Brokeback Mountain Forum @ ennisjack.com

The Movie & Story => News Coverage, Reviews & Awards => Topic started by: brokebackmountain on Jan 08, 2006, 10:35 AM

Title: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 08, 2006, 10:35 AM: This board will slowly undergo some reorganization due to a growing number of topics and it is unnecessary to start a new topic for each news. From now on, the news will be organized weekly.

If you find news related to BBM during this coming week and would like to share it with the forum, please post it in this topic in stead of starting a new topic. You are welcome to post any comments related to the news in the topic as well.

Thank you
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 08, 2006, 10:36 AM: -- save for future use --
Title: Another Utah Theatre Article
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 08, 2006, 12:54 PM: Utah Theatre Cancels Brokeback Mountain

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060108/ap_en_mo/brokeback_canceled

SALT LAKE CITY - A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film "Brokeback Mountain." The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

A message posted at the ticket window read: "There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing 'Brokeback Mountain.' We apologize for any inconvenience."

Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, declined to comment.

The film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who discover feelings for one another. The two eventually marry women but rekindle their relationship over the years.

The movie's distributor, Focus Features, said that hours before opening, the theater management "reneged on their licensing agreement," and refused to open the film.

Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said not showing the film set an example for the people of Utah.

"I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show," she said.

Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, called it disappointing.

"It's just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias," he said.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: Popozao on Jan 08, 2006, 01:56 PM: They should be called out on their hypocisy. They refuse to show a movie featuring a homosexual love affair because it is "immoral", but they have no trouble showing movies like Saw and Hostel that have torturing and disgusting murders or Memoirs of a geisha that show women prostituting? Pathetic.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 08, 2006, 05:56 PM: http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film/reviews/article337331.ece

(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Ftemplate%2Fver%2Fgfx%2F%2Fnew_indy_logo3.gif&hash=ccaf8bf9eb1689fb57504f91cfbd628bc64726f0)

Quote
"Brokeback got us good," says Jack, and it'll get you good too.

Not the best article...as it does not sing BBM's praises...but fair enough...not everybody can be as addicted as we are!
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 08, 2006, 08:27 PM: Quote from: Popozao on Jan 08, 2006, 01:56 PM
They should be called out on their hypocisy. They refuse to show a movie featuring a homosexual love affair because it is "immoral", but they have no trouble showing movies like Saw and Hostel that have torturing and disgusting murders or Memoirs of a geisha that show women prostituting? Pathetic.

I agree. I found the commercials for both saw and hostel really disturbing. You'd think that extreme sexual violence and torture would be more controversial than a poignant love story, but hey just goes to show you people are more afraid of love than hate...something our world reflects only too well.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 08, 2006, 08:34 PM: http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3381236

Why 'Brokeback Mountain' is so frightening
Leonard Pitts

I went to see ''Brokeback Mountain'' last week, mainly to prove to myself that I could.
This was after reading a New York Times piece by Larry David of ''Seinfeld'' and ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' fame in which he wrote that, though he loves gay people and supports both gay marriage and gay divorce, he does not plan to see this critically praised movie about gay cowboys. David said he's discomfited by the idea of watching two men fall in love and fears it might make him gay by osmosis.
''Not,'' he added, ''that there's anything wrong with that.''
It strikes me that David's essay amounted to the smiley-face liberal version of what is being said more bluntly in conservative circles. ''Gay love story carries a high 'ick' factor'' reads the headline of a story on the American Family Association Web site. It quotes a prediction that people will leave the theater vomiting.
How asinine, I think.
Yeah, says a little voice in my head, but if that's how you feel, why haven't you been to ''Brokeback Mountain''?
Now look, I say, and suddenly there's this wheedling tone to my voice, some of my best friends are gay. Heck, my own brother's gay. But you know, we are talking about a love story between two guys, and they might be kissing and, you know, touching and . . . stuff.
The little voice falls silent. It is a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is silence.
So I went to see ''Brokeback.'' And I can report that it was as shattering and powerful as advertised. People were moved. Nobody threw up.
Which brings me back to that ick factor.
I find myself wondering if this primeval revulsion doesn't speak less to our antipathy toward homosexuality than to our fears about masculinity. I mean, while a movie about two women in love would surely be controversial, I doubt it would present the visceral threat ''Brokeback Mountain'' does for some of us. I doubt Larry David would be scared to see it.
Indeed, the idea of women who can't keep their hands off each other is a staple of
so-called men's entertainment. Visit a magazine stand if you don't believe me.
Point being, when it's women, we - meaning straight men - tend to find it titillating, exotic, arousing in its very forbiddance. When it's men, we - meaning straight men and women - tend to react as if somebody dropped a snake in the bed. Small wonder the FBI reports that while 902 men were reported victims of sexual orientation hate crimes in 2004, only 212 women were.
We seem prone to find male homosexuality the more clear and present danger, the more urgent betrayal of some fundamental . . . something. Some will say it's - and I will finesse this for a general audience - the nature of man-to-man sex some of us find off-putting. I think it's more basic than that. I think gay men threaten our very conception of masculinity.
The amazing thing about ''Brokeback Mountain'' is its willingness to make that threat, directly and overtly. These are not cute gays, funny gays, ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'' gays. These are ''cowboys,'' and there is no figure in American lore more iconically male. Think Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, the Marlboro Man. The cowboy is our very embodiment of male virtues.
In offering us cowboys who are gay, then, ''Brokeback Mountain'' commits heresy, but it is knowing heresy, matter-of-fact heresy. Nor is it the sex (what little there is) that makes it heretical. Rather, it's the emotion, the fact that the movie dares you to deny these men their humanity. Or their love.
Ultimately, I think, that's what the Larry Davids among us sense. And why for them, ''Brokeback Mountain'' might be the most frightening movie ever made.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 08, 2006, 08:50 PM: Quote from: ennisandjack on Jan 08, 2006, 08:34 PM
Point being, when it's women, we - meaning straight men - tend to find it titillating, exotic, arousing in its very forbiddance. When it's men, we - meaning straight men and women - tend to react as if somebody dropped a snake in the bed.

He has a point about the difference in social attitude. However, his assumption that all men and women feel this way is an overgeneralization. I for one know lots of women, both straight and bisexual who think love between men is a beautiful thing. And not all straight men have a problem with it either, especially those who aren't insecure about themselves.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 12:02 AM: It is sad to hear that BBM just pulled because of its subject matter. It is unfortunate to see the bias. On the other hand, I think it is great to stir something which gets people thinking.

