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Weekend Box Office Project Greenlight 2 Chat
by Lee Tistaert
and Stephen Lucas

Lee: Yeah. Going back to the behind the scenes, I felt they improved Chris Moore’s presence. Last time they acted as if he was the one guy you didn't want around to yell at you. This time he's the guy you wanted advice from.

I heard one story of Affleck and Moore going out somewhere, and some fan stopped them and wanted Moore's autograph and not Affleck's.

Stephen: I would too... I mean, for really enthusiastic filmgoers, Moore is something of an idol.

Lee: First season I was somewhat intimidated by Moore and this season they've showed more of his supportive side.

Stephen: I personally would look up to him for advice, as Kyle and Efram probably should.

Lee: Plus, Moore's movies have been good for the most part (American Pie’s, Joy Ride, etc.).

Stephen: I don't really remember too much about Moore from the first season, because such a good picture of him was painted this season - we all have tempers - no hard feelings.

Lee: Well, it seemed like this time he just stood back and let them make their movie. Before it was like he was making sure they didn't screw up, which I guess in some ways is a good thing.

Stephen: I guess that's true, but if I were in Moore's shoes, I would have been making sure stuff didn't go wrong.

Lee: Yeah.

Stephen: I mean, he was one of the founders of Project Greenlight, and I'd be nervous too that it didn't work out. It's his name on the line, too.

Lee: I remember when Pete Jones on Stolen Summer talked to the camera for a second and said something like "I know my movie" or whatever in regards to Moore being afraid that Pete would screw up. I don't think Pete really understood that Moore was representing 2 guys (Damon and Affleck) who worked their asses off to get Pete there.

Stephen: Television can depict people however they'd like to, and so I'm not entirely sure how *good* of a picture of Kyle and Efram we saw. It always seemed -- truthfully or not -- that Moore was most often right and that the directors were most often wrong. I never got the impression that Kyle and Efram were grateful for this opportunity, even though I know they probably were. It always seemed they were just there.

Lee: I've seen a few interviews, and Kyle said they had more fun than what HBO showed; but then again, drama makes it gripping. As much as showing them having fun relieves tension, always having tension keeps you there; and the show is known for its addicting nature. I think we saw more gratefulness in Jones than in this directing duo, but Kyle and Efram have filmed stuff before – it just hasn't been seen. Jones was going from never being a filmmaker to showing up every day to do what he'd love to do. Kyle and Efram had "some" experience, so I think that was partly why they weren't always showing excitement.

Stephen: Okay, I agree with that. And really, they did *earn* the right to win.

Lee: If Pete had one quality that rose above this new duo, it's that he communicated.

Stephen: Totally – even if he was in trouble, he'd let someone know. Kyle and Efram seemed to just stick with each other to solve those types of things.

Lee: From the first moment of Kyle and Efram's audition when they were sitting in front of Matt, Ben, and the clan, it seemed like they were some of the most "with it" guys there amongst the other directors.

Stephen: They seemed to be nice enough guys, but that kind of bugged me how they really just talked to each other openly. Yeah, they were "with it" at first, but that doesn't mean they were "ready."

Lee: It was like they were more relaxed and more focused on the directing end than simply showing off what their dedication would be like.

Stephen: I was never as taken with their sample piece as I was former contestant John Otting's.

Lee: Who was that? There was some short film that was done really, really, damn well.

Stephen: I realize, though, that Otting's style was not what would fit "Shaker" at all, and they made the right decision for the script they chose. Otting was the one who filmed the short film set in the mental ward.

Lee: It really opened my eyes – I literally went "wow."

Stephen: He's actually teaming up with one of the PGL writing contestants – the guy who wrote "Prisoner." I'm excited to see that film – it seems perfect for Otting's style.

Lee: I'm actually surprised the debate for PGL1 was so intense for picking a script, because it always seemed like Stolen Summer was quite possibly the most promising. To everything else I was just like, "Yeah, ok, whatever."

Stephen: But yeah, "Shaker Heights" needed to be directed by Kyle and Efram. "Stolen Summer" by far seemed like the best choice. However, I soon realized it wasn't very accessible; I loved the script, but knew that not everyone would. As a side note, the script read better than the movie played. I think the reason for that was the two lead kids – they never captured me like the characters needed to. "Summer" was meant to be a drama with very small bits of comedy (provided by Bonnie Hunt), but it never seemed to grab its audience with much emotion.

Lee: I think when you're jumping into your first film, it may not be wise to cast little kids unless you really know what the hell you're doing – you have to write what you know you can do.

Stephen: Yeah, I know, but still Jones wrote a fantastic script. Maybe it would have been wise to do something more adult-centered, but that's how we learn I guess. I always have admired him for trying something kind of out of the mainstream. A children's religious drama – what did people expect but something close to an after-school special? Think about it, how was a film starring second graders coping with religion supposed to be not geared at kids?

Project Greenlight 2 Chat Continued >>


Shaker Heights Total US Box Office: $0.279000 million

Stephen's Review: Rather predictable and it borders on mediocrity oftentimes, but for the most part, LaBoeuf kept me interested. [ C+ ]
Lee's Review: Shaker Heights is not a must-see, nor is it solid entertainment, but it does just enough to get by on a reasonable recommendation. [ B- ]
Visitor Rating Average: B (12 votes)
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