I just saw both The Rundown and Walking Tall, and while the former was very entertaining and the latter very lame, I have to say the improvements in the Rock's acting ability leave me staggered.

Gone are the stiff, frankly confused or terrified days of the Scorpian King. He holds his own in scenes with Christopher Walken, and is very present and listening as a performer. It took Arnold 20 years to get to this point so you know he will only get better, especially given his comedic timing is much sharper than Arnie's.

I am looking forward to his next project.

RT

In the latest NEWSWEEK he reveals he chose "The Rock" as he name because he was inspired by Rock Hudson. The interviewer immediately makes a Gay reference and The Rock brushes him right off. Classy guy, as I have long suspected.

Now, who wanted him to play Black Adam?

I always heard it was in tribute to his father- wrestler Rocky Johnson. When The Rock first started wrestling in the WWF, he was known as Rocky Maivia (Maivia after his grandfather, wrestler Peter Maivia).

You notice how he's dropped about 30 pounds of muscle mass now that he's not wrestling anymore?

Mike Nebeker - Super Genuis
Good Judgement comes from Experience and Experience comes from... Bad Judgement.

He may have dropped 30 lbs of muscle, but he can still woop that candy ass!

JB: "Now, who wanted him to play Black Adam?"

I'm pretty sure it is me that you are thinking of.

I first made that suggestion back on Magnus's board and even made a mock-up of The Rock as Black Adam and Patrick Warburton as Captain Marvel.

I also made Martin Short up as Sivana.

Never has another actor been better suited for Black Adam!

Never would have thought of that one.

The Rock is one of those guys that alot of people want to see fail because they can't stomach a "rassler" as a movie star. One idiot I know will go so far as to say that he won't watch any of his movies just because he's in it, yet he can accept Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as action stars even though they are all unintelligible and can't act worth a damn.

I think The Rock is a very entertaining, charismatic actor who is getting better and better with each movie and will be everything that they wanted Hulk Hogan to be.

We're badly in need of new action superstars and Dwayne Johnson is just fine and dandy with me. Is he going by that name as an actor, or is he sticking with The Rock?

He's sticking with "The Rock." He bought the rights to the name from Vince McMahon, who gets a small percentage from his movies and an "associate producer" credit, at least for awhile. It was probably a good idea, marketing-wise.

While JB might object, I could see the Rock as Doc Savage.(at least visually)

Mike

Well Triple-H is going to be making movies now and Steve Austin is also looking to do movies too.

Personally, I think going by The Rock is a bad idea for an actor of Johnson's talents. In my mind, The Rock is a character in professional wrestling, and Johnson is not that character in person or in his movies. There's no reason he couldn't take on meatier roles in the future. Will Smith did, but not as the Fresh Prince. Mark Wahlburg did, but not as Marky Mark.

Will DMX, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Cedric the Entertainer ever be taken seriously as actors by the industry and mainstream America? Or will they be pigeonholed as action stars and comedians simply because of their stage names?

I don't know, I'm asking.

Brendan Howard

I agree. It's not like people won't instantly recognize him, so I think he should start getting away from the wrestling and his stage name, if he's going to concentrate on acting.

The question was raised:

Will DMX, Ice Cube, Queen Latifah and Cedric the Entertainer ever be taken seriously as actors by the industry and mainstream America? Or will they be pigeonholed as action stars and comedians simply because of their stage names?

Well, Queen Latifah was much praised (and nominated) for her role in Chicago. One small step for nicknames...

And last I heard/read, I thought he was going to use Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for subsequent acting roles in the credit. Start putting his name out there, while keeping the nickname that people know him by.

Of course, they could always remake The Rock and replace Nic Cage or Sean Connery with The Rock. That'd be some cool billing in a movie!


Ladd

Of course, they could always remake The Rock and replace Nic Cage or Sean Connery with The Rock. That'd be some cool billing in a movie!

********


"What's your new movie called?"

" 'The Rock' ."

"And who's gonna star in it?"

"The Rock."

"No, I said who's gonna star in it?"

"The Rock."

"Then what did you say it was titled?"

" 'The Rock'."

Well, Queen Latifah was much praised (and nominated) for her role in Chicago. One small step for nicknames...

Yes, but that was a showy role in a musical, and she's a musician. Not a stretch for an audience to accept, which was my point.

