye. <br /><br />Talking about Last Temptation these couple times has made me eager to track down a copy and give it a good watch again. I don't think I really gave it the respect it deserved. <br /><br />But back to Willem Dafoe, guy's a hell of an actor. Man oh man. Tokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23452778792961091242014-03-18T13:00:35.183-04:002014-03-18T13:00:35.183-04:00"I can safely say my being Baptist does creat..."I can safely say my being Baptist does create an all too great bias." <br /><br />So it is, in part, a religious dissatisfaction with the film? That's very intriguing to me. One that I can't really comment on because I don't have an once of religious interest within me. But from a critical standpoint, I get where you're coming from. Honestly, I could stand to give this film a rewatch as well.<br /><br />Oh, and I so agree that passion projects really only go one of two ways. Very funny how that works.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14030619814972070062014-03-17T15:35:11.581-04:002014-03-17T15:35:11.581-04:00Man, he's so great in Wild at Heart, it's ...Man, he's so great in Wild at Heart, it's hard to choose. Abel Ferrara's my boy! As for my feelings on Last Temptation, I find that despite it being a daring move for filmmaker Martin Scorsese, it doesn't find itself being judged outside of a religious scope. As a piece of speculative fiction, it seems all too aware that it is speculation. This is a filmic depiction of Christ as neurotic, as easily manipulated. Keitel's Judas Iscariot is depicted as a zealot, and so heavy handedly I might add, makes me want to wretch.<br /><br />I get that the two have this give and take dichotomy, in fact I like that Judas gets swept up in his own propaganda but it seems so muddled. More importantly, it seems needy, desperate, holier than thou (no pun, I mean it) as a film. It's quite clear Marty wanted to create a masterpiece. Instead, he created a visually appealing mess along the lines of other New Hollywood alumni Bogdonovich and Cimino. Passion projects and films born of faith can go one way or another. I feel that I'm in the vast minority of those who dislike this film. I can safely say my being Baptist does create an all too great bias. <br /><br />Whew. Sorry, but yup, that movie stinks IMO. I might have to revisit it again, we'll see if I can take something away from it next time. :)Tokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-29536041218640548932014-03-17T12:39:24.517-04:002014-03-17T12:39:24.517-04:00Thanks Dan! Seriously, the man is always on. Even ...Thanks Dan! Seriously, the man is always on. Even if he's in a subpar film, Dafoe can never miss.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-79405103477645211562014-03-17T12:38:56.307-04:002014-03-17T12:38:56.307-04:00Oh and I was also this close to swapping Wild at H...Oh and I was also <i>this close</i> to swapping Wild at Heart with 4:44. I loved 4:44.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-89601941670715971232014-03-17T12:38:00.562-04:002014-03-17T12:38:00.562-04:00Ohh now I'm really curious... why the Last Tem...Ohh now I'm really curious... why the Last Temptation hate? All fair enough, of course, I'm just intrigued. Are you against it for religious reasons, or on a cinematic level? Because man, like the film or not, I thought what he <i>did</i> there was so ballsy and impressive.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16832821866122315112014-03-17T12:35:49.737-04:002014-03-17T12:35:49.737-04:00Ha, thanks man. When I was researching this post, ...Ha, thanks man. When I was researching this post, I came across this insane little treat: http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/229790-header.jpgAlex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-60287938375407509272014-03-17T01:10:09.418-04:002014-03-17T01:10:09.418-04:00I honestly don't think this man's ever mad...I honestly don't think this man's ever made a bad movie before. Even Mr. Bean's Holiday, if you've ever seen that?!?! It's a bit of a stretch, I know, but I'm just saying: The man's a legend and deserves to be more-known. Although, I think he's fine with just being him. Lovely picks, bud.Dan O.http://www.dtmmr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-61144122022614994702014-03-16T20:25:05.042-04:002014-03-16T20:25:05.042-04:00Very happy to see Dafoe's performance as Carpe...Very happy to see Dafoe's performance as Carpenter in Auto Focus on this list. He adds to what stands as a mesmerizing, fuck, a downright hypnotic film from a Paul Schrader in top form as a writer and filmmaker. I'm less enthused to see Dafoe in Last Temptation on your list, and as his big defining role I might add. I'm pretty cold on Last Temptation, I never cared for it -- it, Cape Feare and Kundun being my least favorite Scorsese films by a large margin. <br /><br /> I grinned when I saw Ferrara's 4:44 on your notable works list. Bravo Alex, that movie, holy shit. I hope I make a movie that great. I hope I collaborate with someone as talented as Willem Dafoe, a actor that invents and reinvents the wheel on celluloid time and time again. We should all strive to be as competent as Dafoe at whatever we do. He's a real inspiration, I never grow tired of him whether it's Streets of Fire, Cry Baby, Wild at Heart or a cameo on The Simpsons, he's great. <br /><br />Except Last Temptation of Christ. Fuck that movie, hahaTokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-62850338372169773462014-03-16T00:41:13.994-04:002014-03-16T00:41:13.994-04:00You can't think of Dafoe without think of that...You can't think of Dafoe without think of that wonderfully creepy, wonderfully sinister smile of his. Great write-up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-6701221947078471582014-03-14T20:14:17.879-04:002014-03-14T20:14:17.879-04:00Thanks... thanks not for picking Klaus. *cries*Thanks... thanks not for picking Klaus. *cries*thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-82987960825237698702014-03-14T13:40:11.860-04:002014-03-14T13:40:11.860-04:00That was the same for me too. At first, I had Plat...That was the same for me too. At first, I had Platoon as his best, but then I remembered ol' Jesus. Couldn't NOT have that as number 1. A truly great actor.