I don't think BBM has not lost anything - it is the theatre's loss.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: Toadily on Jan 09, 2006, 12:06 AM: I saw this photo of a woman who went to theater to see it and they pulled it, the look on her face was so sad. Can you imagine if we didn't get to see it? But yes it's not the movies fault, it's the ignorant owners.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: Apollonos on Jan 09, 2006, 02:49 AM: I don't think anyone will be denied the opportunity to see BBM just because the owner of the Megaplex refused to show it. There are a number of other theaters in the Jordan Commons area that are showing it, and people will just go to those theaters. The only thing the Megaplex has achieved is a loss of revenue. The controversy might even cause more people to see it. LOL
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 06:13 AM: The pull of BBM makes me wonder why a movie such as King Kong would not have any problem. The romance between a girl and a monkey --- pleeese and no one raises any issue? This is even more controversial than pure love between two people. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 09, 2006, 06:18 AM: Quote from: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 06:13 AM
The pull of BBM makes me wonder why a movie such as King Kong would not have any problem. The romance between a girl and a monkey --- pleeese and no one raises any issue? This is even more controversial than pure love between two people. Just my 2 cents.

My thoughts exactly...

But hang on...since when is it OK to start robbing banks to pay of bills? Oh yeah...but it's a comedy!!!!
Title: It's a date: 'Brokeback' romance draws couples - USA Today
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 10:40 AM: It's a date: 'Brokeback' romance draws couples
By Marco R. della Cava, USA TODAY

In four weeks, Brokeback has recouped its modest budget (south of $20 million) and is now in 120 diverse markets. "We're doing huge grosses in places like Fort Worth and Cleveland," hardly gay capitals, says James Shamus, chief of distributor Focus Features.

He says exit polls indicate that the longer the movie remains in a city, "the number of women attending with their (male) significant others goes up dramatically."

Still, the film's subject matter can be a tough sell. Comedian Larry David joked in a New York Times commentary that "cowboys would have to lasso" him into the theater, because he's sure the voice in his head would say, " 'You like those cowboys, don't you? They're kind of cute.' "

David Fone of San Diego had "no desire to see the film," but, like many men, was lured by Brokeback's stellar reviews celebrating characters whose sexual orientation takes a back seat to their humanity. Fone acknowledges he "grimaced" during the love scenes but "enjoyed (the film) thoroughly."

So did Linda Rodriguez of Los Gatos, Calif.: "Somewhere during the movie I forgot that it was about two gay cowboys and found it to be a very tragic and touching love story, and my boyfriend agreed."

Anna-Marie Ganje of Minneapolis went with her husband; the film "haunted" them for days. "If you're open-minded, you know that love between two people is love," she says. (Related story: Brokeback selling well in the heartland)

The movie has emerged as a test of hipness for straight men, says Andrea Miller, founder of relationship magazine Tango: "The coffee dates after this movie surely are filled with intense conversations that get into areas of vulnerability, and women love that in a man."

And, some men insist, they're up for the challenge.

"Give us straight guys some credit. Not all of us are homophobic and turned off by films that deal with relationships," says Adam Robinson of Washington, D.C. "Occasionally I love to see things blow up, but we're not all 13-year-old boys anymore. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a non-sexual crush on (Brokeback co-star) Heath Ledger. He makes being a cowboy look awesome once again."

During filming of the cowboys' final meeting, there was evidence the story would appeal to a broad audience. "Ang suddenly noticed everyone was crying," Shamus says. "This was the crew, folks who are just there to do a day's work. Right then, we thought, 'We have something here.' "

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-01-09-brokeback-date-movie-main_x.htm

All the fans from this forum definitely have helped. Let's get the word out and *drag, beg, force* all the people we know and we love to see this movie.
Title: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe - LA Times
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 10:49 AM: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe
The critical success of 'Mountain' may help other gay-themed projects. As usual, it's all about the box office.

By Robert W. Welkos, Times Staff Writer

After the runaway success of "Wedding Crashers" and "40 Year-Old Virgin," Hollywood scrambled to make R-rated comedies. Now that "Brokeback Mountain" is drawing acclaim and audiences, some in Hollywood are pushing to get new gay- and lesbian-themed projects off the drawing board and into production.

Screenwriters and producers across Hollywood have been dusting off old scripts and brainstorming about new ones ever since the Ang Lee film about a love affair between two cowboys began collecting critics awards and nominations, including seven Golden Globe nominations, four Screen Actors Guild nominations and one Directors Guild of America nomination.

A survey of the six major studios plus DreamWorks, New Line Cinema and Miramax Films reveals that their development slates are virtually devoid of such projects. And although there are no shortages of gay characters in films today, studios say that what little they have on their development or release slates does not fall into the category of "Brokeback Mountain," with its portrayal of romantic gay love.

Nonetheless, this dearth of gay-themed projects hasn't dimmed hopes that "Brokeback Mountain" will usher in a sea change in the attitudes of audiences, which will cause studios to make more gay-themed films that aren't consigned to art house venues.

At Warner Bros., producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron express confidence that their long-languishing project "The Mayor of Castro Street," which now has Bryan Singer ("Superman Returns") attached to direct, will get made in the coming year. The project is based on Randy Shilts' 1982 book about the assassination of Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay city supervisor in San Francisco.

Zadan and Meron, who were executive producers on 2002's Academy Award-winning film "Chicago," say they have spent 15 years developing "The Mayor of Castro Street" and now believe "Brokeback Mountain" has given the project new life.

"We believe, for the first time, this project is viable," Zadan said. "We are getting nothing but enthusiasm from Warner Bros. They are excited by it. Bryan is excited by it. Big actors all over town are wanting to make this movie. Our timing couldn't be better…. Then 'Brokeback Mountain' comes out of the blue, and that only fuels the enthusiasm."

A studio spokeswoman who declined to be identified stressed that, just like any other project in development at Warner Bros., a decision to greenlight the project would be based on the script and other key elements, like casting.

Since its release a few weeks ago, "Brokeback Mountain," starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, has grossed $22.5 million, and Hollywood is watching to see if it becomes a hit with mainstream "crossover" audiences as it continues its steady expansion into theaters nationwide.

