Tenacity in Hollywood

Living in Southern California and more specifically in Burbank (which borders North Hollywood) I probably hear more in terms of pop-culture bullshit than people should.

Paris Hilton and the Lohan clan don't usually get much of my attention, primarily because of the stupid factor associated with both. I'm going to go ahead and say the Kardashian family falls into the same category - boring.

Those that inspire me, are the stars who have a body of work, and push their personal envelope to reach great success, and with that comes the tabloids - and Southpark.

Almost all of what I know about Scientology comes from a Southpark episode on Tom Cruise. I have never met Tom, but he has done things his own way. He is passionate about his religion, and that's fine with me - we all need to believe in something. Even if that something is nothing.

Tom Cruise bet on himself when making the Mission Impossible movies. He is so good at what he does (I suspect he knows this) that he formed his own production company and took a left turn at Hollywood and Normal. "Fuck Hollywood" I would imagine he said, or at least thought.

It has worked out well for him both personally and financially. He believes in what he does and does it, well.

Has he been beaten in the Tabloids? Yup. In fact, if you believe the Southpark episode on Scientology one could only reach the conclusion that anybody involved in the "Cult" is nuts. Having spent most of my life in Utah, there is a strange similarity between the Mormons and L. Rons group. Both are very secretive, both are financially viable and both are gaining popularity.

My point is Tom Cruise, love him or hate him has made the most of his successes and failures. Chances are there is a movie the dude has made which resonates with each one of us somehow, some way.

The same could be said for Mel Gibson.

No matter how many things this guy does that lands him on the cover of the check out rags, he always seems to come out the other side ok. I mean who doesn't love Riggs from Lethal Weapon(s)?????

Mel has also taken a similar journey to Tom Cruise and had his religious convictions help the public form their opinions of him. Granted, fundamental Catholicism is probably not as difficult to swallow as Scientology.

Mel has made great movies over the years and has done it his way. It's safe to assume he also has said "Fuck Hollywood" - at least to himself.

Who else can make a movie done 100% in subtitles and have it be a success in the current day and age?

These two guys have done things their own way when Hollywood left them on the side of the road for dead. Both have been successful and both will continue to be relevant for years to come.

If anything can be learned from them it's this - do your thing. Do it better than anybody else. The world (and Hollywood) makes exceptions for winners.

One only needs to look as far as Charlie Sheen to validate this point.