In a cementing-their-red-state-status move, Megaplex Theatres of Utah are refusing to show Zack & Miri Make a Porno on their screens when the film premieres this upcoming Friday. Although Kevin Smith successfully lobbied the film down to an R from an NC-17, Cal Gunderson, general manager of the chain stated that, “we feel it’s very close to an NC-17 with its graphic nudity and graphic sex.” However, Megaplex had no problem showing the very graphic Saw V.
According to the article, by Salt lake Tribune writer, Sean P. Means, this isn’t the first time that Megaplex has preferred blood over ass. In 2006, Brokeback Mountain was similarly banned, while Hostel sauntered through the door, although Gunderson admitted, “That one never should have gotten past us – that’s ridiculous.”
Despite the fact that Zack & Miri is so far getting positive buzz, the film had a tough road to travel to get to theatres, including having the MPAA banning its original poster. Nevertheless, the romantic comedy is set to open on 2,800 screens across the country, but none of them on the 70 screens Megaplex runs in Utah.
Oh well. This just makes that much happier that I live in a nice, normal city like Hollywood.
Thanks to Mark for the tip.
19 comments
Wow. Utah sucks. I feel sorry for people who have to live there.
what the fuck?
since when is free speech under atta– oh wait. never mind. at least bush will be out of office soon.
FUCK UTAH UP THE FUCKING ASSHOLE WITH A 14-INCH BLACK DILDO!
Bush doesnt have anything to do with what movies play in Utah. More liberal fear mongering. Lame.
Utah isn't lame, but banning movies is. Eff those Megaplex guys.
That would be Larry H. Miller… the man who owns the Utah Jazz basketball team, the Megaplex Theaters in question, and about half of the state! Oh yes, and he's a devout mormon in good standing.
We tolerate way too much crap living here!
Oh no my dear Joseph, Utah IS FUCKING LAME.
pvalentine: thanks for the sentiment. Seriously, it is the WORST.
"Gunderson admitted, "That one never should have gotten past us – that's ridiculous." " ———– Good thing this douche appointed himself the Watcher of Utah and Standard Bearer of What's Good For Me. Jesus Christ, and I thought the South was fucked.
Utah as a state is great. Problem is that King Larry has a stranglehold on all the local mega plexes. So whatever he says, goes. Hopefully a smaller theater like the Broadway or Tower pick it up just to piss in his pool.
There are plenty of big chain theaters that we can see this at. It's not like the Megaplexes are the ONLY place to see movies here. It's not getting banned in the state or anything. This hurts nobody but the Megaplex owners.
Utah is a fucked up, religiofascist state, full of messed up zealots who don't know shit about the rest of the planet. I knew a particular Mormon woman from there who had such a narrow, ignorant, spooky view of the world and her countrry and religion's role in it, that it was like talking to someone who'd been frozen in ice for a few hundred years or something. Or Mrs. Carmody from "The Mist". The most disturbing (and hot) thing was that she was also an extremely dirty-minded, horny, repressed, sex fiend. Of course, what was disturbing about that (because there's nothing wrong with being a sex fiend) was that she absolutely loathed her dirty sinner self, but couldn't suppress her appetites, which were shaped largely by the patriarchal aspects of her "church". a very conflicted, unhappy person.
They aren't showing it because it's another terrible movie by Kevin Smith that happens to have Seth Rogen in it. Not because it's to sexy.
I can't wait for Clerks 3!
Holy shit, man. Ease up on the Utah hate. Only residents can pull that crap. Last time I checked, which was just a couple minutes ago, Larry "the cheapskate" Miller was not Utah. He remains a hypocrite, however.
Regardless, it's his choice and he can make it. The film will be showing in plenty of theaters.
CommentGuy: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Utah girls are easy because they hate themselves.
if you don't like utah, quit your bitchin' and PLEASE move out. and for all those who don't live here and think it sucks, awesome. keep spreading that around. we don't need anyone else moving here.
ps. the snow really sucks here and you can't get a drink anywhere. please tell everyone you know to ski in colorado. screw utah.
Good call, Dan V. Listen, this dude didn't appoint himself the dictator of what's good for everybody to see, just the dictator of what his theaters will show, which is perfectly fine. If people don't like it, they can cast their ballot against his theater by spending their dollars elsewhere. Remember: It's usually only a first amendment issue if the STATE is restricting speech. It generally doesn't apply to what a proprietor chooses to put in his place of business. Screaming "First Amendment!" at this only makes you look ignorant and foolish.
Mormons. "Dum, dum dum dum, dum."
hmmm whats worse and more unnerving? SAW V or ZACK AND MIRI? hmmm a movie which glorifies violence and murder, or a movie that glorifies sex… hmmm…
demonizing Z&M is — to an extent — demonizing sex. sex is not negative and far from fucking a bad thing. same w/banning BROKEBACK MTN (genius picture)…
what a fucktard.
It's capitalism people. It's his theaters he can do what he wants. Showing the movie may violate his conscience, or he may fear showing it will cause his customers (which I'm sure are largely Mormon) to boycott his theaters. Either way it has nothing to do with free speach, he is free to show or not show whatever he wishes.
I live in Salt Lake and I thought I should say something. I’m not LDS, or Christian, or religious at all.
I’ve seen a few of these stories about how Zack & Miri Make a Porno isn’t being shown in theaters owned by Larry Miller. A great many number of articles seem to present the issue as if these people are telling us we can’t see the movie. They’re not saying that in any way, only that they feel it is inappropriate, and they won’t show the movie. It’s their decision and there are plenty of theaters showing the movie in Utah. It won’t impact my ability to see the flick at all. If Mr. Miller doesn’t want to screen it, he has as much right to not show it as I have to see it. So I’ll go to another movie house, see the flick, eat the popcorn, and not think about it again. Larry will feel he did what he believed in, and we’ll both go to bed happy. It was the same thing with Brokeback.
We’re quickly reaching a point where us liberals are becoming rather un-liberal about a person’s rights. Should he be forced to screen a movie he objects to? No. Not anymore than I should be forced to watch a movie about LDS history if I don’t want to see it. Give it a rest, angry people. This is such a small inconsequential thing.
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