Stage names are nothing new in Hollywood (Cary Grant, Judy Garland, Woody Allen or Nicolas Cage ring a bell?) but obviously fake or boastful names, I think, could be a handicap.

Brendan Howard

"They could always remake The Rock and replace Nic Cage or Sean Connery with The Rock. That'd be some cool billing in a movie!"

...or if they kept Cage and Connery and cross-pollinated with a Fantastic Voyage remake, they could insert Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) in the place of Alcatraz (The Rock). Cage and Connery have to shrink down to infiltrate Rock's body that has been taken over by mini-terrorists who are threatening to release a biotoxin. Now I would pay to see that movie! Can't imagine too much action for the Rock, though. Maybe Cage and Connery fight the mini-terrorists on the inside while Rock fights their full-size counterparts on the outside.

Okay, I officially need to put my mind on a shorter leash.

For some reason this is reminding me of a story I once heard Laurence Olivier tell (on TV) about a party game conceived by Noel Coward, all about the effect it might have on various performers personalities and careers if one or two letters were removed or changed in their names. "Laurence Oliver" would not be such a household name, it was felt, and Ralph Richardson would have had to be a butcher or a green grocery if his name was Ralph Richards.

I have wondered from time to time, what if any effect it would have had on my own career if I had (as I briefly considered) adopted the name Jon Burn as my nom de plume .

Does anyone think it's controversial, when a sports athlete or Hip-Hop Rapper gets to star along side established film actors?
I seem to remember hearing that Samuel L. Jackson would not appear in a movie with a rapper, who got top-billing. Because, it wouldn't be fair to working actors, who have studied in their field. A couple of years ago, I thought it was strange, that football player, Brian Bosworth get a leading-role in the movie, "Stone Cold". Which, also featured good actors such as Lance Henrickson and William Forsyth as the badguys. I thought they were in the movie to make Bosworth look good. Personally, I have mixed-feelings when I see the likes of Methodman, Redman, DMX, and JaRule get too much screen-time in films.

People who make successful careers in one field are often able to walk into another without having to demonstrate any real credentials for the job. Michael Jordan did not prove much of a baseball player -- but he also didn't have to struggle up thru the ranks, either. Comics right now are full of writers whose sole connection to the form is that they read them and might be steppingstones to Hollywood for the editors who hire them.

As someone commented recently, Madonna decides to write a kid's book, and the decision makes it so. One wonders what would happen if J.K. Rowling decided she wanted to record a rock album.

Athletes are not "performers," really, so their attempts to act have been particularly horrifying. Mitch Gaylord was gawd-awful in AMERICAN ANTHEM, and I always cringe when athletes show up as hosts on SNL. I'm trying to think of an exception to this rule, and nothing comes to mind.

Rappers and musicians -- well, they ARE performers, people who stand in front of an audience telling stories. Some of them have shown themselves to be talented actors, or at least charismatic set dressing. I have been known to say that rap albums can be advertisements for acting careers, and when you consider how many rappers have courted acting careers and showed up in successful movies, I don't think it's all that off the mark.

That said, rappers and musicians can be just as wooden as athletes when the camera starts rolling. It's more LIKELY that they'll have da skilz, but certainly not a done deal.

Brendan Howard

People who make successful careers in one field are often able to walk into another without having to demonstrate any real credentials for the job.
*****

This is a fact that happens everyday in the world outside of the entertainment industry, so why not inside the industry? I made a transition from sales into adult education without formal training and have been in that industry for nine years.

Everyday people make a transition from realworld jobs into entertainment jobs as well. Someone who is a stay-at-home-mom may get published. Someone who is in marketing may go to an audition. Someone who pencils for a living may give his hand a chance to write. Any of these could be successful, but will have a better chance at success if they "know someone".

So, I guess I don't know why a musician or sports star can't try to write or act. I don't see why a "Hollywood writer" can't try writing comics. At least in that case, they have general experience.

Just a thought, though

" Someone who is a stay-at-home-mom may get published. Someone who is in marketing may go to an audition."


