Brokeback Mountain Forum @ ennisjack.com
The Movie & Story => News Coverage, Reviews & Awards => Topic started by: tpe on Mar 27, 2006, 09:06 AM
-
Van Sant talks 'Brokeback': the one that got away
Sunday, March 26, 2006
BRIAN LIBBY
(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alanmercer.com%2Fimages%2FGus%2520Van%2520Sant%252002.jpg&hash=1bb076633ad50701b9857da64d62a1fdabc1f252)
Eight years ago, director Gus Van Sant was savoring the Oscar triumphs of his biggest mainstream success, "Good Will Hunting." The tale of a troubled, working-class math genius had nabbed a nomination for best picture, and it won statuettes for co-writers Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as well as supporting actor Robin Williams.
While working on his next film in 1998, a scene-by-scene remake of "Psycho," Van Sant received a copy of a screenplay from Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. It was adapted from a short story by E. Annie Proulx called "Brokeback Mountain."
During the next few months, Van Sant flirted with making "Brokeback" his next movie. Instead, he wound up making "Finding Forrester," starring Sean Connery and written by Portlander Mike Rich. And then Van Sant changed courses with a trio of decidedly more experimental films: "Gerry," "Elephant" (which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes), and the Kurt Cobain-inspired "Last Days."
Recently, after director Ang Lee won the best director Oscar and McMurtry and Ossana won the screenplay award for "Brokeback Mountain," Van Sant talked by phone about his memories of the film, the road not taken, and the road ahead.
How did you first get involved with "Brokeback Mountain"?
It was right after "Good Will Hunting" [in 1998]. Larry McMurtry and Diana sent it to me kind of out of the blue. It ended up at Sony, and Scott Rudin got involved. Their idea was to do it for about $15 million, which is close to the budget that they ended up having. But I had meetings with four or five different actors, who all passed.
Can you say who those actors were?
[Chuckles] I don't know. It was the ones that you would think of, whoever those might be. They were all pretty much the biggest actors of our day. Because I thought of it as something where the higher the profile the actors, the more effect it might have as a story. I usually don't think that way, but I guess in this case I was.
You mean trying to influence Americans' perceptions about homosexuality?
I think we always talked like that when I was meeting with Larry and Diana. We were always considering that it might stir up trouble or controversy. Larry was actually kind of excited about that. But we also didn't really know. It was also a little bit of a different time then. A lot of different things have happened over those eight years.
I was assuming, like I've heard Ang Lee say, that it would have had a typical art house release schedule and maybe a decent reception. But I never thought of it as something that would break out. Which is what the point was of the strong lead actors, to maybe help it break out. But even then, there's lots of films that have really big leads in them that still don't break out.
So how did you ultimately end up not making "Brokeback"?
I think it was just a slowdown on my part, I guess because the casting didn't go smoothly. I was trying to figure out what to do next, whether or not I wanted to do something that was so scripted out. Scott Rudin was saying, "Let's put a casting director on it and let's go." It was on my shoulders, and I let the project basically, like, not continue. I think they feel like it was my fault in its losing steam.
Later on the option was up at Sony, and it was up for grabs again. I remember Michael Costigan, who is now listed as an executive producer on the film, calling and feeling like we could get the money. And that was my moment to kind of go, "Yeah, let's go." They continued with [producer] James Shamus and Ang Lee, who were probably more enthusiastic.
What do you think of how "Brokeback" turned out?
I think it's pretty cool the way it turned out. It couldn't have been better, actually. The release has been really good, the response has been really good. It has been controversial. It's made a lot of money. Everything's been perfect. I always had good will toward the project and never really felt like I didn't want it to happen.
I read a quote from you in the San Francisco Examiner calling it "the one that got away."
I think I said it's the one that got away just because it became a hit. I totally, like, let it get away.
If you'd stayed on as "Brokeback's" director, how might it have turned out differently?
I was thinking in terms of using unknowns. I thought that maybe I should go to gay rodeos or something like that to find real cowboys. If you weren't going to get the really big stars, to instead go the middle-of-the-road route with Hollywood actors who weren't big box office stars, I thought that was too predictable. But I was starting to think of a more austere idea, which wouldn't have really have been possible with the work Larry had put into the script. I actually haven't really told him about this.
But for me it was, "What's my next project going to be?" In the end it ended up being "Finding Forrester," which was pretty by-the-book, too.
Do you think "Brokeback" will have a lasting effect upon society?
I think it's pretty much a breakthrough, and an interesting one. I mean, I think it has its political problems in terms of being a kind of in-the-closet movie. But then, at the same time, it's to me pretty mainstream.
What did you think about the Oscar results?
I'm not really one of those guys that cares about it in a sort of sports arena way: what wins and what loses. It's kind of, like, clumsy.
After "Finding Forrester," your next three films have been smaller-budgeted and more stylistically esoteric. Was your indecision with "Brokeback" indicative of a larger uncertainty about which way you wanted to take your career?
Um . . . [pauses for several seconds] yeah, that's definitely true.
Do you think your future holds more studio films, more challenging independent work, or both?
I don't know. It could be either.
Brian Libby is a Portland culture writer. He can be reached by writing him in care of O!, The Oregonian, 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 or by emailing him at www.brianlibby.com.
-
Thanks, Tpe.
Very interesting
-
Thanks, Tpe.
Very interesting
Hello Mars. BBM would have been different had Van Sant made it, no? But I am glad he liked the Ang Lee realization and thought it was an interesting breakthrough.
-
Hello Mars. BBM would have been different had Van Sant made it, no? But I am glad he liked the Ang Lee realization and thought it was an interesting breakthrough.
Thank you, TPE
I love Van Sant, I love his cinema so personal and original.
I knew about his "flirting" with BBM and this interview is something I was really waiting for.
Yeah, we would have been another BBM by him.
But, although all my respect for Van Sant's visionary talent, I really can't imagine a better version that the one we saw!
-
Thank you, TPE
I love Van Sant, I love his cinema so personal and original.
I knew about his "flirting" with BBM and this interview is something I was really waiting for.
Yeah, we would have been another BBM by him.
But, although all my respect for Van Sant's visionary talent, I really can't imagine a better version that the one we saw!
Yes, I think he sort of felt the same way. I'm sure people would complain about details in the Ang Lee version, but I think it will be EXTREMELY difficult to top the current one.
Gyllenhaal said no to Van Sant when he was approached about a part initially (he was probably 18 or 19 then). I don't think Ledger was even in the horizon of those being considered for a part at that time. The 7 to 8 years delay worked out to our (the viewers') advantage in the long run. :)
-
Thank you tpe.
-
Thank you tpe.
You're welcome, Froggy!
-
[Gyllenhaal said no to Van Sant when he was approached about a part initially (he was probably 18 or 19 then). I don't think Ledger was even in the horizon of those being considered for a part at that time. The 7 to 8 years delay worked out to our (the viewers') advantage in the long run. :)
Cheer on the 8 years delay, then!
More seriously.
I found particularly interesting this line in Van Sant' interview.
I think it's pretty much a breakthrough, and an interesting one. I mean, I think it has its political problems in terms of being a kind of in-the-closet movie. But then, at the same time, it's to me pretty mainstream.
The greatness, the strenght of BBM is to be at the same time an independent and a blockbuster movie.
How many people saw, for istance, "My Own Private Idaho" by Van Sant? Not so many .And how many only because Reeves and Phoenix starred in it?
-
The greatness, the strenght of BBM is to be at the same time an independent and a blockbuster movie.
How many people saw, for istance, "My Own Private Idaho" by Van Sant? Not so many .And how many only because Reeves and Phoenix starred in it?
Ahhh frances, we were just discussing 'My Own Private Idaho' a couple of weeks ago in the Jake Superstar thread. :)
This film is River Phoenix IN EXCELSIS. As I said in the other thread, I have had people walk out on me when I ask them to view it. I always wonder why! :)
-
What an amazing actor! How intense and moving he is in the camp fire scene when he proposes to Reeves.
