Posted on 01/13/2006 9:17:31 PM PST by wagglebee
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Brokeback Mountain," once ridiculed as "the gay cowboy movie" but now the front-runner in Hollywood's Oscar race, gets its first major awards show test on Monday night -- in prime time with millions watching.
The gay romance goes into the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards on Monday with the most nominations -- seven -- of any film and with a favorite status that many in the industry think could be unshakable in the buildup to the March 5 Oscars.
The Golden Globe Awards are an only-in-Hollywood tradition. They are given by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a hard-to-join group composed of a large number of freelancers working for some obscure publications.
But they give one of the best awards parties in town and over the years the show has become famous as a predictor of Oscar winners. And the stars sashaying across the red carpet in drop-dead designer duds is reminiscent of the glamour of old Hollywood.
Normally the Globes help set up the Oscar race by drawing public attention to films that are the strongest contenders.
The Globes' two main awards are best drama, for which "Brokeback" is a contender, and best musical or comedy.
Taiwanese-born director Ang Lee's tale of love and loneliness in the mountains of Wyoming is a strong contender for best drama by virtue of its picking up a slew of best movie awards from film critics and nabbing top prize at 2005's Venice Film Festival.
But its makers are very conscious the movie's theme of homosexual love in the macho world of Marlboro Country could be a problem for mainstream audiences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Lee has said he thought reaction would be split. "Some people would like it, and some people wouldn't even go to see it or it would be a laughingstock, like when they called it 'a gay cowboy movie.' Then when they see it, they start to embrace it. It's a wonderful turnaround."
"Brokeback" is up against "The Constant Gardener," a thriller based on a John le Carre novel; "Good Night, and Good Luck," George Clooney's tale of the fight against McCarthyism; "A History of Violence," a story of the violence that lurks beneath the surface in everyday life; and "Match Point," Woody Allen's "comeback" film about the cost of social climbing in Britain.
"Brokeback's" star, Heath Ledger, who has won rave reviews, is a candidate for best actor, but the competition is tough with Philip Seymour Hoffmann, seemingly the man to beat for his performance as gay novelist Truman Capote in "Capote." Other category nominees include Terrence Howard for "Hustle & Flow," David Strathairn as broadcaster Edward R. Morrow in "Good Night, and Good Luck," and Russell Crowe for "Cinderella Man."
Vying for best musical or comedy are "Mrs. Henderson Presents," "Pride and Prejudice," "The Producers," "The Squid and the Whale" and "Walk the Line."
The nomination of "The Squid and the Whale" as a comedy surprised many because the movie is a harrowing tale of a divorce as seen from the eyes of a couple's two teenage sons.
Hilarious, dfu. Big ole brokeback bump!
:)
That was a good one from doug.
I've never watched "24", but after hearing Rush and others talk about it, I'm probably going to go get all the old seasons on DVD and see what all the excitement is about.
I think Monday night, I may watch an old John Wayne movie to remind myself what cowboy movies are supposed to be about -- the good guys shooting the bad guys.
I have never watched oscars, emmy's or any other awards shows. I also won't watch any gay movies (Broken HumpButt Mtn.). I also don't watch actors who are lib activists.
I don't watch much tv, as you might guess.
Watch the awards? And give Hollywood what it needs to keep making it's offensive offerings - more viewers. No. I won't do it.
I watch the classics. In that by-gone era, movie makers used to respect their audiences.
In the first two minutes, they introduced Fred Savage as gay, and that the plot would involve his "coming out" to his family. Then Jane Curtain is introduced from a mental institution, which she is in because she has tried to kill her hubby, William DeVane because he's run away with a young floosy.
The exact same lame plot that that the CBS show "Out of Practice" uses. Mid-aged parents in a failed marriage with numerous unmmaried 30 somethings and at least one gay son/daughter.
The networks should stick to their "reality" shows, that don't require a liberal writer's talent. I will watch "Idol" and I'm having fun with the ABC dancing show.
Is it just me...or does any one else notice an insidious agenda developing here in the movie industry...yeah, since about 40 years ago.
Let's face it. Until establishment Hollywood is beaten at the box office by alternative producers and movie companies, they're going to continue to give us cultural 'engineering' or reeducation in the form of entertainment.
I'm so entertained. Aren't you just so entertained? I'm really entertained.
I looked at that one but RHINESTONE COWBOY was so much more peppy. And, it's easier to dance to. :)
If chimney sweeps made movies, movies about chimney sweeps would probably sweep the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
;-)
Onr question. In the opening adverts, who are the sponsers? Prep-H or Chap Stik?
Hi Chris,dfu always has funny lyrics.LOL
you gotta watch the 2 hour season premiere on sunday!! :)
In all seriousness - real life is funnier than fiction.
I just can't wait till next year, so we can have a gay hockey player movie. Then maybe the gay astronaut movie.
Then - for a real moving piece - the gay President of the US movie. OOOh hurray.
It is the once AND FOREVER ridiculed Hollyweird gay fest.
And finally - what we have all been waiting for - the gay heterosexual man movie - Oh wait, we had American Beauty - didn't we?
Hollyweird is seriously messed up.
If they can make a movie about gay cowboys, when will we see the movie about striaght male hairdressers?
I saw that puddin' in the back of the truck, i thought i smelled a couple rottin twinkies!
The movie cost $14 million to make. It has grossed $25 million so far, so its very close to breaking even. Its getting a lot of free advertising. Then comes Pay-per-View, the premium channels and DVD. Sorry, this movie will turn a nice little profit
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