AP Story: Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'

[Radio_Lady]

From: http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/index.jsp?cat=ENTERTAINMENT&fn=/2006/01/08/299303.html

Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'
By Associated Press
32 minutes ago

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.

More at link above:


Comments please:

This is the LDS way and proves to me that Mormons are amazingly biased. This is a very difficult and disappointing story for those of us who analyze and critique movies, while treasuring them for entertainment and/or educational value. It's truly censorship at work. What's next, burning books?

[NVMojo]

1. "souls can't get born if people don't breed!!," sayeth the Later Day Saint

[begin_within]

2. They showed this instead...

[Radio_Lady]

4. LOL... what can I say?

[Ian David]

35. Gay cowboys are boring. I want a movie with Lesbian Ninjas.

Crouching Butch, Hidden Femme?

[llmart]

36. I love it!

THat pic is too funny! I'm going to send it around to friends and maybe post it in my cube tomorrow.

[begin_within]

39. sure, spread it as much as possible

[Radio_Lady]

3. Here's more on Gayle Ruzicka of the Utah Eagle Forum.

http://www.utaheagleforum.org/

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595103090,00.html

PRESIDENT: Gayle Ruzicka
dgruzicka (at) msn.com

I plan to email her to tell her of her group's narrow-minded and short sighted view of "Brokeback Mountain." IMHO, refusing the showing of this movie will set an example, all right -- one of religious repression of the human rights of many people in the United States to go to films and make up their own minds.

"Brokeback Mountain" is one of the year's most tender and beautiful movies about love -- and it may go on to win countless awards, despite its difficult theme of repressed love.

Of course, last week in Salt Lake City, I saw the LDS storefront video stores which "re-edit" movies to remove any possible conflicts with films versus the teaching of the Church of Latter Day Saints. My two grandsons are being brought up in this faith and I plan to discuss these matters with them when they get older.

[mandomom]

60. But will they chastise them for seeing Hostel with their kids?

[Erika]

5. The LDS will excommunicate gays and ban them to outer darkness

They have no problem in explaining that polygamy with as many as six wives was necessary in their start up. With each wife younger than the last. Nor why they refuse to condemn polygamy, except in rare conditions, even today. Yet same sex unions are taboo? One reason why Mitt Romney has no future.

Boise, Salt Lake, Tulsa were used as a test market for this flick. It's going great guns in Boise. But we have a hefty gay community who are well respected, including a state legislator.

Salt Lake is one weird community.

[Radio_Lady]

9. This movie is a touching, effective testimony to human isolation and

attraction. If it had been a man and a woman, there wouldn't have even been a movie -- or a problem.

I just hope this movie will go on to greater awards and at least some Utahns will begin to think for themselves.

I have to tread lightly on this because I have a son who converted to LDS and a beautiful daughter-in-law and two grandsons who are in this faith. There may be some excellent concepts being taught to those children by their parents and others in the ward. Banning movies is not one of the precepts with which I happen to agree.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

For your information, here is the current list of awards/nominations/and nominations and wins for "Brokeback Mountain" 2005. This is January 2006, BEFORE the Golden Globes program and the Academy Award nominations/
I urge you to see this movie now and make up your own mind!!!

Awards for Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won BSFC Award Best Director Ang Lee Best Picture

Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won DFWFCA Award Best Cinematography Rodrigo Prieto
Best Director Ang Lee Best Picture Best Screenplay Larry McMurtry Diana Ossana

Directors Guild of America, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated DGA Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Ang Lee

European Film Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Nominated Screen International Award Ang Lee USA.