And what a weird, visionary, fascinating movie is "My Own Private Idaho".
We are a little bit OFF TOPIC, my dear, aren't we?
I must go and see the Jack superstar thread, then.
-
What an amazing actor! How intense and moving he is in the camp fire scene when he proposes to Reeves.
And what a weird, visionary, fascinating movie is "My Own Private Idaho".
We are a little bit OFF TOPIC, my dear, aren't we?
I must go and see the Jack superstar thread, then.
Yes, we are terribly off-topic with this! ;D
I appreciate your mentioning it nonetheless!!!!
Getting back to the topic, yes BBM is a breakthrough because it is both independent and mainstream. This film and the reaction to it defines the fusion so well that it shall be a reference point for all future ones, IMO.
-
Yes,it is its real force Tpe :)
-
Thank goodness that this film was delayed until Heath and Jake were attached. It must have been destiny :) because as much as I like Van Sant I cannot imagine BBM being made by another director or any other combination of actors/director/cinematographer etc.
-
Thank goodness that this film was delayed until Heath and Jake were attached. It must have been destiny :) because as much as I like Van Sant I cannot imagine BBM being made by another director or any other combination of actors/director/cinematographer etc.
the destiny works in misterious ways and i think that well this movie was influenced by that, the mind of the people a few years ago wouldn't had taken Brokeback in a good way!! but i think that this article is excellent
-
the destiny works in misterious ways and i think that well this movie was influenced by that, the mind of the people a few years ago wouldn't had taken Brokeback in a good way!! but i think that this article is excellent
I do too. The timing was perfect. And the way everything worked perfectly together is really an interesting case of synchronicity at the very least.
-
From Liz Smith Monday March 27:
''Speaking of DVD, fans are still mourning the shock of ''Brokeback Mountain'' losing the Best Picture Oscar to ''Crash.'' But on April 4, Ang Lee's tragic love story hits the video stores, and the long, intimate movie might come across even more effectively on the small home screen than it did in the multiplex. (Though Focus Films can't complaing about the profits - more than $160 million worldwide.) And remember, ''Brokeback'' fans, your film, for all the parody it engendered, offered up a great catch-phrase - ''I wish I knew how to quit you.'' (Maureen Dowd paraphrased it just the other day.) Can you remember what anybody said in ''Crash''?''
-
From Liz Smith Monday March 27:
''Speaking of DVD, fans are still mourning the shock of ''Brokeback Mountain'' losing the Best Picture Oscar to ''Crash.'' But on April 4, Ang Lee's tragic love story hits the video stores, and the long, intimate movie might come across even more effectively on the small home screen than it did in the multiplex. (Though Focus Films can't complaing about the profits - more than $160 million worldwide.) And remember, ''Brokeback'' fans, your film, for all the parody it engendered, offered up a great catch-phrase - ''I wish I knew how to quit you.'' (Maureen Dowd paraphrased it just the other day.) Can you remember what anybody said in ''Crash''?''
Very nice. Thanks ennisandjack!
-
Very nice. Thanks ennisandjack!
You're welcome. I love any reports that acknowledge BBMs superiority to Crash 8)
-
Brokeback Mountain is tops at gay media awards
Tue Mar 28, 2006 05:10 AM ET
http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=11667520&src=rss/Entertainment
By Chris Michaud
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oscar may have snubbed "Brokeback Mountain," but the so-called gay cowboy movie was tops with a gay watchdog group on Monday, adding the top prize to its burgeoning roster of honors at the GLAAD Media Awards.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation named the film, which lost an Oscar for best picture to "Crash," the year's best wide release motion picture at its 17th annual awards.
Director Ang Lee accepted the award, commenting: "Finally, an award that actually means something."
Noting that "Brokeback Mountain" had won a slew of awards, Lee said, "Some of these are very meaningful to me.
"OK, there was that one that got away, but that's OK," he quipped.
Lee, who received a standing ovation from the audience at a Manhattan hotel, said it would likely be "the very last award I will accept for 'Brokeback Mountain' ... And to end the journey here tonight is like coming home. The fact is 'Brokeback Mountain' has helped to change the world."
Other winners of GLAAD's annual awards, which recognize mainstream media for "fair, accurate and inclusive representations" of the gay community, included Newsweek for magazine coverage, the FX reality program "Straight/Gay 30 Days," and ESPN's SportsCenter for its news segment "Andrew Goldstein," which profiled a gay lacrosse goalie.
Presenters included Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas and comedienne and actress Sandra Bernhard. Writer-actor Bruce Vilanch, who has written the Oscar shows for several years, hosted the evening.
GLAAD was formed in New York in 1985 in response to sensationalized AIDS coverage by tabloid newspapers and local news stations.
-
Anti-Gay Group Targets Wal-Mart Over 'Brokeback Mountain'
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
March 27, 2006 - 7:00 pm ET
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/03/032706mart.htm
(Washington) The American Family Association, already involved in a national boycott of Ford Motors for advertising in the LGBT media, is now turning its sights on Wal-Mart for selling "Brokeback Mountain".
While the AFA has not yet called for a boycott of the retailer it is urging its members to complain to Wal-Mart managers "over the chain's decision to promote and carry the pro-homosexual movie."
"It's quite obvious to anyone who shops at Wal-Mart that they're no longer the family-friendly company that they used to project in their image," Randy Sharp, AFA's director of special projects tells Agape Press.
"We've seen a downward spiral trend by the Wal-Mart Corporation in which they are more and more becoming like the world rather than the family-friendly company we grew up with."
The video and DVD will be released on April 4 and Wal-Mart stores already feature posters and billboards for "Brokeback Mountain."
The AFA has a long history of mounting boycotts against LGBT-friendly businesses and most cases the boycotts were preceded with a call for members to complain to company managers.
Earlier this month the AFA reinstated its boycott of Ford. (story)
The AFA said the company "reneged on an agreement to stop funding homosexual groups that promote same-sex marriage."
Joining the boycott are the Center for Reclaiming America, Liberty Counsel, CatholicVote.org, Faith2Action, and Citizens for Community Values among others.
The AFA boycotted Proctor and Gamble in 2004 after the Cincinnati-based P&G supported the repeal of an anti-gay law in that city. (story)
Last April April AFA declared victory over Proctor & Gamble after the company ended most of its advertising in the gay media. (story) The group claimed that more than 300,000 people had signed pledges not to buy P&G products.
The effect on P&G is believed to be one of the major reasons Microsoft decided to withdraw its support of a gay rights bill in the state of Washington following a meeting with a conservative Christian leader. (story) Following outrage from the company's gay workers and LGBT rights groups in Washington the company reversed course again and announced it would support gay rights measures in the future and the legislation finally passed. (story)
Last May, the AFA took aim at Kraft Foods - stopping just short of calling for a full boycott - for sponsoring the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. (story) Kraft has not budged in its support for the games.
Also last year, the AFA ended a nine year boycott of Disney called over Gay Days at the company's theme park in Orlando, Florida. Most people in the industry said the boycott had a negligible effect on Disney.
-
There's nothing worse than a bunch of fear stricken people trying to regulate what the population of the this country sees in the privacy of their homes. Wal-Mart managers will only defer to AFA's if they themselves are prejudiced. Wal-Mart worships the almighty dollar and this movie will have pretty good sales all across country when it is released. As far as it being "pro-gay" I hardly think it is. The best thing that could happen to the the whole membership of the AFA would be to sit down and see this movie. It will never happen I know, but they need to.
-
Good. I was afraid Wal-Mart wasn't going to sell it, and that's closest place to me that sells DVDs.
-
i hate walmart but am thinking about buying my copy there, just to make a statement about the religitards threats
has anyone else decided where the best place to buy the movie would be to make the biggest impact?