But that stay-at-home-mom isn't going to be trotted out to Live! with Regis and Kelly or Booknotes or flown around the country on the publishers dime before the work sees print. The marketing professional who goes to an audition is unlikely to get top billing in his first acting job (especially if he's working alongside established actors who have paid their dues). The point of this discussion is people who have nothing going for them other than the fact that they are "famous" getting a pass because they are "famous." Howie Long got top billing in a truly HORRIBLE movie that was peppered with very solid, veteran actors, all because agents/managers/PR flacks were trying to manufacture a "star."

The point of this discussion is people who have nothing going for them other than the fact that they are "famous" getting a pass because they are "famous."

This always sounds like so much sour grapes to me. Same as when people complain about A Rod's contract with the Yankees or the $20 per pic price of Harrison Ford. Many of the people mentioned worked hard to get where they were in their chosen profession (hardly just famous for being famous), so if someone from a different profession sees that they might possibly be able to segue into television, film or another sport, more power to 'em.

It's always the "haves vs the have-nots" with the latter always finding some way of taking the former down. Trust me, I'm in the latter category but still have no problem with a film starring Brian Bosworth. He tried it, he failed miserably, he's not doing film or television. No harm, no foul.



Matt Reed

> He tried it, he failed miserably, he's not doing film or television. No harm, no foul.

Sadly, his claim to fame is that he was a colossal washout as a professional football player.

The harm is that there are people out there more qualified for the role who are working two jobs to make ends meet while trying to get their big break and you have bubble gum hype artists who are taking those roles away from them because they have "Name Recognition". Forget the fact that unless you can act your name isn't going to put enough butts into the seats to pay your salary.

As for The Rock, so far he has been smart and taken films suited for his brand of entertainment. He currently is playing himself, lucky for him he's an entertaining guy. If he is really serious about being an actor, he'll hook up with the best acting coach he can find and work on learning the craft.

Mike Nebeker - Super Genuis
Good Judgement comes from Experience and Experience comes from... Bad Judgement.

The harm is that there are people out there more qualified for the role who are working two jobs to make ends meet while trying to get their big break and you have bubble gum hype artists who are taking those roles away from them because they have "Name Recognition". Forget the fact that unless you can act your name isn't going to put enough butts into the seats to pay your salary.

Still doesn't wash with me, Mike. I've been an actor. Five years undergrad, three years grad school, five years school of hard-knocks. Still doesn't make me upset that The Rock, MJ, Brian Bosworth or Hulk Hogan are getting roles in movies. Seriously. There are more people qualified for every job out there than some of the people who are hired. Literally thousands of people could play any one role if only they got the chance or opportunity to audition for it. And everything evens out in the end anyway. Do you currently see Bosworth or Hogan stealing roles away from other actors? No. They're horrible actors. The Rock? Yes, because he's good.

I often had this discussion with fellow actors and I never understood the mentality. I'm not saying you feel this way, but many use it as an excuse for their own failings; "Oh, I'll never get that part because look who they cast?" Wow. Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy!



Matt Reed

<Well, Queen Latifah was much praised (and nominated) for her role in Chicago. One small step for nicknames...>
*****************

Remember when people were GIVEN nicknames? I can't stand it when people give themselves their nicknames!

*****************


<Yes, but that was a showy role in a musical, and she's a musician.>

*****************

She's a RAPPER, NOT a musician. As a musician, with a degree in music performance, I am offended by this lack of distinction.

This always sounds like so much sour grapes to me. Same as when people complain about A Rod's contract with the Yankees or the $20 per pic price of Harrison Ford. Many of the people mentioned worked hard to get where they were in their chosen profession (hardly just famous for being famous), so if someone from a different profession sees that they might possibly be able to segue into television, film or another sport, more power to 'em.


**************


Do I have to remind you that anyone with a script in turnaround in Hollywood seems to be able to get work at M***** (and increasingly DC), while Roger Stern couldn't get pissed on if he was on fire?

You will never hear me grumble about sports stars getting a fair piece of the gate they generate. Same for movie and TV stars. When people grouse about the stars of "Friends" getting a million per episode, I point out that "Friends" was sold into syndication for approximately the GNP of Ecuador.

But if Matthew Perry or David Schwimmer decide they want to write comic books, or publish a kid's book, or become nuclear physicists, I'd like to see them climb the same ladder everyone else has to.

