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PrivateBozz
The Piano, Sunshine, Happy Together (Wong Kar Wai), Labyrinth, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Warrior, The Thin Red Line, Brokeback Mountain, Platoon, The Lost Boys, The Company of Wolves
Favourite shows:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Friday Night Lights, Gilmore Girls, The Wire, Neon Genesis Evangelion, The O.C.
Reviews
Sunshine (2007)
Haunting, raw, amazing, mind-blowing, beautiful
I was completely blown away when I watched it for the first time (in cinema back in 2007) and even more so after re-watching it a few days ago. It's haunting, I keep coming back to it, reading about it, watching with commentary etc.
I love how the fascination for the sun consumes these people, how they sense that something's THERE, some sort of revelation behind its physical appearance. In alchemy sun and gold are related in many ways, in the spiritual sense because they are both an image of the same principle. Of something divine, if you will.
Back then I didn't like the crazy captain story, but now, after thinking about it, my opinion has changed. He is an integral part of the story, which is told in a very symbolic way. It's basically about the conflict between god/nature and science, a conflict that each of us deals with inwardly all the time, if only subconsciously.
We have science in the form of the crew and their mission. It's purely rational, we see this in their discussion about whether to go to the Icarus I, there's no place for morale, it's a purely rational way. But the closer they get to the sun they can't deny that they are about to meet something unexplainable, the other side of the coin. Something divine, the creative force that we are tied to. And something inside of them is drawn to it. Pinbacker lost himself in it, and with him the irrational aspect gains the upper hand for a while. It's not simply insanity, he's really seen something (in the deleted scenes he tells Capa that he'll find god in the sun), and it's proved by the fact that he's still alive.
In the commentary Danny Boyle says when Capa is 'illuminated' in his last scene, he is sandwiched between nature/god (the light of the sun in front of him) and science (the light of the bomb behind him). He's standing between these two walls, and he lifts his hand to greet whatever he's seeing there. In the reality of a human being these two aspects are equally important, and it's through bringing them together that they can be saved.
Also the characters and their interactions are so fantastic. Especially Capa and Mace, their pure strength and sacrifices for the mission impressed me immensely, and I loved how although they used to clash due to their personalities in the end there was this huge understanding between them.
Amazing amazing movie.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Pilot (2013)
Ripping Marvel off the 'marvellous'
'Heroes' deliberately took the super hero thing out of its typical colorful Marvel/DC comic context and placed it in our 'real' world. It made super heroes real, and this worked amazingly well in the first season. I'm a big Marvel fan, and what I don't like about 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and most other MCU products is that they try to do something similar, they try to make it all more simple, toned down and 'realistic', and by doing so they end up pulling the 'marvellous' out of Marvel.
There are some complaints I have with the pilot - generic looking and acting cast/characters (with the exception of Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, who's just astoundingly likable), uninspired plot and action, forgettable dialogue, but this is my biggest complaint: the characters and the story don't really feel like they are part of the Marvel world that I've come to know from the comic books. It's not because there aren't any popular super heroes there (yet), it's the whole 'air' of the show, all the elements and contents seem replaceable, it feels like any other TV show.
I'm left with the feeling that someone created a totally regular TV show and fit in some stuff from the Marvel world, when instead they should create their characters and plots according to that world. Which would mean for example to create characters like Nick Fury, Dugan, Agent 13, Victoria Hand, comic Maria Hill - colorful people that you hate, appreciate, respect or despise (I mean it's freaking S.H.I.E.L.D., they are a nuisance and their agents act like dicks most of the time!). Which would mean to include the complexity of the world, background, politics, powers, magic etc.
I read from many fans 'but well, it's Marvel, so I'll give it a try', and that's my standpoint as well, but imo there's more to Marvel than just including some elements from that world. I'm missing this certain Marvel magic that surrounds the comic books (and some of the movies).
3/10
Grimm: Goodnight, Sweet Grimm (2013)
'Grimm' Season Two
'Grimm' is a good show, solid and with heart, its major asset being the numerous likable and interesting characters and the diverse dynamics of their interactions. 'Grimm' is one of few shows that treats its own creations, be it characters or the world it establishes, with respect. And Season 2 does well in expanding the show's mytharc, which has been dormant for the most part of S1, and enhances the show by adding a fascinating background with a nice adventurous vibe to it. All this plus the high-quality acting and the well written dialogue that always rings natural, make this a show that is entertaining, yet can be taken seriously.
