Jack Nicholson Retires

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by TheBigGuy

Yes, they want movies to be profitable. Studio execs have always wanted movies to be profitable. But at least during Nicholson's time studios were putting out movies that were trying to be creative. It wasn't all remakes and franchises and sequels and superheroes.

You're 29. You can't remember the '70s. I'll be the first to agree that the 1970s were the golden age of American cinema. Some of the finest American movies ever made were made in the '70s. But you have to remember that for every great movie that came out, 20 bad movies came out. It was no different then than now in that regard.

The big difference between now and then was that back in the '70s, people still went to the movies. When I was a kid, EVERY weekend the theater was packed. And not just for STAR WARS and Grease and JAWS. It was packed no matter what was showing, because at home, you were lucky to have 3 channels and no one had even heard of a VCR. That's not true anymore, and that's why all Hollywood is pumping out are potential blockbusters.

Originally Posted by TheBigGuy

Ironically, during Jack's time, in the 60s and 70s, the number of remakes and sequels was put out by major studios was extremely low.

Not true at all. Sequels have always been a staple of Hollywood, and the '70s were filled with them. How many horrid Billy Jack remakes were there? Godfather II (probably the greatest sequel of all time). All the Planet of the Apes flicks. JAWS 2. Superman 2. How many Shaft movies were there? Deathwish? Even Every Which Way But Loose got a sequel.

Originally Posted by TheBigGuy

They've now gone to TV? So I guess they're putting their stuff to good use on all those reality shows that dominate television?

You're watching the wrong channels. Turn off the big 4 networks. It's 95% garbage. Great storytelling on film is on AMC, FX, A&E, HBO, Showtime, the BBC. Even Spielberg (who got this discussion going) admitted that LINCOLN was almost an HBO movie.

[travric]

hmmm...TV......

In its heyday it was a great. Yes, time is passing it by. Technology has overrun it. There are too too many outlets where people look for their entertainment. TV is just one VERY small corner. Not the way it was at one time especially when technically there were only 3 networks. Diifferent 'video game' now. Of course, tv woujld be great if if only they woujld put more money into it. Unfortunately, that scenario is long gone. Viewers have gone missing. They're on to something else.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by Newdaawn

It was reportedly just a "rumor" that he is retiring according to one of Jack's spokespersons and reported tonight by Brian Williams on the National News.

I wouldn't make book on Nicholson's retirement. He's an actor to the bone, and there are always good roles for aging men.
Given the right role, a lot of old actors will take it as a last effort in a good career. James Cagney did it in Ragtime.