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Rant ‘N Rave: Joaquin Phoenix

Irene Ogrodnik — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:10:50 +0000

There are only a few words to describe Joaquin Phoenix’s appearance on David Letterman two nights ago. Bizarre, awkward, uncomfortable and hilarious (thanks to Letterman) are a few and, well, that’s about it.

But there is something about his behaviour that doesn’t quite convince me (and many others) that his transition from an actor to a would-be singer is something serious.

Ever since Phoenix announced he was retiring from acting back in October 2008 in order to focus on a music career—I didn’t buy it. When news broke that friend and brother-in-law Casey Affleck would “document” (or mocument) his career to making hip-hop music—I had to hold back laughter.

So what the heck is up with his appearance on Letterman? Some would say its nothing short of just an insane publicity stunt. But perhaps, in all seriousness, Phoenix is losing his sanity. He battled alcoholism and, back in 1993, his elder brother, River, died from an overdose of heroin and cocaine with Joaquin at the scene. Could these incidents be somewhat responsible for his behaviour years later? Sure, but I doubt they are. And, in the case that I am right, this means Phoenix is purposely trying to look like a douchebag.

Nice move.

The “actor” appeared on Letterman—for what seemed to be the longest and most useless 10-minute interview in the world—to promote his most recent film Two Lovers. He briefly forgot the name of his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, managed to only slur one to three word answers at the most, stared into space for the longest two minutes of silence (I guess he ran out of things to say), fumbled, drew blank stares, fumbled again AND, as a finale, spat and stuck his gum UNDERNEATH LETTERMAN’S DESK.

If it wasn’t for Letterman’s cheeky remarks/questions (i.e. “What can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber?”) the whole interview could’ve been a total disaster—which it was—but somehow in a good way.

YouTube videos of Phoenix’s appearance are continuously played around the clock by pop-culture geeks (myself included) who have the urge laugh at someone else’s peculiarities rather than their own.

As for Phoenix, good luck with your so-called hip-hop album. Sure you can carry a tune (his performance as Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line” was brilliant) but please stop with this totally ridiculous and off-the-top PR move. And, should your condition actually require you enter rehab (again) then its best to do it now because I still don’t know what you are trying to prove.

And maybe that’s the whole point.

(Photo courtesy of CBS)

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Rep Insists Phoenix’s Rap Career Is Legit

Ilan Mester — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:50:43 +0000

Last year, actor Joaquin Phoenix claimed he would retire from acting. Now he says he’s an aspiring rapper, but is it all a hoax? Not according to Phoenix’s rep.

“The transition from one career to another is never seamless. It should come as no surprise to anyone that Joaquin came from a musical family, in addition to winning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Johnny Cash,” the actors rep Susan Patricola wrote in an email to MTV News. “He intends on exploring his musical interests despite speculative, negative or positive reactions.”

But according to a source, the “Walk The Line” actor’s rap career is nothing but a hoax, “He said, ‘It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey is going to film it,’” said the source to Entertainment Weekly.

It has been reported that Casey Affleck is making a documentary of the actor’s transition to a career in music. Affleck was spotted at Phoenix’s debut performance on January 16 in Las Vegas.

Casey Affleck To Document Joaquin Phoenix As Rapper

Eva Lam — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:02:09 +0000

Casey Affleck is directing a documentary feature that will follow friend and fellow actor Joaquin Phoenix as he pursues a career in music.

Phoenix, who played country singer Johnny Cash in the 2005 biopic “Walk the Line,” announced last year he was retiring from the acting business to become a rapper.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, his first album will be produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Phoenix also held his first public performance Friday at a Las Vegas club, where he performed three songs in front of an attentive crowd as Affleck captured the action for the documentary.

The two men are more than collaborators and friends — they are also brothers-in-law. Affleck is married to Phoenix’s actress sister, Summer.

Affleck, who directed a series of shorts for Sundance Channel in the late 1990s, recently starred in such films as “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.”

Joaquin Phoenix Escapes Injury in Car Accident

andPOP Staff — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 16:55:50 +0000

Joaquin Phoenix, star of this year’s Oscar frontrunner Walk The Line, narrowly escaped injury in a serious car accident on Thursday.

Phoenix was driving his car on a winding canyon road in Los Angeles when his brakes stopped working, reported a police spokeswoman. The car overturned and collided with another vehicle.

However, the actor was able to walk away from the accident relatively unscathed, said his publicist, Susan Patricola.

“His brakes went out, and the car flipped over,” she stated Thursday. “But he’s doing fine. He may be very sore in the morning, but right now he is doing okay.”

Patricola added that Phoenix was wearing a seatbelt and a passerby helped him out of the car following the collision.

The driver of the other car, with whom Phoenix exchanged insurance information on the scene, was also unhurt.

Patricola ensured that Phoenix will be able to make his scheduled appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday. He is up for Best Actor at the annual awards ceremony for his portrayal of singer Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk The Line. Phoenix has already picked up a Golden Globe for the role earlier this month and is a heavy favourite to win again at the upcoming Academy Awards in March. Oscar nominees are to be announced this Tuesday.

Joaquin Phoenix Performs at Folsom Prison

andPOP Staff — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 15:23:38 +0000

Joaquin Phoenix may be done shooting for Walk The Line, but he?s still got some Johnny Cash left in him. The actor, who earned an Oscar nod for his portrayal of music legend Cash in the movie, paid a visit to Folsom State Prison on Tuesday. Cash performed in the prison yard 37 years ago on Jan. 13 for inmates, and the live recording from the show is still a best-seller.

Phoenix returned to the prison for a tour while inmates were treated to a screening of the film. Later, Phoenix performed several acoustic songs (including Cash?s ?Folsom Prison Blues?) at the prison?s Greystone Chapel with musician Shooter Jennings, who played his father, Waylon Jennings, in Walk The Line.

Cash is considered a good role model for inmates by Prison Fellowship, the group that organized the event. Fellowship spokesman Joe Avila said Cash’s “whole life was a message of redemption.”

“The movie is about how he screwed it up really bad, and he turned to Jesus Christ to help him change.?