Golden Globes, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated Golden Globe
Best Director - Motion Picture Ang Lee
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Original Score - Motion Picture -- Gustavo Santaolalla
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Gustavo Santaolalla (music)
Bernie Taupin (lyrics)
For the song "A Love That Will Never Grow Old".
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Heath Ledger
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Michelle Williams
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture Larry McMurtry Diana Ossana

Gotham Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Nominated Best Ensemble Cast
Heath Ledger
Jake Gyllenhaal
Michelle Williams
Anne Hathaway
Linda Cardellini
Randy Quaid
Anna Faris

Best Film Ang Lee

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won LAFCA Award Best Director Ang Lee
Best Picture

National Board of Review, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won NBR Award Best Director Ang Lee
Best Supporting Actor Jake Gyllenhaal

New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won NYFCC Award Best Actor Heath Ledger
Best Director Ang Lee
Best Film

San Francisco Film Critics Circle
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won SFFCC Award Best Actor Heath Ledger
Best Director Ang Lee
Best Picture

Satellite Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won Satellite Award Outstanding Director Ang Lee
Outstanding Film Editing Geraldine Peroni Dylan Tichenor
Outstanding Motion Picture, Drama
Outstanding Original Song
Gustavo Santaolalla
Bernie Taupin
For the song "A Love That Will Never Grow Old".

Nominated Satellite Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Heath Ledger

Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama
Jake Gyllenhaal

Outstanding Original Score
Gustavo Santaolalla

Outstanding Screenplay, Adapted
Larry McMurtry
Diana Ossana

Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated Actor Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Linda Cardellini
Anna Faris
Jake Gyllenhaal
Anne Hathaway
Heath Ledger
Randy Quaid
Michelle Williams

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Michelle Williams


Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Heath Ledger


Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Jake Gyllenhaal



Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won SEFCA Award Best Director Ang Lee
Best Picture
Best Screenplay, Adapted Larry McMurtry Diana Ossana

Venice Film Festival
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2005 Won Golden Lion Ang Lee

Writers Guild of America, USA
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2006 Nominated WGA Award (Screen) Best Adapted Screenplay Larry McMurtry Diana Ossana

[MADem]

24. There actually WAS a movie along those lines with a man and a woman

The loneliness, isolation, the great love....It was called 'Bridges of Madison County' and it was a HUGE HIT!!!!

[Radio_Lady]

26. Good catch, MADem! I remember it well -- Meryl Streep and Clint

Eastwood!

[MADem]

22. But they have no problem adding dead people to their rolls!!!

I guess if you are no longer alive to "misbehave," you are OK! http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/mormon/features/rites/baptismdead.shtml

[Radio_Lady]

27. Yes, and I recall the Jews particularly had a big problem with the

LDS "baptisms" of the dead. I'd have to find that link, but eventually the Mormons said they "weren't gonna do it no mo'"!

What can I say? My son and daughter-in-law went through the "SEALED FOR ETERNITY" ritual.

They're such great kids. I hope they keep their promises to each other. At least they were alive when they made the promise!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

On edit:

From April 2005: Mormons Aim to Stop 'Baptism' of Holocaust Victims
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4586805

From May 2005 LDS Baptism Annulled Due to Protest from Jews
http://www.christiancourier.com/penpoints/LDSBaptism.htm

[GrpCaptMandrake]

6. "Amazingly biased?"

Sorry, but I opt for "predictably biased." And not biased, so much as "bigoted." No surprise there.

Actually, it's not censorship. It's a business decision. Censorship is technically something a government does. Does that make it right? Of course not.

What if another film is a more viable commercial vehicle in that area? Should the theater owner show it anyway, at a loss?

Freedom is freedom. It's messy. The theater owner is as free as anyone else. Thusfar, thank God, doesn't have to have a license from the government to show films, apart from property taxes, sales taxes, and so forth. As such, the government has no say in what he shows or doesn't.

:shrug:

[Erika]

7. Larry Miller also operates car lots in Idaho

He will learn that his bias does affect his business. A bigot is a bigot. It crosses state lines.

Under the Republican activism with Bush, government fundamentalism does institute censorship.

Let any film company show a film documenting the extreme polygamist of Mormon male members to include 13 year old girls during the early church and see how their censorship works.

They want nothing about gays or their own polygamous past shown.

[Radio_Lady]

11. I have no idea who Larry Miller is and furthermore, I could care less.

What is amazing is business decisions like this made by the "elders" of a church and people follow them like sheep.

[catzies]

59. Larry Miller own the NBA team, the arena they play in & the TV station

that broadcast them.

He started out as a car dealer. He's quite a magnate now.

This whole thing is just stupid, especially considering that the theatre he owns is showing "Hostel," the Quentin Tarantino-presented venture, chockfull of violence & gore.

