No prob Joe. I don't know if you got my question the first time so I'm going to ask it again. Do you give internships to college students?

Hey Joe,

I loved the movie and wanted to congratulate you. I’m excited to hear you’re at the helm of WHITE JAZZ (We’re talking James Ellroy’s White Jazz, right?). I can’t wait to see your take on it.

Enjoy the success of SMOKIN’, and then get back to work. We need more from the likes of you.

Mike MacLean

Hey Joe,

I just wanted to tell you that I was more excited to see Smokin Aces than any other film in the past two years. I LOVED Narc and was couldnt wait to see what your follow up would be. (I know some douchebag critics wanted you to make the same movie all over again. I was ready for a totally different experience.) I finally got to see it Friday night, with four friends. The first two thirds (before all hell breaks loose) was one of the funniest, coolest and most engaging film experiences Ive ever had at a movie (We were DYING of laughter when the tremor brother was talking to Ben Affleck's body and the jizz scene was great too). However when the film should have reached the pinnacle of coolness at the final half hour, it seemed to just fall apart.

One problem I had was the Martin Henderson character. What has the point of having him in the movie, or at least having him survive the Tremor Brother attack? I thought his character was going to do something very impactful at the end of the film but all he did was shoot that tremor brother. I think you could have dumped his part of the story and had more character development on the more interesting characters.

Another thing I wish was different was the amount of action or lack of therof. I was waiting for the most insane action scenes ever and they really wasnt much of them. What should have been the coolest part of the movie was fight between the security gaurds and the Tremor brothers was instead rather short. I was so ready for the coolest scene ever when the smoke was coming out of the elevator but you cut away as soon as they got off. The end of the fight with the chainsaw was kickass but I feel like there should have been way more action leading up to that. The Ray Liotta elevator scene rocked but it was also very brief. The best executed action scene was with Taraji Henson shooting the feds.
Another thing was you didnt give a proper resolution to Pasquale. You showed he was still alive on the stretcher so I thought he was going to come back but you had him do nothing. I also thought that Ray Liotta and Ryan Reynald's characters (as good as they were) needed more development so I would be a more earth shattering when one of them gets killed in the end.

Your movie also kind of switched tones in the end. It went from Smokin Aces to Narc in the last 10 minutes. The music became sad and mopey. You had some big twist, (just like Narc) and had a bunch of flashbacks to explain everything (Narc). The movie also treats Ryan Reynalds like the Jason Patric character by solely focuses on him in the end, rather than giving a proper resolution to all the great characters you created. You seemed to be scrambling to find meaning in your film. But what was it? Is it that the FBI sacrifices its own people for their own benefit? I mean, the movie isnt about the FBI its about Aces and the hitmen. (also is it just me or did Andy Garcia totally slur all of his words in the final scene) It seemed like your movie had an identity crisis in the end and switched tones at the last second. I would have been perfectly satisfied with the balls out crazy action comedy that had no real message.

This is a lot of criticism but its not to say I didnt like your movie. Again the first two thirds was incredibly good. Every scene with Jeremy Piven was magic. You created some of the coolest movie characters ever (Tremor Brothers, Aces, Rip Reed, Ivy, Georgia and Sharice). The scene where Martin Henderson confronts the Tremor brother at the end was hilarious despite being pointless. The action was great depsite there being only a little of it. The film had an AMAZING visual style and directing-wise your film was flawless.

There was a lot to love in your film. I just wished you hadnt compmised your film's style at the end in favor of some big exposition-heavy, self-serious ending.

I think you're one of the most promising and talented directors out there and I wish you the best.

Give me your thoughts and response by sending me a message. My email is: burtonj12@yahoo.com. I am a young, aspiring filmmaker and you're one of my favorite directors. it would be a huge thrill to hear from you.

Jon
burtonj12@yahoo.com

Joe,

Don't worry about what anyone has to say, not the public and especially not the critics. Just be satisfied with the work that you're doing. That's the first and foremost person you need to please as an artist. Of course, that's easier said than done since most artists are never satisfied. But as long as you keep striving for it, then your work will always be honest and that's better than 98% of the crap out there.
We'll be there whenver you have a new work out, so take your time. And even if you're not filming something, then please keep writing. There's too many "screenplay wiriters" in the biz and not enough "writers" IMHO. That's what separates you (and your brother) from the rest of the 'flatliners' out there.