Even if it does, some industry insiders say, "Brokeback" won't necessarily result in a flood of similarly themed movies.

Alan Gasmer, a literary agent at the William Morris Agency, said he isn't aware yet of a groundswell for gay-themed scripts at the studios.

"I have not seen or heard from any [studio] executive who says that is what they are looking for," said Gasmer.

"I don't think people are going to look at 'Brokeback Mountain,' with its modest business, and say, 'If we want to get rich, let's make movies about gay cowboys,' " said entertainment attorney Stan Coleman. "But what it does say is you need not be prohibited from making those movies, if they are made for a price and marketed in good taste."

Off the shelf

To be sure, there have been studio movies over the years featuring gay characters, from "Philadelphia" to "The Birdcage," but "Brokeback Mountain" has taken the genre further with its high-end production values and the frank way the men express love for each other.

The film is prompting renewed interest in projects that have kicked around Hollywood for years.

One is Peter Lefcourt's 1992 novel "The Dreyfus Affair," about two gay baseball players, the World Series and how organized baseball deals with the public relations fallout from their relationship.

Lefcourt said the book, in its 15th printing as a paperback, was twice optioned by Disney, then went to 20th Century Fox in 1997 for director Betty Thomas, then to New Line Cinema. Lefcourt said he had gotten the film rights back.

"We actually got close to [casting] Ben Affleck" at New Line, Lefcourt said, but Affleck did the big-budget "Pearl Harbor" for director Michael Bay instead. Lefcourt said he had heard that actor Don Cheadle had been interested in the project.

"We had a budget and were ready to go," Lefcourt said, then quipped: "I guess [Affleck] decided he'd rather kiss Kate Beckinsale in 'Pearl Harbor' than Don Cheadle in Burbank."

Lefcourt said that he believed studio bean counters were not so much homophobic as they were "risk-phobic" when it came to greenlighting gay-themed films. But he added that "Brokeback Mountain" has now "paved the way for these types of movies to be made."

Although TV and cable do not shy away from gay and lesbian themes and relationships, Hollywood has always had an uneasy time with movies that directly tackle homosexual relationships.

A generation ago, Patricia Nell Warren's breakthrough 1974 gay-themed novel "The Front Runner," about a homosexual relationship between a track coach and runner set against the backdrop of the Olympic Games, generated similar buzz in Hollywood. Paul Newman acquired the film rights and was interested in playing the coach, Warren said, but when the script didn't come together, Newman bowed out. The project then kicked around the industry for years. In the mid-1990s, Warren reacquired the film rights; she said there has been renewed interest in turning the book into a movie since "Brokeback Mountain." The novel has sold 10 million books and is in its 36th paperback printing.

"There are still a lot of people who would like to see this movie made," Warren said. "We get e-mails and letters all the time. One of the issues is economics. There are a lot of people in the industry … who think of gay films as low budget. 'The Front Runner' is not a low-budget film. Its backdrop is the Olympic Games. You can't do the Olympic Games for $2 million. You have to be willing to spend the money for the talent and the production values. What I'm hoping is that now there is going to be more courage to putting money into gay-themed films.

"I think people are just watching the box office of 'Brokeback Mountain' very closely," she said.

The 1998 gay-themed film "Gods and Monsters" received critical acclaim but grossed only $6.4 million in North America. "I think that is one of the things that scared people off," Warren said. " 'Gods and Monsters' won [the Academy Award for] best adapted screenplay and never took off. The critical acclaim can be wonderful. But the key thing is going to be the income."

"Hollywood is driven by the greenback…. They always look at the risk factor," said producer and screenwriter Lance Dow, who is developing a movie script called "Immortal" about a gay comic book superhero. Dow believes "Brokeback Mountain" also paves the way for other straight box office stars to take gay roles and not fear career suicide.

"The walls are being torn away," Dow said. "Just like it was with the stars of old. There was a time when if you were a movie star you couldn't move to television. Now, it doesn't make any difference."

Have no fear

Dow has written a script, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," about a decorated U.S. Army Ranger put on trial when the military discovers he is gay. The producers, who include Jerry Offsay, the former president of entertainment at Showtime Networks, say they have a "key actor" on board and are waiting for a second star as well as a director.

Before "Brokeback Mountain," said Lee Levinson, who is also a producer on the project, it would have been much harder to interest a straight actor in taking a gay role.

"I think ['Brokeback Mountain'] helped us tremendously," he said. "It's going to help us in the sense that we are going to reach out to a heterosexual star for the gay role."

Gary Goldstein, who chairs the Writers Guild's gay and lesbian writers committee, said interest in gay-themed scripts has ebbed and flowed over the years.

"As somebody who has been writing these kind of scripts over the years, I've definitely seen the roller-coaster effect," he said. "I've written big studio screenplays with gay characters in a straight environment and even in those films, there is resistance to them. There is always the fear when you make a $40-million, $50-million or $70-million star-driven comedy, 'Can we get stars to play these parts and will the public accept it?' "

"Until now, audiences have been afraid to go to gay-themed films, and the studios have been afraid to get behind them," said K. Pearson Brown, who writes a syndicated column called LezTalk and is a radio commentator on gay film and has written a screenplay called "Who You Know" that she said was inspired by her own professional and personal relationships with Hollywood's power lesbians.

"['Brokeback Mountain'] has broken that barrier," she said. "I'm hoping this means future mainstream lesbian-themed movies will focus on the human stories and the romance and not be relegated to pornography."

http://www.latimes.com/business/custom/cotown/la-et-gayfilm9jan09,1,5184584.story?coll=la-headlines-business-enter

Glad to see this news. BBM definitely will not be the last. We will have many more to discuss in the future. :D
Title: Re: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe - LA Times
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 09, 2006, 03:45 PM: Quote
"Give us straight guys some credit. Not all of us are homophobic and turned off by films that deal with relationships," says Adam Robinson of Washington, D.C. "Occasionally I love to see things blow up, but we're not all 13-year-old boys anymore. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a non-sexual crush on (Brokeback co-star) Heath Ledger. He makes being a cowboy look awesome once again."

Good to hear that all the predictions that the box office would be killed because no straight man would see it was an overgeneralization. I agree with this person that its about maturity more than gender or orientation.

