Directors who totally missed the mark

Gerald James73 said:Look, I’ve been a massive Spider-Man fan since I was a kid. I grew up reading the comics and watching the old cartoons on VHS back in the day. I've always been a huge comic book guy—mostly into stuff like *Alan Ford* types, you know?

Since I knew the world surrounding this character so incredibly well, I was really hoping the movie would capture that specific "vibe" just once.
As far as the directing goes, I don't have much to complain about, but the pairing of Maguire and Dunst just turned me off instantly. Honestly, before the movie even hit theaters, I already knew I wasn't feeling it. It’s not a bad movie, per se, but it isn't the Spider-Man I was expecting.

Take the X-Men trilogy, for example. They changed quite a bit from the source material—like Wolverine’s suit, which sticks out like a sore thumb—but it actually worked well for the screen. That yellow, blue, and black shredded look probably would have looked pretty ridiculous in live action. Plus, the casting is better, in my opinion.

Bottom line: if I’m in the mood for a comic book adaptation, I’d much rather watch X-Men than Spider-Man.

Personally, I will always opt for a Batman adaptation over any other superhero franchise.😍

Jerry Martin19 said:Look, do whatever you want with it, but for me... The Warriors... Pretty miserable movie. Or so they claim... garbage... It’s one of those classics that people swear by when they're younger, but honestly, I never got the hype. The script and directing are just lazy and uninspired, and don't even get me started on the acting—though that's not really why the movie stuck with me in such a bad way. Even if you look past all the technical failures, the whole thing was just incredibly dull. I didn't even know how to stay engaged. The action sequences were poorly executed, too. Maybe that's just how it's supposed to be... garbage... The aesthetics are fine, I guess, but there’s just zero tension in the action scenes for me. Makes the whole thing pretty dull. The only real upside is that vintage vibe they managed to capture, and the plot actually holds some weight, but beyond that... it's definitely a one-and-done kind of movie...

Being a Kubrick fan doesn't mean you're always right when you start talking about him... not that I'm claiming to be, I'm just saying... I don't know... just my two cents.). A Clockwork Orange. Honestly, this was easily the worst Kubrick flick I've sat through... and that’s saying something since I've already checked out these five: The Killing, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining... I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. You only typed "i"... Eyes Wide Shut... I’ve seen enough movies to feel like I know a thing or two about Kubrick... The Killing... i Eyes Wide Shut... Hands down, they're the best on this list...
I'm one of those viewers where the vibe is everything... Eyes Wide Shut... I'm feeling the exact same way. Also, I live for that Polanski-style mystery vibe—and this movie has it in spades. The visuals are killer, especially with those creepy undertones... Kubrick is just built different... vizual-sound It’s the director's job, so that's what you expect from him. Dark streets, endless wandering, searching for answers to questions that weren't even asked... those eerie sounds and that mysterious vibe—that's exactly why this is my favorite Kubrick flick. It gives me way more than that pretentious psychological deep-diving that ultimately leaves you with zero answers. Sorry, but I didn't really get much out of that one. What kept me watching was... A Clockwork Orange. Pure madness... It was all just vibes—visuals, sound design, the story itself—if you don't go digging for some deep meaning. The rest was just pure pretension and Kubrick's typical self-important philosophizing. Gave me nothing but a headache...

You're just not a Kubrick fan, that's all.......
There are plenty of other films with an atmosphere similar to Eyes Wide Shut... Not to mention, if you haven't seen Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket or Paths Of Glory, those are, in my view, his best works alongside Clockwork Orange.
And once again... As someone who considers themselves a huge Kubrick enthusiast, I am telling you, you simply cannot deny that Eyes Wide Shut is his worst film—his absolute decline. I first read that online and couldn't believe he was capable of making a bad movie, but once I actually watched it, I realized everything they said was true. And frankly, the man didn't get the benefit of a graceful pivot like Hitchcock did with Frenzy. I mention him because he and Kubrick are my two favorite directors... Sadly, neither of them are with us anymore.😢

BTW: If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out and grab this phenomenal Kubrick collection... It just hit the shelves here in the States.....😁

