bloggers: Go See Milk
I almost never get out to see movies anymore, not really sure why that is. Either its the cost or the reviews or lack of real interest when it comes right down to it. I’m usually fine picking it up on Netflix or waiting until it shows up on cable, but this post by Michael makes me think I should really head out and see Milk:
By the time I was halfway through the movie, I was hooked, and very emotionally invested in the people, always wondering what was going to happen next. When I saw Anita Bryant show up on the screen and start in with her right wing religious bullshit, I actually growled a little bit without even consciously thinking about it. No one has gotten me to react like that before.
I haven’t read any reviews yet to see how the scales balance between historical, drama and biopic for the film, but it’s hard to deny the relevance of retelling the story, especially lately. As I mentioned before, history is not my thing, but for events that took place within my lifetime/youth, I do try to learn as much as I can about them. Sad fact is that before I was 8 or so, I was unaware and after that I just didn’t much care about anything happening beyond my backyard. Ask me anything about the Atlanta Child Murders and I can go on at length. Watergate tho? I got nothing.
Since the film broke through from limited to expanded release, it will be a lot easier to catch. I just doubt that I’ll be able to catch it over the Xmas break–a quick check of theaters in South Carolina confirms that… wonder why? 😉 But it could make a good treat for myself when I return.
I’m going to see it, but I know it’s going to make me homesick for SF. (Insert sad face here)
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I went to see it a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. The parallels between the struggles of gay people then and the struggle for equal marriage rights now is very poignant. Definitely make it a point to see it when you get back. FYI, I’m flying into Columbia, SC to get to Georgia for Christmas. I didn’t know you were from SC!!!
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If it makes it to CC while on the big screens me and a group of friends will go see it, otherwise it wont happen and we might be better for it as we all know how history gets disorted on the big screen. But we do want to see it, the question is do they want “us” to see it?
@William Mize: I think seeing it might have me wanting to make a trip back to San Fran myself.
@Shaw Girl: I grew up in Atlanta, actually. My parents just live in Greenville now. 🙂
@Lolypup: I doubt that anyone who spends that much on a film is concerned whether we see for any reason aside from that of recouping their investment. — And winning some awards, of course.
I have to say, “Go, go, GO!” Milk is a must-see biopic, an essential snapshot of gay history during the ’70s. It drew me in, got me emotionally invested, and my heart ached with the story of Harvey Milk, activist, and the people whose lives he touched along the way. And…is it my imagination, or has Sean Penn developed into a virtuoso actor whose legacy to film might eventually rank up there with DeNiro and Pacino?
I plan to see Milk, soon.
But here’s my thing, how do you feel about ALL non-gay (at least not out) actors, playing gay in the film?
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@DCMovieGirl: I think I’m ok with “gay for pay” especially in big hollywood films because producers/directors want known quantities and commodities onscreen to make sure they fill the seats. What I get sick of is how everyone keeps focusing on how straight actors, when playing a gay role, have to kiss–and sometimes to a lesser degree, act out sex scenes with–their counterparts.
I first noticed it with In and Out with Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck. Every single interview, “What was it like to kiss Selleck?” with the inevitable mustache jokes. Brett over at Bohemian Yankee pointed out this article in the Post about Franco being pestered about it.
I don’t believe that women who’ve had to lock lips with other women onscreen have been subject to similar lines of questioning. So while I have no problem with a straight actor playing a gay role, it bugs me that their entire performance, character work, etc. will boil down to “OMG dude, you had to kiss another dude!”