I actually don't think The Rock is stealing work from other actors because his films are written around him. He's actually generating work for a crew, supporting cast, co-stars, etc., because the project starts with him. No Rock, no movie.

But Snoop Dog? Puhleeze.

Mike Nebeker - Super Genuis
Good Judgement comes from Experience and Experience comes from... Bad Judgement.

I actually don't think The Rock is stealing work from other actors because his films are written around him. He's actually generating work for a crew, supporting cast, co-stars, etc., because the project starts with him. No Rock, no movie.

**************


I have no problem with The Rock becoming a movie star. Professional wrestlers are all actors already. This is like a stage performer going to TV.

<Same as when people complain about A Rod's contract with the Yankees>
*******************

A-Rod's contract was with the RANGERS. Their retarded owner, Tom Hicks, paid him the obscene amount of $25 million per year. When the Yankees traded for him, they dumped at least $6 million in salary in the form of Alfonso Soriano. The Rangers are now paying A-Rod the MAJORITY of his contract, with the Yankees kicking in the remainder. Do NOT blame the Yankees for this. it lies squarely at the feet of Tom Hicks, who realized too little, too late, that you can't pay 1 position player $25 million, & then field a competitive team.

She's a RAPPER, NOT a musician. As a musician, with a degree in music performance, I am offended by this lack of distinction.

Okay, she's a vocalist, so we'll say musical PERFORMER. (She's as much a singer as she is a rapper, as anyone who saw CHICAGO can tell you. I hope this doesn't devolve into a "rap isn't music" discussion.) But you get my idea, right?

Question: many vocalists (including rappers) are also accomplished musicians. Did you have any reason to believe that Queen Latifah does not also have musical ability? I haven't found any evidence that this is true about Latifah, but it's possible that she plays on her records, programs her own tracks, or produces the sessions -- even though we don't see that in her videos or performances.

Brendan Howard

Here's the pic that I made up and posted over on Magnus's board back when, featuring Patrick Warburton as Captain Marvel and The Rock as Black Adam:

Those pics are awesome!

I have to wonder if Warburton would be able to play a childlike character. He's good at dimwitted and/or pigheaded, but it takes a certain touch to play a child in a man's body.

Brendan Howard

Brendan: "Those pics are awesome!"

Thanks, Brendan!

BTW, that's Arnold Schwarzenegger's body under Warburton's head. The Rock's is his own.

She's a RAPPER, NOT a musician. As a musician, with a degree in music performance, I am offended by this lack of distinction.
****

In regards to Queen Latifah, I am curious about something. Exactly how much work does someone have to have in an industry to be considered a part of that industry? If you look at her career overall, she is more of an actor than a musical performer.

She has had four albums (five if you count her greatest hits realeased in 2002) the last released in 1998.

She has appeared in 18 movies since 1991. She has stared in a TV show (Living Single) for five years. She has made numberous notable tv guest appearances.

So, is she a rap star or an actor?

I always cringe when athletes show up as hosts on SNL. I'm trying to think of an exception to this rule, and nothing comes to mind.
-------------------------------

oh come on now... Charles Barkley as one of the mall girls was pretty darn funny! Maybe for the wrong reasons though....

Hey Rich,
Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren staring in their greatest roles, together in "I Don't Speak English Well"

Remember when people were GIVEN nicknames? I can't stand it when people give themselves their nicknames!
---------

My least favorite pompous nicknames "taken" by musicians:

The self proclaimed "King of Pop," who became a flop
Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, a woman who must catch a lot of flies with her always-open mouth

<So, is she a rap star or an actor?>
*********

Is she still dealin'? I'd probably guess not anymore.

< I always cringe when athletes show up as hosts on SNL. I'm trying to think of an exception to this rule, and nothing comes to mind.
-------------------------------

oh come on now... Charles Barkley as one of the mall girls was pretty darn funny! Maybe for the wrong reasons though....>
**************************

Barkley's best part was the 1-on-1 against Barney the dinosaur!

Derek Jeter's appearance was hilarious, & Joe Montana's was the most wooden!

Derek Jeter's appearance was hilarious, & Joe Montana's was the most wooden!
-----------------------------

anyone that's had to sit through Montana's car ads in the Bay area can vouch for that....

Joe Montana? You must not have seen Nancy Kerrigan. Holy living crap.

Brendan Howard