Movies That Saved Careers

[@ajtaylor8750]

What's crazy about John Wick is how it both saved Keanu Reeves's career, but also redefined his superstar status in Hollywood. There are those who grew up knowing him as Neo from The Matrix franchise, but now there's an entire generation of film lovers who will know him as Baba Yaga.

[@Syntopikon]

That's a great point. The guy's led two of the most successful action franchises ever and helped show that not only can Hollywood create a new franchise successfully from scratch, but that action movies can have a deep, emotional center as well. It's pleasantly surprising how well reviewed all of the John Wick movies have been, both with critics and audiences.

[@rare.phukin.spotted.halibut]

There's entire generations that knew him as Ted Theodore Logan, and Speed before The Matrix. The Matrix was his first comeback.

[@courtneyvaldez7903]

Uh, people knew Keanu well before The Matrix yo.

[@Sndwvvvve]

He will forever be Ted Theodore Logan to me.

[@gamerlucky]

it made us remember how good he was ... i think for generation stars need sometime a good or hit movie to redefine how and why they are so good .

[@CocoonMasterBrendan]

It's crazy how many careers Tarantino has either revived or launched over the years... John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Pam Grier, David Carradine... it seems like just about every movie he makes ends up saving someone's acting career -- or at the very least, giving them the huge boost they needed

[@Syntopikon]

The guy's an insanely talented director. But since he got started as an actor + has seen an insane amount of movies, he seems to have an instinct for what actor would fit which given role. I think Tarantino movies are the ones I've heard the fewest (if any) gripings about with regards to possibly bad casting. It's pretty much always perfect.

[@kaaronhudson8112]

Don Johnson as well

[@mabusestestament]

What’s interesting is that he first wanted Warren Beatty for the roll as Bill and wrote that role for Kill Bill with him in mind. Warren Beatty’s Bill was more supposed to be a James Bond type Bill. When Beatty turned it down, he not only recast the role with David Carradine but rewrote the role to fit him being a ‘Kung Fu’ type character.

[@dlxmarks]

There was the exquisite timing of when _The Simpsons_ episode 'Itchy & Scratchy Land' aired. At a 70s themed restaurant Marge says "The waiter looks like John Travolta!" and the waiter says in a Travolta voice "Yeah, looks like." That episode was first broadcast October 2, 1994 and Pulp Fiction premiered in the US on October 14, 1994.

[@kramalerav]

You lost me at Spielberg's inclusion. 1941 (for the most part) flopped, yes, but his career was not-by any stretch-dying after its failure.

[@rossrivero7516]

Steven Soderbergh is actually the second person to be nominated twice for best director. The first was Michael Curtiz when he was nominated for both Angels with Dirty Faces and Four Daughters in 1939

[@steve.santiago]

Great video as always! He’s another good one: Iron Man definitely saved RDJ’s career.

[@Syntopikon]

Thanks! I think with RDJ, we can go a bit earlier to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but Iron Man was definitely the turning point with regards to sending him to the A List. It's wild how long he's been on top now, especially for a guy who's career was all but over (though in his case, it wasn't movies but personal troubles).

[@seanrowe6973]

I rediscovered Fraser on ‘The Doom Patrol’ playing Robot Man. ❤❤❤

[@taylora5224]

Michael Keaton was amazing in Porrco Rosso. “I’d rather be a pig than a fascist”

[@bennywark3103]

Yeah. I love it

[@keibetsu2527]

FANTASTIC KZbinR, LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!

[@Syntopikon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@justinshort3623]

Best news ever is seeing a new video from you

[@artirony410]

idk if I'd say its fair to call Spielberg's career "dying" after 1941. Like yeah it wasn't loved by critics but it still made money and like you mentioned, he still could bank on his reputation of massive success with Jaws and Close Encounters. It was a setback for sure but saying his career was "dying" after it seems hyperbolic

[@Syntopikon]

That's a fair criticism. I was thinking of what Spielberg felt at that time. It was the second time that he felt that "This was it" (the first was Jaws). He had a real problem with going over-budget and over-time and while the movies made money, that was more of a retrospective thing, not necessarily something they could've been sure of at the time. And as 1941 made a lot less than the other two, I think he really thought that without Indiana Jones - a way to really prove himself - thing's could've turned out differently. Most studios turned him and Lucas down until Paramount finally said yes.

