Our local theater just pulled "Brokeback Mountain"--I can't believe it!

[Mrs. Overall]

This is in Western Washington, across Puget Sound from Seattle. The theater will be refunding tickets for those who bought them in advance. I thought this was an interesting bit from the news story:

"The theater manager refused to tell KOMO (news)why the movie was suddenly pulled after days of advertising and ticket presales. Customers pointed out Poulsbo's conservative stance.

One person pointed to a sign in Regal's parking lot that revealed the theater rents out the building to a LOCAL CHURCH for Sunday service.

We wondered: does that have anything to do with why Brokeback isn't on the marque?"

I guess I won't be attending movies at this theater any longer. I also plan on calling the theater and expressing my upset.

Link to full story: http://www.komotv.com/stories/41154.htm

[Erika]

1. W's push for a theocracy

They want to pretend that there are no gays or they should shut themselves in a closet...

[uppityperson]

2. Hi, are you a Poulsboite?

yah, you betcha. I heard on the news today that they are not really canceling it, but they are not expanding it out to theaters as fast as they had planned, more of a gradual release. Right. Ever get over to Olympic peninsula?

[Mrs. Overall]

6. Not a Poulsboite, but a Kingstonite

and yes, we frequent Olympic National Park in the summer and especially Port Townsend (we're
originally from San Francisco and PT is the closest place, besides Seattle, that reminds us of the Bay Area).

I was just in Poulsbo today, and was struck by the number of conservative bumper stickers that I saw. One of them was a huge sticker that said "John Kerry LOST".

[mirandapriestly]

3. OMG, I saw this and I thought, oh they must live in Kansas or something

I'm shocked, I'm from seattle! I don't know what to say.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. And interestingly enough,

Brokeback Mountain IS playing in theaters all over Kansas.

This Kansas bashing on DU is getting realllly old :eyes:

[Heidi]

20. Just so ya know,

_this_ DUer _loves_ Kansas. :thumbsup: :pals:

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Good for you, Heidi

and good for Kansas.

[Heidi]

26. Some of the best times of my life were spent

driving from Nebraska to Oklahoma. Nobody treated me nicer along the way than Kansans. :thumbsup: Gotta love a road trip that takes ya through Kansas. :pals:

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. What a nice thing to say

Thanks.

[Paladin]

22. I Feel Your Pain

Being a fifth-generation Texas Democrat, I'm really weary of the blanket bashing of my state here in DU, as well.

And, yes, "Brokeback Mountain" is playing all over Texas right now. My wife and I saw it New Year's night in our conservative (80% Republican) suburban community north of Houston. The house was packed, and I heard nothing but positive comments afterwards. Terrific movie, by the way....

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. This is just such crap

that on the best liberal/progressive board on the internet, idiots think making nasty comments about ANY state (or any person or group for that matter) is okay.

Wake up sheeple, WE are the party of inclusion. If you don't like it, or if you think belittling and mocking ANYONE (other than freepers of course) is perfectly alright, then you are in the wrong place.

[txindy]

27. I feel your pain, too.

I live in Texas. Everyone here loooooooves Texas. Quietly, too. :eyes:

:hug:

[leftstreet]

4. Boycott their bread

:toast:

I've never liked it anyway.

Definitely call the theater. And consider a LTTE. Here in the eastside many of us emailed and called a local channel that dropped a Ted Koppel feature on the rise of Evangelical Big Box Churches. They finally ran it two weeks later. (Although at 11:00 pm)

Don't let the fundy nutjobs take over our state!

[northerdar]

5. some peaceful protest and boycotting is needed.

Perhaps you can write a letter to the manager and the editor of your local paper to say you are boycotting the theatre and get your friends to do so. Lots of them sending their letters. and never go to that theatre again.

[NanceGreggs]

7. Okay, folks ...

... this kind of crapola is getting totally out of hand.

My advice (and it's just MHO) to the locals is to go elsewhere to see not only THIS MOVIE, but EVERY movie for the next six months. And don't forget to send the powers-that-be at this theatre an email, letter, fax or phone call EVERY TIME you take your business elsewhere, reminding them that you're doing so and WHY.

The Fundies are being herded like sheep (and they can't help it, they're too stupid to realize it) by political organizations disguised as 'Christian activist groups' who are delivering them up as 'consumers' to all and sundry.

It's time to let the cave-ins (this theatre, the NBC affiliates who are refusing to air 'Book of Daniel', et cetera) that we who believe in freedom of speech and freedom of expression are a MUCH LARGER CONSUMER GROUP than the so-called 'Christian right' - and we've got the DOLLARS to prove it.

Locals here might also start a little activist group in town: call local merchants in the area of the theatre, and ask them if they support the theatre's decision to pull the movie. When they ask why -- which they inevitably will -- tell them that while you're boycotting the theatre, you figured you may as well boycott the stores that are in agreement with the theatre's views.

