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| February 2007 »
As you know, this year, Ellen DeGeneres will host the Oscars. Which will make her the first gay person to ever do so. That’s cool, but I must say, Ellen’s host-y presence is a no-brainer and hardly a political message. Of course, she’s a great choice to host the Oscars. Ellen’s funny and classy and charmingly diplomatic, and an Emmy-awarded TV host (like you need me to tell ya that). I love her. Everyone loves her. It just so happens that, yep, she’s gay.
Of course, who knows how “gay” (in a vocal or political sense) she’s going to be on the Oscars. On her own talk show, she rarely makes any acknowledgement of her sexuality. Maybe she doesn’t have to, since anyone with a pulse pretty much knows her deal. But usually, it seems she steers clear of any topics chat-wise that might draw attention to her gayness. The recent visit by out actor T.R. Knight, when he commended her for her gay activism in years past, was a big exception. So, it’s unlikely she’ll make any big jokes or mentions about gay issues on Oscar night. But who can say? Back in 2001, when she hosted the Emmys just a couple of weeks after the trauma of 9/11, she was able to make light of the situation in a clever and funny way: “What would bug the Taliban more than seeing a gay woman in a suit surrounded by Jews?”
Either way, it’s gonna be a delight to watch her. And chances are, hers may be the most-watched Oscar tux in history, no matter what Leo or Jack or Forest or Eddie are gonna be wearing...
And a note from the recent Entertainment Weekly interview with Ellen about what's gonna be new in this year's broadcast: The winners will still have to keep their onstage thanks you’s somewhat brief, but backstage they’ll have the chance to ramble and thank everyone on the planet, and people can watch their taped full-length acceptance diatribes online. Clever, eh?
Go Ellen!
Ellen and girlfriend Porita di Rossi grab some quality time at the People's Choice Awards. Awwww!
"Adam & Steve" (and Sally Kirkland): Making its network TV debut on Logo!
This just in: Logo is gonna air the network TV premiere of Craig Chester’s comedy, Adam & Steve, a movie I totally kinda love. It’s coming to you on Valentine’s weekend, airing on Sunday, February 11 at 10pm.
The movie is a great combo of romantic comedy and doofy, gross-out humor and is one of the silliest love stories ever committed to film. But it’s also got heart and depicts the real pitfalls of love among thirtysomething gay men (awwww). Plus, there’s diarrhea humor, drag queen Jackie Beat hosting a hoedown, an amazing country-western dance-off, the Dazzle Dancers, and comedy/pop culture legends like Julie Hagerty (Airplane) and Sally Kirkland, and great performances by Craig Chester as Adam and Malcolm Gets as Steve.
Parker Posey in Adam & Steve. Just wait 'til you see her in a fat suit...
And yes, the film features a killer turn by Parker Posey. As the film opens, she plays Adam’s best goth girlfriend, sporting a massive fat suit. What’s not to love?
You can watch a trailer of the film here. And you can watch part of the amazing gay cowboy dance battle sequence here (all set to a hilarious tune, “Sh*t Happens!”).
Yee-haw!
Enjoy "Adam & Steve" after a romantic meal. But watch out for flying bottles, please.
 
Big, Orange and Gay: Brian Posehn (left) and Steve Agee (with Silverman, right) star as video-game-playing gay best friends in The Sarah Silverman Program which debuts tonight on Comedy Central. Go Bears!
Sarah Silverman’s show, The Sarah Silverman Program, debuts tonight. It’s dorky and offensive. And weirdly charming and funny (at times). And it features her two somewhat bearish gay video-game playing male friends (she calls them “big and orange and gay,”) played by Steve Agee and Brian Posehn. There are fart jokes (and worse)... Enjoy!
And a few other TV morsels...
Is Tim Gunn still being dodgy with his contract for season four of Project Runway? What gives? Carry on, already!
Oprah’s gonna host her first ever Oscar special (On Thursday, Feb. 22nd on ABC.). But she’s gonna have celebs interview the celebs they wanna interview. Julia Roberts is going to interview George Clooney. Nicole Kidman will interview Russell Crowe. And Jamie Foxx will interview Sidney Poitier. And Oprah’s gonna just watch the ratings soar and lick her lips. (scroll down on link for details)
You know the Footballer’s Wives is coming to American TV, right? (It's getting remade for ABC.) Did you know that gay director Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns) is gonna be behind the camera? Kewl...
Might American Idol get a new guest judge this season? Might it be Courtney Love? Pleeeeeeeese?
Also coming to TV as an NBC pilot in 2007-2008? The Bionic Woman!
Teacher's Pet: Judi Dench zeroes in on new colleague Cate Blanchett. Meow, already!
