So I saw “Brokeback” last night. In the words of the great Bill Hicks, “snap review: piece of shit”.
You’re gay, cool, good on you. I just don’t care.
Everyone’s banging on about Heath’s character’s internal turmoil. There was no turmoil, he was a batty boy. Cool. So what?
It seems that entirely too many films that deal with homosexuality have one twist/point: they are gay. Surely in 2006 it just doesn’t matter.
However what was interesting was the audience’s reaction, which was to laugh. So unfortunately I think it is fair to say that audiences haven’t come to terms with homosexuality. I saw it at the Nova in Carlton (can’t complain about $7.50 movies on Monday nights) - latte leftie homeland apparently. And they were giggling at the more intimate moments.
I remember watching the film Head On (quite the piece of gay porn and a fantastic film). In a particularly moving part at the end, which had me nearly in tears (because my girlfriend had eaten all the pop-corn of course) someone farted - loudly and deliberately. Obviously they couldn’t deal with the tension or the homosexual themes.
I guess it just pisses me off. When it’s a bunch of fuck heads like Queer Eye for a Straight Guy who reinforce stupid stereo-types, homosexuals are fine. When they’re all frocked up and dancing down Oxford st they are fine. As soon as they are real people with real emotions and don’t fit into - often counterproductive - stereo-types then people still need to fart during the emotional bits.
I left Brokeback pissed off because it was a shit film that went for at least an hour too long. I left Head On pissed off with a society that is obviously still too immature.
Lingam Says:
February 21st, 2006 at 11:23 amVisit Lingam
Funnily, I find myself agreeing with you on Brokeback Mountain. It wasn’t shit, but the subdued (repressed?) mood with everything in subtext didn’t quite do it for me either. Neither did Heath Ledger.
PS: Am changing the look on my blog in lieu of posting, a bit of cart before the horse situation really.
m!key Says:
February 21st, 2006 at 12:14 pmVisit m!key
From that review, I am glad that I haven’t seen the film yet, and it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that I will bother to go see it.
Hammy Says:
February 21st, 2006 at 12:17 pmVisit Hammy
I wouldn’t bother - it’s 2 and a half hours of your life that you will never get back.
I think I’m starting a tally of hours owed to me by Hollywood, starting with Brokeback, King Kong and Memoirs of a Geisha.
m!key Says:
February 22nd, 2006 at 11:29 pmVisit m!key
Go see Overcoming then. How can you miss? it’s about cycling, characters, endevour, triumph and tragedy!
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:24 amVisit Hammy
I might just do that.
Jimmeh Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:28 pmVisit Jimmeh
Hammy I love you but with this as with many other things there’s simply no point in arguing with you even though you are wrong. People are stupid, it’s a given. But Brokeback mountain not being one of the hottest and sappy(in a good way)est movies seen in a while you’re dead wrong. But that’s ok cos I still love you. And I have incriminating photos of you to blackmail you into loving me back.
P.S. Seeing Overcoming at the Nova next monday if you’re curious
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:32 pmVisit Hammy
I’m wrong? It’s my blog buddy and in Goonanism land I’m write. Hell, you should know by now that I’m always right.
I will be in touch re Overcoming.
PS. Up yours vegan!
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:34 pmVisit Hammy
Oh yeah, and it’s not playing at the Nova - making you wrong again!
rich Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:46 pmVisit rich
oh my god shut up all of you it was a beautifully performed, shot and paced film. And saying ‘internal conflict-he’s a batty boy’ is like saying ‘missispi burning-where’s the problem? Just hug…” hello- context.
What everyone is getting all shitty about is the hype. luckily i saw it v. early and before i saw brokeback to the future.
rich Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:50 pmVisit rich
also who wants to be in a large zombie street performance? c’arn! next wednesday at RMIT -help smash the society of the spectecle by actively rebelling against the increasingly corporatised culture of orientation week with spontaneous street performance!
culture jamming is so last decade the time has come for Zombie street throw-downs!
p.s Capote is a v. good film (rich gives 5 spuds), transamerica is good (rich gives 4 spuds), brokeback (4 & 1/2 spuds)
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:50 pmVisit Hammy
I will give it that it was well acted and well shot. The film might have been more interesting if their internal conflict was further explored - that or more guns and drug use.
Terry Johal Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:06 pmVisit Terry Johal
on a more impt note, they are showing rambo 2 on foxtel on sunday at 3.30pm. its the best rambo film ever.
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:08 pmVisit Hammy
What do you say Tezz? Me, you, a bowl of pop corn and Rambo 2 - maybe a little snuggle on the couch too.
Terry Johal Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:41 pmVisit Terry Johal
why do you have to take everything to its
barebackbrokenback conclusion?do you like fully have a thing for me? i would understand.
Hammy Says:
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:46 pmVisit Hammy
I thought that was a given.
lib Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 3:26 amVisit lib
gee wizz. Hammy I think there’s something you’re not admitting to here. What was your problem? I thought the movie was pretty damn good. But I really like Ang Lee so was a little swayed anyway. But the THEMES Hammy. The whole film was so fucken torn. That’s what made it GOOD, be they gay or not. Hell, I’m even doing a movement piece (shut up I’m allowed to be artsy fartsy, after all I’m at drama school) based on the mother’s character. That scene at the end, in her home, was resonating.
Hammy Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 9:56 amVisit Hammy
I love Ang Lee as well for what it’s worth, however this just added to my disappointment.
I maintain: piece of shit.
How ever this is now the 17th comment on this post making it a record number of comments for a post - this makes me happy.
rich Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 1:31 pmVisit rich
what about the final bit …in the caravan, with the jacket….
b.t.w hi libs
Terry Johal Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 2:44 pmVisit Terry Johal
hammy,
i understand it all now. damn my sexy self.
also, the point you all are missing is that ‘top gun’ is the best gay themed film ever. Ever.
Mad Hatter Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 4:34 pmVisit Mad Hatter
So it takes a little gay film bashing to get people posting…interesting.
For the record I thought it was rather fab - and I concur on Transamerica but have yet to see Capote…after all that I might have to join you and Tezza on the couch with Rambo - although i’m almost certain that had homoerotic undertones too…
tezza Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 4:57 pmVisit tezza
Rambo had no homoerotic undertones.
It was the story of an misunderstood misanthropic genuis. All he wanted was to be loved.
Btw, no couching with me allowed. I am too special for that.
hammy, so who did you prefer heath or jake?
Hammy Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 5:31 pmVisit Hammy
Tough call, I’d have to go with Heath if the truth be known, but I’m quite fond of Jake.
He’s also more honest.
m!key Says:
February 24th, 2006 at 9:49 pmVisit m!key
You thieving bastardo hammy! No wonder I’ve got no comments on my blog at the moment: You’ve stolen them all!
…make that 23…
PS: Overcoming is on at that Nova, unless it’s finished and you’ve missed it for good…
Enjoy.