Deniro did a good job in the just released, city by the sea. So no, He hasn't lost it.

I think De Niro really has gotten a bit lazy, and isn't so concerned with the roles he takes. Scorsese offered him a part in gangs of new york, but he declined because he didn't want to leave the U.S. to make a film (I don't know if it was for tax purposes or business reasons or what).

Would tend to agree, I don't think he has great range. Forget the different blue collar workers he plays (e.g. bail bondsman or taxi driver) or criminal types (mobster or hitman) he still plays blue collar workers and criminal types. I find him likeable - someone that even if he plays a criminal - you still tend to root for him ... and that says alot.

I also think that he cheapens his acting reputation with some of these miserable movies of late (yes, that includes Showtime) - but I can think of 15 million reasons he's not going to take my advice.

The sad thing about his indifference to films he picks now is the fact that he has the clout to get challenging and riskier films greenlighted just by associating himself with them, which is one of the reasons I admire Harvey Keitel a hell of a lot more than DeNiro now.

I agree. It would be nice to see him direct himself in a movie again, a la A Bronx Tale.

I think the simple fact is, DeNiro likes to stay busy. Too damn many actors DON'T stay busy in this era. Sure he's going to do some bad movies along with the good ones. How many other actors in these times really stay busy in the way that actors did say 20, 30 years ago? Gene Hackman is really one of the few others around that does so, and he's slowed down as well after having the health problems he had a few years back. It wasn't uncommon for guys like Sean Connery to do many movies, some good and some not as good, but it doesn't take away from them being great actors. DeNiro paid his dues and has put some classics out there for all of us to enjoy for decades to come, if he wants to take some roles for their dollar value I sure can't blame him.

Appearing soon in... Analyze That [12/6/2002]
 

Nah, I don't think he's lost anything. There's nothing wrong with branching out, and there's nothing wrong with hanging far out on a limb for a while too. Times and standards have changed for movies... but if this is what DeNiro's doing, so be it. While he's indulged in comedy for slightly longer than *I've* liked, I find that it's reasonable considering the whole slew of movies out there today. If his recent flicks were not up to par, then we still have his great classics to turn to. The film industry has made millions on movies like the Scorpion King... therefore, if he wants to compete (monetarily?), then he'll have to try out new and/or different things. Versatility is essential when the milieu is fickle, so I look forward to seeing what else Robert DeNiro has to offer his fans; good or bad, it's just a great opportunity to "analyze" Him. (-;

I'm really looking forward to seeing him host SNL that weekend.

He's still good. Just need to find the right script. There is only so much one can do with a crappy script.

Soapbox Babbling...
 

True, but good scripts are always available. I think the problem is dealing primarily with production companies. The movies that are churned out these days are seemingly catered to what the movie companies presume are movies that we may like. Yeah, the box office intake is incredibly high simply because (totally imo) people love (or love to hate) movies. People will watch just about anything, and when there's crap, they will watch that too. Critics are having a field day slandering the bad and committing gratuitous libel. I dunno what they are playing at really... these film companies that is, however I do know that when good movies released, they act as breaths of fresh air. A respite from the protracted inanity and never seems to wane.

As for DeNiro, I think that he's one of the most consistent actors of all time... just being able to deal with these drastic changes and never really losing favor with his fans. This is partially why I'll still give movies like "Analyze That" a shot. I found "Meet the Parents" utterly hilarious and would love to see where Robert et al go with the pending sequel.

I actually like most of his recent work. Call me tasteless, but his earlier gangster movies were too dark for me. I love seeing his comic side in Analyze This, Meet the Parents, and Showtime, especially in light of his former dead serious roles. It seems like he's poking fun at his former roles, which makes him all the more funny.

Too Dark :confused: Comic side you say :confused: Funny :confused: Who is this actor you speak of.