Talk:Matt Damon/Archive 2

Filmography

Was that Matt Damon as the punk with the gun from the movie The Hard Way from 1991? Chapter labeled "Trouble on the Train" —Preceding unsigned comment added by Johnnyduece (talk • contribs) 20:23, 20 October 2008 (UTC)

• Added: Youtube clip of the scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7d35awUhdE

Johnnyduece, 5:51pm Eastern Time, 12-27-09. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.139.228.105 (talk) 22:52, 27 December 2009 (UTC) "The Adjustment Bureau" should be 2011... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ekk222 (talk • contribs) 04:31, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

The Promised Land: Considering that Damon created and wrote this script which deals heavily with political issues, I think it is appropriate to include mention that the film was funded by a member of OPEC. However, I am open to including such mention in the section covering political views if others think such is more appropriate than in the Filmography section. Anyone? Macae (talk) 01:42, 02 October 2012 (UTC)

The problem is that you have not provided a reliable source to back up the claim which means it also might be a violation of the guidelines and policies surrounding WP:BLP (biographies of living people). If you can provide that reliable source then we can address whether it belongs in the article, where in the article, and how to express the point in a neutral manner. SQGibbon (talk) 16:02, 2 October 2012 (UTC)

My mistake in leaving out links to the information. I have now included two different link sources. I debated the inclusion of an IMDB source, but in researching the issue, it appears that most people believe that credits from IMDB are permissible while trivia and other less verifiable information should not be referenced from IMDB. However, just as further verification, I have also listed a link to the official movie trailer itself, which names Imagenation as Producer. Regarding proper placement, I added the links and placed the mention back in the article before reading your note. However, I am completely open to moving the information to another part of the article if you or others feel it is more appropriate. And regarding whether it belongs at all, I feel it is appropriate given the other political information that is already contained in other areas of the article. However, that too is certainly open to discussion. Thanks SQGibbon. Macae (talk) 16:34, 02 October 2012 (UTC)

We still have to deal with issues of undue weight WP:UNDUE and retaining a neutral point of view WP:NPOV. There are problems here and it starts with your use of the term "vilify" (not present in the trailer or the summary at IMDB) along with connecting UAB and OPEC to the film. It makes it look like you yourself are making a political statement even if that is not your intent. One question is why is it relevant that Imagenation is producing the film? You need to provide a source that indicates that this fact in itself is significant. Why does it matter that Imagenation was initially funded by UAB? Again, we need a source that indicates why this matters to the Matt Damon article. Also, what does the connection between UAB and OPEC matter? Again, you need to provide a citation indicating the significance of that fact and its relevance to this article. Right now it all still looks like original research WP:OR with you taking facts and putting them together yourself in order to make a point. For instance, why didn't you mention that Focus Films is involved? By picking and choosing the facts that you are including it certainly makes it look like you have a point to make and you are using this article to make it. SQGibbon (talk) 17:21, 2 October 2012 (UTC)

WIth regards to the word "vilify", I felt that such a term was an appropriate description since the movie portrays the Domestic Oil Industry as the villian/bad guy. However, if you can provide a better description that you feel is more neutral in tone, I would obviously be willing to consider. Regarding the relevance that Imagenation is a producer of the film, I can certainly provide a link discussing the revelevance in more detail. Try for example - http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/frack_film_flim_flam_4gIUgQnwOYsQpki2RRj9YJ. Regarding my lack of mention of Focus Films - I did mention that the film was funded "in part" by Imagenation. I did not mention any other financers because, to my knowledge, they do not have the relevance to the film topic that Imagenation does. If you believe otherwise, I would certainly be willing to include their names as well.

To summarize, it appears that you believe that the language needs to be made more neutral and that a link to the relevance of the producers connection to OPEC needs to be included in addition to the reference that provides that indicates such a connection? I can do both and we can discuss further. Macae (talk) 18:23, 02 October 2012 (UTC)

You provided a link to an opinion article from a well-known conservative (with regard to environmental issues at least) in a conservative/right-wing newspaper. Even then the opinion piece only suggests that there might be a connection between the UAE and Damon without actually making the claim that it is a propaganda film. The text you proposed makes it sound like the connection is certainly in the service of propaganda. And sure, it certainly looks suspicious, but that's not how we operate on Wikipedia. We don't report rumor and speculation unless it is clearly marked as such and then only if it gets widespread media attention that makes it worthy of mentioning (i.e., one person, no matter how notable they are, writing one article possibly alleging a controversial fact about a subject is not automatically appropriate for inclusion in Wikipedia). If this information belongs on Wikipedia then it would best be added to a section about Damon's political beliefs since clearly the point of the edit is to point out his political ties to the UAE and making a propaganda film for them.

