It's no secret I have conflicted feelings about Utah, the state I was born and raised. On the one hand I love the mountains, climate, and my friends and family but on the other I CANNOT stand the self-righteous culture that so regularly prevails. Here is the most recent example:
"If you're looking forward to seeing...Zack and Miri Make a Porno this weekend and you live in Salt Lake City, you might be out of luck. Utah Jazz and Megaplex Theaters owner Larry Miller has refused to book the film. The chain's spokesman Cal Gunderson expressed concerns about the film...citing the film's 'graphic nudity and graphic sex.'"
"The company's standards seem a little odd considering that the chain had no problems screening ultra-violent fare like Saw V, which features beheadings and explicit self-mutilation. When asked why Megaplex Theaters did not object to the gory horror sequel, Gunderson had no comment. In fact, the film's raunchiness level is comparable to that of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Sex Drive, all of which screened at Megaplex theaters."
"This isn't the first time Miller's company caused controversy by banning a movie. In early 2006, Miller pulled Oscar-nominated movie Brokeback Mountain from the screens when he learned that the film was a gay love story between two cowboys. He later stated that he regretted that decision."
"As a footnote to this story, this past weekend an audience full of children and pre-teens expecting to see the G-rated High School Musical 3 at one of Miller's theaters in South Jordan, UT were surprised when the beginning of the R-rated Sex Drive, which features nudity and swearing, was shown accidentally. But at least they didn't see Seth Rogen in his underwear."
-Johnathan Crow, Yahoo! Movies
Ironically, according to LDS doctrine murder (something so prevalently grotesque in a movie like Saw V or Hostel which was playing during the Brokeback Mountain debacle) is the greater sin. Hm, go figure. So, even though I really did not need another reason never to return to Utah I just got one. Thank you ever so Holy Larry Miller.
4 comments:
Well I will at least give props to old Larry for banning one sex based movie. He may not be perfect, but at least he is trying. I think that is the whole point of being mormon is to try to do what is right. But, unfortunately for Larry H. Miller his faults are wildly known because of who he is. I don't know why you hate Utah so bad, but I love it.
i agree with the above post. i think you can find the people you describe in Utah everywhere, and i don't believe you necessarily think you find it more in utah. i know Larry Miller personally, and though i don't think he is perfect, at least he has some kind of moral code he is trying to uphold. more than i can say about a lot of people. and the more i live away from utah the more i'd like to go back...but i guess i'm one of THOSE mormons. :)
Come on! You don't think it is a tad hypocritical to deny a movie about a couple friends making their own porno for money but allow a movie about a psychotic killer that makes his victims saw off their own body parts in order to live! Let's face it, their both wrong so if you say one is not allowed then none should be allowed! As for Mr. Miller, I'm sure he is nice enough and I never said he thought he was perfect. In fact I feel bad for him for two reasons:
1. I don't know how he'll explain to God that some rated-R movies are ok but others are bad.
2. Like so many wealthy people it might be hard to explain to God why he did not give more money to the needy as commanded by God.
You said it Daniel! I agree with you 100%. I have SUCH an issue with it being okay to watch such grisly horror but not okay to watch two people having (simulated) sex!!!
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