Wednesday 12 February 2014

Shia LaBeouf is sorry






Shia LaBeouf's behavior has gone from precocious and unpredictable to downright bizarre in recent weeks. Take a look at how the star <a href='http://ift.tt/1h9aKY4' target='_blank'>went from a kid actor</a> to a man wearing a paper bag over his head:Shia LaBeouf's behavior has gone from precocious and unpredictable to downright bizarre in recent weeks. Take a look at how the star went from a kid actor to a man wearing a paper bag over his head:

After a string of commercials, TV and movie appearances, LaBeouf found fame at 14 as the star of Disney's "Even Stevens." The comedy ran from 2000 to 2003 and earned the young actor an Emmy for outstanding performer in a children's series. After a string of commercials, TV and movie appearances, LaBeouf found fame at 14 as the star of Disney's "Even Stevens." The comedy ran from 2000 to 2003 and earned the young actor an Emmy for outstanding performer in a children's series.

As "Even Stevens" wrapped up, LaBeouf landed another breakout role, this time in film. He starred in 2003's "Holes," which was adapted from Louis Sachar's novel. As "Even Stevens" wrapped up, LaBeouf landed another breakout role, this time in film. He starred in 2003's "Holes," which was adapted from Louis Sachar's novel.

"Holes" wasn't the only movie LaBeouf worked on that year. He also appeared in "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle " and "The Battle of Shaker Heights." For the latter movie's premiere in August 2003, the then 17-year-old actor brought his mom as his date."Holes" wasn't the only movie LaBeouf worked on that year. He also appeared in "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle " and "The Battle of Shaker Heights." For the latter movie's premiere in August 2003, the then 17-year-old actor brought his mom as his date.

As his fame grew, LaBeouf became part of the parade of kid stars who were becoming household names, like Amanda Bynes and Raven Symone. The trio appeared on MTV's "Total Request Live" in 2005. As his fame grew, LaBeouf became part of the parade of kid stars who were becoming household names, like Amanda Bynes and Raven Symone. The trio appeared on MTV's "Total Request Live" in 2005.

In 2007, Shia LaBeouf was hand-picked by Steven Spielberg -- who eventually became a mentor for the up-and-coming actor -- to star in the thriller "Disturbia." The release helped establish LaBeouf as a major talent in Hollywood as the movie scored a surprise No. 1 at the box office. In 2007, Shia LaBeouf was hand-picked by Steven Spielberg -- who eventually became a mentor for the up-and-coming actor -- to star in the thriller "Disturbia." The release helped establish LaBeouf as a major talent in Hollywood as the movie scored a surprise No. 1 at the box office.

With one top movie already under his belt, LaBeouf went on to score another No. 1 blockbuster with 2007's "Transformers." He starred in the movie as Sam Witwicky, a character he reprised in two more films before deciding to quit the franchise. With one top movie already under his belt, LaBeouf went on to score another No. 1 blockbuster with 2007's "Transformers." He starred in the movie as Sam Witwicky, a character he reprised in two more films before deciding to quit the franchise.

In November 2007, LaBeouf earned that <i>other </i>Hollywood rite of passage: his very first mugshot. The then-21-year-old actor was arrested for trespassing in a Chicago drugstore. According to <a href='http://ift.tt/1fVUAAZ' target='_blank'>People magazine</a>, a security guard at the store repeatedly asked LaBeouf to leave because he appeared intoxicated, and when the actor refused, the security guard called the cops. In November 2007, LaBeouf earned that other Hollywood rite of passage: his very first mugshot. The then-21-year-old actor was arrested for trespassing in a Chicago drugstore. According to People magazine, a security guard at the store repeatedly asked LaBeouf to leave because he appeared intoxicated, and when the actor refused, the security guard called the cops.

LaBeouf was described as Spielberg's protege, so it wasn't surprising to see the actor turn up in the famed filmmaker's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in 2008. The only problem? The movie didn't go over so well, and LaBeouf made waves bad-mouthing it two years later, saying that he and his colleagues had "dropped the ball."LaBeouf was described as Spielberg's protege, so it wasn't surprising to see the actor turn up in the famed filmmaker's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in 2008. The only problem? The movie didn't go over so well, and LaBeouf made waves bad-mouthing it two years later, saying that he and his colleagues had "dropped the ball."

