Tops my worst film list!

You prefer Michael Moore over Mel Gibson. hmmmmm, obviously we are from different planets.

You just listed four scenerios and the first two contrast with the last. Needless to say: You could be wrong.

As for John Schafly, the other writer used him as an example. Perhaps you should read the posts again and take note of who is talking. Do a google search for Phyllis Shafly. When the picture in your head quits rattling around, let me know.

John Schlafly is the son of Phyllis Schlafly, who made a name for herself in the 1970s opposing the Equal Rights Amendment and painting feminists as sinners and heathens. She now runs a crackpot right-wing organization called Eagle Forum, which opposes gay rights among its many positions. John is gay but, for whatever reason, works for her and never says a word against her, à la Mary Cheney.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/09/02/at_80_schlafly_is_still_a_conservative_force/


KAKISTOCRACY (n.) - a society governed by its worst citizens.

PErsonally I do agree that making one of Mel's "alter egos" a camp hairdresser was a bit of a cheap shot just for laughs. I have no problem at all with blokes playin it a bit gay but it was just the whole irrelevance of the scene in relation to the actual movie. And lest face it, it wasn't just Mel. The male hairdressers were all bunny jumpin, high pitched squealin homos.
I don't personally find it offensive and i think half of the reason is because Gibson's actual execution of a camp gay man is appallingly unbelievable. As a mechanic called Billy Ray he fits. I find it very difficult to believe that he lasted so long as a camp hairdresser with a hideous mullet. I dont care if it was the early 90s!

Nathan Lane's performance in The BIrdcage is something wholly different. HIs role, although comedic, is as Dan Futterman's maternal figure. IN as many ways as we can ridicule him, there is sympathy and empathy for the situation where he is sidestepped for Futterman's biological mother when the meal with the senator arrives. Being offended by Gibson's inappropriate and poor portrayal of a stereotypical gay hairdresser is totally different to being offended to The BIrdcage or any other of those mid 90s "Stars in drag" movies like Too WOng FOo or Priscilla. We go to watch those movies knowing the subject matter and prepared for as much ridicule to be heaped on the characters as there is hopefully going to be sensitivity. There are no cheap shots and the directors try to evoke audience empathy so that the characters are genuinly likeable.

The most unsatisfying thing about the birdcage was not the acting or the stereotypes as the leads were all good in their roles. If they played it gay, they playedit believably gay and although the limpwristed were prevalent, there were other gay guys around of all types.
NO, the worst thing was the horrifying message that might have been conveyed to an unsuspecting audience, and is worse than Gibson's portrayal in the totally irrelevant Bird oN A Wire. The message that i wrote about in my dissertation on this film involves the hetereosexualisation of the characters who feel that in order to be accepted by the inlaws/society , they must clear their lives and homes of anything with colour, flamboyancy and energy. ONce that is done we are left with various pale shades of gray and not a lot else but hey, at least the senator will approve of their son.

ANyway..:-p