ML'S Movie Roll Choices

[Elijah's way]

I will never understand why Meat has turned down so many good movies. Yeah I know he claims that if he already knows how to play a character he wont do it but if he looks at a script and doesn't know how to play the part he will take it. But he only takes small rolls and there really easy rolls that anyone can play and most of the time if you blink you'll miss him. I think he takes such crapy rolls is because he just doesn't want to take the time and do a good movie, or he's just not getting any offers.

I wish he would atleast be in one more really good movie, to me the last good movie he was in is A Hole In One. IMO the best movie he was in is Fight Club with Blacktop right behind it.


Thoughts!

[melon]

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

I will never understand why Meat has turned down so many good movies. Yeah I know he claims that if he already knows how to play a character he wont do it but if he looks at a script and doesn't know how to play the part he will take it. But he only takes small rolls and there really easy rolls that anyone can play and most of the time if you blink you'll miss him. I think he takes such crapy rolls is because he just doesn't want to take the time and do a good movie, or he's just not getting any offers.

I wish he would atleast be in one more really good movie, to me the last good movie he was in is A Hole In One. IMO the best movie he was in is Fight Club with Blacktop right behind it.

Thoughts!

My thoughts are that I don't agree....

There is waaaay more to acting than I'll ever know, or, as I've heard a friend say he's probably forgotten more than I'll even know about it.

I do however agree with your top movies, but I'd swap hole in one with black top and put focus just above hole in one.

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[Deena J]

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

I will never understand why Meat has turned down so many good movies. Yeah I know he claims that if he already knows how to play a character he wont do it but if he looks at a script and doesn't know how to play the part he will take it. But he only takes small rolls and there really easy rolls that anyone can play and most of the time if you blink you'll miss him. I think he takes such crapy rolls is because he just doesn't want to take the time and do a good movie, or he's just not getting any offers.

I wish he would atleast be in one more really good movie, to me the last good movie he was in is A Hole In One. IMO the best movie he was in is Fight Club with Blacktop right behind it.

Thoughts!

Definitely do NOT agree with you on that opinion.

But in terms of my favorites: Roadie, Blacktop, Crazy in Alabama, and then Black Dog (tied with Citizen Jane). Heck I even watch Pelts a bunch, despite the ick factor.

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[The Flying Mouse]

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

I will never understand why Meat has turned down so many good movies.

We don't know which movies he's turned down (do we?) so how do we know thay are good?

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

Yeah I know he claims that if he already knows how to play a character he wont do it but if he looks at a script and doesn't know how to play the part he will take it. But he only takes small rolls and there really easy rolls that anyone can play and most of the time if you blink you'll miss him.

I've heard him say that in interviews, but I don't take it too literal myself.
As you say, some of his roles have been pretty straight forward and could be played by plenty of people. He may have taken them because it gave him more experience of the movie business, because he knew someone involved in the project and wanted to work with them. A job might have presented itself which paid well and fit into his schedule nicely without any hassel, or he might have just done a certain job just because it sounded like fun.
The last one being the best reason there is.

But there have been some roles that Meat brought a lot too, and really left his stamp on the character.
For instance..........

Rocky Horror - Eddie (Classic).

Roadie - Travis W Redfish (Leading man status. Coolest entrance in movie history ).

The Squeeze - Titus (small part, but Meat put his mark on it).

Motorama - Vern (more like a cameo, but a nice bit imo).

To Catch A Yeti - Big Jake Grizzly (Not a great movie, but decent screen time and a good performance).

Black Dog - Red (Meat's at his best when he brings the crazy).

Outside Ozona - Floyd (small, understated, but kind of nice. Not a role you'd expect from Meat Loaf).

Crazy In Alabama - Sheriff Doggett (Not a nice guy, but well played).

Fight Club - Bob (His name is Robert Paulson ).

The Outer Limits - Col Devine (Good screen time and a very believable performance).

Trapped - Jim (Decent screen time, and Meat gets to be the hero).

