SALT LAKE CITY
- A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film "Brokeback Mountain." The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

A message posted at the ticket window read: "There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing 'Brokeback Mountain.' We apologize for any inconvenience."

Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, declined to comment.

The film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who discover feelings for one another. The two eventually marry women but rekindle their relationship over the years.

The movie's distributor, Focus Features, said that hours before opening, the theater management "reneged on their licensing agreement," and refused to open the film.

Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said not showing the film set an example for the people of Utah.

"I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show," she said.

Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, called it disappointing.

"It's just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias," he said

Yahoo! news item:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/a...k_canceled

Welcome to my world.


I saw this coming as soon as I started hearing more info about the movie.




[Edited 1/8/06 17:35pm]

Nothinbutjoy said:

Sad huh? Last time I checked it was the 21st century.

BananaCologne said:

Not in Utah!

yes, very sad....I'm not really surprised, because of the state....but come on.

I live in SC...and it's not playing here either. Well, I haven't seen it at any theaters around here. I don't know if they officially banned it or not. I wouldn't be suprised if they did though. Hostel.....a film about blood,gore and torture is playing across the state though.

AnckSuNamun said:

...ain't that a bitch?

AnckSuNamun said:

USA USA USA

Fuckers, it's not being played in my city either. And many, many, many more cities in the States. They can show that "Hostile" shit and not this!? Let me decide what I'll see or not.



It is going to clean house on all the awards shows.

CynthiasSocks said:

when is it academy season again? is that soon?

bkw said:

More like Red States, Red States, Red States

It seems to be doing well where it's playing, but it's very limited in comparsison to something like "Hostel" (or "Saw 3"), which I'm shocked that Christains aren't calling for to be pulled from theathers. I guess dismemberment is fine.

utah...ain't that where most of the polygamists live?

meltwithu said:

yeah, them and their wives don't like gay cowboys!

VinnyM27 said:

It's playing here in Nashville, TN. Tennessee is a "red state."

nilegettolrahc said:

nominations are at the end of this month!



it's like my superbowl.

brokeback is gonna rake em in too

I brought the book yesterday!!

unbelievable.

dawntreader said:

Not really.

Cloudbuster said:

i guess you are right. i have never been there!

should be unbelievable.

:::waits for Lovemachine to inquire WHY this is even a story & what the reason is for posting it here:::

good for larry miller. banning something is a great way to publicize it...and for free!

Sad, but not surprising.


It was supposed to be playing at one of the theatres here, yet it's a month after realease and it hasn't surfaced yet. When I called and asked about it, the manager fed me some crap about distribution blah blah badf market blah blah....I don't even remember what he said really, except that it sounded like bullshit.


Hostel's playing at every theatre though.


The lesson? Love=bad. Gore=good.

FINALLY started in Alabama. In ONE theatre!! Like another post said, Sad but not surprising.

I went yesterday (Sunday) and my showing was sold out!! Also sold out on Saturday.

I was so happy. I believe they didn't think anyone would show up. Sorry, it was full.

Attention Mafia or anyone for that matter:

Just in case you want to voice your opinion or be an active representative. I just spoke with the Megaplex in Utah.

All letters or comments should go to:

Denny Haslam - General Manager
Megaplex 17 @Jordan Commons
9400 S. State St.
Sandy, UT 84070

I will sending them a little letter today thanking them for the free publicity. I want to tell them that even though it is only showing on one theatre here in Birmingham, we still have a CHOICE to buy a movie ticket or not. And all of our weekend showings were sold out.

If you don't want to see it, don't buy a ticket. I don't want to see Fun with Dick & Jane, but I have a choice. I can here Michael Moore starting his new documentary, 'Climbing the Mountain.'

.
[Edited 1/9/06 7:38am]

i think we should write ang lee a letter reminding him to thank these intolerant theatre owners for the free publicity when he accepts his best director oscar!

listen to this SHIT.

http://www.albertmohler.c...2005-12-09

i also posted this on the thread in P&R.

jthad1129 said:

damn! country ass Bama.

Anxiety said:

That was my first thought. Controversy can really help a movie.

I find in really sad. I took my friend to see it yesterday. He's from the Fresno area of California. It's very agricultural there and ass-backwards. He loved it.


M

dawntreader said:

Oh my God!!! That pissed me off and I only listened to 2 minutes of it.


M