Despite earning a reputation as Hollywood's newest troublemaker, LaBeouf was still as popular as ever in 2008. That year, he was at work on a second "Transformers" movie and was starring in another action film, "Eagle Eye." In May, he was brought back to "Saturday Night Live" to host for a second time; that appearance was just two months before <a href='http://ift.tt/1ekp3of' target='_blank'>he was arrested at the scene of a car accident on suspicion of DUI</a>. The wreck left LaBeouf with a nasty hand injury. Despite earning a reputation as Hollywood's newest troublemaker, LaBeouf was still as popular as ever in 2008. That year, he was at work on a second "Transformers" movie and was starring in another action film, "Eagle Eye." In May, he was brought back to "Saturday Night Live" to host for a second time; that appearance was just two months before he was arrested at the scene of a car accident on suspicion of DUI. The wreck left LaBeouf with a nasty hand injury.

In 2010, LaBeouf tried to shake off some of his action star rep and bad boy behavior. He signed up for Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," started studying the stock market and dated his squeaky clean "Wall Street" co-star, Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan. "I cleared my life to make this movie," <a href='http://ift.tt/1bPI4yM' target='_blank'>he told GQ magazine</a> that year. "My past life did not follow me to New York. I created a whole new existence."In 2010, LaBeouf tried to shake off some of his action star rep and bad boy behavior. He signed up for Oliver Stone's "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," started studying the stock market and dated his squeaky clean "Wall Street" co-star, Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan. "I cleared my life to make this movie," he told GQ magazine that year. "My past life did not follow me to New York. I created a whole new existence."

LaBeouf's transformation included saying goodbye to the "Transformers" series in 2011. The actor filmed the third installment, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" -- which replaced his former co-star Megan Fox with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley -- and then announced he'd washed his hands of Michael Bay's chain of blockbusters. "I don't have anything new to contribute," he said that year. LaBeouf's transformation included saying goodbye to the "Transformers" series in 2011. The actor filmed the third installment, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" -- which replaced his former co-star Megan Fox with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley -- and then announced he'd washed his hands of Michael Bay's chain of blockbusters. "I don't have anything new to contribute," he said that year.

Leaving summer popcorn films firmly in his past, LaBeouf focused on creating a career in indie filmmaking. In 2012, as he starred in "Lawless," <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyTkV4' target='_blank'>he said that</a> "there's no room for being a visionary in the studio system. It literally cannot exist. ... I'm done."Leaving summer popcorn films firmly in his past, LaBeouf focused on creating a career in indie filmmaking. In 2012, as he starred in "Lawless," he said that "there's no room for being a visionary in the studio system. It literally cannot exist. ... I'm done."

As part of his newly public path as an independent artist, LaBeouf revealed in April 2012 that he also has a side career <a href='http://ift.tt/1ls045j' target='_blank'>as a graphic novelist who self-publishes his own work. </a>As part of his newly public path as an independent artist, LaBeouf revealed in April 2012 that he also has a side career as a graphic novelist who self-publishes his own work.

Interestingly, the more adventuresome LaBeouf became with his art, the more often we saw him naked. The actor happily went full-frontal <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyTnjL' target='_blank'>in a Sigur Ros music video</a> in 2012, and then announced that he planned on getting naked again in Lars von Trier's explicitly erotic drama, "Nymphomaniac." LaBeouf has said -- perhaps jokingly -- that <a href='http://ift.tt/Q58ReZ' target='_blank'>he sent in videotapes of himself having sex with his girlfriend</a> to prove he could handle the role's unsimulated sex scenes. Interestingly, the more adventuresome LaBeouf became with his art, the more often we saw him naked. The actor happily went full-frontal in a Sigur Ros music video in 2012, and then announced that he planned on getting naked again in Lars von Trier's explicitly erotic drama, "Nymphomaniac." LaBeouf has said -- perhaps jokingly -- that he sent in videotapes of himself having sex with his girlfriend to prove he could handle the role's unsimulated sex scenes.

