Brokeback Mountain Review and Response

[dissention]

Originally Posted by macfanken

...but I know you're going to watch it!

Naturally. Interviews with Heath are highly entertaining because he always looks as if the ritalin has yet to kick in.

Do you think she'll ask Jake and Heath what it was like doing the sex scene? hmmm...

I'd bet my life on it. I'm so sick and tired of hearing that question. It's old hat. The housewives will surely be rubbing their spots over it, though.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by dissention

The cast is going to be on Oprah tomorrow. http://www2.oprah.com/index.jhtml

With a caption like "Two gorgeous men secretly in love," this will prove to be an exercise in cringe-inducing vapidness like only Oprah can present.

Cringe inducing ? Perhaps. Going to earn the movie another 5 million ? At least. Important event in terms of the mainstream acceptance of the movie ?
Absolutely. And I will explain why I think so.

The Okra seal of approval is a big assed deal to many of her, what (70 million worldwide?) viewers. She is a cultural phenomenon. Since the second arm of marketing of this film is directed at women, and 90% of her audience is women, the ones who may not have friends who have seen it or read a review will likely go in herds to see it. Unless they are nutbag religious extremists (most of whom would never watch her anyway), the movie is likely to move them immensely.

What will this accomplish ? A lot, and it is a ripple effect. Let's face it - as far as social mores and emotional rules in households go, women rule this country and most of the world. Although there are some straight guys out there who seem genuinely terrified, and perhaps rightly so, that seeing two handsome masculine men kiss is going to make them want to suck dick, many of these women are going to drag their husbands and/or boyfirends along with them to see it.
It will make an impact on them.
After seeing something like this film, it is pretty impossible to think of gay people as subhuman beings who exist only to pursue sex, act like pale imitations of women, and be clowns on sitcoms. It humanizes gay men. In the lives of people who see this movie, they are not going to think the same way about the subject anymore. They will not be so likely to reject and abuse a child who is gay or a family member who is gay. Even if a straight guy still feels like it, the women won't put up with it. And like I said, women rule the roost. So, yeah. This is a big deal. It will make some lives better right now, and many in the future. Just a movie ? Certainly not ? Just a daytime TV show ? Hardly.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by sparky

Cringe inducing ? Perhaps. Going to earn the movie another 5 million ? At least. Important event in terms of the mainstream acceptance of the movie ?
Absolutely. And I will explain why I think so.

The Okra seal of approval is a big assed deal to many of her, what (70 million worldwide?) viewers. She is a cultural phenomenon. Since the second arm of marketing of this film is directed at women, and 90% of her audience is women, the ones who may not have friends who have seen it or read a review will likely go in herds to see it. Unless they are nutbag religious extremists (most of whom would never watch her anyway), the movie is likely to move them immensely.

What will this accomplish ? A lot, and it is a ripple effect. Let's face it - as far as social mores and emotional rules in households go, women rule this country and most of the world. Although there are some straight guys out there who seem genuinely terrified, and perhaps rightly so, that seeing two handsome masculine men kiss is going to make them want to suck dick, many of these women are going to drag their husbands and/or boyfirends along with them to see it.
It will make an impact on them.
After seeing something like this film, it is pretty impossible to think of gay people as subhuman beings who exist only to pursue sex, act like pale imitations of women, and be clowns on sitcoms. It humanizes gay men. In the lives of people who see this movie, they are not going to think the same way about the subject anymore. They will not be so likely to reject and abuse a child who is gay or a family member who is gay. Even if a straight guy still feels like it, the women won't put up with it. And like I said, women rule the roost. So, yeah. This is a big deal. It will make some lives better right now, and many in the future. Just a movie ? Certainly not ? Just a daytime TV show ? Hardly.

I don't disagree; I just said it's going to make for vapid television viewing simply because it's Oprah. She possesses a remarkable ability to take great things and boil them down to nothing but numbers on her current It List. Half the time will be spent talking about whether or not the kissing scenes were awkward and blah blah blah. I hardly expect any real discussion about the movie itself other than "The script was so beautiful" and the standard lines given on these talk shows. Is it great that a movie like this is being exposed to such a huge audience via Oprah? Of course it is and, like you said, I'm sure people will go out and see it simply because she stamped her seal on it, which will probably change some minds out there. But I still doubt this particular show will make for stimulating viewing. Not with Tyler Perry on the same ****ing show.

