02/02/2006
REPORT: Homophobia keeping straight Academy members from screening Brokeback: "Frankly, I find horrifying each whispered admission to me from Academy members who usually pose as social liberals that they’re disgusted by even the possibility of glimpsing simulated gay sex. Earth to the easily offended: This movie has been criticized for being too sexually tame. Hey, Academy, what are you worried about: that you’ll turn gay or, worse, get a stiffie by just the hint of hunk-on-hunk action?"
Posted 10:35 AM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs | Permalink
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Sorry, I am not buying into this article for even one second. This may be a poorly orchestrated spin to counter the recent opposition statements released by family, church and right wing organizations. Any voting member of the Acadamy already knows there is only one sex scene in the movie and they have the option to hit the fast forward button, but I doubt that would even happen. The real buz is that this movie has opened a new mainstream genre in Hollywood, therefore anyone who participates in the business is certainly going to view this film.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Feb 2, 2006 12:22:20 PM
Andy -
I was just about to e-mail you link to the story about the potential hypocrisy of the academy members. I have a love/hate relationship with your blog, but definitely want to see Brokeback win for best picture!
Posted by: Warren | Feb 2, 2006 12:25:56 PM
I just read this story in the weekly this morning. I almost never read the weekly (I know hard to imagine). I don't know if this is true - but we all say things in private that we might not say in a public setting. I know some actors who say racist jokes in private that consider themselves very liberal. I don’t think it makes them anti-anything. Same thing applies here.
I know the drop in numbers last year was substantial from the year before and ABC is a bit concerned again this year. Is this due to the agenda of the movies nominated? I have no idea. I think that it has more to do with the fact the show is long and unimaginative.
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Feb 2, 2006 3:10:54 PM
Wow.
That's really disappointing.
Posted by: Gilli | Feb 2, 2006 4:31:21 PM
Oh, please, people, this is Nikki Finke we are talking about.
Posted by: CJ | Feb 2, 2006 6:14:51 PM
It could be true. The SAG Award didn't go to Brokeback and SAG members form a large segment of Academy voting members. Let's hope the voters consider the quality of Brokeback and it's possible influence on society-at-large if it wins the Oscar.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 2, 2006 6:37:06 PM
I'm so sick of hearing people mention how "the SAG Award didn't go to Brokeback" so maybe the Oscar won't. Let's get something straight-- there was no "Best Picture" award at the SAGs... it was for "Best Ensemble Cast"... a big difference. The SAGs only honor achievements in acting. Brokeback basically had a cast of just 3 main actors (Jake's wife was hardly a major role) while Crash truly had the Best Ensemble Cast with about a dozen huge, juicy parts.
Posted by: Robert | Feb 2, 2006 7:18:00 PM
Who is this Nikki woman and what is her reputation? Her story seems rather contrived.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 2, 2006 8:30:50 PM
You tell 'em, Andy!
Posted by: Jess | Feb 2, 2006 8:32:52 PM
Hollywood is notorious for publicly supporting an issue, and privately cringing at their own hypocrisy. If Hollywood was as pro-Gay as they claim, why do Gay actors still have to hide in their closets?
Do you ever wonder why some of the greatest performers and directors of all time have never won an Oscar? It certainly has nothing to do with lack of talent. For example, the man considered the greatest director of all time, whose films have affected millions and changed the history of cinema, never received a best director Oscar. And Alfred Hitchcock never forgave the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the slight.
Montgomery Clift never won an Oscar. Neither did Kirk Douglas, or a lot of other great actors.
To win an Oscar one must have the backing of a major studio and advertising agencies. Indeed, the Oscar proceedings have turned into something akin to a political campaign involving millions of dollars with stump speeches, daily media briefings and even smear tactics. All to get the attention of the 6,000 voting members of the Academy. “I’m not sure if I am a filmmaker anymore or trying to run for Congress,” Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has said. “You find yourself becoming a sort of politician in an election year.”
Russell Crowe said several years ago: “I think we ought to examine the amount of money we are spending on these Oscar campaigns. As soon as it costs that much money, that takes people to a different place. This is supposed to be about the joy of filmmaking, about celebration, and it shouldn’t get into these kinds of politics.”
If Brokeback Mountain gets stiffed, at least it will be in good company.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 3, 2006 12:08:20 AM
What?
You don't find Nikke Finke intellectually stimulating? ;)
Self-Publicity?
Well, she has certainly called some international attention to herself NOW.
I thought Jake was really being touted for a win because he was actually a leading man, and not a supporting one.
Ennis was still more complicated and more resonant than Capote... My formerly right-wing Alberta bro-in-law does a pretty good Capote--better than he does an Ennis.
Posted by: Gilli | Feb 3, 2006 12:08:44 AM
BBM has all the buzz and hype right now in the picture race, just look at the box office bounce it got after the nominations. It's the Oscar film of the year, AMPAS knows that, it's no contest.
It's a different case with the BBM actors, though. BBM could become the first film since Dances With Wolves with three acting nominations to win best picture and not win anything for acting.
Posted by: CJ | Feb 3, 2006 2:35:38 AM
i know I'm gonna get hell for saying this BUT...does it help when ever the film is introduced a joke is made?(Dennis Quaid) or even when the 2 stars of the film introduce it at said SAG awards they are laughing and silly? Now, before the replies start, yes I think Jake and Heath were probably a little tipsy and just being silly, NO I'm not offended by them. However,I would sooo enjoy seeing someone present the film clip at the Oscars who says something wonderful and eloquent about the film.Is that too much to hope for? It's just my opinion but maybe if those presenting the film took it a tad more seriously the voters might as well...?
Posted by: Chris | Feb 3, 2006 8:02:04 AM
Chris, Heath explained what happened at the SAG awards:
http://stylescenes.latimes.com/fashion/
Posted by: Lady Heather | Feb 3, 2006 11:32:36 PM