Posted on 01/31/2006 6:41:43 AM PST by sassbox
"Brokeback Mountain," the story of two male ranch hands who become romantically involved, led all films with eight nominations for the 78th annual Academy Awards.
"Brokeback," based on a short story by E. Annie Proulx, picked up nods for best picture, best director (Ang Lee), best actor (Heath Ledger), best supporting actress (Michelle Williams) and best supporting actor (Jake Gyllenhaal). Its screenplay adaptation, by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, also received a nomination.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
No-no, it's called Bareback Mountin'.
But I thought it was called Buttcrack Mountin'!! We're just so behind out here in the sticks.
"Two snaps for the mens!"
And STILL Hollywood remains clueless as to why their profits are dropping like the proverbial lead balloon!
Prayers for Mr. Ford!
He, Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda were always at the top of my favorite actors list!
Full disclosure here: I am a gay, bleeding-heart, do-gooder liberal. I am not here to make fun of anyone's views, but I do think you will find my comments relevent to the discussion.
Hollywood has (almost) always pushed the envelope on social issues, but the reality is that movies are made to make money. Although I am sure they considered it a gamble, the producers would not have made Brokeback Mountain if they did not think people would want to see it. Judging by their less than $20 million budget they did not think it would have broad appeal.
Brokeback Mountain has now made $50 million in the US and $60 million total worldwide. My source is www.boxofficemojo.com. No, it is not as much as Chronicles of Narnia or King Kong. It is not a fair comparison. Those were big budget movies with huge marketing budgets.
It is not just gays going to see this movie. There just are not that many of us! It is showing in my hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. This Manhattan is not a hotbed of liberalism. I have been told, and I admit this is just anecdotal, that it is doing very well there. It is called the free market economy.
Rather than blame Hollywood, I have two other targets for your anger.
First, blame MTV. Sixteen years ago they premiered Real World. For the first time millions of teenagers met a real gay person and felt like they got to know him. Since then the Real World and other MTV shows have included gays and lesbians as part of the cast.
Was it an attempt to promote the "Homosexual Agenda?" I tend to think not. I bet they were just trying to appeal to teenagers and the teenage need to rebel against authority. The teens and 20-somethings who started watching the Real World 15 years ago are now 20 to 30 somethings.
Second, go ahead and blame me. When I was a teen I did not know anyone who was gay or lesbian. I was only aware of the swishy stereotype seen occasionally on TV. I have 11 nieces and nephews. They know me as their uncle who happens to be gay. I am the uncle who took them to Disney movies when they were little, played football with them at Thanksgiving and now talks to them about their jobs and families. They are just 11 of the millions of young people today who have a gay or lesbian uncle, aunt, brother, sister or good friend. They know us for who we are, not for a stereotype.
That is why Brokeback Mountain is being seen by more than just the gay and lesbian community.
Fair enough. In the interest of full disclosure, I could care less what someone does in their bedroom as long as everyone in there is of age and 'consents'.
On a personal level, I find the lifestyle disgusting. That DOESN'T however, give me the right to treat anyone in a less than civil manner. Provided I'm treated the same, of course. :)
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Hollywood has (almost) always pushed the envelope on social issues, but the reality is that movies are made to make money.
True, as is the rest of your assessment.
My statement was to the fact that, overall, movie revenues are down. I've been to the theater once in the last 20 years simply because there has been anything worth seeing. I don't see anything worthwhile in this movie either.
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Rather than blame Hollywood, I have two other targets for your anger.
I haven't 'blamed' anyone, nor am I 'angry'.
I don't even 'blame' Hollywood. It became painfully obvious years ago that the Oscars had become nothing more than yet another platform for the MSM.
I could care less what people waste their money on. Perhaps you've confused me with another poster?
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First, blame MTV.
Sorry, I don't blame inanimate objects for the actions of people. To be honest, we don't have cable or even watch that much TV.
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Second, go ahead and blame me.
Why in the world would I do that?
Like I said before, your preferences don't negate your humanity. My only problem with the whole gay agenda thing is that they bring their sexuality into the public area, yet don't want to hear anyone else's opinion about it....particularly if it counters theirs. I also don't think the GLB (or whatever it is) should be allowed to stand up in front of my children's school and tell my children homosexuality is a 'normal' lifestyle, because the fact is, it's not.
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They are just 11 of the millions of young people today who have a gay or lesbian uncle, aunt, brother, sister or good friend. They know us for who we are, not for a stereotype.
Which is fine. I'm happy for you and your family.
I appreciate your response, and respect your opinion.
To me, that's what it means to be a *conservative*. :)
Thank you for your response. I meant for my response to be a response to the general comments on the board, not you specifically. Sorry about the confusion.
(grin)
Quite alright!
I've confused MYSELF by using the spell-checker, then accidentally scrolling the mouse wheel and changing a word.
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For a post to everyone, put 'All' in the 'To' box like I have above. That way everyone knows you're inviting a general response.
(Not that some FReepers NEED an invitation, of course:)
Since only my name was there, I thought your post was directed to me.
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(Does that make me narcissistic?)
LOL!
That was very cheaply made! Many movies pay far more than that just in salaries, not to mention the rest of the expenses.
Thanks for the guidance. A fine example of a conservative and a liberal working together!
(Does that make me narcissistic?)
Not at all!
LOL!
Stick to your guns (so to speak). You'll catch a lot of flack, but TRUE conservatives realize everyone is entitled to an opinion and will respect you for your honesty!
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You're going to catch it for being a 'newbie' on top of everything else.
A response to a particular person requires their name to be in the 'to' box.
(I'd have missed your reply altogether if I hadn't been reading the thread.)
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See ya around the forum!
(wink!)
Don't be to hard on Tom Selleck. He was in one of the best "Westerns" (not really a western if it's in Australia) of all time. "Quigley Down Under". LOVE that movie.
Broke Butt Mountain must be making Osama 'yo Mama laughing his ass off in his cave...........
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