Milk is an amazing event ... its more than a movie, especially after the recent battle over Prop 8. Its the perfect reminder that we need to be out and open, not just in those places that accept us, but everywhere we go.
This is a great movie to take your parents home to watch over the holiday season. Grab your friends and family (especially those with whom you rarely discuss gay issues with) and take them to a movie!
We need to have these conversations -- especially with those back home, with our co-workers, with our everyday acquaintances.
If you're interested in more movies to help start conversations on LGBT equality, visit: http://startaconversation.org
Sean Penn and Josh Brolin, as well as the director (I think) were on Charlie Rose tonight. I recorded it but haven't watched yet. The timing on the release is indeed perfect, especially since it seems to me that it had been in production for so long.
HM
· 12 months ago
I totally agree. Sean Penn should get an Academy Award nod. I saw it on Friday night in Scottsdale, AZ when I was in town for Thanksgiving with the fam. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. My best friend and his bf recently moved to the Castro so it was very special to see the history of that neighborhood and sharing the film with them. With the recent prop 8 vote, it's a particularly poignant film for all of us.
willnyc
· 12 months ago
Loved it! MILK came at a perfect time. It's lyrical and heartfelt, but also politically timely. Sean Penn is in serious Oscar contention. Wow - what is THAT acceptance speech going to be like!? The only thing that made me sad is that 30 years later we're still facing so many of the same issues. However, I do truly feel that since we got screwed on Prop 8 that activism has not only been given a serious new life (i.e., kick in the ass), but that this time we will fight for and settle for nothing less than true equality.
Rob Mule
· 12 months ago
It is the part of men to fear and tremble, When the most mighty gods by tokens send Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
--Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 3
Gary SF
· 12 months ago
I thought the acting and direction in "Milk" were both fantastic. The screenplay was a little weak. Van Sant aptly made the film somewhat 'sentimental' which is a Hollywood pleaser; everyone was crying in the theater, some without control. The parallels of the mistakes made in campaign against the anti-gay Briggs Initiative (depicted in the film) and the fight against proposition 8 are remarkable - don't mention gays and lesbian in the ads and you are going to lose the battle. Given that Heath Leger was robbed of the Oscar for "Brokeback Mountain," it is likely that he will win the Oscar for his role as 'the Joker.' Also, given that Leger lost due to homophobia and that homophobia still persists, it seems unlikely that Penn will win anything, especially since two of the biggest homophobes in Hollywood (Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine) are still alive. And while Borgnine was so morally offended that "Brokeback Mountain" was even made, he had no problem saying that his longevity is because he 'masturbates a lot.' I say we elect Ernest to the closeted-gay hall of shame.
willnyc
· 12 months ago
I agree that the screenplay was a little sentimental, but there's room for a little hero worship here. It takes courage for a director to be so vulnerable and soft. And just for a laugh - did you know that Borgnine was married to Ethel Merman for a few weeks? Merman, who never again married, devoted a chapter of her autobiography to the Borgnine marriage: It consisted of one blank page.
Steve_in_CNJ
· 12 months ago
there have been a couple of major negative reviews. i read this one over the weekend:
"Where Milk falters is in stronger development in the relationship between Milk and Dan White (Josh Brolin), the smoldering, homophobic supervisor who killed not only Milk but San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber). There is no enlightenment into White's character, at least not beyond the surface variety, and it robs the climactic assassination of its full, dramatic potential."
as good an actor that sean penn is he is even a better person.
O the Grouch
· 12 months ago
I feel mixed about this film. Saw it a few days ago and felt that the HM character was somewhat stiff (in the same way that FSH lost the flow and cadence of Capote). Basically, it seemed to me that every third gesture was over emphasized and Spicoli kept his butt muscles clenched throughout the whole film. I wish I had been given more of the man, that individual behind the movement, for we can not deny HM's leadership and convictions and how they are interwoven in politics and the common speak of both the gay world and current national politics.