-
From The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/29/movies/29quaid.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1143637563-pcghydkthf+GzheD8FJS3g
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lawsuit Over 'Brokeback Mountain' Reveals Unease Over Pay for 'Arthouse' Films
By SHARON WAXMAN
Published: March 29, 2006
(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgraphics8.nytimes.com%2Fimages%2F2006%2F03%2F29%2Farts%2F29quaid.1.184.jpg&hash=695c6e0c18e6c563b8d089bc784ebd5d823c5efb)
Kim D. Johnson/Associated Press
Randy Quaid, who played a small part in "Brokeback Mountain."
(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgraphics8.nytimes.com%2Fimages%2F2006%2F03%2F29%2Farts%2F29quaid.650.jpg&hash=fbec93eb0891fa658987482f69316b9406ea1e26)
Kimberly French/Focus Features
Ang Lee, left, with Heath Ledger, center, and Jake Gyllenhaal on the set of "Brokeback Mountain."
LOS ANGELES, March 28 — Can Hollywood make quality movies for both love and money?
Not according to a lawsuit filed last week by the actor Randy Quaid over payments for "Brokeback Mountain," in which he played a small supporting role.
The dispute, one of dozens that annually erupt over pay and practices in the film industry, has been dismissed by some film veterans as a case of sour grapes over a deal that could have been better negotiated for Mr. Quaid.
But others say it points to an uncomfortable contradiction in the specialty divisions owned by the major studios, including Focus Features, Fox Searchlight, Warner Independent, Miramax and others. That is, movies are budgeted as though they were in the independent world, often squeezing every nickel out of actors, directors and production staff, who cut their fees to near nothing for the privilege of making a picture they are passionate about.
When it comes to releasing the film, however, the "arthouse" divisions can take advantage of the deep pockets of their studio parents, frequently spending tens of millions of dollars to promote a movie to glory or box office success in the award season.
"There is a trap in there somewhere, with the specialty divisions working in bigger and bigger contexts, trying to get bigger numbers," said Ira Deutchman, president of Emerging Pictures, and a longtime player in the independent world.
In his lawsuit, Mr. Quaid claims he was tricked into accepting a tiny (unspecified) fee for the part of Joe Aguirre, the rancher who hires the shepherds played by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, because the director, Ang Lee, told him the movie was being made on a shoestring budget by Focus, the arthouse division of Universal Studios. And while the production budget was very low, $14 million according to documents filed in Canada where the movie was shot, the lawsuit claims that Focus knew all along that it would throw millions — $30 million, according to the complaint — into marketing the film.
The complaint says that the defendants, in this case Focus and its recent co-presidents David Linde and James Schamus, "have enriched themselves to the tune of approximately $160 million in worldwide gross box office receipts on the back of actors who were convinced to cut their fees purportedly to ensure that the film reached the screen." Far from being a labor of love, it says, the picture was a "movie laundering" scheme that "in reality, had studio backing and would be exploited using traditional studio marketing and distribution techniques."
A Focus representative declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing a policy against discussing pending litigation.
To be sure, Mr. Quaid's role in the Oscar-winning film was tiny, and few would attribute the success of "Brokeback" to the handful of minutes he spends on screen.
But the disparity between actors' fees and the film's promotional budget points toward what may be an endemic problem for the specialty divisions: even actors whose contracts provide for profit participation in successful films may find there is no profit left in which to participate, while the studios still collect rich distribution fees.
"It's a complicated question, and it is both the genius and the nefarious nature of these mini-majors," said Linda Lichter, a lawyer who sells films in the independent world. "The purpose of those mini-majors is to try to make movies that the major studios can't afford to make, for less money. But they don't make those movies unless they get big players who are willing to cut their price." On the other hand, "Randy Quaid had a tiny part," she said, adding, "There's an aspect here of biting the hand that feeds him."
Another veteran entertainment lawyer, Susan Bodine, said it was typical for actors who took low fees for arthouse movies to be given points in the net profits of a film. But, she pointed out, "as a general matter, net profit participants on studio-released films, even low-budget films, can be nothing, even when the film does really well." She said it was too early to know if that would be the case with "Brokeback Mountain." But in the Oscar season, "the better the film does, the more they spend on it, the less likely there'll ever be any net profit." (Ms. Bodine represents Mr. Schamus, in private matters, but did not have any dealings on "Brokeback Mountain.")
That would seem to be the case with some of the films that made it to the best picture category this year at the Oscars. "Good Night, and Good Luck," from Warner Independent, cost a mere $8 million to produce, with the actors earning the lowest permissible union fee, known as scale, an executive involved in the film said. Warner Brothers spent about $25 million to promote the film for the Oscars and in its general release, so while the movie took in $51 million around the world, there will be no profit to share in, the executive said. (Distributors share box office revenue with theater owners.)
Similarly, "Crash," which cost $6.5 million to produce, and was released by Lionsgate, has taken in $90.8 million around the world. So far, the movie's main participants, who deferred their fees to get the movie made, have seen only minimal payments, said an executive involved in its release. The lack of payment to one producer has kicked up a lawsuit against Bob Yari, who put together the film's financing.
Some in Hollywood defended Focus against Mr. Quaid's claims, though they declined to speak on the record so as not to affect their own business relationships. An executive from another arthouse studio, for instance, said that these companies could not function without actors working for low fees, since the vast majority of their films were not successful commercially or otherwise. The executive said that the most prominent actors were granted bonus fees for successful films, or a cut of the adjusted gross box-office receipts.
Several pointed out that Focus could not have known that its gay-themed love story would become the success that it eventually did, and did not set out to deceive Mr. Quaid. A lawyer for Mr. Quaid, who is seeking $10 million in damages, would not comment on his deal, although the complaint notes that the actors were paid a total of $521,000 for their work on the film.
But Mr. Deutchman, the Emerging Pictures president, said the lawsuit illuminated a problem that could lead to actors and other talent becoming more reluctant to sign on to arthouse movies made at the studios. "If, in fact, the smaller movies don't pay off for talent even when they hit, the studio arthouse divisions will stop being able to make the movies," he said. "They'll fall into the same trap as the parent companies: if no one believes there's a back end, then actors will want higher and higher salaries to be in those movies."
-
Thanks for posting Tpe!
-
You're welcome, Pierre!
-
From http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=708
-----------------------------------------
'Brokeback' DVD enflames culture wars
by Matthew S. Bajko
m.bajko@ebar.com
(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebar.com%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F22_Netflix_13.jpg&hash=b2214c9a28eef4f289daba327c1aa2cceee77f88)
Brokeback Mountain comes out on DVD Tuesday.
The DVD version of Brokeback Mountain has yet to hit store shelves but it is already caught up in the culture war over homosexuality. Homophobes have been posting antigay reviews of the Academy Award-winning film on movie rental Web sites, and in an ironic twist, one antigay group is attacking Wal-Mart, the store liberals love to bash, for carrying the movie.
The American Family Association, the same antigay group boycotting Ford for advertising in gay media outlets, is urging its members to call their local Wal-Mart store to complain about the national chain's stocking of the DVD, set to be released April 4. According to a report on the conservative Christian media site www.agapepress.org, Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the Mississippi-based AFA, said the movie is not "family-friendly" and does not belong on the shelves of a store that has marketed itself to middle America.
"It's quite obvious to anyone who shops at Wal-Mart that they're no longer the family-friendly company that they used to project in their image," Sharp is quoted as saying. "We've seen a downward spiral trend by the Wal-Mart Corporation in which they are more and more becoming like the world rather than the family-friendly company we grew up with."
Sharp, according to the report, is encouraging concerned Christians to "let their local Wal-Mart managers know how they feel and that they are not pleased over the chain's decision to promote and carry the pro-homosexual movie."
Wal-Mart has no plans to remove the DVD from its stores. In a statement released Tuesday, March 28, the company simply said, "Wal-Mart provides movie selections in our stores and online, recognizing that a broad segment of our customer base wants to buy the latest titles."
