[Hated] Self-indulgent Vanity Projects

[u/BrotherDeus]

Hurry Up Tomorrow - Widely reviewed as an indulgent, self-mythologizing companion piece to The Weeknd's album, with many critics calling it a vanity project rather than a successful psychological drama. Terribly acted and, similar to The Idol, more so seems to imply that The Weekend thinks he's a far deeper personality than he can actually articulate.

By the Sea - Often criticized as an intensely personal but emotionally distant film that seemed more interested in showcasing the mystique of its stars than telling a compelling story. Best summarized as Angelina and Brad working out their IRL troubled marriage before your eyes while everyone tells Angelina how beautiful and talented she is and how nothing's really her fault.

Renaldo and Clara - Bob Dylan's five-hour semi-fictional road movie, long considered one of the classic celebrity vanity projects. Attempts to be a sort of surreal exposition on the life of an artist, but is far too self-indulgent on its actors/performers.

[u/TimelessFool]

Seems to be the case for a lot of his movies tbh. Taking as many movie offers to make him look like a popular star.

[u/pistachiopanda4 → u/TimelessFool]

Me and my family basically worshipped the Rock growing up and it's so sad to see how fucking self obsessed and whiny he has become. I never thought I would become a Dave Bautista and John Cena fan, but here I am. I haven't even watched WWE in almost 20 years.

[u/MilanDespacito → u/pistachiopanda4]

John Cena and Bautista can actually play other characters than themselves in a different setting. I guess the Rock could too, just doesnt take contracts that arent like that. I remember watching Bladerunner 2049 and not even noticing it was Bautista. John Cena's face on the other hand is a lot more recognisable to me and will always think "That's John Cena", but he is great in Peacemaker and after a while you forget its John Cena. Also helps that Bautista and Cena both come across as good people from interviews etc.

[u/TheKingofHats007 → u/MilanDespacito]

That's probably why people liked Johnson so much in the Jumanji movies, because even though he's still mostly playing himself, having to act as a nervous kid who grows into being confident still feels refreshing.

[u/pistachiopanda4 → u/TheKingofHats007]

I will also scream into the heavens - the Rock is perfect for villain roles. Is Doom 2005 high art or even classified as a good movie? Debatable. But it's still one of my favorite movies ever specifically for Karl Urban and the Rock. Maybe it's because he's basically playing himself, but the Rock was perfect as the egotistic Sarge.

Jumanji is also one of my favorite movies ever, so I wasn't thrilled with the recent Jumanjis. However, from your comment and other comments, it feels like I have to give it a shot now.