The Oscar nominations: Brokeback leads the pack

Not a film that's especially crucial to see on the big screen. In fact, it may benefit from the more intimate coziness of a smaller screen and the atmosphere of a home theater. "Brokeback Mountain" expansive cinematography works on the big screen but I think one might get more involved with the characters once it reaches DVD and cable.
The projectionist in one theater we saw it in brightened the picture a big too much and washed out a lot of the spectacular landscapes of Alberta, Canada standing in for Wyoming. On a home theater in hi-def I can see how one could twiddle around with the picture and even the sound. We are all still at the mercy of a projectionist turned engineer -- it almost ruined by first viewing of "The Fellowship of the Ring" which was played on an aged sound system and full decible blast which had the actors shouting even in scenes where they were suppose to be speaking in normal tones. The clashing of swords was ear shattering. Playing in back on my home system, it sounded a thousand percent better.

Okay -- I just went to dinner at Fashion Island's Daily Grill and walked past the box office at the Island Cinemas. There was a line (on a Thursday evening) for "Brokeback Mountain." I think it's time to think of this film as a watershed.

TOTAL LIFETIME GROSSES
Domestic: $59,778,000 68.9%
+ Overseas: $27,000,000 31.1%

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

= Worldwide: $86,778,000

This is exactly what I meant LW. I posted that the men were portrayed honestly, not that they were honest men.

Boy, Lightwizard sure like this movie. He's got good taste though. I'll have to see it. The only thing we don't agree on is "Ishtar".

eoe -- yes, but most people are not entirely honest and it's not as much being honest to another but being honest with oneself. I don't believe either of them were being honest with themselves, Ennis in particular, and it was the pressures of society that share a large part of the blame for their circumstances. However, one could also state that they, again especially Ennis, did not have the courage to admit who they were. There weren't many lies between them, at least not any more than might be expected, rather it was the dishonesty of inaction. Rather like the sin of omission. As Ennis observed, it can't be fixed so one tries to live with it.

Oh, don't start on that "Ishtar" stuff, now, Amigo. You might be condemned to a desert island with only that film to watch.

I heard (unsubstantiated) that many straight men are reluctant to see the film. If this is true, it could have a negative impact on Academy voting.

I'm not sure we'd have to worry about the Hollywood Oscar voters -- it's a much more open minded crowd. Hollywood in the Sixties was integrated with gays and even though some big stars were closeted, it was not an unsympathetic atmosphere. Today, I don't believe it will have a measurable effect even though every Academy member votes for Best Picture and Best Director. I couldn't guess what the percentage of integration of gays there is today in the movie industry but the film would have their votes locked in. Of course, anything can happen. The closest competition is still "Crash."

I'm rooting for "Brokeback", but "Crash" is certainly a worty competitor. I also liked "Pride and Prejudice" far more than most people.

They're not straight men.

I think even the herero population in the film industry is so accepting of gays that it won't be a factor. Back in the 50's when Ronald Reagan was the head of SAG there was a witchhunt initiated for gays in that union but it was promptly squelched and, as a matter of fact, Reagan got one of his first reprimands for the tactic.

Sure didn't stop The Wedding Banquet from being a big success.

Surely, you jest and, I know, stop calling you surely (or are you being facetious?):

TOTAL LIFETIME GROSSES
Domestic: $6,933,459



DOMESTIC SUMMARY
Opening Weekend: $134,870
(7 theaters, $19,267 average)
% of Total Gross: 1.9%

Widest Release: 113 theaters
Close Date: April 28, 1994

Although I'm sure Ang Lee realized a profit after DVD sales, rentals and cable bookings.

Incidentally from Box Office Mojo, here's the record for gay/lesbian themed films:

