dougied89 wrote:Let's be honest, Aronofsky bought the rights to Perfect Blue so he could film the bathtub scene in Requiem for a Dream. I doubt at that time he had the idea of ripping off the film. Now, I haven't seen Perfect Blue and I won't dispute that there are similarities (Aronofsky himself has admitted as much), but from what I've read (a few opinions on the internet, the plot synopsis), I don't know how Black Swan can be called a blatant ripoff. I think a lot of people are upset that he didn't give enough credit to Satoshi Kon, and I understand that, but that doesn't make the film horrible or a ripoff.
There's a lot more being ripped off than just the bathtub scene. Anyways, I encourage you to check out "Perfect Blue", and then come back to this question.
dougied89 wrote:So what? Has any autobiography of a wrestler been made into a dramatic film before? He made a fictional film about wrestlers that many of us would have never seen otherwise (personally I haven't read any autobiographies and do not seek out wrestling documentaries). And that idea might not be extremely original, but it's true to the wrestling industry. A number of pro wrestlers have praised the film.
Yeah, "The Wrestler" is a very good film, and Aronofsky did a fine job directing it. I'm not disputing that. I just can't give him credit for the writing, that's all.
dougied89 wrote:Oh, but he was willing to work with an asshole like David O. Russell on The Fighter? The guy is notorious for going off on his cast (see this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Qls1rAfYs). Maybe him and Bale just have similar personalities? (can't forget this gem- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5VGFIQJ4ww). Like I said earlier Bale probably sees this as a few more opportunities to work with Terrence Malick (who I'm not a huge fan of, but wouldn't call him a hack). I don't think you can interpret his rejection of the role as a rejection of Aronofsky especially when Bale said nothing to lead anybody to that conclusion.
Heh, I was taking a humorous jab at Aronofsky there, which you interpreted way more seriously than I expected anyone to.
Anyways, while I dislike David O Russell way more than I do Aronofsky (at least Aronofsky's films are technically excellent, and range from mediocre to very good), I wouldn't call David O Russell a hack per se.
Just a really lousy and overrated director who is too in love with his own perceived brilliance.