There's one big issue I have, though: I believe this show would benefit a lot from interspersing it with episodes that don't feature a case but take the time to focus on the mytharc and the characters. A lot of episodes feel rushed and crammed, many interesting interactions get interrupted by an incident (most often by a phone call), scenes are cut short when imo it would be more effective to linger on a certain topic. This is a feeling I had a lot while watching S2, and in the end it was hard for me to enjoy either MOTW or mytharc, because each took away time and focus from the other. The cases themselves are smart and original, and they are an important element of 'Grimm', but not every episode needs a new case to solve, especially not in S2 where the mytharc becomes more important.
Some other opinions about S2:
I liked Monroe more in S1, and I found the dynamic of the Nick/Monroe relationship much more entertaining when it was this secret liaison, but I know of course that things have to evolve and can't stay the same forever. So in some way I feel it's good where they are now.
Hank is a great character, but sadly most of the credit for that belongs to the actor who plays him. Apart from the story arc where he's struggling with his sanity this character has been completely underused, even more so since he's been briefed in S2. Before he'd been a part of the unaware world that most 'normal' people in 'Grimm' live in, a world that though not showing the complete picture, is the reality for a large part of 'Grimm's society. That's important, and bringing Hank over to the 'other side' has screwed with the show's balance in some way. I only need to look at the police station to see that something's off now, with Sgt. Wu being the only regular there who doesn't have a clue and Nick, Hank and Renard having their secret circle chats. It's not really a complaint, though, because when I ignore the big picture and look at the character of Hank himself I see that it had to happen sooner or later. It's the journey that makes sense for him, and he's also an important part of Nick's life, so it wouldn't be right to exclude him forever.
The same goes for Juliette. There were moments when I thought it was ridiculous how long they dragged out the 'not-telling-her', and I'm really glad it's done now, even though that too influences the show's balance in an unfavorable way. But I loved how she got back her memories, all those Nicks in and around the house was a funny, original and yet totally plausible way of portraying this.
A third revelation in S2 - this time one that has done 'Grimm' overall good - is Nick finding out about who Captain Renard is. Developing the relationship between Nick and Renard is one of the aspects that I'm most curious about at the moment, and I hope that S3 will focus a little on this constellation. Renard has become a fascinating character in S2, and right now he's probably the one I'm most interested in.
I love Nick. Every scene, no matter how insignificant, is fun for me to watch because D. Giuntoli nails it each time with his natural approach, never overdoing it, and by now I see Nick almost as a real being. But Nick in S2 was a mixed experience for me, especially in the second half, because this character, like the show itself, seemed to suffer a little from the lack of attention. It really is my main complaint: please ease it up, writers, let the dogs from the leash so they can run and sniffle around a bit. You created these amazing characters and this appealing world they live in, and I want to explore this for a while and delve deeper into it.
All in all I'm really glad that I gave this show a chance (especially since I thought the pilot was extremely weak), and I can't wait for S3 to start.
A big heartfelt Thank You! to everyone involved.
Grimm (2011)
'Grimm' Season Two
'Grimm' is a good show, solid and with heart, its major asset being the numerous likable and interesting characters and the diverse dynamics of their interactions. 'Grimm' is one of few shows that treats its own creations, be it characters or the world it establishes, with respect. And Season 2 does well in expanding the show's mytharc, which has been dormant for the most part of S1, and enhances the show by adding a fascinating background with a nice adventurous vibe to it. All this plus the high-quality acting and the well written dialogue that always rings natural, make this a show that is entertaining, yet can be taken seriously.
There's one big issue I have, though: I believe this show would benefit a lot from interspersing it with episodes that don't feature a case but take the time to focus on the mytharc and the characters. A lot of episodes feel rushed and crammed, many interesting interactions get interrupted by an incident (most often by a phone call), scenes are cut short when imo it would be more effective to linger on a certain topic. This is a feeling I had a lot while watching S2, and in the end it was hard for me to enjoy either MOTW or mytharc, because each took away time and focus from the other. The cases themselves are smart and original, and they are an important element of 'Grimm', but not every episode needs a new case to solve, especially not in S2 where the mytharc becomes more important.
