Movies including Brokeback Mountain

[amanuensis1]

Three non-spoilery reviews of winter movies I managed to see:

Chicken Little: This was cute. I enjoyed it. Yes, it had moments where I said, "Joke going on too long, guys, painfully so," and, unfortunately, they used the same climactic "moment of moral resolution" that they used in Finding Nemo--bit of a cop-out, that. I found it wild how they could get some things so very right--the Ugly Duckling character was not a shy pathetic creature, but had fabulous self-esteem and couldn't care less if rude idiots joked about her looks--and then went right back to horrible stereotypes in the same film (grisly runs of fat jokes). Overall it was a fun film with some nifty Rube Goldberg-ian riffs, and Zach Braff can do no wrong.

King Kong: I cannot imagine how a better remake could have been made of this. Peter Jackson truly is amazing; it was the sort of film that had me walking out of it cursing George Lucas all over again. There wasn't one lame line, not one mediocre performance, and I still can't wrap my mind around the CGI performance/creation that was Kong. Fabulous. I wept all through the credits.

Brokeback Mountain: Some of you might remember that this trailer made me whine, "Aww, I don't want to see a film where two guys parted and went off and made themselves and the women who married them miserable; I wouldn't read that in fanfic, so why would I want...?" And people said to me, "Read the short story, just read it." And I read it and wept. Yes, I got it. It was too beautiful and too good to sulk over its being a story seated in painful realism. For those of you who read the story, yes, the film's a beautifully faithful adaptation. It's as chicky a flick as ever chick flicked, so romantic the sexy can barely make it through all that romance. Wept? I bawled. And not just at the end. The environment shots are so gorgeous they make you think this is a film that wants you to get religion, by the end of it (which I found apt). Yes, I adored it. Ang Lee should marry Peter Jackson and they should make mpreg babies that will take over the world with the power of their filmmaking. Okay, I still stand by my original sentiments: I'm ready for a film where there is a male/male romance that is as un-eyebrow raising as cross-race romance has become. Yes, there are films made all the time where a racially mixed couple is shown in either historical or current situations of social intolerance, but we can also watch Tom Cruise romance Thandie Newton in Mission: Impossible 2 and no viewer says a word--or at least, if they do say a word, it's understood that they're racist bigots who should be ashamed of themselves. So, bring me those films. Shoot, bring me the films exactly like Mission: Impossible 2, where the romance is secondary to the action plot and makes viewers mutter that the film would have been better without "all the kissin' bits," not because they were offensive but because they were extraneous. Yeah. Let it get that taken-for-granted.

In the meantime I may actually have to watch the Oscars this year, just to see all the celebration there will be if Brokeback Mountain wins for best pic. Except that if it doesn't, I may have to hurt something.

Comments

[notrafficlights.livejournal.com]

I cannot imagine how a better remake could have been made of this.

Oh, I dunno. Use some fucking artistic discipline and make it half as long*, cut out the superfluous and poorly-acted characters and maybe add some cyborg ninja pirates... And maybe, maybe, I wouldn't have walked out.

*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you disliked it so! Me, it held me through the whole thing. Ah, well, either something resonates emotionally with ya or it doesn't. On the other hand, I'd never say no to cyborg ninja pirates. ^_^

[notrafficlights.livejournal.com]

Cyborg ninja pirates beat all.

I honestly really liked Chicken Little, but I'm a whore for father/son movies like that (d'aawwwww, representations of masculinity on screen! *is suckered instantly*).

[amorettea.livejournal.com]

I live in a small town in eastern Montana where we have honest-to-goodness cowfolk all over the place. I suspect panic would ensue if Brokeback Mountain came to our lone remaining single screen. Thank heavens for pay per view. And, like you, I'm waiting for when two guys smooching is unremarkable. Well, not unremarkable but not the cause of hysterics.

Amorette

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I listen to the outcry and I know there is an agenda of fear and hate in this nation. I hate to be so dramatic and grim but that's how much it shakes me.

[moltensulfur.livejournal.com]

Sweeeeet. I'm from Montana!!! Just had to say hi, and agree with you that the mojority of the people there would have an embalism if this movie came to town. But it was still incredible.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

It's precisely the people who'd clutch their chests over such a thing that should be the ones to see it, too.

[redwindmill123.livejournal.com]

Wept? I bawled. And not just at the end.

yes. yes yes yes. You sound like me. My friend was kinda weirded out by the fact that I started crying in the MIDDLE of the movie. But especially at the end. I think he wanted to move seats. Hahaha. Even the commercials make me want to cry.

