thanks largely to two gay cowboys on the big screen . . .

[ptannen]

From today's San Francisco Chronicle -

The article is about a year of strides in the gay community, but there are two references to BBM:

This weekend's pride celebration in San Francisco caps a monumental year in the history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, with unprecedented advances on same-sex marriage and a constant presence in popular culture, thanks largely to two gay cowboys on the big screen.

and

For months, the film "Brokeback Mountain" captivated the nation and later won three Academy Awards.

The full article is at:  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/24/BAGCQJJFB017.DTL&hw=brokeback&sn=001&sc=1000

Pete

[Front-Ranger]

I thought it won four--best director, best soundtrack, ...what were the others? I think I have a mental block about the Oscars!

[Sheriff Roland]

it was three - best director, best screenplay (from another medium) and best original score

But why does it still matter?

[ednbarby]

it was three - best director, best screenplay (from another medium) and best original score

But why does it still matter?

To the media or to the rest of us?  I think I know what you mean - it annoys me that the media still make any reference at all to how many Oscars it did or didn't win.  If they had to mention awards at all, I'd much rather they say "the film, which received an unprecedented number of industry awards" than "..., which won three Oscars."

If you mean the rest of us, it doesn't matter to me anymore.  But then, the Academy doesn't matter to me anymore, either.  I guess I should thank them - that's three-four hours on at least one Sunday night a year I won't be wasting again.

(The important thing is I'm not bitter.)

[serious crayons]

I guess I should thank them - that's three-four hours on at least one Sunday night a year I won't be wasting again.

Me neither.

But I will need support-group help next year to get through the night and stick to my boycott. I used to be one of those shallow, celebrity-culture-warped "note the date weeks in advance, look all forward to it, make no other plans that night, buy a bottle of champagne" kind of Oscar watchers. Not that I put much store on who won (frankly, by the following year I would have forgotten the BP winner -- this time, of course, I won't). But I always loved watching. Now it's ruined.

[Ellemeno]

(The important thing is I'm not bitter.)

 

[Mikaela]

But I always loved watching. Now it's ruined.

You speak for me. I watched the thing in Europe (ie all through the night) with a fellow Brokeaholic, and we were quite devastated. Having to see Ang, Diana, Larry, Heath, Jake and Michelle (And Annie) sit there and receive that last dreadful slap in the face was as horrible a TV experience as I can remember.

I'll never care for the Oscars again - they've lost all credibility in my eyes. It pains me that my BBM DVD and the paper ads that I see these days (because the DVD is being released here now) make mention of the 3 Oscars.  Not rational, I know - but I'd rather they'd rise above mentioning them - they're certainly no badge of quality to me.

[ednbarby]

You speak for me. I watched the thing in Europe (ie all through the night) with a fellow Brokeaholic, and we were quite devastated. Having to see Ang, Diana, Larry, Heath, Jake and Michelle (And Annie) sit there and receive that last dreadful slap in the face was as horrible a TV experience as I can remember.

I'll never care for the Oscars again - they've lost all credibility in my eyes. It pains me that my BBM DVD and the paper ads that I see these days (because the DVD is being released here now) make mention of the 3 Oscars.  Not rational, I know - but I'd rather they'd rise above mentioning them - they're certainly no badge of quality to me.

And you speak for me, Mikaela.  Yes, that was as horribe a TV experience as I can remember, too.  I remember watching all of them through the beginning parts of it and seeing something in their eyes - I think they knew.  It tore me up, and I knew right then it wasn't going to win.  Yet I kept watching hoping somehow I was wrong.  Christ.  It was like a death march.

Call me for support if you need it, Katherine.  I used to be a champagne bottle watcher, too.  For the last 20 years, easily, Oscar Day was a bigger day for me than my birthday and 10 Super Bowl Sundays put together.  Not anymore.  Next year, I'll just be swallowing me a big, fat bitter pill and watching, if anything at all, Brokeback Mountain.  Better yet, I think I'll go out for a nice late dinner in the restaurant of my choice (that doesn't have any TVs), drink too much wine, and stumble to bed happy.

[serious crayons]

How bout this. Let's all of us who are here now, plus all of those who may come here in the future, make a vow.

No matter what happens between now and next March, even if a few of us (not many, I hope!) have dwindled or faded or become less than daily visitors here ... on Oscar night 2007, at some point, we will all get our own bottles of champagne (or refreshments of our choice), check in here, and provide each other moral support.

The ratings for the Oscars broadcast have been plummeting so much each year anyway that it would hardly be noticable, but I would love for the show to see a noticeable EXTRA dip in viewers next year -- and for the Academy members to know exactly why that is.