There are way more of US than there are THEM out there -- let's tell the people who want our MONEY that we're in charge here!

[Mrs. Overall]

8. Great Suggestions! I'm also still trying to figure out how a church holds

a service in a theater??? Seems quite strange. I have also noticed that in our area many churches hold services at the public school gyms on Sundays. Theaters and schools seem like odd and inappropriate places for these people to be worshipping.

[niyad]

14. before I was excommunicated, when the new parish was formed, of which

my family were members, before the church building was completed, services were held in the gymnaisum of a school. it was, to say the least, a bit strange--folding chairs, portable altar, and really lousy sound quality (what would one expect from a gym, after all)

I gather that a rental was paid for the use of the space, by the church and by other organizations which also utilized the gym off hours.

[theHandpuppet]

18. They do it all the time here

Here in my part of WVA they not only hold church services in the theatres but our public park is given over to the churches on Sundays. In a nearby town a church holds service in one of the public schools.

[leftstreet]

10. More of US than there are of THEM

Great reminder!

[NJCher]

16. Do this; it works

but EVERY movie for the next six months. And don't forget to send the powers-that-be at this theatre an email, letter, fax or phone call EVERY TIME you take your business elsewhere, reminding them that you're doing so and WHY.

It wasn't politically motivated, but I did this once with a huge wine store we have near here. Because the prices are good, the staff seemed to think they could be as rude as possible. In particular, the two managers were very rude.

Everytime I bought wine elsewhere (and my husband, too), we put the receipts in an envelope. At the end of the month, I dropped them in the mail with a note of explanation to the company's headquarters. I even phoned to find out the name of the appropriate executive.

In no time at all, the two managers disappeared and the staff became instantly friendly.


Cher

[MsUnderstood]

11. I just got back from that movie . . .and I cried like a baby

We live in a pretty conservative part of California (yes the home of free republic) and I truely believed I'd have to go to San Fran to see the movie.

We went to the 7:00 show at an older theater and I thought the movie had really good attendance.

That movie was so beautiful and painful and sad--everyone should be forced to see it just so they can catch a smidge of what homophobia, prejudice, and fear does to gays and their loved ones.

[last_texas_dem]

12. That's odd

I'm not really surprised that a theater would decide not to get a movie for political/"religious" reasons; I used to work at a two-screen and the owner wouldn't let us even show previews for Fahrenheit 9/11! But that's odd that they would decide to get the movie and then pull it because of outside pressure. Hopefully they'll change their mind. I don't care a whole lot about seeing Brokeback myself but it pisses me off that some theatres won't even give people the option of seeing the movie- especially considering how highly regarded it is.

[NVMojo]

13. it's still not in my town ...but that doesn't mean anything cuz Syriana

just started playing here this week

[MercutioATC]

15. I just checked. My local is still running it.

They only post schedules through the following Thursday, but Brokeback Mountain is still playing through then.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

17. what incredible chickenshits!!!

My very best friend is a beautiful, BRAVE, brilliant lesbian. When I think of the hell she's been thru . . . indeed, everyone should see Brokeback Mtn., and get a glimpse of truest heartache.

I know you're there, you lousy freeper fucks! I dare you to go see this flick.

CHICKENSHITS!!!!!!!!

:nuke:

[chat_noir]

19. Regal Theaters and Fahrenheit 911

The Regal Entertainment Group maintains a strong movie theater presence in the suburban marketplace surrounding Philadelphia; but it also keeps close financial ties to President Bush. This, as Regal is showing Moore’s Fahrenheit on just 4 of its 108 movie screens in Philadelphia and its suburbs.

Given Regal's opening the film on only 4 % of its available screens in the top-5 Philly market, questions may be raised as to whether Regal’s money links to the president might have something to do with the controlled exposure of a movie potentially capable of drawing a busy Pennsylvania citizenry back into the thick of war issues and 9/11 negligence.

http://www.tomflocco.com/fs/Fahrenheit911.htm

If memory serves me correctly, Philadelphia is not the only city where Regal refused to show Moore's film.

[proud patriot]

28. It seems to me that filmmarkers and

producers all those who put money into a film could sue.

[Silverhair]

21. Money talks, everything else walks.

The theater is a business and made a decision on how best to help their bottomline. Businesses are NOT social advocacy organizations.

[Mrs. Overall]

25. But I'm not sure in this case that money is the thing talking--

I think this theater caved because of "morality" and a vocal minority. I believe the theater will lose more money from patrons not seeing the film (because it isn't being shown), than the minority who would have boycotted the theater if they had shown the film.

[ptolle]

29. bob says

According to the maestro Mr. Dylan- money doesn't talk- it swears. And businesses are so social advocacy organizations, they just justify the positions they take in economic terms. NOT showing a certain movie due to political/religious pressure is an advocate position. They're saying we don't have the cojones to buck these people and any one who believes in freedom of choice as in the consumer ought to choose with their presence/pocketbook is just out of luck.