Posted on 03/06/2006 4:33:28 PM PST by doug from upland
Hopkins lashes out at Hollywood
Veteran actor Sir Anthony Hopkins has attacked Hollywood for its "insanity", "self-importance" and "condescending" attitude to the movie-going public. "I'm also tired of the camera moving all over the place, with car chases so cut and edited you don't know what's happening," he told the Radio Times.
"Audiences aren't so mindless as movie-makers think," he continued.
But the 68-year-old, now a US citizen, said he had no plans to return to the stage, calling it "monotonous".
"I admire actors who can do it, and I'm sure they have a great life, but I can't stay in any one place for too long," he said.
----- "Be polite, treat the crew with respect and don't think you're different" -----
"I have better interests than sitting in [London restaurant] Le Caprice talking about the problems of being an actor."
The Welsh-born star, who was given a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes in January, also had some harsh words for some of his recent co-stars.
"I recently worked with two actors who wouldn't come out of their trailers for some reason. Can you figure that out? Or they complain because their trailers aren't big enough.
"It's a job, like any other, so don't make a big deal. Be polite, treat the crew with respect and don't think you're different."
The actor's latest film, The World's Fastest Indian, casts him as Burt Munro, a real-life New Zealander who broke the land-speed record for a 950cc bike in 1967.
The World's Fastest Indian casts him as a real-life Kiwi record breaker "He's different from any of my other characters," said Hopkins, who won an Oscar in 1992 for playing serial killer Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs.
"I've played these weirdos, I enjoyed them, but this was easier."
The film reunites him with director Roger Donaldson, with whom he had a stormy relationship while filming The Bounty in 1983.
"He was waiting for me to be awkward, but I've changed so much, put my impatience behind me," he said.
"I've worked with directors who are tyrannical and sadistic, but no longer. I'd rather do something else."
That "something else" includes painting. According to the Radio Times, Hopkins has an art exhibition in May in San Antonio, Texas.
Earlier this year more than 100 of his pen-and-ink landscapes were sold to benefit a local literacy programme.
The World's Fastest Indian opens in the UK on 10 March.
For too long people have regarded Hollywood performers as "stars". They're just entertainers. I've seen circus monkeys entertain people. Circus monkeys don't give you any lip either.
More about Hopkins' art and music:
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=FD55BF72-CEF8-4A92-8B62-2D3D0AF27C45
No single actor can do extreme characters better than Sir Hopkins. He played one of the most Christian characters in history, CS Lewis ... then he played Hannibal. And he played both so well. He can do anything in-between. He gives me the creeps! He's that good!
Hmmm...have to disagree. My vote goes to Sir Sean Connery.
That does not say you must adjure HONORS which Sir Anthony have been awarded. Wasn't Ronaldus Magnus made a Sir?
He's pretty much my favorite actor (I also like Robert Duvall). Both of them make acting seem like NOT acting, which is the highest compliment IMO.
A guy like George Clooney can't even compare to Hopkins.
How that idiot Clooney can be a star beats me. All he does is react to lines with that $hit eating grin of his.
Sweet.
Remains of the Day was one of the finest movies I ever saw.
Sometimes, it's kind of sad that Hannibal Lecter is a fictional character. So many free-range rude, so little time.
Girls, girls, girls, quit your fighting you can have them both!
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Hopkins is a class act in an increasingly classless business.
Sir Tony----a real radical shaking up the snorzinas of decaying putrid Hollywood.
"A guy like George Clooney can't even compare to Hopkins.
How that idiot Clooney can be a star beats me. All he does is react to lines with that $hit eating grin of his."
I agree . George Cluelesslooney IS an idiot !
"Good grief - I should be that busy at 78!"
You meant 68 .
I should be that busy NOW!!
There is a jewel of a movie called 84 Charing Cross Road with Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. It is one of my favorites. Has anyone else seen it?
He may be a good actor, but he was seen in public with Bill Clinton.
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