Some other opinions about S2:
I liked Monroe more in S1, and I found the dynamic of the Nick/Monroe relationship much more entertaining when it was this secret liaison, but I know of course that things have to evolve and can't stay the same forever. So in some way I feel it's good where they are now.
Hank is a great character, but sadly most of the credit for that belongs to the actor who plays him. Apart from the story arc where he's struggling with his sanity this character has been completely underused, even more so since he's been briefed in S2. Before he'd been a part of the unaware world that most 'normal' people in 'Grimm' live in, a world that though not showing the complete picture, is the reality for a large part of 'Grimm's society. That's important, and bringing Hank over to the 'other side' has screwed with the show's balance in some way. I only need to look at the police station to see that something's off now, with Sgt. Wu being the only regular there who doesn't have a clue and Nick, Hank and Renard having their secret circle chats. It's not really a complaint, though, because when I ignore the big picture and look at the character of Hank himself I see that it had to happen sooner or later. It's the journey that makes sense for him, and he's also an important part of Nick's life, so it wouldn't be right to exclude him forever.
The same goes for Juliette. There were moments when I thought it was ridiculous how long they dragged out the 'not-telling-her', and I'm really glad it's done now, even though that too influences the show's balance in an unfavorable way. But I loved how she got back her memories, all those Nicks in and around the house was a funny, original and yet totally plausible way of portraying this.
A third revelation in S2 - this time one that has done 'Grimm' overall good - is Nick finding out about who Captain Renard is. Developing the relationship between Nick and Renard is one of the aspects that I'm most curious about at the moment, and I hope that S3 will focus a little on this constellation. Renard has become a fascinating character in S2, and right now he's probably the one I'm most interested in.
I love Nick. Every scene, no matter how insignificant, is fun for me to watch because D. Giuntoli nails it each time with his natural approach, never overdoing it, and by now I see Nick almost as a real being. But Nick in S2 was a mixed experience for me, especially in the second half, because this character, like the show itself, seemed to suffer a little from the lack of attention. It really is my main complaint: please ease it up, writers, let the dogs from the leash so they can run and sniffle around a bit. You created these amazing characters and this appealing world they live in, and I want to explore this for a while and delve deeper into it.
All in all I'm really glad that I gave this show a chance (especially since I thought the pilot was extremely weak), and I can't wait for S3 to start.
A big heartfelt Thank You! to everyone involved.
8/10
Supernatural: Bitten (2012)
Would have worked better if shot conventionally...
I find it hard to rate this episode. In my opinion it's far from bad, but there are some things about it that keep it from working.
I loved the first seconds where we see the crime scene with the music playing, before Sam and Dean enter the scene. Very atmospheric. I wish they would leave their usual paths of shooting and story-telling more often. It made my expectation go up, but unfortunately this scene didn't set the style of the episode.
I generally like the idea of seeing things happening from the monsters' point of view, and I don't mind having little of Sam and Dean in this episode. But this is only interesting when I actually sympathize with the new protagonists, and here I don't. I guess the main problem is the 'found footage' shtick. The intent is clear: If done *really* well then the reality-style can make you connect with the figures, because then they come across like people you could actually know, which makes the things that happen to them all the more touching. The last bits of the movie where we see each of them talk about his/her future attests to this intent, trying to provoke emotions in the viewer. But since these emotions haven't been there in the first place it feels amateurish and forced, and this special kind of 'flashback' has been done too often by now anyway. So here the reality-style just puts a wall between the viewer and the figures. First, because it feels clumsy and far from real, and second, because it takes us too far away from Supernatural.
In my opinion it would have been much more efficient to shoot the episode the conventional way, just with the monsters as the main characters and Sam and Dean completely viewed from their perspectives. Then we would have an SPN episode from the monster's POV.
That's my main issue with this episode. An other problem is that the short S & D moments seem pretty insignificant, all but the last one where they decide to give Kate a shot. It's great to have them agree on something like this, and I find it especially *awesome* that each of them seemed kind of sure the other wouldn't, which made the moment when they realized they had the same opinion funny and somewhat heart-warming at the same time. And the picture of Kate leaving town was beautiful.
I also give an extra point for the 'workplace romance' line. I really missed the gay jokes...