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally Posted by dissention

I don't disagree; I just said it's going to make for vapid television viewing simply because it's Oprah. She possesses a remarkable ability to take great things and boil them down to nothing but numbers on her current It List. Half the time will be spent talking about whether or not the kissing scenes were awkward and blah blah blah. I hardly expect any real discussion about the movie itself other than "The script was so beautiful" and the standard lines given on these talk shows. Is it great that a movie like this is being exposed to such a huge audience via Oprah? Of course it is and, like you said, I'm sure people will go out and see it simply because she stamped her seal on it, which will probably change some minds out there. But I still doubt this particular show will make for stimulating viewing. Not with Tyler Perry on the same ****ing show.

The O-Warrior is as annoying as hell, but I do have to give her credit for her Katrina coverage.....it was some of the most comprehensive out there.

I'll try to watch tomorrow, and plan on seeing BBM over the weekend. It finally hit theaters here.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by sparky

After seeing something like this film, it is pretty impossible to think of gay people as subhuman beings who exist only to pursue sex, act like pale imitations of women, and be clowns on sitcoms. It humanizes gay men. In the lives of people who see this movie, they are not going to think the same way about the subject anymore.

I'm afraid the die-hard homophobes (and there are MANY still out there) will never be swayed to this kind of thinking. I wish you were right, I just don't have a lot of hope for humanity anymore, especially after giving the currrent jackass in the White House 4 more years to further f*ck up this country by propagating intolerance to anything that was not first ordained by God or Pat Robertson. Well, same diff right? .

[sparky]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I'm afraid the die-hard homophobes (and there are MANY still out there) will never be swayed to this kind of thinking. I wish you were right, I just don't have a lot of hope for humanity anymore, especially after giving the currrent jackass in the White House 4 more years to further f*ck up this country by propagating intolerance to anything that was not first ordained by God or Pat Robertson. Well, same diff right? .

I don't completely disagree, but their numbers are rapidly diminishing, and as many of those old ****heaps die off, there aren't that many to replace them.
God knows many of them have homos in their own families who are afraid to come out to them - that is what it takes.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by sparky

God knows many of them have homos in their own families who are afraid to come out to them - that is what it takes.

hmmm...that is very true!!!

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Anyone watching Oprah now?

Can I just say that Michelle is more beautiful than I ever thought she could be! Motherhood agrees with her!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Anyone watching Oprah now?

I have half a mind to track Heath down in New York and put a few hundred in his hand just so he can have his teeth bleached.

[sparky]

I watched the show and it was basically what I expected. Oprah's questions were SHOCKINGLY pedestrian. I think she is more perceptive than that and she underestimates the intelligence of her audience. If I have to hear the boys asked ONE MORE TIME about the horror and anxiety about kissing each other I am going to scream. I am certain they are too. The fact that this is all anyone can think about only indicates their own lack of intelligence and shallow thought processes. God Bless America.
I have to say that I was impressed by the actors. Jake is a total showboat and is so poised and natural he could probably run for office. Michelle is quite pretty and graceful. I wonder if that perfect little nose could possibly be real, but I don't particularly care. Heath impressed me the most. He totally shut Oprah down with her angle on how bad the "down low" aspect of the relationship was. He is clearly not into doing publicity, but when he says something it really counts. I expect one of these days he is going to shred someone for asking about the kiss again. As it is he says "It was kissing a human being. Love scenes are never comfortable." I love how he dismisses the teenage ick factor these idiot journalists keep going back to again and again. God knows, they are the ones desperate for conflict and controversy, just to have a dramatic tagline in their preview segments. The actors have it right when they approach it with such matter of fact reality. It is fantastic that both of the boys focus on the fact that it was at it's heart a beautiful love story.
That Anne Hathaway...she is a terrific actress. She is nothing like her character. I found her goofiness and sillliness to be extremely charming and endearing. It really cracked me up.
All in all, I am glad they were on the show. Okra called it one the best made films she had ever seen and told her audience to go see it. She wasn't jumping up and down, but that's okay. Mission accomplished. Next stop, Oscars noms.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by sparky

I watched the show and it was basically what I expected. Oprah's questions were SHOCKINGLY pedestrian. I think she is more perceptive than that and she underestimates the intelligence of her audience. If I have to hear the boys asked ONE MORE TIME about the horror and anxiety about kissing each other I am going to scream. I am certain they are too. The fact that this is all anyone can think about only indicates their own lack of intelligence and shallow thought processes. God Bless America.
I have to say that I was impressed by the actors. Jake is a total showboat and is so poised and natural he could probably run for office. Michelle is quite pretty and graceful. I wonder if that perfect little nose could possibly be real, but I don't particularly care. Heath impressed me the most. He totally shut Oprah down with her angle on how bad the "down low" aspect of the relationship was. He is clearly not into doing publicity, but when he says something it really counts. I expect one of these days he is going to shred someone for asking about the kiss again. As it is he says "It was kissing a human being. Love scenes are never comfortable." I love how he dismisses the teenage ick factor these idiot journalists keep going back to again and again. God knows, they are the ones desperate for conflict and controversy, just to have a dramatic tagline in their preview segments. The actors have it right when they approach it with such matter of fact reality. It is fantastic that both of the boys focus on the fact that it was at it's heart a beautiful love story.
That Anne Hathaway...she is a terrific actress. She is nothing like her character. I found her goofiness and sillliness to be extremely charming and endearing. It really cracked me up.
All in all, I am glad they were on the show. Okra called it one the best made films she had ever seen and told her audience to go see it. She wasn't jumping up and down, but that's okay. Mission accomplished. Next stop, Oscars noms.

