Comments for tMF CONTROVERSIAL: Gay roles for "real men" - Who's afraid of playing gay? at http://themovie-fanatic.com , comment 1 to 25 out of 20 comments http://themovie-fanatic.com Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:01:58 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2971 You should write an article about openly gay/bi actors who've never played gay/bi ! and there are many of them ! now that'd be funny - Mama Latoufah Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:59:49 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2959 You have got to be joking, Heath Ledger robbed of the Oscar? You're only saying that cause he's death, in no way was he better than Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is and always will be a better actor than Heath Ledger. - NoneOfYourBusiness Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:25:35 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2957 Yep, good that I asked, cos I wrote it to make sure you won't ban/delete or hassle me with emails, reverse psychology, baby. You have all the right to defend your article, I'm just amused that you seem to be offended by the fact that you have to defend your article. That's all. - Jennepher Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:43:48 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2954 Yes, funny you ask. I have the power to delete and ban your IP address and everything else in between, even send you a hate email if that's what your thinking...but have I done that? You're too 'straight' to realize the point. If I can't take criticism then you would not see the negative comments still published here- and its been days since you've been here. They are still there- glowing examples of what some people like to say and focus on. I just react to what people say, coz I'm the author right? I'm all for freedom of speech and same sex marriage, sex change and what have you, but I also have the right to give anyone a piece of my mind, since in the first place this is supposed to be my article. - jed Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:20:34 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2953 Actually, I take it back. If you can't take criticism, you can still show your article to the world, just don't open the door and ask for other's comment. You have the power. Easier to not let others talk rather than ask them to shut up, no?! :) - Jennepher Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:13:06 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2952 LOL. I don't know who wrote this piece, but seems like it's Jed. If you have to bash everyone who don't agree with you, then you are pity sad too. Can't take any criticism? then don't show your article to the world, don't you know you can't have everyone agree with you? BTW, I'm a straight woman. If I'm offended by the title, can you imagine what the gay men would feel? Sure, you don't care because that's good PR, catchy title, right? Who cares if you insult others if you get them to read your stuff. - Jennepher Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:52:36 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2950 because instead of discussing and celebrating the movies and actors I praised here, some people want to accuse me of something that is so insignificant, I want to puke. First of all, the term gay denotes more than men who prefer other men, it also includes transexuals, etc. The mere fact that I used the term gay encompasses a group of people, hence Cillian Murphy's performance was praised. As for the use of real men, it's a title that aims to interest readers as to what the topic is all about...and to question really that real = straight? If you felt offended, then you definitely have issues. Does it mean, if you're gay and you see a title that says 'Gay roles for real men' it offends you? Have you actually read the article? You're just like the bigot TV announcer in the Milk trailer. You generalize, you draw your own conclusion and then you accuse. If you're gay and you did that, then I'm truly truly sad for you. - jed Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:32:15 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2947 I honestly hope that the inference that "real men" are straight men is just a misinterpretation. If not, how very sad for you. - mwrh Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:00:11 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2941 If a man has a wife, then absolutely he's not gay... How old are you anyway, what set of eyes are you using to judge the world? - jed Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:40:01 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2940 Bisexualilty is not really a significant term anymore. Is there really such a condition as being bisexual? As far as I'm concerned, the term gay is used in the article to mean having a relationship with the same sex, it does not matter whether there are instances when sex is done in the 'normal' way. Can't a gay man have sex with a woman? Your generalization is ridiculous. Heath's role and Jake's are not gay? are you a psychiatrist perhaps, or have been part in the writing of the script? Dressing up in women's clothes can be considered to be gay in some parts. I don't know where you came from. Goofy but popular, whatever you think, but thanks for such an insightful response. - jed Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:37:28 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2939 Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Velvet Goldmine? Bisexual. The character had sex with men [i]and[/i] women. He had a wife, for pete's sake. Same goes for both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain, despite all the hype about it being "gay" movie. People who have romantic/sexual relationships with people of both genders are [i]not[/i] gay. As for Cillian Murphy in Breakfast on Pluto... have you seen the film? Not only do you have basic facts wrong, let's start with the fact that the character isn't gay! Kitten is not a man in drag or a