GAY!

Just to start I want to tell you I am not offended... because Im not gay, but I do disagree.
The way I took the Southpark episode was not so much the men of Southpark had become gay, but have instead re appropriated the parts of "gay culture" that they liked best. (metrosexuality). To me, this episode commented on metrosexuals and southpark's creators view on how its a stupid, retarded,ridiculous, and "gay" fad. Leaving Southparks real gays in an unrealistic yet comical position.

While I do think that pretty much all of the gays that proclaim themselves as homosexuals are "really really gay", I suppose there are some folks that have jumped on the "gay" fad. But seriously, I cant even imagine taking it in the butt for the sake of a "fad."

In regards to some people not realizing their bodies are made a certain way to assist in their lives....

I imagine gay people do in fact realize this...

The church tells them.
The law tells them.
The media tells them.
Society tells them.

Its my guess that they either don't care.
OR
Maybe it isnt a matter of realizing that their bodies were "made" a certain way, but that they do in fact have an uncontrollable feeling, that while alien to us, is none the less just as valid as our own.

And honestly, where the hell do we get off trying to dictate how a virtually non violent culture lives their lives.

Vivre et laisser vivre!

South Park. . .Homosexuality

The South Park episode today in class kinda hit home the idea of the 'trend' of homosexuality for me. I was sick so I didn't post on Broke Back Mountain except a few minutes ago, but this really illustrated what I was thinking when I wrote my blog.

I think when something new becomes prominent in the world, everyone wants to be a part of it. I mean isn't this how cults start (Jonestown, etc)? Really, some people just agree with a cause because it is new so it makes it fab.
I do applaud Kenny and his mom for sticking up and not being brainwashed by the media and the portrayal of Homosexuals on t.v. These two along with the chef have a good head on their shoulders, and stuck with who they were. This episode also gives a good portrayal of what the homosexuals might have felt like when they were the outsiders (i.e. Kenny), but unless you are secure in who you are you can't make other people respect who you are.

Why do guys wanna be the woman, and woman wanna be the guys? Do people not really understand their bodies were made a certain way to assist in their lives? Well, I really don't mean to offend anyone, but I do like to make my point. I apologize in advance if this is offensive to anyone, but it really is just my opinion.

Homosexuality. . . trend or lifestyle?

I totally agree this movie started out way too slow. I actually watched the beginning, not once, but twice, because I thought I was missing some big hidden meaning or something it was truly brutal. Also, before I watched the movie my parents told me a little bit about it, I wasn't overly shocked at the disturbance.

It seems to me this movie was trying to make a good point even it ruined my view of cowboys forever. Even though some say that the movie wasn't that graphic. . . it was way too graphic for me. I am going to pull out and qoute the Bible now, I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but this is what I believe of the matter. 1 Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is Permissable, but not everything is beneficial"

I think this can be applied to homosexuality, but not just this, to everyday life as well. In society it is now permissable to be homosexual, but how many people actually feel attracted to their own sex? I do believe that some people are attracted to their own sex, I won't debate why I think this is, but I do believe it to be so.

However, having said that I also believe that there are a number of people who have 'come out of the closet' that were never in the freakin' closet. I think that Homosexuality is a trend not necessarily a lifestyle.

Oh. . . on a personal note: I've never met a gay cowboy!

Brokeback Mountain

For me, this movie started out way toooooo slow. I really could not stand the silence at the beginning. I completely understand why Ang Lee insisted on the use of silence. It made the viewer focus on the nature surrounding the two men. Like we discussed in class, the landscape almost became another character, which I thought was really interesting because not many movies take the time to develop and emphasize. I thought Ang Lee used nature as an escape for the two men. No matter what they had going on in their lives with their wives and childrens, they were always able to escape Brokeback Mountain. Brokeback Mountain had so much open space and so few people that no one could judge them and look down on them for what they were doing. The only people's opinions they needed to be concerned about were their true feelings for each other.

Like I mentioned in class, I really didn't like the film at all, but I definitely appreciated it and understand why many people enjoy it and why it won so many awards.

The Epic Love Story...of 2 cowboys?

If I would not have been in this class I know that I would not have ever watched this movie. This would definitely been my loss because as the movie progressed I began to actually like it, which pleasantly surprised me. I didn't think I would ever make it through without falling asleep because the first 15 minutes seem like complete and utter silence almost.

