The Variety ad started as a result of shock and disgust, and then people started to think in terms of how could they thank all the people involved in the film. The end result is a positive message that clearly shows the theme of the film, the thanks to the people who make it possible, and all the entities that thought it was the years best film. This ad is unprecedented; studios take out ads after an award to pat themselves on the back, fans don't. Well the fans of Brokeback broke the mold and said in no uncertain terms that they knew which film had the most impact in many peoples lives, which film is a landmark and will endure. Cheers for the folks who put their money up and had the initiative to put their positive message out.
# posted by  Anonymous @ 3/12/2006 12:12 AM  

 
"Ultimately people who begrudged Crash its trophy were suffering from a odd form of prejudice, believing homophobia was a more important issue than racism."

As a film buff, I begrudge Crash's trophy because Brokeback Mountain, and all the other nominees for that matter, were better films.
# posted by  Anonymous @ 3/12/2006 12:55 AM  

 
I have been a member of the Ultimate Brokeback forum for over two months and I contributed to the fans ad because we wanted to call attention to the fact that Brokeback Mountain has had a powerful impact on many people - it was more than "just a movie", and denying the film the Oscar for Best Picture does not change that. We also wanted to provide a reality check re: which film garnished almost all significant precursor acclaim, worldwide, as Best Film of 2005. Nothing that occurred last week has changed that either.
# posted by  Anonymous @ 3/12/2006 2:16 AM  

 
"Brokeback Mountain" was the Best Picture of 2005 - even though the Academy Awards didn't honor it as such. And it's a shame. I happen to be a straight man - 60 years of age. Who saw this film and was so taken by its message of LOVE. Fear, homophobia and downright ignorance kept the members of the Academy from voting for this remarkable film. I also heard many members refused to view it. Now that's intelligence!
# posted by  Anonymous @ 3/12/2006 10:18 AM  

 
A MODEST PROPOSAL to AMPAAS:

The Academy has sure got a "goddamnedbitchofanunsatisfactorysituation" on its hands here.

The Best Picture catagory is for clearly an award for up for sale, so why not just sell it BIG? List the nominees at the beginning of Awards, and let anybody and everybody bid for Best Picture award on Ebay in real time. That way the award doesn't just have to go to the producers, absolutely anyone with enough payola can snag a piece of gilded lead and use its accolade as the ultimate in product placement – your very own personal Million Dollar Baby!

Bidding would be entirely aboveboard, based on verifiable numbers, completely unimpeachable, no chance of aspersions of character - cash on the barrelhead.

Consider the possibilities before settling down to enjoy yourselves!

"DaimlerChrysler wins Best Picture award for Crash!"
"Microsoft wins Best Picture award for King Kong!"
"Mountain Dew wins for Cold Creek Mountain!"
"BritishPetroleum outbids bin Laden and wins BP for Syriana!"
"Finally, Oprah scores AMPAAS Cred with BP Nod for Beloved!"
# posted by  Anonymous @ 3/14/2006 8:10 AM  

 
Actually, the bidding scenario would likely go more like this:

"This Year's Important Film" wins the Microsoft Best Picture Award
"This Year's Director of the Second Most Important Film Award" wins the Pepsi Best Director Award
etc

At any rate, anonymous #1 is talking about which film had the most impact on them, which doesn't have all that much to do with which film is the "best." That forum is fine, people can get together and seeth over an injustice (that is done almost annually). I complained about "Crash" winning as well, only because I'd have voted for "Munich."
# posted by  Mark @ 3/15/2006 5:03 PM  

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