At Los Gatos-based Netflix, the online movie rental company, company officials have to contend with the LGBT community, which is demanding Netflix follow its own policies when it comes to movie reviews posted to its Web site. A reader of the blog The Big Gay Picture tipped off the site earlier this month about antigay postings on Netflix.com from Brokeback reviewers.
Netflix claims all reviews to its site are screened before posting and any that contain "harsh, profane or discriminatory language" or "personal attacks on the movie's creative personnel" will not be posted. However, some reviews that made it onto the site appear to violate the company's policies.
The bloggers listed three in particular. One read, "Gay Hollywood would have us believe that most of us are gay and this movie just goes along with that idea. This movie was sickening. The people raving about it hear are probably pole-smokers too. ... not that there's anything wrong with that."
The poster listed himself as TJ from Warrenville, Illinois. He began the review by stating, "These days you turn on the TV and it seems like every station has a couple gay guys lisping and flitting around. One time I actually turned the channel and found six stations in a row featuring gay guys ... hair dressers, decorators, etc."
Another stated, "Sheephearders to Rump Rangers? Are you kidding me? who likes this garbage?"
While a third said, "The Bible Clearly states that HOMOSEXUALITY is WORNG!!! [sic] That is why they are repressed. Because it is a SIN and they will all go to hell if they do not repent of their sins! God would not give this movie any awards!"
Blogger Michael Jensen wrote that he opted not to post even more offensive reviews found on the site.
"Netflix has a great selection of GLBT movies and I've no reason to believe they are homophobic, but clearly someone is not doing their job or Netflix's guidelines are as hollow as the chocolate Easter Bunny I got every year when I was a kid," wrote Jensen, who urged his readers to contact Netflix officials to complain.
Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said he had not seen any of the reviews in question and that he was not aware of any complaints about them. He said the company does not censor the views of its 4.2 million members.
"We don't censor except for profanity and obscenities," said Swasey. "As long as it is in the confines of good taste and realistic language then we give that forum."
He said if the company does receive a complaint [anyone can e-mail a concern about a review to mailto:problemreview@netflix.com] it will take a second look at the review to ensure it meets Netflix's guidelines.
"We would have an additional review of that content. If it doesn't pass our scrutiny, it shouldn't be up there to begin with," he said. "It is hard to monitor content that is subjective. We certainly never want to have something on our site that is offensive to someone. It is possible to happen with movie reviews. That is the risk you take for providing an open forum."
A review of the Web site by the Bay Area Reporter found half a dozen movie critiques with harsh language.
One reviewer, using the name Michael Pattin wrote, "I don't promote homsexuality [sic] and refuse to see this movie regardless. Some will say its good, well they can go to hell."
Poster Patti Shepherd, whose review is littered with misspellings, wrote, "This movie was very disapointing and sick. Thats being nice. They should not advertize a movie like this as a great western there is nothing manly or western about this. Not to mention no plot, what were they thinking????? They could have saved alot of people alot of money and just made a gay sex flic and advertized it that way."
On Blockbuster's online site two questionable reviews could be found for Brokeback Mountain. One, from a Joe D. simply said, "Oh boy gay cowboys. Who the heck cares. Vomit. Thats what this movie is Vomit." While poster Daniel P. chimed in that despite the film's "great scenery" and "wonderful acting" the movie is "... an obvious attempt by the extreme left to push the gay agenda." He added that "... Gays have a psychological problem, and some day the world will understand that. I just hope it's not too late."
Blockbuster spokesman Randy Hargrove said in a phone interview that he was unaware of any complaints about negative reviews on the company's site. He also said he had not heard of any stores receiving complaints about the company carrying the film.
The company plans to stock the DVD, and contrary to any rumors, it will not be edited from what was shown in theatres. Hargrove said Blockbuster does not carry NC-17 films, and movies with such a rating have been edited so they can be rented at its stores. Brokeback has an R-rating.
"We don't edit the movies. We will be carrying the R-rated version," said Hargrove.
-
I would say to American Family Association - Get Lost. Family-friendly? Should not be marketed to middle America? Gosh - these people scare me.
The movie is rated R and I think to be family-friendly, one should really spend the efforts for better parenting - not boycotting. Sorry I just need to vent.
tpe, thanks for posting this article.
-
I would say to American Family Association - Get Lost. Family-friendly? Should not be marketed to middle America? Gosh - these people scare me.
The movie is rated R and I think to be family-friendly, one should really spend the efforts for better parenting - not boycotting. Sorry I just need to vent.
tpe, thanks for posting this article.
Ethan, I was thinking of posting the poem 'Waiting for the Barbarians', as a commentary to this article. Perhaps it is best to be polite and desist from doing this. But this is exactly my feeling!
-
tpe, thanks for posting this article.
Ditto!
-
You're welcome Pierre. I must admit that the article upsets me a bit. But what is the pointngetting upset over these people?
God will forgive them.
-
This article?
I don't know whether to laugh or cry
-
so even though i hate walmart and never shop there, i'm wondering if buying BBM there would be a good idea... seems like it to me... anyone?
-
I would say to American Family Association - Get Lost. Family-friendly? Should not be marketed to middle America? Gosh - these people scare me.
The movie is rated R and I think to be family-friendly, one should really spend the efforts for better parenting - not boycotting. Sorry I just need to vent.
tpe, thanks for posting this article.
They scare me too. There's a part of me that feels sorry for them.
-
Bahamas 'Brokeback Mountain' Ban Draws Ire
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060331/ap_on_en_tv/bahamas_brokeback_banned_2
By PACO NUNEZ
NASSAU, Bahamas Mar 30, 2006 (AP)— A Bahamian government board's decision to ban the movie "Brokeback Mountain" has prompted charges of discrimination and censorship in the island chain.
Gay rights groups and others have called on the Plays and Films Control Board to reverse its decision prohibiting theaters from showing the award-winning movie about a troubled love affair between two cowboys.
"You have a group of people who are telling grown men and women what they can and cannot watch," said Philip Burrows, a theater director in the island chain. "I cannot understand denying people the right to make their own choices."
Theaters in Nassau, the capital, had already begun to advertise the movie Friday when the board announced its ban at the request of the Bahamas Christian Council.
"The board chose to ban it because it shows extreme homosexuality, nudity and profanity, and we feel that it has no value for the Bahamian public," Chavasse Turnquest-Liriano, liaison officer for the control board, said Wednesday.
The Rainbow Alliance, a gay rights group, called the ban a "farce," and said most Bahamians reject the idea that a "small group of appointed individuals … can provide the moral compass for the entire country."
Some have suggested the board could have simply issued a rating that would have barred anyone under 18 from seeing the film.
Critics also noted that even some countries where homosexuality is illegal have allowed the movie to be shown in theaters.
"This is not a movie to be banned. This is not a subject to be censored," said Bahamas resident Liz Roberts, who has worked in film production. "It is a subject to be aired, a subject to be confronted openly."
"Brokeback Mountain," which won critical acclaim and three Oscars, including best director for Ang Lee, has also been banned in mainland China. Turkey has restricted viewing to viewers over 18.
-
McKELLEN BLASTS GYLLENHAAL
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/mckellen%20blasts%20gyllenhaal_30_03_2006
SIR IAN MCKELLEN has criticised JAKE GYLLENHAAL for being apprehensive about kissing his BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN co-star HEATH LEDGER on screen. The openly gay THE LORD OF THE RINGS actor - who recently spoke out against Hollywood's old-fashioned views on sexuality - lambasted Gyllenhaal, 25, for failing to consider how his comments would be interpreted from a homosexual perspective. He says, "I got very upset when one of the actors said it was the most terrifying job he'd ever had because it involved him kissing another man. "Imagine how rude that is. Suppose I'd said the most appalling thing I ever to do was kiss HELEN MIRREN!"