I agree with just about everything you said.

That is the one good thing about Oprah, you know...like her or not, if she gives something (be it music, movie, book, or hell even a person) the PEOPLE WILL LISTEN! She just has that much impact.

Also, Josh did you happen to see the previews for upcoming shows...Anderson is going to be on soon.

[Serrart]

Originally Posted by sparky

I watched the show and it was basically what I expected. Oprah's questions were SHOCKINGLY pedestrian. I think she is more perceptive than that and she underestimates the intelligence of her audience. If I have to hear the boys asked ONE MORE TIME about the horror and anxiety about kissing each other I am going to scream. I am certain they are too. The fact that this is all anyone can think about only indicates their own lack of intelligence and shallow thought processes. God Bless America.
I have to say that I was impressed by the actors. Jake is a total showboat and is so poised and natural he could probably run for office. Michelle is quite pretty and graceful. I wonder if that perfect little nose could possibly be real, but I don't particularly care. Heath impressed me the most. He totally shut Oprah down with her angle on how bad the "down low" aspect of the relationship was. He is clearly not into doing publicity, but when he says something it really counts. I expect one of these days he is going to shred someone for asking about the kiss again. As it is he says "It was kissing a human being. Love scenes are never comfortable." I love how he dismisses the teenage ick factor these idiot journalists keep going back to again and again. God knows, they are the ones desperate for conflict and controversy, just to have a dramatic tagline in their preview segments. The actors have it right when they approach it with such matter of fact reality. It is fantastic that both of the boys focus on the fact that it was at it's heart a beautiful love story.
That Anne Hathaway...she is a terrific actress. She is nothing like her character. I found her goofiness and sillliness to be extremely charming and endearing. It really cracked me up.
All in all, I am glad they were on the show. Okra called it one the best made films she had ever seen and told her audience to go see it. She wasn't jumping up and down, but that's okay. Mission accomplished. Next stop, Oscars noms.

In Venice, at the press conference at least, nobody asked about the kisses. Now that I think of it, it's quite strange there were no questions like that (after all there were also American journalists there ). I agree on Gyllenhaal he's a perfect PR actor, but Ledger did quite well too. I didn't care much about the boys though since my eyes were only on Ang Lee. I'm so glad he's having this triumph, since he's one of the best directors around.

Romy

[stargazer99]

I finally saw this movie tonight. It was every bit as incredible as I've heard.

I have to admit, I had a little trouble getting into it at first. It does move slow at the beginning. But once I got into it, I was totally sucked in.

I thought all four of the young actors (Heath, Jake, Michelle and Anne) were incredible! I haven't been able to get out to the movies much the past couple years, and haven't seen any of the other Oscar nominated actors' performances. So I have nothing to compare Heath's performance to. But he was absolutely incredible in this movie. I really could feel what his character was going through. Michelle Williams was really good as well. What I wasn't expecting though was how good Anne Hathaway was. I loved her character! She didn't have a huge part in the movie, but when she was on screen, I thought she did an incredible job.

I also didn't know, going in, how believable I'd find the aging of the characters. But it was very well done. As they got older, I never felt like I was watching young actors playing older characters.

Sparky mentioned in his original post that the makeup bothered him. But I actually thought the makeup was very well done. They gave Heath a weathered look as he aged... like his skin was getting more leathery from working out in the sun and wind. And there was a scene late in the movie where Anne's character is on the phone. I started noticing that her front teeth had red in between. I was wondering what was up with that. Then I realized her red nail polish was very chipped, and she had some little red spots that almost looked like blood on her fingers. It dawned on me that the character had been biting her nails, and the red on her fingers and teeth was the nail polish! I know this all sounds kind of irrelevent to even mention, but, without giving too much away to those who haven't seen the movie yet, I thought that bit of detail added something to that particular scene.