With that level of commitment to his work, it's not surprising that LaBeouf wanted to drink moonshine for "Lawless" or drop acid for 2013's "Charlie Countryman." "There's a way to do an acid trip like 'Harold &amp; Kumar,' and there's a way to be on acid," <a href='http://ift.tt/1jyTkV9' target='_blank'>the then-26-year-old actor told USA Today.</a> "What I know of acting, Sean Penn actually strapped in to that (electric) chair in 'Dead Man Walking.' These are the guys that I look up to."With that level of commitment to his work, it's not surprising that LaBeouf wanted to drink moonshine for "Lawless" or drop acid for 2013's "Charlie Countryman." "There's a way to do an acid trip like 'Harold & Kumar,' and there's a way to be on acid," the then-26-year-old actor told USA Today. "What I know of acting, Sean Penn actually strapped in to that (electric) chair in 'Dead Man Walking.' These are the guys that I look up to."

In 2013, LaBeouf was poised to enter the world of theater with a Broadway production of "Orphans" that co-starred Alec Baldwin. Yet before he could make his debut on the Great White Way, the actor dropped out of the project over "creative differences" -- and then for reasons known only to him, decided to publicly share private correspondence about behind-the-scenes tension. He and Baldwin apparently had conflict "as men. Not as artists, but as men," <a href='http://ift.tt/XVmaQR' target='_blank'>LaBeouf later said. </a>In 2013, LaBeouf was poised to enter the world of theater with a Broadway production of "Orphans" that co-starred Alec Baldwin. Yet before he could make his debut on the Great White Way, the actor dropped out of the project over "creative differences" -- and then for reasons known only to him, decided to publicly share private correspondence about behind-the-scenes tension. He and Baldwin apparently had conflict "as men. Not as artists, but as men," LaBeouf later said.

In December 2013, LaBeouf was accused of plagiarizing the work of author Daniel Clowes for a short film. At first, LaBeouf admitted that he failed to give Clowes proper credit and said he was sorry. But then, as he continued to apologize, observers noticed that he was plagiarizing his apologies. In January 2014 LaBeouf literally aimed higher with his tour of regret and decided to skywrite <a href='http://ift.tt/1ffptKq' target='_blank'>"I am sorry Daniel Clowes" across the skies of Los Angeles. </a>In December 2013, LaBeouf was accused of plagiarizing the work of author Daniel Clowes for a short film. At first, LaBeouf admitted that he failed to give Clowes proper credit and said he was sorry. But then, as he continued to apologize, observers noticed that he was plagiarizing his apologies. In January 2014 LaBeouf literally aimed higher with his tour of regret and decided to skywrite "I am sorry Daniel Clowes" across the skies of Los Angeles.

After his skywriting effort, LaBeouf's actions grew increasingly strange. He said he was retiring from public life in early January, and then began tweeting "I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE" daily for weeks. All of that fueled rumors that he was actually in the middle of a performance art piece, and one could only hope that's what caused his bizarre appearance at the Berlin Film Festival. On February 9, he abruptly walked out of a press conference for his film "Nymphomaniac: Volume I" after randomly answering a question with a quote from a French soccer star. After his skywriting effort, LaBeouf's actions grew increasingly strange. He said he was retiring from public life in early January, and then began tweeting "I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE" daily for weeks. All of that fueled rumors that he was actually in the middle of a performance art piece, and one could only hope that's what caused his bizarre appearance at the Berlin Film Festival. On February 9, he abruptly walked out of a press conference for his film "Nymphomaniac: Volume I" after randomly answering a question with a quote from a French soccer star.

Although LaBeouf didn't stay for "Nymphomaniac's" media event, he did show up for the premiere wearing one eye-catching accessory: a paper bag over his head bearing his favorite phrase, "I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE," scrawled in black marker. Although LaBeouf didn't stay for "Nymphomaniac's" media event, he did show up for the premiere wearing one eye-catching accessory: a paper bag over his head bearing his favorite phrase, "I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE," scrawled in black marker.