Quote from: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 10:49 AM
"['Brokeback Mountain'] has broken that barrier," she said. "I'm hoping this means future mainstream lesbian-themed movies will focus on the human stories and the romance and not be relegated to pornography."

I am so thankful someone actually said this. It is really awful the way lesbian relationships have been presented in the media. I think women need more images that authentically represent their own experience rather than only sexual images meant solely for the voyeuristic interest of others.
Title: Re: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe - LA Times
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 09, 2006, 03:50 PM: Quote from: ennisandjack on Jan 09, 2006, 03:45 PM
Quote from: brokebackmountain on Jan 09, 2006, 10:49 AM
"['Brokeback Mountain'] has broken that barrier," she said. "I'm hoping this means future mainstream lesbian-themed movies will focus on the human stories and the romance and not be relegated to pornography."

I am so thankful someone actually said this. It is really awful the way lesbian relationships have been presented in the media. I think women need more images that authentically represent their own experience rather than only sexual images meant solely for the voyeuristic interest of others.

Well actually there is a great lesbian-themed movie on its way to a cinema near you! ;D
"Imagine Me & You" http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/imaginemeandyou/
Title: Re: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe - LA Times
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 09, 2006, 03:58 PM: Quote from: frog123 on Jan 09, 2006, 03:50 PM
Well actually there is a great lesbian-themed movie on its way to a cinema near you! ;D
"Imagine Me & You" http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/imaginemeandyou/

Thanks for sharing this frog :D I will definitely be seeing this film. I'm really excited about all the cultural changes that are happening. Brokeback will hopefully be part of a larger cultural turning point for us all :)
Title: Re: Go for more 'Broke'? Maybe - LA Times
Post by: sweetlilg on Jan 09, 2006, 06:27 PM: Quote from: frog123 link=topic=382.msg2506#msg2506 date=1136839825

[quote
Well actually there is a great lesbian-themed movie on its way to a cinema near you! ;D
"Imagine Me & You" http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/imaginemeandyou/

thanks froggy.. i'll make sure to check it out! 8)
Title: 'BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN': Cancellation was Miller's call, and his loss
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 10, 2006, 08:59 AM: An article from Salt Lake Tribune.
'BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN': Cancellation was Miller's call, and his loss
A sad story

Admittedly, "Brokeback Mountain" is a movie that is not for everyone. But one might think that every multiplex owner would be eager to screen a film that is both a critical triumph and a controversial generator of free publicity.

Free publicity the film is getting. But even though one Utah theater owner - Larry H. Miller - has added to that attention, he won't be reaping any of the benefit. Nor, thanks to some shallow reporting that is showing up literally around the world, will Utah.

In a last-minute decision, apparently based on a last-minute realization of what "Brokeback Mountain" is sort of about, Miller Friday canceled the movie's run at his MegaPlex 17 in Sandy.

That's his call. And his loss. But not Salt Lake City's, as the movie continues to run at the downtown Broadway Centre Cinemas, as well as one house each in the Century and Cinemark chains.

Sadly, brief articles that have appeared everywhere from The New York Times to the New China News Agency may leave the impression that the film has been banned from Utah altogether. That's another rap this state doesn't deserve.

Miller and company aren't talking, but word is that the auto dealer/NBA owner/theater impresario only found out that the film involves 20 years in the lives of two "gay cowboys" when a local radio reporter called to ask him about the controversy surrounding the movie.

We can only guess that Miller had not actually seen the film at that point. If he had, he might realize that to dismiss "Brokeback Mountain" as a gay movie would be like passing on Moby Dick as a fish story.

The film, an art-house feature that went into wider release last week, is less about sexuality, gay or otherwise, than it is about human loneliness. And, as realized first in the short story by Annie Proulx and then in the film by director Ang Lee, being a gay man in the middle of Wyoming may be about the loneliest condition on Earth.

The movie is about as frank as a mainstream movie is likely to get, certainly outside the comfort range of many good people. But it in no way glamorizes the "gay lifestyle," just as it refuses to sugarcoat the dark side of other human relationships.

The proper response to Larry Miller's performance in this drama is the same as the humane response to seeing Heath Ledger's portrayal in "Brokeback Mountain." Not anger. Not put-downs. Just sadness.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_3387000

I could even see this news on TV here in Taiwan. Great publicity actually for BBM.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 10, 2006, 04:45 PM: (https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.ninemsn.com.au%2Fimg%2Ftower%2F0901_heath_a.jpg&hash=46887038956cf7d8564c3eb808a9955ef4c7c739)

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17784925-29277,00.html
Gay cowboy film has Oz premiere

HEATH Ledger's leading lady Michelle Williams has declared Australia her second home at the Australian premiere of their film Brokeback Mountain.
As drizzling rain fell in Melbourne, the American beauty revealed she was thrilled to be attending the first premiere downunder of the controversial film with her co-star and boyfriend Ledger.

Williams says she and Ledger along with their baby daughter Matilda Rose, plan to spend time between their home in Brooklyn, New York, and Australia.

So being in Melbourne has been a treat for her.

"It is sweet," said the 25-year-old of walking the red carpet hand-in-hand with Ledger.

"Now Australia is my second home and we want to spend equal time in both places. It's nice to get to know both Melbourne and Sydney."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17786057%255E2902,00.html
Heath Ledger angry at ban

(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.news.com.au%2Fcommon%2Fimagedata%2F0%2C1658%2C5095193%2C00.jpg&hash=d279c2ef150476a027e3907ae43ff07d9829b8ea)

HOT Oscar tip Heath Ledger yesterday compared US bans on his gay cowboy film to racism.

Ledger said he was not surprised a Utah cinema had banned Brokeback Mountain, which depicts a lifelong love affair between two Montana cowboys.

"I heard a while ago that West Virginia was going to ban it. But that's a state that was lynching people only 25 years ago, so that's to be expected," Ledger said.

"Personally, I don't think the movie is (controversial) but I think maybe the Mormons in Utah do. I think it's hilarious and very immature of a society.

"If two people are loving . . . I think we should be more concerned if two people express anger in love, than love."

http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,17789638-7485,00.html
Cowboys miss out

(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnetwork.news.com.au%2Fimage%2F0%2C10114%2C5095312%2C00.jpg&hash=f9ca7fe733731e7fd4ab76d6bfd43867abcf7757)

IT is all about cowboys in love but Australia's real cowboy country will not get to see the release of the latest Heath Ledger movie Brokeback Mountain this month ... or next month for that matter.