[@drmusic3641]

Exactly. One bad film does not automatically define a dying career. Looking at his filmography for every misstep he's followed it with two or three blockbusters.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

​@@Syntopikon At that time there was a booking practice known as 'product splitting' where the biggest theater exhibitors chains' booking departments got together with the major Hollywood distributors, and upcoming releases were bid on, as to who got first shot at major releases. The bids could be advances against future boxoffice, in which case if it didn't do that well the booking fee was adjusted accordingly, or it could be a GUARANTEED advance, which is putting the full amount up front. Unfortunately, Mann Theaters bid an Advance Guarantee on "1941" of something like $250,000.00. That meant if it tanked at the BO, Mann would still have to eat the 1/4 mil. Which they did, a bit. So they sued over it, and it was a big mess. In my opinion, THAT''S why 1941 isn't acknowledged as one of Spielberg's very BEST pictures, which it verily is. Hollywood, in the end, doesn't like great pictures, if they don't make great profits.

[@heymistercarter.]

Just this year, I'd argue that Demi Moore's career was saved by The Substance. She's gotten raves for that movie (deservedly so), and kinda like Brendan Fraser in The Whale, redefined what she's capable of as an actress.

[@broghad8241]

True

[@bunchoflemons]

Yeah, I don't think it's intentional but all the examples in the video are men. Demi's a great example of a woman in the industry having a huge (and deserved) comeback moment.

[@jordan_roadhouse4798]

​@@bunchoflemons Weird thing to do on a video like this. To think about their genitals! 😬

[@donnadeckelman9803]

She was amazing, and she should win the Oscar for that part!

[@flickeringgreenflame8493]

Great content -- thanks for posting. :) Suggest cutting at 200Hz and boosting at 5 kHz, for more clarity in your voiceovers. But leave the interview clips as they are. :)

[@andrewjames2932]

Wise words at the end there friend.

[@austinnarruzzolo2737]

Let’s gooooo!

[@michellelies]

So glad Brendan Fraser is back on top where he belongs.

[@Syntopikon]

Yup. That was probably the most gratifying return, along with Ke Huy Quan.

[@mytv89626]

On top? Since he "won" the Oscar, he's had 2 bit parts that were filmed 2 years ago, before The Whale. He still can't get work because producers, directors, and the money men at the studios know what he's really like and what caused his downfall. Why would anyone want to bother with a bipolar, alcoholic cokehead who can't keep his hands off the minors, ESPECIALLY when his movies don't make money?

[@B-A-L]

Brendan Fraser? The two words that instantly stop me from watching a movie... apart from Owen Wilson!

[@mytv89626]

@@B-A-L Don't be surprised when your comment disappears. I got a reply notification and big surprise, my comment is gone. Not the first time by far. Apparently speaking against Brendan is still taboo. His supporters will all disappear when he's finally caught and wearing orange.

[@SepRoyle]

Keanu Reeves is the best 👌 😊😅😂❤

[@CarlinConnolly]

Spielberg feels like a stretch... we're talking less than a year and zero movies between 1941 and Indiana Jones - it's literally his next movie!

[@kaaronhudson8112]

Michael Keaton has been doing great movies for a while

[@bennywark3103]

Even if The Flash was bad seeing him returning as Batman was the best part of it.

[@kaaronhudson8112]

@@bennywark3103 The only part of it,but ofc the writers fucked it up

[@FrancisXLord]

Alright man, I'd call that a response to the last comment I left on a video of yours (although it may just be sheer co-incidence). It seems like you did a bit of research there into Spielberg and I'd say you represented his career fairly. On top of that, when making the sweeping statement about his success, you even included a screenshot of total box office earnings. Bravo!