Focus - Fred (A good guy from the neighbourhood, quite likeable, until he comes under the influence of some dangerous ideas from some dangerous men. It would be easy to overplay this guy as a complete dick, but to play a slow burn through the film as Fred gets more involved, while also keeping the character (in his own mind) as a well meaning guy from the neighbourhood is no easy trick. Fred could be held up as example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions. One of Meat's best).

51st State - The Lizard (Did I mention Meat's at his best when he brings the crazy? ).

Tenacious D - Bud Black (OK, Jack Black wanted him from the very start, but I think the fact that a lot of the press focused on Meat and Jack, and leaving Kyle Gass on the sidelines speaks a lot for what Meat brought to a pretty small role).

Masters Of Horror (Pelts) - Jake (The guy is a sleazeball. I can't think of another Meat character like him. Think Meat did a very intense job playing him).

I haven't listed all his roles here because there are some that could have been played by anybody (such as Dennis in Spice World, or Tiny from Wayne's World) and there are some movies i've not seen.

The ones above though are roles that I feel were improved by Meat's input.

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

I think he takes such crapy rolls is because he just doesn't want to take the time and do a good movie, or he's just not getting any offers.

I've not seen any of the films he's made in more recent years, so I can't comment on the roles he's played, but he's certainly been busy with music, releasing HCTB, touring for it, then working on HIHB, now touring for that.
He's also done his share of TV the last couple of years. Pop Star To Opera Star and Celeb Apprentice.

With all that on his plate, it's hard to see how he could dedicate the time he'd need to play a big movie role.

Maybe he's not getting the offers, perhaps he's getting them and having to turn them down, Meat's the person who can answer that

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

I wish he would atleast be in one more really good movie, to me the last good movie he was in is A Hole In One. IMO the best movie he was in is Fight Club with Blacktop right behind it.

I haven't seen Hole In One of Blacktop, but i'd like too.

The most recent movie i've seen Meat in was Burning Bright (A small role at the start of the film. Nothing that needed him to show off great acting skill) and the most recent movie i've seen him really kick ass in was Pick Of Destiny.

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

Thoughts!

Not if I can help it

[Sebastian.]

Can anything really beat Dennis the bus driver in Spice World: The movie?

[melon]

I have to say Mouse, on all the movies you spoke about (well, that I've seen) I agree with. And yes, Trapped, how could I forget that one!

Pelts is a very very unique role for sure. One of my ex colleagues even saw it (she's a masters of horror fan) and said "hey, there's this movie with Meat Loaf in it" ha ha

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[Deena J]

Originally Posted by melon

I have to say Mouse, on all the movies you spoke about (well, that I've seen) I agree with. And yes, Trapped, how could I forget that one!

I don't know Trapped at all. I wonder where I can find that one.......

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[Elijah's way]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

We don't know which movies he's turned down (do we?) so how do we know thay are good?




I've heard him say that in interviews, but I don't take it too literal myself.
As you say, some of his roles have been pretty straight forward and could be played by plenty of people. He may have taken them because it gave him more experience of the movie business, because he knew someone involved in the project and wanted to work with them. A job might have presented itself which paid well and fit into his schedule nicely without any hassel, or he might have just done a certain job just because it sounded like fun.
The last one being the best reason there is.

But there have been some roles that Meat brought a lot too, and really left his stamp on the character.
For instance..........

Rocky Horror - Eddie (Classic).

Roadie - Travis W Redfish (Leading man status. Coolest entrance in movie history ).

The Squeeze - Titus (small part, but Meat put his mark on it).

Motorama - Vern (more like a cameo, but a nice bit imo).

To Catch A Yeti - Big Jake Grizzly (Not a great movie, but decent screen time and a good performance).

Black Dog - Red (Meat's at his best when he brings the crazy).

Outside Ozona - Floyd (small, understated, but kind of nice. Not a role you'd expect from Meat Loaf).

Crazy In Alabama - Sheriff Doggett (Not a nice guy, but well played).

Fight Club - Bob (His name is Robert Paulson ).

The Outer Limits - Col Devine (Good screen time and a very believable performance).

