Brokeback Mountain at the Esquire

[kybearfuzz]

I'm glad that Brokeback Mountain FINALLY came to Cincinnati last weekend, even if it is only playing at the smaller, artsy venue The Esquire and one other theater. I've never been to the Esquire, I like that the marquee outside is very old school, it gives the theater a nice feel. Nothing like sitting in a small theater full of gay men, straight women, college students, and the few straight guys dragged to the movie kicking and screaming.


An awkward moment in Brokeback Mountain
The movie was impressive. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were exceptional in the roles of two cowboys who fall in love on the remote Brokeback Mountain. I've heard people complain that Ledger's character mumbles a lot, but that fits well with the character. I can see why he was nominated for a Golden Globe (and possibly an upcoming Oscar), but I'm surprised that Gyllenhaal didn't get a nod too. It was a very good movie and I greatly enjoyed it.

The showing I went to was sold out soon after I got there and the next showing was filling up fast. With this kind of demand and the big buzz surrounding the movie, I'm still kind of shocked that the big chains around here have not started carrying it. Cincinnati can be such a stupid city sometimes....

I stopped by PF Chang's and got a bowl of hot & sour soup to go for dinner. Sweet ambrosia of the gods....

Comments

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

Bummer, I was gonna call you tomorrow and ask if you had seen it yet ;)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Awww... sorry.. it just seemed like a good time to go for me :)

[dfwteddybear.livejournal.com]

Wow...gay cowboys, hot and sour soup and a cute bear like you...that's a nice weekend! :-)

Love the PF Changs, havent seen Brokeback Mountain yet....

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Awww.. you're too kind ;)

You should see the movie if you get the chance...

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

it's playing at showcase in norwood, that's a big chain. maybe the only big chain that's carrying it. but they're being mighty selective about where they show it.

[ursaloco2.livejournal.com]

Not having it in tons of theaters causes the per-screen average to go up. While BBM was only #8 last week, it still has some of the highest per-screen averages. And it's opening weekend had the highest per-screen averages ever.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Ah, I didn't know that it was showing there, Yahoo! Movies only had it playing at Rookwood and the Esquire. My guess is that when it gets closer to Oscar time, some of the larger chains will be showing it.

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

sorry, my bad, i meant Kenwood not Norwood

I've been doing that alot lately

but you're right, it's a surprise hit, so more theaters will probably show it.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Ah, it's a sign of getting old.. or blonde.. (joke) :D

[jprtoronto.livejournal.com]

For some reason Gyllhenhelliquenxdfhdsc (my spelling is off) is nominated for best supporting actor in one of the major awards coming up pre Oscars. That surprised me. I guess the producers of the movie don't want the actors to cancel each other out a la Thelma & Louise so they are just hyping one of them and Jake gets the short end of the stick.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

You know, I guess I can sort of see him being nominated for Best Supporting Actor... if only to prevent one actor cancelling each other out... but yeah, I really don't see his role "supporting" Ledger's in the movie. They really were equals, although I personally think Ledger had a slightly better role and filled it out better. And I thought his mumbling was perfectly in character.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I hope they both get nominated. I think I can see Ledger being the Best Actor because he did get more screen time than Gyllenhaal.

POSSIBLE MILD SPOILERS...

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I can see why Ledger is considered "lead" and Gyllenhaal "supporting." The movie is really Ennis's story. He's the one who has a character arc. He's the one who grows and, finally at the end, makes some tentative steps towards intimacy.

In story terms, Jack serves Ennis's character development, but doesn't really develop much himself.

Re: POSSIBLE MILD SPOILERS...

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

I'd have to, at least generally, agree with you regarding the development of the story arcs. I think Gyllenhall does go through an arc of sort, but a lot of what happens to Jack over the 20 years is provided in bits and pieces, and not elaborated upon. One of the few aspects of the movie I didn't like with Jack's argument with Ennis at the end of the film. Gyllenhaal is talking about how hard it is for him to only have a few visits with Ennis a year... I really didn't feel like there a focus on how hard it was for Gyllenhaal's character. You see bits here and there... but its not to cohesive. Certainly you look at the trip Ennis makes at the end of the film and his subsequent conversation with his daughter, and you can see he's finally making those first steps to opening up.

Good News Mark...

[countrycub1979.livejournal.com]

....Jake is nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor. He should get an Oscar nod too as SAG award nominations are a good indicator for the Oscars! The Oscar noms are announced on Tuesday, January 31! I think he deserves to be nominated! I get the feeling that many cities are playing BB MTN in smaller, more independent theaters. The BB MTN website indicates this too. PF Chang's is awesome!!!!

Re: Good News Mark...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, fingers crossed that he does. He deserves the recognition too :)

[jbear70.livejournal.com]

I was impressed with the movie too. It was a good film to see and in the theater I saw it, and AMC theater, there was one straight couple that walked out. I felt bad for them considering they couldn't get past the love scene on the mountain. I found Ledger's mumbling annoying but I can see that it does make the character more believable.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL! One straight couple walked out? Did they not know what this movie was about? If they left after the first love scene, they missed the majority of the movie and the whole point of it. Rather sad, really.

Everyone in the theater I was in loved it, it was fun to listen to them talk about the movie afterwards in the lobby and the sidewalk, especially the straight ladies.

[jbear70.livejournal.com]

I think it was sad too. They did miss out on the bulk of the movie due to their fear and ignorance. It was funny how it happened though. They were in our row and the guy got up in a rather gruff manner and stood in the aisle and waited for his wife to come. It was obvious she wanted to stay.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't think straight women have as much a problem with it as straight guys, who are pretty predictable in these sort of circumstances :)

[jbear70.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more.

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

ironically enough, the Sunday paper up here had a spread by their local movie critic. he made a comment about Brokeback Mountain not playing here, hinting to the fact that it wouldn't bring any viewers in. alas, I probably will have to wait for it on dvd.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, the movie is getting almost all positive reviews. I think a lot of theaters are afraid to carry it because they feel they'll catch grief from the community. Hopefully, it'll play somewhere nearby for you :)

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

I can't believe that a movie lover like you has never been to the Esqure.
It is a cool theater. I love that Cincinnati has that.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I've strangely never been, but after having gone now I'll probably go more often. The Esquire is a really neat theater.