tell you what... if I'm gonna be this obsessed, I oughta have TOYS

[nakymaton]

I joked about this on the NY Brunch thread, but was too much of a chicken newbie to post a whole new thread at the time.

But... well, a few people here know that my favorite hobby is being obsessed with things. A book, a movie, a piece of music. Usually not more than one at a time. Anyway, right now I'm working through this BBM obsession (and in all seriousness, Phillip, really, I'm also trying to make sense of why this particular movie through me for a loop and what it means and what to do with it).

Anyway, this obsession's got a lot going for it. Message boards. Conversations in movie quotes. Get-togethers from NYC to Wyoming. Bumper stickers. T-shirts. Fan fiction.

But you know what those other obsessions had that this one doesn't have?

TOYS.

I want poseable Jack and Ennis action figures. With removable shirts. And cans of beans. And hard-to-pack soup. And panicking mules. And buckets and coffee pots and harmonicas and tents that don't look right. And I want the Ennis action figure to come with shirt-tucking action, and the Jack action figure to go "Woooo-heeee!" when I push a button on his back (and then grab Ennis's face and try to kiss him).

And I figure I can't be the only one.

But I've thought of other toys, too. Like how about a pair of Aguirre's binoculars... that show exactly what he was looking at but we couldn't see. Or a coffee pot drum. Or... hmmm. I'm running out of ideas.

Anyone else getting a collecting urge, but too poor to buy props off of E-bay?

[Meryl]

Anyone else getting a collecting urge, but too poor to buy props off of E-bay?

Seriously, I would buy those action figures in a second (though they'd have to be good likenesses of the actors).  Some of my LOTR figures are perfect little works of art.  Back when we were doing the Brokeback Cult I was hoping they'd make some so we could have a little "nativity scene." 

If they would just produce the dolls, we could raid other toy sources to fill out their kit and wardrobes.  Somebody on YouTube did a little movie with their Star Wars figures dressed up like Jack and Ennis (the Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor roles), complete with tent, sheep and campfire and folksy music.  The guys got it on in a big way, too (lack of genitals be damned!).  One of YouTube's finest moments.    I wonder if it's still there.  I don't think I kept the link.

So far all I have is Jenny's two-hat silver necklace, a bandanna and little sheep, elk and bull figures from the brunch.  I also bought a little brass cowboy boot at an antique store, rationalizing that if we ever do a BetterMost awards ceremony, it would make a perfect statuette. 

[David]

Toys?   How about an anatomically correct action figure?

Do a web search for the "Billy Doll".   He was created just for the Gay market!  And he comes in many outfits.  But NO COWBOY though!    I suppose you could make your own?

Here is the description from one web page I found:

  Billy is a superior quality adult doll, with special attention given to realism. He is
13 inches / 32 cm tall, weighing 11.3oz / 320 grams. He is made from five precision molded body parts, so he can be moved and posed in many positions.

And I remember seeing these forsale at a local.....ah, um, adult store.  <Blush>
Let me tell ya!   This doll is HUNG!   he he he!

Here are a few of the types.









I'm sure someone creative could make a Jack and Ennis out of them!   

[Ellemeno]

Mel, I would love that too.  I remember a previous thread (here?  IMDb?) where some people expressed being very offended by this idea, I think that it besmirched the sanctity of BBM for them, but I love it.

[Kelda]

why do we need action figures when we have the cutesy lego figures that hug each other.. !?

can't remember the link but love those little lego men and their little picture board story!!

[MaineWriter]

why do we need action figures when we have the cutesy lego figures that hug each other.. !?

can't remember the link but love those little lego men and their little picture board story!!

Your wish is my command....

http://destinationdaniel.smugmug.com/gallery/1213678/1/56772264

Leslie

[Jeff Wrangler]

If the folks who brought us Billy and his friend (or friends--I forget how many there were, but I distinctly remember a hot Hispanic one at our local GLBT bookstore) have any marketing sense at all, they'll bring us Ennis and Jack--or at least two cowboys who look suspiciously like Ennis and Jack. 

Those Lego things are cute, but I want a really good statuette/figurine/whatever of "The Dozy Embrace," and I WANT IT NOW! 

[Meryl]

Those Lego things are cute, but I want a really good statuette/figurine/whatever of "The Dozy Embrace," and I WANT IT NOW!

Me, too! 

