MovieChat Forums > And the Band Played On (1993) Discussion > Is this serious?

Is this serious?

posted 17 years ago by edunn6185
46 replies | jump to latest

do you people actually like this film? In no way was a single aspect of this film brilliant. I simpathyze with victims of a horrible epidemic but just because people suffer does nopt mean that anyone can creat a horrible film with the excuse that its touching and amazing. I have no respect for Roger Spottiswoode for he is a horrible director. He casted Richard Gere. Im sorry wosrt movie I've ever seen and it broke my heart. Im sorry for any Homosexual who had to watch that piece of garbage.

Am I the only person that thinks a film has to be good regardless of sexual orientation of characters? Brokeback Mountain should not have been nominated for best picture. I mean in if maid in mannhattan was about two men it would have won best picture.

[–] jgiles20 17 years ago

Grow up because no one cares about your opinion.

[–] Nocgirl72 17 years ago

You obviously hate gays and want nothing to do with anything gay related.

You are probably one if those people that claim AIDS will never happen to them, right?

This is a great picture which told a very accurate account on how the AIDS epidemic got started.

[–] bigme121584 17 years ago

i disagree with the original poster, but i don't think from what he wrote that he "obviously hates gays". i mean, he very well may, but you can decipher that from what he wrote. i agree with what he said about brokeback mountain. that was a terrible movie. the short story was good, but the movie lacked. i was shocked when it was nominated for an oscar. i think the acting was fine, but the move itself was not good. cinematography, and the down time, GOD, the down time. so much of nothing. it just wasn't good. now because i think that do i obviously hate gays?

[–] Whatsifsowhatsit 10 years ago

You don't I think, but OP's post sounded different to me than did yours... insofar as you can get a "sound" across in an online forum post. You're right that you can't be certain, but I had the same impression as Nocgirl72 myself.

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My vote history: http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=13037287

[–] renbyr225 17 years ago

I care about what you have to say. This movie still sucked.

[–] masb1987 17 years ago

I respect your opinion, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind:
At the time when this was released, there was little on the subject of HIV/AIDS being put out to the mainstream audience. To have not just a film about AIDS, but one filled with A-list actors, was revolutionary. Also, when the film was released, AIDS was at it's peak in the US. I grew up surrounded by HIV+ people, and even though I was six years old in 1993, I remember my "uncles" disappearing. People were uncomfortable talking about AIDS, let alone to someone with it. AIDS was just beginning to recieve the attention it deserved from the world. Keep that in mind when you're watching the film, and you'll see what's so incredible about it.
Might I also suggest brushing up on grammar, spelling, and punctuation if you want your opinion to be taken seriously?

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] masb1987 17 years ago

If you endorse him, I don't have a problem with that. But why are you posting it here? And shouldn't you at least spell his name correctly?

[–] thomaswords 16 years ago

You're just a troll, posting here to insult any gay person who might stop by by aligning yourself with someone who used the word *beep* And your NAMBLA salutation outs you as just another idiot with a pissing Calvin on his 1982 Pacer.

[–] richard.fuller1 12 years ago

masb1987: "At the time when this was released, there was little on the subject of HIV/AIDS being put out to the mainstream audience."
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I was 27 in '93, you state your were six. This conclusion you made about information is incorrect. Rock Hudson, LIberace and Freddie Mercury, to name three, had passed away, all made massive headlines, so everyone knew something was going on full-strong by the early 90s.

By the time this movie came out, information about AIDS was as common as mud. Entertainers were dying left and right.

My guess would be those affiliated with your 'uncles' didn't want to discuss how they contracted the deadly disease as this has generally always been construed as homophobic (which I think the movie touched on with the closing of the bath houses).

As for the suggestion the OP 'brush up on grammar, spelling and punctuation' so their opinion can be taken seriously, I had no problem reading the post. It should be obvious the OP is clearly someone whose first language is not English.

And even if they were not that literally articulate, it's still a shame you would find cause to cast aspersions that it is a message not fit for 'taking seriously.'

