TORONTO MOVIE/TV NEWS

Friday, February 24, 2012

"Goon" Poster Penalized For Gross Misconduct

The new 'low-brow' hockey movie "Goon", written by and co-starring Canadian Jay Baruchel, offering a sympathetic depiction of hockey 'enforcers', has had numerous posters removed from Toronto bus shelters by outdoor advertiser Astral Media.

The reason was public complaints to Toronto City Hall about Baruchel being shown making a 'suggestive gesture' with his tongue and two spread fingers that is generally recognized (?) as signifying having oral sex with a woman.

"It must be exhausting to be that uptight," Baruchel said, adding that the poster pose was a "reflexive motion".

Meanwhile distributor Alliance blamed city officials.

"Apparently different districts of Toronto had lodged complaints," said Alliance."They deemed the artwork too offensive."

But Elyse Parker of the city's transportation services office said the final decision was not theirs, as city staff contacted Astral after receiving complaints, with Alliance removing the posters without further discussion.

"I can appreciate somebody being offended or not wanting that out there on the streets," said co-star Liv Shreiber.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Goon"...