You are right Howie. People can call it the gay cowboy movie all they want but it is very important movie. I was watching the Celluloid Closet the other day and it shows how many obstacles gay people have had to overcome and how we were portrayed over the years as murderers and deranged human beings. Because these two men deny their feelings and go on to marry woman (as a lot of gay men do) they end up not only screwing up their own lives but the woman they marry as well.

I agree (although, I'm five years older) that it is a milestone in cinematic history. Sure there have been a few mainstream gay movies (The Birdcage) but nothing comes close to how this movie will break (or at least alter)mainstream gay stereotypes.

In that regard, I am excited about it. On the other hand, I have heard and read about so much about it, that I feel I already know too much of the story and I am not as excited as I was to actually see it. I love westerns, but this seems kinda boring, to be honest.

But, I am sure I will be there opening weekend. (At this moment, the part I'm most excited about is seeing Ledger's performance - have heard only great things).

Thank you. That's what I'm talking about.

Again, I guess I'm spoiled. Living in NYC, it's very easy to see something like that.

Speaking of which, I JUST got that from Blockbuster but have yet to watch it. I'm hoping I can add that to the list of the 3 that i like.

No plan to see it. I predict this will be a lot like Cinderella Man lots of critics will love it but it will not do well at the box office.

Thanks for weighing in on that. You will probably miss out on a good movie due to your limited opinions.
I've seen the previews too and of course they are trying to market it to more than the people that will actually go see (gay men).

So can I, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area but that doesn't make it any less important to Cinema history.

No, but it sure does to mine. However, I could understand why it would be a big deal to people who don't live in such a gay-concentrated area.

Really? How can you be so sure of a movie that hasn't opened yet. If this were anything else, you wouldn't give a shit. But everyone is so desperate for it to be good that they can't possibly believe that it might not be THE motion picture experience of the year.

I haven't seen it yet but neither has he. The point is, it is getting good reviews and I want to see it as many do here. The above poster said he simply did not want to see it. Period! No elaboration there. I can't say this for sure but usually people who say, only, Not gonna see it with out any further opinions is because of the subject matter not because it doesn't sound good.

*I've* seen it. Is it THE motion picture experience of the year? No way. Is it a good film? Yes. Is it worth seeing? Certainly.

But then, my motion picture experience of the year consists of me looking at still shots of ten skies and 13 lakes for 2 hours each.

Just finished reading the short story. While I know it has to be expanded for the big screen, I am sure they kept the tearjerker ending, and I can honestly say it is very moving.

Question for those who may have read the book:

That is a sign that she is a good author; she doesn't spell things out. I wonder if the movie will expand on this or keep it vague? I just finished the story about an hour ago, maybe it is something I should re-read.

I checked on IMDB and it listed Friday as the release date for this movie, but I have the feeling that is just in New York and L.A. Any word on when this will go wide or to other cities?

Friday is only NYC and LA.

Interesting. Tonight I was at NYU where I'm doing a show and I overheard 3 undergrads talking about the movie. One guy saw it and said it was excellent (I believe he was straight) and the girl said she wanted to see it as well. Unfortunately, there was one other guy (even more unfortunate, he's fucking HOT) who kept insisting that he "draws the line at hollywood glamourizing gay sex." He wasn't offensive about it, per se. But just kept saying that. The other two, realizing if they took the conversation any further wouldn't change a damn thing, dropped it and kept moving. The guy who had seen it said he wanted to see it becuase of Ang Lee and reiterated how good it was.

Its in SF too. Theres a midnight (11:55pm) showing Thursday night.

I'm guessing next week is the next tier of cities usually Chicago, Miami, DC. The week after that the next tier and so on.

All I can say right now is watch the anticipated reaction of Americans outside of the coastal areas to Brokeback Mountain, despite the artistic merits of the film. Homosexuality is still an extremely "hot button" topic among many Americans and negative controversy is something Hollywood wants to avoid for financial reasons.

For y'all who get dragged in by your girlfriend or wife:
MSNBC's Straight dude's guide to Brokeback Mountain

Oh yeah protesters will be out there. I find it stupid how some always seem to get their panties in a twist over 2 men kissing (OMG that's so horrible, I'm so threatened! What if some guy hits on me?), but 2 girls kissing (oh yeah take it off!! That's so hot! I wanna join in!). Yet most girls are so totally unmoved by 2 women kissing, it doesnt offend us nor threaten our sense of self. The 2 guys kissing might gross some girls out but they dont go nuts. Usually as long its not their man they dont care. I suppose it's just proof we live in a patriarchal society and that is our problem right there. Anyway off my feministic rant. I'm hoping I can get tickets for Friday. Then maybe Memoirs or Narnia for the Saturday. Busy movie month December is.

The film costs $16 mil. You don't think it'll make back its budget? Hah! And what negative controversy? Hell, how much did THE BIRDCAGE earn? Oh, wait, $100 million! What controversy!

Damn. We're getting a Landmark Theater here in Indy and I could've sworn it was going to have Brokeback Mountain when it opens this Friday. But now their website isn't showing it. Oh well. Count me among the confidently heterosexual men who are really looking forward to this movie and hoping it's as good as it looks.

For the record I wouldn't see this flick regardless of the gay content. Not a fan of anyone involved and it looks pretty manipulative in it's drama.

Be curious to read some reviews of how characters were portrayed - any gray area or if they're simply one dimensional types. For a 16 million budget I'm sure it'll do fine financially.

I guess he is more comfortable with swishy mincing gay stereotypes.

That was a comedy, not to be taken seriously. And there was no gay sex scene in that one.

VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY different situations.

But "The Birdcage" was not "threatening" to mass heterosexual audiences since it perpetuated stereotypes and the guys acted like mincing queens.

This film will rightly show that not all gay guys are flighty queens.

not unless your city is a top market city, it aint opening til the 16th. Our Landmark theatre in Bethesda Maryland opens it a week from Friday.

I'm sure Nashville will not get it until then as well. A straight couple I am friends with will be going with me.