The Definitive Downey, Jr.
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Box Office, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek
Well, Grand Theft Auto or no Grand Theft Auto, Iron Man wins at life, raking in somewhere from $32 to 35 million on Friday, depending on whom you believe. That puts it on track for an opening weekend between $90 million and $100 million, ensuring a string of sequels and a big champagne bash over at Paramount. But it may also mean a great deal for the future of one Robert Downey, Jr., who tackled the title role with spectacular wit and charm. If an über-lucrative mainstream career is what he wants, it's probably now his for the taking. His role as a blackface-donning thespian in Tropic Thunder later this summer should help even more.All this is by way of introduction to the fantastic long-player on Downey that is this month's GQ cover story. It covers the bases of the actor's famous checkered past -- the arrests, the tumultuous rehab stints, Matt Palmieri's violent intervention -- but also his slow-and-steady return, and his current precarious, drug-free perch at the top. Matthew Klam spent the day with the actor, hanging out at Downey's Brentwood Mansion, going indoor skydiving, and having a kung fu training session during which Downey punched him in the face. He lets loose with all sorts of candid details about the man's life and recovery (endless health shakes and vitamin pills, a butler-slash-best-friend), but it's more than just a piece of celebrity gossip -- it's a genuinely interesting look at a multifaceted, one-of-a-kind talent who's been through a lot. Take a look.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-04-2008 @ 12:00PM
akaison said...
Saw the film last night. He was really good ad Tony Stark, and I can say this is a comic book geek. Let me add, people really need to be singing praise to direction, editing and writing of this film. I read somewhere that it was the acting alone that elevates this movie- that's a lie. It's that all elements work so seemlessly that we don't even realize it. The pacing was perhaps the best I've seen in any 'superhero' movie. Not a scene out of place. No a moment unnecessary. No where did it drag. The dialogue and story line also raises this up-- the use of the Middle East was inspired and made the story relevant to now. I am surprised there aren't a bunch of conservatives flaming your site as they do with war movies because this was a big ole anti war movie, and no one seemed to have realized that's what they were buying. Think about it- the two villains are- Middle East terrorists and an evil American business man- and the American business man turns out to be worse than the terrorist. That's inspired. I can't say how much I loved this film. I look forward to the sequel, and to Mr. Downey other roles, who happens to not only be a great actor, but is also super hot. He deserves whatever come back he can get.
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5-04-2008 @ 3:09PM
pete thomson said...
I didnt think 300 was brilliant I thought it was crap!!!! Apart from anything else it bears no resemblance to Spartan ritual or custom being as they all indulged in athletic man on man action with one another to establish trust going into battle. Its a shame youre so defensive about Ironman, its not like you have a vested interest in it doing well and frankly if thats your benchmark for satisfying entertainment- You are very easily pleased. I was hoping for something not quite so geered towards bums on seats, that could withstand repeat viewings not carboard cut-outs and a villain with an upside down head. Im lookig forward to Speed Racer purely for the reinterpretation of the Manga visuals, an if its a bit rubbish I will happily admit it. Im not living in la la land un like some!!
5-04-2008 @ 12:11PM
pete thomson said...
The movie was a stinging disappointment. A shallow script that replaced dry humour with endless exposition there was no sub-plots to round out the sketchy characters an the potential for dry humour in the first few reels was desperately wasted in favour of the usual explosions an special effects. It wasnt as bad as The Fantastic 4 franchise but there was very little to single this out as either a worthy adaptation or guaranteed success.As much as I like RDJ - hes so gay by the way!!_ I was bored, bored , bored.A fact not helped by Gwyneth Spineth who again phoned in her performance from Ol'Blighty. A money making cash cow it may be but its not set my summer alight!!! Roll on Batman and Speed Racer.
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5-04-2008 @ 1:29PM
akaison said...
Anyone listing Speed Racer as a sign of what they find "interesting" isn't someone to be listened to regarding movie making. The speed racer trailer looks horrible.
5-04-2008 @ 1:32PM
akaison said...
Oh, and the pre reviews of Speed racer also says there is no story or plot, and just eye candy. I suppose if you are the type of person who thought 300 was "brilliant' then Iron Man wouldn't be your cup of tea because it actually had characters and storyline.