[@Artfan123]

Oh my, you just reminded me that Something’s Gotta Give exists. Truly an all time stinker

[@Artfan123]

Wait, I just remember Jack Nicholson shows his bare ass in that movie. LOL

[@PeskyMess]

This video is a CRITICAL and COMMERCIAL success.

[@clanedogg1]

Interestingly with Keanu in the matrix he was quite far down the list in terms of first choice for the role. Many actors didn’t really get the film and turned it down, before Keanu was offered the role. You missed off Liam Neeson whose entire career seem to have him yo-yo all over the place. Very slow rise to schindlers list then huge star in the 90s, slow decline, then Taken lands and he’s everywhere, then slow decline. Despite his controversy a few years ago I feel there is one more rise left in him before he’s done.

[@Syntopikon]

Yeah, I think Keanu got the role because Will Smith also said no. This is like how Sean Connery could've been Gandalf but he said no, so it went to McKellen lol Liam Neeson is a good one I'm going to have to remember for the future. He's in one my favorite movies of all time, The Grey. Highly recommend it if you've not seen it.

[@mechajay3358]

What happened to Fraser was just unfair.

[@gooddog2001]

Spielberg's real comeback was actually ET.

[@Syntopikon]

Both were pretty successful, but I think there’s a good argument to be made for either.

[@richarddiaz1241]

Man of Tai Chi was awesome!!!!

[@Syntopikon]

It's kind of insane how talented Reeves is. Actor, director, even a narrator on Side by Side).

[@gooddog2001]

The studio didn't want Steven to direct ET, because of his record for going over budget. The screenwriter stood her ground and insisted that Spielberg direct the movie. Raiders was just a first step towards his comeback. ET was at the time the biggest hit of his career at the time. After that film he was a hot property again.

[@Syntopikon]

I'm not sure this is the case. ET was developed by Spielberg at Columbia before it went to Universal because Columbia didn't think it had commercial potential.

[@tratamientocuenta]

good

[@seanrowe6973]

Pretty cool!

[@davidsavage5630]

I was expecting to see Deadpool & Wolverine here. Not going to spoil it even though I'm sure everyone in the world has seen it by now..

[@Moviemakers05]

Even tho the flash was a failure Keaton still kicked ass and was the best thing in the film

[@aVerveQuest]

Michael Keaton has had one of the most unique career arts in any actor I can recall

[@Syntopikon]

Yup. I think his is the kind of career that Mark Hamill would've liked to have (though Hamill certainly made it work). Typecasting can be brutal for actors.

[@ruprecht8520]

Michael Keaton fell for the comedic actor trap. Dramatic actors get tons of respect, comedic actors get none and that is backwards because few can handle the comedic acting, I'm not even sure it can be trained. So Comedic actors pine away to get respect and be taken serious and they stop doing comedy (at least for awhile) and the world is worse for it. Jim Carrey (Eternal Sunshine), Robin Williams (one hour photo, Final Cut, Insomnia) and Bill Murray (Razors Edge) all went through the same career arc. Sad.

[@marcopolli1463]

Can someone tell me from which movie is the very first shot of this video from?

[@Syntopikon]

It's from John Wick 4. There's a longer clip here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5Dcf4iqgs-Eq68

[@marcopolli1463]

@@Syntopikon Thanks!!

[@FJaramillo]

Interesting video but the sound is not good.

[@captainmacmellon8909]

Another great example would be colin farrell and the lobster

[@welcometothemovies9157]

Keaton was the only good thing about The Flash

[@foxesofautumn]

Constantine is a great movie if you don’t care about the character from the comics. If you do there’s not much for you there but frustration. If that character appeals to you he’s not there and the fact they’re making another with Reeves only says he won’t be any time soon.

[@branagain]

Birdman was okay, but Boyhood was better. However, Keaton should have won.