Kids can see violence, just not love.

There is a large progressive community in Utah. Lot of gays there too. In the long run, they will be the one who previal, not the Latter-Days or neo-Puritans.

[Radio_Lady]

66. Thanks so much for the update. Our son and daughter-in-law

seem to be unaffected by politics in Clearfield, Utah. They are busy with two jobs, two kids and a dog. They are Mormons, but so far, nothing too extreme. We went to see "The Producers" at Tinseltown in Layton while we were on the New Year's vacation with them.

We have a very handsome, bright young grandson, who will be eight years old in July, in Utah. We plan to invite him to spend a week with us in Oregon this summer. If we maintain contact with both our grandkids living there, we will certainly try to imbue them with some progressive values. (I try to do the same thing with their cousins, my grandkids, here in Oregon, who are being raised as Conservative Jews. Our eating and spirituality habits differ from those of my daughter, and we just bounce merrily along our inclusive religious way to give them a feeling that there are other ways to think in this world!)

Incidentally, one of the talented young male film reviewers recently told us he was from Utah and we had a very interesting discussion about Mormonism.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[bbinacan]

8. Good point I think, but

I'll have to ponder this for a while.:shrug:

[Erika]

12. My great great grandfather had six wives

My great grandfather toned down his lust and only had three. Then it was outlawed. I see their church records on www.familysearch.org and am sickened. Each additional wife was younger. My family tree is a forest.

Yet they object to gay unions? How sick. They act as if they come from some lofty moral position. They don't. The reason why Mormons vote 98% GOP is because the democrats told them they could vote only if they had one wife.

[Radio_Lady]

18. Erika, it turns out that my original, maiden name is on a tombstone

at a historical place in Utah.

See this link:

http://protophoto.com/subject.html?subject_id=404

The name is the exact same name as one of the more than twenty wives of one of the founders of the Mormon religion!

My Jewish mother would be turning over in her grave if she knew that story! I just laughed when I found out in the early 1990s!

You are not your ancestors. After they were dead, I found out that my mother had made out at least once with my uncle and my father had a mistress for years. All we can hope for is doing a little bit better than they did, and having our ancestors remembering good things about us! I don't want to be a skeleton in someone's closet, if you know what I mean!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Radio_Lady]

17. Ponder away, bbinacan. Meanwhile, there are other fine films to see.

My top six this year are:

Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Cinderella Man
The Constant Gardener
Good Night and Good Luck
King Kong

Other honorable mentions:
A History of Violence
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Red Eye
Wedding Crashers

Have not seen:
Match Point (previewing on 01/18/06 in Portland, OR and opening on 01/20/06)

See you at the DU -- and at the movies!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[GrpCaptMandrake]

23. Really, *really* want to see "Capote"

It won't get within a light year of WV. Will have to wait and then beg Blockbuster to get one copy in. Same thing with Motorcycle Diaries, my favorite film of the last five years.

[Radio_Lady]

28. Well, if "Capote" wins Oscar(s), won't that put it up in the list?

I guess you have no options but to continue to live in West Virginia. :sarcasm:
I understand it's beautiful there, but I've never been to your state.

On edit: Have you tried NetFlix? I have no association with this company, but many folks are using it effectively. They are actually listing "Capote" as available right now. Good luck!

http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=70038130&trkid=189530&strkid=12186136_0_0

Make peace a worldwide priority in 2006,

Radio_Lady

[ehill22]

77. Have you seen Walk the Line?

Have you seen Walk the Line yet?

[Radio_Lady]

10. You're right -- it's certainly bigotry, Mandrake. I hope the large film

complexes in Layton and Salt Lake City do not follow this theater's lead.

There are alternative voices in Utah, but they are few and far between.

For myself, I could never live there. We visit and have fun, and then leave. That's how it will always be.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

On edit: Wikipedia does recognize religious censorship, although the encyclopedia states that censorship is "usually governmental."

Censorship by organized religion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
To meet Wikipedia's quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup.

