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CNN Sunday Morning
'8 Mile' Starring Eminem Opens Nationwide
Aired November 10, 2002 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: The movie "8 Mile" opened this weekend, featuring rap star Eminem. He's the latest of many entertainers to make the giant leap from the concert stage to the big screen. And the potential for success of his movie is noteworthy.
Entertainment report Kendis Gibson here now to talk more about this transition. And it's not an easy one.
KENDIS GIBSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It isn't an easy one. A lot of people have tried it. But you know what? First, let's talk about -- explain really what "8 Mile" refers to.
And Heidi, it is the road, basically. That's the main east-west divider in Detroit that for the most part separates blacks from whites, lower from middle class, and the inner city from the burbs. As for Eminem, the success of "8 Mile" is the only thing separating him from overall superstar status.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GIBSON (voice-over): There are perfectly sane, unbiased, unabashed movie critics walking out of "Eight Mile," Eminem's first foray into the movies, saying...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The movie is pretty good.
GIBSON: Wait a minute, what was that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the movie is pretty good. It's raw, it's -- it wasn't overshot, there are not a lot of special effects.
GIBSON: From "The New York Times" to "USA Today," to the rotisserie of TV critics, the reviews have been overwhelmingly good for Eminem.
After all, these are reviews for a man whose only previous acting include the incarnations of alter ego, Slim Shady in his videos. So how can it be first time out such good reviews?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He does do a pretty good job. I mean, the thing that he proved in this movie is that he can play himself.
GIBSON: But even that's not as easy as it sounds. Take the shining examples, if you will, of Britney Spears in this year's "Crossroads" and the Holy Grail, Mariah Carey, in "Glitter."
Both were trashed by critics. "Glitter" even went on to make a fraction of the $20 plus millions invested in the film.
Despite "8 Mile" being a bigger financial gamble for Universal Pictures, $50 million spent on shooting, millions more on promotions, it wasn't all riding on the shoulders of the rap star. Confidence came from others along for the ride.
Director Curtis Hanson from "L.A. Confidential" fame, Brian Grazer, producer of "A Beautiful Mind," and Oscar winner Kim Basinger. Also, the notion that rappers have a better track record in transitioning.
Since his impressive transition debut in 1991's "Boyz 'N the Hood," Ice Cube has gone on to critical and box office success. And Will Smith started as a rapper. Now he's an Oscar nominee making $20 plus millions for every film.
So does Eminem have that sort of future as an acting star?
CURTIS HANSON, DIRECTOR: If he wants it, he does. You know, on our last day of shooting, I said, "How do you feel?" He went "Never again, Curtis."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIBSON: Oh yes, we're going to have to wait and see if he does come back. Well the soundtrack, by the way, for "8 Mile" is the number one album in the country. And if "8 Mile," the movie, does become the number one movie by the end of the day, Eminem and Jennifer Lopez will be the only entertainers to ever have that honor, a number one movie and a number album at the same time. Very rare.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: That's quite an accomplishment. "Wedding Planner" for her, right?
GIBSON: Absolutely.
COLLINS: Now let me ask you, this has been out Friday night and Saturday night. Big weekend numbers, right?
GIBSON: It's expected that it'll probably do $20 to $25 million this weekend, in part, because there were no other big blockbusters out.
COLLINS: Right.
GIBSON: Next week, it's not going to be the number one movie, though. Harry Potter comes out, as you know.
COLLINS: Oh yes, and that's a huge one. But now there is actually some Oscar buzz about this for Eminem.
GIBSON: Can you believe it? Maybe it's because early in the race, but right now, they are talking possible Oscar nomination for supporting actress for Kim Basinger, and as well as for the movie, but it's really, really early in the race.
COLLINS: Very early, yes.
GIBSON: So we'll have to wait and see.
COLLINS: Well, we'll have to see what people think. And what about the people in that area, in the "8 Mile" area? Any idea of what their reception has been this early on?
GIBSON: So far, the folks in the "8 Mile" area are kind of split on it. They see Eminem as someone who used to connect with them, and now he's wealthy and lives...
COLLINS: Right.
GIBSON: ...in the wealthy side of 8 Mile, that 8 Mile divide. They're all curious to see the movie, to see if it has an accurate description of portrayal of their area, but they're not really big Eminem fans.
COLLINS: I hear you. All right, well, not very many rappers have fared as well though, right, as Eminem?
GIBSON: Not really. I mean, we should say that, you know, there are many other artists who have tried this. Madonna has tried this. Whitney Houston has tried it as to try to make success. And there were some rappers that tried it also.
In fact, we have a perfect example of probably, you know, the worst case scenario. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cool as ice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Again, imagine that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the hell was that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop that zero and get with the hero.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIBSON: All right, so...
COLLINS: Now that is good stuff.
GIBSON: That is great writing right there. It's a drop dead zero and get with the hero, but that's Vanilla Ice's 1991 movie, "Cool as Ice."
COLLINS: I got to say I missed it.
GIBSON: It got e-mailed to video.
COLLINS: OK, very good, all right. Kendis Gibson, we appreciate it very much. Good job.
