Posted on 01/06/2006 11:10:38 PM PST by Utah Girl
A film about two gay cowboys was removed Friday from the schedule at the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons, which is owned by Larry Miller.
The film, "Brokeback Mountain," was scheduled to begin screening at 12:45 p.m. Friday, according to ads in the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune. Late Thursday, the Newspaper Agency Corp., which handles advertising, production and printing for both papers, was asked to remove show times for the film from its ads.
Greig Smith, senior vice president and ad director for the NAC, said notification to pull the listing came too late to remove it from Friday's paper. It has been pulled from ads for papers today and Sunday, he said.
Calls to Miller and a spokesperson were not returned Friday. Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, was reached by phone but declined to comment. A check of the theater's online and telephone listings showed that "Brokeback Mountain" had indeed been removed from screening.
Conservative groups lauded the apparent decision to not show the film. Others said it was a decision that would deny Utahns a chance to see a true work of art.
"I think it sets an example for all the people in Utah and, like I said before, he's my new hero," said Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah Eagle Forum. "It's such a terrible show, and it is such a horrible message. I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show."
The film, which stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who unexpectedly discover feelings for one another while on a job herding sheep in Wyoming. The two eventually marry women but return over the years to rekindle their love.
Advocates in Utah's gay and lesbian community expressed disappointment about the decision to pull the film, but Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, said he's not calling for a boycott of Miller's theaters.
Thompson described the movie as very tasteful with "nothing that even hints at pornography."
"It's just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias," he said. "It's just disappointing."
Jane Marquardt, board chairwoman of Equality Utah, agreed, saying the decision is especially disturbing since Miller's theaters are showing movies with graphic violence.
"It's sad to think that someone would think a movie is that controversial simply because it's a love story between two people of the same sex," she said.
Marquardt did say there was one bright side. The Broadway Theater, which has been sold out for showings of the movie, will likely get more business.
"I hope (Miller) doing that will encourage more people to learn more about what it's all about," she said.
"Brokeback Mountain" is scheduled at other theaters in Utah, including the Broadway and Tower theaters, managed by the Salt Lake Film Society.
Tori Baker, executive director of the film society, said "Brokeback Mountain" has had record earnings since it opened at the Broadway and Tower theaters last Thursday. Across the nation, 296 screens are showing the film. Utah ranked 12th last week with per-screen average earnings, said Baker.
The Film Society received rights to premiere the film a week ahead of other Utah theaters.
"That's phenomenal," said Baker. "We hope the earnings continue, and we have this for a long time to come."
Salt Lake City has a very active vocal gay and lesbian community. They're all in a tizzy over the film and how much money it is going to make here. Blech.
The movie "Brokeback Mountain" officially opened in theatres across the country. The love story, involving two cowboys, has generated a lot of publicity, but a theatre in Utah has dropped it from its schedule.In today's newspaper movie sections you can see the ads for the premier of "Brokeback Mountain" at several theater, locations including the MegaPlex 17 at Jordan Commons. But this afternoon, the theatre sent word that the schedule had changed.
"Brokeback Mountain" has been the talk of Hollywood lately. Adapted from a book, it's raised eyebrows from coast to coast, not only for its subject matter, but also for its quality. Award nominations are already pouring in and moviegoers are packing theatres.
Tori Baker, Exec. Dir. Utah Film Society: "It's breaking all our records here. We've had the most phenomenal weekend. I've had to call in extra staff; I've hired three extra people."
The Salt Lake Film Society specializes in screening artistic and lesser-known films at its Broadway and Tower Theatres. "Brokeback" was on the radar months ago, and got the exclusive to run it first in Utah on two screens.
Tori Baker, Exec. Dir. Utah Film Society: "We are prepared for a couple of hits per year, but even those hits don't compare, those numbers don't even compare to how this movie is currently doing."
Today's newspapers show that "Brokeback" was to premier at other theatres in Salt Lake today; the first screening at Jordan Commons was scheduled at 12:45. But about an hour before that, the Megaplex offices sent word that the movie had been dropped from the schedule. A spokesman for the Megaplex said only that there had been a "Change in booking."
The news doesn't surprise Clark Monk, with the Utah Gay Rodeo Association. He says he figured some Utah theatres may not want to show it. He called the movie a "love story" that could apply to any couple.
Clark Monk, Utah Gay Rodeo Assn.: "It was not what I expected it to be, because of what was said about it, the hype. I was expecting a much more overtly gay movie, and it was nothing like that at all."
Since evidently other SLC theaters will be showing it I don't see how this achieves much more than create free publicity for Brokeback Mountain.
Perhaps someone standing for something? The Broadway theatre is absolutely thrilled with the decision because they can have the movie longer and it will sell out. That's fine, I for one will not be giving a penny to the Broadway theatre.
***Utah Gay Rodeo Assn***
No way!!! In all my years growing up there, I never heard of such a thing. Wow. I guess it figures given that Salt Lake seems to be becoming the next San Francisco.
I have to say, however, as much as I am not a Larry H. Miller fan, I have to give him credit on this one.
"It's sad to think that someone would think a movie is that controversial simply because it's a love story between two people of the same sex," she said.
Bloody 'ell, the euphemisms never stop with these people!
Reminds me of the SNL Weekend Update joke, when Dennis Miller "reported" that "a majority of Americans support gay rights, until they are told that "gay" actually means men having sex with other men."
I just love the way the MSM has a way to award ITSELF and then pretend that it means something......
There is also a pro-homosexual Mormon organization.
I don't doubt it, but can guarantee it in no way is endorsed (or condoned) by the Church. Such groups have been trying for years to pursuade the LDS Church to accept homosexuality. It's just not gonna happen.
Rumors were going fast and furious several years ago that a gay LDS ward would be created in San Francisco. That's all it turned out to be: rumors.
There is an organization (I don't know the name) of a group of parents of gay children. Gary Watts and his wife have two children who are gay. They did commercials during the 2004 elections saying how mean the church is for excommunicating gay and lesbians from the LDS church. (One can be excommunicated for immorality, regardless if the relationship is straight or gay. Heterosexuals are to remain morally clean if not married, why do homosexuals think they are any different?)
Just out of curiosity, when aren't they all in a tizzy?
The Jordan Commons googolplex is actually a pretty spiffy theater. A bonus is the food court... you can get some *real* food for the flick rahter than nacho, corn and a dog.
Was planning on heading down to Ogden tomorrow... might just have to drive a bit further and see what's playing.
Rather like pro-abortion Catholic organizations.
Exacty right. Many of the people who have started these organizations have left the LDS church. The LDS church does not support any of the organizations.
The series POV on PBS made a film several years ago about a gay man who was an active member of the LDS church, he married, but was still in the gay community. He gave his wife HIV, and was dying of AIDS when the movie was made. She made the decision to stay with him and took care of him until he died. It was a very thought-provoking film, but still he was not living the tenets of the church (he did leave the LDS church.)
LOL, good comment.
My nieces and nephews just love the Mayan at Jordan Commons. I have attended many parties there with them for birthdays, etc. I enjoy going there, but when it isn't so busy.
The Republicans' favorite: The Passion of the Christ
The Democrats' favorite: Brokebutt Mountain
That would be quite a thought-provoking film. That's unconditional love on the part of the wife, but such a tragic situation given the eternal ramifications.
Yes, it was. Their oldest son also left on a mission to Mexico during the film, his father died three weeks later. The mom has HIV and is fighting it (I would assume it has gone into AIDS by now.) PBS occasionally shows it.
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