New Film Banned in Utah

'Zack and Miri' Banned in Utah

If you're looking forward to seeing Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks in director Kevin Smith's new R-rated comedy "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" this weekend and you live in Salt Lake City, you might be out of luck. Utah Jazz and Megaplex Theaters owner Larry Miller has refused to book the film. The chain's spokesman Cal Gunderson expressed concerns about the film with The New York Post, citing the film's "graphic nudity and graphic sex" and that it was "too close to an NC-17."

The company's standards seem a little odd considering that the chain had no problems screening ultra-violent fare like "Saw V," which features beheadings and explicit self-mutilation. When asked why Megaplex Theaters did not object to the gory horror sequel, Gunderson had no comment.

Furthermore, the company's decision might make sense if "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" were in fact pornographic. Instead, Kevin Smith's surprisingly tame and sentimental movie has a few flashes of nudity, a handful of love scenes played mostly for laughs, and a whole lot of foul language. In fact, the film's raunchiness level is comparable to that of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", "Knocked Up" and "Sex Drive," all of which screened at Megaplex theaters.

It has been a difficult road for Kevin Smith's film, but it is not the first time he has encountered resistance to his frank and bawdy sense of humor. His first film "Clerks" was originally rated NC-17 for language, and his religious comedy "Dogma" sparked protests from Catholic groups. For "Zack and Miri," he again was forced to appeal an NC-17 rating with the MPAA, a teaser trailer had to be removed from his website, and the battle over the poster resulted in a design where the stars only appear as stick figures.

So what's the problem with this movie? The word "Porno" in the title. Aside from Larry Miller's theater chain, fifteen newspapers along with several TV stations and billboard owners have been refusing to promote the flick across the country because of that word. As Philadelphia deputy mayor Rina Cutler said in a phone interview with The Wall Street Journal, "If they want to call the movie 'Zack and Miri,' that's fine, but Zack and Miri cannot make a porno on my bus shelters."

This isn't the first time Miller's company caused controversy by banning a movie. In early 2006, Miller pulled Oscar-nominated movie "Brokeback Mountain" from the screens when he learned that the film was a gay love story between two cowboys. He later stated that he regretted that decision.

As a footnote to this story, this past weekend an audience full of children and pre-teens expecting to see the G-rated "High School Musical 3" at one of Miller's theaters in South Jordan, UT were surprised when the beginning of the R-rated "Sex Drive," which features nudity and swearing, was shown accidentally. But at least they didn't see Seth Rogen in his underwear.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" opens everywhere (almost) on Friday.

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While this movie looks incredibly stupid, I find it disturbing that it is banned. People aren't forced to see it and it is rated R so what's the big deal? If you don't want to watch it don't. If you do now you can't

I don't like stuff being banned

But that Movie is a piece of garbage


Seth Rogen is to acting what Michael Moore is to journalism

And they are both fat slobs, too

Why is it that most movies and TV shows made today are such pieces of shit?



No Wonder I like watching cartoons so much!

Quote :

Salt Lake City

That should answer your question! I bet the owner is a Mormon and feels it is offensive to God. As a private business owner, he has the right to choose the films he wants to show. I am sure there are other theaters in the area that are willing to show it!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Quote :

Salt Lake City

That should answer your question! I bet the owner is a Mormon and feels it is offensive to God. As a private business owner, he has the right to choose the films he wants to show. I am sure there are other theaters in the area that are willing to show it!

You are correct. In that case I'm not sure why such a big deal was made out of this. I checked Yahoo! movie listings in Salt Lake City and of the 5 movie theaters listed (not counting the ones that only show indy or 3D films) 2 of the 5 are showing that film. Boxofficemojo.com doesn't have the daily box office totals yet, but something tells me this "movie" will do well costing the theaters that banned it money. It's their business so I guess that's their prerogative.

gs78 wrote:

Why is it that most movies and TV shows made today are such pieces of shit?



No Wonder I like watching cartoons so much!

No wonder I like watching old movies.

TV is just as bad. No wonder I don't watch any prime-time TV (other than adult-oriented Cartoons on FOX and South Park).

Ok, Im sorry gs, but Seth Rogen is a hilarious actor. Most or all of his movies are awesomely funny. Superbad, I cried laughing, Pineapple Express, I will be seeing soon, and if I can get a ride and someone to get me in, I will be watching Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

I have never even heard of this movie.... But it's retarded that movies get banned. Nobody NEEDS to watch it. If they don't want to, fine, don't. But don't make it so that everyone else has to suffer and not see a movie they want to because the owner doesn't like it.

Yeah! Holly does have a point though, if it helps your business, whether you like it personally or not, play it, your making money off of it, so let the people that want to see it, see it.

I'm right... thats cool.

Yah. Did you go see it garrett?

Friday box office estimates:

1. Saw V - $3,100,000
2. Changeling - $2,300,000
3. Zack and Miri Make a Porno - $2,200,000

Utah, the Anti-Disney.

Some Mormans can have multiple wives but cannot show R-Rated movies not featuring blood, guts, and gore in their theaters??

Does anyone besides me see this is the ultimate in hypocritical behavior??

catbox_9 wrote:

gs78 wrote:

Why is it that most movies and TV shows made today are such pieces of shit?



No Wonder I like watching cartoons so much!

No wonder I like watching old movies.

TV is just as bad. No wonder I don't watch any prime-time TV (other than adult-oriented Cartoons on FOX and South Park).

Family Guy is Number 1

gdennis59 wrote:

Ok, Im sorry gs, but Seth Rogen is a hilarious actor. Most or all of his movies are awesomely funny. Superbad, I cried laughing, Pineapple Express, I will be seeing soon, and if I can get a ride and someone to get me in, I will be watching Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

They should make a Family Guy Movie

That would be a box office hit

tigersaint wrote:

Utah, the Anti-Disney.

Some Mormans can have multiple wives but cannot show R-Rated movies not featuring blood, guts, and gore in their theaters??

Does anyone besides me see this is the ultimate in hypocritical behavior??

Yeah


But Muslims are the real hypocrytes


Religion Wise

What do Muslims and Mormons have in common?


They treat women like shit

And don't drink Alcohol


gs78 don't play that

catbox_9 wrote:

gs78 wrote:

Why is it that most movies and TV shows made today are such pieces of shit?



No Wonder I like watching cartoons so much!

No wonder I like watching old movies.

TV is just as bad. No wonder I don't watch any prime-time TV (other than adult-oriented Cartoons on FOX and South Park).

Family Guy has been getting the highest ratings on Sunday Night Cartoons

Sunday Night is an all new episode

Stewie Home Alone


It gonna rock

Rock it did!

But Im sure this movie did as well, cant wait to get out and see it!

Family Guy Rules

So does Seth Rogen!