“Ugh, this movie made me want to go home and take a shower. It couldn't be any more offensive and promote any more idiotic sterotypes about old lesbians if it tried. Really a hateful film.” --a post on a queer website
“The role does not in any way fit the notion of a politically correct gay character.” --The Advocate
“Notes on a Scandal is one of the most sexist and homophobic films I have ever seen.” --Malinda Lo, AfterEllen.com
So... There you have some queer takes on the critically acclaimed film, Notes On a Scandal, which has been nominated for four Oscars, including Best Actress for Judi Dench and Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett. I saw the film this past weekend. Did I enjoy watching it? Totally. Do I feel a little guilty? Yup.
I mean, I agree with all of the comments above. Yes, Barbara Covett, the Judi Dench character is basically a psycho closeted lesbian, treated with disdain and disgust by those around her. Hers is not a PC character representation at all. And at a time when there are hardly any positive images of lesbians (closeted or otherwise) in films, that’s a shame. I know all that...
But I did enjoy the film, for the tacky, yet well-scripted, well-directed, pulpy potboiler that it is. It’s brilliantly acted, and sharply scripted, with over-the-top bile-oozing narration, delivered impeccably by Judi Dench’s warped character. She’s a vitriolic “spinster,” Miss Marple gone wrong. And in the same way that Showgirls or Fatal Attraction is entertaining (hmmmm... two other misogynistic romps, perhaps?), or that a juicy episode of a trashy soap opera is engaging, so is Notes On a Scandal.
Am I allowed, as a gay person, to enjoy watching this bile-fest? I think so. Sure, we all know there are crazy, psycho lesbians and unhinged gay men out there. Chances are you’ve had an ex who you might have felt stalked you; or perhaps there’s been someone you’ve had an unhealthy obsession with. Are we not allowed to present that onscreen? Of course we are.
Judi Dench in "Notes": Tragic? Scary? Offensive? Misunderstood?
But the tricky point with Notes On a Scandal lies in how this characterization is delivered and who's presenting it. Are the filmmakers happily cashing in on a perception that the widespread public is all too happy to view homosexuals (especially unsavory, scruffy older lesbians who don’t fit The L Word standard of glamour or femininity) as unsound, grasping sociopaths? That’s what I’m not sure about... Or hope isn’t the case.
I feel strongly (though I don’t think any of them involved in the film have said this) that all the principals in the movie are gay-friendly people and supporters of gay rights. Director Richard Eyre has helmed shows at London’s National Theater for years, working with great gay talents like Sir Ian McKellen, and so on. The lead cast members are all smart, gay-friendly actors. Most of the film’s own characters, the progressive Sheba (Blanchett) and her husband Richard (Bill Nighy) for instance, would certainly have gay friends. And even Barbara Covett’s own family members inquire kindly as to whether her character is seeing anyone “special,” a clear nod that they hope she has a nice female partner to share her life with. So, it’s arguable that this film offers us merely one depiction of a twisted, sour character incapable of a healthy relationship, who just happens to be gay. (And certainly it would be nice to have a gay schoolteacher depicted benignly. Even in The History Boys, the beloved old poof schoolmaster, Hector, has a tendency to grope his charges.) So it’s uncertain where this film fits into the larger context of stereotypically bad gay representations on film.
When teachers attack: Push comes to shove in "Notes."
Still, like I said, I had fun watching Notes on a Scandal. Maybe I’m delusional? I mean, I loved the film The Talented Mr. Ripley, another critically acclaimed movie with a central character who’s a delusional, pyschologically unstable (and in his case, murderous) gay person. Did I feel that that film cast a pall over all gay men, and scarred how the public perceives us? No.
But maybe Notes on a Scandal is somehow more dangerous, in its own way. Does this film make it too easy to laugh off any criticism of this movie as homophobic, as it can deflect scrutiny by characterizing itself as simply a fun, pulpy story about a nasty character who just happens to be an unstable old homosexual? Possibly.
Ultimately, I do know that I’m glad this film isn’t nominated for Best Picture. After Brokeback lost last year, I don’t think I’d be ready for this unsavory portrait of lesbian longing (however unrepresentative as it may be) to turn around and be rewarded for its particular take on gayness. I’m fine with the movie if it’s characterized as a scenery-chewing drama-fest; I guess I’m not cool with it as a statement on how homosexuals pursue relationships. For me, I guess it’s all about the context. But is that just a little too convenient?
Hmmmmmm...
To paraphrase Whoopi Goldberg from "Ghost": Sheba, you in danger girl...
P.S. And not to get tooooo serious here...
My Top Five Movies That I Like That Feature Unflattering Portrayals of LGBT folks
5. Notes On a Scandal
An archaic portrayal of a pyscho lesbian spinster, 2.0
4. Victim
Dirk Bogarde cheats with a man in 1961 England. And really hates himself for it.
3. Silence of the Lambs
When transvestite serial killers attack!
2. The Talented Mr. Ripley
I mean, who doesn't want to be the rich blond guy, right?
