Brokeback Mountain

takes the phrase "ride 'em cowboy" to a whole new level eh?

Saturday Night Live did the best parody of that recently. VERY funny, even though it was a SNL skit.
David

quote:

"No dude, independent films are those black and white hippie movies. They're always about gay cowboys eating pudding."

Eric Cartman

Never thought I'd say these words but, time for a Bernard Manning joke:

Tex and Rex together:
Tex:Y'up?
Rex:Yip.

Maybe it's the way he tells 'em.

quote:

Originally posted by Dev B:
Mrs Dev and I went to see this this evening at the Curzon Mayfair. We really liked it, very moving, touching, thoughtful film. Beautifully composed throughout. If you love good arthouse film, it's hard not to like this.

Dev,

I could not agree more. Beautiful and poignant. Definitely worth seeing.

-pd

Excellent movie. Mrs W and I really enjoyed it.

Struck us that it is basically a very good film about loneliness and frustrated love in which the gay context is largely secondary. Great acting, and not just by the men either.

I hope nobody is put off seeing this by the tag 'gay cowboy movie' which somehow suggests that it is going to be interesting just because of the juxtaposition of those two, ostensibly 'amusingly incompatible', themes. Far simpler, and yet more complex than that.

Bruce

Bruce

quote:

Struck us that it is basically a very good film about loneliness and frustrated love in which the gay context is largely secondary. Great acting, and not just by the men either.

Agreed, although I think the film importantly highlights the progress made in the acceptance and diversity of gay lifestyles since 1963.

But, politics aside, a wonderfully well observed and acted film that works without sensationalism or excess.

Genuinely moving

Doug

quote:

Originally posted by Tarquin Maynard-Portly:
Cartman said the "F" word!

"Friday?"

Uck.....

Bruce,

quote:

the gay context is largely secondary.

In relation to what?

Regards
Jim

Jim

quote:

the gay context is largely secondary.

In relation to what?

As opposed to 'black' or 'gay' or 'feminist' or 'anti-war' movies where the purpose and point of the film is to take on the issues/prejudices/politics of the core theme, I would not decribe Brokeback as primarily a 'gay' movie. Brokeback does touch on matters of prejudice this is not the primary story. It is presented primarily as the story of a difficult and doomed relationship; the fact it is between two men, rather than a hetereosexual liason, does not seem that important when you are watching (or discussing it on the drive home).

Bruce

Bruce

quote:

takes the phrase "ride 'em cowboy" to a whole new level eh?

quote:

Never thought I'd say these words but, time for a Bernard Manning joke:

quote:

Cartman said the "F" word!

quote:

Uck.....

Did I miss something or did the forum suddenly become populated with sniggering 16 year old idiots?

Come on guys . . .

Doug

quote:

Originally posted by Dougunn:
Did I miss something or did the forum suddenly become populated with sniggering 16 year old idiots?

Twas the green that made me do it .........

quote:

Originally posted by Dougunn:

Did I miss something or did the forum suddenly become populated with sniggering 16 year old idiots?

Oh, so you saw the Charlotte Church thread then?

quote:

Originally posted by Dougunn:

quote:

takes the phrase "ride 'em cowboy" to a whole new level eh?

quote:

Never thought I'd say these words but, time for a Bernard Manning joke:

quote:

Cartman said the "F" word!

quote:

Uck.....

Did I miss something or did the forum suddenly become populated with sniggering 16 year old idiots?

Come on guys . . .

Doug

I agree, it's silly season again!

However, if you like good cinema it's really worth seeing.

I am also a huge fan of the director Almodovar - anyone else seen his work?

16? i'm offended. i'm not a day under 20...

quote:

Originally posted by Dev B:

I am also a huge fan of the director Almodovar - anyone else seen his work?

"Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown", I think, is one of the best movies ever. BIG Almodovar fan.

Norman

I have no desire to see Brokeback Mountain. I am not interested in seeing a gay love story, whether that theme is of secondary importance or a minor trifle, however, I suspect that the gay nature was of pretty significant import to the writer/director.

But I certainly don't have a problem with it being made, distributed, and people wanting to see it. Free country, they can watch whatever the hell they want.

Not my cup of tea, but if it's yours, enjoy!

Aric

Given that one-in-ten is gay they should get quite a good queue outside the theatres?

Now showing in Elko, NV.

quote:

Originally posted by Nime:
Given that one-in-ten is gay they should get quite a good queue outside the theatres?

4-7% actually, I think.

quote:

Originally posted by Aric:
I have no desire to see Brokeback Mountain. I am not interested in seeing a gay love story, whether that theme is of secondary importance or a minor trifle, however, I suspect that the gay nature was of pretty significant import to the writer/director.

But I certainly don't have a problem with it being made, distributed, and people wanting to see it. Free country, they can watch whatever the hell they want.

Not my cup of tea, but if it's yours, enjoy!

Aric

Hi there Aric,

Your comment is fair enough, but I would respond by saying how do you know if it isn't your cup of tea if you haven't seen it.

Actually, it's a story and brings to light many issues: openess, truth, hurt, love, loss - things that affect us all as humans regardless of sexual orientation. For me, as a piece of art, I thought the film was fantastically and moving composed - much like some of your favourite pieces of art or music.

regards

Dev

Hi Dev,

Well we all have to limit our entertainment, if for no other reason than time restrictions. There simply isn't enough time in my week to do everything I want. So I pick and choose. The many issues you touched upon are present in a multitude of other movies that I have seen. To be frank, it's been a long while since I've been in the mood to watch a love story. Maybe that's my loss. But the fact that I know it's a love story and the central characters are gay, coupled with other options is reason enough not to watch it.

Like I said earlier, that shouldn't stop someone else from enjoying it.

Aric

Aric

Reading between the lines of your posts I respectfully suggest that you are not particularly 'pro-gay'? OK, that's your choice.

You mention that you have constraints on your time (as we all do) but do you not therefore wish to use this precious commodity as wisely as possible?

This thread is about is acknowledging that Brokeback Mountain is an exceptional film and quite distinct from others in circulation or indeed in film history. It is a standout movie (hence it's awards) and that is surely something to make time for.

Yes, it is themed around a gay relationship, but what does that matter if the quality is so good? Good film, like good books, should encourage expansive thought and open our minds to new ideas and awareness.

Isn't just watching or reading what you like (or feel comfortable with) parochial and insular?

Douglas

I shall see Brokeback Mountain because it sounds like a great film, and I'm passionate about great films. The Godfather is supposed to be one of the greatest films ever made, but as far as I'm concerned it's awful and I hate it. Star Wars was a cinematic turning point, but I think it sucks. Straight or gay, if Aric has decided it's not for him, then it's not for him. The best person to judge whether he would like it or not is Aric himself, and I don't think that has anything to do with the importance of the film cinematically (is that a word?). It just doesn't float his boat.
With me, over violent films turn me off: Kill Bill, gangster films etc. I'm sure we all miss great things that maybe we would enjoy, but we have only one lifetime to cram it all in and we have to make choices. It's what we have to do. Aric isn't being parochial and insular, he's just being selective.