Utah Doesn't Like Zack And Miri

[_silentkid]

Chud.com reports that the new Kevin Smith movie, Zack and Miri, will not be playing at Megaplex theaters in Utah. Here's the story:

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.

I like movies. I haven't seen this one yet, but at least I'll have the choice to see it if I want to. What's also interesting is that this same theater chain is currently showing Sex Drive (thanks to SWSU's thread). Weird.




Zack and Miri ad?****************************************

[_Bond James Bond]

I can understand why they don't like me, but what did Miri ever do to anyone? ;)

[_silentkid]

I can understand why they don't like me, but what did Miri ever do to anyone? ;)

Nice. I enjoyed your Tyler Durden comment from the other thread.

[_John Larsen]

This reminds me of when Larry Miller's theater pulled Brokeback Mountain, but kept running Hostel.

[_Jersey Girl]

Too much disconnect between Utah and Jersey. Do you all honestly think that Utah folks can really relate on an organic level to what Kevin Smith produces?

Would these theaters have run the Clerks and subsequent Smith productions?

[_Dr. Shades]

Too much disconnect between Utah and Jersey.

In what way?

Do you all honestly think that Utah folks can really relate on an organic level to what Kevin Smith produces?

Of course. Don't you?

Would these theaters have run the Clerks and subsequent Smith productions?

They would, and they did.

[_Jersey Girl]

Jersey Girl wrote:
Too much disconnect between Utah and Jersey.

Shades:
In what way?

Jersey Girl: Cultural disconnect, Shades.

Jersey Girl Quote:
Do you all honestly think that Utah folks can really relate on an organic level to what Kevin Smith produces?

Shades:
Of course. Don't you?

Jersey Girl: No. Not at all. Why and how do you think they could?

[_bcspace]

I think the complaint of selective censorship is a valid one, but the fact remains that no one's choice to see a movie has been negated at any time by such.

[Anonymous]

Too much disconnect between Utah and Jersey. Do you all honestly think that Utah folks can really relate on an organic level to what Kevin Smith produces?

Your question seems to assume some kind of monolithic Utah culture, even though active Mormons don't constitute a majority anymore. The owners of the theater chain either are Mormons and making a stand based on their personal morals (doubtful, given the other rated R movies they carry), or are reacting to forseeable Mormon and fundamentalist Christian protests and they wish to avoid this.

Molly Mormon and Peter Priesthood wouldn't connect at an organic level with these films. But I think there are plenty of other folks in Utah who relate, on an organic level, with Kevin Smith's films. I don't know enough about the Utah movie economy to know if there are enough non-Megaplex theaters who will carry this film to satisfy any desire to see it by these others.

[_bcspace]

The owners of the theater chain either are Mormons, or are catering to just the Mormon and fundamentalist Christian portion of it.

And why not? It's their business.