In fact, the cowboy bastions of Queensland around Rockhampton and Townsville and further west will have to wait and see if they get the movie at all.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 10, 2006, 08:22 PM: Love Heath's comments. He really knows how to tell it like it is. Thanks for the articles :)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 10, 2006, 08:23 PM: Quote from: ennisandjack on Jan 10, 2006, 08:22 PM
Love Heath's comments. He really knows how to tell it like it is. Thanks for the articles :)

My pleasure... ;)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 12, 2006, 02:00 PM: Interesting article by a reporter covering the National Board of Review Awards on the behind the scenes competition for Oscar (he's rooting for Brokeback).

http://www.oscarwatch.com/moveabletype/archives/articles/stephen_holt/index.html#000492

(cross posted in Oscar thread)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: Toadily on Jan 12, 2006, 04:35 PM: Heath Comments on ban in Utah

http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=1788
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: sweetlilg on Jan 12, 2006, 06:35 PM: Quote from: Toadily on Jan 12, 2006, 04:35 PM
Heath Comments on ban in Utah

http://www.spotlightingnews.com/article.php?news=1788

and it's driving every stupid homophobe crazy..

"I think it's proven to have the opposite effect. All of the American states, besides the odd one here and there, have ended up seeing it. It seems to have proven everyone wrong."

Heath is SOO right!!! ;)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: chameau on Jan 12, 2006, 07:38 PM: Quote
and it's driving every stupid homophobe crazy..

"I think it's proven to have the opposite effect. All of the American states, besides the odd one here and there, have ended up seeing it. It seems to have proven everyone wrong."

Heath is SOO right!!!

People are driven crazy to see it. My fellows in France are starving, they went to look at this forum, read all the reviews from U.S.A., Canada and U.K. Homophobes are drivin nuts indeed, they just get the opposite of what they want. The buzz is just too big and many people are just going to see BBM out of curiosity. Yesss! :D
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: Toadily on Jan 12, 2006, 07:40 PM: Quote from: chameau on Jan 12, 2006, 07:38 PM
Quote
and it's driving every stupid homophobe crazy..

"I think it's proven to have the opposite effect. All of the American states, besides the odd one here and there, have ended up seeing it. It seems to have proven everyone wrong."

Heath is SOO right!!!

People are driven crazy to see it. My fellows in France are starving, they went to look at this forum, read all the reviews from U.S.A., Canada and U.K. Homophobes are drivin nuts indeed, they just get the opposite of what they want. The buzz is just too big and many people are just going to see BBM out of curiosity. Yesss! :D

Someone was pointing out the people who got it out of UT didn't even see it, so there is more buzz about that too.
This is great! I mean here you have Ang Lee film, a totally sensitive smart director and they don't even bother to see it first...
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: chameau on Jan 12, 2006, 07:50 PM: Not to mention BBM is alreading making money! :)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: greenfrog on Jan 12, 2006, 09:06 PM: Quote from: chameau on Jan 12, 2006, 07:50 PM
Not to mention BBM is alreading making money! :)

Agreed ;)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 13, 2006, 04:00 PM: Just before I go...here is a photo of the cutest couple in Oz...at the Sydney premiere.

http://people.aol.com/people/galleries/0,19884,1147572_3,00.html

(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.timeinc.net%2Fpeople%2Fi%2F2006%2Fstartracks%2F060123%2Fhledger1.jpg&hash=a8cf60b0819a55adc52f53e3d60baf2e66e427bc)
Golden Globe nominees (and real-life couple) Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams attend the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain on Friday – where they were reportedly drenched by the paparazzi. Some photographers who claimed Ledger spit at them last year greeted the two with water pistols.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 13, 2006, 04:05 PM: Quote from: frog123 on Jan 13, 2006, 04:00 PM
Just before I go...here is a photo of the cutest couple in Oz...at the Sydney premiere.

Thanks for posting this. Michelle and Heath are the *hottest* couple in Hollywood these days. Good for them and for sure that they will be under the spot light for some time. Better get used to it. ;)
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 13, 2006, 08:05 PM: This story makes my blood boil. They better back off my Heath

Paparazzi shoot water pistols at Ledger

http://au.news.yahoo.com/060113/2/xkxp.html

Five paparazzi photographers whom Heath Ledger allegedly spat at have retaliated at the Sydney premiere of his new movie - shooting the actor with water pistols.

As Ledger arrived with partner Michelle Williams at Cinema Paris at Fox Studios on Friday night, the photographers took aim at the Hollywood heart-throb with the toys.

They hit him in the face and chest, wetting his hair and clothing, in an action taking some 10 seconds.

Ledger put his hands up to protect himself and tried to shield his partner, who was also hit by the water, as they moved quickly inside the cinema complex.

Upon seeing the incident, security guards moved towards the paparazzi but the five had left the scene.

Veteran paparazzi photographer Peter Carrette, who was not (not) involved in the incident, told AAP: "Enough is enough.

"Some boys thought they would get him back for spitting at them. It's (spitting) totally out of order.

"I came here to do my job but if anyone spat at me I would deck them.

"We are just doing our job. He gets $250,000 a picture (a movie) and we get $250 a picture. Who the hell does he think he is?"

Last week, Ledger said he was hurt and embarrassed by claims he had spat at journalists on the Sydney set of the movie Candy last year and by a recent report that said his uncle spat in a photographer's face.

"It's disgusting and awful. I would never in a million years do anything like that," Ledger told News Ltd newspapers.

"I'm not some sort of dirty spitter."

To the premiere, Ledger wore a hooded jumper under a black suit jacket, his outfit completed with sunglasses and sneakers, while Williams wore a navy Chanel dress.
Title: SF Chron,GG lookin' good for BBM....
Post by: Toadily on Jan 13, 2006, 11:21 PM: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/13/DDG9HGJ9II34.DTL

"...WILL WIN: Although Hoffman deservedly will corral a share of the votes, look for Ledger to take home the prize.

SHOULD WIN: Ledger, because he's simply unforgettable....."

When the 63rd annual Golden Globes are dispersed, it will be the first time the award show airs on a Monday night in 12 years on NBC. The star-studded ceremony was moved from Sunday so "it wouldn't be in direct competition with the NFL playoffs," said Wendy Luckenbill, the network's vice president of entertainment publicity.