David, I've seen a Billy doll, and yes, he is hung!  In a pinch, he could fill in for Our Boys, but he's really too pumped up for that slim, rangy cowboy look.  Maybe Heath or Jake will do an action flick that spawns action figures that we can adapt.  Til then, I guess I'll stick with beans. 

I guess it's the cultural stigma that's kept toy manufacturers from producing these figures (who wants the Christian fundamentalists boycotting them and making a big fuss--they've got their hands full just with Harry Potter), but it could also be that Brokeback is basically a romance/drama, and I can't think of any figures made from movies like that (except maybe "Gone with the Wind" or something).  So it may be up to a small company to come out with some figures and art work aimed at a niche market.  To those who feel BBM is besmirched by such things, I say "cover your eyes!"  Affection takes many forms.   

[Jeff Wrangler]

So it may be up to a small company to come out with some figures and art work aimed at a niche market.  To those who feel BBM is besmirched by such things, I say "cover your eyes!"  Affection takes many forms.   

That's more or less what I had in mind, Meryl. I regularly get catalogues with reproductions of famous statues and other works of art--the Toscano catalogue is the only one I can think of at the moment. I guess some people might consider those reproductions cheesy. I don't. They seem well done, and they aren't inexpensive, either. Anyway, that's the sort of thing I had in mind for a statue of "The Dozy Embrace." I don't think a well-done piece of art, with figures that actually look like Heath and Jake, would in any way "besmirch" BBM, but to each his own. And there must be a niche market for something like that. This is at least the third time I've participated in a discussion on this subject!

[Meryl]

I don't think a well-done piece of art, with figures that actually look like Heath and Jake, would in any way "besmirch" BBM, but to each his own.

I agree, Jeff.  Lord of the Rings fans were blessed with a huge array of figures to choose from, varying from horrible to good.  Here's one that I thought was well done, though.  If the "Dozy Embrace" was of a similar quality, it would be nice to have: 
 
http://www.sideshowtoy.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=9305&type=&category=lotr3

[nakymaton]

To be serious for a moment, I go back and forth about whether to even joke about things like this -- the movie is just so incredibly personal to so many people, and I want to tread lightly where such strong feelings are found. And, to be honest, I'm not really a collector (in fact, I think Meryl knows that I have a tendency to either roll my eyes or run away screaming when the Frodo dolls appear)... but I love the idea of collecting stuff, even if I don't do it myself.

And, yeah, those Billy dolls are too built for my tastes, too. (Hung is ok, but I think the human neck is a lovely thing.) I would prefer dolls with the rangy good looks of Heath and Jake, as well. (And they need Heath's dimples. And Jake's eyelashes.)

I saw the Legos thing a while back -- yeah, they're cute. Especially the Lego tent and Lego sheep and the Aguirre with the little mustache. Didn't see the Youtube thing, but I've got this nasty slow internet connection, and it takes half an hour to load a Youtube video so I can watch the thing, so I skip most of the links. (The "lines visualized" thread loads too slowly for me, too, unfortunately... I could use that outlet for my humor.) I remember also seeing somebody selling a "BBM action figure set" on E-bay at one point -- I'm not sure what dolls they used for Jack and Ennis. (Maybe a couple of different Ken dolls? The picture wasn't great.)

I don't think R-rated movies usually get action figures. The toy makers assume that their target market is under 17 -- though I think the Lord of the Rings marketers eventually figured out that adults were buying the toys. But they still think that the market is just obsessive geeks, and that people don't get obsessive about romance/drama.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I don't think a well-done piece of art, with figures that actually look like Heath and Jake, would in any way "besmirch" BBM, but to each his own.

I agree, Jeff.  Lord of the Rings fans were blessed with a huge array of figures to choose from, varying from horrible to good.  Here's one that I thought was well done, though.  If the "Dozy Embrace" was of a similar quality, it would be nice to have: 
 
http://www.sideshowtoy.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=9305&type=&category=lotr3

Meryl, that figurine of Sam is very nice--exactly what I'd like to have of Ennis and Jack. The link shows, too, that it certainly wouldn't come cheap.

[David]

Of course,   you can make do with the Male Barbies!    LOL   Or are they G.I. Joes?

I found these on the Net.

[Meryl]

HAHA, David, those are fun!  Who knew Ennis would be the type to highlight his hair?  I guess Jack brought out that side of him. 

