Celebrating One Year of the Brokeback Forum

[CellarDweller115]

Celebrating one year of Brokeback Mountain

At this time last year, Brokeback Mountain made its appearance in the theaters of America.  Also, the Ultimate Brokeback Forum made its appearance on the internet.  To mark this occasion, we are presenting a list of questions for you.  We hope that reading and answering them will help you take a walk down memory lane, and remember the beginning of the journey we all took because of this movie that touched our minds and hearts.



How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?



Had you read the story before you saw the movie?



When was the first time you saw it?



How many times have you seen the movie?



Did you get any people to go with you? How many?



Which character did you most identify with?



What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?



Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?



How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?



When did you first join the forum?



What made you join?



Do you remember your first post?

[CellarDweller115]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

I read an article online about a movie about gay cowboys that had just won the Venice Lion's Award, and found a link to the trailer online.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

No.  I had heard about the story, but I'm the type person who will read the book, and then see the movie, and think the book was better.  I didn't want to spoil the movie for myself so I didn't read the short story until after seeing the film.

When was the first time you saw it?

I saw it on Dec 26th, day after Christmas, 2005. 

How many times have you seen the movie?

12 times in the theater, and a number of times on dvd

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

My goal was to get all my friends to see it, so I ended up talking about 15 people over the 12 times.

Which character did you most identify with?

At the time, I identified with Ennis, because I was living a solitary life.  I didn't want to end up like Ennis, so now I act like Jack.  I am more open with people.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

To let the people that you love, know that you love them.  You never know when you will be saying good bye.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

I always viewed myself as alone, on the outside, looking in.  I now feel like I am inside with a great group of people, who accept and love me as I am.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

Google is a wonderful thing! 

When did you first join the forum?

On December 26th, about 2 hours after I left my first viewing.

What made you join?

I was looking for people to discuss this film with.  My friends had not seen it, and I was planning on taking them to it, so I couldn't talk about it with them without spoiling the movie for them.

Do you remember your first post?

It was in a thread called "Hiya Everyone".  I said it was good to see everyone here, and that my name was Chuck, and I lived in NJ

[daannzzz]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?
   I don't quite remember. I vaguely recall reading about it on the internet somewhere and being skeptical but because Jake and Heath (whom I had never seen before and I thought was just a cute, teenboy that the girls liked in fluff movies) had signed on I kept my eye open.



Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
   No.



When was the first time you saw it?
  I think it was shortly after New Years.



How many times have you seen the movie?
  8 Times at the theater and 4 on DVD.



Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
  I only got one good firend to go with me. He liked it. I did talk my sisters into going to see it early but they ar 600 ,iles away. They liked it. No one I know was "hit" by it.



Which character did you most identify with?
Jack.



What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
  Live life to the fullest. Take some chances and say what you feel. Tell people you love them.



Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
 It didn't really change my life. Just has tken up a lot of time.



How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
 I think I found the forum via a search engine while looking for more reviews and discussion, particularly since the Yahoo reviews were so fuull of hateful people.



When did you first join the forum?
  I think it was in the end of January.



What made you join?
 The forum was full of people who had been affected in a similar way. The discussion was friendly and intelligent and in depth.



Do you remember your first post?
  Sorry to say I do not.

[Ruby]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

I read the short story several years ago and it stuck with me.  My husband (who had also read it) told me they were making a movie, with Ang Lee directing.   We were both keen to see it when it came out. 

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

yeah

When was the first time you saw it?

January 2006

How many times have you seen the movie?
 
Twice at the cinema and about 8-10 times on DVD.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

First cinema viewing was with my husband, but I didn't have to 'get him' to come, he wanted to see it.  I have watched it on DVD with a few friends (who liked it, but didn't become obsessed)

Which character did you most identify with?

sometimes Jack, sometimes Ennis.  I can see aspects of myself in each of them.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

that love and loss are universal and if you find the former take a chance, and hang the hell onto it. 

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

No major change to my life.  I realise how lucky I am in my marriage and with my family and friends.   I have spent more time than I care to think about on the internet this year and seem to have developed a crush on a young actor (that's new and fun  !)     