1. The Boys in the Band
"If we only didn't hate ourselves quite sooo muuuuuch...." Of course, then the movie wouldn't be nearly as good, would it?
Apple announced today that those adorable teensy little iPod Shuffle doodads will now come in five new sassy colors. Somebody gave me their old Shuffle that they were getting rid of, and I gotta say, I love the utter simplicity of the device. Yes, you can’t see what’s playing or scroll through your list of songs, but the little bugger is pretty much indestructible and just super-handy.
And now they’re so teensy (and comparatively cheap; starting at $79), you can collect all the colors! I’m all over the green one. And the orange one. For starters.
The Big Gay Sketch Show cast, with director Amanda Bearse, center. Funny... THAT way.
First came Monty Python. Then came Benny Hill. (Or maybe Benny Hill came first? Not sure...) Then came Saturday Night Live. Then came MadTV. And of course, there have been others. But finally, gaydom gets its own crackpot, whacked-out sketch comedy series as Logo has announced a date to launch its own sketch-fest, aptly titled The Big Gay Sketch Show. It’s coming at you on Tuesday, April 24th.
I got to see a taping of one of the episodes, and I gotta say, this is gonna be good. The cast is all pretty hilarious; it’s a fun, crafty mix of new talent. NYC’s own resident gay comedy/party maven Jonny McGovern is awesome on the show, as are the rest of the pretty much unknown (but not for long) cast. There are raucous characters including an overzealous PFLAG mom, a genius knock-off sketch that’s basically a gay “All in the Family,” a little boy named Fitzwilliam (played by the amazing Kate McKinnon) who wants nothing more than his very own vagina... And more!
The full cast for the show reads as follows: Erica Ash, Dion Flynn, Julie Goldman, Stephen Guarino, Jonny McGovern, Kate McKinnon, Nicol Paone and Michael Serrato. And among the folks working behind the scenes guiding this enterprise are Rosie O’Donnell (serving as an executive producer), director Amanda Bearse (Married with Children), and creative folks with backgrounds at MadTV and Kids in the Hall.
So, yes... The tone at Logo is looking to get a little lighter and more irreverent as the year chugs on. Which is good, because who better to laugh at crazy gays than a bunch of crazy gays. But don’t worry faithful Logo watchers, you’ll still get your regular doses of lesbian costume dramas and Charles Busch movies (thank god!).
Har!
"What's in a name?" asks Stone. More than she thinks?
“I’ve been called a bitch - and a lot worse - for years. And you know what, so what? People who think that aren't going to change their minds. And I wouldn't dream of sending them to therapy to 'rehabilitate' their feelings. How absurd."
That’s Sharon Stone talking to gossip queen Liz Smith, offering her take on the whole T.R. Knight/Isaiah Washington “f-word” smackdown. Stone goes on to say: "Please, I call all my gay friends ‘big fags.’”
Okayyy... Thanks, Sharon. And yep, while I can understand the PC-ness of this whole Washington/Knight scenario has gotten a bit intense, I won’t underestimate the value of sending a big message that tossing around the word “faggot” to casually denegrate someone is an offense you can not just laugh off. As GLAAD’s honcho Neil Giuliano has said, we’re talking about the same word that gay kids hear sceamed at them right before they’re attacked and bashed and beaten to death. So, if it’s time for an emphatic public display of why this word isn’t okay to use, then let’s have it.
And sure, the notion of sending Washington to rehab smacks more of a PC PR stunt than anything... And he’s probably even not such an awful guy or the villain he’s made out to be here (he even played a gay character before, in Spike Lee's Get On the Bus). But it’s still a stretch for Stone, no stranger to the value of sensational self-promotion, to get all uppity about it. And yes, I know Stone’s long-been a friend to gay causes, and she’s a great activist for AmfAR. As well she should be.
The well-spoken Ms. Stone. Urf...
Meanwhile, here’s a piece in USA Today on the meaning behind the current “f-word” situation.
And estimable NYC gay journalist Andy Humm has this good piece in Gay City News, on the racial issues swirling around the Washington/Knight scenario. Is "the white gay community" guilty of "self-righteousness"?
Discuss.
So... Happy Tuesday!
Jennifer Hudson scores a trophy at last night's Screen Actors Guild awards. But does she really deserve an Oscar?
So now that we’re neck-deep in movie awards season, I’m feeling the need to offer up my crazy two-cents on some of the Oscar nominees... Some of my ideas will jibe with the gay establishment (whatever that is); some won’t. But I’d be eager to hear from you all about them. I’ll be serving these up to you over the next few days.
Last night at the Screen Actors Guild awards... Which, by the way, is a nice concept, with actors all recognizing each others’ work. But need the rest of us care? Or pretend that this one is important or TV-worthy? It reminds me of a few years back, when people—or more likely, a greeting card company—tried to start a holiday called “Grandparent's Day,” as a way to further cash in on the popularity of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and it never really took off. Anyway, all the big winners we saw at the Golden Globes won at the Screen Actors Guild: Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy. Great--but what's the point? I certainly wish them well at the Oscars, but...