The problem with only mentioning Imagenation is that by doing so you are basically asserting that there is some kind of sinister connection and that this connection has been supported by facts established by your source. Those facts (e.g. propaganda film for the UAE) have not been established by your source who only brought up that someone should look at the issue. When you pick and choose which facts to list you are telling readers that there is something extra-significant about those facts. And when you wrote "I did not mention any other financers because, to my knowledge, they do not have the relevance to the film topic that Imagenation does." that is you stating that you think there is a connection beyond just providing funding for a film but that fact has not been established with any source yet supplied.

Finally, your edit states that the film "attempts to vilify the American Oil & Gas industry". Where did you get this from? In the plot section of the film's article it says nothing about attacking the entire industry but is about a few individuals, some of whom represent a specific oil interest. That is not the same thing at all. Again, unless you have a reliable source that states as fact that the point of the film is to vilify the American oil industry it appears that you are expressing your opinion or including your own original research.

So yes, there might be something here worth reporting on in the article. If it is established that Damon is working for Arab oil interests making a propaganda film for them then that is big news. But that claim needs to be solidly established with multiple reliable and objective sources and cannot be based upon opinion and speculation. SQGibbon (talk) 19:58, 2 October 2012 (UTC)

Yes the link I provided was an opinion article from a conservative source. However, that does not mean that the facts that he presented and that I posted in the article are in any way incorrect. And the opinion piece does much more than suggest that there might be a connection.... There IS a connection between Matt Damon's new film and the government of the UAE. The credits listed on the film's trailer confirm such a connection exists.

Terms such as "propaganda" and "sinister" are very loaded and suggestive words and I intentionally avoided the usage of such suggestive terms in trying to provide a facts only addition to the article.

As you yourself have acknowledged, the financing of this film by the UAE does look suspicious and there might indeed be something worth mentioning in the article. However I have no problem waiting until the movie premier is closer and more comments and information have been provided regarding the film and the intent and connections of those involved in its creation.Macae (talk) 05:28, 03 October 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.58.26.98 (talk)

Question

Is it True That Matt Damon is ROBOT ACTOR 666 aka (stan/matt damon)? Iv read this in many places yet your information says nothing about this. thank you very much.

Closeness to graduating

Although Damon was 11 credits shy of graduating...

Both this statement and the USA Weekend article which is cited hint by this statement that he would have been close to graduating from Harvard. Harvard does not use a conventional credit system. Each semester long class is either a half-course (typical) or full-course (certain intensive subjects). Sometimes the word "credit" is used instead of course. Thus 4 half-credits is a typical semester's load. So 11 credits could mean: (1) approximately 1 term away from graduating (using a standard college's 12 credits = a term; unlikely given the specificity of 11 credits), (2) 3 semesters away from graduating (11 half courses), or (3) 3 years away from graduating. I know nothing about the actor, so can't help with clearing this up. Best, -- Myke Cuthbert (talk) 22:19, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

weight loss and drug story

As well as many other biographical items are documented in http://youtube.com/watch?v=IYpLL6JAdLQ . I'm too tired to remember my password. It's 3:13am and I'm on the toilet editing wikipedia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.112.57.68 (talk) 07:14, August 27, 2007 (UTC)

video has been pulled by youtube —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.209.0.23 (talk) 05:00, 7 February 2009 (UTC)

GA candidate

I have nominated the article for review at WP:GAC. If you think there is anything that needs to be fixed or added, please do so before the review. With the current backlog, it should be a few weeks before the article is reviewed by another editor. Good work to everybody that contributed to the article and added sources. --Nehrams2020 07:54, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

And I hath passed it. Good work people! Alientraveller 14:46, 20 September 2007 (UTC)

I was reading the quote about the Iraq war and noticed it was incomplete. Can somebody please quote it in its entirety? Use the references link for the source. I cannot change because the article is semi-protected. Thanks. - Stickler for details. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 15.235.153.104 (talk) 00:58, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

According to the source, there is no other part of the quote available. --Nehrams2020 (talk) 01:47, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

Um here is the full quote. I just copied it from that page.