6/10
Supernatural: Heartache (2012)
Solid where it counts..
In some way it feels a bit early to jump into a Monster-of-the-Week episode at this point, but I'm quite happy about this choice. I've been unsatisfied with the Mytharc of this show for years now, and after the last episode I'm not so sure this will change with S8. The mytharc kind of died for me with Season 4 when the setting began to expand to heaven and hell, making the Winchesters pawns in a game between demons and angels, and their family history a planned out scheme. In my opinion this attempt to lift the small stage to a more epic plane backfired spectacularly, because it sucked the only thing out of the show that had actually been epic, it's 'superpower' so to speak. I'm talking about the humanity. The human aspect had been SPN's strength, the thing that had made this show more than it could have hoped to ever become. I liked SPN small - the road, the case, the family. You and me.
Now while I know there are shows like 'The X-Files' who are a lot more competent and original in telling a creepy MOTW-story, SPN's MOTW are often strong in showing the *real* status quo between the boys, their current attitudes as hunters and towards each other.
And that's where this episode does a really good job. First of all: I love what they are doing with Dean so far. The constant crisis he's been having during the last seasons has made the show rather bleak and painful to watch. Normally I'm all for characters' journeys, even if that journey is a dark and agonizing one, but let's just leave it at 'it wasn't done very well'. I have enough of Dean suffering, drinking and closing up, so finding him content as a hunter, even cheerful, is a factor that makes me enjoy watching SPN a lot more this season. Of course some might say that he's far from OK with this hardened behavior towards others, but to quote the Evil Queen from 'Once Upon a Time' (who said to the Huntsman): "I always felt there were two kinds of people. Wolves and sheep - those who kill and those who get killed." The Winchesters might often do the sheepdog, but there's no denying that they are clearly on the wolf side of Evil Queen's world.
But there's Sam, and he's not content. I'm not so sure what to do with this. Though he said in Season 7 (or was it 6? Forgive me if I'm mixing them up) that he's made peace with his life as a hunter we see that he hasn't. Maybe he needed a taste of the normal to realize this. He had that with Jessica, but the situation had been somewhat different. This time he's been completely alone, no evidence of the abnormal aspects of his life left. So while I think Sam's development does make sense - though imo the fact that he didn't really look for his brother doesn't, not the least bit - I can't help wishing that the brothers were in sync for once. For once!! But well, maybe there's a reward in the end.
Nevertheless, the case and the fact that Sam and Dean were solving it on their own gave them a lot of opportunities to talk and to interact with one another. And to do so in a way that finally feels kind of natural, which led to some enjoyable scenes. I know there are a lot of people who say the show would get boring just focusing on Sam and Dean, but I have never once been bored by their interactions. The moment Dean slapped Sam's hand off the mouse when they were searching the internet in the pilot episode I knew that I would stick with this show.
Unfortunately the case itself suffered from the usual SPN MOTW weakness: not scary. It doesn't necessarily have to be scary, but if it isn't it should at least be mysterious or suspenseful. Both would be great, but it was neither. It had good dialogue, and that I'm extremely grateful for, giving Eleanor some fresh lines that made her more likable and alive than the people Sam and Dean usually help out. But all in all it was pretty forgettable, and the showdown with Sam hitting one of the guys over the head with a bottle (just in time) seemed more than ridiculous. As an experienced hunter he would surely have other ways to incapacitate someone from behind.
So, this week I've seen an episode that is solid where it counts, but not memorable. Please try harder.
7/10
Supernatural: What's Up, Tiger Mommy? (2012)
Are you kidding me?
I think this episode is a huge let down after the (imo) wonderful start last week. Last week had been great in giving everything -the characters and the world they live in- some substance. There hadn't been much action, not a lot of jokes and not many effects, but it was big in grounding the show. It felt serious and honest, as if there was a backbone growing. You could tell there was someone who knew what they were doing.
Then came this episode, and it was as if nothing had changed. It felt daft. They even used the annoying comedic music that they seem to use in every goofy scene since S3. The tragic aspect of Kevin's sacrifices didn't touch me at all because most parts of the episode were light- hearted garbage. Kevin's mother? Why is it so hard to write characters that live, that feel real, instead of trying to make them 'entertaining'? The whole concept of the auction, 'right hand of god', Thor - I'm fed up with these idiotic figures. They bore me. They make this show a farce. The writers need to focus on the small stuff. Kevin's mom could have touched my heart if she had had one herself, but she was empty, the typical bossy SPN female. Yes, sometimes it's funny, yes, we all love to laugh, but this doesn't serve the show. This kind of humor may entertain you for a second, but it takes away from the 'real' feel of the world and it's characters, and in the end it's making Supernatural silly.