Here’s my first take on the Oscar nominees..
On Jennifer Hudson being nominated for Best Supporting Actress...
I really, really enjoyed Dreamgirls. It was fun to watch, and I got as excited as any other of the folks in movie theater, cheering on the ladies, clapping for the big songs, and freaking out at the glossy costumes and fantastic look of the movie. The hair alone should win an Oscar. But Jennifer Hudson, as enjoyable as she was (and she can sing amazingly) is not a great actress. She came off well, and I was totally rooting for her, but she was green. You could tell that this woman was not a skilled thespian. And while part of me is kind of rooting for her to win the Oscar, overall the notion of J-Hud beating out Cate Blanchett when it comes to an award for acting seems insane.
By saying that, I’m disregarding all the usual drama around the Oscars show, the buzz and hype around Dreamgirls and the character of Effie, Hudson’s own hard-scrabble backstory, her unceremonious ousting from American Idol, and the tendency of the Academy to go with the young, fresh underdog performer (like Mira Sorvino when she won, or 11-year-old Anna Paquin, or Angelina Jolie, or even Marisa Tomei...) in this category. Yes, Hudson deserves applause and praise for a job well done. But an Oscar?
Of course, none of the other actresses in this category had to sing a role, as well as act it... So, might I be wrong? Let me know what ya think...
Tomorrow, I’ll discuss Notes on a Scandal... A fun, pulpy dramatic thriller, or a neo-homophobic stereotype-baiting offense??? Hmmmm...
J-Hud and Beyonce at the Golden Globes. Hey... At least Hudson was nominated for an Oscar. Sorry Beyonce... (Though, I do hope the tune "Listen" wins the award for Best Original Song. Yes, I'm fickle.)
 
Actress Jess Weixler accepts the a Sundance Special Jury Prize Acting Award for her performance in the film "Teeth." She plays a woman whose vagina has some special features. And director Jason Kohn picks up the Grand Jury Prize for his documentary about crime culture in Brazil, "Manda Bala."
In today’s final Sundance-related post, the winners of this year’s festival were announced this weekend. It was a very democratic mix, with no movie scoring more than one major award, and no trail-blazing frontrunner emerging as a sure-fire box-office or critical threat barreling toward a movie house near you. The John Cusack-starring road-trip drama, Grace Is Gone, about a husband whose wife gets killed in the Iraq War, won the Audience Award for Best Dramatic Feature. And the Audience Award for Best Documentary went to Hear and Now, in which director Irene Taylor Brodsky tells the story of her deaf parents who decided to get cochlear implant surgery, a procedure that gives them the ability to hear, after 65 years of silence.
And the Grand Jury Prizes went to Jason Kohn’s Manda Bala for Best Documentary, for its chronicle of corruption and survival in Brazil’s violent crime culture. And the jury gave Best Dramatic Feature kudos to Padre Nuestro, about a criminal who encounters illegal immigrants en route from Mexico City to New York.
No big gay-themed films snagged honors, but the short, Freeheld, about a dying New Jersey Lieutenant, Laurel Hester, who fights to make sure her pension benefits go to her life partner Stacie, scored a Special Jury Prize for documentary short film for director Cynthia Wade. And actress Jess Weixler scored a Special Jury Prize for Acting for starring as a woman with special features down below in the “vagina dentata” tale, Teeth, by openly gay director Mitchell Lichtenstein.
You can watch some video of festival-goers naming their faves of the week, and catch video of the award-winners picking up their prizes here.
At the closing night gala at Sundance featuring the film "Life Support," the movie's producer Jamie Foxx mugs with actress Gloria Reuben, director Nelson George and the film's star Queen Latifah.
See ya next Sundance...
Live from Sundance, it's Monday afternoon! And Tuesday night! And Thursday morning...
And another Sundance thing... The guys at CBS News on Logo have been out in Park City all this past week, covering the newsy/dishy gay angle on all the films being screened (which, of course, will be all the films you’ll be watching in theaters later this year).
In their first report, they chat up former Congressman and Presidential candidate Dick Gephardt about his participation in the documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So, which tackles how religious factions deal with homosexuality (and specifically, how the Gephardt family openly dealt with their daughter Chrissy’s gayness in a political climate).
Report #2 brings up gay director Tommy O’Haver’s An American Crime, which stars Catherine Keener a crazy, abusive mother. They also meet director Donal MacIntyre, and talk about his documentary, A Very British Gangster, which tells the story of an openly gay mob boss in England. Crikey!
Next comes a news brief that gives you the dirt on the film The Nines, which stars a gasp-inducing performance from Ryan Reynolds, and some serves up some hilarious commentary from the film’s costar Melissa McCarthy.
