Extra Extra: Crash Wins - Fags Lose

[Guest empire]

Homophobia continues to unabated even in liberal minded Hollywood. Crash, an excellent film, wins Best Picture while Brokeback Mountain is left with a few thank you nods.

 

Brokeback Mountain is the best film of the two but the academy members could not bring themselves to completely recognize the groundbreaking film.

 

When Crash won Gays lost another valid bid for respect. Shame on the academy members.

[+ Lucky]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

Oh, bullshit. "Fags" didn't lose anything, the producers of the movie did. My life won't change a drop and neither will yours. If anything, "gays" have moved forward on the social agenda because of the movie. Who can remember which film won last year. The year before?

[Guest alanm]

I was surprised CRASH even received a nomination for best picture over

SYRIANA, THE CONSTANT GARDENER or MATCH POINT. It had to be a stop BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN vote. Very, very disappointing because the favorite almost always wins in the top categories. FUCK the Academy Awards.

 

 

I am going to see BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN again tomorrow night and maybe again the night after.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Homophobia? I highly doubt it.

 

Consider for a second how many voting members of the Academy are homosexual (either in public or private) to begin with. Would it make any sense for them vote against such a film? That being said, it's also not their 'job' as gays to vote for Brokeback simply because it's a gay-issue movie. That's just silly.

 

It's akin to being a straight-ticket voter at election time: I much prefer to vote on the issues, not the party.

 

Crash won because it was a fantastic film. Tour-de-force performances from an extremely well-honed ensemble cast.

 

Seymour-Hoffman took home the Leading Actor trophy because he was the best man for the job (IMO). His portrayal of Capote was nothing short of incredible. He's paid his dues quite well in other films throughout the years and this was finally the role that hit the jackpot with the Academy. Frankly, he deserves it.

 

I thought Dolly was robbed. I'm petitioning for a recount.

 

Reese Witherspoon should consider herself very lucky. It was a weak year for the Lead Actress category. Huffman may have played dress-up nicely, but Transamerica didn't have enough dramatic chops to really make her a contender.

 

Clooney rocks my world. Loved everything he did this past year. It was so very fitting to see him get the Oscar for a film that so many critics panned for being 'too intelligent' and 'hard to follow.' I thought Syriana was brilliant.

 

 

 

~BN

 

 

 

PS: Overheard in the men's bathroom at the Kodak Theatre this evening: Jake Gyllenhaal's agent letting friends know that Jake is 'probably' going to sell most of his recieved swag-bag bootie on Ebay. LOL.

[mmk]

It did not win best picture, but it did get best director (Ang Lee) and best screenplay adaptation from another source. Plus, Philip Seymour Hoffman did win for Capote. I do not see where fags lost at all. I have not seen any of the pics nominated but Crash and Brokeback Mountain are the two that I do wish to see. And Crash dealt with prejudice and racism and how it exists in all of us, regardless or our race, color, creed or sexual orientation. Everyone I know that saw Crash was very disturbed by it all for the same reason-they saw some of themselves in it and what they saw they did not like. So if there is a movie that can help us view our own prejudice and racism and possibly change how we think, then I do not see how "fags" lose at all.

 

It did not seem that any one film dominated the Oscars this year like Million Dollar Baby did last year, which I think is a good thing. I thought that John Stewart was an incredible host-knew when to push the envelop and when not too.

[Guest Dan]

No, Crash did give the liberals in Hollywood a chance to opt out of the uncomfortable position of a full endorsement of BM. That being said, what also helped Crash was the mass mailing to the entire SAG membership for the SAG awards. The fact that probably 100% of the Actors' Branch of the Academy was not lost on the distributor.

 

I would have rather seen A History of Violence in there instead of Crash. Crash will almost instantly go down as one of the most undserving Oscar winners.

 

Dan Dare

http://www.geocities.com/dandare_laca/DanDare4Hire.html

[+ Lucky]

One joke overheard at the Kodak Men's room just left a bad taste in my mouth: "If they just hadn't cut that dildo scene from the movie, it would have won!"