[–] tjpavia 17 years ago

Are you for real!

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Slim-Angel 17 years ago

This is the best film about HIV/AIDS ever - i read the book - and think the film has all facts in it. It is so true that i cry everytime i wached it!

______________
Love http://www.johnny-depp-world.de/
and http://www.michael-pitt-world.net/

[–] VickiHelena 17 years ago

The book was extremely good. I read it shortly after it came out. The movie was good. I just saw the movie for the first time. Reagan and his administration totally ignored this disease because it happening to homosexuals at first, and we all know how the 'moral majority' felt about 'those type of people'. Only when mainstream Americans started dying of this disease did anyone in his administration get a clue. It is a disease, and there is no cure. Remission maybe, but no magic bullet to stop the disease, only education. And anyone who thinks it can't happen to them is not educated, but ignorant as hell. Nope I am not homosexual, I'm just a nurse.....who's worked with AIDS patients......some who are NOT homosexual. By the way, AIDS started in a foreign country, and was transmitted by heterosexual, promiscuous men, who in turn gave it to the women they had sex with, who gave it to other promiscous men...

[–] soybean913 17 years ago

I disagree with the OP. He sounded like a troll to me.

Anyhoo! I own both the book and the DVD 'And The Band Played On'. Read, and watched it on a couple of occasions. The movie was as good as it could be, well acted and such. I think that the movie told the gist of the story. I, for one, like the book more. More in depth and written as a great piece of medical and political history. The movie had to pare the book down because if it hadn't, the movie would've been REALLY, REALLY LONG. As such, not as accessable to the masses.

On the subject of 'Brokeback'... It's not a bad movie. I do think that Lee went in a bit for shock value. Heath Ledger was trying a bit too hard to channel James Dean a la 'Giant'. Mumbles and flat out 'Huh, what did he just say?'

vparonto-well done you! I always appreciate a nurse- espically those who work with terminally ill patients.

What knockers!
Oh, thank you, doctor.

[–] shoobe01 10 years ago

Not just that, but it has parts that are some of my favorite things on film ever. I show the last 10 minutes or so to film production friends of mine periodically. Just pay attention to the sound design there.

A very good film, in general, and an objectivcely really, really well-done film in some ways, regardless of subject matter. You don't have to love it, but if you HATE it then you simply hate the politics or social message and cannot see past your nose.

[–] catcher-12 17 years ago

Appreciation, or not, of this film really comes down to the individuals life experiences
If you lived through these times, and were affected on a personal level, you cannot help but be moved and angered

[–] skydvr38 17 years ago

it drove me to anger and rage and tears ... when was the last film that did that to you? the gay commuinity celebrates this film not just for content,but for beign well written, acted & directed

[–] skravcik 17 years ago

I'm an internist in Canada who has been involved in HIV care (as a volunteer or doctor) since 1983. This movie captures the feel of the early epidemic perfectly. Personally, I think the movie is exceptional. Well acted, sensitive, revealing.

[–] calandriamay269 17 years ago

I totally agree. I feel rage at everything that wasn't done to prevent the deaths of not only homosexuals, but the hemophiliacs, children, heterosexuals, and haitians that this film depicted. Everytime I watch this movie, I want to get involved. Can't say the same for most movies out there.

[–] tpresnyc 17 years ago

And I'm sorry for any Heterosexual (and anyone else) who had to read your piece of garbage. Looks like you dropped out of school a few years too soon, you Neanderthal *beep* I "simpathyze" with your family.

[–] vince200002000 17 years ago

Why would you say a thing like that? We are all saying how sorry we are that people have to deal with this awful thing and your acting like we're all horrible people for feeling for them. Have a heart tpresnyc will you?

"We hoped we would be huge, and we were-Freddie Mercury

[–] tpresnyc 16 years ago

Sorry, my reply was to the not-so-subtle homophobia of the original poster, but it was posted way down at the bottom. I should have included his comments in my post, sorry.

[–] 16 years ago

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