Melissa McCarthy and Ryan Reynolds in "The Nines."
Finally, today’s report explains how “it’s more difficult to get your film accepted at Sundance, than it is to get into Harvard,” and Jason interviews Sundance’s head programming guy, “power-gay” John Cooper. He’s the head of the team who decides which films get into Sundance, and which don’t. Does he have a soft spot for gay-themed films? Maybe... Maybe not.
Check it out.
Cute stars Patrick Flueger and Chris Lowell are goofin' at the Airborne Lounge at the Sundance Film Fest. Sweet! They're starring in the fest-screened film "You Are Here."
I’m gonna wrap up the week of Sundance reports with a round-up of film-fest fodder. Jump in and hang on!
Buzzworthy Flicks
Here are some of the films I’ve heard buzzed about on the bus, at parties, at screenings, and among friends who’ve also been Sundancing all week.
Crazy Love is a documentary by gay filmmaker—and publicist (that’s his day job)—Dan Klores and actor/director Fisher Stevens, about a two pathologically linked New Yorkers, Burt and Linda, who maintain an insane relationship that neither friends, family, prision or tabloid headlines can undermine, spanning from the 1950s to nearly the present-day. “The film is legendary” one gushing colleague told me.
Ryan Reynolds gets snuggly with his hilarious costar of "The Nines," Melissa McCarthy.
The Nines keeps getting mentions. It’s a film made up of three vignettes, each starring Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy and Hope Davis. In the second story, Reynolds plays a gay TV-magnate, and he’s got a steamy shower scene that has had Sundance audiences gasping. One friend of mine called it “one of the top five films I’ve ever seen;” others have described as something of a muddle. Either way, queer director John August has made an impression.
 
Might there be a sequel about thongs called "Floss"? Right, the director of "Teeth," Mitchell Lichtenstein.
Teeth, another film by a gay director (this time, by actor-turned-filmmaker Mitchell Lichtenstein), has moviegoers and press types aflutter, too. It’s sort of a horror film/dark comedy about a woman who discovers she has teeth. Down there. Which becomes something of a curse, and a weapon. Jess Weixler stars as the toothsome lead... And you’re very likely to see this in an arthouse near you soon. Chomp!
Toothsome Jess Weixler is getting raves for her breakout role.
Speaking of tricky subject matter, another film, Robinson Devor’s Zoo, maybe win the crown of most uneasy topic of the festival. It’s a documentary about men who like horses. A lot. In that way. IndieWire’s Anthony Kaufman says Zoo “is probably the most beautiful film playing at the festival...”and describes it as a film “about men communing with nature.” Whoa, horsey!
 
Scenes from the film "Zoo," which gives new meaning to the term "horseplay."
And I still haven’t heard much about Life Support, the film which was chosen as the Closing Night Gala movie, which stars Queen Latifah as a drug addict turned AIDS activist. It’s already slated to air later this year on HBO, but here are a couple of bloggy online reviews already.
Queen Latifah turns in some powerful screen time in "Life Support."
That said, here’s another round-up of pics from life at the film fest. Sundance winds down this weekend, with it’s award-winning films getting announced tomorrow. The winners are usually surprises (last year, nobody expected the gay-themed Quinceanera to sweep both the Audience and Sundance Jury Awards last year), so more on that on Monday!
Out director Gregg Araki ("Mysterious Skin") hit Sundance with his pot-brownie munchin' film, "Smiley Face."
Whoa. Gwyneth Paltrow is giving us a look that's icy even for frosty Park City. She hit town for her brother Jake's film (which she's also in), "The Good Night."
The three principle stars of the steamy bayou-drama "Blake Snake Moan": Justin Timberlake, Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. Gossip has also said that JT's been hanging in Park City so he can spend some quality time with his new friend, Jessica Biel. But who can say for sure, eh?
The three main women behind the cool romantic flick, "Broken English": stars Parker Posey and Drea de Matteo, flanking director Zoe Cassavetes.
Finally, I'm not sure if actor Nicholas Gonzalez is starring in a film at Sundance, but he was nice enough to stop in and get his photo taken while in Park City. No complaints about that at all...
Ski tips up!
Just a note...
While at Sundance, you really oughtta take some time away from the movie craziness and ski. The slopes are pretty much empty, the skiing is amazing, and it's a refreshing break from the schmooziness. Plus, when you're done, you get to walk around in your gear feeling satisfactorily exhausted and cool.
I like The Canyons, the big ski resort just outside of Park City. It's like, Utah's largest ski resort, and it's fantastic. And yes, those are my ski tips above.
Meet you at the bottom.
Gays talk about Net stuff! PlanetOut's Eric Wilson, glee.com's Matt Farber, director Angela Robinson, L-Wordster Ilene Chaiken, World of Wonder's Fenton Bailey and CBS News on Logo's Jason Bellini all chat about life after MySpace and YouTube.