Trapped - Jim (Decent screen time, and Meat gets to be the hero).

Focus - Fred (A good guy from the neighbourhood, quite likeable, until he comes under the influence of some dangerous ideas from some dangerous men. It would be easy to overplay this guy as a complete dick, but to play a slow burn through the film as Fred gets more involved, while also keeping the character (in his own mind) as a well meaning guy from the neighbourhood is no easy trick. Fred could be held up as example of the road to hell being paved with good intentions. One of Meat's best).

51st State - The Lizard (Did I mention Meat's at his best when he brings the crazy? ).

Tenacious D - Bud Black (OK, Jack Black wanted him from the very start, but I think the fact that a lot of the press focused on Meat and Jack, and leaving Kyle Gass on the sidelines speaks a lot for what Meat brought to a pretty small role).

Masters Of Horror (Pelts) - Jake (The guy is a sleazeball. I can't think of another Meat character like him. Think Meat did a very intense job playing him).

I haven't listed all his roles here because there are some that could have been played by anybody (such as Dennis in Spice World, or Tiny from Wayne's World) and there are some movies i've not seen.

The ones above though are roles that I feel were improved by Meat's input.






I've not seen any of the films he's made in more recent years, so I can't comment on the roles he's played, but he's certainly been busy with music, releasing HCTB, touring for it, then working on HIHB, now touring for that.
He's also done his share of TV the last couple of years. Pop Star To Opera Star and Celeb Apprentice.

With all that on his plate, it's hard to see how he could dedicate the time he'd need to play a big movie role.

Maybe he's not getting the offers, perhaps he's getting them and having to turn them down, Meat's the person who can answer that



I haven't seen Hole In One of Blacktop, but i'd like too.

The most recent movie i've seen Meat in was Burning Bright (A small role at the start of the film. Nothing that needed him to show off great acting skill) and the most recent movie i've seen him really kick ass in was Pick Of Destiny.




Not if I can help it

IMO

Out of the movies you listed only 4 of them are good, that would be Black Dog, Crazy In Alabama, Trapped and his best Fight Club. It's not good to only have 6 good movies out of over 50 movies. The other 2 good movies is A Hole In One and Black Top

Didn't he turn down One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest with Jack Nicholson? If so WHAT THE HELL was he thinking???

[LisaT]

Originally Posted by melon

I have to say Mouse, on all the movies you spoke about (well, that I've seen) I agree with. And yes, Trapped, how could I forget that one!

Pelts is a very very unique role for sure. One of my ex colleagues even saw it (she's a masters of horror fan) and said "hey, there's this movie with Meat Loaf in it" ha ha

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Don't think I could watch Pelts again, it turned my stomach!

[LisaT]

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

Didn't he turn down One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest with Jack Nicholson? If so WHAT THE HELL was he thinking???

I imagine he had something equally, if not more, important to be doing at the time!

[Elijah's way]

Originally Posted by LisaT

I imagine he had something equally, if not more, important to be doing at the time!

I'm sure he could have done the movie and record BOOH at the same time, that's what schedules are for.

[melon]

Originally Posted by LisaT

Don't think I could watch Pelts again, it turned my stomach!

Admittedly I don't watch it that much, Jake creeps me out, but I think Meat did a great job portraying him

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[The Flying Mouse]

Originally Posted by Deena J

I don't know Trapped at all. I wonder where I can find that one.......

Reccomended
If you like thrillers that is
Meat gets a fair share of the screen time, and for once he's playing a nice guy.

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

IMO

Out of the movies you listed only 4 of them are good, that would be Black Dog, Crazy In Alabama, Trapped and his best Fight Club. It's not good to only have 6 good movies out of over 50 movies. The other 2 good movies is A Hole In One and Black Top

How many of the movies i've mentioned (or how many of Meat's movies in total) have you seen?

I'd say he's done more than 6 films i'd say were "good".
Roadie was deffinatly Meat's moment as a leading man, and although I personally prefere The Blues Brothers (a film released on the same day as Roadie, and a similar concept, a movie with musical guests) I still think Roadie is a good entertaining film.

