Do we still have movie stars? — Page 2

I don't think it's an accident that George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Bitt, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr, Will Smith, Nicole Kidman don't have Twitter accounts.

Robert Downey, Jr. posts pretty often on his Facebook page.

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The studios are not as powerful as they once were, there's no factory and yes, that is more of a good thing than a bad thing. But the studios are also weaker because big studios lean toward the effects-driven, easily accessible works. The medium-sized films that would have a lot of stars in them have been pushed to the side. Those studios may distribute them but they are not homegrown within their studio, and those medium films, even with recognizable faces, are in the indie circuit.

You also have the fact the 70s happened. It's not just to be just an actor but an actor-writer, writer-director, all three of those things, and self-finance your own work. There's glamor in that for a lot of actors. It makes them appear that they are more than to just be looked at by audiences reciting lines.

I also think there are times when the media/hype machine are too aware of placing glamor on the preconceived notion of glamor. This doesn't always tie to box office or general Q ratings being associated with great films. When I note George Clooney it is just the glamorous lifestyle he has and not really his film work and his box office history is quite spotty for a movie star, especially compared to his peers of Pitt and Damon. But he's been deemed the 'new Cary Grant' since forever. Clooney's successful, but he seems more Warren Beatty, in terms of being a creative force behind his films in addition to being the star, except he definitely plays the man of mystery. It's always either take it to the red carpet, do a film, or hang out with Italy with the latest girlfriend. He's kind of a genius at branding. Behind the scenes he seems to manage everything to make sure not too much of his private life leaks while also going to the right parties and hang out with the right people to make sure his films do well in the industry circles.

Also there is certainly a contingent of critics and movie lovers who consider the director to be the star. It has shaped a lot of the way people have looked at films since auteur theory was put into the film dialogue.

Movie stars are being pushed aside by 'reality celebritards' with no discernible talent.

Same with the news. about 10% of every news cast is real news while the rest of it is BS about Justin Bieber getting arrested or Kim Karashians ass that just won't stop growing.

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