That's not all he said, but is was his main point, writing for on his website:
One of the mysteries of the 2006 Oscar season is the virulence with which lovers of "Brokeback Mountain" savaged "Crash." When the film about racism actually won the Oscar for best picture Sunday, there was no grace in their response. As someone who felt "Brokeback" was a great film but "Crash" a greater one, I would have been pleased if either had won.
But here is Ken Turan in the Los Angeles Times, writing on the morning after: "So for people who were discomfited by 'Brokeback Mountain' but wanted to be able to look themselves in the mirror and feel like they were good, productive liberals, 'Crash' provided the perfect safe harbor. They could vote for it in good conscience, vote for it and feel they had made a progressive move, vote for it and not feel that there was any stain on their liberal credentials for shunning what 'Brokeback' had to offer. And that's exactly what they did."
- - -
It is noticeable how many writers on "Hollywood's homophobia" were able to sidestep "Capote," which was a hard subject to miss, being right there on the same list of best picture nominees. Were supporters of "Brokeback" homophobic in championing the cowboys over what Oscarcast host Jon Stewart called the "effete New York intellectual"?
Of course not. "Brokeback Mountain" was simply a better movie than "Capote." And "Crash" was better than "Brokeback Mountain," although they were both among the best films of the year. That is a matter of opinion. But I was not "discomfited" by "Brokeback Mountain." Read my original review. I chose "Crash" as the best film of the year not because it promoted one agenda and not another, but because it was a better film.
It's odd that, let's face it, Wizbang is all about our right-wing extremism, and one liberal-minded film lost to another more liberal-minded film, with the less-liberal-minded film winning. Then, there was backlash of one group against the other. Ebert understands this, and he does as do other people, like Jon Stewart, who actually did a fine job of skewering his own liberal-minded audience. Not lost in the whole Oscar deal is the staggeringly bad ratings, as it appeared red-state Americans decided that there were other things to watch besides the Spirit Awards Oscars.
As far as Crash winning the Oscar, one can also assume that having the hotness of Jennifer Esposito didn't hurt things. Behold:
I'd...uh...vote for her.
UPDATE: SCANDAL! STOP THE PRESSES! VOTER FRAUD! VOTER FRAUD!
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Comments (9)
How exactly is Crash or Bro... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Chris Evans | March 11, 2006 10:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How exactly is Crash or Brokeback Mountain liberal-minded? Just because they deal with racism and homosexuality? So are you trying to say that conservatives are racist and homophobic? Through propogranda by the extremist portion of your party may lead you think so, it's simply not the case. Not to mention that I don't understand how just because a movie mentions or deals with a certain topic, it somehow has a "liberal agenda".
It's funny because you're using Roger Ebert's review to further your opinion, which doesn't make any sense because what he's saying is proving your logic faulty. Like he says...it's not that Hollywood cares more about racism than homophobia, it's not that Hollywood is homophobic, Crash was simply a better film than Brokeback Mountain.
1. Posted by Chris Evans | March 11, 2006 10:02 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 11, 2006 22:02
2. Posted by donsurber | March 13, 2006 7:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Liberals now litigate every election
2. Posted by donsurber | March 13, 2006 7:16 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 13, 2006 07:16
3. Posted by Steve L. | March 13, 2006 2:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Liberals now litigate every election
To save time, they should go ahead and file their 2008 election lawsuits now.
3. Posted by Steve L. | March 13, 2006 2:17 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 13, 2006 14:17
4. Posted by Mark Del Mar | March 16, 2006 11:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Nope. Crash was NOT the best picture of the year. It was an overrated and over done story tiredly told in America for over 30 years. A piece of trash. Brokeback Mountain was the best picture of the year. Was. Oscar snub or no.
4. Posted by Mark Del Mar | March 16, 2006 11:35 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 16, 2006 11:35
5. Posted by Falze | March 16, 2006 4:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Did I read this correctly?
"Ebert understands this, and he does other people, like Jon Stewart"
Thank goodness for poor proofreading...and the ability to stifle laughter at work.
5. Posted by Falze | March 16, 2006 4:37 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 16, 2006 16:37
6. Posted by MacStansbury | March 16, 2006 4:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
that would be one of the millions of times I've made some sort of editing errors.
I blame Jennifer Esposito and her hotness. corrected.
6. Posted by MacStansbury | March 16, 2006 4:44 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 16, 2006 16:44
7. Posted by Falze | March 17, 2006 9:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Aw, man, it was funnier before :)
7. Posted by Falze | March 17, 2006 9:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 17, 2006 09:23
8. Posted by Kevin | March 18, 2006 1:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
No.
Ebert just makes the same mistake all of you stupid straight boys make.
He thinks it's all "fair" cause Capote, and even TransAmerica, were nominated for awards and thinks "oh, see, you folks should be happy cause you're all represented and stuff".
Brokeback Mountain didn't lose because it was a "gay movie". It lost because it was about two guys who weren't flamers, who were deeply in love, and didn't kill each other or themselves or live tragic existances other than the one of love lost.
You've got to hag it up and become a serial killer, ala "Monster", or be killed, ala "Boys Don't Cry", to be an acceptable "gay movie" according to Hollywood.
Brokeback just told a tale that is more true to people like me than most of you will ever know or care about.
That's why it connected with so many different people. It was a good movie that transcended that bold line the haters are always throwing up to get you to vote for stupid laws and even more stupid politicians.
The fact is, the one Ebert dares not speak of, is that the Academy is completely out of touch with American life. They are insulated, stuffy, and conservative in the way your old, snooty aunt is.
Is that who should be judging movies?
Also, let's get something about Roger Ebert out in the open: there's never been a teen exploitation movie with overt sexual scenes he didn't like. The guy is a staight out, Creepy Uncle, perv.
That may be fine with you, but please, he shouldn't be reviewing movies any higher than American Pie II.
"Just bring it?"
Ebert - It's been brought. Now take your WetNap and leave the theater already.
Kevin
8. Posted by Kevin | March 18, 2006 1:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 18, 2006 01:53
9. Posted by Josh | April 19, 2006 4:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
no, you're just pissed because you happen to be gay, and a movie about racism managed to beat a movie about homosexuality.
noone died in crash and it told a story which people of all ethnicities can relate to, unlike brokeback mountain which I'm sure you can relate to, but others cannot.
besides, the oscars suck. what the hell happened to having your own opinions, people.
9. Posted by Josh | April 19, 2006 4:41 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 19, 2006 16:41