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Is that the best you can come up with at this hour?

 

I'm disapointed

[+ Lucky]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

Sorry, but I was tied up on something else. That'll have to do for now!

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

Now THAT was better

[Guest empire]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

>Oh, bullshit. "Fags" didn't lose anything, the producers of

>the movie did. My life won't change a drop and neither will

>yours.

 

You see this is the difference between you and I. You're happy with a passive role the status quo; whereas on the other hand I'm eager to continue to fight for gay rights and point out wrong as I see it. The vote was wrong.

 

The people who voted in the Golden Globes are no less or more gay than the mostly American members of the Motion Picture Academy.

 

The academy members were cowards by their vote for best picture. Their compromise was disgusting.

 

A general note: in my original post I commented the Crash was an "excellent" film, just not the best. So please don't attack my observation based on what a great film Crash is, again, I agree it is.

[+ Lucky]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

Well, then I guess you will just have to join the Academy to continue this "fight" for gay rights. Your post is condescending, but what's more, it is ignorant. Now go read your comic book.

[Guest zipperzone]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

>You see this is the difference between you and I. You're happy

>with a passive role the status quo; whereas on the other hand

>I'm eager to continue to fight for gay rights and point out

>wrong as I see it. The vote was wrong.

 

Empire - get over yourself.

 

Isn't it just possible that Crash won because a larger percentage of the voting members truly thought it was a better picture that BBM?

 

Just because you say the vote was wrong doesn't necessarily make it so!

 

I am a card carrying fag - loved BBM, have seen it twice and will go again. But, as I stated here a couple of weeks ago, if I had a vote, it would go to Crash as I thought it the better movie of the two.

[mikeytoddadkins]

You guys(not fags) are so silly. I am still giggling.

[mikeytoddadkins]

Allow me to clarify. I mean the two procrastinators.

[Guest RandyRon]

Although I consider myself a "card-carrying militant Queer," I wasn't upset that BBM didn't get the top award. I saw BBM but haven't seen Crash yet. While I enjoyed BBM, it did seem too long and in need of some editing. The acting was excellent, the scenery (both the mountains and the people) were spectacular, and I could identify with the story. All that being said, I'm not sure that the total picture qualifies for the top Oscar. When I've seen all the other candidates, I may change my mind but for now I'll have to go with the Academy.

[jeanclaude44]

Gosh..I thought Crash was a better movie. I also thought Syriana was a better movie. BBM was okay but IMO not Best Picture stuff. Sorry.

[jackhammer91406]

There is no question that CRASH offered members a way "out". I think there is also some truth to the fact that CRASH was the ONLY film that sent me a DVD in advance of the Screen Actors Guild awards.

 

In trying to determine which is best picture, there is more than just theme and marketing to consider.

 

I was disappointed when Brokeback Mountain didn't get best Cinematography.

 

In order to appreciate Brokeback Mountain, you have to be able to see how many cylinders this movie is cranking on.

 

To convey the separation and isolation, the filmmakers utilized not only a finely honed (read sparse dialogue) screenplay, carefully crafted performances filled will emptiness (is that an oxymoron?), AND cinematography that underlined these threads of isolation and separation. The fact that the pace "seemed long" reinforces the isolation and loneliness. Time passes so S L O W L Y when we are alone.

I felt that when BBM didn't get the Cinematography award, it was going to get Best Picture because the bulk of the academy had missed what Ang Lee and his crew had so subtly put together.

 

A set back for gay Rights? Certainly not. The fact that the film was the front runner will insure more films of it's kind are made. A Good thing.

While it is sad that the Academy needed an "out", we should also be celebrating the fact that not one studio picture was even nominated, meaning more and more issue films will get made and more and more gay issue films will get made and marketed.. So the Academy is moving forward (although too slow for some).

[Guest Tristan]

I haven't seen Crash, though I expect it to be an excellent movie. I have seen BBM and think it is Best Picture quality. IMO the issue is not whether BBM or Crash was really the best picture, but that the Academy is not ready to vote for a film like BBM as Best Picture. I was very disappointed about this, though not exactly surprised. I read somewhere that one voter turned off his DVD as soon as he came to the first scene where Heath and Jake hugged. It doesn't sound like this voter was gay.