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  • Shia LaBeouf has opened an art exhibit in Los Angeles

  • The project is called "#IAmSorry"

  • Visitors sit in a room with the actor after choosing an "implement"

  • He doesn't say what he's actually sorry for




(CNN) -- Being famous must mean never having to say you're sorry.


Now that Shia LaBeouf isn't "famous" anymore, he can't seem to stop apologizing.


The actor -- whose behavior has taken a turn for the bizarre over the past several weeks -- is now performing in a Los Angeles-based art installation called "#IAmSorry."


The former "Transformers" star tweeted the hashtag from his Twitter account around 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday. (It was a change of pace from his usual tweet, "I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE," which he'd been posting daily since January 20.)


According to a press release, LaBeouf collaborated with artists Nastja Säde Rönkkö and Luke Turner to create the exhibit, which is showing at the Stephen Cohen Gallery from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.


What's going on with Shia?


"Shia LaBeouf is sorry," the press releases states. "Sincerely sorry. He will be in situ ... for the duration. Implements will be provided."


Visitors to the art show are invited to observe LaBeouf's performance one at a time. Before viewing the actor, the visitor stops at a table that bears "implements" -- some of which appear to correspond with LaBeouf's career. There are things like a "Transformers" toy, a whip (he starred in 2008's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"), Hershey's kisses, a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey, a bottle of cologne, pliers, a ukelele and a copy of Daniel Clowes' book, "The Death-Ray."


The last item is an interesting choice, given that LaBeouf was accused of plagiarizing Clowes' work in December. The actor at first said that he'd been so absorbed in the creative process he neglected to give Clowes proper accreditation, but then he was also accused of plagiarizing his apologies.


So is this whole exhibit supposed to be a grand apology both for his use of Clowes' art as well as his own career? Visitors don't find out. They're instructed to select one item from the table of "implements," which also includes a bowl of comments about LaBeouf.


Time magazine's Ryan Sandoval took the bowl of messages into LaBeouf's performance space, which he describes as a room about the size of a closet, outfitted with a table and two chairs. Behind the table was LaBeouf, wearing a tux and his now ever-present paper bag mask with the words "I AM NOT FAMOUS" written on it.


After sitting down across from the actor, Sandoval described reading "messages (that were) mostly negative, some positive, declaring LaBeouf either a 'baby,' an 'idiot,' or a 'genius.' Things about having to 'move on,' or suggestions of 'death.' They felt like tweets; they probably were tweets. I read about thirteen notes in measured tones, opting out of the ones that were too harsh or too praiseworthy; I thought about reading the whole bowl, but then got self-conscious saying so many hurtful things to LaBeouf, who in that moment, just seemed like a mixed-up kid. (Frankly, I hope no one whips him, or worse, spritzes him with cologne.)"


The Daily Beast's Andrew Romano did in fact choose the cologne, and tried to offer it to the actor but didn't get a response. LaBeouf was just as silent when Romano peppered with him questions such as, "What are you sorry for?" and "If you're not famous, why am I here?"


"It was just me and a guy in formal wear with a paper bag over his head sitting there silently," Romano described. "Through his eyeholes, I could see LaBeouf's eyes moving around -- staring at me."


But after asking LaBeouf if it was really him, Romano did get a response.


"The bag moved. I thought he was smiling. Then I looked at his eyes. They were red and watery."


"'Can you give me a sign that you're really Shia LaBeouf?'" Romano asked. "And that's when it happened: LaBeouf reached up and took the bag off his head. He looked miserable. I'm pretty sure he had been crying."


The location of the exhibit, which is free to view, just so happens to be located across the street from the offices of viral content giant BuzzFeed, and some have wondered if it was intentional.


There's also the question of what the whole point of the exhibit could be. Is Shia LaBeouf trying to sincerely apologize, or is he making a larger commentary on celebrity? Is it more about our "copy-and-paste culture," as he's said before?


That last theory appears to hold at least a little bit of water. Some attendees to "#IAmSorry" have noted the project's strong resemblance to the work of Marina Abramovic, in addition to other artists.



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