"I don't think that it's fair as I said before, that it seems like we have a fighting class in our country that's comprised of people who have to go for either financial reasons or, I don't think that that is fair," said Damon, 36. "And if you're gonna send people to war ... then that needs to be shared by everybody, you know, and if the president has daughters who are of age then maybe they should go too." Is that OK? - Stickler for details. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 15.235.153.104 (talk) 19:11, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, I looked over the quote too fast, you're right. If you want to include the rest of the quote, I don't see a problem doing so. If you're interested in joining Wikipedia with a user name, I think "Stickler for details" would be a great one! --Nehrams2020 (talk) 20:38, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

Dates

Damon was born in October 1970 but his first film role was in 1988 at the age of 16? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.21.128.158 (talk) 12:03, 19 December 2007 (UTC)

Looking at the imdb page for that film and his role, it doesn't seem to have been a major part in the film. Also, I don't see what's so strange about a 16 year old playing a part in a film. Christian Bale, for example, was only 13 when he played the Jim (the lead role) in Empire of the Sun. Danielizzat (talk) 21:53, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

Btw, unless my maths is off, if he was born in 1970 and this role was in 1988, he must have been at least 17, and, depending on whether it happened before or after October 1988, perhaps even as old as 18. -- JackofOz (talk) 21:57, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

Question

hey what about his apareance in eurotrip?? ;) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.205.227.61 (talk • contribs)

It's mentioned in the filmography at the end of the article. --Nehrams2020 (talk) 22:14, 6 April 2009 (UTC)

Page protected

The page has been protected for several days due to excessive edits about rumors of his supposed death. If you have come to this page to add details about this rumor, please provide a reliable source here. A quick Google search shows it to be from hoax sites and blogs. --Happy editing! Nehrams2020 (talk • contrib) 02:11, 10 September 2009 (UTC)

what about adding information ABOUT the rumour? WookMuff (talk) 13:12, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

It isn't notable nor encyclopedic. Ask yourself if it is going to matter in a year and the answer is no. There have been internet rumors about the deaths of a lot of people. Wildhartlivie (talk) 22:13, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

Pronunciation needed

Hi.

What's the most common pronunciation of his family name? Is it day-min?

Best regards,
Codename Lisa (talk) 10:23, 12 October 2013 (UTC)

Hi Lisa
We say "day-mun" in the British Isles.
Best regards to you too!
— | Gareth Griffith-Jones | The Welsh Buzzard | — 10:31, 12 October 2013 (UTC)

Hi. I assume you and me are both referring to /ɪ/ sound. (Or probably allophones of the same phoneme.) Okay, thanks. No problems so far. Best regards, Codename Lisa (talk) 10:47, 12 October 2013 (UTC)

Yes. The stress, of course, is on the first syllable and the /y/ is not really included. Hope that makes sense! Cheers!
— | Gareth Griffith-Jones | The Welsh Buzzard | — 11:46, 12 October 2013 (UTC)

Hi. My IPA spelling seems correct to me, the /deɪ/ corresponds with the word day and the /ən/ is identical to the pronunciation of the ending of button. Where's the mistake? Sylosin (talk) 17:01, 5 December 2013 (UTC)

Alma mater

Harvard should not be listed as his alma mater. Despite having attended classes there, one can only have an alma mater if one GRADUATES from this college or university. Despite stating Damon was a dropout, he still cannot be considered an alumnus of Harvard.

Corrent, can an editor remove that from the page?MilkStraw532 (talk) 00:10, 21 October 2011 (UTC)

from Wikipedia: In modern times, it is often any school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated.

Usually graduated from, does not mean that it is required. I know that I am considered an alumni at one of the schools I attended but did not graduate from, because I called and asked them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 158.80.40.2 (talk) 18:00, 6 February 2012 (UTC)

Agreed. Just noting to close this out and archive it: alma mater - per Merriam Webster, means "a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated." So, Harvard University stays.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:07, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Mr. Speca

"Mr. Speca always seemed to trust Ben [Affleck] with the biggest roles and longest speeches."