For those who follow movies more avidly than football, the Golden Globes are in a league of their own -- the most important playoff on the road to the Academy Awards. The Globes have an 80 percent accuracy rate forecasting the Oscars' best picture pick, an impressive statistic even if it is skewed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group behind the Golden Globes, dividing the best-picture categories into drama and musical or comedy, thereby doubling the number of winners.

In a year in which the Oscar race is wide open, those who take home a Globe will have an advantage for the really big prize. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have to cast their ballots for Oscar nominations by Jan. 21, so they're sure to be keeping score Monday night.

Belying its past reputation of being a tad too cozy with the Hollywood establishment, the foreign press nominated five independent films for best drama, each made for less than $30 million. Pricey big studio entries such as "King Kong," "Munich," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Cinderella Man" were passed over in the process.

This crop of nominees most closely resembles the 1997 show when art house films like "Shine," "Secrets and Lies," "Fargo" and "The English Patient" dominated the slate. While Luckenbill denies that NBC is concerned about ratings, historically audiences for movie award shows are smaller when fewer people have seen the nominated films. It's like watching the Tony awards when you aren't familiar with any of the plays.

Nominated films like "Brokeback Mountain," "Match Point" and "Mrs. Henderson Presents" have yet to open in most parts of the country. "The Squid and the Whale," up for best musical or comedy, has taken in less than $5 million, and it was released months ago. In the best-drama category, "The Constant Gardener" is the highest grosser, bringing in nearly $35 million. That's peanuts compared to "King Kong," which is lugging toward a gorilla-size $200 million.

Besides easing the way to Oscar glory, a win Monday is sure to boost box-office interest. Look for distributors to take out splashy ads proclaiming Golden Globe recipients. What will those advertisements say? Here are my fearless predictions of the winners, along with my opinion of the most deserving.

Picture, drama

NOMINEES: "Brokeback Mountain," "The Constant Gardener," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "A History of Violence," "Match Point."

WILL WIN: "Brokeback Mountain," a standout even in this distinguished company.

SHOULD WIN: "Brokeback Mountain," because it was made with such care and compassion and because the subject matter couldn't be timelier.

Actor, drama

NOMINEES: Russell Crowe ("Cinderella Man''), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote''), Terrence Howard ("Hustle & Flow''), Heath Ledger ("Brokeback Mountain''), David Strathairn ("Good Night, and Good Luck'').

WILL WIN: Although Hoffman deservedly will corral a share of the votes, look for Ledger to take home the prize.

SHOULD WIN: Ledger, because he's simply unforgettable.

Director

NOMINEES: Woody Allen ("Match Point''), George Clooney ("Good Night, and Good Luck''), Peter Jackson ("King Kong''), Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain''), Fernando Meirelles ("The Constant Gardener''), Steven Spielberg ("Munich'').

WILL WIN: Lee, as close to a global director as Hollywood has.

SHOULD WIN: Lee, as much for the range of his work as the subtlety he displays in "Brokeback."

Screenplay

NOMINEES: Woody Allen ("Match Point''), George Clooney and Grant Heslov ("Good Night, and Good Luck''), Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco ("Crash''), Tony Kushner and Eric Roth ("Munich''), Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana ("Brokeback Mountain'').

WILL WIN: McMurtry and Ossana, to round out "Brokeback's" sweep or near sweep.

SHOULD WIN: McMurtry and Ossana, for fleshing out Annie Proulx's memorable short story and especially for breathing life into the main characters' wives, who were mere asides in the story.
Title: Re: SF Chron,GG lookin' good for BBM....
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 14, 2006, 02:04 AM: Quote from: Toadily on Jan 13, 2006, 11:21 PM
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/01/13/DDG9HGJ9II34.DTL

"...WILL WIN: Although Hoffman deservedly will corral a share of the votes, look for Ledger to take home the prize.

SHOULD WIN: Ledger, because he's simply unforgettable....."

Thanks for posting this. I am going to cross post this in the GG board. Gee..I am getting anxious.
Title: Childress theater bans ‘Brokeback Mountain’
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 14, 2006, 04:10 AM: By David Webb Staff Writer
Jan 12, 2006, 22:47

Jack Twist leaves Brokeback Mountain and while riding on the rodeo circuit winds up in Childress, Texas, where he meets a barrel racer named Lureen. Twist marries Lureen, the wealthy daughter of a farm machinery dealer, and settles down in Childress. But four years after he last saw Ennis Del Mar, Twist rekindles their relationship with a postcard asking Del Mar if he wants to go fishing. The two carry on a long-distance relationship spanning two decades.

As praise for the gay cowboy love story “Brokeback Mountain” builds momentum across the country, most residents of Childress, Texas, seem oblivious to the attention the movie is focusing on their sleepy town. And it is likely to stay that way.

“Brokeback Mountain” will not play at Childress’ one theater, the Lone Star 4. The closest place for Childress residents to see the movie will be in Amarillo, which is about 116 miles to the north. It is also not playing in Lubbock or Wichita Falls, the two other larger cities closest to Childress.

Vince LaCario, owner of the Lone Star 4, said the movie was not scheduled for showing in Childress because of its content. “We’re a real small community with a lot of church presence,” LaCario said. “I’m afraid it would shake up some turmoil.”

Complete article http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_390.php
Title: Homosexual Agenda Pushed in Movies Like BBM
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 14, 2006, 05:42 AM: Homosexual Agenda Pushed in Movies Like Brokeback Mountain
By Paul Strand
Washington Sr. Correspondent

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/060113d.asp

CBN.com – WASHINGTON - Brokeback Mountain is the biggest, boldest attempt yet by Hollywood to gain sympathy, if not outright support, for those practicing the homosexual lifestyle.

As CBN News reports, it is not just an isolated effort. There is a well-planned propaganda campaign at work -- a campaign laid out all the way back in the 1980s.

The movie Brokeback Mountain looks like a big, bold, manly Western movie. But instead of the usual "boy meets girl" romance, this film's about "cowboy meets cowboy."

It is one of the most forward attempts so far by Hollywood to mainstream homosexuality.

"It is very, very propagandistic, because the entire purpose of the movie is to make homosexuality seem like something good and appealing, and to make people who are opposed to homosexuality bigots and homophobes," said David Kupelian, author of The Marketing of Evil.