30/03/2006 17:29
-
McKELLEN BLASTS GYLLENHAAL
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/mckellen%20blasts%20gyllenhaal_30_03_2006
SIR IAN MCKELLEN has criticised JAKE GYLLENHAAL for being apprehensive about kissing his BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN co-star HEATH LEDGER on screen. The openly gay THE LORD OF THE RINGS actor - who recently spoke out against Hollywood's old-fashioned views on sexuality - lambasted Gyllenhaal, 25, for failing to consider how his comments would be interpreted from a homosexual perspective. He says, "I got very upset when one of the actors said it was the most terrifying job he'd ever had because it involved him kissing another man. "Imagine how rude that is. Suppose I'd said the most appalling thing I ever to do was kiss HELEN MIRREN!"
30/03/2006 17:29
Has Gyllenhaal ever said that?
From NewsandStar.Co.Uk
Even so, the actor admits he did have some trepidation when it came to getting intimate with Ledger.
“I wondered if he could do those scenes,” he says. “But we talked a lot, and when it came to doing them it felt like we were both, ’Are you ready? Yeah, let’s go’ and we went straight into the deep end. We knew we had to consummate this somehow because it’s not just a story about friendship. We knew we were going to have to commit,” he adds.
Trepidation and being appaled are different things in my opinion!
-
One more article.
Don't know if it has been already posted
It's an old one, actually.
I can't believe my eyes! Hilarious!
From Comingsoon.net (novembre 2003)
Ensemble Cast Joins Paul Haggis' Crash Source: Production Weekly Monday, November 3, 2003
Heath Ledger, Brendan Fraser, Eva Mendes, Don Cheadle, Forest Whitaker and Thandie Newton will star in director Paul Haggis' crime drama Crash.
The film, written by Haggis and Bobby Moresco, follows a multi-ethnic cast through the streets of Los Angeles as they careen in and out of one another's lives. The film begins with the discovery of a man's brutally murdered body on the side of the road and tracks the previous 24 hours in the lives of the eight people connected with the killing.
Shooting is scheduled to begin on December 9.
-
One more article.
Don't know if it has been already posted
It's an old one, actually.
I can't believe my eyes! Hilarious!
From Comingsoon.net (novembre 2003)
Ensemble Cast Joins Paul Haggis' Crash Source: Production Weekly Monday, November 3, 2003
Heath Ledger, Brendan Fraser, Eva Mendes, Don Cheadle, Forest Whitaker and Thandie Newton will star in director Paul Haggis' crime drama Crash.
The film, written by Haggis and Bobby Moresco, follows a multi-ethnic cast through the streets of Los Angeles as they careen in and out of one another's lives. The film begins with the discovery of a man's brutally murdered body on the side of the road and tracks the previous 24 hours in the lives of the eight people connected with the killing.
Shooting is scheduled to begin on December 9.
Yes, this is indeed hilarious!
I think it was good for Heath that he got BBM instead.
-
McKELLEN BLASTS GYLLENHAAL
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/mckellen%20blasts%20gyllenhaal_30_03_2006
SIR IAN MCKELLEN has criticised JAKE GYLLENHAAL for being apprehensive about kissing his BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN co-star HEATH LEDGER on screen. The openly gay THE LORD OF THE RINGS actor - who recently spoke out against Hollywood's old-fashioned views on sexuality - lambasted Gyllenhaal, 25, for failing to consider how his comments would be interpreted from a homosexual perspective. He says, "I got very upset when one of the actors said it was the most terrifying job he'd ever had because it involved him kissing another man. "Imagine how rude that is. Suppose I'd said the most appalling thing I ever to do was kiss HELEN MIRREN!"
30/03/2006 17:29
Has Gyllenhaal ever said that?
From NewsandStar.Co.Uk
Even so, the actor admits he did have some trepidation when it came to getting intimate with Ledger.
“I wondered if he could do those scenes,” he says. “But we talked a lot, and when it came to doing them it felt like we were both, ’Are you ready? Yeah, let’s go’ and we went straight into the deep end. We knew we had to consummate this somehow because it’s not just a story about friendship. We knew we were going to have to commit,” he adds.
Trepidation and being appaled are different things in my opinion!
I just read the article. Thanks for posting it.
I am always reluctant to discuss Gyllenhaal's sexuality or aspects pertaining to it. But given that he is straight, I would understand some apprehension of doing multiple passionate kisses with someone he really doesn't have a romantic entanglement with in real life -- let alone someone of the same sex.
I admire his honesty, if he did express apprehension/terror. And I admire the fact that he did do the kissing scenes, and did them beautifully.
Being a Jake fan, perhaps I am biased. :)
-
McKELLEN BLASTS GYLLENHAAL
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/mckellen%20blasts%20gyllenhaal_30_03_2006
SIR IAN MCKELLEN has criticised JAKE GYLLENHAAL for being apprehensive about kissing his BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN co-star HEATH LEDGER on screen. The openly gay THE LORD OF THE RINGS actor - who recently spoke out against Hollywood's old-fashioned views on sexuality - lambasted Gyllenhaal, 25, for failing to consider how his comments would be interpreted from a homosexual perspective. He says, "I got very upset when one of the actors said it was the most terrifying job he'd ever had because it involved him kissing another man. "Imagine how rude that is. Suppose I'd said the most appalling thing I ever to do was kiss HELEN MIRREN!"
30/03/2006 17:29
And for the record, the above is not the first instance when Gyllenhaal had expressed similar feelings for totally understandable reasons. It sheds some light as to why he could have felt some trepidation at the then upcoming BBM kissing scenes:
---------------------------------------------
From http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/jake%20gyllenhaal.s%20unpleasant%20same.sex%20kiss
JAKE GYLLENHAAL'S UNPLEASANT SAME-SEX KISS
24/05/2004 09:17
THE GOOD GIRL star JAKE GYLLENHAAL's first man-on-man kissing scene proved to be an unsanitary experience - because his lips were left covered in dead skin.
Gyllenhaal is currently shooting his role as HEATH LEDGER's gay cowboy lover in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and he admits that while he and the Australian screen star have yet to lock lips, his previous experience with another actor made the upcoming scene even more off-putting.
He says, "I have kissed another actor in another scene. He had acne. He'd been taking ACUTANE, the acne medicine, so his skin was really dry.
"I remember us both really not wanting to do it and I remember when we had to kiss eventually, it was like I just had dead skin all over my lip. It was disgusting! As if it wasn't bad enough already!"
-
I admire his honesty, too. We don't want him to lie, do we? If he felt apprehensive about it, then he can't help that. He still did it, didn't he?
-
I admire his honesty, too. We don't want him to lie, do we? If he felt apprehensive about it, then he can't help that. He still did it, didn't he?
Truth to tell, bram, I admire more than just his honesty. [blush].
Seriously, I certainly don't want him to lie. We're grown up and we can handle this. :)
-
I totally agree. Thanks for posting it. :)
-
yaiks :o ;D ..like he said: "One word: Exfoliate." Being an actor is maybe tuffer job than we know ;D
..or maybe they both were little embarrassed about soo intimate kissing scenes, and at the same time hearing hundreds of bad jokes about BBM.
(Not long ago there was an article on Le Figaro Hommes "Ils osent tout" about men being metrosexuals - using more cosmetics.. not any news, I know, but there was Jake Gyllenhaal's name mentioned.. like an example ;) )
(Maybe McKellen just want some publicity..thats why..)
...
Quote:
From NewsandStar.Co.Uk
Even so, the actor admits he did have some trepidation when it came to getting intimate with Ledger.
“I wondered if he could do those scenes,” he says. “But we talked a lot, and when it came to doing them it felt like we were both, ’Are you ready? Yeah, let’s go’ and we went straight into the deep end. We knew we had to consummate this somehow because it’s not just a story about friendship. We knew we were going to have to commit,” he adds.
...
