Catchy title eh? Honestly I can not say I thought I would ever use Porno in a title of a blog, but hey, I could not resist.
Anyway, you do not have to Just Say No To Porno as the decision has been made for us, at least by my favorite Utah movie theatre chain.
Today it was announced that the local 70 screen, 5 location theater chain Megaplex Theaters, owned by Larry H. Miller (who also happens to be the owner of Utah’s largest chain of auto dealerships and the owner of the Utah Jazz NBA franchise) will not be showing the move “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” that opens nationwide this Friday. Apparently the Megaplex Theaters is the only chain to turn down the movie.
In May of 2006 Miller did this same thing by not showing the movie “Brokeback Mountain” with Heath Ledger… you remember the gay sheep herder cowboy flick? Back then Miller decided that he did not want to show the movie, and the Theater has now decided to do it again with “Zack & Mira Make a Porno”. If I recall I think this announcement back in 2006 received some national press, and was the butt of a few jokes on late night TV.
I see both sides of the coin here… it is his theater to operate how he sees fit, but there seems to be a bit of a double standard. This theater chain just opened the over bloody “Saw V” (I saw and liked) and the comedy “Sex Drive” (I want to see). Why would horror movies, and other films that depict a ton of violence be shown, but not the now banned “Zach and Mira Make a Porno”?
This news story caused a bit of a fuss this morning on local radio station 101.9 the end. On the Chunga Show listeners kept calling in to vent frustration over the hypocrisy of the Megaplex Theathers and the decision to not show the movie. Most of the conversation was pointing out that all this does is make Utah look bad, if not worse, in the eyes of folks in other states who already have a negative perception about our state.
I am not as upset about this as so many of those callers, but I do see their point. Utah gets enough of a hard time as it is. As for the movie… I am not sure if I will see it, but I do know I am a big enough boy to make my own decision as to if I will pay my $8.00 and get my tub o’ popcorn and beverage. Unfortunately if I do want to see it, Miller and the Megaplex will not be getting my cash.
Finally, I will say this… The Megaplex Theatres is by far my favorite place to see movies. Great digital projection and sound as well as good food. I have gone there so much over the years that I could own stock in the place for how many movies I have seen and treats purchased. So this decision will not affect me at all because I am a movie geek that wants the best movie experience… period.
For more information, go check out a more detailed article in the Salt lake Tribune article here.
(look for another post on the MegaPlex and “Sex Drive” soon)
Until next post…
- Doc