5-04-2008 @ 1:42PM
BondsBabe said...
I absolutely loved Iron Man. I'm going to see it again, and bring along my boyfriend who was wary only because Iron Man is one of his favorite comic books growing up. Now he's ready to check it out. Anyway, I loved it all, the whole packing, acting, direction, musical score, special effects, storyline. It had a great mix of humor and drama. It didn't come off corny or forced as some Superhero movies can come off.
It was a great start for the summer!
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5-04-2008 @ 2:29PM
Gregory Rubinstein said...
I agree with akaison. If you think 300 was a good movie, then your opinion does not matter to me. I have a feeling that the reason you didn't like it was because there was a lot fewer explosions and a lot more character development. I imagine Pete is the kinda guy that doesn't like to think when he sees a movie. He ooohs and ahhhs at the special effects and tunes out during those "boring" talking parts.
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5-04-2008 @ 4:05PM
pete thomson said...
where was the character development? Did you even read my message. I am lucky enough to live in a city that has several european art house cinemas and multiplexes an would watch a mindless movie like Ironman only as a bit of escapism, I thought it was pretty poor bearing in mind how much potential there was in casting RDJ an Gwyneth Spineth. Please read what ive said befor you underestimate my intelligence sweetie.
5-04-2008 @ 4:48PM
akaison said...
Pete:
There is a very strong story and character arc in this movie. I am a film student- I could certainly go through the trouble of dissecting it for you, but frankly, I am not going to give you that much of my time. It's not suppose to be a foreign film indie. That you are comparing apples and oranges like this- again says a lot. I personally love indie and foreign movies too- but I can also appreciate good movies of all types. My benchmark is good. Not how good is done. I like all types of movies. Not just one's that fit a certain snooty perspective of movies. You are right- you aren't the 300 crowd. They are of the type that easily impressed by anything shiny. You are something just as bad. A snob. Someone who doesn't like or get something because you are too busy turning your nose up at it to get what the story and character was about. It takes a lot to make a popular movie that was as well made as this one. So you continue to spew your venom and turn up you nose- I am going to continue to look for good films no matter where they are.
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5-04-2008 @ 5:50PM
pete thomson said...
Wheres you sense of humour? Im soooo impressed your a film student I also have studied film at the University Of Life!!!! One of my favourite movies is The Flintstones, I also love Boxing Helena, not to mention Heavens Gate. Seriously though haveing thought about it the only way to save the movie from populist rubbish is to broaden its appeal and include a basket of recently washed laundry in the subplot and call it Ironing Man!!!! That way Housewives will go an see it too!!!
5-04-2008 @ 9:57PM
Gregory Rubinstein said...
Do you even know what character development is Pete? Let me explain it to you. It is when the character changes through the film. At the beginning of Iron Man, Tony Stark was a rich playboy who didn't care what his weapons did to other people. By the end of the movie, he had changed. He cared about what his weapons were doing, not to mention on his way to becoming a one-woman man with Pepper Potts. His relationship with his partner had changed significantly as well. I hope that clears the confusion up. If you don't understand something else, let me know and I will try to dumb it down a little more for you.
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5-04-2008 @ 9:57PM
Gregory Rubinstein said...
Oh yea, and I commend you on your distaste for the Final Four franchise. Now THOSE are a pair of bad movies.
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5-05-2008 @ 5:58AM
pete thomson said...
bla bla bla American guilt about war in Iraq bla bla bla weapons are bad but some weapons are badder than others! Its a trite comic book adaptation get over yourself. An yes it may be popular an good luck to it but come on its not art! If you want to debate a decent movie rather than trade insults get back to me.
5-05-2008 @ 9:37AM
Gregory Rubinstein said...
Any movie is art. Even if it is horrible art, it is still art.
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5-05-2008 @ 4:22PM
akaison said...
Pete you do realize that Iron Man has been around for decades? And that it's not about just Americans? There were two villians in the film. I question whether you even saw the film at this point.
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5-06-2008 @ 12:18AM
Gregory Rubinstein said...
Oh yea, and Iron Man was made in response to the Cold War
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