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

somewhere during my mad 'Googling' of BBM and Jake Gyllenhaal.  I tried to resist getting pulled in at first, thought it wasn't my thing.   hmm, I guess the post count proves me wrong!  

When did you first join the forum?

early June

What made you join?

I had done all the reading about the movie I could through interviews and reviews.  Having read the critics' views and the actors' comments, I wanted to know what 'real people' thought of it.   I felt the need to move on from reading to 'talking' (and it felt rude to lurk without introducing myself  )

Do you remember your first post?

yes.  It was on the 'Introduce yourself' thread.

[ottoblom]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?
Maybe from Vanity Fair, about a year before it came out.  There was already a lot of buzz around Heath's performance.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
Yes, in '97.  Although I loved it, I'd forgotten things.  Jack's death was a surprise.

When was the first time you saw it?
Dec. 11, 2005

How many times have you seen the movie?
5 times in the theater.  A few times on DVD and once on HBO.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
Just a couple.

Which character did you most identify with?
Ennis mostly.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
Life is sad and lonely and really beautiful.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
Stuck.  A little less stuck now.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
I don't remember.  Probably Google.

When did you first join the forum?
End of December, 2005.

What made you join?
A lot of the posts were really smart and some were really moving.

[doggedstrength]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

I read about it in a movie trade publication.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

No.

When was the first time you saw it?

December 9, 2005 (opening day in New York City).

How many times have you seen the movie?

15+ in the theater; 15+ on DVD.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

I always wanted to see it alone.  I didn't want to risk/share my reactions with anyone else in person.  A straight woman friend had seen an advanced screening and she loved it, so I was able to share my reactions with her via email.  The same was true with my straight sister, who also was touched by it.  Otherwise, I rarely talked about BBM with anyone outside the forum for many months.  I understood that the experience was too delicate, intricate and profound to be discussed casually.

Which character did you most identify with?

Jack.  He tries hard to reach the goal he believes in.  So do I.  We may get only an unsatisfying fraction of what we try for, but we do keep trying.  That's how we grow.  Our path is painful but ultimately honest, even if we can't easily explain our journeying, our persistence, to anyone else.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

Watching that cloud-dappled blue sky in the opening scenes, I was reminded that we live our whole lives under only one sky.  We get one life, not several.  As that sky shifts in shape, color and intensity, we need to treasure every passing moment under it, even the grim or painful ones.  That's the only sky we'll ever make our way under, be pulled toward or be inspired by.  So, count the cost . . . never count the cost.  Cherish life, but don't hoard your reactions to it.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

Struggling blindly, flailing.  Struggling with firmer, more focused, determination.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

Goggle.

When did you first join the forum?

January 2006

What made you join?

I lurked for a while and then joined because I was deeply impressed with the seriousness and commitment of the posts.

Do you remember your first post?

Yes.  It was a tentative introduction of myself.  I talked about how valuable I believed the forum and BBM were and would remain.  Today I'm even more convinced of the enduring importance of both.

[mobody]

Celebrating one year of Brokeback Mountain

At this time last year, Brokeback Mountain made its appearance in the theaters of America.  Also, the Ultimate Brokeback Forum made its appearance on the internet.  To mark this occasion, we are presenting a list of questions for you.  We hope that reading and answering them will help you take a walk down memory lane, and remember the beginning of the journey we all took because of this movie that touched our minds and hearts.



How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

Gah, kept hearing on the news about a "gay cowboy movie" and saw an article in Entertainment Weekly.  Always loved Heath Ledger and knew I had to see it.



Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

Yes, got the book when I started reading about the movie coming out. I knew the story would be better than the movie as a rule, so wanted to read it first.  Of course, I was blown away by how much of the story actually made it to the screen.



When was the first time you saw it?

January 6th.



How many times have you seen the movie?

11 times in 14 days in the theatre.  Too many to count on DVD.  I watched the bootleg of the DVD everyday and sometimes more for about a month. 

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

No.. no one would go with me.