 

Only history will tell how many lives were influenced by BBM. BBM showed young gays that even "macho" cowboys can be gay and may have given them just the amount of support they needed. Hopefully, it also affected others who are on the fence to rethink their image of gays. While Crash may have a profound temporary impact on viewers, will it be lasting like the effects of BBM on young men, and some older men, struggling with their identity? If history repeats itself, I think not.

[Guest alanm]

For the record I thought "Syriana" was the best movie of the year.

"Crash" would have barely made my top 10. "Brokeback Mountain" was my 2nd favorite movie last year. "Syriana" made me think more (partly trying to figure out the story). "Brokeback Mountain" tried to cover 20 years, not always successfully IMO. To be fair, few movies are able to cover that long period of time smoothly.

 

I am surprised that several people agreed with the choice of "Crash," while admitting that they had not seen the movie. Even though this is a gay site, there's no law that everyone has to like "Brokeback Mountain." There's a lot more that I could say, let me stop there...

 

We all know that "Brokeback Mountain" won the overwhelming majority

of pre-Oscar best picture awards.

 

I went back and checked the reviews of the five films nominated for best picture on http://www.rottentomatoes.com.

 

"Capote" received the best reviews followed by "Good Night and Good Luck," "Brokeback Mountain," "Crash" and "Munich." "Crash" and "Munich" were far behind the other three movies.

[Guest alanm]

Jackhammer and Tristan posted while I was typing my message. Excellent

points and much more in line what I expect from this site. Thanks for taking the time to really think through your posts.The fact that I agree with you has nothing to do with my praise, of course! LOL

[Guest empire]

RE: Extra Extra: Crash Wins

 

>Well, then I guess you will just have to join the Academy to

>continue this "fight" for gay rights. Your post is

>condescending, but what's more, it is ignorant. Now go read

>your comic book.

 

Do your posts always become so defensive and childish when people have a different view than you? If so I find that quite disturbing.

[Guest empire]

Tristan and Jackhammer I believe we're not too far apart on this issue. And that is perfectly alright with me. The only real difference is whereas you both acknowledge that this was an "out" for the academy members and that they "were not ready yet" to vote for Bareback Mountain I take it a step further.

 

However, that is simply my view as I believe gay rights needs to take place on every street corner. The media in our society stands on the most importnat street corner as this is how American's are fed information.

 

I appreciate your sincere posts to my thread.

 

Jackhammer you mentioned you received a SAG copy of Crash, are you an actor?

[Guest empire]

>Homophobia? I highly doubt it.

>

>Consider for a second how many voting members of the Academy

>are homosexual (either in public or private) to begin with.

>

 

Ben this is an interesting question. I've thought about this and don't feel there are many more homosexuals in the academy than in any population. I do believe that there probably are more people accepting of homosexuals in the academy but history has taught us that people have limits on acceptance.

 

BTW: review 43 was like reading a porn script, is it real?

[JamesK840]

>However, that is simply my view as I believe gay rights needs

>to take place on every street corner. The media in our society

>stands on the most importnat street corner as this is how

>American's are fed information.

 

And there are gay people who strongly disagree with you, either because they believe that the backlash from pushing too hard for something too early is more harmful then waiting, or because they don't believe being gay is their single defining character trait.

 

Unlike the motley bunch that vote on Golden Globes, the people who vote for best picture actually work in the art and take a lot more then the message of the film or the way it was acted into account. There's also a complex algebra involving Hollywood politics and who should've won last year but didn't or otherwise has gone unrecognized too long that members sometimes think about.

 

But I don't believe BM lost in any way: best adapted screenplay is pretty big and best director is huge, especially for a low-budget independent movie in fairly small distribution. It may have actually meant less in some people's minds if it'd swept all categories, they'd just write it off as "gay Hollywood makes the obvious choice".