Titus in The Squeeze was a pretty fun character. The bad guy who is on one hand pretty badass, but at the same time is not very good at being a bad guy.
A bit like Jaws in Moonraker.
Couple of fun facts for those who haven't seen the film, Blind Before I stop is played during one scene, and the female star appeared in the music vid for Getting Away With Murder.

As I said earlier, i'd like to see the other movies you mentioned

Originally Posted by Elijah's way

Didn't he turn down One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest with Jack Nicholson? If so WHAT THE HELL was he thinking???

That rings a bell for some reason

Was he offered Nicholson's role?
Because I think it would have been a very different performance.
No offence to Meat (i've already said he's great when he brings the crazy) but Jack can do a loony smile like nobody else.
I think Jack was a big factor in the films success, but even if the film was going to be big no matter what, you don't know that just from seeing the script. There are plenty of examples of people giving up the chance to get on board something that turned out massive. Look at the bloke who passed up The Beatles.

Or perhaps Meat just wasn't a fan of the story

[Deena J]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

Reccomended
If you like thrillers that is
Meat gets a fair share of the screen time, and for once he's playing a nice guy.

How old is that movie? Is it on DVD at all?

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[The Flying Mouse]

Trapped

Film was done in 2001.

I got my copy a good few years ago in (believe it or not) Poundland

I've had a quick look on ebay.com and couldn't see any for sale, but there are some cheap on ebay.co.uk.
If you get stuck let me know

[Monstro]

Coming to this thread from the "What our pets look like" thread reminds me that Meat did a film called Focus

[The Flying Mouse]

Originally Posted by Monstro

Coming to this thread from the "What our pets look like" thread reminds me that Meat did a film called Focus

If that's a comment on my prowess with a camera we are going to need a giving the finger smilie

Besides, Scoobie is being held by me

[CarylB]

I agree with Mouse .. Focus was one of Meat's finest roles .. he brought such subtlety to a role which could have been played simply and superficially. For me .. and I susoect for Meat, it's not size of role that decides whether he wants to d it. It's about what challenges it brings, what truth he can find and bring to life on the screen .. and in that so many of his films have been impressive. Meat can bring something really special to the smallest cameo, and that's the mark of the man as an actor. Sure he's done some films which may have simply been for fun and for the taking part .. but to dismiss him as an actor, or downsize in any way his skill because a role has had few pages of script, is to do him a great injustice as an actor imo. He has also successfully managed a busy career combining music and touring as well as filming .. and I'd guess that the demands of the former may well have prevented him from accepting other, bigger roles he will have been offered.

Other noteworthy roles have been in Blacktop (where he brought real depth to a character that could have been simply played as a psychopath), Wishcraft, and Citizen Jane. There's also the new unreleased film (name escapes me) where he plays a small cameo as the motel desk clerk/owner .. and even in that he brings something special to the role. I guess it comes down to .. do you judge on pages of script, or on the skill brought to every line. Outside Ozona may not have had pages of script .. but there's a scene where his character is reminiscing, which is riveting imo ..

Meat has that skill of being able to say one thing, and at the same time convey what the character is actually thinking or feeling in contrast and at odds with the spoken word. That is acting craft at its best .. I have seen that in so many of his movies. Just as it always impressed me with Guinness, it never fails to impress me when I see Meat do this. That's imo what he means by finding the truth in a character .. and he brings it to the screen in a way that is wholly truthful and realistic.

Caryl

[CarylB]

I agree with Mouse .. Focus was one of Meat's finest roles .. he brought such subtlety to a role which could have been played simply and superficially. For me .. and I believe for Meat, it's not size of role that decides its worth, nor whether he wants to do it. It's about what challenges it brings, what truth he can find and bring to life on the screen .. and in that so many of his films have been impressive. Meat can bring something really special to the smallest cameo, and that's the mark of the man as an actor. Sure he's done some films which may have simply been for fun and for the taking part .. but to dismiss him as an actor, or downsize in any way his skill because a role has had few pages of script, is to do him a great injustice as an actor imo. He has also successfully managed a busy career combining music and touring as well as filming .. and I'd guess that the demands of the former may well have prevented him from accepting other, bigger roles he will have been offered.