There have been homosexual movies for years, but they are usually marketed to gay and art-house audiences. But not with Brokeback.

"They are marketing Red State, Bush-country America," Kupelian said.

But the way the studio did that was by opening it up in just five Blue State cities where there were large, built-in gay audiences, so the first showings had blockbuster numbers.

"And they get these high numbers and all the buzz going,” Kupelian said, “and then pretty soon it's sort of like the emperor's new clothes effect: we're all looking at that -- even middle, Christian America, saying, 'Everybody else says this movie is so great. I need to go see it to see why it's so great.'"

Is there an actual agenda at work here?

Authors Alan Sears and Craig Osten, in a book called The Homosexual Agenda, warn about a complex and well-thought-out strategy to make America "gay friendly" and hostile to those who resist.

These Christian authors quote extensively from After the Ball, a 1989 gay manifesto that laid out this agenda.

Many gays deny such an agenda exists.

Gay activist Toni Broaddus, the executive director of Equality California, asserts, “There's no secret plan or even public plan at this point."

But the authors of After the Ball discuss in the book about a 1988 summit of gay leaders in Warrenton, Virginia, who came together to agree on the agenda.

These authors are Marshall Kirk, a reportedly brilliant researcher into the brain, and Hunter Madsen, a Harvard-trained expert in public persuasion tactics.

The two men proposed using tactics on ‘straight’ America that are remarkably similar to the brainwashing methods of Mao Tse-Tung's Communist Chinese -- mixed with Madison Avenue's most persuasive selling techniques.

The purpose of this brainwashing?

According to Kirk and Hudson, it is to use "...the very processes that made America hate us, to turn their hatred into warm regard -- whether they like it or not."

First, they proposed homosexuals and their liberal allies should desensitize heterosexuals by getting homosexuality talked about as much as possible in the straight world.

"The main thing,” the authors said, “is talk about gayness until the issue becomes thoroughly tiresome…You can forget about trying right up front to persuade folks that homosexuality is a 'good' thing. But if you can get them to think it is just 'another' thing, meriting no more than a shrug of the shoulders -- then your battle for legal and social rights is virtually won."

Sears said, "We're talking about a demand for a behavior that not only wants to not be condemned, but to have every affirmation from every possible point that it is correct, it's good and it's approved."

Now look at the media. There is a tidal wave of gays and gay themes -- "the L word" is a show-time hit that follows the lives of a group of lesbians.

Desperate Housewives even has time for the occasional gay guy subplot.

And a flamboyant homosexual is one of the main characters in the brand-new series Emily's Reasons Why Not.

Heights, one of the most popular independent films lately, has a closet gay torturing himself over whether to marry his fiancé or go off with the man he really loves.

Happy Endings features another tortured young man who cannot be happy until he finally faces his homosexuality.

And in the latest movie section of The Washington Post are these: The Family Stone, which depicts a mom who insists she would just as soon have gay kids as straight ones; The Producers, which features a wildly homosexual Broadway director, and Capote, all about the famously gay writer.

Another point that Kirk and Madsen push is to "portray gays as victims of circumstance and oppression, not as aggressive challengers...Gays must be portrayed as victims in need of protection, so that straights will be inclined, by reflex, to assume the role of protector."

Benjamin Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund said, "Suddenly those who choose homosexual behavior...sodomy...are victims. It's crazy!"

But have homosexuals won on getting themselves seen as a persecuted minority?

Turning to the movies, the wildly-popular Saved portrays born-again Christians as cruel homophobes trying to re-program poor, young misunderstood gays in their midst.

Trembling before God is about how Orthodox and Hasidic homosexuals are persecuted and not accepted.

The Conspiracy of Silence argues that some gay priests are hounded to death because they cannot act out their homosexuality.

And the list of gay-centered, gay-sympathetic shows goes on and on...closeted Canadian homosexuals in Touch of Pink, and closeted Asian lesbians in Saving Face.

And the good, kind, understanding homosexual next door has been seen in so many movies and TV series, that he has become somewhat of a cliché’.

These days, some 30 regular homosexual characters are being beamed into your home by the major networks every week.

As Kirk and Madsen put it, "The average American watches over seven hours of TV daily. Those hours open up a gateway into the private world of straights, through which a Trojan Horse might be passed."
And speaking of horses -- like it or not -- the gay cowboys of Brokeback Mountain are playing to big crowds in a theater near you right now.

-----------------------

Ennis would say --- "If you cant fix it, you've got to stand it" I am glad that BBM is out - propaganda or not. BBM is here to stay. Only homophobic person could write something like this.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: manila_rocks on Jan 14, 2006, 11:49 AM: Christian Broadcasting Network can be outright frightening. I certainly am not surprised by their take on the movie. However, male-male sexual/emotional encounters such as those displayed in Brokeback have been common since the dawn of time. Their point about desensitization of the population is interesting and true to a point. Anytime something becomes mainstream this will happen.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: brokebackmountain on Jan 14, 2006, 11:54 AM: Quote from: manila_rocks on Jan 14, 2006, 11:49 AM
Christian Broadcasting Network can be outright frightening. I certainly am not surprised by their take on the movie. However, male-male sexual/emotional encounters such as those displayed in Brokeback have been common since the dawn of time. Their point about desensitization of the population is interesting and true to a point. Anytime something becomes mainstream this will happen.

You are right. I am not surprised and tired of reacting to such criticism. With all due respect to religion, I find this kind of commentary troubling.
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: ennisandjack on Jan 14, 2006, 09:39 PM: The Australian

Soaked Ledger may lay charges

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17829519%255E1702,00.html

January 15, 2006
THREE paparazzi photographers will be banished from the red carpet after spraying movie star Heath Ledger with water pistols, while the star considers laying assault charges.

Film distributor Roadshow said photographers Peter Carrette, Pierre Smithdorf and Guy Finlay would not be invited back to cover celebrity film events, Fairfax newspapers reported today.

The photographers targeted Ledger for a soaking as the Hollywood heart-throb arrived at Fox Studios in Sydney on Friday for the Sydney premiere of his new film, Brokeback Mountain.

They claimed it was retaliation after Ledger allegedly spat at them during a previous confrontation.

"In terms of banning them, we would certainly never give them official accreditation again," Roadshow managing director Joel Pearlman told the Fairfax press.