Rows: #1-100, #101-184Rank Title (click to view) Studio Lifetime Gross / Theaters Opening / Theaters Date
1 The Birdcage MGM $124,060,553 2,285 $18,275,828 1,950 3/8/96
2 Interview with the Vampire WB $105,264,608 2,604 $36,389,705 2,604 11/11/94
3 The Talented Mr. Ripley Par. $81,298,265 2,369 $12,738,237 2,307 12/25/99
4 Philadelphia TriS $77,446,440 1,604 $143,433 4 12/24/93
5 Brokeback Mountain Focus $66,628,000 2,089 $547,425 5 12/9/05
6 In & Out Par. $63,856,929 2,452 $15,019,821 1,992 9/19/97
7 The Crying Game Mira. $62,548,947 1,097 $101,107 6 11/27/92
8 The Hours Par. $41,675,994 1,010 $338,622 11 12/27/02
9 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Uni. $36,474,193 1,489 $9,019,180 1,294 9/8/95
10 Monster NM $34,469,210 1,093 $86,831 4 12/24/03
11 Alexander WB $34,297,191 2,445 $13,687,087 2,445 11/24/04
12 The Object of My Affection Fox $29,187,243 1,990 $9,725,855 1,890 4/17/98
13 Rent SonR $29,077,547 2,437 $10,016,021 2,433 11/23/05
14 Victor/Victoria MGM $28,215,453 615 $139,634 3 3/19/82
15 Frida Mira. $25,885,000 794 $205,996 5 10/25/02
16 Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil WB $25,105,255 1,312 $5,233,658 824 11/21/97
17 La Cage aux Folles MGM $20,424,259 - $18,709 5 3/30/79
18 Capote SPC $20,189,000 1,239 $324,857 12 9/30/05
19 Cruising MGM $19,784,223 - n/a - 2/15/80
20 Far From Heaven Focus $15,901,849 291 $211,279 6 11/8/02
21 The Next Best Thing Par. $14,990,582 2,035 $5,870,387 2,007 3/3/00
22 Threesome TriS $14,815,317 1,218 $4,001,024 1,212 4/8/94
23 Y Tu Mama Tambien IFC $13,839,658 286 $408,091 40 3/15/02
24 Chasing Amy Mira. $12,021,272 553 $52,446 3 4/4/97
25 Making Love Fox $11,897,978 380 $3,015,497 363 2/12/82
26 Boys Don't Cry FoxS $11,540,607 365 $73,720 2 10/8/99
27 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Gram. $11,220,670 192 $219,433 7 8/10/94
28 Kinsey FoxS $10,254,979 588 $169,038 5 11/12/04
29 The Deep End FoxS $8,823,109 412 $141,852 6 8/10/01
30 Boat Trip Art. $8,600,126 1,803 $3,815,075 1,714 3/21/03
31 Mulholland Drive Uni. $7,220,243 247 $587,591 66 10/8/01
32 Kissing Jessica Stein FoxS $7,025,722 319 $346,999 26 3/13/02
33 La Cage aux Folles 2 MGM $6,950,125 - n/a - 2/15/81
34 The Wedding Banquet Gold. $6,933,459 113 $134,870 7 8/6/93
35 The Closet (Le Placard) Mira. $6,678,894 145 $311,022 44 6/6/01
36 The Rules of Attraction Lions $6,532,619 1,437 $2,532,410 1,437 10/11/02
37 Gods and Monsters Lions $6,451,628 149 $75,508 6 11/6/98
38 Six Degrees of Separation MGM $6,405,918 201 $53,058 2 12/10/93
39 My Own Private Idaho FL $6,401,336 98 $68,452 3 9/27/91
40 Mambo Italiano IDP $6,253,026 183 $734,570 178 9/19/03
41 Partners Par. $6,062,898 877 $2,318,801 877 4/30/82
42 The Hunger MGM $5,979,292 775 $1,832,898 775 4/29/83
43 The Opposite of Sex SPC $5,881,367 165 $102,385 5 5/22/98
44 Personal Best WB $5,672,311 236 $549,878 142 2/5/82
45 Three of Hearts NL $5,495,507 793 $1,928,076 792 4/30/93
46 Farewell My Concubine Mira. $5,216,888 3 $69,408 3 10/15/93
47 Bad Education SPC $5,211,842 106 $147,370 3 11/19/04
48 Torch Song Trilogy NL $4,865,997 135 $70,022 6 12/16/88
49 Longtime Companion Gold. $4,609,953 85 $50,525 2 5/11/90
50 Flawless MGM $4,488,529 483 $1,590,155 478 11/26/99
51 Before Night Falls FL $4,242,892 127 $85,230 8 12/22/00
52 Priest Mira. $4,165,845 154 $113,430 8 3/24/95
53 Bound Gram. $3,802,260 262 $900,902 261 10/4/96
54 Paris is Burning Mira. $3,779,620 91 $310,127 23 8/9/91
55 Jeffrey OrionC $3,487,767 63 $185,909 10 8/4/95
56 Hedwig and the Angry Inch FL $3,067,312 101 $156,724 9 7/20/01
57 Heavenly Creatures Mira. $3,049,135 57 $31,592 2 11/16/94
58 Love! Valour! Compassion! FL $2,977,807 - n/a - 5/16/97
59 Transamerica Wein. $2,852,000 126 $46,908 2 12/2/05
60 Walk on Water IDP $2,713,932 47 $60,465 10 3/4/05
61 Naked Lunch Fox $2,641,357 102 $64,491 5 12/27/91
62 The Dreamers FoxS $2,532,228 116 $142,632 5 2/6/04
63 Desert Hearts Gold. $2,492,088 - n/a - 3/7/86
64 My Beautiful Laundrette OrionC $2,451,545 - n/a - 3/7/86
65 Maurice Cinc $2,438,304 1 $49,278 1 9/18/87
66 Go Fish Gold. $2,405,285 - n/a - Jul 1994
67 Two Girls in Love FL $2,210,408 - n/a - 6/16/95
68 But I'm a Cheerleader Lions $2,205,627 115 $60,410 4 7/7/00
69 Ma Vie En Rose SPC $2,162,043 63 $76,212 14 12/26/97
70 Wilde SPC $2,158,775 7 $69,424 7 5/1/98
71 Trick FL $2,087,228 94 $118,594 6 7/23/99
72 Strawberry and Chocolate Mira. $2,080,805 - n/a - 1/20/95
73 Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss Trim. $2,070,399 - n/a - 7/24/98
74 Better Than Chocolate Trim. $2,015,406 130 $84,584 15 8/13/99
75 High Art Oct. $1,960,216 4 $47,499 4 6/12/98
76 Happy, Texas Mira. $1,955,933 146 $72,056 8 10/1/99
77 Kiss Me Guido Par. $1,918,497 - n/a - 7/18/97
78 I Shot Andy Warhol Orion $1,875,527 58 $57,053 3 5/1/96
79 The Broken Hearts Club Sony $1,746,585 62 $109,694 7 9/29/00
80 Even Cowgirls Get the Blues FL $1,708,873 533 $676,978 533 5/20/94
81 Prick Up Your Ears Gold. $1,654,743 36 $38,643 1 4/17/87
82 Camp IFC $1,629,862 116 $54,294 3 7/25/03
83 Beautiful Thing Sony $1,548,120 2 $33,931 2 10/11/96
84 The Celluloid Closet SPC $1,400,591 38 $95,047 9 3/15/96
85 Saving Face SPC $1,187,266 56 $75,104 6 5/27/05
86 Get Real Par. $1,152,979 40 $54,254 6 4/30/99
87 L.I.E. Lot47 $1,138,836 45 $82,530 12 9/7/01
88 Sordid Lives Reg. $1,111,273 8 $14,000 7 5/11/01
89 Chuck & Buck Art. $1,055,671 46 $72,831 7 7/14/00
90 Velvet Goldmine Mira. $1,053,788 85 $301,787 85 11/6/98
91 A Home at the End of the World WIP $1,029,872 65 $64,728 5 7/23/04
92 French Twist Mira. $1,026,646 - n/a - 1/19/96
93 All Over the Guy Lions $1,022,324 35 $41,606 7 8/10/01
94 Aimee & Jaguar Zeit. $927,107 16 $42,919 7 8/11/00
95 Female Perversions Oct. $926,954 - n/a - 4/25/97
96 When Night Is Falling Oct. $919,671 - n/a - 11/17/97
97 Edge of Seventeen Strand $871,759 10 $5,302 1 4/30/99
98 Latter Days TLA $834,685 19 $57,242 4 1/30/04
99 Breakfast on Pluto SPC $796,178 125 $33,279 3 11/16/05
100 Trembling Before G-d NYer $788,896 8 $21,410 1 10/24/01

