ILLNESS

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11:04:2005 Entry: "Ann : Cap'n Jack"

Cap'n Jack

I watched "Pirates of the Caribbean" on tv last night. I was a bit hesitant, knowing that Johnny Depp channelled Keith Richards as his model for the part, fearing that the impression might be a bit off-putting to me (Keith Richards is the posterchild for how not to age as a rockstar in my book). However Stan and I had been intrigued by the promos we'd seen for it a few years ago when it came out, and Depp's character, despite the Richards connection, did look like a lot of fun, so naturally we had to see it at some time.

The movie itself, IMHO, was a bit cheesey, with some not-so-special Disney effects. I'm not sure what they left in or took out for tv, but I suspect there was minimal editing since reviews said there was no nudity or sex. No nudity or sex? I mean normally I wouldn't care one way or another if a movie had no nudity or sex, but if there was ever a movie that called for it, it was this one. Depp's character, Captain Jack Sparrow, was so damn sexy, it was just CRYING for a sex scene. Although the Keith Richards (not sexy) inspiration for the character was evident, I soon forgot all about that. During the movie, I was hoping that the incredible job that Depp was doing with this character would somehow be beamed out of this Disney production and into something maybe more for adults, something with a different director, something more earthy and real without silly ghost skeleton pirates.

My favorite movie with Johnny Depp is still Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man." It is a beautiful movie. But as far as simply characters go, Cap'n Jack has everything and everyone beat.

11 Comments

I saw Johnny Depp in a ho-hum Steven King movie "The Secret Window" or something like that, and he was all wrong for the role. They tried to make him frumpy with big glasses and a ratty bathrobe, but it was hopeless. They either needed to get an older, haggered looking actor or forget the glasses and bathrobe props and let Johnny look hip.

I didn't care for Pirates too much - it was too much "action" which I could barely follow. JD was the only good thing in the movie.

Personnally, I wouldn't walk across the street to see Keith Richards (or any of the Stones), but out of curiosity, what turns you off about him? (or at least his appearance)

Posted by greenthumb @ 11:04:2005:02:33 PM CST

I'm not familiar with the Steven King movie you mention, but it does sound odd that they'd try and "de-beautify" Johnny. I mean, why ruin perfection? ;-) Yes, he really was the best part of the Pirates movie. I really wanted his character out of there and in something else. Stan said he enjoyed the movie, though. Maybe he'll give his opinion later.

As far as Keith, he's just so haggered. He looks way much older than his years, although he still tries to look hip. Jagger too. Maybe I'm just prejudiced, but it seems that the musicians I also respect the most actually have aged the best too. Not a blanket statement, but just generally...the guys in Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno...they've all aged well, IMHO. The Rolling Stones have not.

Posted by Ann @ 11:04:2005:03:22 PM CST

Both Keith and Mick look like old whizzened whizzers. But Mick's still got another 25 year old fashion model knocked up ever few years. Revolting. And can you imagine how bad Keith smells - he hasn't had a smoke out in 45 years. Pew! Cigarettes only look good in photos.

About a year ago I was reading in Time mag a couple page article about U2s big new whoop-de-doo album being released. (Pretty positive article - Time and their record label must be affiliated.) There was a photo of the 4 members and they were all 43 and 44. A year ago I was 43 and I looked at the photo and I wondered if I looked that old. (I hope not!) Of course, that's rock star years, not normal years.

Posted by greenthumb @ 11:04:2005:03:55 PM CST

LOL! Rock star years...kinda like dog years? They're 7 years old, but in dog years, they're 49!

Stan and I have a pet name for it, "rockstar aging syndrome."

U2 is a good example of rockstar aging syndrome, which is similar to presidential aging syndrome in the toll it takes on your face. They were good back when they first started (Stan and I saw them at the Lincoln Center in '82, and then in '83 at Red Rocks, however we weren't as into them as much then) and then seemed to degenerate while their popularity rose. We noticed about the time we were 30 (the guys in U2 are only a few years older than us at the most) they were starting to look remarkedly older than their years.

But, when you think about it, it's not always just drugs that'll age you. A schedule of playing gig after gig, night after night, especially during the years you're starting out, has got to be really hard on a body. But in the case of Mick 'n Keith, yeah, it was the drugs and the cigs.

Posted by Ann @ 11:04:2005:04:12 PM CST

One big obstacle that celebrities have going against them - that the rest of us don't - is that the public is constantly reminded of what they looked like in their hay day. The rest of us don't have to contend with that. (Not that I personally ever had a hay day.)

Posted by greenthumb @ 11:04:2005:04:23 PM CST

The best ever Johnny Depp movie:

Dead Man

It's possible that William Blake is born into the world again (in this movie) and is using a gun for writing his poems instead of his pen.

In the movie William Blake is eventually returned to the world of spirits where he belongs.

Posted by Stan @ 11:04:2005:08:48 PM CST

Depp is great. He's mostly in "weird" movies, which I like. I would have sex with him any day ;)

Posted by Nico @ 11:05:2005:10:56 AM CST

...and I don't think he was wrong for The Secret Window.

Posted by Nico @ 11:05:2005:10:57 AM CST

Well, I'm eating a few words here, not whole words, maybe just some punctuation. My mom HAS the movie on VHS! I could've watched it when we were there, had I known (not that we really had a lotta time to hang around with the folks at night). She didn't say anything about him being too grungey or swarthy, and she agreed with me that he was the best thing in the movie and that he stole the show. When I told her I wanted to see a sex scene in the movie with him, she got a big kick out of that.

Does...this...mean...I am my parent's daughter? Scary.

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I'll have to see that movie, Secret Window, and see what I think about the casting. Now I'm intrigued by the differing opinions here.

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And if you can't tell, Stan and I are giving a BIG recommendation to Dead Man. See it if you haven't!!!!!

IMDB link

Posted by Ann @ 11:05:2005:01:01 PM CST

I loved secret window, and I think Depp made the movie. I guess you just have to "get" the movie to get Depp's character.

And, OMG, he was awesome as Cap'n Jack! I guess there are a bunch of women who flocked to the movie again and agin just to see him.

I agree with Nico. I'd do him too, husband be damned! LOL!

Haven't heard of Dead Man. I'll have to watch it someday.

Posted by Dawn @ 11:06:2005:12:19 PM CST

I've noticed the sentiment here that Depp makes the movie, whatever that movie is. One thing (sorry to keep bringing this movie up) about Dead Man is he didn't make the movie--NOT that he wasn't excellent in it, but that movie had so many excellent characters and actors, plus the cinematography (it's filmed in B&W) and the musical score were wonderful too. Just reading a review of it now and I see that Steve Buscemi had an uncredited role! I did not know that!

Posted by Ann @ 11:06:2005:01:42 PM CST

By Ann @ 08:33 AM CST:11:04:05 ..::Link::..

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