Which character did you most identify with?

Hard one, but both Ennis and Jack.  Because I used to have the hopefulness of love that Jack held onto till the end, but I felt like Ennis in the need to be private and hide away.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

That sometimes there are no second chances, and you can't turn your back on love, no matter where you find it.


Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

I was alone, just got fired from a job, and feeling like life was never gonna get better.

And now, I have friends, I have this forum and I am not afraid to live my life.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

Googleing BBM and found a bunch of sites, lurked for a long time, then signed up to get to the slash.



When did you first join the forum?

I was on in December, but didnt register till April


What made you join?

Fanfiction, baby.

Do you remember your first post?

It had to be something about Fanfic

Went and looked, it was about Somebody New.  Typical me, jump in with both feet like I belonged all along.

[t_wistfulheart]

Celebrating one year of Brokeback Mountain

At this time last year, Brokeback Mountain made its appearance in the theaters of America.  Also, the Ultimate Brokeback Forum made its appearance on the internet.  To mark this occasion, we are presenting a list of questions for you.  We hope that reading and answering them will help you take a walk down memory lane, and remember the beginning of the journey we all took because of this movie that touched our minds and hearts.



How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

Saw it on the Oscar nominees list.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

No

When was the first time you saw it?

February 27th.

How many times have you seen the movie?

13 times in the theater - unknown number by DVD

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

Two RL friends, individually.  Neither of them had good things to say.  So, I posted on Yahoo BBM group for local folks - and am now lucky enough to have some BBM friends. 

Which character did you most identify with?

I love Jack more than I know what to do with - probably because I'm more of an Ennis in my own life.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

Hard to put in a nutshell, since I'm still processing the heartache.  A general answer would be increased tolerance for people's differences.  On a more personal note, friendship and love is valuable - and fragile.  Not something to be taken for granted.  And also, I think, it's kept some hope alive that the Jack/Ennis kind of love is real and it's out there.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

A week before my divorce and a couple weeks before my 40th birthday.  I'm still trying to find some sort of life that has meaning - outside of my work.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

I heard it mentioned by people on Yahoo BBM who read fan fiction.

When did you first join the forum?

July?

What made you join?

I'd already found people on Yahoo to talk about the story.  Here at DC I found people who were healing through writing and reading more stories.  Exploring the what ifs.  Holding on through the reality. 

Do you remember your first post?

No, not really.  But I remember that Maggie (b73) was the first one to yell out a welcome to me by name one day - back when I still thought I was pretty much blending into the woodwork.  I was so surprised, I remember thinking she must be talking to someone else.   LOL

[chandra]

Hi my sweet Chuckie.....I'll play....

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?
Media, magazines, Oprah

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
No

When was the first time you saw it?
March 6th

How many times have you seen the movie?
2x in theater
40+ partial viewings on DVD

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
1st time-Best friend
2nd time-me alone in a theater matinee with 9 other lone women.

Which character did you most identify with?
Ennis!

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
First big one....life is too short. Grab hold of it before it is too late.
Bigger lessons I'm still learning every day.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
I thought my life was in a pretty good place......before BBM
Now, I admit....it is in a complete upheaval. I realized that "getting by" as I have for my whole life just isn't good enough. I need something more. In search of that.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
Google, March 7th

When did you first join the forum?
Lurked for a month....joined in April

What made you join?
Wanted to see what the heck was in the "juicy bits"

Do you remember your first post?
Took me months before I stopped lurking.....
It was in the "songs that remind me of Brokeback".
2nd post was to Adrian in the Lashes....his pictures took my breath away.

[paintedshoes]

Celebrating one year of Brokeback Mountain


How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

I read about the film on a Queer As Folk website.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

I initially read it when it first appeared in the New Yorker, but RL interfered, and I "put it away."  I read it again, a dozen or more times, after reading the initial information I found about the film.

When was the first time you saw it?

December 15, 2005

How many times have you seen the movie?

Twenty-one times in the theater, 12 times on DVD, most recently on my anniversary date.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

Oh, yeah, a few.  Hmm...six.