RenoAnne
· 12 months ago
The only theater here that will be getting it is a Cinemark theater. I assume they'll be screening it because they like the ending. Guess I'll wait for video.
existenz
· 12 months ago
You should also rent "The Times of Harvey Milk", an Academy-Award winning documentary from 1984 that chronicles Harvey Milk's political career and assassination. The new movie "Milk" rips off the documentary extensively, basically recreating about 80% of the scenes from the documentary. That said, it's still a good movie that is worth watching. Not sure I believe the theory that Dan White was gay though.
What is particularly relevant is the portrayal of Harvey Milk's fight against Prop. 6, and how that relates to the recent battle against Prop. 8. In 1978, Prop. 6 was meant to eliminate all openly gay teachers in CA's public schools. The gay "leaders" at the time wanted to run the kind of campaign that the No on 8 people ran, one that didn't mention gay people and simply talked about human rights. Well, Harvey Milk had none of that and called for every gay person in CA to come out publicly and let the state know that they existed. He went on TV and debate the initiative. And guess what -- he won. If only our current gay leadership had the balls to go out and speak the truth about Prop. H8, we could have won that thing.
EricW
· 12 months ago
I so agree, though I don't know of any of the participants personally. But I grew up down the Peninsula from San Fran and at 12 when Milk was assassinated, was just awakening to my gay attraction. I wasn't sure I was gay, but knew I was attracted to guys. I remember being torn by the mixed messages of that event -- that it was dabgerous to be gay and that you could be killed for it, and yet that you could be loved and accepted so that 10s of 1000s of people would march in memory of your passing, and then months later with Dan White's joke of a sentence, that people would riot in the injustice.
I've seen The Times of Harvey Milk and read The Mayor of Castro Street multiple times. I've followed the attempts over the years to bring this story to the big screen. And now it's real.
I don't think I've seen many Sean Penn movies. I don't know why. But Penn is amazing in this. Almost everyone is spot on.
Since I was visiting my mother for Thanksgiving, I drove up to the City on Friday and saw Milk at the Castro Theater. A surreal event which heightened the emotions I was already feeling. After the film I went to the storefront at the end of the block with various pieces of lgbt history, including the suit and shoes Milk were killed in.
I can tell it's time again for me to read The Mayor of Castro Street again.
JuDeck
· 12 months ago
MILK was the best movie I've seen in a long time. The actors and scenes took you right into the heart of the times. It looked like the same CA counties were against the gays back then that were against Prop 8. The movie truely showed what the gay community is lacking today is a single, strong, gay political leader. Even though Penn did a great job, it was too bad there wasn't a gay actor playing the leading role.
lilybart
· 12 months ago
I second that. GREAT movie. Penn as always is amazing. The story is ultimately uplifting. It has a documentary feel because of the real footage used that makes it fascinating even though we all know the end.
We have a ways to go yet on gay rights, but it is instructive to remember that in the 70s people were arrested just for being gay.
ShirleyGoodnessanMercy
· 12 months ago
The documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" packs an even bigger emotional wallop than "Milk" does, but Sean Penn did a very good job of portraying Harvey, and I was skeptical that he could do so. I love both movies. But if you haven't seen "The Times of Harvey Milk" you definitely need to see it!
Gee
· 12 months ago
It's showing at a Cinemark theater here, so I'm waiting for either wider release or the dvd.
tommytoonz
· 12 months ago
It's a Gus Van Sant movie isn't it? There are few directors who, almost every movie they make, is flat out good.
okojo
· 12 months ago
Is there going to be boycott of Cinemark theaters that show Milk? given the CEO gave money to yes on Prop 8...
while Sundance, which has been supportive of many GLBT films is threatened with a boycott because it is situated in Utah..
ndtovent
· 12 months ago
It was very, very good to be sure. Highly recommend it. It was sadly nostalgic for me because I grew up in Sacramento, 90 miles from SF. I was in high school when Harvey Milk was killed. However, I thought there wayy too many flesh scenes for the themed movie.. Damn it, if we want gay themed movies to make it in the mainstream, they need make them without the in-your-face sex scenes! I'm no prude, but geeez...
ndtovent
· 12 months ago
no wonder prop 8 passed.
Palin The Ass
· 11 months ago
I saw it last Friday. It is, without a doubt, one of the best films made this year. Hell - one of the best made in a long time.