Jerry Martin19 said:Look, do whatever you want with it, but for me... The Warriors... Pretty miserable movie. Or so they claim... garbage... It’s one of those classics that people swear by when they're younger, but honestly, I never got the hype. The script and directing are just lazy and uninspired, and don't even get me started on the acting—though that's not really why the movie stuck with me in such a bad way. Even if you look past all the technical failures, the whole thing was just incredibly dull. I didn't even know how to stay engaged. The action sequences were poorly executed, too. Maybe that's just how it's supposed to be... garbage... The aesthetics are fine, I guess, but there’s just zero tension in the action scenes for me. Makes the whole thing pretty dull. The only real upside is that vintage vibe they managed to capture, and the plot actually holds some weight, but beyond that... it's definitely a one-and-done kind of movie...

Being a Kubrick fan doesn't mean you're always right when you start talking about him... not that I'm claiming to be, I'm just saying... I don't know... just my two cents.). A Clockwork Orange. Honestly, this was easily the worst Kubrick flick I've sat through... and that’s saying something since I've already checked out these five: The Killing, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining... I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. You only typed "i"... Eyes Wide Shut... I’ve seen enough movies to feel like I know a thing or two about Kubrick... The Killing... i Eyes Wide Shut... Hands down, they're the best on this list...
I'm one of those viewers where the vibe is everything... Eyes Wide Shut... I'm feeling the exact same way. Also, I live for that Polanski-style mystery vibe—and this movie has it in spades. The visuals are killer, especially with those creepy undertones... Kubrick is just built different... vizual-sound It’s the director's job, so that's what you expect from him. Dark streets, endless wandering, searching for answers to questions that weren't even asked... those eerie sounds and that mysterious vibe—that's exactly why this is my favorite Kubrick flick. It gives me way more than that pretentious psychological deep-diving that ultimately leaves you with zero answers. Sorry, but I didn't really get much out of that one. What kept me watching was... A Clockwork Orange. Pure madness... It was all just vibes—visuals, sound design, the story itself—if you don't go digging for some deep meaning. The rest was just pure pretension and Kubrick's typical self-important philosophizing. Gave me nothing but a headache...

The Warriors aren't exactly a cinematic masterpiece... Wait, what am I even saying? Of course they are. Naturally, some folks will love them and others won't. And naturally, I have them sitting right there in my collection at home. And naturally, I'll happily sit down and watch them again whenever the mood strikes, without a hint of boredom...👍

velvetcrane57 said:You're just not a Kubrick fan, that's all.......
There are plenty of other films with an atmosphere similar to Eyes Wide Shut... Not to mention, if you haven't seen Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket or Paths Of Glory, those are, in my view, his best works alongside Clockwork Orange.
And once again... As someone who considers themselves a huge Kubrick enthusiast, I am telling you, you simply cannot deny that Eyes Wide Shut is his worst film—his absolute decline. I first read that online and couldn't believe he was capable of making a bad movie, but once I actually watched it, I realized everything they said was true. And frankly, the man didn't get the benefit of a graceful pivot like Hitchcock did with Frenzy. I mention him because he and Kubrick are my two favorite directors... Sadly, neither of them are with us anymore.😢

BTW: If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out and grab this phenomenal Kubrick collection... It just hit the shelves here in the States.....😁

Clearly you're just not getting me. It’s obvious I’m not a Kubrick fan if his movies don't actually blow me away... because if they did, I'd definitely be one of those people. Out of everything I've watched, nothing hits quite that deep atmospherically like... Eyes Wide Shut... Personally, I think that's just what the Kubrick fanboys claim. It’s their opinion, not some universal truth...
And you already know... whenever someone starts raving about Kubrick, they're definitely trying to pull something with...Not even gonna bring up the fact that you haven't seen Kubrick... but honestly, *Full Metal Jacket*, *Paths of Glory*, and *A Clockwork Orange* are easily his best...I watched five movies and broke them all down—some more than others—but honestly, your take is just built on some seriously outdated logic...Check out these two more. They're the best ones to go with this...... so I guess that means I have to binge his entire filmography just to get him, or whatever... but honestly, kids these days aren't falling for those kinds of tropes anymore...
And it’s right there in the next statement...Look, as a massive Kubrick fan, I’m telling you...What you're doing is just limiting your own arguments—which aren't really arguments to begin with. Like I said, being a fan doesn't mean you're right. If that's how you see it... Eyes Wide Shut... Just because Kubrick fell from grace doesn't mean everyone else has to follow suit. If you're actually trying to be objective, maybe try separating your personal feelings from the facts... you might get taken more seriously. I'm not saying he... A Clockwork Orange. The movie isn't even that great; it’s just all people talk about. I say I experienced it that way, and if someone can't handle my take, honestly, that's their problem, not mine. It’s like if I kept trying to force you to see things my way... Eyes Wide Shut... Go watch Kubrick's best movies. Maybe then you'll finally get why everyone else is positioned the way they are... like me, for instance...