I dont know about any one else..becausei guess no one straight up has said it...smokin aces fuckin rocked.

Saw the film last night and got what I wanted, a satisfying diversion from my life and a wild, explosive excursion into your head. My girlfriend, who tends to like films such as the Sound of Music, was dragged along and to my delight, she loved it. A film that transcends tastes, genders, and genres.

The Dupree and Tremor confrontation hysterical and disturbingly sad for some reason. As far as assassins go, Lazlo Soot has my heart. Tommy Flanagan, great casting and another wonderful underused actor. The elevator sequence with Liotta, the muzzle flash imagery and "intimacy" of the scene are in a constant state of replay in my mind. Fucking brilliant. I could go on and on but I'll allow everyone else to chime in with their opinion on the film.

Thank you for the 2 hour escape out of a life that lately has been riddled with sadness and loss. I have said enough, thank you and continued success.

One more question, are you going to keep this blog going?

In response to Muzzleflash's "review" up above, do you realize the amount of work that goes into making a film? People like you make my stomach churn. Opinions I understand everyone has one but you come onto this blog, pretty much slam what added dimension to certain characters, and then ask for advice? Jesus Christ! Go make a flick, pour your heart and life into something for about two years, have some wannabe filmmaker criticize it, and then ask for advice. Unbelievable! I work in the industry as a special effects technician and despise people such as yourselves who can't just enjoy things but look for every single fault. Take what you don't like about films you have seen and avoid those mistakes. I dunno.... Here's my advice to you. Instead of asking for advice or encouragement, just get out there and do it. Sorry for the negativity but I hate people who love you to your face while they fuck you in the ass.

Joe, great flick.

We loved this film! It sucks you in within the first ten minutes...and it actually has a plot. lol It had everything...Huge body count as well as lots of humor. I was thoroughly entertained. Martin Henderson was my fave character ("Hollis")...but then I'm biased cuz he's my celeb crush. lol

www.martinhenderson.org

Joe,
when your directing career is over( three years id say) you should move on to The White House as a spin doctor. if SMOKIN TURDS cost 21.5, Universal spent at least 15 to promote, easily. So in your sophomoric parlance of "kickes ass", you barely will nudge crack. Your per screen average is moderate at best, and will no doubt drop by 50% considering bad reviews and poor word of mouth. Universal "bought" you a weekend. Spin it any way you want to your ass licking crowd here. As i said earlier, before you deleted me, You are a phony renegade. Basically getting carpal tunnel syndrome from checking your reviews , altering blogs, and watching your box office gross. Artist will never be applied to you chubby, unless prefaced by BULLSHIT. You are all thats wrong with todays business. All talk, and loud bombast doesnt mean you have something striking to say. Just that you are LOUD. SMOKIN DISGRACES will be remembered as no more than EPIC MOVIE, and since now you are a "profitable" man, now, in your own words, will be considered less. Spew all you want here , rationalize, revise, etc. but , the critical community and real filmmakers-your initial sustainence-will never view you the same.

Rachelle,

At what point did I ask Joe for advice? I liked the film and was just adding some constructive criticism. My letter was written with the best intentions and did not want to slam Joe's flick. I am huge fan and I know from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE the hard work that goes into making a feature film. Part of the reason I wrote that letter was in response to Joe's attitude towards the bad reviews. He said that some people "get" the film and others dont. Again, I liked he film and I would just like to give him a review from a fan's perspective.

Jon

Kevin,

At what point did I ask Joe for advice? I liked the film and was just adding some constructive criticism. My letter was written with the best intentions and did not want to slam Joe's flick. I am huge fan and I know from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE the hard work that goes into making a feature film. Part of the reason I wrote that letter was in response to Joe's attitude towards the bad reviews. He said that some people "get" the film and others dont. Again, I liked he film and I would just like to give him a review from a fan's perspective.

Jon