I began to truly feel bad for Jack when came up to visit Ennis after he learned that Ennis got a divorce. The only excuse Ennis had for not being with Jack was Elma and now that it was no longer an issue, he came up with another excuse. It was as if no matter what happened, there would always be some excuse for them not to be together.

When Jack drives up to see Ennis after Ennis's divorce is finalized he is so ecstatic on his drive down. It was probably one of the happiest he is portrayed through the entire movie. It seems as though the timing is finally perfect and the two destined to be together will finally be able to make things work. The Jack arrives, and upon his arrival discovers Ennis's new excuse, his children. Ennis doesn't want his kids to know his secrets and drives Jack away. In reality, this is another way for Ennis to hide his insecurities and delay even longer admitting to himself that his feelings for Jack are more than just coincidental.

The two have the problem of terrible timing and this is no exception. A typical romance is the same way. Something always manages to get in the way of the couple being together. In some cases, it all works out in the end and in others it doesn't. Brokeback Mountain could almost be classified as a romance movie, possibly a romantic tragedy. The couple never live happily ever, but they still had an epic love story to be told.

Oh how the west was won

While I wanted to hate the movie before watching it, it did grow on me. The movie started very slow and awkward, which I find similar to any new relationship. For the first half hour the sexual tension was actually palpable, but still quite random. There never is any backstory to the man on man action, it just kinda smacks us in the face... Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The movie did ruin the "Cowboy" image for me. What used to be an image of John Wayne has been replaced with Heath and Jake hand in hand riding along alpine passages on horses. That's all I have to say about that.

The fact that they both seemed to have trouble living their double lives seems to speak of the times the movie took place in. I suppose some people's choice of sexuality is still seen as taboo but nowadays it's basically shrugged off. To hide who you are back then must have torn people apart.

Cowboys..A true love story.

Yes I like many of my classmates before me had a difficult time trying to get through the first part of this movie. Not so much for the sex between men (sex is sex) but between these two very masculine men. Not only are their characters but there real-life personal persona's as well.

Also besides the sex, THERE WAS NO DIALOGUE!! It drove me nuts. I kept staring at the screen, thinking "say something".

However after the initial sexual encounter (which was meant to shock and awe, and evoke the feelings that I'm sure most in the class felt), and the lack of a script, this movie was an endearing love story. (sorry I'm a romantic)

I was really waiting for someone to contract HIV or die from AIDS before the credits rolled and was pleasantly surprised (this makes me sound demented) to see that it was violence that led to Twists death. This highlighted the horrible end that many face for their decisions, due to intolerance, opposing views, or downright ignorance. But putting death aside the hate that consumes families, and the willingness to toss human beings aside is eye-opening. We all are aware of its existence, but this movie gives us a front row ticket.

Ughhhhhhhhhh Cowboys

I didn't like this movie the first time I saw it and still don't like it now. I hate cowboys...probably because I was forced to watch awful western movies with my grandpa as a child.

Ennis and Jack looked and acted like the typical cowboys. They were able to handle whatever nature threw at them: bears, hail, snow storms, rain, freezing weather, coyotes. Basically they were the tough, strong, handsome men.... all that is expected from cowboy characters. Throughout the movie each changed the myth of cowboys to be something more realistic while not completely abandoning the cowboy stereotype. The most obvious change to the cowboy myth in the movie is Jack and Ennis being gay and getting together for multiple years. Both Jack and Ennis had his own moment when he broke down and let the audience see his pain and emotions, which is a change from the cowboy myth who are ultra-tough men who have no sissy feelings. Jack challenged the cowboy myth when he traveled to Mexico to get a male prostitute. A true cowboy would never do something against the law like hire a prostitute but at the same time Jack is upholding the pureness of America, like a true cowboy, by having to leave the country to find a prostitute.

Ladies Love Country Boys…and so do men!!!???!!!