Warriors isn't exactly some cinematic masterpiece... Wait, what am I even saying? Of course they are... Some people will love them, others won't... Whatever. Obviously, I've got them in my collection at home... And yeah, I'll probably rewatch them anytime without getting bored...👍

Like I just said... one person's opinion isn't everyone else's. That’s common sense. I never said I didn't like the movie; I said that from my perspective, it's a bad film. I've got plenty of reasons to back that up, but whether you or anyone else agrees with me isn't really my problem...

velvetcrane57 said:You're just not a Kubrick fan, that's all.......
There are plenty of other films with an atmosphere similar to Eyes Wide Shut... Not to mention, if you haven't seen Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket or Paths Of Glory, those are, in my view, his best works alongside Clockwork Orange.
And once again... As someone who considers themselves a huge Kubrick enthusiast, I am telling you, you simply cannot deny that Eyes Wide Shut is his worst film—his absolute decline. I first read that online and couldn't believe he was capable of making a bad movie, but once I actually watched it, I realized everything they said was true. And frankly, the man didn't get the benefit of a graceful pivot like Hitchcock did with Frenzy. I mention him because he and Kubrick are my two favorite directors... Sadly, neither of them are with us anymore.😢

BTW: If anyone is interested, feel free to reach out and grab this phenomenal Kubrick collection... It just hit the shelves here in the States.....😁

🤔
Man, I've really been playing myself for years. Honestly, I might as well just spend my time reading every single review and comment section online for every movie I haven't seen yet—especially the ones I'm actually interested in. That way I can just pre-form an opinion, and watching them won't even matter anymore.
You're not wrong!

Oh, and one more thing: Warriors is actually a pretty terrible movie.

redowl90 said:Oh, and one more thing: Warriors is actually a pretty terrible movie.

Hmm. In my opinion, it’s overrated.

I’ve watched all the Kubrick films mentioned above, even though that genre isn't usually my thing. For someone who doesn't typically gravitate toward this style, I have to say they were impressive. I'll admit my memory of *The Warriors* is a bit fuzzy, but I remember the other titles quite clearly.

As previously noted, there is a specific atmosphere in Kubrick's work that few directors manage to capture. The plot and characters feel strangely detached, even when they are right in front of you. As a non-fan, I was struck by how much my book reveals about both the director and his cinematic style.

"Anyone that runs, is a VC. Anyone that stands still, is a well-disciplined VC!" — that one actually gave me a good laugh.

redowl90 said:🤔
Man, I've really been playing myself for years. Honestly, I might as well just spend my time reading every single review and comment section online for every movie I haven't seen yet—especially the ones I'm actually interested in. That way I can just pre-form an opinion, and watching them won't even matter anymore.
You're not wrong!

Oh, my apologies... Truly. It is entirely my fault for attempting to actually learn something about a movie before seeing it...
And heaven forbid I agree with the people who pointed out that the film was actually bad...
Because according to your logic, no matter how you slice it, if someone reads a review and subsequently likes or dislikes a film, they aren't allowed to express that view. Apparently, once a critique exists, we aren't permitted to have an opinion, lest we be accused of being mindless sheep following the herd—and God forbid we offend someone as intellectually superior as yourself by having a thought of our own. My mistake; we are all simpletons, and you are clearly the lone genius in the room.😂 😂

Alright, just one more quick thing to say to Jerry Martin19, then we can finally get back to discussing those directors everyone keeps pitching...

Look, you can look at it however you want... but as far as I'm concerned... The Warriors... Pretty miserable movie. Honestly... the action sequences were just poorly executed.

