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The future Eric Roberts

posted 7 years ago by edge (126)
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Eric starts out doing "King of the Gypsies" onto "Raggedy Man" then "Star 80." He continues on with the fantastic "The Pope of Greenwich Village." He is great in "Nobody's Fool" and "Runaway Train." But, then he is doing straight to video erotic thrillers and B martial art films. He must never turn down an offer. I mean on occasion, he will do some quality work. He has the ability. Do not get me wrong who does not enjoy a well done "B" movie. Now, Eric's credits are quantity over quality.
I see James Franco heading on the same path.
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[–] lordbishop34 (1442) 7 years ago

I think Eric Roberts just seemed to stop caring, he showed up, read the lines, collected the pay check and left. I think Franco still cares about the overall quality and is willing to take chances...at least that's my take.

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[–] ShogunofYonkers (77571) 7 years ago

Agreed
The guys got something going on
He takes risks...sometimes he misses
I enjoy Francos performances, hes certainly not boring or 'safe'

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290556/?ref_=nv_sr_1

That is a lot of projects. Are all these quality? Can he be at his best in all these projects? I think being in a few less projects would allow him to be better at the ones he does do.

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[–] lordbishop34 (1442) 7 years ago

I don't disagree with this idea, I am just saying I think with Franco he has a passion for a lot of these projects and perhaps he will start scaling them back in time. I just think the primary problem with Roberts had more to do with caring about his work rather than the quantity of it.

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

I did not say he is in the "Eric Roberts" vein. I am saying he may be headed that way. Nothing against either thespian. Where does the tipping point come when quanitity over whelms quality?

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[–] lordbishop34 (1442) 7 years ago

Its hard to say because his acting workload already mimics the output of an in demand B movie actor in need of regular work. But his films are not all B movies and some are works he is directing, so its hard to say. There will probably be a burn out point if he keeps it up, but perhaps striking while the iron is hot may be better anyways. Time works against all actors regardless of workload.

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

Does one want to be a B actor in demand or an A actor/director in demand?
When does he sleep?
As athletes say, "Father time is undefeated."
It is always 'Mother Nature' and 'Father Time.'
Curious

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[–] SnagsWolf (1172) 7 years ago

I'm not seeing it. Franco is very busy with all kinds of projects, most of them flying beneath the radar. He teaches a film class, and also paints and displays his artwork. Between his larger roles, he makes small movies that are never distributed widely, seemingly just because he's interested in doing them.
The biggest difference between Franco and Roberts is that Franco has directed 38 movies, while Roberts has directed none.
I would place Franco in the group that is highly motivated by a wide range of creative projects, and starring in big-budget movies is only part of that. Perhaps someday he'll be reduced to B movies, but I don't see him currently on that path.

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290556/?ref_=nv_sr_1

With all that and painting and going for a phd. and teaching. Does it seem like he is on the sort of manic side of a bipolar disorder?
I am not saying he is afflicted. He seems to be a nice person. But, that is a lot going on. What if he concentrates on a few quality projects and finishes them prior to starting more. How many balls in the air can he juggle? I do not mean any harm or insult. He is great in what he accomplishes.

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[–] SnagsWolf (1172) 7 years ago

Franco seems to have a passion for what he's doing. And I'm not seeing where he's not finishing projects. Do you know something I'm not aware of?

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

No, I do not know any thing you don't. All I am wondering is how many things can someone do at the same time and maintain a level of artistic commitment and concentration. Or, do you eventually start to "phone it in?" As others have.

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[–] SnagsWolf (1172) 7 years ago

Then why would you say "What if he concentrates on a few quality projects and finishes them prior to starting more" if he is finishing them prior to starting more?

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

Check the link to his IMDB site. 13 projects 4 completed. I mean is he far from Eric Roberts and Nick Cage territory? Where he just never says 'no.'

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290556/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExfV_xKaiM&t=23s ........This you tube link is a little rough, just warning you.

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[–] SnagsWolf (1172) 7 years ago

"Check the link to his IMDB site. 13 projects 4 completed."

You seem unable to grasp the simple concept of him working a lot. He does a lot of stuff. That doesn't mean he doesn't complete projects he starts. Looking at IMDB, he's completing everything he's working on in a timely fashion, and he's involved in many ongoing projects as an actor, producer, director, and writer.

Comparing him to Eric Roberts, who only has 3 non-acting credits on his resume, is just inane. It's obvious to anyone watching that Franco is completely engaged in his work, and isn't phoning anything in.

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

I just saw a movie on Netflix that was listed as a comedy. James Franco was in this movie called "The Vault." SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT It is a bank heist film. It has Zombies that 'live' in the basement of the bank. The Zombies are the result of a prior botched robbery many years earlier. 29% on Rotten Tomatoes some words used in reviews were "horrendously," "clumsy," and "ridiculous." You get the idea. I think Mr. Franco should have passed on this one. Or is James Franco heading into Nicholas Cage territory?

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[–] SnagsWolf (1172) 7 years ago

Sounds like you have a grudge against Franco. Are you one of those women he sexually molested?

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[–] edge (126) 7 years ago

HA ha LOL You just made me laugh. No...No grudge,..no vagina. But, as Kevin Spacey can attest to, you do not have to have a vagina to get molested. I am just saying that James Franco has real ability but is involved in too many projects. He is headed in the Eric Roberts and Nick Cage direction. Where it is quantity over quality.
But, you made me laugh.

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[–] CaldoTheKid (378) 4 years ago

My guess is he's taking roles to fund personal projects and maybe help out struggling artists.

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[–] Snoopy828 (586) 3 years ago

Well with his recent troubles and his quiet blackballing I think the OP is on to something.

He'll be doing Canadian TV before you know it

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