[ednbarby]

The ratings for the Oscars broadcast have been plummeting so much each year anyway that it would hardly be noticable, but I would love for the show to see a noticeable EXTRA dip in viewers next year -- and for the Academy members to know exactly why that is.

Oh, you and me both, sister.  I was so hoppin' mad in the early days after Black Sunday that I swore I would sign up to be a Nielsen family just so's I could tune every TV in the house into *something else* that night.

I'm in on checking in here, too, by the way.  And I don't think our numbers will have dwindled and our interest in the movie will have waned by then, either.

[Lynne]

I never cared a bit about Oscars until this year, but I'm down with the champagne and Brokeback Mountain plan.  Wee could compose a group letter to the Academy.  We'll have to remember to mark the calendar when the date is known.

It might take some moral support, though, because if Jake or Heath or their work happen to be nominated again, I would still be tempted to watch.  But it would only be to see them, because the rest of it holds no credence with me, of course.

[kirkmusic]

I've always been a huge fan of the Oscars.  They get it wrong as much as right, but I've found that all of the big critics favorites usually get nominated for screenplay at least.  So it's a good way to choose your rentals.

I'm gonna have one some day.  Don't know if it'll be for acting or songwriting or what, but something.

Like a dog that destroys your furniture, they ticked me off but I still love them.

[Mikaela]

No matter what happens between now and next March [ snip] on Oscar night 2007, at some point, we will all get our own bottles of champagne (or refreshments of our choice), check in here, and provide each other moral support.

The ratings for the Oscars broadcast have been plummeting so much each year anyway that it would hardly be noticable...

Good plan! One year is a long time in fandom terms, and much may have happened till then, I know from prior experience - but I *will not* watch the Oscars again.  Nor speculate about the winners and what not up-front. Even if Heath or Jake or Michelle or Anne are up for new Oscars.  Or even if I (what seems strangely improbable at this juncture) fall head over heals in love with another film that gets a slate of nominations.  I'd feel like such a hypocrite. Can't have it both ways. My opinion on the Oscars was set in stone for good and all when Jack Nicholson opened that envelope. That's what the AMPAS achieved - not only did they belittle the best film of the year, or rather of MANY years; - they also took away the future thrill of having a film or performance you really love win the Oscar. If the Oscar sells itself so cheaply, where's the thrill and joy in seeing someone win it? They reduced that golden statue to a future indifferent shrug.

So I'm in on the plan. Once the Oscars roll around again, it's certainly a good time to celebrate BBM.

[ednbarby]

Good plan! One year is a long time in fandom terms, and much may have happened till then, I know from prior experience - but I *will not* watch the Oscars again.  Nor speculate about the winners and what not up-front. Even if Heath or Jake or Michelle or Anne are up for new Oscars.  Or even if I (what seems strangely improbable at this juncture) fall head over heals in love with another film that gets a slate of nominations.  I'd feel like such a hypocrite. Can't have it both ways. My opinion on the Oscars was set in stone for good and all when Jack Nicholson opened that envelope. That's what the AMPAS achieved - not only did they belittle the best film of the year, or rather of MANY years; - they also took away the future thrill of having a film or performance you really love win the Oscar. If the Oscar sells itself so cheaply, where's the thrill and joy in seeing someone win it? They reduced that golden statue to a future indifferent shrug.

Yep.  They lost every last bit of credibility they had with me that night.  I'm like you, Mikaela - an all or nothing kinda gal.  I can't have it both ways, either.  I know it sounds silly to some (OK, many), but they broke my heart that night.  I can never go back.  Kirk, honey, I'll joyfully watch you win your Golden Globe and your BAFTA (and your Tony and Grammy, too), but someone will have to call me about your Oscar, 'cause I won't be watching that shite again.

[moremojo]

Never mind the Oscars--I can't even bring myself to watch any of the films that won over Brokeback! My sister borrowed a DVD copy of Capote to watch when our father was visiting us, and I told them that I just couldn't expose myself to it right now, with all my hurt feelings over the snub the Academy gave Heath, for what is indisputably one of the greatest movie performances ever. Same goes for Syriana and Crash--though I've heard good things about both (and also very negative things about the latter), while my sister was thrilled to see George Clooney's win for Syriana, saying it really was an outstanding performance. But so was Jake's in BBM--so beautiful and unforgettable. Brokeback deserved every award for which it was nominated, and its loss in some categories exposes the frequent mediocrity of the Academy's standards.

[ednbarby]

and its loss in some categories exposes the frequent mediocrity of the Academy's standards.

The Academy has standards?