Censorship by organized religion is a form of censorship where freedom of expression is controlled or limited using religious authority or on the basis of the teachings of the organized religion. This form of censorship has a long history and is practised in many societies and by many religions. Examples include the censorship of the Heliocentric theory proposed by Galileo by the Vatican and of Salman Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses by the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Religious censorship is usually performed on the grounds of blasphemy, heresy, sacrilege, impiety - the censored work was obscene or violated religious taboo. Defending against these charges is often difficult as many religions permit only the religious authorities (clergy) to interpret doctrine and the interpretation is usually dogmatic.

[rpannier]

13. I agree with you...

It's unfortunate they won't show the movie, but it is his business. One question I would ask is, "Is there a market for the movie in SLC?" If there is no market he would be a fool to show it. He is in the business to make money -- he is not a not-for-profit.
If there is a market...then he's an idiot for not showing it.
I don't know enough about SLC to comment on the demographics.
I live overseas in Korea. The movie will more than likely not be shown here in Bucheon (maybe it will be shown in Seoul) -- there is a little market in Bucheon for gay friendly movies.

[Bridget Burke]

73. "Business decision"? He broke a contract.

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.

The theater owner is pandering to the religious right.

[Radio_Lady]

14. Backstory this morning from Salt Lake City Tribune.

I didn't know that the Utah Film Critics had awarded this film Best Movie of 2005! How ironic!

http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3379572

(snip)

Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay-rights group Equality Utah, said, "It's disappointing that bias would prevent a beautiful and award-winning film such as 'Brokeback Mountain' from being made available to the residents of Utah." The movie, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, set box-office records for the Broadway Centre Cinemas when it opened Dec. 30. Tori Baker, executive director of the Salt Lake Film Society (the nonprofit group that runs the Broadway and Tower theaters), said "Brokeback Mountain" made $46,000 over the four-day New Year's weekend - placing the Broadway 10th nationwide for per-screen average.

Baker said Focus Features, the movie's distributor, "is falling off their chair about ." Focus Features has been releasing "Brokeback Mountain" slowly across the country, building up positive reviews to counter the marketing hurdle of selling a gay romance to middle America. But better-than-expected box office prompted Focus to speed up the national release, up to nearly 500 screens this weekend - including the Century 16 in South Salt Lake and the Cinemark 24 at Jordan Landing.

The Utah Film Critics Society named "Brokeback Mountain" the year's best movie, and also gave top honors to director Ang Lee. The movie has received similar honors from critics' groups nationwide, as well as seven Golden Globe nominations, four Screen Actors Guild nominations, and nominations for Directors Guild, Writers Guild and Producers Guild awards.

More at link (above)...

[LiviaOlivia]

15. Larry Miller also pulled Fahrenheit 9/11 in June 2004

Brokeback Lockouts

Brokeback Mountain is having another good financial weekend, but it's running into conflicts with the moral guardians in Rubeland.

Ang Lee's film was abruptly pulled on Friday, 1.7, from the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Salt Lake City, Utah. The decision was reportedly made late Thurs- day, 1.5, although the word didn't get out until Friday.

The reason appeared to be moral indignation, either on the part of the theatre's Mormon owner, Larry Miller, or...let's be imaginative ...on the part of local rightie bigwigs who put political pressure on Miller.

Regal Cinemas also pulled it in Poulsbo, Washington, according to reports in the Kitsap Sun and on 365gay.com.


~snip~
http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/

from
http://www.democracyforutah.com/archives/000533.html

email address for Miller [e-mail]

[Omphaloskepsis]

16. Most won't go to a movie about gay cowboys anyway..

The people that want to see it will. Via: Blockbuster, Netflix, Bittorrent, ect... All this dumb shit did was give something he hates a bunch of free advertising. Rock on..

[Radio_Lady]

19. I am old enough to remember a huge and militant crowd in NYC

the day they opened "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) directed by Martin Scorsese with Willem Dafoe, from the book by Nikos Kazantzakis. We stood in line for hours while people taunted us from across the street.
The movie has a user rating of 7.4 out of 10 after almost two decades, although it never recouped its initial investment.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0095497/combined

[MADem]

25. I remember that--what a circus!!! n/t

[CTyankee]

61. Oh, honey, that was New York!

These poor people are in Utah! Truly a tragedy for people there!