While most gays have felt that this year hasn't featured as many queer-themed films as in past years, that hasn't stopped the many homo attendees at Sundance from gathering, movie-watching, partying and discussing "issues"...
In fact, the Queer Lounge hosted a couple of memorable panels this year, one to discuss the future of gay film and its role as a part of the YouTube revolution of homegrown filmmaking online, and what happens next. (The verdict: Nobody knows for sure! But expect innovative artwork and ideas to come from pretty much anywhere.) That panel was on Sunday and boasted reps from PlanetOut, World of Wonder's WOW.TV, The L Word's new OurChart.com and others, as CBS News on Logo anchor Jason Bellini moderated.
My favorite part of the internet Queer Lounge panel? Ilene Chaiken's totally hot boots.
This batch discussed gays and religion at the Queer Lounge: Save Me director Robert Cary and its star Judith Light, Rabbi Steve Greenberg, filmmaker Sandi Dubowski, Rev. Mel White, For the Bible Tells Me So director Dan Karslake, and moderator Tom Brook from the BBC. (And why does Tom look so spooked, eh?)
The following day (Monday) the Queer Lounge hosted another panel, this time about religion and gays and film, and featuring the filmmakers and castmembers of the ex-gay drama Save Me, the makers of the doc For the Bible Tells Me So, Trembling Before G_d director Sandi Dubowski (who's hard at work on a film about gay Muslims, In the Name of Allah), former Reagan-era Religious Right player-turned-gay activist Rev. Mel White, Rabbi Steve Greenberg and others. They ensued on a though-provoking discussion of gays, religion, acceptance, the fight for it, love and, yes, filmmaking and its role in all of this, too. This event was followed by another Queer Lounge reception (with ample drinks and food).
In fact, if you play your cards right at Sundance, you can almost float from party to party, brunch to lunch, buffet to buffet without ever having to pay for food or drink. Yes, swag takes many forms.
Anyway, here are more pics! And no, none of them of Dakota Fanning talking about her scandalous film, Hounddog. I don't think the gays are that concerned....
Cheers!
For the Bible Tells Me So director Dan Karslake. Not afraid of enjoying the party buffet... Yum!
Filmmaker Sandi Dubowski. Smile!
Dan Karslake's parents, and For the Bible Tells Me So exec producer Michael Huffington (who's gay but used to be married to Arianna Huffington and who once ran for governor of California -- why not?)
Veteran gay journalist/activist Jim Fourratt, and Sundance press office guys Cameron Yates and Charlie Olsky rock the Queer Lounge.
Filmmaker William Roebuck, Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Alex Bright talk religion in the Queer Lounge suite kitchen.
Later that night...
Dante's Cove star Gregory Michael and his bud Sunny Malick hang at the afterparty for the Mexican-American drama, La Misma Luna.
The cast and director (Patricia Riggen, center) of "La Misma Luna"--right before Harvey Weinstein came to their afterparty and proceed bidding like crazy for their film.
La Misma Luna stars Jesse Garcia (who starred in last year's "Quinceanera") and Pailo Heitz.
Writer/director/actor Craig Chester and Save Me actor David Petruzzi at the Save Me afterparty.
Casting maestro Kerry Barden and Telling Pictures' Jeffrey Friedman work the Save Me afterparty. Cheers!
Now that Sundance has been consuming all of Park City for nearly a week, are local folks still happy to see Hollywood and showbiz types packing their streets?
Hmmmm... Current photographic evidence may not support that argument, but I think what you see here (posted around town in a couple of places) is just a bit of healthy venting.
But it's hard not to poke a bit of fun when a local storefront gets transformed into a cosmetic surgery and Botox-y sort of salespitch showplace.
Hooray for Hollywood, right?
Salma Hayek and Academy President Sid Ganis announce the Oscar noms this morning, as all of the Best Actress candidates peer down. On with the show...
Oscar nominations were announced early this morning. Last year's Sundance favorite, Little Miss Sunshine, got a nod for Best Picture (sorry Dreamgirls!) as well as Best Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress (for Alan Arkin and Abigail Breslin, respectively), which will likely get some buzz twitching around Park City, and no doubt all the media types will be dishing the nominees. But otherwise, I expect the swag-grabbing shuffle and the movie-going madness will just continue on as per usual here today.
Check all the nominees here... They include indie favorites and other Sundance veterans like Forest Whitaker (a front-runner for Best Actor) and Ryan Gosling. And while Dreamgirls didn't nab a Best Picture nom, it's likely to produce the real winners in the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress categories, with Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson.
My thoughts? I gotta root for Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada. She's the only clear champ that I'm cheering for. It's hard to think of another nominee whose performance I enjoyed more.
Want some insight on who didn't get nominated? (Sorry, Borat.) Go here.
Let the buzz and serious statuette campaigning begin!