But I'm just wondering how you felt after the movie? I know i got out of the theatre and was kinda like "holy shit that was really depressing. I need to go cry." Did you feel the same way or is it just me being dumb?

Ang Lee should marry Peter Jackson and they should make mpreg babies that will take over the world with the power of their filmmaking.

And that is the truest thing anyone has every typed on the world wide web. XD

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Well, I wept like mad, and then I tried to pull myself together so that I could walk out of the film and see where I was going. ^_^ And I felt--well, I felt exactly like I expressed myself here. Like I was crying for need of that day when I can see run-of-the-mill homosexual romance.

[son-of-darkness.livejournal.com]

I thought Brokeback Mountain was really blah, actually. There was nothing in it that struck any sort of cord with me and I found it hard to get attached to any of the characters. Was a mixture of totally relieved when it ended, because it bored me almost to tears, and disappointed, because I'd been waiting for that all-important, amazing, emotional,, moving, powerful, tear-jerking scene that was going to turn it all around for me, blow me away and change my mind... but... it just never came. The film ended and I was all o_0 "...that's it?? Seriously?"

Meh... Still want to go see King Kong, though. :)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I haven't any animosity towards those who were bored with it; in fact I'm amused! It's a chick flick, and I can't tell you how many of those I've run away from myself.

[florahart]

Well.

I loved Brokeback but hated King Kong. Hated it. Bored beyond words, thought it was easily an hour too long, and that there was just FAR too much CGI crap that not only didn't add anything, but also were within themselves far too long.

Yeah. Hated it.

Heh.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I do have to say: what was with the rectum dentata monsters? Boy, if that wasn't a homophobic scene...

[winningstreak.livejournal.com]

I'm reading so many reviews and loads of recommendations for Brokeback Mountain-

and I don't think it's going to play in Korea! Tears.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

That's a real pity, if so. Well, there's always juryrigged multi-region DVD!

[lauriegilbert.livejournal.com]

I'm going to skip over the Brokeback stuff and instead comment on Chicken Little. You're only the third person I know who liked it! I adored it, because it was everything it tried to be --> a cute kids movie. Even the music was fun, so much so that I went right after and bought the cd. I'm so happy that someone else had a good time seeing it!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I loved the whole alien invasion concept of it! And who doesn't enjoy Barenaked Ladies, huh?

[casirafics.livejournal.com]

but we can also watch Tom Cruise romance Thandie Newton in Mission: Impossible 2 and no viewer says a word-

Actually, I'd have a few words to say, but they'd be "I'd rather watch Besieged so I can watch David Thewlis romance Thandie Newton, because I would rather spork my eyes out than subject myself to two hours of Tom Cruise."

But that's just me. And at least the sentiment still carries through. *grin*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Ha, I was just looking at my Netflix queue and Besieged is still there in the middle, waiting for me to get to it! Darnit, it'll take ages at this rate.

[lexin.livejournal.com]

Ang Lee should marry Peter Jackson and they should make mpreg babies that will take over the world with the power of their filmmaking.

I saw Brokeback Mountain last night, and I hear you, sister.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Hey, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon immediately made "favorite movies ever" list when I first saw it. And The Lord of the Rings became "favorite MOVIE ever." Now I know it's no fluke. (And I think I'm the only person who thought The Hulk was a great movie except for the CGI scenes.)

[lilka.livejournal.com]

> (And I think I'm the only person who thought The Hulk was a great movie except for the CGI scenes.)

*waves* You're not quite alone.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Seriously. I was watching the film, was about half an hour into it and loving it. I just didn't think Lee got good performances out of the actors when they had to play off the CGI.

[lyttlelucyfer.livejournal.com]

I'm not really going to bother with Chicken Little, personally, unless one of my brother's kids desperately wants to see it. The only CGI kids film I genuinely liked was Jimmy Neutron. To me, the rest have always seemed to be a little too much style over substance.

I'm probably not going to see Brokeback Mountain, either, because I generally avoid chick flicks at all costs, and I hate crying in public. Maybe when it comes out on DVD. In the meantime, however, I think I should like to read the story. Who wrote it, by the way?

I am desperate to see King Kong. I've loved every other version of King Kong I've seen and have heard only good stuff about this movie. All my friends, however, are poopooing it. Anybody live in the Midlands and want to go see it with me?

We've certainly come a long way in the inter-racial romance stakes. I don't personally remember the reaction to the first ever inter-racial kiss broadcast on tv, that between Kirk and Ohoura(sp?)on Star Trek, but I can imagine it was a mix of shock and elation and more shock. If they make another Star Trek, I want a gay character in it, and I don't mean Dax meeting the woman she was married to when she used to be a man and sorta maybe sleeping with her, and then going off and marrying the big lumpy bag of testosterone that is Worf.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

The short story of Brokeback mountain was written by Annie Proulx.