Last week had nothing of this, and that's why I'm left feeling somewhat cheated.
Crowley - he is such a great character, but they just don't manage to do anything good with him. I mean, do they just put him there because he's cool? Well how about writing the cool character a good story for a change, maybe one that we will actually remember. It's almost amusing to think about how long he's been on the show and never been given anything of significance, anything that actually made a difference.
The scenes with Castiel made me cringe, I thought the dialogue was horrible like something from a bad fanfic (no offence meant to those who liked it, it's just how I felt while watching) - and what happened to Misha Collins' acting? The guy is normally a very fine actor (even spectacular in some scenes) but here I found him really hard to watch, his voice sounded completely off. And apart from that, the character of Castiel still feels like dead weight to me. I hope this will change soon.
The only thing that worked for me in the flashbacks was Benny, there's just something serious and grounded about him, something fresh in his manner, that I welcome with open arms. I loved how he was going forward immediately and taking position in that scene, even if he was wrong about Castiel's motives. He and Dean make a wicked team, and I'd be happy to watch them ravaging their environment some more. But well, let's see how long until they turn him into a caricature like they did with all the others.
Maybe I would rate this episode higher if I hadn't seen so much potential in the season opener. I avoid spoilers, so I don't have a clue about anything that will happen, and I go into a new episode with the expectations that the last one left me with. The opener had left me with a feeling of wonderful change, and this one put me right back into everything that makes me weep for the old SPN.
4/10
Supernatural: After School Special (2009)
Compliment to the writers!
I don't write reviews often, but this Supernatural episode, 'After School Special' was the episode I was missing the whole time without even knowing. So I have to say a few words about it.
The insights the many flashbacks allow us add a lot to the characters and the show as a whole. Finally we see exactly what life the brothers had to lead, what it did to them as teenagers, how it affected their everyday life and social contacts. These insights bring the show to a new level. To see these things, to get to the more human aspect - this was long overdue. And it was done so well! This is Supernatural at its best, this is Supernatural how it can be if done by the right people with the right motivation.
I also want to compliment the two actors who played the young Winchesters, Colin Ford (Sam) and Brock Kelly (Dean). If they hadn't succeeded in doing quite an impressive job this whole episode would have backfired. But they did.
My highlight of this episode is the controversial scene, in which Dean yells at the other students that he's a hero. I never expected this almost piteous behavior, and though I know that there's a lot of people who find it out of character, I want to thank the writers for showing us an 'uncool' layer of Deans personality. It makes the character so much more real to me, and going into this direction takes a lot of guts.
So, a big THANK YOU to Eric Kripke and the writers Andrew Dabb and Daniel Loflin. I hope those two get a lot of opportunities to show us more of their skills.
Supernatural: Red Sky at Morning (2007)
Where's the heart?
I'm surprised about the high votes, because I pretty much hated this episode.
I read a lot about how the majority of the fans want Bela out of the show, but I decided to give her a fair chance. And I must say: Sorry, I just can't stand her. Her character annoys me like hell, so much that I have almost a problem watching the scenes she's in.
I liked Jo, because although a bit stereotype, the actress was able to fill that character with some sort of life. Bela doesn't seem like a real person, rather like some kind of farce. She is the perfect example for the current problem of the show: a total lack of heart.
The jokes don't fire right, the dialog is affected, and all the characters seem lifeless.
Please, give me back the show I loved so much. Give me back the grungy on-the-road-feeling, give me back Sam and Dean as human beings, not those zombies you have replaced them with!
Supernatural: Sin City (2007)
I'm starting to worry..
There's not a single thing I liked about this episode, and I'm starting to worry about this Show.
I feel fobbed with triviality (what was the point to this episode?) and annoying attempts to be manipulated. That's what Deans chat with the demon-woman was all about, wasn't it? We viewers shall start to sympathize with the 'evil' characters, and again, it's the way they transform the idea, not the concept itself I have a problem with.