How beatifully said. Thank you for posting it frances. :'(
-
(Maybe McKellen just want some publicity..thats why..)
mélisande, this is probably true. :)
-
These articles sicken me. Well, this country was populated by the Purtian zealots ostracized from their home countries in the 1600's. It's been over 300 years and such attitudes still exist. Maybe we can put something in their water to make them STOP BREEDING! >:( (P/S I don't mean the articles about McKellen)
-
From http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/jake%20gyllenhaal.s%20unpleasant%20same.sex%20kiss
JAKE GYLLENHAAL'S UNPLEASANT SAME-SEX KISS
24/05/2004 09:17
THE GOOD GIRL star JAKE GYLLENHAAL's first man-on-man kissing scene proved to be an unsanitary experience - because his lips were left covered in dead skin.
Gyllenhaal is currently shooting his role as HEATH LEDGER's gay cowboy lover in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and he admits that while he and the Australian screen star have yet to lock lips, his previous experience with another actor made the upcoming scene even more off-putting.
He says, "I have kissed another actor in another scene. He had acne. He'd been taking ACUTANE, the acne medicine, so his skin was really dry.
"I remember us both really not wanting to do it and I remember when we had to kiss eventually, it was like I just had dead skin all over my lip. It was disgusting! As if it wasn't bad enough already!"
Does anyone know what movie he's talking about? I don't know of another movie Jake's been in where he kisses another guy.
-
I don't know what movie he's talking about either. I'm gonna go to imdb and try to figure it out.
-
I am suspecting that it is not a Gyllenhaal film. I am suspecting that he is referring to a scene from the London production of 'This Is Our Youth'. The time frame is about right. But I cannot recall the specifics of the play -- if it does indeed call for such as scene.
Can someone in Theatre verify this?
-
I am suspecting that it is not a Gyllenhaal film. I am suspecting that he is referring to a scene from the London production of 'This Is Our Youth'. The time frame is about right. But I cannot recall the specifics of the play -- if it does indeed call for such as scene.
Can someone in Theatre verify this?
Gyllenhaal really played in The Good Girl
-
I am suspecting that it is not a Gyllenhaal film. I am suspecting that he is referring to a scene from the London production of 'This Is Our Youth'. The time frame is about right. But I cannot recall the specifics of the play -- if it does indeed call for such as scene.
Can someone in Theatre verify this?
Gyllenhaal really played in The Good Girl
Hi Pierre,
I guessed I missed this one yesterday.
Are you familiar with 'This is Our Youth'? Jake staarred in the London production in 2003 (?) and I think when he discussed kissing an actor in the above article, he was referring to a scene in this play, although I am not sure...
-
Gyllenhaal really played in The Good Girl
I just watched that movie last night. It was a lot better than I thought it would be, though I couldn't sleep afterward. It was too depressing and gave me insomnia.
-
Gyllenhaal really played in The Good Girl
I just watched that movie last night. It was a lot better than I thought it would be, though I couldn't sleep afterward. It was too depressing and gave me insomnia.
God, bram, the first time I watched this movie, I couldn't sleep for days. His character here is haunting. It haunts me even to this day. When I first saw BBM, I had to exorcise the image of Holden Worther from Jack Twist.
It's hard to do this.
-
Collection of Articles or Critics Objecting to Brokeback Snub (from IMDB)
Kenneth Turin, LA Times, "Breaking no ground" (March 6, 2006):
http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/oscars/env-turan5mar05,0,5359042.story
Awards Tracking Database, "A Smudge on Oscar History" (March 6, 2006):
http://www.awardstracking.com/
Erik Lundegaard, MSNBC, "Oscar misfire: ‘Crash’ and burn" (March 6, 2006):
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11700333/
The Brokeback Snub, Afterelton.com (March 7, 2006)
http://www.afterelton.com/movies/2006/3/snub.html
The Gold Derby, "And the Winner is . . . homophobia?" (March 6, 2006)
http://goldderby.latimes.com/
Stephen King, Analyzing Oscar, Entertainment Weekly (March 9, 2006)
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1170378_1_0_,00.html
Gene Stone: Hollywood Hardly Hearts Homosexuals (March 7, 2006)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20060307/cm_huffpost/016886;_ylt=A86.I2ABuA1EszAAsAP9wxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--
Jeffrey Wells, Hollywood Elsewhere, Different Enough?
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/archives/2006/03/for_shame_i_wan.php
Hollywood isn't being straight with gay community, Boston Globe (March 7, 2006)
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/03/07/hollywood_isnt_being_straight_with_gay_community/
San Francisco Chronicle, OSCAR ANALYSIS: Theories abound on why 'Crash' won best picture (March 7, 2006)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/07/OSCARS.TMP
Industry insiders comment on the result, NY Times, March 7, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/07/movies/redcarpet/07osca.html?hp&ex=114170760\%3Cbr%3E0&en=f9bcd4f56177090d&ei=5094&partner=homepage
More casual commentary, USA today "Intersection of events helped Crash" (March 6, 2006)
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2006-03-06-crash-postmortem_x.htm
General Associated Press Coverage, Was There a 'Brokeback' Backlash? (March 6, 2006)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060306/ap_en_mo/oscar_upset_3;_ylt=An9NcwRDxysmU1aCSR0Hyzt8FxkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw--
London Times, "Uneasy Hollywood chooses race relations over gay cowboy drama" (March 7, 2006)
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,19133-2072699,00.html
David Poland Blog on the subject, Hot Button (March 6, 2006)
http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/2006_thb/060306_mon.html
A blog on the subject (March 5, 2006):
http://clydestuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-final-thoughts-about-academy-awards.html#links
Ebert's defenses of "Best Picture" Crash:
Roger Ebert lashes out at critics of Crash and names names! (March 6, 2006)
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060306/OSCARS/603070301
Strangely, Ebert seems to have taken Crash on as a cause. Earlier this year he again defended the movie against critics (January 18, 2006):
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lawcontent&task=view&id=12416&Itemid=47
Historial Perspective on Oscar mistakes:
This is far from the first "Academy" blooper. London Telegraph (March 4, 2006):
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/03/04/bfoscars04.xml
And from earlier, bias and bigotry among "Academy" members:
Nikki Finke, LA Weekly, How Gay Will Oscar Go?" (February 1, 2006):
http://www.laweekly.com/deadline-hollywood/12564/how-gay-will-oscar-go/
Gore Vidal, in an Interview pre-Oscar, on Brokeback and other subjects (March 3, 2006):
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20060303_gore_vidal_sex_oscars/
For reference, here are the two original New York Times reviews of the films:
Original New York Times Reviews of the two films:
Original NY Times review of Crash (May 6, 2005)
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/movies/x06cras.html?ex=1146888000&en=ab9c464bf3c29946&ei=5083&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes
Original NY Times review of Brokeback Mountain (December 9, 2005)
http://movies2.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/movies/09brok.html?ex=1141880400&en=7757846e4a2865f9&ei=5070
-
Thank you, frenchcda. This will come in handy on the Last Judgement -- we need to be able to divide the sheep from the goats! :)
And BTW, Ebert and Roeper are pieces of SH*T.
-
Strangely, Ebert seems to have taken Crash on as a cause. Earlier this year he again defended the movie against critics (January 18, 2006):
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lawcontent&task=view&id=12416&Itemid=47
Scott Foundas's article is absolutely right on the mark :
"The characters in Crash don’t feel like three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood human beings so much as calculated “types” plugged by Haggis into a schematic thesis about how we are all, in the course of any given day, the perpetrators and the victims of some racial prejudice"
-
And BTW, Ebert and Roeper are pieces of SH*T.
OMG! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
Strangely, Ebert seems to have taken Crash on as a cause. Earlier this year he again defended the movie against critics (January 18, 2006):
http://www.laweekly.com/index.php?option=com_lawcontent&task=view&id=12416&Itemid=47
Scott Foundas's article is absolutely right on the mark :
"The characters in Crash don’t feel like three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood human beings so much as calculated “types” plugged by Haggis into a schematic thesis about how we are all, in the course of any given day, the perpetrators and the victims of some racial prejudice"
Can anything this contrived be worth the calculation?