The choreography and editing in the fight scenes in *The Warriors*—specifically that showdown with the Baseball Furies and those Punks—is just flawless. It’s perfection, really. If you wanted to find anything even remotely comparable, you might look at the "one against many" sequence in *Oldboy*... though obviously, you can't compare the actual editing style, since that entire brawl is captured in a single, continuous shot...
If you think this is bad, then you’re probably just one of those people who lives for mindless explosions and car chases... in which case, go watch *The Rock* or *Fast & Furious*. Just leave *Warrior* alone...

Honestly, if you ask me, A Clockwork Orange is easily the weakest Kubrick flick I've ever sat through...

I’m right there with you on this one...
I honestly just can't wrap my head around how this exploitative garbage keeps getting shoved into those "greatest films of all time" lists... seriously...
Is this even a movie? Between the over-the-top acting—especially that washed-up intellectual and the Monty Python-esque caretaker—there were moments where I honestly felt like I was just watching some damn stage play...
And what about the dialogue? Even that... gone?
It’s like when that new son says something along the lines of, "Others suffered because of you. Now it's your turn to suffer..." Or when that big guy pipes up with, "Don't try to take it out on me. I'm definitely not putting up with that..."
I mean, seriously... who exactly is the target audience here? Idiots?
And why is it that freaks find it so much fun to quote those idiotic catchphrases?...
Applesauce? Milkshakes? Eggnog? Honestly, it could be a blast... if you're really into that whole Teletubbies vibe.
Extreme "ultra-violence" is really just beating up a shack and some old-school cowboy brawl, the kind of thing you could see in any classic John Ford western...
And what’s with that whole thing where people just hurl these incredibly basic philosophical conclusions right in your face? Like when some priest starts preaching, "Without choice and free will, a man isn't even a man anymore—just a deterministic organism."...
So, if the whole point was to actually get people thinking... they could have at least left us a few clues to draw our own conclusions...
And if the whole point was to trigger pure disgust... well, mission accomplished. They definitely pulled it off...
Licking boots and spitting in faces? I heard they had to film that second scene over and over again... If that creep had actually asked me for something like that, I would’ve kicked his ass halfway across town before he even finished the sentence... then maybe I'd consider spitting on him.
And then we get that "brilliant" ending? The guy just leaps off a skyscraper only for it to reset back to where we started... seriously?
Honestly, every single episode of "The Running Bird" manages to outdo the last one when it comes to the plot twists... they just keep getting smarter...

Look, honestly... besides a few bizarre costumes and some scenes that look decent once you throw an editor at them, what's actually worth mentioning about this absolute disaster? ...
If we’re really going to go ahead and label "that" one of the greatest films ever made, then honestly, we might as well throw *The Last House on the Left* and *I Spit on Your Grave* into the mix too... just for consistency's sake.

Jerry Martin19 said:Word on the street is M. Night Shyamalan totally tanked with Lady in the Water...
haven't checked it out yet

That’s because with Lady in the Water, Shyamalan tapped into the edge of human perception about a hundred years before we're ready, and through this flawless, stunning piece of cinema, he exposed just how much the masses don't know—and can't even recognize—what actual quality looks like or what standards should even exist. The Woman from the Water is pure cinematic art. The depth of symbolism, Shyamalan’s grasp on the world, the way he delivers his message... honestly, it left me reeling, and that was back when I caught it during its opening week at the local AMC. Even now, I’m still finding new layers of connection and symbolism in this epic, philosophical fairy tale. It’s a precise, pseudo-metaphysical breakdown of how society actually functions. Every single scene hits a massive amount of themes; it touches the essence of filmmaking itself and the audience too. He literally predicts within the movie how critics will react—questioning what they are, what a film is, and what actors even represent. On top of that, he crafts characters that strike this perfect balance between the divine and the human. This became my number one film since I started watching movies; it actually restored my broken faith in cinema as an art form. The lighting and framing? Brilliant. The character imagery is incredible—especially the lead woman, who feels almost transcendent. And James Newton Howard enriched the whole movement with one of the most beautiful, truly breathtaking soundtracks ever, proving once again why he’s a master. The composition is gorgeous; those melodies flowing from one minute to the next? You won't find anything like it anywhere else. The string ensemble doesn't get bogged down by overbearing, heavy tones; the piano moves warmly alongside flute vibrations and music box sounds, and most of the film avoids being cluttered by aggressive brass. The main theme is just magical. Howard took a simple melody and made the intro fantastic, reinforcing every essential scene and leaving a mark you just can't erase. As for the characters and the story itself, they belong in a league of their own. Sure, if you have a hyper-trained, pedantic eye, you might claim the acting isn't "up to par," but honestly, you should just ignore those kind of stuffy critics. You have to consider the sheer intensity of emotion surrounding Shyamalan’s characters—these creative, human, symbolic figures that basically cover the entire profile of our blue planet. Manayev’s Lady in the Water, in all its perfection, deserves to be at the peak of cinematic art. Personally, I just suffer seeing people be so arrogant in their utter incompetence.

