Movie rec: Brokeback Mountain - Elfscribe's Den

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Movie rec: Brokeback Mountain

Posted on 2006.01.16 at 19:54
Tags: movie reviews

Saw Brokeback Mountain this weekend. Thoroughly recommend it, even though it is quite sad.
It makes an important and much needed social statement, in its quiet way, just by showing these guys as working class individuals who, much to their own surprise, fall in love, and then the pain they and their families endure because their love is not accepted by society. Apparently, it is 8th in the country in box office receipts. I say good that it is being well-received and may win awards but even better if it is making money. That will make Hollywood take notice - and make people realize that Alexander wasn't a disaster just because of the gay content.

26 comments Leave a comment

Comments:

rebeccasama at 2006-01-17 03:11 (UTC) (Link)

I saw it tonight and I really loved it. It seems to be doing well on the Golden Globe awards (that I'm watching now). What I hope it achieves more than anything is showing that you *can* have a homosexual lead in a mainstream picture. I'd like to see Hollywood not shy away from more projects like that. I suppose you're right, the dollar signs speak more than the awards.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-17 04:21 (UTC) (Link)

Absolutely. And it was well done. Well acted. Everything was good. Heath Ledger was great. I hope he gets an award.

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seekie at 2006-01-17 03:16 (UTC) (Link)

I'm so looking forward to when it comes here, at the end of the month... On another note; JRM just won his Globe for his role as Elvis... *squeees* just a little! LOL

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-17 03:45 (UTC) (Link)

Did the Elvis movie even come out yet? I haven't seen it around at all.

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seekie at 2006-01-17 03:48 (UTC) (Link)

It was produced for television, as a miniseries. But I have it on dvd, it came out right before Christmas... My post with screencaps here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/seekie/107810.html#cutid1

Preeeeeettttty ;)

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alexcat at 2006-01-17 04:17 (UTC) (Link)

Where did it come out? It isn't listed as available anywhere...

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seekie at 2006-01-17 06:22 (UTC) (Link)

Uhm... may be it is only yet available in dvdregion 2? Here's is what I bought: http://www.dvdstrax.com/no/index.php3?SCREEN=item&item=39532

Pretty good :)

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alexcat at 2006-01-17 13:41 (UTC) (Link)

I believe it is only out in Region 2. I saw it on television. I thought Jonathan did a very credible job as Elvis.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-17 04:19 (UTC) (Link)

Great pics. Did he sing? Did he do the accent right? I can imagine. I just saw him in the Lion in Winter also with Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close.
JRM played the French King. He was awesome. [Does the little fangrrlly squeal]

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seekie at 2006-01-17 06:30 (UTC) (Link)

aww, that one i haven't seen (yet, LOL) As for Elvis, I think he did a fairly good job; really... I don't know if it was him singing some of the songs, as the text did not list others than the ones who was recordings of Elvis himself...

I'm so looking forward to seeing Match Point, though; even if I'm not a big fan of Woody Allen; and I have newly ordered Gormenghast, which I'm just dying to watch *g*

*joins in the fangirly squeeeeee*

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-17 06:59 (UTC) (Link)

Oh yes, Gormenghast, I own it also. He was great. A perfect Steerpike. And there are a couple of scenes, just guh. I won't spoil it.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-17 07:00 (UTC) (Link)

so how did a post on Brokeback Mountain turn into a JRM lovefest. LOLOL!

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seekie at 2006-01-17 07:10 (UTC) (Link)

Uhm.... SORRY!!! *giggles a bit ashamed* I'll shut up now *g*

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seekie at 2006-01-17 07:09 (UTC) (Link)

Awww, now I really feel the anticipation rise LOL

I have also bought Vanity Fair, but haven't got around to watch it yet. And I really, really liked his performance in "I'll sleep when I'm dead" ... God, it seems I'm so in love with that guy *giggles*

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 02:09 (UTC) (Link)

Well you should see Lion in Winter then, especially since there is a very slashy bit in it - and the French king is attended by a whole crew of very pretty men with long hair. The implication is there.