I love this article. :)
-
And BTW, Ebert and Roeper are pieces of SH*T.
OMG! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Yes indeed! Gentleman Tpe, you surprised me!
-
Pierre, and frances, there is no use throwing pearls before swine! :)
-
Collection of Articles or Critics Objecting to Brokeback Snub (from IMDB)
Thank you very much, frenchcda. I am going to start a new thread in "Our Support to BBM"
http://www.ennisjack.com/index.php?topic=3099.0
-
read today that the young man who had purchased the truck that Jack twsit used in the movie had been sold on E-Bay for 60,000.00 cad, the student had bought the truck for 8,000.00 just over a year ago, he intend to use the profit he made to pay for his university fee, that's a way to go, and as for the buyer, It did not mention who purchased it.
-
Please delete if a duplication..
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/grove_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002237885
March 29, 2006
Bigger boxoffice boosts from Globes than Oscars
By Martin A. Grove
Boxoffice boosts: As wonderful as it is for actors and directors to win Oscars, the real reason studios spend big bucks competing for Academy Awards is to win Best Picture and see that translate into a big boost at the boxoffice.
This time around, however, the Oscars' impact on ticket sales wasn't much to write home about. In fact, looking back at what happened this year indicates that the Golden Globes packed more of a boxoffice punch than the Oscars. In focusing on how Hollywood's two key awards affected the boxoffice, we see that for various reasons the Oscars didn't do much for best picture nominees "Brokeback Mountain," "Crash" and "Munich" although they did give a post-nominations lift to "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Capote."
Much of this has to do with the best picture nominees' release patterns. "Crash" was already out of theaters and in DVD release when the Globe nominations were handed out. "Brokeback's" expansion pattern was well timed in terms of Globe nominations and wins. "Munich" hadn't opened theatrically when the Globes nominees were announced. It didn't get a best picture-drama nod, but it did get into the best director and best screenplay races. "Munich" was playing when the Globes were handed out in January, but they had no impact on its boxoffice performance. "Munich" lost in both of its categories and wasn't generating any awards season heat at the time. The release patterns for "Good Night" and "Capote," however, were both more in synch with the timetable for Oscar nominations. As a result, those films did get some help at the boxoffice from being nominated.
On the other hand, the Oscars should wind up helping "Brokeback" when it comes out on DVD April 4 via Universal Studios Home Entertainment after winning Academy Awards for best director, adapted screenplay and original score. But in terms of boxoffice clout, it was the Globes that mattered most to "Brokeback," going back to last Dec. 13 when the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced its nominations. The Globe noms were perfectly positioned as they always are to give movie marketers something to use in their ads to help drive the holiday boxoffice.
The Globes are the only award besides the Oscars that really means anything to moviegoers across the country and that's because the public knows about the Globes after years of seeing them on NBC. It also helps that the Globes generate a tremendous amount of media coverage geared not only to the awards, themselves, but also to the celebrities who attend and participate in the show and the fashions they wear on the red carpet. In recent years the Globes have come to have special value as a Hollywood marketing tool. Understandably, ads with headlines trumpeting how many Globe nominations a film had received were running almost immediately after the awards were handed out. In the case of "Brokeback" the fact that it received seven Globe nominations, way more than any other film, became one of its key marketing points.
Anticipating correctly that "Brokeback" would do well with the HFPA, Focus had planned its release pattern so that its second weekend in theaters (Dec. 16-18) came right on the heels of the Globe noms. The film expanded from 5 to 69 theaters that weekend. Fueled not only by having 64 more theaters but also by being in the spotlight because of the Globes and all the media coverage the nominations generated, "Brokeback" saw its gross soar 358% over the previous weekend -- from $0.5 million to $2.5 million. That brought its cume to $3.5 million.
Focus went wider with "Brokeback" in the following weeks, making the most of those seven Globe nods throughout the holiday season. The film's third weekend was the four-day Christmas weekend (Dec. 23-26) when it widened to 217 theaters. The $2.95 million it grossed was up nearly 18%. Its fourth weekend was the four-day New Year's weekend (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) when it was playing in 269 houses. Its $4.8 million gross was up 154% and its cume had climbed to $15.1 million.
"Brokeback" got another good bump up in mid-January when it captured four Globe wins -- for best picture-drama, director, screenplay and original song. After the Globes were announced Jan. 16 there was a major expansion of "Brokeback" for the four day Martin Luther King holiday weekend (Jan. 13-16). The film went from 383 to 683 theaters while its $7 million gross rose 23%. Its cume was now an impressive $32.1 million.
Between the Globe nominations being announced just before its second weekend in theaters and the Globe wins right before its sixth weekend, "Brokeback" did quite well at the boxoffice. In fact, the Globes effect continued for another weekend. In its seventh weekend (Jan. 20-22) the film added 513 new runs, putting it in 1,196 theaters. Its $7.4 million gross was up 28% from the three-day Friday- Sunday portion of the previous holiday weekend. Its cume was now a sizable $41.7 million.
One weekend later (Jan. 27-29) "Brokeback" went even wider, adding 458 runs and going into 1,654 theaters. Its $6.5 million gross was down 12%. The film, of course, had already done a great deal of business in its original major markets and was now moving into smaller cities where it was finding good acceptance. By now, the boost it got from winning its Globes Jan. 16 was starting to evaporate. Nonetheless, its $51 million cume as of Jan. 29 reflected its Globes success and represents 62% of the $82.6 million "Brokeback" had grossed through last weekend as it was ending its theatrical run.
How did "Brokeback's" eight Oscar nominations Jan. 31 -- more than any other film received -- affect its boxoffice business? In the past, there would typically have been a post-Oscar nom boost, but that wasn't the case. The first weekend after the noms (Feb. 3-5) "Brokeback" added another 435 playdates, bringing its theater count to a very wide 2,089. But its $6 million gross slid 8% from the prior weekend despite its Oscar nods.
The next weekend (Feb. 10-12), "Brokeback's" 10th stanza in theaters, it lost 123 playdates but was still quite wide with 1,966 theaters. Its $4 million gross was down 33% from the previous weekend. In its 11th weekend (Feb. 17-20), the four day Presidents holiday weekend, "Brokeback" lost 366 more runs and was in 1,600 theaters. It grossed $3.8 million, which was down over 4% from the previous three-day weekend and was off nearly 21% on a three day to three day comparison -- $3.2 million for Feb. 17-19 versus $4 million for Feb. 10-12.
It was the same story in its 12th weekend when "Brokeback" had 1,359 runs (a drop of 241) and grossed $2.3 million, down 28% from the previous weekend. Its 13th weekend, however, was a lucky one in terms of benefiting from its Oscar noms. When the Oscars were telecast Mar. 5, "Brokeback" was playing in 1,272 theaters (87 fewer runs). Its $2.5 million gross that weekend was up nearly 8% from weekend 12, presumably reflecting last minute business from people who wanted to see all the nominees before they watched the Oscars.
Of course, to nearly everyone's surprise (including my own) "Brokeback" didn't walk off with the Best Picture Oscar. So it's really impossible to say what effect an Oscar win might have had on "Brokeback." But with Lionsgate's "Crash" taking home the big prize, "Brokeback's" next weekend (March 10-12) saw it lose 395 runs. It took in $1.2 million in 877 theaters, plunging nearly 52%.
Because "Crash" had opened last May 6 and had ended its theatrical run in early September, it was in the unusual position of receiving absolutely no boxoffice boost from either the Globes or the Oscars. "Crash" was already in DVD release last fall, well before the Globes nominations. That early DVD release, however, gave Lionsgate a tremendous advantage in being able to send out during the awards season some 130,000 DVDs of the movie to all members of SAG, the other guilds, the HFPA and the Academy without worrying about digital piracy.