I can't imagine that Matt said that and would love to see a scan of it or something. I can't find that quote online anywhere except here. If he did say it, he was surely joking.. I went to high school with Matt and Ben and was in nearly all of the same drama classes that Matt took with Gerry Speca and that statement is not accurate. Matt was two years ahead of Ben in school and Matt had the male lead in every single school play. If Ben was ever a lead, it was after Matt graduated (Ben did get big parts, but Matt was always lead). I don't know what "longest speeches" would mean, except to refer to roles in class exercises and they hardly took any drama classes together because Matt had already taken the lower-level drama classes before Ben was even in high school. In addition (and maybe most importantly), nobody ever called Gerry "Mr. Speca." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.227.191.81 (talk) 04:15, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Well, if you'll notice, it is sourced to an article in The Washington Times, written by Gary Arnold called "Boyhood friends are stars on the rise", published on December 26, 1997. There's no requirement that sources be available online or a scan be provided. Wildhartlivie (talk) 05:58, 16 June 2010 (UTC)

Just for arguments sake, I verified it on HighBeam (http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-56772452.html, for those with a subscription). The entire quote is:

"Ben was always the neighborhood star," Mr. Damon reveals. "When we were still really young, he got a role on this PBS series produced in Boston, `The Voyage of the Mimi,' an educational program for children. That gave him an edge on everyone else. Mr. Speca always seemed to trust Ben with the biggest roles and longest speeches."--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:15, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Rounders link

QUICK FIX: the link to "Rounders" the film does not direct to the proper place, it directs to "Rounder" the game if anyone is up for a quick edit. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.210.222.150 (talk) 22:55, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

It looks like someone fixed it, because it goes to the film now.--CaroleHenson (talk)

Personal life section

Currently, Damon's personal life section contains his philanthropic work plus his media relation with Kimmel. This seems like misrepresentation, because obviously this stuff is part of his public (and not personal) dimension. I think we should have a "Social activism" section, which can contain his philanthropic activities. And the Kimmel stuff, along with his hardball appearance, would be better suited under a separate "In the media" heading. Thoughts? Hutch y2k (talk) 07:00, 20 February 2010 (UTC)

Discrepancy?

"Matt Damon was born in Summer Hill, Sydney," is the opening line of 'Early life' while in the info box it says he was "Born, Matthew Paige Damon, October 8, 1970 (1970-10-08) (age 38), Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S."

Which is correct?--Senor Freebie (talk) 13:38, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Everything that I've ever read or seen has said that he is from Massachusetts. I believe that the Australia stuff was just vandalism to the article. Here, the location changes and the little BMX blurb smells like vandalism to me (and reverted as). Cheers! Apparition^{11 Complaints}/Mistakes 14:13, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

someone fixed this.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:24, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

False information

The beekeeping story is false and was proven to be incorrect in an article at The Independent. It should be permanently removed. Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/pandora-camerons-swinging-plans-on-spending-1767369.html Libraryspice (talk) 09:51, 11 August 2009 (UTC)

There's nothing about beekeeping, bee or bees now.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:25, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Good Will Hunting year

In the opening it says Good Will Hunting came out in 1997. It came out in 1998 (check IMDb), in January. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.106.214.187 (talk) 22:12, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

Sources consistently say it same out in 1997 - just google and look at the reliable sources (newspapers, etc.) IMdB now says 1997.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:31, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Yellow Elephant Citation

Damon's quote about the war under Interests and Notables hurts the tone of this article. A simple summary of his political views regarding the war would be an improvement. Something like: "Damon has publicly criticized the Bush administration's war policy, especially as it relates to the socio-economic classes that comprise the U.S. fighting force in Iraq." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.27.203.128 (talk) 18:16, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Criticism of Barack Obama

The criticism by Matt of Obama on the Piers Morgan show - and elsewhere, subsequently - is significant. Perhaps no other major Hollywood celebrity (though Robert Redford is another) has been unequivocal in quite the same way concerning liberal-left disillusionment with Obama. Certainly rates a mention. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.93.207.209 (talk) 07:08, 11 March 2012 (UTC)

Someone added a something.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:35, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Plagiarism in Career Section

Does it matter that much of the first paragraph in the Career section plagiarizes one of the article's it cites? It plagiarizes, "Weight loss left Damon feeling like a 'wreck'," YahooIndia (currently found in footnote 12). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.86.242.145 (talk) 19:22, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

no longer an issue.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:37, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Forbes.com "Best Invesment"

On August 6th, 2007, Forbes.com released an article detailing the Hollywood actors and actresses who represented the best investment in movie-making. They used a formula based on pay and gross earnings and Matt topped the list (his movies earning approximately $29 for every dollar spent on him). I wondered if this should be mentioned in the article someplace?
Forbes.com story: http://www.forbes.com/business/2007/08/03/celebrities-hollywood-movies-biz-cz_dp_0806starpayback.html
Google News Hits: http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&q=matt%20damon%20forbes%20investment&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wn
69.159.218.210 14:45, 7 August 2007 (UTC)

This is good information. It should be added. Mitchowen 19:55, 8 August 2007 (UTC)

It was added.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:38, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Humanitarian Work

A good deal of his charity work in the United States has been for Feeding America, the nation's leading and largest hunger-relief organization. He is a spokesman, incorporated them into his role on HBO's "Entourage," and is a leading figure in Feeding America's 2011 Ad Council PSA campaign.

