As hardly anyone wants to employ him to be in movies anymore, James Woods seems to have decided to take up a role being an online troll, to the point that it’s often difficult to know whether he really believes half the things he says, or whether he’s just trying to get a reaction. He certainly got a reaction on Monday when he went on Twitter to decry the gay-themed film, Call Me By Your Name.
The film is about the relationship between a 17-year-old (Timothee Chalamet) and a 24-year-old (Armie Hammer). But despite his reputation for womanising and general hellraising, Woods decided a holier-than-thou response was called for, tweeting about the film, ‘As they quietly chip away the last barriers of decency. #NAMBLA’, referring to the notorious American Pedophile organisation.
The Tweet quickly set off a storm of anger, including from Call Me By Your Name star, Armie Hammer, who responded to Woods, ‘Didn’t you date a 19 year old when you were 60…….?’. Hammer wasn’t wrong either, with Woods later reportedly dating a 20-year-old when he was 66.
Actress Amber Tamblyn also chipped in about Wood’s hypocrisy and penchant for much younger women, tweeting, ‘James Woods tried to pick me and my friend up at a restaurant once. He wanted to take us to Vegas. “I’m 16” I said. “Even better” he said.’
As many pointed out, there was more than a whiff of homophobia to Woods’ initial tweet, so there was plenty of pleasure when other celebs came out to call him on it and demonstrate his hypocrisy. Apparently Woods’ promptly blocked Hammer on Twitter, so we guess Armie wins by default.
James Woods used to be a Democrat, but has become increasingly right wing, particularly with social issues that he feels conflict with the Catholic faith, such as abortion and gender diversity. He’s now a staunch republican and, as we mentioned, a bit of a troll.
There was lots of praise and plenty of column inches written follow Call Me By Your Name’s debut at Sundance, ensuring there’s plenty of anticipations for its cinema release. Now, just a few days after the first official poster was released, comes the trailer for the movie. Even from these brief scenes, you can start to feel why Sundance audiences liked it so much.
Call Me By Your Name perhaps got the most buzz of any of the movies that debuted this year at Sundance, with many suggesting the gay-themed romantic drama has a good chance of becoming a crossover mainstream success. Now the first poster for the film 
Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire has just hit UK cinemas, but he’s already planning his next movie, with Alicia Vikander signed up to star. Now he’s got one of his Free Fire stars to join the cast, as 
Poor old Armie Hammer, he’s not having a very good time in Mine. But it does give him a bit of chance to showcase his talent, as for much of the running time he’s alone on-screen, barely able to move.
While there has been a lot of controversy about casting cisgender actors in transgender roles, there’s generally less talk about whether straight actors should play gay roles. However, there are certainly some out there who think it would be better to cast gay actors (although at least we seem to have gotten past the time when straight actors are described as ‘brave’ for playing a gay part).
Call Me By Your Name gained a lot of buzz and glowing review at Sundance, with some suggesting that Luca Guadagnino’s gay-themed movie could be a bit of a breakout hit. Now we can get our first taste, as a clipe has been released.
The signs were looking good for the gay-themed movie Call Me By Your Name even before it premiered as Sundance, as Sony Classics bought worldwide distribution rights before the fest even started. The reviews coming out of Sundance suggest Sony had good reason to snap it up, as most have said it’s a great film, with the potential for crossover mainstream success.