That extensive mailing of DVDs, particularly to SAG members since actors make up the Academy's largest voting branch, is widely believed to have made the difference for "Crash" between winning and being a strong second choice. Because Lionsgate sent "Crash" on DVD to all SAG members, it was probably the only film that every single member of the guild saw (or, at least, was able to see). When SAG handed out its awards Jan. 29, "Crash" was honored as Best Ensemble Cast, the guild's equivalent of a best picture category.
At that point, the SAG award was the one big race that "Crash" had managed to win. "Brokeback," on the other hand, had already taken home the best picture-drama Globe, the Critics Choice Award for best picture, the Producers Guild of America award for best picture and the Directors Guild of America's award to Ang Lee as best director. "Brokeback" still had a BAFA best picture win to come. Although no one knew it then, "Crash" had a best picture Oscar in its future. Needless to say, it's not the Academy's fault that its best picture winner wasn't playing in wide theatrical release when its surprise Oscar best picture victory could have helped it.
Looking at the three other best picture Oscar nominees, here's a quick overview of how they were or weren't affected at the boxoffice by the Globes and Oscars from mid-December through early March. Sony Pictures Classics' "Capote" didn't receive a best picture-drama Globe nomination. Its only Globe nod went to Philip Seymour Hoffman as best actor in a drama. Not surprisingly, the Globes nominations didn't do anything for "Capote." Its 12th weekend (Dec. 16-18) gross of $0.3 million in 193 theaters (down 14) fell nearly 11%.
"Capote" added 218 runs the weekend (Jan. 20-22) after the Globe wins were announced. Helped by its expansion to 348 playdates and by Hoffman's Globes win, "Capote's" gross of nearly $0.9 million jumped 108%.
"Capote" benefited from SPC having timed its major expansion to follow the Oscar nominations Jan. 31, where the film did much better than it had with the HFPA. "Capote" was nominated in five prime Oscar categories -- best picture, director, actor, supporting actress and adapted screenplay. The weekend of Feb. 3-5, "Capote's" 19th weekend in theaters, saw it gross $2.3 million at 1,239 theaters (an increase of 914), up 229%. This was the kind of meaningful boost films used to enjoy if they received a best picture Oscar nomination.
Being a best picture nominee definitely helped "Capote" at the box office the weekend of March 3-5 as people opted to see it before Sunday's Oscar telecast. In its 23rd weekend in theaters "Capote" expanded to 744 runs (up 269) and grossed $1.6 million, an increase of nearly 49% over the prior weekend.
Warner Independent Pictures' "Good Night, and Good Luck" received four Globe nominations Dec. 13 -- for best picture/drama, director, actor-drama and screenplay -- but they were no help at the boxoffice. The weekend of Dec. 16-18, its 11th in theaters, "Luck" had 322 playdates (down 190) and grossed $0.3 million, off nearly 37%. When the Globes were handed out Jan. 16, "Luck" didn't win anything. It slid over 25% the next weekend (Jan. 20-22), grossing $0.2 million at 118 theaters (down 26).
As with "Capote," the Oscar noms were more meaningful than the Globes for "Luck" because WIP timed its major expansion to follow the Academy's announcement Jan. 31. "Luck" received six Oscar nominations -- best picture, director, actor, original screenplay, art direction and cinematography. With those noms and an expansion of 824 theaters, which put "Luck" in 929 theaters the weekend of Feb. 3-5, it grossed $1.5 million, an increase of 740%. On Oscar night, however, "Luck" ran out of luck and won nothing. The weekend of Mar. 10-12, its 23rd in theaters, it grossed $0.17 million with 132 playdates (down 153), a drop of about 71%.
In the case of Universal and DreamWorks' "Munich" neither the Globes nor the Oscars made any real difference at the boxoffice. "Munich" wasn't playing in theaters when it received two Globe noms Dec. 13 -- for best director and screenplay. When the Globes were handed out Jan. 16, "Munich" didn't win anything. Its $3 million gross the weekend of Jan. 20-22 in 1,437 theaters (down 61) was off nearly 40%.
"Munich" received five Oscar nominations Jan. 31 -- for best picture, director, film editing, adapted screenplay and original score -- but that had almost no impact at the boxoffice. Its gross for the weekend of Feb. 3-5, its seventh in theaters, was $1.7 million with 1,151 playdates (up 171), an increase of only 0.3%. Despite its key noms, including best picture, "Munich" enjoyed no boxoffice bump. The weekend of the Oscars (Mar. 3-5) it grossed $0.45 million at 281 theaters (down 44), a drop of over 10%. "Munich" went home empty-handed Oscar night and the following weekend (Mar. 10-12) it grossed just $0.2 million at 175 theaters (down 106), a drop of nearly 49%.
While every year's best picture nominees will vary in terms of when they opened theatrically and what their release patterns were, based on this year's experience the Globes are proving to be more important than ever at the boxoffice. What works in favor of the Globes is that their noms come right before the holiday movie season when high profile awards nominations are something to shout about. Moreover, the holiday season is the year's second biggest moviegoing period after the summer. There's a lot of new product in the marketplace between Christmas and New Year's and for the most part these are either big commercial films or smaller films from major filmmakers. In either case, those that are honored with Globe noms are able to make the most of it at the boxoffice. Of course, all those ads promoting how many Globe nominations a film has received also help increase the public's awareness of the Globes.
The Oscar noms are unfortunately handed out in a much quieter boxoffice period. By late January or early February the films that opened for the holidays have already done the bulk of their business and people aren't doing as much moviegoing as they do at Christmas and New Year's. So the calendar works against the Oscar noms impacting at the boxoffice in a big way. And by the time the Oscars are handed out in late February or early March, the public's already seen many of the films competing in key categories because they were spotlighted with Globe noms way back in December.
Looking ahead, with best picture nominees now going into DVD release only a few weeks after the Academy Awards the likelihood is that the Oscars' big impact will be on DVD sales. On the other hand, Globe nominations and wins should increasingly drive films at the theatrical boxoffice. As awards marketers become more aware of this factor it should result in increased competition for Globe nominations next year.
Filmmaker flashbacks: From Apr. 29, 1987's column: "Elaine May's 'Ishtar,' which recruited audiences saw at previews earlier this month in Toronto, New Jersey and Connecticut, is being shown to exhibitors this week, Columbia Pictures domestic distribution president James Spitz told me Monday. ... Although there's been speculation that Columbia would open 'Ishtar' on an extremely wide break, Spitz says plans call for it to open May 15 at approximately 1,050 screens. A second wave of playdates will be added June 19.
"Columbia will be setting a precedent in Los Angeles by opening 'Ishtar' day and date in Westwood at Pacific's Metro and in Century City at Cineplex Odeon's Century Plaza. ... Although Cineplex Odeon's two Century Plaza screens are the only ones now in Century City, AMC Entertainment is presently building a state-of-the-art 14 screen multiplex that opens in Century City this fall.
"Exhibition sources expect other distributors to follow Columbia's lead in the future and play day and date in Century City and Westwood. 'The density that exists between Century City and Westwood is such that theaters a block from each other could play day and date,' observes one theater executive. He points out that in the past there have been films that played successfully on a day and date basis at two of Mann Theaters' smaller screens in Westwood.
"'If you've got enough density, it's just a mater of seats,' he comments. 'There are something like 650,000 or 700,000 people in a five mile ring of Century City. ... If you're talking about 500 seats in Century City and 500 seats in Westwood, that's only 1,000 seats. There are 1,400 seats in the Village (in Westwood). It really comes down to the number of seats. If you can put them in two more convenient locations and each exhibitor is willing to pay film rental to make it worth their while, then they'll do it.'"
Update: "Ishtar" became a legendary Hollywood disaster after opening May 15, 1987, to $4.3 million at 1,139 theaters ($3,803 per theater). It went on to gross just $14.4 million domestically.