Sunday, May 18, 2008 Sympathy for the Demons POST A COMMENT Reading 'bout the legendarily-out-spoken Eszterhas, (known for being one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriter) -- ironically, happens to be responsible for some of the worst films to come out of the studio system: Basic Instinct, Showgirls, and Flashdance...) - 'gotta wonder how so many bad films get 'green lighted in Hollywood, I did. I'm cheating by listening to the unabridged book-on-tape of "Hollywood Animal" But, in Eszterhas defense, he's a great conversationalist, and offers an honest and interesting insight into his world: how old School Hollywood really works - or doesn't, in this case -- (since most of ya'll don't bother reading books, Slate Magazine offered up the Books most salacious-Hotpoint's here). Eszterhas, way before his time, his lifes story is a modern "object lesson" in the perils - (and financial benefits) - of the now Brand Name Economy. Creating a brand name in a flawed system -- that runs on fear and greed to get films made: It's easier for studios to drop millions to make bad movies with people they have heard of...then working with untried newbies. I spoke earlier 'bout how emerging media is changing how films will get made -- (click here) It was Eszterhas, who in the 90's, invented the celebrity screenwriter. "He's a run of the mill screenwriter who created a myth that he was an idiosyncratic rebel," offers Entertainment Weekly critic Owen Gleiberman. A self-promoter, that's pure Hollywood - Those contridictions: an exaggerated sense of importance... who also considers himself a great artist. "This is Eszterhas' tragedy and the dark side of his celebrity." Says Slate Magazine. "When he writes sensationalist schlock, he gets the attention he craves. When he writes moving, interesting drama, he doesn't. So schlock it will be." Labels: Books, hollywood animal, Joe Eszterhas, screenwriting posted by Henry Cruz at 1:37 AM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . August 2007 . September 2007 . October 2007 . November 2007 . December 2007 . March 2008 . April 2008 . May 2008 . June 2008 . July 2008 . August 2008 . September 2008 .