transvestite, not a gay man in women's clothes at all. [i]She[/i] is transgendered and heterosexual. If you're going to write a goofy article like this, at least [i]try[/i] to know the material you're writing about. - Allyn Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:51:37 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2938 If a man knows more than the color of a woman's shoes and identified the exact name of the designer, then something is curiously 'wicked' about him. Instinct is more powerful than hearing someone whisper some rumors to your ears. - jed Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:09:56 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2936 I'm curious, how do you know all these actors are straight ? You make it sound they're all 100% straight. There are actors who go both ways.. even famous ones. James Dean, Marlon Brando anyone ? Hardly sissies - haloa Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:06:09 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2934 ...and for the actors who portray more and more challenging roles. To play gay when not, is considered a stretch, a challenge. While sometimes this leads to controversy, it can also lead to acclaim. Which is why I think Hollywood may be fickle, but there's hope yet. - blearyeyedmesgirl Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:49:45 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2933 What is annoying is that you still accept the 'validity' of stereotyping, when in fact you just wanted to be controversial. [quote]I'm more annoyed by the title of this article. Gay role for real man? This is almost implying that straight men are real men and gays aren't. Unfortunately, stereotyping happens even in the most subconscious way, so don't just blame Hollywood. [/quote] That's what you call a catchy title, and it's all about PR. ha! - jed Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:57:20 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2932 I'm more annoyed by the title of this article. Gay role for real man? This is almost implying that straight men are real men and gays aren't. Unfortunately, stereotyping happens even in the most subconscious way, so don't just blame Hollywood. - Jennepher Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:48:33 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2918 Let's not forget Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry. I'd venture a guess that playing gay for an actress might not be considered as big an accomplishment or risk for two reasons. The first is that, at least here in the states, seeing two women kiss or be intimate is [i]generally[/i] greeted with less hostility than seeing two men do anything intimate. The second, and probably more important reason is that there still exists an overwhelming belief that being a gay man is emasculating. So if a talented mainstream straight actor decides to play a gay or trans character it's considered gutsy because they're playing a role that not only goes against the masculine ideal but the narrow-minded beliefs of a society. A gay actor playing a straight role wouldn't get much praise for the simple fact that heterosexuality doesn't offend very many people, so it's not such a bold choice. No one would even think to praise them for playing the role convincingly. As far as straight actors playing straight roles and gay actors playing gay roles is concerned, it sounds good in theory, but it's kind of like saying only Chinese people should play Chinese characters. Not to mention there are so few out actors and actresses in Hollywood, so the selection would be extremely limited when it comes time to cast a film. - Spike Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:56:24 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2911 The focus on the article actually stems from Daniel Radcliffe's interview with Details Mag, I was just expanding the topic to give it more perspective. But since you've asked, I also think it would be great to further expand on the article to highlight some of the actresses making big decisions by playing lesbian roles. The first movie that comes to mind is Monster starring the Oscar winner Charlize Theron and her equally fantastic co-star Christina Ricci. Another would be Salma Hayek, in a number of films actually. I would thinkm their integrity as actors made them not so vulnerable playing these lesbian roles. Aside from the fact that these are highly-respected actresses. - jed Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:34:19 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2908 Now here's a question which Tracy made me think of: Are there alot of roles where women are praised for their portrayl as a lesbian? I was wondering since you only talked about men in this article, and because I can't think of a role off the top of my head. Is playing gay the kiss of death for an actress? Just curious... - marinemomusa78 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:42:10 +0100 http://themovie-fanatic.com/exclusive_articles/spotlight_of_the_week/gay_roles_for_real_men/#comment-2907 I think the issue here is the premise that as straight actors, it would be hard for them to relate to a gay character. First of all, they like women and are not interested in pursuing a relationship with another man. The top 5 list of straight actors who played gay were praised because its hard to be 'in character' and at the same time make moviegoers believed its not a character at all, but it's actually them. Heath was praise for his honest portray of a gay cowboy, he's not even a cowboy, much less a gay man. Same goes with Linus, he's not in anyway part of the Church and preach sermons but he managed to be so convincing as both a 'man of God' and as a gay man. I think River did the same as much as Cillian Murphy who was exceptionally ravishing as Kitten and the charming Hugh Grant, who was even caught paying a prostitute to have sex with him. These are hot blooded hetero who managed to play homo in a big way. - jed Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:27:16 +0100