"Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'"

[GreenPartyVoter]

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film "Brokeback Mountain." The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

A message posted at the ticket window read: "There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing 'Brokeback Mountain.' We apologize for any inconvenience."

Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, declined to comment.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20060108/D8F0J7200.html

[kevinbgoode]

1. Now this ticks me off !!

And that BS quote from the Eagle Forum woman. . .who the hell ever told her that SHE represented anyone's values other than a fascist agenda?

Did she not know the rating of "R". . .meant that "young people" weren't supposed to be in the damned theater anyway? Ohhh...I think some people should be boycotting Utah Jazz games this season...you know, to set a good example for young people about the price of censorship in a free society.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Utah? What a shock. It's such a liberal/tolerant state.

As long as you're a Mormon Republican.

[Crazy Dave]

3. I started a thread against stuff like this Friday night....

"Four NBC affiliates refuse to air Book of Daniel, about priest with gay son"

NEW YORK (AP) - Two more NBC affiliates chose not to air the network's new drama The Book of Daniel, which features an Episcopal priest with a gay son, the network said Friday.
Four affiliates nationally have rejected the series. Conservative Christian groups have campaigned against the series.

You'd be surprised how much negative feedback I got and almost no support for America's right to choose for themselves if the series makes it on it's own versus it going off the air because the networks are scared of threats of protest and boycotts. Only minimal support for not necessarily the show, but for freedom of speech and freedom of choice but many here on DU seem to be very selective on what they support.

Anyway, the show as mentioned above is about a priest with a gay son, he's hooked on pills and talks to Jesus, his wife is an alcoholic, his sister in law is a lesbian having an affair with a woman who stole 3 million from his church and his daughter is a drug dealer.

[RoBear]

6. The affiliate in Wichita KS rescinded its decision

not to air the show. They'd cancelled it because of about 300 calls, but reconsidered after they were deluged with protests. A local TV news station posted a poll on-line and received more than 1500 votes NOT to cancel but to show it. And that was in less than a day, because the news broke Friday morning and by Friday afternoon the show was back on the schedule.

Can you believe it? In KANSAS!

[Crazy Dave]

8. Good on them!

The people that stood up and showed their support. Like I said Friday, but got so bitched at by some on here, whether you like the show or not, don't do it for reason of the show, stand up for the right for NBC to show it and for those who choose so to watch it. If the show is no good, it will go off on it's own, not with right-wing christian threats. But if we keep showing the right wing how easy it is for them to roll over on us because we choose to be selective on what we support when it comes to free speech and freedom of choice, it makes us look un-decisive, hypocritical and not to be taken seriously.

[RoBear]

4. In Wichita -- yes, that's in Kansas!--

The opening of the movie was moved up a month. Originally to open in February, was moved to January. Went last night and the large theater was nearly full, and included many mixed couples as well as I'm sure many gays and lesbians. I think it's a great movie, by the way.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. GREAT NEWS!!!

[yknot]

5. It's been replaced with a more "Utah friendly" film about a rancher's

romance with one of his sheep.

[Arugula Latte]

9. *snarf*

:rofl:

[Zambero]

7. This type of censorship action will only stimulate interest in the film

On a much larger scale, the actions of a few theatres buckling under to fundamentalist pressure immediately becomes a newsworthy item, therefore generating a much greater public interest. And out of curiosity, or even backlash against the fundies, more moviegoers will go see the film as a result. This phenomena played out in the early 70's with the controversial screenings of "Deep Throat". Not the best analogy perhaps, but if that particular "forbidden" piece of tripe managed to make millions from what was initially considered bad publicity, then a film with artistic merit such as "Brokeback Mountain" will fare even better. Deprived folks in Utah and elsewhere will ultimately be able to see the film when its released on DVD -- and those sales will also be increased as a spinoff from these fundie censorship antics. Conservatives never know when to shut the f**k up. Their ranting and raving certainly helped pave the way for Fahrenheit 911's $100mm+ box office take, and they will (unwittingly) do the same for "Brokeback Mountain".

[kevinbgoode]

14. They can't go see the movie if it isn't being shown

and if it isn't going to be shown in Salt Lake City, the largest metro area of Utah, that limits an entire state.

In my opinion, I think people in that area should be deluging the theater...and the local media, with protests...especially those accusing the theater of pretty much posting a sign that they do not want any GLBT customers. If they can't allow one movie with two characters who happen to have a gay love affair on the screen, isn't it rather obvious that they would prefer no gay Americans even SIT in their theater?

[leftofthedial]

11. they don't like cowboys in Utah

it's sheep country

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Police state purely

Telling me what I can and can't watch. *sigh* Am I living in China now?

[chaumont58]

13. Fuck this repuke and his god damn basketball team

I hope they finish dead last the rest of their god damn existence.

[kevinbgoode]

15. Well, we can always get this team's schedule

and when they play in other cities, either protest his ass or demand they stay in some fundy suburb because we let gays work in public accommodations in other cities. It isn't that hard to turn the screw a little . . .