Nearly a year ago, I wrote an extensive Guide on what I thought would be the future writers and directors of Hollywood, and since that time, a lot of those people I mentioned have, indeed, become far better known to the average moviegoer. Two of the people I mentioned in that piece last October, I suggested were going to ultimately hit the big time because of a movie called, The Men Who Stare at Goats. Grant Heslov, a long-time collaborator with George Clooney (he scripted Good Night and Good Luck), was set to make his directorial debut on it, and the other guy, Peter Straughan, wrote the script. And it’s a great goddamn script about an Army Battalion that employs paranormal powers in their missions (assuming Goats performs well at the box-office, Straughan has two other scripts in development: The Inventor is a dark romantic comedy about what would happen if a fan could become the person he idealizes; and Our Brand Crisis, which has been optioned by Clooney, focuses on American political campaign strategies used in South America.
Anyway, Men Who Stare at Goats is now staring at a release date of November 6th. And the first trailer for the film was just released. It stars Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, and Jeff Bridges. Oh, and it looks fantastic.
It almost has a Burn After Reading feel to it. Damned if I don't love Clooney in comedic roles. Also, is the mustache coming back? Someone just give me the green light.
Shouldn't this be the title for some trippy porn number?
Ah yes, you're thinking of Men Who Bare at Goats...I mean...that's sick!
Posted by: branded at August 28, 2009 10:23 AM
This is not to be confused with the documentary about the filmmakers and studios responsible for this summer's blockbusters:
Men Who Blow Goats.
Posted by: laredo at August 28, 2009 10:24 AM
Don't you love the incredible meta moment where Clooney goes "Jedi" and MacGregor gives him this "Would you lay off please that was ten fucking years ago" look?
Have you ever actually tried to stare at a goat? Those fuckers creep me out. Nothing with a stare that frightening can be a natural creature.
I took my daughter to the zoo last month, and the goat pen almost gave me an anxiety attack. It's like Satan just ripped a hole out from Hell and some demons wandered out to eat overpriced vending-machine oat bran out of my kid's hand. I had to give her an exorcism afterward.
Oh, Ling, you beat me to it....watching Clooney tell Ewan "Jedi warrior" was fucking hilarious.
This looks fantastic! Not to mention, my favorite Secret Service Agent, Aaron Pierce, is in it!!
Posted by: dammitjanet at August 28, 2009 10:36 AM
This film crept up on me - I want to see it. Have the Coens just been out-Coened??
Posted by: laredo at August 28, 2009 10:47 AM
Also, is the mustache coming back? Someone just give me the green light.
No! Lip rugs are hideous.
Posted by: Lauren at August 28, 2009 11:00 AM
Sabrina for the win.
I had to look "goatse" up, thank you very much.
Posted by: BWeaves at August 28, 2009 11:35 AM
The book "Men Who Stare At Goats" is even funnier than the movie.
Posted by: Karla at August 28, 2009 11:39 AM
Oh my God! The whole Jedi thing cracked my shit up. I love it when actors can be self-deprecating. I will see this.
Posted by: bibliophile at August 28, 2009 11:50 AM
*spit-take*SaBrina, well played. I can't believe I didn't think of that. And further, I can't believe I am feeling somewhat disappointed in myself for same. What is wrong with me?
Posted by: The Wandering Parakeet at August 28, 2009 12:05 PM
What the fuck is that on Clooney's face? Oh, George. I thought you could never be unattractive to me, but now I see that's just not true. Call me when you've shaved it off, k?
As someone who knows a thing or two about our military's use of psychic phenomena, I look forward to getting a kick out of this movie.
Oops, I've said to much.
Cue whirring blades of black helicopters...
Posted by: icecreammang at August 28, 2009 12:50 PM
SaBrina for the win!
This does look great though.
I just hope Clooney's uniform has nipples on it!
Posted by: Odnon at August 28, 2009 12:54 PM
What? Clooney wears his dirt squirrel with pride! He owns his soup strainer (which if you're going to sport the muff brush is the only way to do so). I commend his bravery in choosing to grow patch of lip foliage!
Long live the Facial Hair!
Posted by: alphawhiskey at August 28, 2009 1:03 PM
It looks funny but I bet it would be funnier if Ewan was speaking in his native accent. Everything is funnier in a Scottish accent.
Posted by: Brittany at August 28, 2009 1:24 PM
I feel like this thread is quickly going to turn into the funniest name for a porno. With goats.
Men Who Blow Like Goats 3
Posted by: commanderfunky at August 28, 2009 1:59 PM
OK, I had to look up "goatse", and I'm usually pretty stoic about these things, but I feel a little woozy.
Posted by: MM at August 28, 2009 2:09 PM
I will never learn.....
On a much happier note: I love George Clooney. He doesn't know it yet, but we're going to get married and have beautiful little Clooney babies and the next generation will thank me.
When will people learn that when you're looking up an unfamiliar reference you hit urban dictionary FIRST rather than google image search? Save yourself the retinal scarring! I know what goatse is, but you can bet your ass I've never seen it*!
*and having said that I'm totally not clicking on any links y'all post for about three days.
I know what goatse is, but you can bet your ass I've never seen it!
Pun intended, Rusty?
Posted by: commanderfunky at August 28, 2009 3:06 PM
Clooney's mustache in O Brother, Where Art Thou? was ingenious. I think the reason this one doesn't work as well is that it's dyed blond. Could that be another meta jab at his ostensible best bud Brad Pitt?
Posted by: Ling at August 28, 2009 3:59 PM
Gahhhh the goatse man. Good times.
And for those wondering what it is, I sincerely encourage you to look it up. Your horizons will be ... expanded. As will other things.
Posted by: Mick J at August 28, 2009 5:13 PM
Thank you Rusty for saving my innocence - urban dictionary for life!
Posted by: Mona at August 28, 2009 7:40 PM
Batman is a Jedi, the Big Lebowski is his mentor and they hang with Obi Wan and Keyser Soze!?! Color me intrigued.
Posted by: Mebe at August 28, 2009 7:44 PM
Between this and "I Love You, Phillip Morris", I have renewed hope for Ewan McGregor's career.
Posted by: Mimi at August 28, 2009 10:33 PM
Guys, wikipedia and NOT google images, k?
Also, a huge FUCK YES to this movie. Plus, I can get my lame-ass friends to come see it with me with the promise of Clooney and McGregor. There is no losing here...
Posted by: redfeathers at August 28, 2009 11:26 PM
The book the movie takes the idea of and fictionalizes, is quite good; it's "Men Who Stare at Goats", natch, by Jon Ronson. Black Ops, MK-Ultra, it's pretty crazy and well written.
See this is how you adapt a book! Take non-fiction, and write/film something (allegedly) fantastic with that premise. I'm excited!
Posted by: racahel at August 30, 2009 12:38 AM
I'm intrigued to see this movie right up Rusty's ally. In an alley.
Posted by: Peter G at August 31, 2009 12:30 AM
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I genuinely laughed a couple of times. The only thing that concerns me is Spacey. What's he been in again?
And Jeff Bridges makes me want to grow a pony tail.