Actually, that last picture isn't far from the mark.  Just add better clothes and hats.....

[Mikaela]

I'm sorry there isn't any BBM merchandise as well. Of course - you know me. I'm always ready to vote with my wallet.

What I'd like to see, is some special and distinct BBM piece of jewellry. Also I'd love a large good quality poster featuring the dozy embrace. I'd put that up on my wall right away, no hesitation. The official film poster is lovely, too, but erm.... I think the dozy takes the prize *and* the cherry cake.

However, reading through this thread I realized that nothing would beat this one already proposed, however much it caters to the embarassingly prurient side of me:

a pair of Aguirre's binoculars... that show exactly what he was looking at but we couldn't see.

If the deluxe edition of the binoculars also came enhanced with a significantly extended SNIT scene, I wouldn't ask for much more.  I would be utterly speechless, so in fact I *couldn't* ask for anything more!

[Ellemeno]

Mikaela, your avatar is the sexiest moment in all moviedom for me, when Ennis pulls away and is churning and heaving for breath.  Sarah Henrypie once said something like she's surprised his shirt isn't suddenly inside out at that moment.

[Mikaela]

I couldn't agree more.

when Ennis pulls away and is churning and heaving for breath

       .....and Jack is hanging on for dear life, almost pulling that shirt off, and focused on reaching Ennis's mouth and staying there.


Yes, all that *is* the reason for my avatar. No point in denying that! Should have won the two of them those acting oscars on the merits of that scene alone!


ETA: For the sake of keeping thiws on topic, what about a small gadget that would beam forth a 3-dimensional projection of Jack and Ennis re-enacting the reunion at the push of a button? *I* would have bought one!

[newyearsday]

What I'd like to see, is some special and distinct BBM piece of jewellry. Also I'd love a large good quality poster featuring the dozy embrace. I'd put that up on my wall right away, no hesitation. The official film poster is lovely, too, but erm.... I think the dozy takes the prize *and* the cherry cake.

Ditto on the poster comment Mikaela. I just wanted to show you the necklaces I made for myself and Meryl and a few others, that you might want. Here's a picture of it:


I could make one for you if you are willing to wait a while till I finish the three that I'm still working on (time, there ain't never enough, you know.)

Let me know! 

p.s. the little ring that makes one of the hats hang lower than the other has detail and texture on it that makes it kinda look lasso-ish, which I totally LOVE, since that's one of my favorite parts of the movie and a big symbol of their love.

[nakymaton]

ETA: For the sake of keeping thiws on topic, what about a small gadget that would beam forth a 3-dimensional projection of Jack and Ennis re-enacting the reunion at the push of a button? *I* would have bought one!

Heh. I would not react like Alma did, that's for sure.

[Mikaela]

**Pounces**

Newyearsday, I'll PM you. 

[Mikaela]

**Has just surfed around a bit with my morning cup of coffee**


So, it seems a miniature golden popcorn thingie or two could be added to the relevant BBM merchandise.

Would go very well with my avatar.

 

[nakymaton]

So, it seems a miniature golden popcorn thingie or two could be added to the relevant BBM merchandise.

Given that the MTV awards are voted by the general public, online, with no attempt to prevent multiple votes ... I would say that the BBM fans just won the "most obsessed fans of the year award." Did any other movie win for all its nominations?

See... we're more obsessed than Harry Potter fans. We clearly need toys.

[starboardlight]

Of course,   you can make do with the Male Barbies!    LOL   Or are they G.I. Joes?

I found these on the Net.

those look to be Ken dolls. GIJoes didn't have individual hair strands. Their hair was just part of the plastic mold of their heads, painted a different color from the flesh tones.

[Front-Ranger]

If I'm gonna be this obsessed, I oughta have...nakymaton!! 

[chefjudy]

  funny thing about being obsessed: I still have the same Jake and Heath pics as my avatar on my mac at home as wallpaper and on my pc, I have a photo montage of Jake - my kids think I have lost it with my obsession - I laugh it off, and maybe someday I will change it, but not now - I still love those guys and their story and am not ready to give it up yet..........

to add some toys to my collection of BBM books, cds, dvds etc would be awesome - would complete the collection I already have

[Daniel]

That'll be the next thing for the performance artists on the thread.... We'll do the story over again, in pictures, with the dolls.

That'll be fun.