@George Alvarez3 - really nice post. Truly. It’s just a shame that the movie you're talking about remains total garbage, regardless of how well you wrote this.

redowl90 said:@George Alvarez3 - really nice post. Truly. It’s just a shame that the movie you're talking about remains total garbage, regardless of how well you wrote this.

😢 Just another film where we can't seem to agree..

redowl90 said:@George Alvarez3 - really nice post. Truly. It’s just a shame that the movie you're talking about remains total garbage, regardless of how well you wrote this.

Ha. Based on what?

George Alvarez3 said:Ha. Based on what?

I hope you realize that your post from about two hours ago actually sent me back to rewatch the movie. My first time since seeing it in theaters.

And honestly, the second viewing was much easier to swallow. Probably because I went in fully prepared for the nonsense. Because that’s all this movie really is—one big, giant load of nonsense. I get why you loved it, though; there's definitely something there. But for me, the whole foundation of the story—these water creatures, the ships, the guilds, the guardians—it just feels totally ridiculous. It’s hard to buy into. It sits completely outside the realm of any believable fairy tale. Sure, it has some style, but *Signs* and *The Village* have style too, and they still don't hold a candle to *The Sixth Sense* or *Unbreakable*.

Don't get me wrong, Shyamalan is a great director. But I think he seriously needs to consider finding a new screenwriter, because it's pretty obvious his current direction isn't working anymore. Even so, I'm already hyped for his next one: *The Happening*. That’s the thing about M. Night—he’s brilliant at building anticipation. No matter how bad his last film was (and in my opinion, it was easily the worst of his career so far), people are still on the edge of their seats waiting for his next project.

There are really only two things worth saving in *Lady in the Water*: 1) the fact that Shyamalan himself plays the character who writes the book—the legendary novel that shapes an American child's entire future, and 2) the supporting role of the film critic, specifically that line from Jeffrey Wright: "Who are we to presume to know the intentions of others?"

redowl90 said:I hope you realize that your post from about two hours ago actually sent me back to rewatch the movie. My first time since seeing it in theaters.

And honestly, the second viewing was much easier to swallow. Probably because I went in fully prepared for the nonsense. Because that’s all this movie really is—one big, giant load of nonsense. I get why you loved it, though; there's definitely something there. But for me, the whole foundation of the story—these water creatures, the ships, the guilds, the guardians—it just feels totally ridiculous. It’s hard to buy into. It sits completely outside the realm of any believable fairy tale. Sure, it has some style, but *Signs* and *The Village* have style too, and they still don't hold a candle to *The Sixth Sense* or *Unbreakable*.

Don't get me wrong, Shyamalan is a great director. But I think he seriously needs to consider finding a new screenwriter, because it's pretty obvious his current direction isn't working anymore. Even so, I'm already hyped for his next one: *The Happening*. That’s the thing about M. Night—he’s brilliant at building anticipation. No matter how bad his last film was (and in my opinion, it was easily the worst of his career so far), people are still on the edge of their seats waiting for his next project.

There are really only two things worth saving in *Lady in the Water*: 1) the fact that Shyamalan himself plays the character who writes the book—the legendary novel that shapes an American child's entire future, and 2) the supporting role of the film critic, specifically that line from Jeffrey Wright: "Who are we to presume to know the intentions of others?"