It’s no secret that I am from the country. It is also no secret that ladies love country boys, but recently from watching films such as Brokeback Mountain, I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and t.v. shows that deal with homosexuality I come to realize that even homosexual men love country boys. Country boys, but more especially cowboys, are the ultimate man, they can do anything, they can tame a horse, ride a bull, drive anything you want them to, and build just about anything you need them to.
When I first watched Brokeback Mountain, back when it was first released, I came into the movie not knowing anything but that it was about a couple of cowboys, so I got excited, little did I know what was awaiting me. However, this time around, I find the movie much harder to watch. What I don’t understand is how they could go back to their lives almost without a second thought about what is right and wrong; the right being honest with their women and to themselves. Perhaps they did it because it was what was seen as the right thing to do, by their families mostly, but also society.
I don’t care about your sexuality, you do what you want with whomever you want, but please don’t force me to watch the sex scene. That just made me angry because now Jake Gyllenhall and Heath Ledger are less sexy.

Cowboy Shenanigans

Well now this was a challenging movie to watch. I don't think I've ever had my skin crawl so often in a non-horror movie, quite a feat. Objectively speaking yes, the movie is "good" despite having what I find to be very unsavory content (seriously, surprise cowboy butt sex is NOT cool).

What I found interesting where the gender roles: Jack "wore the pants" so to speak, while Ennis, despite apparently being the pitcher (I think I just threw up a little in my mouth) fills the submissive, feminine role. Others may disagree, but that's how I saw it. I also found it hilarious how Ennis says he's "not queer" the morning after their first encounter, sure thing dude...

It's kind of odd to see something that saturates the media today be so forbidden in what is a relatively short time. Jack's brutal murder with a tire iron is kind of a bitter piece of irony in light of Ennis' story about the dead gay men that were murdered and left out to rot as an example. The fact that his father made it a point to show him (Ennis) and his older brother what happens to homosexuals was a surprising revelation late in the movie.

Could it have somehow had the opposite intended effect?

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

I have to start out saying, that although I am about to critique this film, I love this movie! Ha! And, the critiquing begins...

The most prominent feelings that I have during "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" are uncomfortableness and embarrassment. These feelings occur during the many times in the film that Andy Anderson pulls out all of the stereotypical crazy woman moves and tries to...well...lose her guy. The scene that makes me cringe most in this film is during the guy's poker night.

Not only does Andy barge into a "guy's night," but she leaves no stereotype unturned. First, Andy makes her entrance carrying a plate of cucumber sandwiches. This taps into the mother stereotype where she tries to make "her" boys eat healthy. As a girl, I would like to say, if someone took away my pizza and tried to feed me a cucumber sandwich, I would punch them in the face! Andy also makes Ben blow his nose! If that is not stereotypically a mother's role, then I don't know what is. Not to mention, Andy makes the boys put out their cigars.

The worst part of this whole scene, is when Andy cries, "You killed our love fern!" At that point, I was scrunching lower and lower on the couch because I was so embarrassed for her! No woman that I know acts like that!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that all of the female stereotypes in this film are extremely over-exaggerated, and as a young, independent woman, it sometimes makes me feel really uncomfortable watching them.

Bongos

Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey was arrested by Austin, Texas, police in October, 1999, and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after a neighbor called complaining about loud music coming from the actor's home. When cops arrived, they found McConaughey playing bongos and dancing nude...


Oh right about the movie... How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. As a disclaimer, I am slightly different from alot of males and sometimes enjoy a romantic comedy....But not this one.

So the movie is basically about to ADULTS making bets regarding the other's heart. I did that once.. in like 4th grade. Anyway yadda yadda they fall in love.

What annoys me is the idea that women have so much power they can "lose a guy" by doing certain things.

I found it interesting that she was a knicks fan and he changed diapers in the movie, both of which were kind of gender roles reversals.

Other than that, it was hard for me to watch and I fell in and out of naps.

How to frustrate every man in ten minutes of a movie

I understand the concept behind the movie, "Let's do something just a tad different with the typical love movie.... but not reaaaaally". The use of two fantastic looking people is beginning to get a little old, even for such a cliched movie style. While the whole career obsessed personalities aren't uncommon in today's society, lets be honest here, how many people look like that and are still alone?

There also needs to be a line drawn as far as the portrayal of gender roles in society. While I do enjoy sports and guzzling beer, I also like to cook, read, and take pictures. Not every guy chases tail six nights a week with his college buddies and lives in squalor. I guess I feel like at this time gender portrayal should be more nuetral.

Can these movies get any worse?