Sometimes I feel down and then I realize that I have the very good world compared to so many others!

I love New England and Connecticut!

[Radio_Lady]

67. I miss Connecticut and New England -- but not the snow! :-)

I married a Boston native and spent a bunch of years in Massachusetts, then followed our daughter and her husband out to Portland, Oregon, in 1998.

From 1983 to 1992, I was a regional representative for Clairol, the haircoloring company, with headquarters in Stamford, CT and on Park Avenue, NY, NY. That was when the company was owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb. They've been sold to Proctor & Gamble now.

What town are you in?

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[FourStarDemocrat]

64. I was on that line too! I remember the protesters..

Especially the ones from the Virgin Mary cultin Queens knelling on the ground and chanting the rosaries. Very strange experience all around.

[Radio_Lady]

68. Hey, I would have held your place in line while you went to find a

bathroom if I had known you then!

Yes, that was an interesting experience. Lived on Manhattan Island for the years from 1962 to 1969. My husband's mother was from Brooklyn and he spent summers there with her family. We both enjoy NYC so much.

Just found out I'm going to be in NYC next May 31, 2006 for my birthday! We always seem to travel that week -- Memorial Day -- it's been fun having my birthday in many locations:

Cape Cod (The Cape was still sleeping after a long winter; but the hotel sauna and hot tub was nice, and we went to an AMAZING flea market where I bought a beautiful outfit which I still have)

Scotland (I danced with an 81 year old man who shared my birthday but not my year)

Mexico (We ate out on the hotel patio and it drizzled a bit!)

Hawaii (Swam and sunned ourselves and then lots of delicious other business, y'know....)

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[FourStarDemocrat]

72. That's great! I hope that you'll have a wonderful birthday here in May

Nice meeting you Radio_Lady! :hi:

[lakemonster11]

81. I've been to Kazantzakis' tomb.

He wrote his own epitaph:



I hope for nothing
I fear nothing
I am free

[rainbow4321]

20. Look for Pat Robertson to condemn my neon red TX county

Specifically, Plano, TX (Collin County). Cuz according to some of the movie articles I've seen online, Plano had one of the highest gro$$ results for Brokeback Mountain. They were trying to show how the movie "was being accepted in the suburbs" etc...and they used Plano as an example. They phrased it in a politically correct way but paraphrased it was "rich, white, straight people" are supporting the movie.

I tried to see it tonight but it got sold out while I was in line.

I can see it now if my city/county has any natural disasters in the near future...he'll say it happened because we dared to go see Brokeback...

[Radio_Lady]

21. LOL, rainbow. Keep trying to see it -- it's truly an exceptional movie.

It may or may not be your "cup of tea" but the Oscar and other buzz is truly exceptional. Ang Lee stated on PBS's "Charlie Rose" show that he is a very shy man. He did not overdirect the physical scenes, and he treated the actors tenderly when blocking those scenes. They are shot in very low-key lighting. This is a sensuous story that could have been any couple involved in repressed and unexpressible love. If it had been a man and a woman in this situation, there would have been no story (or perhaps one like others over the years). "Brokeback Mountain" is just an amazing film and I predict one which will stay with you for a very long time.

If not, so be it. There's always a list of others from which you can choose. There's no business like show business.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Paladin]

38. You've Got Company In Montgomery County

Here in hyper-conservative land, in the suburbs north of Houston, "Brokeback Mountain" is playing without incident. We went and saw it New Year's night, and the place was packed....

[Radio_Lady]

43. Thanks, Paladin. Appreciate the report. Box Office Mojo says it all...

I'm calling it "The Little Movie That Could" -- it has recouped its cost in just a month, although marketing costs are not reported.

Scott Holloran's review at:

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/reviews/?id=1962&p=.htm

Rated "B" from 1098 viewers.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Domestic Total as of Jan. 8, 2006: $22,460,000 (Estimate)
(Editor's note: Actuals come out every Monday.)
Distributor: Focus Features
Release Date: December 9, 2005
Running Time: 2 hrs. 14 min. Production Budget: $14 million
MPAA Rating: R
Est. Marketing Costs: N/A
Widest Release: 483 theaters
In Release: 31 days / 4.4 weeks

Updated link at: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=brokebackmountain.htm
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER. JUST CLICK THROUGH TO PROCEED TO THE REQUESTED PAGE IF YOU GET THE SIGN-UP SHEET.