Look, you can't just strip the magic out of a fairy tale and expect it to work. It’s stupid. It’s like watching a modern gritty reboot of Cinderella and being all like, "Ugh, where are the dwarves and the evil queen? Get real, I'm an adult." Give me a break. Shyamalan took this existing legend from the East and wove it into a contemporary setting in a way that actually works. He’s telling a story that, at its core—just like any fable or myth—explores the deeper facets of the human condition. But because he conceived this specific tale so well, he manages to cover a massive spectrum of themes. One reason he keeps these creatures in the movie instead of turning them into, I don't know, cars or something mundane, is to bridge the gap between our world and the transcendent. If you actually look at it that way—and you really should—the way these characters are drawn toward the magic, or even Giamatti’s total breakdown over her, serves a massive, vital purpose. It’s the whole point. Trying to dissect the "fairy tale" elements away from the actual story is just the wrong way to watch this film. And just to set the record straight since clearly a bunch of you missed the mark... the whole thing about her living in the pool? People are tripping. We don't know how she ended up in the pool, but when Giamatti says, "You live there," he isn't talking about her physical residence. He's expressing his belief that she belongs there. Period. Just clearing that up. *Lady in the Water* is his masterpiece. Honestly, I highly doubt he’ll ever top it. As for *The Happening*? I guess we'll see what else he's got in the tank.

Alright, found it... the thread, obviously 😁

What’s the consensus on Tom Tykwer? Personally, I thought he was solid to great with stuff like Heaven, The Princess and The Warrior, and Run Lola Run. But Perfume kind of fell flat for me. It seemed okay at first glance, but after digging into it a bit more—and reading a critique that felt way more substantial and layered, basically just better—it confirmed my doubts. It feels like he got lost trying to turn Perfume into some massive blockbuster for the masses. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like that charm he used to have (at least for me) has just watered down...

Not sure about his latest one with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, but hoping it beats the last one. If anyone’s seen it, let me know what you thought 🙂

Jerry Martin19 said:Alright, found it... the thread, obviously 😁

What’s the consensus on Tom Tykwer? Personally, I thought he was solid to great with stuff like Heaven, The Princess and The Warrior, and Run Lola Run. But Perfume kind of fell flat for me. It seemed okay at first glance, but after digging into it a bit more—and reading a critique that felt way more substantial and layered, basically just better—it confirmed my doubts. It feels like he got lost trying to turn Perfume into some massive blockbuster for the masses. Maybe it's just me, but it feels like that charm he used to have (at least for me) has just watered down...

Not sure about his latest one with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, but hoping it beats the last one. If anyone’s seen it, let me know what you thought 🙂

It’s basically a mashup of Bourne and Mr. & Mrs. Smith... pretty mid if you ask me. I haven't sat through it myself, but a buddy recommended it mostly because he can't get over how Clive Owen keeps acting like he’s still salty about missing out on the Bond role by making movies that feel like a cheap imitation of 007...

P.S. It’s kind of wild seeing guys like William Friedkin—you know, the guy behind *The French Connection* and *The Exorcist*—ending up directing episodes of *CSI*. And then there's John Badham, who went from directing *WarGames* and *Drop Zone* straight into TV series directing... honestly, it's a bit tragic...

briskhound2 said:It’s basically a mashup of Bourne and Mr. & Mrs. Smith... pretty mid if you ask me. I haven't sat through it myself, but a buddy recommended it mostly because he can't get over how Clive Owen keeps acting like he’s still salty about missing out on the Bond role by making movies that feel like a cheap imitation of 007...

P.S. It’s kind of wild seeing guys like William Friedkin—you know, the guy behind *The French Connection* and *The Exorcist*—ending up directing episodes of *CSI*. And then there's John Badham, who went from directing *WarGames* and *Drop Zone* straight into TV series directing... honestly, it's a bit tragic...

We shouldn't overlook television series, especially now. The investment is massive, and frankly, the quality can be quite impressive...

David Price5 said:We shouldn't overlook television series, especially now. The investment is massive, and frankly, the quality can be quite impressive...

Yeah, true, but the legends of cinema basically surrendered to the medium. I'm not hating on it—I mean, even Tarantino has played into this trend—but when I think about how *The Fugitive* is one of my all-time favorites, and then you see the director basically scraping by on mediocre TV shows nowadays... it just feels wrong. And Friedkin? I don't know... maybe he was doing Petersen a favor or maybe he just can't land a real gig anymore...