Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Larry H. Miller

Crooks and Liars has some footage of Larry H. Miller being crazy and confrontational.

Like I said, I don't care that he didn't want to show the movie. What I care about is that his company entered into agreements to show it, took out ads and sold tickets and then decided not to show it. That's just bad times and last I checked breach of contract is against the law. I bet it cost him a pretty penny, what with ticket refunds and on top of that he probably had to buy out every theatre for every showtime for the whole week he agreed to show it.

I mean, as a first run theatre owner in a community as diverse as Salt Lake county, I'd be dying to show the Golden Globe winner for Best Picture at my theatre. I'd rake in the cash. But he's still willing to show depraved acts of torture in Hostel.

On a side-note, I'd bet Brokeback Mountain is less homo-erotic than professional basketball.

9 comments:

John said...

Don't say that or they'll take basketball away from ussss.

Anonymous said...

Who is this "THEY" that will take anything away from you?

If you haven't heard: There is already a gay basketball player on the Utah Jazz. It has been discussed in recent days by people who are in the know. This player is both upset about 1) his standing with the Jazz owner and 2) how to fit in with a very homophobic community.

How very ironic, isn't it?

John said...

It was a joke, and I don't live in Utah or follow sports. So you'll have to excuse my ignorance.

Anonymous said...

Hey Steve,

Are you being honest when you say:

" I don't care that he didn't want to show the movie. What I care about is that his company entered into agreements to show it, took out ads and sold tickets and then decided not to show it. That's just bad times and last I checked breach of contract is against the law."

So it's the breach of contract that is most upsetting to you? Is that right?

Anonymous said...

OOps!

Hey Brian,

Are you being honest when you say:

" I don't care that he didn't want to show the movie. What I care about is that his company entered into agreements to show it, took out ads and sold tickets and then decided not to show it. That's just bad times and last I checked breach of contract is against the law."

So it's the breach of contract that is most upsetting to you? Is that right?

I just want to make sure that I am understandning you.

Unknown said...

Yes. To be completely honest, you understood me correctly. I wouldn't have any problem with him not showing it if he would have done it before he signed an agreement to show it and sold tickets. It's his perogative to show whatever he wants at this theatre, hypocritical as it may be.

But to agree to show something and sell tickets to it and pull it at the last minute was just childish in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

So the breach of contract IS your beef. Interesting....

I guess my take on this situation is totally different.

You make it sound as if Larry H. Miller personally signed a contract specifically agreeing to screen Brokeback Mountain. My understanding is that he signed no such document. An employee from his company more than likely signed such a document. He found out after the fact and said we're going to be showing a gay cowboy love story movie? Over my dead body! Not in my theater! Then cancelled the screenings.

I suspect you still aren't being upfront regarding what most erks you about the Brokeback Mountain showdown. Do you still maintain that it is mainly the “breach off contract” that has you all bent out of shape?

If Larry H. Miller would have decided to cancel screenings of "Big Mama's House 2" in breach of contracts signed by employees would you be this up in arms?

Be honest with a capital "H" Bryan. ..........
hmmmm, that's what I thought. See where I’m going with this? You wouldn't be all bent out of shape, would you?. And why? Because of the gay factor. The gay factor is what makes this a hot story for the media and the gay factor is what makes this a hot story for you. If you are honest you will admit this. If you’re going to play the card, be upfront about it. Play the "gay" card! But don't try to tell us your playing the "breach of contract" card when you know darn well that you're playing the "gay" card.

The fact of the matter is that Jordan Commons is not some State run public facility. It is a private business. And as such Mr. Miller should have every right to cancel ANY film for ANY reason. And why? Because if he can’t say which film DOESN”T PLAY at his theater then guess what friend? He can’t say which film DOES play at his theater. There is sooo much pressure put on privately owned theaters from corporate Hollywood distribution companies to screen each and every film they send their way.

Guess what happens to theater owners who think an independent film like “This Divided State” is an important film and want to screen it? 800 pound gorilla Hollywood Distributing companies get on the horn and say “What the F$*#, you PASSED on my film so you could PICK UP this little piece of crap indie flick. (That’s not me talking, work with me here, it’s the 800 pound gorilla.) And guess what happens next? The theater owner caves and pulls the indie flick and in its stead puts “Big Moma’s House 2”. And that assures the theater owner that when the next Star Wars or Lord of the rings type movie comes out that he won’t be passed over for another theater.

Larry Miller stood up to the 800 pound gorilla. He got dragged through the mud for it. And not because of the “breach of contract”. You and I know the real deal was and is the “gay factor”.

Bryan, you sound very sincere when you say that you are most upset about the legal aspect of this situation but I am not buying it.

I guess I’m more punk rock than you. I break rules all the time. Oh and Bryan you better pray to heaven above that I never catch you J-waling because the last time I checked that was against the law pal. You never know who might be wearing a RENT-A-COP uniform ready to put you in a full nelson and take you down!

-Duckie Butters

Anonymous said...

"j-waling" should read "J-walking".

So don't let me catch you doing it Bryan because I will take you down! Do I make myself clear?

It's all about upholding the law. Right?

Anonymous said...

What's the matter Bryan? Cat got your tongue?