[Paladin]

47. Glad To Hear It's Doing Well

I thought it was an outstanding movie. Something else that's doing well: Annie Proulx's short story collection that includes the story on which the movie is based. I went by a local book shop today to buy it, and they were sold out....

[Radio_Lady]

49. Wonderful! The report was that this story sat on a back burner for

a long time. Ms. Proulx was reportedly quite burned by the rework of her story "The Shipping News" into a poorly accepted film. Also, Director Ang Lee was busy with other projects and set it aside, but then it came back into his consciousness with a full force, and he felt compelled to proceed with it.

The lead-up to the Golden Globes as well as the Academy Award nomination announcements on January 31 at 5:30 AM Pacific Time -- should be quite interesting this year. I'm looking forward to the festivities, particularly with Jon Stewart at the helm on Sunday, March 5, 2006.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[klebean]

29. no surprise

they've done this before. Last time I remember it was "Latter Days,"
about a Mormon missionary who comes out on his mission. Another
touching love story and the film quite authentically done - too close
to the truth, that is.


Gayle Ruzicka is a bonafide fanatic.

[Radio_Lady]

30. I see it in 2003 on the Internet Movie Database, but never heard of it.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0345551/combined

This director is the guy who wrote "Sweet Home Alabama" which I enjoyed with Reese Witherspoon and Josh Adams.

The user comments are quite revealing.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0345551/usercomments

Thanks so much for posting this.

[swimboy]

32. Hello, Radio_Lady!

I hope you will try to see Latter Days. I thought it was really moving. I was seeing all the religious issues from the gay perspective. I was raised in a Methodist church where I am still very active. I would like to hear what you think of it as you are closer to the LDS perspective.

It's always good to see your smiling face.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

31. Related story here:

GLAAD Mad at Shalit's "Brokeback" Breakdown

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/eo/20060106/113660544000.html

[0007]

33. This makes Utah look even worse than it is indeed.

I remember well when the the movie, "The Outlaw" was banned in Utah.

....and this was the reason why, LOL!!


Too much tit from Jane Russell

[Radio_Lady]

44. Yes, Howard Hughes' movie was banned and it seems so tame now.

Last year's movie "The Aviator" kind of covered the story briefly. She also appeared as herself (uncredited) but I don't recall a mention of that in my review.

What a gorgeous photo of Jane! Thanks for posting it, for those of us who remember her from childhood!

More biography at: http://www.us.imdb.com/name/nm0000066/bio

Jane Russell
Date of birth (location)
21 June 1921
Bemidji, Minnesota, USA

[Ian David]

34. They should cancel King Kong instead

Texas priest accused of groping teen (during King Kong)

December 19, 2005

MARBLE FALLS, Texas --A Roman Catholic priest accused of groping a 16-year-old boy at a movie theater during a showing of "King Kong" has been charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact.

Father Paul M. Clogan, 74, was arrested Friday as he left the theater, police Capt. F.T. Goodwin said in Monday's online edition of the Austin American-Statesman. Clogan was free on bond Monday.

Clogan sat next to the teen in the theater, Goodwin said. The boy, who did not know Clogan, told investigators the priest groped him about an hour after the movie started.

Clogan was serving at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Horseshoe Bay. He has been removed from active ministry until the case is resolved, Austin Bishop Gregory Aymond said.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/12/19/texas_priest_accused_of_groping_teen/

[Radio_Lady]

45. Celebacy is too difficult for human beings. IMHO, priests should be

allowed to marry. The Episcopals seem to have it right. But that's a discussion for another day.

I lived only a few miles away from Weston, Massachusetts for more than thirty years. That's the town where Father Shanley was assigned to the local Catholic church. I shudder to think that I was in the church many times,(usually at holiday fairs or rummage sales or even to light an occasional candle). Little boys who might have been close by, were being groped and worse. It turns my stomach even now. What a scandal!