[@eastonwarner5399]

Boyhood sucked

[@theniceperson22]

Eddie's Murphy has gone through a revival lately, but only streaming movies tho, 5 streaming movies in the past 5 years. 2012 was his last year for a wide release movie then he had a limited release movie in 2016 and eventually being in a 2019 streaming movie. He has another streaming movie that probably will come out end of next year, but him being in shrek 5 might revive his theatrical career. A24 definitely saved Fraser and Quan career, which of course it was the directors, but thank god for that, indie movies are on the rise and hollywood is slowly falling into their demise. Also, i see that for rest of the decade rdj will stuggle movies that he has a lead in that isn't a marvel movie. He is talented, but he isn't worth a lou outside of marvel, he'll probably have more success in streaming movies if he ever does them.

[@rondoughhowell6442]

Well Ironman saved RDJ career

[@Syntopikon]

I think it was Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but Iron Man certainly sent him into the stratosphere.

[@jayess8714]

Yeah but no one wants to hear about anything Marvel related anymore

[@RussSharpe]

I LOVED 1941, it’s one of the funniest movie’s ever!

[@FosterWolf]

Maybe not funniest ever, but it showed early promise for screenwriters/producers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.

[@richarddiaz1241]

Word up to Clean and Sober.

[@AbeStephan]

Damn good movie .

[@richarddiaz1241]

@@AbeStephan the ending is tremendously moving. I am tempted to go into rehab based on the last 20 minutes of this film. Kathy Baker should have got at least gotten nominated for best supporting actress.

[@AbeStephan]

@@richarddiaz1241 It was like real life . Michael's character kept trying to stay straight till the end and he kept going . It's one of my favorites . My favorite movies are bombs or close to .

[@richarddiaz1241]

@@AbeStephan Yeah. I am drawn to films that closely mirror real life. And yeah they aren’t Avengers Endgame but hit me with something like Bright Lights Big City with Michael J Fox. Another great, but surreptitiously anti drug/alcohol films.

[@NightAtTheOpera3]

I will be mad for the rest of my god. damn. life. about Michael Keaton losing the Oscar to Eddie Redmayne.

[@windsaw151]

I will never understand why 1941 was and is still so poorly received. Back in the day I really enjoyed the movie and my brother in law, who saw it in the cinema, said the audence had constant fits of laughter.

[@rezaqalam482]

How bout longlegs that seems bring back nick cage career

[@Syntopikon]

I think it even goes a bit earlier than that, to Mandy in 2018 and Pig in 2021. But yeah, he definitely fits.

[@bunchoflemons]

Nic Cage has been on the return way before Longlegs. Mandy, Pig, Renfield, Dream Scenario, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Into the Spider-Verse, Color Out of Space... all have had critical and/or commercial success.

[@zacharymccann6632]

Nothing about RDJ and Iron Man?

[@AbeStephan]

We've all heard 💩 about that over and over and over and over....

[@mrng245]

I hope your next video is: Todd Phillips will never direct a studio film ever again

[@Stonecutter334]

That thumbnail is laughable

[@latenightlogic]

Getting very tired of this notion that Constantine was a good movie. Soon we’ll be defending all terrible movies from the past.

[@NguyenPham-bl6qm]

Constantine is way ahead of its time. Also PG13 didnt help.

[@Syntopikon]

Yup. The show was solid, though. The only disappointing thing about the movie is that Matt Ryan won't be in it.

[@foxesofautumn]

Also it didn’t appeal to fans of the comic because they just made an American OC and gave him the same name. It’s just got almost nothing to do with the comics. Had they called it something else it would have probably been received better and not just a lot of disappointment and irritation from people who like the character of John Constantine.

[@NguyenPham-bl6qm]

@@foxesofautumn Yeah very odd choice. Still its good enough for me at least.

[@revmiguel2000]

Please get an intelligible narrator!

[@JS-vf8qt]

Grammar and fiction is poor.