The dialog was lame, and Dean just wasn't Dean, not in his behavior and not in his way of talking. It would have done some good to replace the demon-woman with a man, because I think Dean starting to talk to a demon like they were buddies would have been much more entertaining and convincing that way. I get the feeling they use every opportunity they have to throw in a pretty girl.
I really don't know why I still give this episode one point, I guess it's because this show means so much to me and I really hope they will do better in future.
Supernatural: The Kids Are Alright (2007)
Trite
I know I'm pretty much alone with my opinion on this, but I find the Dean-Kid-Scenario extremely trite.
It's not the idea in itself I have a problem with, but the way it's been transformed. It's just too much, the similarities between Dean and the kid seem so forced, that it makes me feel as if the creators don't have that high an opinion of the audience so that they try to make their point so obvious that even the dumbest viewer gets the idea. The 'bond' between them was so exaggerated that I didn't feel anything between them at all.
I would have appreciated if they had handled that matter in a much more subtle way. I liked how Dean connected with the boy in 'Dead in the Water'. That touched my heart.
The two points I give this episode are for the changelings. They did scare me a little bit..
Supernatural: Wendigo (2005)
Only two forlorn boys..
Although I call myself a fan, this is an episode that shows all the weaknesses of Supernatural. And some of the things I love about it.
Let's start with the bad: First of all, the story is shamelessly stolen from an X-Files-Episode ('Detour', Season 5). Check it yourself if you don't believe me. It's something the writers here often do, and it really pisses me off. They take bits and pieces of other movies or TV shows, and present them as if they were something new. They do it in a very lousy way, too. Don't get me wrong, it's not the main plot I'm talking about.
What I don't like as well, is the fact, that wherever they get, it's always a 'pretty' young woman they end up with (well, I'm in the middle of season 1, so maybe that changes). Come on, this is so inkhorn. The characters could need a lot more depth, and it wouldn't hurt if they were looking a bit more like average people. It would give the show a lot more credibility (an yes, even if it's a horror/mystery-show there's such a thing as credibility).
Now to the things I like: I love the earnest moments between Sam and Dean. It's in those conversations when the show really starts to shine. It's when you learn about their characters, when you get to know them and the way each of them thinks. I like the alludes to their past, tiny hints that show you how they have become the men they are.
It's heart rending to see them in those moments, forlorn, when they are nothing more than two boys, searching desperately for their father.
The dialogue is written very well, and the actors put it into practise probably the best way possible. It's enough to make up for all the flaws of the show.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
It takes two guys to show us love
What is love? Looks like a simple question..
But when we bring ourselves to look at the male-female relationships around us closely (and even more honestly!), we will discover that in very few cases love is the main reason for them to exist. Relationships are often build on factors like comfort, addiction or the fear of loneliness. But the main reason for a relationship is an other: Picturing a 'normal' couple that marries, gets children, sees their children grow up and have families themselves while they get old together, gives us the feeling those people live a complete life. Something tells us that this is the reason why we exist.
And it's in our nature, of course. Mens urge to spread his DNA, woman's urge to give birth to a child, the urge to leave something of us behind before we have to go.
Even today, even as modern people, we are primitive beings.
That is what stands behind almost every romance we witness. It's so much part of our image of a complete life, that even every movie has to have a romance in it to seem complete, may it be the next best superficial action flick or a more intellectual drama (the exception proves the rule, of course).
So what is love then? Does this romantic image that we have in our heads when we think about this feeling exist at all? Or is it just a trick of nature to make us reproduce, to ensure mankind's survival?
One single movie, called 'Brokeback Mountain', shows us brutally that love DOES exist. And it's two average guys who make us feel it all. Those two are forced to experience a strong affection towards one another, and through them we realize what this feeling looks like, ripped of all patterns. That affection is not explainable. It is not even wanted. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Every justification for it is taken away.
What's left is nothing but pure love.
It's an assault on your mind, body and soul. It is raw and violent. It's a force of nature.
That movie holds a firm grip on my heart ever since I watched it the first time, and I don't think it will ever let go of me completely. Yes, 'Brokeback Mountain' does make people think, and yes, 'Brokeback Mountain' does open your eyes. But most of all, 'Brokeback Mountain' does make you FEEL.