When good critics/pundits/journos go bad -- Who got it wrong on Brokeback?

[signalwy]

Hello:

There are two recent items relevant to Ebert and Roeper.

Ebert was in Madison WI this weekend. He have a film lecture and signed books. Pertinent quote from the story:

"(Ebert) probed the post-Oscar brouhaha by asking people who had seen both Brokeback Mountain and Crash to vote as to which was the better picture, and the crowd voted overwhelmingly for Crash -- Ebert's choice, as well as the outcome he predicted."

Here's the link: http://www.dane101.com/festival/2006/04/01/wisconsin_film_festival_2006_roger_ebert_in_the_peoples_republic_of_madison

And Mr. Roeper, in his usual smartass way wrote this in his March 31 column titled "Answers to Condi, Syracuse and 'Brokeback' outrage"

http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep29.html

Although he give the BBM a good review long ago, I am still annoyed at Roeper and his inane use of "brokeback" as an adjective in past columns.

[Zuraffo]

^^^

I propose we ex-communicate these two guys. 

[cms]

"(Ebert) probed the post-Oscar brouhaha by asking people who had seen both Brokeback Mountain and Crash to vote as to which was the better picture, and the crowd voted overwhelmingly for Crash -- Ebert's choice, as well as the outcome he predicted."

Here's the link: http://www.dane101.com/festival/2006/04/01/wisconsin_film_festival_2006_roger_ebert_in_the_peoples_republic_of_madison

And Mr. Roeper, in his usual smartass way wrote this in his March 31 column titled "Answers to Condi, Syracuse and 'Brokeback' outrage"

http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep29.html

Don't you find it odd Ebert brings this up himself?  Then to poll this audience who voluntarily sought him out (and presumably Ebert fans) to support his position?
It just looks a little defensive.

And Roeper - can't read any more of his stuff.  Dim bulb.  And annoying to boot.

[kcwin]

On Ebert and Roeper this week, Roeper's video of the week was BBM. Both critics were....careful...I know they have been slammed with venom for worshipping Crash. It was a little bit uncomfortable to watch them discussing BBM even briefly.

These two are so out of sync with their peers and movie goers (if box office gross is any indication). There are very few critics who like Crash over BBM, GNGL, Capote, and  Munich. Watching them discuss BBM would be like watching some politicians blow hot air to cover up some sordid affair. It's strange and sad that these two are the most visible movie critics in the US.

[AidanC]

I posted this in Main Discussion thread also.
Queerty is reporting a homophobic spoof carried out by the Toronto Bluejays invoking BBM in its fag bashing.
Scroll down to article "Toronto Bluejays -A Flock of Fools"
http://www.queerty.com/
Please write to the newspaper.

[britmax1]

To ask a group of your fans, who already know your deep love for the movie Crash, which movie they prefferred... Brokeback or Crash is just silly since we know what the crowds choice will be. Ebert is no sounding desperate for validation of his LOVE for Crash since a good percentage of critics and viewers disagreed with him, and even more so since the Oscar snub of Brokeback.

It burnt me up reading that article about the Toronto Bluejays.  This just has to stop. For too long relationships between two men has been open season for jokes from mostly the straight male with his rucksack of insecurities. It's just not acceptable any more. Men in this country need to grow the hell up!! They are worse than children. Look at the reaction from adult men in regards to Brokeback Mountain, it's been stunning in how infantile it is.  I think in the future when we look back, many will feel embarrassed at how we carried on about this ONE beautiful movie which seriously addressed intimacy between two men.  The Toronto Bluejays should hang their head in shame.  And I intend to write a complaint. Bunch of imbeciles

[Zuraffo]

^^^

A better response will be to write a congratulation note to their wedding.

If enough of us send in the congratulation, they will understand it is no joking matter and people do take it seriously, no matter how conceited it is.

[bnjmn3]

What can you expect from Bluejays who spend most of their time with well-toned men all juiced up on steroids and grabbing each other's asses.

[AidanC]

To ask a group of your fans, who already know your deep love for the movie Crash, which movie they prefferred... Brokeback or Crash is just silly since we know what the crowds choice will be. Ebert is no sounding desperate for validation of his LOVE for Crash since a good percentage of critics and viewers disagreed with him, and even more so since the Oscar snub of Brokeback.