I would love to talk to someone who remembers the interracial kiss on Star Trek. My impression is that it was not as sensational as they feared--because of how they presented it or because it was Star Trek or what. I'd really like to know!

[lyttlelucyfer.livejournal.com]

I saw the episode about 5 or 6 years ago, but I wasn't around when it was first aired. If I remember correctly, wasn't it something like bored telekinetic aliens were forcing them to do stuff that went against the grain? Kirk said that he would never usually dream of kissing her because he was her commanding officer, or something. Then there was the whole Janice Rand thing that disproved that just a tad, but yeah.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's how it was in the episode. I'm curious as to how the viewers at the time reacted. Gotta be some of 'em out there...

[lyttlelucyfer.livejournal.com]

I'll ask my Dad. He was a bit of a Trekky. Mind you, it would have been a different reaction here in England, probably.

[underlucius.livejournal.com]

Ang Lee should marry Peter Jackson and they should make mpreg babies that will take over the world with the power of their filmmaking.

*Adores*

I totally agree. BBM still has me crying today, at work.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

So intense. The kisses...I'm still reeling.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

Shoot, bring me the films exactly like Mission: Impossible 2, where the romance is secondary to the action plot and makes viewers mutter that the film would have been better without "all the kissin' bits," not because they were offensive but because they were extraneous. Yeah. Let it get that taken-for-granted.

Word. Word word word.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

*sends you kissing boy romance*

[mefeather.livejournal.com]

Except that if it doesn't, I may have to hurt something.

Or someone. *smirks*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Nah, the last thing I need is a restraining order. ^_^

[loony-moony.livejournal.com]

Ang Lee should marry Peter Jackson and they should make mpreg babies that will take over the world with the power of their filmmaking.

Only if you promise that at least one of those movies that superchild will make will feature Brad and Angelina's bewilderingly beautiful (probably) child to come. I'm not sure it's a joke. >:)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Eh, for all we know s/he'll get the odd recessive genes and everyone will say, "What happened?"

[loony-moony.livejournal.com]

Why is everyone saying this? Can't you have some confidence in the alpha power of Angelina's clit of doom?

[aiji-yuywell.livejournal.com]

The end of Brokeback Mountain had me bawling. I was so sure he'd take it up there!! You know, because Jack's folks are morons... I would have lost it though, so I'm glad it ended the way it did. :3

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Heck, I lost it anyway. Sob!

[mark-and-roger.livejournal.com]

You don't know me but I've lurked around your LJ. :) Sorry about that but I enjoy reading what you have to say and your stories but sometimes forget to comment afterwards.

Anyway, I agree 100% with this. Despite descrimination still being around today, I'm lucky to be a young gay man now rather than back when Jack and Ennis had to live. I went to see the movie with my boyfriend and it was a great experience. I probably crushed his hand but he didn't mind and I was crying at various times throughout as well. It's really something when as much as I want the boys to be able to be together, I still feel bad for the women as well (particularly Alma). I thought they did a very good job with it. I loved everything from the more upbeat moments like Ennis waiting for Jack after four years apart (and their great reunion), to the night after they had sex and Ennis comes in the tent, to Jack's flashback where Ennis actually hums a song from his childhood to him, to their final heartbreaking scene together. Sorry, I'm gushing now but this movie hit me hard. I was even impressed by the smaller castings particularly the woman playing Jack's mother. Anyway, just had to comment. :)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Oh, you dear thing--never apologize for lurking. ^_^ It's lovely to have you around, commenting or not. But I'm so pleased you commented! *hugs* Just the idea of you and your boyfriend at that movie melts me--the idea that this movie could be made and the two of you could sit holding hands in it...gah, you know what I mean. *hugs again*

[mark-and-roger.livejournal.com]

Hi, I was going to write back before and ended up becoming really busy. I wanted to update you just because I feel like announcing this to the world (LOL). I recently went to see Brokeback again with my dad and older brother. My boyfriend, Tom, wanted to go too but he had to work so we're seeing it next weekend together again. My brother, Zach, came out of the theater in tears and my dad gave me the first hug I've gotten in a really long time from him. I think they're finally coming around to accepting me since I came out a few years ago. Seriously this movie is like the best that's ever happened to me and from things others have said, I'm not the only one. :) *hugs you back*

-Matt

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

You dear. That's a wonderful story and I hug you from alla way over here. *hugs*