Are We Too Critical Of Kevin Costner?

Quote from Robbie

Since the forums inception Kevin Costner has arisen time and time again as the most hated movie actor/star by the vast majority of this boards members.

Whilst I have sometimes been critical of the guy I by no means hate him and when I actually give the subject some thought there are only two movies of Kevin Costner's that I didn't care for, "Dances With Wolves" and "Wyatt Earp".

On the other hand I really enjoyed "Silverado," "The Untouchables," "The Bodyguard," "Waterworld," (A box office disaster) and "Field of Dreams".

I think he's a decent actor who really specialises in epic movies and he seems to have an eye for authenticity that helps to enrich his movies.

My question is, what is it about this actor that makes the blood boil? I would have though actors such as Clooney and Di Caprio would have been a lot less popular than Costner.

Are we being too critical of this talent?

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I think there are probably more on the board who do like him than those who don't, Rob.

I often wondered the same thing, Robbie. I love Costner and was surprised by the dis-like of him by some members. But like anything else, we are a group of diverse people united here for a love of John Wayne. That doesn't make us all the same. I don't care for Duke's "B" westerns but there are many here who love them. I like Di Caprio and Clooney (as actors, not people) but many here can't stand them either. It's all about taste.

The one thing I don't comprehend is when someone doesn't like an actor or their movies because of the actor's political or personal beliefs. They are seperate, in my eyes. I can't stand to listen to Clooney or Penn or Susan Sarandon when they get on their soap boxes, but on the screen...I think they are very good at their craft. Same for Tom Cruise, I think he went off the deep end a long time ago, but I enjoy his films. I seperate the actor from the activist. If I didn't, it would really limit what I could watch.

Kevin already stated that he thinks Costner can't act. So, that's his opinion. Maybe that's all it boils down to. Likes and dislikes. Anyone else care to elaborate?

Mark

Well Robbie for me it depends on the movie. I loved Open Range great western. I HATED waterworld I think it has something to do with the hero Costner recycling and drinking his own uriine.I could not get pass that.well everyone to their own taste. Sorry about the pun.

Hi dukefan1,
It is true that the man who loves John Wayne are not always admirer of Kevin Costner.
but,i like Kevin Costner.
because he had made great western films in recent years.
That much should be enough, it shows.,IMO.

Regards,
H.sanada

As an actor, I think he's OKish!
Thought his westerns were good, and so was The Untouchables,
JFK and The Bodyguard.
Although his Wyatt Earp was passable,
I thought he was completely outshone,
by Kurt Russell, in the much superior, Tombstone!

However as a man, I'm not sure,
saw him being interviewed, and he came across,
as one arrogant, self conceited, pompous man!!!

Quote from ethanedwards

saw him being interviewed, and he came across,
as one arrogant, self conceited, pompous man!!!

Hell, Keith, that describes 96 percent of the celebrity set.

I started out liking Kevin Costner in JFK and The Bodyguard but after watching paint dry Dance with Wolves he became an opinionated pompous bore on every subject.

I would say if he has any sort of career left it will follow the pattern of Welles, Brando
and Beatty. Early promise wasted on over indulgance and arrogance.

He really has developed an ideal cure for insomnia but not is not very entertaining to watch. As Ethan says the brilliant Tombstone outshone Wyatt Earp on every front.

The only time I have been unlucky enough to see part of Wyatt Earp was when I was captive on a plane journey. I initially thought well this will pass 3 hours or more but boredom set in after a hour and I fell asleep.

I think if Costner wants to entertain fans follow the ground rule of making his movies 100 minutes max!!!

Funny the only other film of Costner that I could watch again was 3000 Miles to Graceland which was 100 minutes moved along at a pace and had Kurt Russell to bounce off as well.

At least he is miles better than Nicholas Cage or John Travolta.


Mike

Quote from dukefan1

The one thing I don't comprehend is when someone doesn't like an actor or their movies because of the actor's political or personal beliefs. They are seperate, in my eyes. I can't stand to listen to Clooney or Penn or Susan Sarandon when they get on their soap boxes, but on the screen...I think they are very good at their craft. Same for Tom Cruise, I think he went off the deep end a long time ago, but I enjoy his films. I seperate the actor from the activist. If I didn't, it would really limit what I could watch.

I'll freely admit that in a few instances, the political orientation of certain performers has certainly had a negative influence in my regard for them. This is particularly true of Jane Fonda, who I strongly believe should be stood against a wall and shot for her treasonous activities during the Vietnam War. At least two others whose blatant leftism arouses a very strong dislike in me are Barbra Streisand and Sean Penn. I will never again view a film featuring any one of those three, although I remember seeing one with Fonda before she became so notorious ("Barbarella") and one with Penn (forget the name but if I remember correctly, it was directed by Eastwood, which is the only reason I decided to watch it.)

In the thread I initiated asking for the names of participants' least-liked actors/actresses, it's obvious that almost all those named fall on the left side of the political spectrum, which strongly suggests that most board members who posted in that thread are like me in that they fall on the right side.