It burnt me up reading that article about the Toronto Bluejays.  This just has to stop. For too long relationships between two men has been open season for jokes from mostly the straight male with his rucksack of insecurities. It's just not acceptable any more. Men in this country need to grow the hell up!! They are worse than children. Look at the reaction from adult men in regards to Brokeback Mountain, it's been stunning in how infantile it is.  I think in the future when we look back, many will feel embarrassed at how we carried on about this ONE beautiful movie which seriously addressed intimacy between two men.  The Toronto Bluejays should hang their head in shame.  And I intend to write a complaint. Bunch of imbeciles

Thanks britmax1! I felt the same way and wrote to the newspaper and club.I got a mixed response, the club whilst denying wrong doing did offer an apology, the journalist shrugged it off claiming I was the only one to write 
I feel we have to take a stand on this type of thing. Ignornant adults is one thing, but it really bothered me to think of all the impressionable kids who are fans of the Bluejays encountering sanctioned homophobia in such a way. If for no other reason we should be doing it for them. Thanks again and to anyone else who feels moved to write.
Am I posting this kind of thing in the right thread , by the way

[steve4922]

When BBM was snubbed, a number of people (including me) wrote similar emails to each of Ebert and Roeper about why BBM fans were so upset with its loss.  And we asked them to imagine that Crash had received the most Oscar noms, had won the DGA, the PGA, the WGA, the Golden Globes for best pic and director, the BAFTAs for best pic and director, and more awards from critics' groups for best pic and director than all of the other Oscar best pic nominees put together and multiplied by three.  And then imagine that Crash loses the BP Oscar to a movie that had won no major awards for best pic or director amid rumors that various members of AMPAS would not even see (much less vote for) Crash because it featured stories about African Americans.  How would Ebert and Roeper feel in that situation?  They'd both be screaming bloody murder.

I have never seen either Ebert or Roeper respond to these emails.  Has anyone else seen a response from them?

[BluCM40]

Studios Shutting Out Movie Critics
Tuesday April 4 2:53 PM ET

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20060404/114418758000.html

This worries me, without the critics who seem to know a good movie from the bad (E & R excluded), then are dear friends at the Academy who dont have to screen the movies they are voting on, can clearly pick a BAD movie if they wanted to, (like this hasnt happened before) I say the critics viewing is very important and should remain as is, other wise Academy brain dead persons will have free rein and great classic movies like our Brokeback wont even have a chance anymore.

The Studios are in ka-hoots with the Academy?

[Pierre]

this just solidifes the growing division between the Public's increased interest in empty bloated films and true artistic efforts which make you think.

[bnjmn3]

When BBM was snubbed, a number of people (including me) wrote similar emails to each of Ebert and Roeper about why BBM fans were so upset with its loss.  ...

I have never seen either Ebert or Roeper respond to these emails.  Has anyone else seen a response from them?

Roger was quite shocked about the negative reaction, but was always professional in his emails to me. Richard has been a whoreson bitch in the press about this though. It is surprising they fell for Crash, but they knew which film to pick for the Academy Award.

[Zuraffo]

Erm, there are always reviewers. So I am not that concerned about pre-release critiques. Besides, I would say to the studios, do your worse! A great film can stand on its own, marketing strategy aside.

Studios Shutting Out Movie Critics
Tuesday April 4 2:53 PM ET

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20060404/114418758000.html

This worries me, without the critics who seem to know a good movie from the bad (E & R excluded), then are dear friends at the Academy who dont have to screen the movies they are voting on, can clearly pick a BAD movie if they wanted to, (like this hasnt happened before) I say the critics viewing is very important and should remain as is, other wise Academy brain dead persons will have free rein and great classic movies like our Brokeback wont even have a chance anymore.

The Studios are in ka-hoots with the Academy?

[Zuraffo]

http://www.scott-o-rama.com/2006/03/07/brokeback-mountain-vs-crash-revisted/

Another conceited Gay man. I left a note. His account for Crash was quite... delusional.