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-84133326563271845682014-03-14T11:28:50.802-04:002014-03-14T11:28:50.802-04:00Fine picks man. Really glad you included his perfo...Fine picks man. Really glad you included his performance in Antichrist, which tends to get overlooked. Granted, Gainsbourg is fantastic, but he gives a great performance as well.<br /><br />I'd probably go with The Last Temptation of Christ as well, but Platoon is *this* close to topping the list.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-10038931479503968942014-03-14T10:28:16.614-04:002014-03-14T10:28:16.614-04:00I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan, but I Do. Not. li...I'm a huge Wes Anderson fan, but I Do. Not. like that film. At all. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-24917424603615493732014-03-13T20:38:33.356-04:002014-03-13T20:38:33.356-04:00NO! NO! NO!!! NO!!!!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT PUT KLA...NO! NO! NO!!! NO!!!!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT PUT KLAUS IN THE FIVE ESSENTIAL WILLEM DAFOE PERFORMANCES!!!! YOU LOW-LIFE JABRONI!!!! *runs away and cries*thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-68625622877414837392014-03-13T16:30:11.389-04:002014-03-13T16:30:11.389-04:00Gotta love ol' Carpy.Gotta love ol' Carpy.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22599718977138825922014-03-13T16:26:56.601-04:002014-03-13T16:26:56.601-04:00Auto Focus gets my vote.<i>Auto Focus</i> gets my vote.MovieNut14https://www.blogger.com/profile/17250239873504510289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-72627124271609770172014-03-13T16:18:22.297-04:002014-03-13T16:18:22.297-04:00Bobby Peru is definitely one sick son of a bitch, ...Bobby Peru is definitely one sick son of a bitch, but you can't argue with his final scene. Ha. Fucking priceless.<br /><br />Glad to hear your kind words for his Antichrist work. I think he's great there.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51797976677508518222014-03-13T16:17:27.941-04:002014-03-13T16:17:27.941-04:00Thank YOU for encouraging me to cover him! I haven...Thank YOU for encouraging me to cover him! I haven't seen The Dust of Time, but I'll look into that one right away. As for Auto Focus... it's funny, I actually had Affliction listed first, because I think his narration in that film ranks among some of the finest film narration ever. And his performance, while brief, is a true look at what the same horrible upbringing to can do to two different people. Nolte has grown into an enraged, disgusting man, like his father. Dafoe's character is solemn, complacent, silent. I'm fascinated by that.<br /><br />But then I remembered Dafoe's performance in that <i>other</i> great Schrader film, Auto Focus, and yeah... he's just perfect in that film, so it won out.<br /><br />I love Dafoe in everything. He always makes films better.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-21692594836185018722014-03-13T16:01:56.396-04:002014-03-13T16:01:56.396-04:00Oh man that scene from Wild at Heart you mentioned...Oh man that scene from Wild at Heart you mentioned is so creepy and unpleasant. His character is so gross, but my God is his last scene hilarious.<br /><br />I hate Antichrist but Dafoe delivered good work there. His acting and cinematography were the only things I liked there.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-4780221039425079682014-03-13T13:31:14.885-04:002014-03-13T13:31:14.885-04:00Thank you so much for doing this one! Dafoe is eas...Thank you so much for doing this one! Dafoe is easily one of my favorite actors working today. He's just one of those guys who I can always watch, even if the rest of the movie around him is utter crap (The Boondock Saints...) and I'm so glad you dig his work as well! I probably would have switched around TLToC with Antichrist but that's just me. I also really love what he did in a film called The Dust of Time and The Hunter as well. He plays minor roles so often it's always a treat whenever he gets to play the lead in a film. I was actually a little surprised to see you highlight his performance in Auto Focus to be honest. I think it's one of my favorite Schrader (directed anyway) films and I thought you would have gone for something else but great to see some love for it here. As I said, I LOVE his work in Antichrist, and it might still be my favorite von Trier film but his work in TLToC is great as well. As you said, very understated - and really you flagged up my problem with that film here as well - Keitel who sounds like he just walked out of a New York bar rather than the more regionally nonspecific other accents. But Dafoe is damn great in that film and very underrated. This made my day good sir and for that I thank you! maskofgojirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18305737005899440472noreply@blogger.com