I'm thinking life imitated art this morning when Abigail Breslin's phone rang. Will she fare any better at the Oscar pageant? Ask Jennifer Hudson.
Yesterday saw the second of the two “Queer Brunches” at Sundance. This one was hosted by L.A.’s Outfest (their big LGBT film festival that rocks the city every July) and Here! Television. It’s held at the Grub Steak restaurant (love that name) which is full of loopy Old West paraphernalia. All the buzzy gay media types showed up, as did some celeb-ish folks, too.
Just dig the photos, if you will…
Or "Whoa Nelly!" perhaps...
 
Fresh Basil: NewFest (the NYC gay film-fest) honcho Basil Twist gets chummy with OutFest folks Stephen Gutwillig (left) and Kim Yutani.
Wolfe Media's Jenni Olson (who's a total gay film expert, and founder of PlanetOut's PopcornQ) poses alongside L-Word woman Ilene Chaiken, as Chaiken gets interviewed by US Weekly's Bradley Jacobs. Jacobs was putting together quotes for a story about this whole Isaiah Washington "f-word" thing, and taking to media gays.
The folks behind the Slamdance doc, "Red Without Blue": producer/director Todd Sills, subjects and siblings Mark and Clair Farley, and Brooke Sebold.
E!'s Marc Malkin, director Moises Kaufman, John Hart and Jeffrey LaHoste. Smile!
Robert Gant, Chad Allen and Judith Light onstage. They're starring in "Save Me" at the festival. And they're not really as scared or nervous as they look.
A queer brunch calls for some queer bacon. Yum!
A big feathery chandelier? Yes, please. It's the Queer Lounge.
Should have posted these a couple of days ago… But it’s been nuts!
On Saturday, the Queer Lounge hosted its launch party in their digs at the Silver King Hotel. There was a pool party (indoors, naturally) and folks came to mix and schmooze. And network. And it was good.
Here’s a glimpse.
Ilene Chaiken, Katherine Moenning and Leisha Hailey show up at the Queer Lounge, since the L-Word's new site, OurChart.com, is a big sponsor. They look kinda ready to be done with this whole photo biz.
The gays hang out at the pool party at the Queer Lounge. Maybe the drinks shoulda been stronger?
This is Lola Rock-n-Rolla. She's making a film/video/short/game/something called Hothead Paisan, based on the comic. Cool, right?
And those are the Queer Lounge basics. For starters...
More to come.
At a Sundance screening, media folks are busy on their laptops right up until the movie starts.
Here are some snippets of pics and notes from running around Park City during all the Sundance craziness…
Big city comes to small town... Cheezily.
Is it weird to see sleepy store-fronts of Park City transformed into swanky lounges or nightclubs (like NYC’s Marquee taking over a Main Street space, or the “MySpace Lounge”)? Maybe… Or maybe not at all...
L.A.'s Ester Goldberg meets and greets on Main Street.
Walking down Main Street film crews are everywhere. Drag queens wielding microphones with camera crews pop up from time to time, also. This one’s name is Ester Goldberg. She’s from L.A. She interviewed folks for Zannel.com. Lovely!
Purple is soooooo his color.
And what’s a film festival without the Airborne Germ hanging around, right?
Black Snake Moan is a movie with Samuel L. Jackson. He’s some down on his luck dude living in the bayou who ends up with Christina Ricci chained up in his front yard because she's slutty. Really. It’s supposed to be nuts. (Not sure if that's a good thing.) Justin Timberlake is in it. He’s been in town, hitting a few parties and fending off rumous that he’s going to perform. He’s not evidentally…
Parker Posey, by Parker Posey.
Greetings from Park City on Monday! Got lots to post from today and the weekend, and that will happen this evening. Sundance keeps you busy. Dashing from interviews to screenings to gay press conferences (yes, gay ones...), so I'll fill you in on that later. Off now to see Year of the Dog, the new film from Mike White (Chuck and Buck). But I'll serve up dish on good movies, cute parties, queer stuff, and toss many fun photos your way. And yes, Parker Posey!
Posey is the perennial queen of Sundance, which is just how things should be. Talking to her this morning about her film, Broken English (more of that to come), I asked if I could snap a photo. She blithely took the camera from me and began shooting herself. What's not to love?
Until tonight, I hope Parker's smiling face will tide you over.
Cheers!
Gina Gershon plays a tough showbiz type in "Delirious." If only the rest of the film was a fierce as she is...
A quick movie rundown on three films I caught yesterday...
the good, the not-as-good and the brilliant Parker Posey
Michael Pitt gives us that scruffy, doofy thing again. Steve Buscemi's high-strung and manic, as usual. They're both good actors, but...