Which character did you most identify with?

Probably a little of both Ennis and Jack...I certainly have characteristics of each in my personality.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

"Well, I won't..." settle for beans in this life, not anymore.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

I was working at a job that I hated, with little or no time for my family and friends, let alone for myself.  I quit the job, and have been re-connecting with all those people and things I had neglected, especially myself.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

I was googling for anything I could find at all about the movie.  I found Dave's old blog back in August or September of last year.  I followed it to the new Forum when it opened.

When did you first join the forum?

After lurking from day 1, I finally joined on Jan 18th.

What made you join?

A post by Linda (killersmom). It helped me to realize that I could and should share my love for the film openly and with pride.

Do you remember your first post?

Oh, yes.  I felt so freed by the realization that there were others who felt as I did, who wanted to discuss the film and it's meaning for each of us.  Oh, and I said that I might not have much to say.   

[niims]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain? 
I read the short story a couple years ago. I heard there was going to be a movie from a Heath Ledger fan site.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
Yes.

When was the first time you saw it?
December 10th

How many times have you seen the movie?
Yeek ... so many I lost count. Let's see ... five times in theatre. Since I got the dvd, I'd say about 30-ish.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
In theatre, I saw it with one different friend every time, except the last time I went by myself cos I really needed to see it again. I convinced one of my friends to rent it though.

Which character did you most identify with?
Ennis.

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
Still learing them everyday, but I guess the biggest is that we can't let our fears run our lives.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
I was in a bad place, which is probably why it hit me so hard when I first saw it. Life is better now, I guess. I mean, I'm a bit more stable and less of an emotional basket case now than I was back then.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
I don't remember ... sorry.

When did you first join the forum?
Two weeks ago I think, though I heard about it a long time ago and just never got around to joining.

What made you join?
I finally got my ass in gear and joined up. I wanted to ... it's nice to chill with peeps from other parts of the world every now and then.

Do you remember your first post?
Aside from introducing myself, I think it was the one where I commended Vic for dissin the 'stache. But I do know that Jess was the first one to say hi to me.

[baileymoyes]

Celebrating one year of Brokeback Mountain

At this time last year, Brokeback Mountain made its appearance in the theaters of America.  Also, the Ultimate Brokeback Forum made its appearance on the internet.  To mark this occasion, we are presenting a list of questions for you.  We hope that reading and answering them will help you take a walk down memory lane, and remember the beginning of the journey we all took because of this movie that touched our minds and hearts.



How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

My English teacher sister told me about the story when she read it in the New Yorker and badgered me 'til I read it.  Boy, was I glad she did.



Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

Yes, I had.

When was the first time you saw it?

It was a few days before Christmas, during the first limited release.



How many times have you seen the movie?

Seven at the theatre.  On DVD, I have no idea.  Lots.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

My friend Joe went with me 'cause hubby was called out of town.  Eventually, got about nine or so to go at various times.

Which character did you most identify with?

Ennis

What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

Love yourself so you can love those around you as they deserve.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

I was hesitating on following a dream.  I'm now pursuing it.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

It was recced by a member.

When did you first join the forum?

Don't remember, sorry, but it was a while back.

What made you join?

It was the biggest BBM center on the 'Net.

Do you remember your first post?

Not really, but it was probably something utterly pretentious because I was nervous.





Modified by CellarDweller to fix quote issue

[melissasjack]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?
Ha! lol, I thought it was just about 2 guys doing it and I was like, wow is that hot, than I watched it and it was like being body slammed into the wall, all  the breath knocked out of me.



Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
Nope, I bought it the very next day and readit countless times in the next few weeks afterwards.



When was the first time you saw it?
I saw Brokeback on DVD on my bed, SOBBING for the forst time on May 23rd, 2006.



How many times have you seen the movie?
Oh shit. At least 50+ and I cry everytime, every time. My best viewings though were at Linda's BBQ and at the Slash Bash In Chicago...cuz I was with real family.



Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
Nope, I wish, never saw it in a theatre and wont til John's Oscar night up in Bay City Michigan the weekend of Feb. 25th....