GIBSON: Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 10, 2002 - 07:43 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: The movie "8 Mile" opened this weekend, featuring rap star Eminem. He's the latest of many entertainers to make the giant leap from the concert stage to the big screen. And the potential for success of his movie is noteworthy.
Entertainment report Kendis Gibson here now to talk more about this transition. And it's not an easy one.
KENDIS GIBSON, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: It isn't an easy one. A lot of people have tried it. But you know what? First, let's talk about -- explain really what "8 Mile" refers to.
And Heidi, it is the road, basically. That's the main east-west divider in Detroit that for the most part separates blacks from whites, lower from middle class, and the inner city from the burbs. As for Eminem, the success of "8 Mile" is the only thing separating him from overall superstar status.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GIBSON (voice-over): There are perfectly sane, unbiased, unabashed movie critics walking out of "Eight Mile," Eminem's first foray into the movies, saying...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The movie is pretty good.
GIBSON: Wait a minute, what was that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the movie is pretty good. It's raw, it's -- it wasn't overshot, there are not a lot of special effects.
GIBSON: From "The New York Times" to "USA Today," to the rotisserie of TV critics, the reviews have been overwhelmingly good for Eminem.
After all, these are reviews for a man whose only previous acting include the incarnations of alter ego, Slim Shady in his videos. So how can it be first time out such good reviews?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He does do a pretty good job. I mean, the thing that he proved in this movie is that he can play himself.
GIBSON: But even that's not as easy as it sounds. Take the shining examples, if you will, of Britney Spears in this year's "Crossroads" and the Holy Grail, Mariah Carey, in "Glitter."
Both were trashed by critics. "Glitter" even went on to make a fraction of the $20 plus millions invested in the film.
Despite "8 Mile" being a bigger financial gamble for Universal Pictures, $50 million spent on shooting, millions more on promotions, it wasn't all riding on the shoulders of the rap star. Confidence came from others along for the ride.
Director Curtis Hanson from "L.A. Confidential" fame, Brian Grazer, producer of "A Beautiful Mind," and Oscar winner Kim Basinger. Also, the notion that rappers have a better track record in transitioning.
Since his impressive transition debut in 1991's "Boyz 'N the Hood," Ice Cube has gone on to critical and box office success. And Will Smith started as a rapper. Now he's an Oscar nominee making $20 plus millions for every film.
So does Eminem have that sort of future as an acting star?
CURTIS HANSON, DIRECTOR: If he wants it, he does. You know, on our last day of shooting, I said, "How do you feel?" He went "Never again, Curtis."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GIBSON: Oh yes, we're going to have to wait and see if he does come back. Well the soundtrack, by the way, for "8 Mile" is the number one album in the country. And if "8 Mile," the movie, does become the number one movie by the end of the day, Eminem and Jennifer Lopez will be the only entertainers to ever have that honor, a number one movie and a number album at the same time. Very rare.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: That's quite an accomplishment. "Wedding Planner" for her, right?
GIBSON: Absolutely.
COLLINS: Now let me ask you, this has been out Friday night and Saturday night. Big weekend numbers, right?
GIBSON: It's expected that it'll probably do $20 to $25 million this weekend, in part, because there were no other big blockbusters out.
COLLINS: Right.
GIBSON: Next week, it's not going to be the number one movie, though. Harry Potter comes out, as you know.
COLLINS: Oh yes, and that's a huge one. But now there is actually some Oscar buzz about this for Eminem.
GIBSON: Can you believe it? Maybe it's because early in the race, but right now, they are talking possible Oscar nomination for supporting actress for Kim Basinger, and as well as for the movie, but it's really, really early in the race.
COLLINS: Very early, yes.
GIBSON: So we'll have to wait and see.
COLLINS: Well, we'll have to see what people think. And what about the people in that area, in the "8 Mile" area? Any idea of what their reception has been this early on?
GIBSON: So far, the folks in the "8 Mile" area are kind of split on it. They see Eminem as someone who used to connect with them, and now he's wealthy and lives...
COLLINS: Right.
GIBSON: ...in the wealthy side of 8 Mile, that 8 Mile divide. They're all curious to see the movie, to see if it has an accurate description of portrayal of their area, but they're not really big Eminem fans.
COLLINS: I hear you. All right, well, not very many rappers have fared as well though, right, as Eminem?
GIBSON: Not really. I mean, we should say that, you know, there are many other artists who have tried this. Madonna has tried this. Whitney Houston has tried it as to try to make success. And there were some rappers that tried it also.
In fact, we have a perfect example of probably, you know, the worst case scenario. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cool as ice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Again, imagine that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What the hell was that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop that zero and get with the hero.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GIBSON: All right, so...
COLLINS: Now that is good stuff.
GIBSON: That is great writing right there. It's a drop dead zero and get with the hero, but that's Vanilla Ice's 1991 movie, "Cool as Ice."
COLLINS: I got to say I missed it.
GIBSON: It got e-mailed to video.
COLLINS: OK, very good, all right. Kendis Gibson, we appreciate it very much. Good job.
GIBSON: Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