It's well written, funny, serious, poignant - and yeah, completely relevant to what we are STILL talking about 30 years later. The parallels are uncanny...and sad.
Penn is superb, as is the entire cast. In a fair world, Penn would win the Best Actor Oscar (but I also fear it will go to Heath Ledger, in an odd twist of somehow connected fate).
This might be a stretch, but take one letter out MILK, and what do you have?
M L K
I know people sometimes bristle when the gay rights movement is compared to the black rights movement, but is there a difference? Think about it:
One man, with the passion, determination and the vision to fight, and to not settle for less than equal rights. And by inspiring people and giving them hope and motivating them to not just sit on the sidelines, but march in solidarity and make change HAPPEN. Yet a life cut short before he could witness the dream in person - and before even harder work needed to be addressed.
It makes you ponder what tremendous impact that man would've had on our history, had he lived.
All Comments
This is a great movie to take your parents home to watch over the holiday season. Grab your friends and family (especially those with whom you rarely discuss gay issues with) and take them to a movie!
We need to have these conversations -- especially with those back home, with our co-workers, with our everyday acquaintances.
If you're interested in more movies to help start conversations on LGBT equality, visit: http://startaconversation.org
See trailer here:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=fire...
The only thing that made me sad is that 30 years later we're still facing so many of the same issues. However, I do truly feel that since we got screwed on Prop 8 that activism has not only been given a serious new life (i.e., kick in the ass), but that this time we will fight for and settle for nothing less than true equality.
When the most mighty gods by tokens send
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us.
--Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 3
"Where Milk falters is in stronger development in the relationship between Milk and Dan White (Josh Brolin), the smoldering, homophobic supervisor who killed not only Milk but San Francisco Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber). There is no enlightenment into White's character, at least not beyond the surface variety, and it robs the climactic assassination of its full, dramatic potential."
http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/f...
What is particularly relevant is the portrayal of Harvey Milk's fight against Prop. 6, and how that relates to the recent battle against Prop. 8. In 1978, Prop. 6 was meant to eliminate all openly gay teachers in CA's public schools. The gay "leaders" at the time wanted to run the kind of campaign that the No on 8 people ran, one that didn't mention gay people and simply talked about human rights. Well, Harvey Milk had none of that and called for every gay person in CA to come out publicly and let the state know that they existed. He went on TV and debate the initiative. And guess what -- he won. If only our current gay leadership had the balls to go out and speak the truth about Prop. H8, we could have won that thing.
I've seen The Times of Harvey Milk and read The Mayor of Castro Street multiple times. I've followed the attempts over the years to bring this story to the big screen. And now it's real.
I don't think I've seen many Sean Penn movies. I don't know why. But Penn is amazing in this. Almost everyone is spot on.
Since I was visiting my mother for Thanksgiving, I drove up to the City on Friday and saw Milk at the Castro Theater. A surreal event which heightened the emotions I was already feeling. After the film I went to the storefront at the end of the block with various pieces of lgbt history, including the suit and shoes Milk were killed in.
I can tell it's time again for me to read The Mayor of Castro Street again.
We have a ways to go yet on gay rights, but it is instructive to remember that in the 70s people were arrested just for being gay.
while Sundance, which has been supportive of many GLBT films is threatened with a boycott because it is situated in Utah..
It's well written, funny, serious, poignant - and yeah, completely relevant to what we are STILL talking about 30 years later. The parallels are uncanny...and sad.
Penn is superb, as is the entire cast. In a fair world, Penn would win the Best Actor Oscar (but I also fear it will go to Heath Ledger, in an odd twist of somehow connected fate).
This might be a stretch, but take one letter out MILK, and what do you have?
M L K
I know people sometimes bristle when the gay rights movement is compared to the black rights movement, but is there a difference? Think about it:
One man, with the passion, determination and the vision to fight, and to not settle for less than equal rights. And by inspiring people and giving them hope and motivating them to not just sit on the sidelines, but march in solidarity and make change HAPPEN. Yet a life cut short before he could witness the dream in person - and before even harder work needed to be addressed.
It makes you ponder what tremendous impact that man would've had on our history, had he lived.
Do you know which man I'm describing here?