This is Movie Jail, a unique maximum security prison that houses some of the worst writers, directors, actors and producers from Hollywood and beyond. Their crimes? The offenses vary from convict to convict but most of these inmates have contributed negatively to the film world to some capacity* and his or her misdeeds have covered a long enough period of time that the authorities had to intervene. In each column a defendant is put on trial, arguments are made, and then it is up to YOU, the jury, to decide if the person is guilty or not guilty of crimes against cinema. Their lives are in your hands, dude.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it's time for another round of Movie Jail Updates, where we take a look at actors and filmmakers from previous trials, and based on new evidence, see if you think the defendants are still guilty or not guilty. Let's get right to it!
The Defendants
Since being found not guilty back in September of 2012, Ben Stiller directed and starred in an adaptation of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and reprised his Larry Daley role for a third Night at the Museum movie. The problem is both films received very mixed reviews, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb just felt like another paycheck gig for the actor. Maybe he was contractually obligated to do another Night at the Museum film, but the court still isn't happy with Mr. Stiller, and has no problem with tossing him in the slammer if the jury feels the same way.
Tim Burton has been locked up in Movie Jail for over two years, so why is the court now down with possibly releasing him? His new movie Big Eyes is the director's highest rated live-action film since 2007's Sweeney Todd, and is his first live-action project to not feature actor Johnny Depp since 2003's Big Fish. Plus, the court is pretty excited another Beetlejuice movie starring Michael Keaton might actually happen. Do you think Mr. Burton still belongs behind bars, or should we set free the director?
Shia LaBeouf was found guilty in December of last year, but with a strong turn in David Ayer's Fury, the court is open to pardoning the actor. Sure, Mr. LaBeouf is still kind of a jackass and may have a very punchable face, however he's a decent actor, and the jury was very emotional during his trial because of the whole plagiarism business. But of course, it's not up to the court to decide Mr. LaBeouf's fate. Do you believe we should release "actual cannibal" Shia LaBeouf, or do you think he needs to stay incarcerated?
IN CLOSING…
What should we do with Ben Stiller, Shia LaBeouf and director Tim Burton? Is Mr. Stiller still not guilty, or do you think he needs to go to Movie Jail? Have Mr. LaBeouf and Mr. Burton earned a parole with their recent films, or do you believe we should keep them imprisoned?
*The cases for and against a defendant going to Movie Jail by the author are not necessarily his views and opinions but they are some of the beliefs that one would use to effectively make an argument for both sides. Not quite a devil's advocate but you get the point. Anyway, this is all in fun so don't take it too seriously. We have a separate jail for those people called "Troll Tower" and believe me you do NOT want to go there.
WHAT SAY YOU, GUILTY OR NOT?
LAST WEEK'S VERDICT
Peter Jackson was found NOT GUILTY of all charges in last week's trial, with most jury members saying although his The Hobbit films might not be as great as his The Lord of the Rings trilogy, they're still good movies. Many jury members also thought it was ridiculous the prosecution was trying to use King Kong as evidence against the director.
PREVIOUS VERDICTS
GUILTY Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Vince Vaughn, Tim Burton, The Farrelly Brothers, Michael Bay, Jessica Alba, Ice Cube, Gerard Butler, Halle Berry, Marlon Wayans, Julia Roberts, M. Night Shyamalan , Katherine Heigl , Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tyler Perry, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Ashton Kutcher, Happy Madison Productions, Jennifer Lopez, Bruce Willis, Paul W.S. Anderson, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brett Ratner, Rob Cohen, Renee Zellweger, Shia LaBeouf, Renny Harlin, Diane Keaton, McG, Demi Moore, King Joffrey (Game of Thrones Special), David Spade, Spike Lee, Kevin James, Joel Schumacher, Ehren Kruger, Chris Rock, Mark Steven Johnson, Mickey Rourke, Ashley Judd, Uma Thurman, Josh Duhamel, Saw Franchise (Halloween Edition), Zach Braff, Sam Worthington
NOT GUILTY Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Nic Cage, John Travolta, Oliver Stone, Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey, Wes Craven, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Rodriguez, Kristen Stewart, Roland Emmerich, Kevin Costner, Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank, Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Smith, Channing Tatum, Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Anna Faris, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron, Ray Liotta, Jason Statham, Paul Walker, Will Smith, Salma Hayek, Michael Cera, Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds, Milla Jovovich, John Singleton, Jon Voight, Jack Black, Brian De Palma, Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicole Kidman, Justin Timberlake, Freddy Krueger (Halloween Edition), Johnny Knoxville, Orlando Bloom, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dan Aykroyd, Sylvester Stallone, Gavin Hood, Jason Lee, Jennifer Garner, Carrie-Anne Moss, Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, Chris Columbus, Clive Owen, Terrence Howard, Andrew Niccol, Drew Barrymore, Steve Martin, Joel Silver, Michelle Rodriguez, Kiefer Sutherland, Dario Argento, Susan Sarandon, Dennis Quaid, Rob Reiner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, Ivan Reitman, Stephen Sommers, Shawn Levy, Jai Courtney, Ridley Scott, Peter Jackson
UPDATES: Robert De Niro, Nicolas Cage and Roland Emmerich, Jim Carrey, Robert Rodriguez and Gerard Butler, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts and The Farrelly Brothers