While I was really drawn into the movie, I was pretty composed through most of it. The part where I started to get a teary eyed was when they got into the fight about November and Mexico. (Again, don't want to give too much away to those who haven't seen it yet.) That scene really grabbed my gut. Then, of course, the shirt. That's when I totally lost it.

It was a very beautiful movie, and incredibly emotional. I'm glad I finally got to see it.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

I finally saw this movie tonight. It was every bit as incredible as I've heard.

I have to admit, I had a little trouble getting into it at first. It does move slow at the beginning. But once I got into it, I was totally sucked in.

I thought all four of the young actors (Heath, Jake, Michelle and Anne) were incredible! I haven't been able to get out to the movies much the past couple years, and haven't seen any of the other Oscar nominated actors' performances. So I have nothing to compare Heath's performance to. But he was absolutely incredible in this movie. I really could feel what his character was going through. Michelle Williams was really good as well. What I wasn't expecting though was how good Anne Hathaway was. I loved her character! She didn't have a huge part in the movie, but when she was on screen, I thought she did an incredible job.

I also didn't know, going in, how believable I'd find the aging of the characters. But it was very well done. As they got older, I never felt like I was watching young actors playing older characters.

Sparky mentioned in his original post that the makeup bothered him. But I actually thought the makeup was very well done. They gave Heath a weathered look as he aged... like his skin was getting more leathery from working out in the sun and wind. And there was a scene late in the movie where Anne's character is on the phone. I started noticing that her front teeth had red in between. I was wondering what was up with that. Then I realized her red nail polish was very chipped, and she had some little red spots that almost looked like blood on her fingers. It dawned on me that the character had been biting her nails, and the red on her fingers and teeth was the nail polish! I know this all sounds kind of irrelevent to even mention, but, without giving too much away to those who haven't seen the movie yet, I thought that bit of detail added something to that particular scene.

While I was really drawn into the movie, I was pretty composed through most of it. The part where I started to get a teary eyed was when they got into the fight about November and Mexico. (Again, don't want to give too much away to those who haven't seen it yet.) That scene really grabbed my gut. Then, of course, the shirt. That's when I totally lost it.

It was a very beautiful movie, and incredibly emotional. I'm glad I finally got to see it.

Glad you finally got to see it, and enjoyed it!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who pays attention to details like that...I noticed the red as well.

After seeing this movie and letting it soak in for a week or so, I just totally am in love with it and can't wait for the oscars! I haven't been this crazy about a movie since Cold Mountain (don't ask)!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by stargazer99

I finally saw this movie tonight. It was every bit as incredible as I've heard.

I have to admit, I had a little trouble getting into it at first. It does move slow at the beginning. But once I got into it, I was totally sucked in.

I thought all four of the young actors (Heath, Jake, Michelle and Anne) were incredible! I haven't been able to get out to the movies much the past couple years, and haven't seen any of the other Oscar nominated actors' performances. So I have nothing to compare Heath's performance to. But he was absolutely incredible in this movie. I really could feel what his character was going through. Michelle Williams was really good as well. What I wasn't expecting though was how good Anne Hathaway was. I loved her character! She didn't have a huge part in the movie, but when she was on screen, I thought she did an incredible job.

I also didn't know, going in, how believable I'd find the aging of the characters. But it was very well done. As they got older, I never felt like I was watching young actors playing older characters.

Sparky mentioned in his original post that the makeup bothered him. But I actually thought the makeup was very well done. They gave Heath a weathered look as he aged... like his skin was getting more leathery from working out in the sun and wind. And there was a scene late in the movie where Anne's character is on the phone. I started noticing that her front teeth had red in between. I was wondering what was up with that. Then I realized her red nail polish was very chipped, and she had some little red spots that almost looked like blood on her fingers. It dawned on me that the character had been biting her nails, and the red on her fingers and teeth was the nail polish! I know this all sounds kind of irrelevent to even mention, but, without giving too much away to those who haven't seen the movie yet, I thought that bit of detail added something to that particular scene.

While I was really drawn into the movie, I was pretty composed through most of it. The part where I started to get a teary eyed was when they got into the fight about November and Mexico. (Again, don't want to give too much away to those who haven't seen it yet.) That scene really grabbed my gut. Then, of course, the shirt. That's when I totally lost it.

It was a very beautiful movie, and incredibly emotional. I'm glad I finally got to see it.

I'm glad you liked it, Mary. Have you seen the lj icons people have been making? They're priceless. I'll have to send you some links to the icon communities. The shirt one that I nabbed is great.

Hopefully it sweeps the Oscars, which I don't doubt it will. Unless Hoffman spoils Ledger, which, again, I'll be completely inconsolable over.