Once upon a time, having Julia Roberts star in your movie meant a guaranteed #1 spot at the box office, and yet her latest: Duplicity (good looking spy romance thriller) tanked.
A lot of big name stars from the 80s-90s seem to have struggled through this decade; no one, it seems, goes to a see a particular actor or actress anymore: have we become more about the product then the person, is the age of the bona fide movie star over, relegated to one note corporate knock offs like Zac Efron and his vapid clone army of singing, dancing clowns?
I know Efron is quite popular and I'm sure hes just trying to earn a living like everyone else but where's the person behind the promotion? That's why I like Colin Farrell despite the flack he gets, he's a person not a product.
Posted by Ronnie (Member # 465) on :
i was never a big fan of julia roberts. she made a slew of movies that i enjoy, but her face became annoying, IMO. it seems like the last good thing she did was erin brockovich (sp).
i had seen the previews for duplicity but quickly forgot about it because i didn;t hear a thing on it's release and didn't realize it was already out! i think there are some good up and coming actresses such as ellen page.. anne hathoway (probably didn't spell those right)..
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I think the movie has to look interesting...and people give too much credit to the big stars. Another example is the recent movie with Leo DeCaprio and Russel Crowe...hmmmm...which I can't even remember the name of. So...two big wigs...saw the preview, and wasn't remotely interested. Similar to a point I made in a previous thread re the Star Wars prequels not needing big names to sell it...in fact...the big names kinda ruined it for me....Sam Jackson in Star Wars just don't fit. Movie makers are not giving us enough credit....we need interesting stories and new ideas....
Posted by journey (Member # 7316) on :
The days of Julia Roberts as a bankable one-woman franchise are definitely over. I'm not saying she won't ever star in another successful film, but it won't be her name on the marquee that draws everyone in. She's too old to be America's Sweetheart anymore, and Diane Lane seems to have suceeded Diane Keaton in the role of America's favorite Middle-Aged Sweetheart.
Posted by MotleyRulz (Member # 3598) on :
I think big names cause the audience to over-expect in many instances. Personally I never saw her appeal.....
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
One bonus is that the big stars may be offered more great roles...thus...their picks are super important....I love hearing stories about stars who turned down certain roles, ie I think Nick Nolte turned down the role of Han Solo in Star Wars...or...I may just have made that up....hmmm...maybe a new thread....
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
My favourite Julia Roberts movies are the ones where she plays against or mildly subverts the image that made her successfull (i.e. leading lady-romantic comedy).
She's done a lot of good work over the years: Flatliners, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, America's Sweethearts, Charlie Wilson's War, Closer, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind.
Posted by journey (Member # 7316) on :
Eric is the talented one in the Roberts family.
Posted by Riptide (Member # 457) on :
I don't see Sandra Bullock as prominent as late either. I think her hubby is in the spotlight now more than her.
As for Juilia, I guess her family took precedence over getting those roles. I always like Monica Potter as well, who was always described as a poor man's Julia Roberts.
Posted by journey (Member # 7316) on :
There's a whole little network of starlets filling the Julia/Meg/Sandra void now:
Reese Witherspoon Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Garner Kate Hudson Kate Beckinsale Katherine Heigl Renee Zellweger Jennifer Lopez Zooey Deschanel Rachel McAdams Anne Hathaway Sarah Jessica Parker Cameron Diaz Michelle Monaghan
Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
For me I liked her in these movies:
Charlie Wilson's War Ocean's Eleven (2001) .... Tess Ocean America's Sweethearts (2001) .... Kathleen "Kiki" Erin Brockovich I Love Trouble (1994) .... Sabrina Peterson The Pelican Brief Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) .... Laura Burney Flatliners (1990) .... Dr. Rachel Mannus Pretty Woman (1990) .... Vivian Ward Steel Magnolias