Someone added a bit about Feeding America.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:42, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Staring in Neill Blomkamp's Elysium.

Should we add to both his Filmography and Upcoming Films that he is staring in Elysium, coming out sometime in the 2012 holidays? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Th3Marauder (talk • contribs) 14:29, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

Yes, you can certainly add that info in. ^_____^ That Ole' Cheesy Dude (Talk to the hand!) 15:44, 22 January 2011 (UTC)

Done, by someone.--CaroleHenson (talk) 10:43, 2 October 2014 (UTC)

Sarah Silverman

Would it be appropraite to put a note about his, um, video with Sarah Silverman? CoW mAnX (talk) 01:22, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Arsenal fan?

I see the article specifies him as a Boston Red Sox fan, new evidence[1] might suggest he's also a Arsenal fan. — chandler — 16:18, 3 December 2008 (UTC)

That would fall into the category of synthesis. He painted a couple things for a charity, it isn't a source that confirms "being a fan". Wildhartlivie (talk) 16:49, 3 December 2008 (UTC)

They also said that about Osama Bin Laden. you know.Celtic Muffin&Co. (talk) 21:42, 24 December 2008 (UTC)

Incorrect information posted and removed by Santabarbaradianne (talk) 17:43, 9 February 2009 (UTC)

He supports Chelsea. He was in the stands watching the Chelsea-Arsenal match today sporting a Chelsea hat db1987db (talk) 22:11, 7 February 2010 (UTC)

I've seen the match, and he was certainly not wearing a Chelsea hat. What notable references can you cite that supports this claim? The following article in the Daily Telegraph, one of England's most noted newspapers and a newspaper of record, states in quite clear terms however:

"While their ideas might not shine, that is unlikely to worry Gunners fan Matt Damon."

For those unfamiliar with football parlance, "Gunners" is another name for Arsenal FC - similar to "Sox fan", for example. This, as well as other notes within the article, state quite clearly that he is indeed an Arsenal fan and as it is a notable, published source, it verifies the statement quite comfortably. ···巌流^{? · talk to ganryuu} 22:25, 7 February 2010 (UTC)

team america world police

I think this should be included in the article —Preceding unsigned comment added by Galaxiehoon (talk • contribs) 05:46, 13 September 2009 (UTC)

Why? He didn't do the film, "Matt Damon" was only a caricature of him. He didn't do the part. Wildhartlivie (talk) 07:42, 13 September 2009 (UTC)

I think it should because if you look up matt damon on youtube it's the 4th most popular search of him.--Brian Earl Haines (talk) 23:50, 30 November 2009 (UTC)

It's worth noting that he was caricactured, I mean nobody can hear his name nowadays and not repeat "MATT DAMON". Henners91 (talk) 13:46, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

It is a well-known pop cultural reference to him. I think a line mentioning it fits in any biographical article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.79.13.44 (talk) 17:20, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

There's no encyclopedic reason to include this information and as such it shouldn't be. raseaC^{talk to me} 18:25, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

Matt Damon actually starred in Team America - he voiced the "Matt Damon" character, it clearly states so in the movie credits. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.100.92.195 (talk) 17:57, 3 January 2012 (UTC)

Producer of Stolen Summer

I recently watched a movie called Stolen Summer and I noticed that Matt Damon was one of the cited producers of the film but there is no mention of the movie on his page.

LiritAdan (talk) 15:27, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

Matt Damon is Honorary Guide of Humanity December 1, 2013

Matt Damon has been entitled as Honorary Guide of Humanity by Rael for Damon's work toward clean water, his fight for public education, and the boldness and courage he shows in standing up for ordinary people by endorsing Howard Zinn’s writing on civil disobedience. http://www.raelpress.org/news.php?item.344.1 Donnabanonna (talk) 01:46, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

 Not done Please provide sources independent of this organization that cover this award being given to Damon so we can see it is notable. --NeilN ^{talk to me} 01:57, 2 December 2013 (UTC)