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talullahred at 2006-01-17 18:35 (UTC) (Link)

I'm dying to see this but it's not looking good. *sigh* I'll keep my fingers crossed in hopes it comes here before summer.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 02:12 (UTC) (Link)

I'm wondering why it had such a limited release. I heard a rumor that it is first going to special engagements (like the alternative theatre in my town) and then may get a general release - but I don't know. Hope you get a chance to see it, at least when it comes out on DVD. It is definitely worth it - but so depressing. Gad.

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nimaweh at 2006-01-17 22:23 (UTC) (Link)

I never did see any previews for this movie (not that I watch much TV anyways)...so I was quite ignorant about it, until watching a movie review show one night, which explained the premise and gave good reviews. My interest is piqued!
Poor JRM, is it just my perception, or did he look like he was about to become ill as he went up on stage to accept his GG award and give his speech? He seemed like he was ready to throw up or faint, or perhaps both...Seekie, he needs a reassuring hug! *wicked grin*

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 02:14 (UTC) (Link)

Yeah, I only knew about it through the net scuttlebutt. See it is you can at all. Not only is it good, but I think we need to support movies like this as a way to effect change.
JRM was on the Golden Globes. Heck if I'd have known that I'd have watched them - maybe - I hardly watch TV. I'm glad he's getting the recognition he deserves.
Nice icon, btw, nimaweh.

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nimaweh at 2006-01-18 02:33 (UTC) (Link)

My icon? *sheepish grin* It's a slice taken from a Tom Welling photo, one that I *cough cough* found on your site...um..I'm new to LJ and don't know the etiquette about these things...I can change the icon if you wish?

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 03:04 (UTC) (Link)

Heh, I guessed it was Tom Welling. I like that you added tempting to it - as I certainly find him to be that. Didn't you think he made a good Elwin?
Re: kyping photos. Well since I took it from another site which I probably shouldn't have done either, you are certainly welcome to that delectable slice of it. Technically, we none of us should take photos and reuse them without the site owner and photographers permission. It's one reason why I f-lock most of my comments with photos. However, everyone out there does it. I wonder when the lawyers will get involved. LOL!
Anyway, sweetie, you are welcome to it.

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faunalind at 2006-01-18 01:38 (UTC) (Link)

You're only the second person I've seen mention that they saw the movie. I thought it was very well done. It was also very sad. Not just the hopeless love affair, but the hopeless lives they both led. I'm glad I didn't read the story before I saw the movie. It had more impact that way.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 02:22 (UTC) (Link)

Now, I have to read the story. I understand it's actually very short so wondering how they got a 2 1/4 hr. movie out of it. Yeah, a friend was telling me that her friend thought the movie was actually more about class than about homosexuality. I don't agree, but it was true they were leading very hard and bleak lives, especially Ennis - like many cowboys do. It a very tough and unglamorous lifestyle. To think that the only real joy they seemed to get out of life was when they were with each other in the wilderness and those times were few and far between.

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faunalind at 2006-01-18 21:38 (UTC) (Link)

The "class" part of it struck me, too. When they lived above the laundromat, with the little swingset on a tiny patch of grass, that reminded me a lot of the town I grew up in. A tiny farming town. Being at a bit of a crossroads right now, I think that struck me as hopeless and sad.

Do read the story - I think there's a PDF version online somewhere.

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miladyhawke at 2006-01-18 01:53 (UTC) (Link)

That will make Hollywood take notice - and make people realize that Alexander wasn't a disaster just because of the gay content.

Ha! Well that would certainly be a welcome development! As much in terms of the Alexander fangirls as the homophobes. It's easy to blame failure on prejudices, but sometimes teh gay just has nothing to do with the objective quality of a work.

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elfscribe5 at 2006-01-18 02:27 (UTC) (Link)

Agreed. I know there are those who will disagree with me - but IMHO Alexander was simply awful and it had little to do with the gay content, although even there I think Oliver Stone completely missed the mark. By contrast, Brokeback Mountain was very well done.

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