MMA a tough sell in Hollywood - even for David Mamet
by Jesse Holland on Apr 30, 2008 10:52 PM EDT
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Quoteworthy:
"Nobody wanted [Redbelt] in Hollywood except for Sony Classics. I think it was my third or fourth film for them, so they said, "Yeah, sure." I talked to everybody in Hollywood and said, "If you don't get it, look at the demographics. This is the hugest demographics in the world of young males 18 to 25. They all watch the UFC. Look at what they did last year in DVDs, are you nuts? If they make the worst movie ever made, all these kids are going to watch their movie. Guess who I'm going to put in it," and they all said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, no thanks," They all want to make movies about people standing up on a beach with their arms spread, looking up at the heavens, and twirling because they've understood the meanings of life, and indeed, they have."
-Director and legendary screenwriter David Mamet talks to ComingSoon.net about the difficulty in convincing Hollywood that his upcoming MMA movie Redbelt is celluloid-worthy. The same Hollywood that greenlights movies like The Hottie and the Nottie. Whatever.
For more on Redbelt click here.
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The Hottie and the Nottie. Ohhhhhh, F’ing burn. I have my doubts on this movie (marbles, arm being tied behind the back….) but it should be better than Never Back Down (which you couldn’t pay me to see) which I guess isn’t saying anything at all. I like the fact that there is a smoking brazilian in it though, that should help. Hopefully it is well done and it brings some positive slant/light to our beloved sport.
by Ryan McKinnell on Apr 30, 2008 10:57 PM EDT reply actions
I know. I’ve been trying to forget it for quite some time now. Thanks for bringing it up.
by Jesse Holland on Apr 30, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions
I saw redbelt a couple weeks ago.it is a great cast and a great movie. Look at it this way. MMA just happens to be part of the story. Great movie. Highly recommend.. and dear god.. i HIGHLY recommend harold and kumar.. COMEDY!!(Praying i dont lose credibility)
by javster on May 1, 2008 12:24 AM EDT reply actions
Doubt Redbelt is a good movie, it’ll probably hit DVD next mth or so, I’ll watch it then. I’ll take your recommendation on Harold n’ Kumar though!
by THORAZINE on May 1, 2008 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Ever seen a David Mamet movie? Why would you doubt it’s good? This may be the most reputable and non-commercial MMA-related movie we’ll ever see.
by jess on May 1, 2008 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Again, like i said. MMA is part of the story, not THE story. It is a great movie. And agree with Jess, as Mamet does not make crappy movies.
by Javster on May 1, 2008 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Mamet actually trains in BJJ and thus has a healthy rspect for it. There are numerous actors who also train at the same gym with him, and he likes to use them in his films as well, as they also respect the sport. This is not some poorly made cliche put out to capitalize on a fad or growing trend.
by PW on May 1, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Thumbs Up! from J’AVESTER’
Thumbs Down! from ‘BIRDMAN’
David Mamet’s films are great. I don’t doubt great cast, good acting. However, my gut feeling is marble and arms tied behind the back will be more than I can bare.
Hopefully J’AVESTER is right and ‘Rebelt’ is to MMA what ‘Rounders’ was to Poker.
by THORAZINE on May 2, 2008 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I also saw this movie in a special screening. THIS MOVIE IS HORRIBLE. I am really disappointed in David Mamet for even releasing this. This movie will not do any shame to MMA, but it will tarnish Mamet’s record. It has some great action scenes, but the story itself is rushed, forced and ended abruptly. For an MMA fan it’s worth watching, but keep your expectations low.
by Birdman on May 1, 2008 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
If I wanted pretend MMA I’d be a WWE fan.
The reason MMA is popular becuase it’s one of the few things today that even approaches some demonstration of genuine skill.
by pacalis on May 1, 2008 2:05 AM EDT reply actions
pacalis nailed it.
It can only cheapen it. But it’s inevitable.
by Jackanapes on May 1, 2008 2:58 AM EDT reply actions
pacalis nailed it.
It can only cheapen and trivialize it. But it’s inevitable.
by Jackanapes on May 1, 2008 2:59 AM EDT reply actions
Love the quote in the commercial: “Fight on the undercard. It’s worth a quarter mil.” Has Mamet ever checked the postings of how much fighters get paid? lol
by chefdaddy on May 1, 2008 8:31 AM EDT reply actions
Leave Hollywood to hollywood. I love this MMA game because its real unscripted and gritty.. From the UFC tuf show to the ppv events and spike nites.. Non scripted. Genuine.. If I want fights on tv i will rent an old kung fu flick w/jet li or something along those lines… Too much make believe in our world. Leave MMA out of that arena…lets keep it underground so it doesn’t get watered down!!
by Bahiano on May 1, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions
Dear sweat heavens this movie sucked. Randy Couture was totally useless in it (not his fault, they gave him nothing but nonsense to read).
by Campea on May 1, 2008 10:59 AM EDT reply actions
the movies are hard to sell not because they are mma, but because they suck.
noone of them are accurate or relavant with anything that goes on in real mma. i wouldnt waste my 5 dollars to see either of those steaming piles. its “bring it on 4: mma” BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
-G
by Greg on May 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
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