Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Zack and Miri Make a Break from Utah

Am I the only person in the country who is genuinely disturbed by the fact that Megaplex Theatres, which operates theaters in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, has refused to show the astoundingly silly Zack and Miri Make a Porno, but has readily booked the ultra-icky "Saw V?"

Larry Miller owns both the theatre chain and the Utah Jazz. Remember him? He's the same enlightened soul who refused to screen "Brokeback Mountain" two years ago because it "crossed the line."

The theater manager is the morally uptight Cal Gunderson who takes exception to Zack and Miri's "graphic nudity and graphic sex," but refuses to comment on his decision to make a film that involves people putting their limbs in table saws available to Utah movie lovers.

Now, I'm hardly endorsing Zack. Or Miri. But I do think that posturing, censorship, and moralizing fall a bit short when sex porn is out, but torture porn is a-ok.

Frankly, if forced to choose, I'd pick "Z & M" any day of the year! Unlike Mr. Miller and Mr. Gunderson, I just don't consider watching gross dismemberment and extreme agony all that entertaining.