Harry Knowles defends Christian Bale's ugly outburst?
Ain't it Cool News movie website founder Harry Knowles may have become more a part of the big studio system than we know.
On his website, he addresses Christian Bale's explosive and embarrassing tantrum on the set of McG's "Terminator Salvation," when he reamed out director or photography Shane Hurlbut for disturbing his concentration during a scene.
Harry hasn't written about it until now because, he says, "It isn't news. And it certainly isn't cool news. It is a moment in a man's life taken completely out of context and most likely leaked to personally embarrass Christian Bale."
He knows what many of us are thinking: There's no excuse for a temper tantrum like that to ever occur, and if you are going to act that way, you deserve to be embarrassed by your own actions.
Now comes his insider explanation behind what REALLY happened. Are you ready? But first, Harry reveals his Deep Throat:
"I know this because I happen to be somewhere where someone that was there that day and for the shoot is. And this person isn't a publicist, nor are they invested in Bale's career."
He then calls "young" DP Shane Hurlbut ...
... a known "light tweaker."
Then he describes that emotional scene between Christian Bale and Bryce Howard as one that required "soul bearing and a deep level of immersive concentration."
Again, back to why his source spoke out: "Now, the reason I know all of this is because the person that was there, felt that it should be made perfectly clear that Christian Bale was the utmost gentleman and cool guy on set. And the DP really was doing something that professional DPs with experience just don't do. Not during a performance."
Harry's heard the audio tape, all four-plus minutes of it, and believes that this particular outburst did indeed "modify the DP's behavior."
He then enlightens us lesser film buffs: "None of us are perfect, and certainly we have all sinned to some degree. Actors, Actresses, Celebrities and the people exploited on sites like TMZ. They're human beings that I personally feel are owed the same inalienable rights that the rest of us hold dear."
Anyway, you can read more of Harry's lame excuses for Bale's behavior on his site.
I'm as disgusted by Bale as I am by Knowles who says he wrote this lame excuse "to express my opinion on the spreading of stories like this and making Christian look bad, when he isn't."
Christian may not be a bad person, but his behavior -- screaming at a DP in front of the crew -- was reprehensible. And that's pretty bad.
But that's my take. What do you think? Or maybe you agree with Harry?
Or do you think Harry the film geek is standing up for a movie star just so he can maintain and increase his access to studio set visits for his site?
Nah, that' can't be it.
Related Christian Bale posts:
Christian Bale goes berserk on "Terminator Salvation" set! What's his deal?
Christian Bale on working with an "uncompromising" Heath Ledger on Batman
Christian Bale will not face assault charges
The "Dark Knight" curse strikes again!
Was Christian Bale's family dust-up a shakedown?
Click here to see images from "Terminator" on Wired
Photo: Fan boy Harry Knowles gazes admiringly at Sylvester Stallone on a movie set. Harry loves his set visits and photo ops with the big important stars. Credit: Sylvesterstallone.com
I don't care if Shane Hurlbut was a "light tweaker" you still don't go around bullying people with such explosive and threatening and bullying behavior.
Why do people like Knowles and others in the movie business defend unconscionable behavior like that?
They make acting seem as if it's such heavy duty work and the most important thing in the world. Give me a break. Not even brain surgeons during surgery would act that way.. Somehow I don't think Sully the hero pilot goes around treating people like that too.
No wonder I have only seen three Hollywood movies this year-- (down from about forty last year) The movies are TERRIBLE and written and produced by people who have no sense of decency or the intricacies of human behavior.
Harry Knowles would defend a serial killer if it means that he will get free trips from the studio and free stuff. His opinion on anything is a joke.
The man acted like a child. I was surprized to see such immature behavior.
SHAME on Him!
I think Christian Bale has no respect for other people. Just because someone makes a mistake, he jumps down their throat. If i was the other guy, i would not ever talk to him again or work with him again. No one else on the set seems to give a care. That's the way society is today. Shame on all you people !!!
People need to pause, think really hard about the last time they treated some one poorly, flipped out on some one for an inane reason, shouted at their kids, lost it on their husband wigged out on a relative, or badmouthed a friend, then keep their mouths shut and be thankful that at least your bad behavior isn't broadcast for the world to see. No his behavior isn't excusable, but really neither is any one else's, we just have the benefit of not having our road rage posted on blogs.
I never comment on stories online, but I can't hold my tongue on this one anymore.
WHO CARES!?
This is the stupidest story to come out of the paparazzi sensationalization of actors' every actions yet. The guy threw a fit. The DP was being an idiot and stepping into an area he shouldn't have. He probably cost the studio a good chunk of change klutzing around, and he tried a man's patience, resulting in that man having a childish outburst. Plenty of people klutz around at work, and plenty of people lose patience with them; it doesn't make any of them bad people. Stop using four minutes of a guy's life to pass judgment on him and stop trying to put these actors on pedestals. They're not role models, and honestly, they shouldn't be. They're ordinary folks in extraordinary situations. That makes them neither heroes nor champions; stop acting like they should be "better" than everyone else. We have all had (or wanted at some point to have) similar outbursts at some point. Can we all get back to our lives yet?
That's all I'm saying. Think what you want about it. I'm done wasting time on this.
I'd like to see everyone's creditenials that make them experts on this subject matter or anything related.
Everyone gets mad. Don't act like everyone's a saint. You're not.
Christian Bale: idiot
Why would you choose to work with someone like that after such a hissy fit?If you are a good actor or at least a half decent one then it is easy to hold on to emotions, but real actors know when to put it aside and act professional. I wouldn't swear at a co-worker in front of other people, even if I really wanted to.
Has Elizabeth Snead never raised her voice at anyone? At how many tens of thousands of dollars a minute, the type of interruption caused by the DP counts.
This doesn't justify Christian's tirade but it should make us more understanding, and less ready to throw stones.
When you listen to the audio clip, it sounds like this is not the first time the guy has been a distraction to Bale, like he's done this to the point where Bale has had enough. I think Bale probably has anger management issues but the media has blown this way out of proportion. I'm sure a number of stars have thrown fits just like this but it hasn't been recorded and distributed to the media.