In that case, The Wedding Banquet must have done much better in Germany than it did in the US, though I don't have the statistics to prove it. It happens.

I did find the boxoffice figures for worldwide, it was $30M -- it's America, land of the bigot, ya know.

Brokeback Mountain Big Winner At BAFTAS
Associated Press 9:49 AM, 20 Feb 2006

The film "Brokeback Mountain" has been the big star at the British Film Academy awards, scooping four BAFTAs.

The gay cowboy love story won the coveted Best Film Award, Ang Lee was picked as Best Director and Jake Gyllenhaal was chosen as Best Supporting Actor. The film also won the Best Adapted Screenplay statuette.

The film faced tough competition from "Capote," "The Constant Gardener," "Crash" and "Good Night, and Good Luck" to be picked as Best Film.

Philip Seymour Hoffman took home the Best Actor BAFTA for his mesmerising portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" and Reese Witherspoon was selected as Best Actress for her role in the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk The Line".

The Best Supporting Actress award went to Thandie Newton for her role in the low-budget racial drama "Crash".

I still don't think Crash really deserves a Best Picture nomination. I found it very contrived; but I also thought perhaps that was intentional and maybe I was missing something.

Did anyone else find it just a bit too much that Matt Dillon's character rescues the very same woman he molested earlier? I mean, I understand that it was a plot device to make a point, but sh*t. Isn't that just a little heavy-handed? Maybe more effective if he redeemed himself in a more subtle way?

I thought the whole movie kind of bludgeoned you with its message, but like I said before, since it's getting so many accolades, I wonder if I'm missing something that gives it more depth. Or is it sort of what eoe suggested about Brokeback, it's getting all this acclaim because of the subject matter, not really because of the quality of the movie?

See above. No, I don't believe it is getting all the acclaim just because of its subject matter. That would mean any gay themed film would have gotten the acclaim. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

Ang Lee was named best director for Brokeback, which is up for eight Academy Awards on March 5. Jake Gyllenhaal won the best supporting actor prize for playing Jack Twist, one of two cowpokes who fall in love over the course of a Wyoming summer.

Gyllenhaal said onstage that the movie, whose commercial success is unprecedented for a gay-themed film, "means even more to me socially than it does artistically."

"I've had a lot of people say to me after the film, to my surprise, 'Thank you for making it,"' Gyllenhaal told reporters backstage. "It's made a social impression, and that social impression to me is the aftermath of an artistic impression, and so much more important."

Lee thanked the British people for their support.

"I don't know what makes me so connect to you," he said. "I'm pretty sure it's not the food."