"It was sad to see such a silly and implausible act mar a premiere which was also a public event. It was just incredibly unfair and extremely disappointing."

Ledger was considering laying assault charges, saying he was left "shaken up, stunned and furious", News Limited reported.

"Heath wants to file assault charges," News Limited quoted a Roadshow Films spokesperson as saying.

"He wants to call the police and get them involved. He's totally shaken up by it."
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: natalia on Jan 15, 2006, 12:59 PM: The New York Times had a whole section on Oscar coverage today and can you guess which movie was featured in an article about screenwriting?
I don't have the article with me, but the bulk of it was an excerpt from the screenplay of when Ennis has just returned from his night at the motel with Jack to tell a rattled Alma that they'd be going on a fishing trip the next day. The screenplay seems to have been written to give the actors some room to breathe in playing their characters, with only vague guidelines on how they should be and it makes me amazed at how the actors completely nailed their roles.
Title: Globe Fever: Heath & Reese to Win? - people.com
Post by: *Froggy* on Jan 15, 2006, 03:35 PM: (https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.timeinc.net%2Fpeople%2Fi%2F_site%2Fpeople_logo_new.gif&hash=831565cd440c9b4e10e95cf331f4402dbd1aabd7)

(https://ennisjack.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.timeinc.net%2Fpeople%2Fi%2F2005%2Fnews%2F051226%2Frwitherspoon.jpg&hash=96fe9a412c31632cc68741a22744ef26a2658327)

Critics have heaped on the praise for Brokeback Mountain, but Monday night's Golden Globe Awards will mark the home stretch for Hollywood's awards season, leading up to the March 5 Oscars.

So far, Brokeback's Heath Ledger has gathered plenty of momentum in the best-actor category, while Reese Witherspoon has similarly captivated critics' group as the real-life June Carter Cash in Walk the Line – and could have a lock on the Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy.

Then there's Felicity Huffman, who has two shots at Globe glory come Monday night: One for her Desperate Housewives role as Lynette, for which she won last year's Emmy, and another for actress in a movie drama, for her role as a transsexual in Transamerica.

As Huffman admitted to PEOPLE, the reaction to the indie movie, including the Globe nod, is "a wonderful surprise. I thought my mom would watch (the movie), and that would be about it."

Also slated for heavy camera time Monday is Globe triple nominee George Clooney, who's up for directing and co-writing the McCarthy-era drama Good Night, and Good Luck, about pioneering newscaster Edward R. Murrow, as well as for his supporting role in Syriana.

The Globe nominations also signal a comeback for Woody Allen, whose Match Point, starring the nominated Scarlett Johansson, is considered the filmmaker's best effort in more than a decade. Allen's film earned him a director nomination and a nod for best drama, alongside The Constant Gardener, Good Night, and Good Luck, A History of Violence and Brokeback Mountain, which garnered seven nominations in all.

Given that the Globes have a separate best-picture category for musical or comedy films, those nominees are Mrs. Henderson Presents, Pride & Prejudice, The Producers, The Squid and the Whale and Walk the Line.

In the TV category, the entire cast of Housewives made the cut – save for Nicollette Sheridan. But Marcia Cross, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria and Huffman were all nominated. The only non-Housewife in the race to win best actress in a comedy series is Mary-Louise Parker, for Showtime's Weeds.

Said Longoria to PEOPLE: "I am most honored to be competing with my castmates. I hope one of us wins!"

The Globes will be presented live on NBC at 8 p.m. ET. (Red-carpet coverage kicks off on the E! network at 6 p.m. ET.)
[/color]
Here's a rundown of the top categories:

Best Motion Picture, Drama
• Brokeback Mountain
• The Constant Gardener
• Good Night, and Good Luck
• A History of Violence
• Match Point

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
• Mrs. Henderson Presents
• Pride and Prejudice
• The Producers
• The Squid and the Whale
• Walk the Line

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
• Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
• Russell Crowe, Cinderella Man
• Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote
• David Strathairn, Good Night, and Good Luck
• Terrence Howard, Hustle and Flow

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
• Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
• Maria Bello, A History of Violence
• Gwyneth Paltrow, Proof
• Charlize Theron, North Country
• Ziyi Zhang, Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
• Nathan Lane, The Producers
• Pierce Brosnan, The Matador
• Jeff Daniels, The Squid and the Whale
• Johnny Depp, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Cillian Murphy, Breakfast on Pluto
• Joaquin Phoenix, Walk the Line

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
• Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson Presents
• Keira Knightley, Pride and Prejudice
• Laura Linney, The Squid and the Whale
• Sarah Jessica Parker, The Family Stone
• Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line

Best Director, Motion Picture
• Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain
• Fernando Meirelles The Constant Gardener
• George Clooney, Good Night, and Good Luck
• Peter Jackson, King Kong
• Woody Allen, Match Point
• Steven Spielberg, Munich

Best Television Series, Drama
• Commander in Chief
• Grey's Anatomy
• Lost
• Prison Break
• Rome

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama
• Patricia Arquette, Medium
• Glenn Close, The Shield
• Geena Davis, Commander in Chief
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
• Polly Walker, Rome

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama
• Hugh Laurie, House
• Patrick Dempsey, Grey's Anatomy
• Matthew Fox, Lost
• Wentworth Miller, Prison Break
• Kiefer Sutherland, 24

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Desperate Housewives
• Entourage
• Everybody Hates Chris
• My Name Is Earl
• Weeds

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
• Marcia Cross, Desperate Housewives
• Teri Hatcher, Desperate Housewives
• Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives
• Eva Longoria, Desperate Housewives
• Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy
• Zach Braff, Scrubs
• Steve Carell, The Office
• Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Jason Lee, My Name Is Earl
• Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: jimnick on Jan 15, 2006, 06:15 PM: I just have to say that from what I can see Heath Ledger has far better things to do with his spit than waste it on paparazzi. I think Jake would agree...

Jim
Title: Re: News Coverage: January 8 - 15
Post by: greenfrog on Jan 15, 2006, 07:21 PM: Quote from: jimnick on Jan 15, 2006, 06:15 PM
I just have to say that from what I can see Heath Ledger has far better things to do with his spit than waste it on paparazzi. I think Jake would agree...

Jim

hehehehe ... very true. Especially the last line. :-*