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REACTIONS TO 'SMOKIN' 02/22/2007 at 09:41 PM

Guys:

I feel like we've been through this course a number of times, but let me
just overstate the obvious once more. The following isn't meant to function
as anything more than clarification:

1. The movie was designed to polarize. You don't place broad, dark comedy
against heavy drama unless you want to illicit a certain kind of response and
that response can very well be 'What the fu*k were you thinking!?' For me
it was a very deliberate artistic attempt...and one that will work for
some and fail for others. There's an old saying: 'No Hill For a Climber' if
you sit back and wonder what people will think if you take a shot at
something, then you're beat before the opening bell. What's the fu*king point,
if you don't try to extend yourself and your craft. I've been fortunate enough to
get into a position where this is possible.

2. This flick was never going to be NARC. nor was it intended to be. Again,
what's the point of filmmaking if not to stretch and try to define yourself
and your craft, differently, each time out. That's what I want to do. The guys
I admire, like Ang Lee and Steven Soderbergh, mix it up every time they go
out. Sometimes they hit it out of the park, other times they foul it into the
stands. It's their willingness to attempt different things and different genres
that makes them great.

3. 'Smokin' Aces' is exactly the movie I wanted to make. A clash of tones and
styles and variations. A mixing of all kinds of influences and filmic archetypes
to create something new or at the very least, seldom seen. The end of the
movie isn't meant to be a twist and was never intended as such. It's not
important who the hell the old man is, it's what the FBI did to their OWN
PEOPLE that matters in the end. I could give a sh*t about a twist
ending. If you don't have a clue as to who Sparazza is, before the finale, then
I blew it, because my intention was to let you in on it, early on.

That's all I wanted to say. I hope those of you that have dug the film have
really dug it and those of you that have hated it, have done so with all of your
heart. In the end, you can't ask for any more than that.

JC
Comments
  Posted by: TS 02/22/2007 at 11:04 PM

I belive Smokin' Aces was really what I needed to see. Seriously, going to the cinema these days is like placing a bet. You always want to break even with that $8.50 bet! And, being a poor art student like I am... $8.50 is a bet I don't like to take often. This movie was a great bet, and I might even try it again. I haven't had fun like that at the cinema in a few years...Thanks.

TS
  Posted by: JJ 02/23/2007 at 01:33 AM

Hey JC,
I loved the movie was really great. For sure going to buy it when it comes home. I have a quick question, since i loved this movie i've been searching for the sunglasses buddy wears in the scene where he was in the room freaking out tells the hookers to leave. Can't find them or even who makes them. Can you send some insight? I would love to get a pair of these and look like Aces =]
  Posted by: muzzleflash 02/23/2007 at 03:23 AM

Totally in agreement with you Joe. As an admirer of Lee and Soderbergh, I think you have every right to explore your creativity as you see fit. Afterall, if you kept doing the same thing, you'd be labeled a one trick pony. You can't please the masses, but as an artist, you have to please yourself first. If it doesn't jive with the majority of the population, that's fine, so long as you've been satisfied in your expression. Keep it up, man! As Bruce Willis' character in Pulp Fiction said, "That's how you're gonna beat 'em Butch. They keep underestimatin' ya."
  Posted by: Sahtni 02/23/2007 at 06:45 AM

I think the reason why some people said that Smokin' Aces was a "horrible" film is because Smokin' Aces is different and thats what i Loved about it. I think the a Director should explore his creativity adn thanks for doing it joe.

-shanti-
  Posted by: WearetheMovies.com 02/23/2007 at 07:51 AM

JC, what a clever little film this turned out to be! A lot of people (critics and audiences) have called it Tarantino-esque, but that’s an unfair label. It's so obvious that this movie is *yours* -- the themes of loyalty and friendship and love from “Narc” show up here again; sincerely, I fell you've created a dazzling, expressionistic film featuring ugly-beautiful imagery. Interestingly, the "plot conceit" will be very familar to those who’ve seen the Carnahan BMW short "Ticker." Folks, this is noir through the filters of modern culture. I'm sure "Smokin' Aces" will get its due in time. Long live DVD.

  Posted by: Michael Cariglio aka Mike Modest 02/23/2007 at 07:52 AM

Joe,

I found your film Smokin Aces to be harsh, brash, and at times dizgusting! I prefer tame cinema. Lets pull the reigns in a little, shall we? Now, films like "Crumpets with Caroline", "The English Chimney Sweep", or the delightful "Tea in the Garden with Ms. Pumpernickel" are the films I really enjoy. These are films you can watch a thousand times. Chariots of Fire ,another brilliant piece of cinematic art, made my heart leap from my bossum. The best part of the film was all those white men winning races, what an amazing piece of fiction! Joe go back to the formula so many have used to get the critical acclaim they deserve! Your next film should be something dry, excrutiatingly long(say three hours), and at the end of the film 2/3 rds of the audience should be asleep. Remeber, Tea in the Garden with Ms. Pumpernickel when Ms. Pumpernickel and Ms. Nesbitt sat down in the Garden and sipped warm darjeerling and discussed the young livery boy Malcom? Truly exciting! You dont need chain saws in a picture to frighten an audience remember when Ms. Pumpernickels niece tripped on on the threshold of the livery and Malcolm caught her before she fell? Horrifying! Please direct something dry for all of us critics.
  Posted by: WearetheMovies.com 02/23/2007 at 07:52 AM

JC, what a clever little film this turned out to be! A lot of people (critics and audiences) have called it Tarantino-esque, but that’s an unfair label. It's so obvious that this movie is *yours* -- the themes of loyalty and friendship and love from “Narc” show up here again; sincerely, I feel you've created a dazzling, expressionistic film featuring ugly-beautiful imagery. Interestingly, the "plot conceit" will be very familar to those who’ve seen the Carnahan BMW short "Ticker." Folks, this is noir through the filters of modern culture. I'm sure "Smokin' Aces" will get its due in time. Long live DVD.

  Posted by: Kevin 02/23/2007 at 08:01 AM

People are always afraid of the unknown. Those familiar with Joe's films realize that every film is different from the one that preceded it. Why does that confuse people?

Filmmakers can get stuck in the rut of churning out the same product repeatedly, they are forced to become McFilmmakers. Could you imagine Ethan and Joel Coen revisting the same concept, albeit tweaked, for every film they ever release? What about Alfonso Cuaron, Spielberg, Danny Boyle, Neil Jordan, Ridley Scott, and so on?

Films would become even more tedious than they occasionally are tempted to become when originality is forced to take a back seat to a familiar and SAFE formula the filmmaker has utilized before. Personally, the filmmakers that take a chance with their projects, they will always garner my money and most importantly, my respect.

Joe, keep on mixing it up. Those of us that appreciate it, truly do.

Kevin

ps Those of you who don't get it and endlessly criticize, you aren't worth the wasted skin stretched over the stack of worthless bones you affectionately, and unfortunately, dub a body.
  Posted by: Alec 02/23/2007 at 08:14 AM

Joe,
You made some really good points. I really dug Smokin' Aces, because it accomplished what it set out to. It was a really exciting day at the theater for me.

Its funny you mention Steven Soderbergh, because I watched Oceans 12 over the weekend. The whole time I was watching it, I thought about your style of film-making. You are without a doubt my favorite Writer/Director.

Narc was on AMC the other day, and every other word was cut out, due to the cursing. I can't imagine how Smokin' Aces will get tamed for t.v.

Keep on delivering quilty projects that Entertains us and makes us think.

Sincerely,
Alec
  Posted by: Rachelle 02/23/2007 at 09:35 AM

Well I dug it...twice. Thanks Joe! :)
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