So yeah, I could only watch this movie in 15 minute segments which consequently made me forget a lot of it. The characters played by McConaughey (sp?) and Hudson where quite possibly some of the most repulsive examples of human beings I've seen in a movie. By the time the movie was finished I had become a master at suppressing my gag reflex.

That may be a slight exaggeration (very slight), but the characters of Ben and Andie are both so hyper-sexualized and stereotyped that it became ridiculous. Like previous posters have pointed out Andie is the sterotypical whitebread blonde-haired "hottie" that is both confident AND subversive, bringing to bear what the wisest dwarf of all called "wicked wiles" to get what she wanted. On the other hand, Ben is a super competitive asshole that goes to great lengths to win and is apparently obsessed about professional American sports.

The fact that some people buy into and embrace these stereotypical characters so wholeheartedly is profoundly disturbing.

All Men Love Sports

A lot of people have already took a look at the the women's perspective in this movie and how many of the stereotypes of women's roles in relationships have been broken down, but I decided to take another approach and take a look at how Matthew Mcconaughey's character is presented.

I just want to say that I absolutely hate Matthew Mcconaughey and think he is an absolutely horrendous actor with limited range, but that is beside the point. (This clip from Family Guy sums up my feelings on Matthew Mcconaughey completely.)

Though the movie presents a couple different female characters and explores relationships from their point of view, I feel as though How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days only represents one male character and unfortunately every man on earth is represented by Matthew Mcconaughey (Ugh.). The movie shows Mcconaughey as a hyper-competitive, insensitive jerk. I think the funniest representation of men came in a line in the first few minutes of the movie:

Mcconaughey: That's why I didn't go for the gold immediately.
Friend: Oh.
Mcconaughey: I'm taking my time. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Friend: Ten days is a marathon?
Mcconaughey: Okay, so it's more like a 300 meter hurdle. The point is, she's already on the ropes, guys.
Friend: Wow, that's a lot of sports analogies.

I thought this part of the film was absolutely ridiculous. The writers of the film used 4 sports metaphors in a matter of about 15 seconds and used these analogies to describe his relationship with a woman. As the only representation of men in this movie (I know there are other men, but they don't have any major scenes unlike the other women represented in the movie), it portrays men in this hyper-competitive, sports-obsessed light that are truly not a representation of the gender.

All's Fair in Love and War

How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days a great movie breaking all the clichés about women in relationships, and some clichés about women in general. The first cliché broken is the stereotypical blonde joke. Her first act was during the Knicks game, she was super cool during the entire game, then 1 minute 9 seconds left she begins to use a nickname and becoming demanding, she wanted a soda bur didn’t specify and forced him to go back and get another soda missing the last seconds of the game and pissed him off, but unfortunately he had to or he would of lost his bet. But the best was her third act in which he invited her over cooked lamb and watched the game while she redecorated the apartment; put pink everywhere with teddy bears and a new comforter and then she told him that she was a vegetarian. He took her out to eat at a vegetarian restaurant, he missed the game and she would sneak back to the kitchen watched the game and ate a hamburger. What cracks me up is throughout the movie after each act that is the completely repulsive acts even gross her out. This just goes to prove that the stereotypes that some men have of women are completely wrong! Andie is the perfect woman, who I believe every woman should strive to be more like. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, she sticks up for herself, especially to her boss, to me she is perfect, when she wasn’t playing a psycho.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days...Typical Portrayal of Women

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a typical romantic comedy. . . now that I know what I am looking for. Chick Flicks aren't my favorite, so until we saw trailers in class I had know idea what we were looking for in these films.

Anywho, it is definitely apparent that there is a gender specific role in this film. The woman has to be tall, blonde and beautiful. The Guy has to be sporty, clean-cut and have a 6-pack. This movie was very sexual with the multiple scences of romance (probably why it is called a romantic comedy), but not just that. . .the scenes of the Ben's abs and the low cut dress that Andie wears, not only exposing a significant amount of the front, but a generous portion of the back. All the very successful women in this movie use their body to get what they want.

Ben's boss almost gives the "diamond deal" to the women, but then Ben breaks up the party. During this scene the dark haired women sitting to the left of Ben's boss is playing with the necklace she is wearing, that extends down into her clevage. Thus, trying to seduce her boss into giving her the deal.

Thus we get the portrayal of the sexuality women and men use to get what they want. the body is the power!