[Ian David]

48. We should pass laws requiring neighbors to be notified if a celibate

person is living in their neighborhood.

Something similar to the sex-offender program.

I know it's un-constitutional, so we'll just have to pass a constitutional amendment to avoid "activisy judges."

Let the people vote!

[Puglover]

37. Hmmmm as one of our

posters(now sadly tombstoned) at DU said "I'm sure it offended their heterosexual male sensibilities."

:eyes:

[onehandle]

40. There goes the Gay Agenda.

Pack up your purses, boys. You're defeated.

Where the Hell is Utah?

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

41. "Too Much time on their hands"

I went to check my email this morning and this is the first thing I see when I visit yahoo. It just hit me like a brick these people I use the term lightly just have "To Much time on their hands" because I see 101 more important things to worry about in the world and these freepers just worry about some homosexual cowboy movie get a reality check please! When I think "To Much time on My hands" I just think of the song by this band
shoot now I got that song stuck in my head!

[bleedingheart]

42. Utah - setting the example for polygamous marriage too???

I find it laughable that someone who can say something like "Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said not showing the film set an example for the people of Utah."....I wonder what kind of example is it when teenage boys are kicked out their homes because their polygamous fathers want to reduce the competition for teenage girls???

[Radio_Lady]

46. The self-righteous have a huge blind spot. I avoid them like the plague.

[aQuArius]

50. I was born and raised in SANDY, UTAH!!!!

Somehow, I turned out to be a liberal. This doesn't surprise me at all. I know Larry Miller and I've been to his mega-theatre. He's completely self-righteous. He'll show every mormon movie just to make a buck. But he'll rarely show anything else controversial.

[OKNancy]

51. kick

[aQuArius]

52. Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'

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."


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

Sad thing is, I was born and raised in Sandy, Utah. I still turned out to be a free-thinking liberal!!!! :evilgrin:

[medeak]

53. boycott the Jazz!

just received phone call about this.. there needs to be action taken. Horrible..boycott Jazz and all of Larry Miller's car dealerships!

[Radio_Lady]

69. Sounds like a plan! More power to you!

[bluethruandthru]

54. Utahns need to do something.

Why is Larry Miller such a homophobe?

[aQuArius]

55. My dad found mormonism when he was afraid he was gay...

Now, he's accepted himself as a gay man and he's a much happier person and left the mormon church.

[bluethruandthru]

56. Good for him!

I grew up in Utah and I knew many conflicted Mormons who were terrified of anyone even suspecting they were gay. I had hoped things had changed a bit since I left..but maybe not.

[mandomom]

57. And the ultra violent movie, Hostel, about satisfying one's

nightmarish urges to torture other humans to the death is making millions. Love versus abject hatred and vile primal violent urges. That's our right wing nation.

[aQuArius]

58. WRITE TO THEM!!!!

They are playing Hostel! Here's a link to send the movie theatre feedback!!! Tell them wat you think about them playing Hostel and not Brokeback Mountain!!!

http://www.megaplextheatres.com/contact.php?action=feedback

[Radio_Lady]

70. "Hostel" was not screened for the press when it opened --

that's never a good sign. I probably wouldn't have seen it anyway; just not my cup of tea.

January is usually the dumping grounds for movies that couldn't make it in the holiday season.

[grateful581]

62. Utah Deseret News is doing a poll on this subject

http://deseretnews.com/dn
Bottom left of page

[medeak]

63. DU POLL!!!!! n/t

[Radio_Lady]

71. The folks who are opposed to the boycott seem to be chiming in!

At 01/09/06 7:40 AM Pacific Time:

Question: How do you feel about the decision of Larry Miller's chain of local theaters, MegaPlex, of pulling the showing of the new film "Brokeback Mountain?"


Couldn't care less 35 votes (4%)
Totally support it 266 votes (30%)
Am offended at the action 446 votes (50%)
It's their business; not going to boycott them 47 votes (5%)
Too bad for them, but good for competitors 83 votes (9%)
Brokeback what? 14 votes (2%)

[Zhade]

65. Take it from an ex-Mormon - knowing that the LDS cult uses shock therapy..

...to 'cure' homosexuals, this comes as no surprise.

