As gay as bunting

I have just been reading on the BBC news site about the Miss USA competition that just ran this past weekend. Apparently Miss California came in second because she opposes gay marriage. Here is a sample from the Beeb's story:

During the televised event, Carrie Prejean - Miss California - said she believed that "a marriage should be between a man and a woman".

She had been asked for her views on the subject by one of the judges, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," said Ms Prejean, in a section of the show that has become a popular clip on YouTube.

"I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," she continued.

"No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

The remarks drew a mixture of booing and applause from the audience.

Now I am a supporter of gay marriage because I don't believe that anyone deserves fewer rights than myself and I find it abhorrent that one section of society believes that they can keep something from another section of society. However I also feel that someone has a right to an opinion, regardless of its ignorance, particularly one that is so prevalent. It is not like she admitted to murder being her favorite hobby or did some goose stepping during the talent portion of the show. Her opinion is wrong but so are many others. The question was asked (by Perez Hilton I might add, which I am sure is not his real name) and the Miss gave a truthful answer. I hope that this wasn't the entire reason for her losing the competition. And since when do we look to the Misses of American States to be the voices of reason, they aren't handing out Nobel prizes to these girls they are basically ranking them in order of attractiveness. I think Miss California's worst crime was not knowing her audience (I assume the auditorium was jammed with queens). I can only assume that Miss North Carolina (the recipient of the winning crown) did a better job of hiding any bigotry that she may or may not have*.

* I in no way endorse Miss North Carolina's possible bigotry.

Movie related things that annoy/excite me

I love the movies and I hate it when they are treated like a red headed step child.

1. Censorship is something that I appreciate but it sure can get my goat. If you are a cable channel showing Total Recall at 1:00 pm on a Saturday afternoon what are you thinking!?! My memory of Total Recall is that it lasts longer than 20 minutes. If I remember correctly there is a lot of blood and a woman with three boobs. Cutting a movie to fit a time slot is bad enough but cutting for content is wrong. R rated movies are clearly not appropriate for showing in the afternoon so don't. Show them late at night so they can be appreciated the way they were made. At 1:00 pm show a good kids film, there are plenty and these don't need to be butchered like a rack of lamb.

2. An extension of point 1 is movies that are made for a rating that is not in keeping with the canon to which the film is being added. Two cases in point are Die Hard 4 and Alien vs Predator. Both were made and released as PG-13 with the only reason being money. 10 year olds shouldn't be allowed to see these movies, they should have to wait till their mid-teens to enjoy these flicks like I did. You have to earn it. These are the movies that you spend your formative years wanting to see but that your mum wont let you. Then one day a friend brings out his older brother's copy and your horizons are broadened exponentially.

3. Movies made and released based entirely on a fortuitous date. The Omen was remade in 2005 so that it could be released on 6/6/06. Friday the 13th was just released on Christmas Day (no of course not, it was released 2/13/09). A relevant date is not a reason to make a movie! Please tell me that there is some originality left in Hollywood. Remakes should only be allowed if the original had a great concept but was poorly done or if you are completely revisioning the film. Merely rehashing the original does not count and Hollywood must be stopped! I don't think it can be though, its like Amy Winehouse at an all-you-can-shoot up buffet.

This whole blog has been a bit rant so here is something I love about movies. I love the little notes that come under the ratings (like Drug Use, Violence on a R rated movie). But they can be much more interesting than my examples. I remember seeing a kids movie poster that mentioned that the film contained mild peril. Genius!