Duke was a forthright and unapologetic right-winger with a great love for our country. I'd be willing to bet that most Americans who love the man share his political beliefs; in most cases, that's probably why they're such loyal fans. Now we can't attribute Duke's fandom by those in other lands to any particular regard for America but once again, I'd bet that most of 'em are conservatives, thus on the right side of the political spectrum.

There have been many Hollywood performers who were/are known leftists but who made an effort to keep their political beliefs to themselves. Among these are some of the finest performers of my generation and whom I regard with almost as much veneration as I do Duke himself. Among these are Gregory Peck, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas and others whose names momentarily slip my mind.

So I'd have to say that if you don't let a performers politics influence you, you're an exception to the rule on this board, Mark.

I have liked Costner in several movies, such as "The Untouchables," "No Way Out" and "Waterworld." I've considered Costner to be a low-keyed actor who is not good at histrionics but seems to do very good at carrying roles that require exuding an inner strength. He can seem bland at times, but that can also be an asset.
Cheers - Jay

I try not to be too hard on Costner, but my dislike of him comes from actually sitting down and trying to watch movies he stars in. He just doesn't impress and when he tries to come off as tough he just doesn't seem believable.
As a person he seems to be okay, and I have no real reason to strongly dislike the man, but the actor is who I dislike.

Wow, all this love being heaped on ol' Kevin.

I'll steal a quote from robbie, "Different strokes, for different folks".

Quote from Kevin

I''ll steal a quote from robbie, "Different strokes, for different folks".

Truer words were never spoken - I've been living by that philosophy for most of my life,
except when it comes to politics. I simply cannot reconcile myself to collectivism and/or socialism of any color.

P.S. Forgot to add, Kevin - certain of your moderators (and apparently you yourself) don't believe in "different strokes for different folks", since any hint of disagreement among posters on the board seem to draw criticism and/or censorship from those in charge. This attitude flies in the face of reality, since differences of opinion are as common as leaves on the trees.

Quote from Stumpy

P.S. Forgot to add, Kevin - certain of your moderators (and apparently you yourself) don't believe in "different strokes for different folks", since any hint of disagreement among posters on the board seem to draw criticism and/or censorship from those in charge. This attitude flies in the face of reality, since differences of opinion are as common as leaves on the trees.

Thanks remembering to add the P.S.

Stumpy, if you have a grip against me, or another mod I suggest you PM me and I will certainly be open for any discussion. We deal with situations like "disagreement among posters" on a case by case bases.

How could there be disagreement on a board populated by JW fans?

Anyway, I've always been somewhat netural when in comes to Costner. I don't really like him or dislike him as an actor or person (from what little I know about him personally).

ET

Quote from Kevin

Stumpy, if you have a grip[e] against me, or another mod I suggest you PM me and I will certainly be open for any discussion.

I'll do that, Kevin but let me give some thought about what I want to say.

You guys all know my feelings on Costner. I will say this, every actor has a "style". Basically it comes down to whether you like his "style" or not. Me, I like it, always have. Did he make some stinkers, hell yes. So did Duke. If anybody disagree's with that statement, let me know. I bet there is not one actor that has made a bunch of movies that didn't have atleast one or two movies that were just not very good.

May be,I am deficient in Costner's off-screen activities.
I don't know if he is arrogant.
I just like his movies,Open range,Dance with wolves and others.
BTW, I guess There's no accounting for tastes.

Quote from H.sanada

BTW, I guess There's no accounting for tastes.

I see you understand Latin, my friend.

I like Costner's mostly because(I will catch flack for this) "HE" like the "DUKE" just lets it flow natural. The most endearing quality of the "Dukes" acting was that he just did his thing and (in my opinion) Kevin Costner does the same.(this should get some comments)
One of Costner's films I particularly like is "The Postman". I think it is mostly because it has horses and guns and it was basicly a "post disaster" modern western but that is my opinion.It has been years since I saw Waterworld but I think I enjoyed it at the time as I did with Dances with Wolves and Wyatt Earp. My peronal favorite would be Open Range.One reason is that it has one of my favorite actors(other thanJW) being Robert Duval.I like this movie because it was also a lot more realistic to the era and there was no big elaborate sets and the usual HollyWood slant that is so evident in films today.As far as Costner's political views or other faults I guess we all have them and speaking your mind isn't always the best thing to do for your career.I remember a few years ago when Kurt Russell was sponsoring a wild hog hunt in Hawii.It was a archery hunt and the proceeds and meat harvested were for charity.Some of the media and animal rights people got in the middle and created havoc and Russell shut it down.It was a blight on his career for awhile in the eyes of the animal terrorists but for the rest of us it meant nothing.I guess what I'm trying to say is to each his own. I look forward to any new western style movie that comes out.They are my favorite genre and I don't think I am alone.Well that's the most I've had to say in months,so...SaddleTramp...
ps,...Thanks Chester....