Lost: OMGWTF POLAR BEAR
[NAFDA] This is where we talk about the show! Anything that's aired in the US (including promos) is fair game. No spoilers though -- if you post one by accident, an admin will delete it.
Here's the most pointed comment from the DVD review site Matt linked to above:
As a fan of Bret Easton Ellis' works, I was looking very forward to seeing the translation. The film itself I found flawless. I then decided to listen to one of the 'revolving door' commentaries. The one with Ian Somerhalder. I will now be avoiding this once attractive little twinks films from now on. While he has the 'most profound respect for women now...' 'there is something inherently wrong..' with 2 guys kissing. It gets worse from there, kiddies. What I once viewed as a 'cute' scene between little Ian and 'Sean Bateman'....will now, forever, leave a bad taste in my mouth. In time my revulsion will fade and I'll be able to view the film for what it is. I pretty flawless piece of film making. And a small piece of advice to Ian Somerhalder....watch your words little boy. Cute and maginally talented actors are a dime a dozen these days and voicing your opinion in such a pointed way on the commentary for a film with a built in gay audience could irreversably shorten your very questionable career. Don't forget to listen to his comments on how 'painful' the shooting was during the hotel sequences. I'm quite disturbed that Lion's Gate let this childish view, by one of the main characters no less, through their 'Gate'.
It was the "something inherently wrong" that pinged me, especially after reading that A&F interview. But, of course, it's possible that the person who wrote that review was taking the remark out of context. I don't really care enough to go rent the movie for myself, but Matt, if you do end up watching it, I'd be interested to hear your own report.
I also read the "Friday Five" interview on his website that tiggy linked to above ( [link] -- scroll down about 2/3 and look for the section headed "April 16, 2004"), where he denies charges of homophobia, and... I don't know. It seems a little insincere. I'm willing to cut him a little more slack now, but I can't quite shake my initial reaction--he still comes across as kind of a jerk.
Okay, "something inherently wrong" would defintiely make me dislike the guy. Unless it was in the context of "for me there is something inherently wrong in kissing another guy and I couldn't get into it" or something. As Matt said, there is a difference between personal limits and global statements about homosexuality.
Then yesterday I ran across a couple of other sources where his tone was along the lines of "that's wrong and disgusting! Blecch!" rather than "that doesn't appeal to me."
This, That line. He needs to draw it, or shut up and act.
His defense seems to boil down to "some of my best friends are gay" and denying that anyone reasonable could be offended by any of his comments. Not filling me with confidence that he has any sensitivity to or understanding of what's at issue.
I'm witholding final judgement til I hear his own words rather than get them transcribed in print by a third party filter, but the snippets I've seen quoted and the universally negative reaction from people who have seen the commentary doesn't leave me much hope.
I mean, he does have a right to express a disapproving opinion, but people also have a right to base their reactions to him on it. And it strikes me as particularly unctuous to hear that kind of thing from an actor whose bread and butter up to this point has been playing gay roles.
Eh, even if it's all "personal taste" it still screams "Nope, I'm not gay. See, SOOOOOO not gay. Couldn't be more hetero if I tried, nosiree." Which is such a far cry from Ewan MacGregor talking about what a good snog Christian Bale was (or vice versa - I can't remember).
And here I am thinking I'm completely unimpressed by both the character and the actor. So, not changing my opinion in the least.
Eh, even if it's all "personal taste" it still screams "Nope, I'm not gay. See, SOOOOOO not gay. Couldn't be more hetero if I tried, nosiree."
Right, otherwise known as the Kerr Smith defense. "I'm not gay, I just play gay characters oh-so-reluctantly." It's like dude, no one cares if you actually are gay or not, as long as you're not homophobic.
ETA - Also, methinks he doth protest too much.
BTW, there is a teeny spoiler for Lost in the entry right above the April 16th one. Ima discuss it in Spoilage Lite.
There's a fun, non-spoilery article on Dom Monaghan in today's USA Today, mostly concentrating on his popularity and the fact that his flashback ep has drawn the highest ratings for the show so far.
That makes me wonder if it's general synergy I have to thank for tripling the normal audience of shows I watch, or an influx of vast hordes of LotR fans. Either way, not looking the gift (white) horse in the mouth.
In time my revulsion will fade and I'll be able to view the film for what it is. I pretty flawless piece of film making.
I saw the movie. I totally can't trust someone who would see it and make that judgement, because it's incomprehensibly dreadful.
And to me, his comments read more like "it's yucky for men to kiss other men" than "Men who kiss other men are immoral and wrong." The first is still a homophobic position, but not an especially unusual one. (I think basically every guy I went to high school with would say that.) So he just comes off as an ordinary bigot to me, which bugs, but not to the point where I want to start a boycott or whatever.
