April 05, 2004

• Did you see Lee's "The Wedding Banquet"? That was my first time seeing 2 men in a passionate kiss on screen, and, as much as I hate to admit it, it kind of freaked me out for a moment. In any case, it's a great movie. If he does as well with this one, I'll be more than happy to be freaked out again.
• By the way, the first link might be a spoiler. I didn't read all of it because I'd like to see the movie without knowing all the details in advance.
• No - I'll have to netflix it. I used to feel a little freaked out too, but Velvet Goldmine cured me of that.
• Have a banana, Nicola, it's a good post and a super read--I like Annie P. but I hadn't read that one. My take on the kissing: better lips than guts hanging out. Thanks for posting this link. I'm not sure the movie can live up to the writing, but then, I'm more print-oriented than most. Not a snob, I just don't pick up on things in movies like some folks do. But I like the little pictures in my head. do de do, dum de dum, la la la
• Wow - thinking the first link was only an excerpt of the story, I sat down to read it. My first thought was "these descriptions are reading really awkwardly, not so sure about it" - and then I stopped caring. Just was swept away in the story. Could have been fleshed out into a novel, actually - but that would have entailed making more of the story about Ennis's wife and family, etc. I do reccomend reading the story - the film is always another piece of art no matter what. The Salon article is interesting too - including its concerns about how the audience reacts to the sexuality. It's powerful in the story (especially the staircase). But I think whether it's powerful in the movie will depend on the committment of the director and the actors. If any shy away from it, it won't work. Needless to say, casting will have to think about chemistry as much as marketability. Buffy's Tara and Willow, while both played by terrific actors (I especially liked Amber Benson, even if she never got much to work with), never quite had that chemistry, and it hurt the story. (please don't stop the thread now that I've mentioned Buffy :) I agree, path, that Lee is probably up to it - The Wedding Banquet remains one of my favorite films. Though I think the real highlight in that one are the parents :) I hope whomever he casts is up to bringing out the story as well. (and two cute boys kissing? Who wouldn't love this? Okay, my boyfriend for one, but I'll just go with my other friend and his boyfriend instead.)
• Sounds like one of those Ideas Whose Time Has ComeTM. The story was really good, despite the awkwardness in the writing. The tension of living in a world ready to kill them at any time comes across vividly.
• ...the tension of living in a world ready to kill them at any time... Wuh-hoa, horsie. Are there really any other kinds, alnedra? *mock on, mach 7...*
• Well...beeswacky, I don'ta know about you, but I think most people don't have that sense of imminent death all the time. I'm sure most people know that they could die tripping over a crack in the ground and breaking their necks, for instance. I guess it's Ennis' references to the tire iron that brought it home, their awareness that they would be reviled and destroyed.
• I'm sure most people know...for instance, but it's not something that hangs over them like a cloud all the time. (I meant to continue) 100-ton hammer time again...
• Everyone knows Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were getting it on. I mean, just take a look at those names!
• *hums* Butch Sullivan And the quidnunc kid ... /libel
• Here's another vote for the wedding banquet. Pre-"Hulk" Ang Lee is AAAAAAAAAAAAALL GOOD. "I... don't understand..."
• nicola, a fine post!
• Hey, anyone gave a banana yet? If not,: [bunch of bananas]
• Sorry, BlueHorse! Didn't see your banana!
• I didnt see any part where they ate pudding. /southpark <ducks>
• *hums* Butch Sullivan and the quidnunc kid ... I swear mister, I were just cleanin' his gun ...
• darn you lkc, you beat me to it.
• Thanks guys! When I read that story, I knew it was something I had to share. I actually bought Close Range, the book of short stories this one is in, yesterday just to see if anything else in the collection was as good. (jb, my thoughts exactly.)
• Is anyone but me imagining the fart scene from Blazing Saddles, only with the buttcheeks of the chaps cut out? Personally, I'm withholding my viewing dollar until Hollywood gets around to making a feature-length Ambiguously Gay Duo movie. Go Ace and Gary!
• This really is a fantastic story. A friend of mine wrote a short play that was a kind of take off from it which was very effective. I think the thing that people find most discomforting is the level of passion they have for each other. A lot of people can handle the "funny fag" stereotype that is now everywhere (tv, movies, etc.). It's gay people as having deep and profound feelings for one another that freaks people out (me included to a certain extent, if I'm being honest).
• *stands embarassed of and chastened by previous wiseass crack in light of certainsome's thoughtful post*
• [banana] that really is a great story! now i'll have to keep an eye out... and nicola, velvet goldmine cured me too. :) along with wilde.
• Velvet Goldmine was fantastic! Hhhmmmm...Ewan McGregor. Anyhow, my only potential problem with this is the two lead choices. This will take some mighty fine acting. I hope it can be pulled off, but I have my doubts. I would love to be surprised.
• The tragic story follows the lives of two Wyoming sheepherders Baa!
• The sheep are so cute! I want one now. I wonder if I could fit it in my new apartment?
• Oh my goodness. Good one, Wolof. I want one too!
• The trailer is out now. It looks good. (Direct wmv link) Meanwhile, The Brothers Grimm gets terrible reviews, but I can't help but still want to see it.
• I don't care what the reviews are like, I'll gop see it if Gilliam dirests it. Some of my favorite films by him are ones the critics slammed or ignored.
• Yes, I liked Time Bandits a lot - that was the first of his films I saw. Silly, but good.
• My two great favorites: Erik the Viking, containing an adventure with strange turns, hitorically parodic characters, ridiculous premises, and funny dialogue. And The Adventures of Baron Muchausen, very surreal and some great performances from the cast, and an important philosophy: No doctors! Jabberwocky and 12th Monkey are also much more watchable than most. Least interesting --Fisher King and Brazil, bith of which struck me as banal and lacking in invention.
• A Brokeback mod for the Sims.
• willie nelson's singing a gay cowboy song.
• So that gay cowboy movie? Pretty good.
• Brokeback Mounties! Yay.