Other noteworthy roles have been in Blacktop (where he brought real depth to a character that could have been simply played as a psychopath), Wishcraft, and Citizen Jane. There's also the new unreleased film (name escapes me) where he plays a small cameo as the motel desk clerk/owner .. and even in that he brings something special to the role. He also has a fine touch with light comedy .. see Everything That Rises. I guess it comes down to .. do you judge on pages of script, or on the skill brought to every line. Outside Ozona may not have had pages of script .. but there's a scene where his character is reminiscing, which is riveting imo ..

Meat has that skill of being able to say one thing, and at the same time convey what the character is actually thinking or feeling in contrast and at odds with the spoken word. That is acting craft at its best .. I have seen that in so many of his movies. Just as it always impressed me with Guinness, it never fails to impress me when I see Meat do this. That's imo what he means by finding the truth in a character .. and he brings it to the screen in a way that is wholly truthful and realistic.

Caryl

[Deena J]

Originally Posted by CarylB

Other noteworthy roles have been in Blacktop (where he brought real depth to a character that could have been simply played as a psychopath), Wishcraft, and Citizen Jane. There's also the new unreleased film (name escapes me) where he plays a small cameo as the motel desk clerk/owner .. and even in that he brings something special to the role.

Played Desk Clerk... Are you thinking about Beautiful Boy? About the parents' life after their son kills others/himself at college? It has been released here in the US. Tough movie to watch but really good too!

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[CarylB]

Originally Posted by Deena J

Played Desk Clerk... Are you thinking about Beautiful Boy? About the parents' life after their son kills others/himself at college? It has been released here in the US. Tough movie to watch but really good too!

Yes, that's the one Small role .. but beautifully played .. which is really the point for Meat

Caryl

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by Deena J

Played Desk Clerk... Are you thinking about Beautiful Boy? About the parents' life after their son kills others/himself at college? It has been released here in the US. Tough movie to watch but really good too!

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That's actually one of my favorite parts that he has has played. Only on screen for a short time but the role was very powerful as was the movie

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[LisaT]

Originally Posted by CarylB

There's also the new unreleased film (name escapes me) where he plays a small cameo as the motel desk clerk/owner .. and even in that he brings something special to the role.Caryl

Had me confused there for a minute; how did I watch this film if it is unreleased?

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by LisaT

Had me confused there for a minute; how did I watch this film if it is unreleased?

It must be that I got it wrong Lisa .... I haven't seen it on general release here. I just saw an excerpt. Would love to hear your review though

[Elijah's way]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

Reccomended
If you like thrillers that is
Meat gets a fair share of the screen time, and for once he's playing a nice guy.



How many of the movies i've mentioned (or how many of Meat's movies in total) have you seen?

I'd say he's done more than 6 films i'd say were "good".
Roadie was deffinatly Meat's moment as a leading man, and although I personally prefere The Blues Brothers (a film released on the same day as Roadie, and a similar concept, a movie with musical guests) I still think Roadie is a good entertaining film.

Titus in The Squeeze was a pretty fun character. The bad guy who is on one hand pretty badass, but at the same time is not very good at being a bad guy.
A bit like Jaws in Moonraker.
Couple of fun facts for those who haven't seen the film, Blind Before I stop is played during one scene, and the female star appeared in the music vid for Getting Away With Murder.

As I said earlier, i'd like to see the other movies you mentioned




That rings a bell for some reason

Was he offered Nicholson's role?
Because I think it would have been a very different performance.
No offence to Meat (i've already said he's great when he brings the crazy) but Jack can do a loony smile like nobody else.
I think Jack was a big factor in the films success, but even if the film was going to be big no matter what, you don't know that just from seeing the script. There are plenty of examples of people giving up the chance to get on board something that turned out massive. Look at the bloke who passed up The Beatles.

Or perhaps Meat just wasn't a fan of the story

I've seen almost all the movie's he's been in.