Which character did you most identify with?
Jack. In a heartbeat. His hope.
and sometimes and esp. at fiorst, Ennis's despair.


What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
Nvere give up hope, never stop trying, love is worth everything, and love is agift, period. Also that I am lucky...and I have the power to be brave.




Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
Gawd. Thats a hard one. I feel better more me than I have felt in so many years, and zI have friends and family here that I trust with my life...Hell, I guess what Brokeback did was it made me realize how far I still have to go...so damn far but at least I have you all to help me along the way.



How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
Sheer dumb luck....some link on fanfic.net...was completely comp. illiterate...so lucky to stumble across here, OMG.



When did you first join the forum?
June 23rd, 2006....LOL!!!!!



What made you join?
I wanted to as soon as I found it....How could I not?



Do you remember your first post?
Oh yah. I'll never forget it. I was so lonely, so sad, so raw and aching....still crying every day, still couldnt eat...than I heard about the BBQ...I wasnt even here 2 whole months when I went to Texas...aw, my friends....LOVE YOU.

[royandronnie]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?

The September 2005 article in the New York Times. I wanted to see it because Ang Lee had made it and Heath Ledger was in it.

Had you read the story before you saw the movie?

No.

When was the first time you saw it?

April 3d. The day the DVD came out, I got it. A Tuesday. I was too chicken to watch two guys go at it on a public movie screen.

How many times have you seen the movie?

No idea. I watched it, full and in sections, for six or eight weeks, every night or so. At this point it's been a while, though.

Did you get any people to go with you? How many?

No, but I have since shown it to my mother, two couples, and gotten my housekeeper to watch it--with two twenty year old straight guys!

Which character did you most identify with?

Jack. But Ennis is in there too.


What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?

I didn't get a clear message or lesson--I already knew that being gay was something that has torn lives apart, and the terrible story of a great love at least partly wasted/thrown away wasn't a lesson I needed to learn. It was just a mesmerizing, beautiful and horrific experience that grabbed hold and would not let go. The lessons and messages I have gotten from Brokeback I have gotten here.

Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?

Brokeback wakened me from a creative doldrum that had lasted several years. And I have become even more an advocate of rights for everybody, and more angry when they are denied to gays. One thing that has definitely happened is a de-Ennisization with regard to meeting people. I now seek out fellow Brokeaholics wherever I go, because I have learned here that they are wonderful people. I have also become something of a humorist, and I can't tell you how much this student of human sexuality has learned about the gay side of it. On the negative side, I have lost whatever tiny shred of a claim I ever had to being a lady.

How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?

Not sure. I think I was looking for pictures from the movie. I remember getting onto IDMB and being intriuged at a question there about a deeper meaning to Lureen's line "husbands don't never seem to want to dance with their wives." But you couldn't get onto site at all without joining, so I didn't. I don't know if it was there or through another image I looked at that I found a reference to UBBG.

When did you first join the forum?

This was early May, a month after I first saw Brokeback.


What made you join?

Not sure. Perhaps seeing all the different categories and threads available for exploration of so many aspects of the movie/story.

Do you remember your first post?

How Brokeback Affected Me.

[TwistEnnis]

How did you first find out about Brokeback Mountain?
T.V./media discussion of it.


Had you read the story before you saw the movie?
Yes, many times.


When was the first time you saw it?
December 31, 2005


How many times have you seen the movie?
5 at theatres, multiple at home.


Did you get any people to go with you? How many?
Yes, 6


Which character did you most identify with?
Jack


What lesson/message did you get from the story/movie?
Life is short, live it for yourself.  Let your heart guide you.


Where was your life when you first saw the movie? Where is it now?
Busy, hectic...no time for "living".  Re-evaluating priorities in my own life.


How did you first find the Dave Cullen Forum?
Was disgusted when Brokeback lost Oscar for best picture and was looking for others who felt the same. 


When did you first join the forum?
Oscar night.


What made you join?
I wanted to vent my anger and find support.


Do you remember your first post?
Of course.