Shalit regrets 'Brokeback' remarks

Southern Voice ^ | Jan. 12 at 12:29 PM | Kevin Naff

[Ma3lst0rm]

Shalit responded on Jan. 10 in a statement sent to GLAAD in which he wrote, "I certainly had no intention of casting aspersions on anyone in the gay community or on the community itself. I regret any emotional hurt that may have resulted from my review of 'Brokeback Mountain.'"

"In describing the behavior of 'Jack,'" he continued, "I used words ('sexual predator') that I now discover have angered, agitated, and hurt many people. I did not intend to use a word that many in the gay community consider incendiary."

In his review, Shalit called the film "wildly over praised" and described Gyllenhaal's character as a "sexual predator" who "tracks Ennis down and coaxes him into sporadic trysts."

[infowarrior]

But I have not seen/read a Shalit review in 10 years.

Indeed, *I* ceased to look for any review from him over 20 years ago (I still used Leonard Maltin, for a while thereafter, but only as a crude measure; ie if Maltin hated it, I would possibly like it...) Now I don't use a movie critic at all, and rarely see *any* movie in a theatre...

the infowarrior

[Holicheese]

Ouch!

[Palladin]

That's a travesty. And in Alabama, a very conservative state. The universities have gone mad with political correctness.

At Macalester (which my granddaughter attends), a gay who is "uncomfortable" rooming with hetero males can be re-assigned to rooming with a girl!!! I begged my liberal daughter and son-in-law not to send her to that place. She is miserable there, and has almost persuaded them to let her transfer to a Christian college next year.

[RobbyS]

And they are the majority on the editorial board of the NYT.

[Ciexyz]

bump with no comment.

[Plutarch]

It's actual cultural impact... will be nil.

Actually it will have an indirect impact, in that the Best Picture nomination, or award, will definitively remove the Academy's last shreds of credibility.

[RobbyS]

Sexual predator is a proper name for the Catholic priests who have disgraced their calling and broughyt whole diocese to ruin. Their prey is usually a teen age boy.

[DaveyB]

"In describing the behavior of 'Jack,'" he continued, "I used words ('sexual predator') that I now discover have angered, agitated, and hurt many people.

High Five Here!!!

Too bad they are thugs who intimidate critics. In doing so they have angered, agitated and hurt many people. Jack was also a degenerate - perverted - lying - selfish - home-wrecking sodomite (or so I'm told - I wouldn't see that movie if payed me!)

[Razz Barry]

"Brokeback Mountain...where men are men and sheep can relax for a change."

LOL. It gives a whole new meaning to "cowboy up".

[RobbyS]

The only idols they worship are attached to their bodies.

[treffner]

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Deuteronomy 7:25
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therin: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

[RobbyS]

And if you were quoting from the Koran, this would be the correct interpretation and we should be following the same diatary laws as the 7th Day Adventists.

[cgbg]

He just says he's sorry if he offended folks.

If you aren't offending someone you are not contributing to the public debate.

As a practical matter it means we cannot trust the opinion of movie reviewers since they fear "politically correct" groups.

[chilepepper]

1 or 2 percent of the population but 97% of hollywood...

[Wolfstar]

Is Rex Reed still alive?

Yeah. According to IMDB, he was born in 1938 and is still alive.

[Tall_Texan]

Bill Clinton is a sexual predator but I don't think he's gay. That or he has really terrible eyesight.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I don't know what it is about the homo lobby that makes normally brave men fear them. For the love of Mike, they only represent 1 or 2 percent of the population!

Every day, from every direction, we're bombarded with the message that even the appearance of racist, sexist or homophobic tendencies is evil and unforgivable. Every television program that touches on the topic portrays anyone who doesn't embrace the different with a fanatics fervor is stupid and contemptible.

There are cop shows where the poor innocent homosexual is harassed and the straight white villain who attacked the victim is an evil, misanthrope who just isn't able to exist in decent society.

The news is filled with stories of gays being mistreated and abused by "Skinheads", "Rednecks", "Bigots", etc. All carefully chosen trigger words that carry a much worse connotation than the facts often support. The queer is shown to be a gentle, caring person who would never do anything to anyone. You would be lucky to have them in your neighborhood if not in your family. If you oppose them, you're a frothing at the mouth fanatic.

No one wants to be seen that way. The message is so pernicious and invasive that many people are given to questioning themselves without needing the outside harangue. "That have I done to present myself as a racist, sexist, homophobe, etc? Is there something wrong with me? How can I show that I'm not one of THOSE, that I embrace everything to the exclusion of all reason?"

If you don't embrace the aberrant and repugnant, you're just not right.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

"That have I done to - That = What

[JZelle]

This Mike?