[Radio_Lady]

74. I checked this out at the following web site (from 2002), but still

pertinent.

http://www.affirmation.org/learning/true_life.asp

My goodness. By the year, electrostimulation therapy (EST), better known as shock therapy, was on the wane even for clinical depression. I had several courses of it in the 1950s and 1960s and it is totally inhumane. My incarceration during my teens at a facility in New York State is one of the horrors of my life, not as bad as "The Snake Pit," but pretty close.

Thanks for your post.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Utah_liberal]

75. I live in Utah

The Mormons truly believe it's their way or no way. This is what it's like to live in Utah. I am from a family of Mormons, but I left their church long ago. The attitude of Utahns is well illustrated in the movie This Divide state http://www.thisdividedstate.com/ .
There is hope however, the percentage of non mormons is rising is slowly rising. Utah as a whole has a high percentage of Mormons, but the Salt Lake city area is liberal compared to the suburban areas and other towns across the state.
Utah Liberal

[ehill22]

76. Larry Miller is not the only show in town

I love taking my family to the movies. Over the past several months, we have spent several hundred dollars per month at Megaplex 17 in Sandy, UT on movies and food. Now that Larry Miller has broken his contract and decided not to screen "Brokeback Mountain," we are forced to find a different place to spend our time and money.

Fortunately for us, a new theater has just opened. When we go out to see Munich, Syriana, Glory Road, Brokeback Mountain, King Kong, Harry Potter, and Chronicles of Narnia, we will go to Century 16 Union Heights, 7670 South Union Park Ave, Sandy, UT, [phone]. Sometimes you get lucky and doing the right thing (avoiding Larry Miller businesses) is convenient and easy. Too bad for Larry.

By the way, we are LDS and we are not gay bashers!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

78. Welcome to DU, ehill!

:hi:

[SomewhereOutThere424]

79. "Not showing the film set an example for the people of Utah"

Which is to be completely ignorant of the world around them, any difference in lifestyle changes and anything that challenges their point of view.

[Minnesota_Lib]

80. So let's see what kind of "wholesome, family" entertainment...

...is now showing at the Jordan Commons Megaplex?

Hostel, that's what....

http://www.megaplextheatres.com/nowshowingdetail.php#00000901



_________________________________________________________
One of the characters stumbles into a chamber of horrors where the rich pay to live out their sickest fantasies of violence. Ho, hum."
-- Liz Braun, JAM! MOVIES

"It's posed itself as a piece owing a debt to the Japanese shock cinema of Takashi Miike when it really owes more to the gore/schlock cinema of Herschel Gordon Lewis."
-- Walter Chaw, FILM FREAK CENTRAL

"...nothing but a reined in gorefest for aficionados of torture, and even they won't be happy until the director's cut DVD is issued."
-- Laura Clifford, REELING REVIEWS

"Silly, bloody nonsense that should appeal to hormonally challenged teens."
-- Boo Allen, DENTON RECORD CHRONICLE (TX)

"Controversial for its unnecessary, unjustified exploitation of gore, Roth’s film implicates the audience in its perversity."
-- Stina Chyn, FILM THREAT

"Is there a point? No. Will you like it? Perhaps, but if you do... you should see someone about that."
-- Tim Cogshell, BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE

"If you're looking for blood and gore, you've come to the right place, although it takes a while to get there. The substitute is lots of nudity. The violence is graphic, grisly, and designed for shock value."
-- Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, THEMOVIECHICKS.COM

"Pure exploitation, ineptly made, and completely repulsive."
-- Mark Dujsik, MARK REVIEWS MOVIES
___________________________________________



Nice to see Mr. Miller has his priorities "straight." <gag>

[mnhtnbb]

82. Waiting for the Self-Righteous Crowd

to take up protests at theatres across the country.

Here in the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC) Brokeback Mountain is only playing at THREE theatres--all independents-- that aren't part of big chains. I finally got to see it today (it was only released in the Triangle last week) and was surprised there weren't some Christian activist groups out protesting it.

Told my husband the three best movies of 2005 had to be Brokeback, Capote, and March of the Penguins.

Think the Oscar for Best Actor this year is going to be a tough call.