9 A.M.
Up early and bussing across Park City to catch a screening of Delirious, a film by Tom DiCillo (Living in Oblivion, The Real Blonde) starring Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Alison Lohman and Gina Gershon. Buscemi plays a New York paparazzo who homeless (and shaggy-haired and dopily hangdog as always) Michael Pitt latches on to. Unrealistically, hardened New Yorker Buscemi allows homeless Pitt to come and stay in his apartment, and then makes him his photo assistant. They chase celebs and soon Pitt accidentally hooks up with pop star Kharma (Lohman). It's something of a ditzy New York fairy tale, but it can't seem to decide if it's a biting comedy, a blithe fable, or what. And there's an annoying running joke where the characters have to repeatedly insist that Pitt's charcter isn't gay. Urgh... What's good? Gina Gershon has fun as a dragon lady-ish showbiz manager, and there's some gorgeous cinematography, but on the whole, it's not terribly impressive.
Ellen Page and Catherine Keener in "An American Crime." Keener is so NOT going to win "Mother of the Year."
1:30 P.M.
An American Crime is getting buzz as one of the hottest (and most intense) hits of the festival. It's already got distribution plans from First Look, and it's boasting killer performances (somewhat literally) from Catherine Keener and Ellen Page (you know, the young girl from the also intense Hard Candy). In this one (based on a true story from the 1960s), Keener plays a single, messed-up mother of six who takes in two more girls whose parents run off to join a carnival (really). Through a series of unlucky occurances, one of the girls ends up on Ma Keener's bad side, which opens her up to a whole big world of very, very harsh and f**ked-up abuse. Belt whippings and cigarette burns are just the beginning.
The film is hard to watch at times, but on the whole, it's impressively made with truly memorable turns from the two leads. Props to gay director Tommy O'Haver (who you might know from fluffier fare like Billy's Hollwyood Screen Kiss and Ella Enchanted) for keeping all the weighty, grizzly drama in check. O'Haver delivers the grueling, and just-brutal-enough scenes of heinous abuse without going overboard or getting gratuitous. Expect award-worthy buzz (it's very Indepedent Spirit Awards) for this one.
Parker Posey takes Paris, eventually, in "Broken English." She's tres magnifique in this one, folks.
7:30 P.M.
Parker Posey is always fun to watch. In Broken English she's especially appealing, she's onscreen nonstop, she looks great, and she's basically just totally "refreshing" (as one character desribes her) in this subtle and deft little romantic film. Director Zoe Cassevetes tells a simple story of New Yorker Nora, unlucky in love, who stumbles into a whirlwind romance with a super-charming and edibly cute French guy, played perfectly by Melvil Poupaud (he's such a cute puppy, you'll wanna take him home). This is one of the most charming, and simply smart romantic films to come along in years, and Posey gets to branch out from her usually slapstick, "wacky"-character mode and play a real person. She's awesome. 'Nuff said.
 
A morning bus scene in Park City: Skiers and moviegoers cram in together. And one of Park City's ubiquitous movie poster totem poles.
Nothing like brunch with a couple of hundred of your best gay media pals, eh? Saturday at 11am queer media types crowded into to Cisero’s restaurant on Park City’s Main Street for one of the schmoozy, social highlights of the Sundance Film Fest: the first of two weekend brunch events for LGBT filmmakers, producers, press, actors, distributors—you get the idea.
Gays lined up at a buffet (the Danishes were lovely) for eggs and bacon and waffles and quiche, tossed back Bloody Mary’s and mimosas, lots of coffee and swirled around meeting and greeting. Prizes were doled out to a few filmmakers who scored in PlanetOut’s Short Movie Awards, and a couple of happy attendees won queer books and an RSVP cruise. And largely, folks networked and chatted each other up, looking to find out about what gay films are getting buzz.
A backlit pair of out actors, Chad Allen and Robert Gant, announced prize winners of books and a cruise, and the winners of the PlanetOut Short Movie Awards.
The winners of the films were…
Grand Prize, Abbe Robinson for Private Life. Robinson scored $10,000 for her short. First Runner-Up went to Jen Heck for Airplanes; Second Runner-Up was nabbed by Damien Rea for Scarred; Last Exit by Nicola Marsh won Third Runner Up, and Fourth Runner-Up went to Marc Saltarelli for Where We Began. You can watch them all at PlanetOut.com, naturally.
 
PlanetOut Short Movie Award winners Damien Rea and Jen Heck. Yay for them!
The awards were doled out by out actors Chad Allen and Robert Gant, both on the pulpit to also help promote their own Sundance film, Save Me, which is a drama about homos who get caught up in the ex-gay ministry world. Judith Light also stars in the film, and was expected at the brunch, but I sure didn’t see her. Save Me is looked to as hopefully one of the better queer films shown at Sundance this year. Keep your fingers crossed.
 
Chad Allen with a brunchgoer who won a bunch of gay books; GLAAD's honcho Neil Giuliano (who's prepping to meet with Isaiah Washington over this T.R. Night/f-word mess) and actor Robert Gant.
Nonetheless, burnch was sassy. Folks where friendly (And yes, the gay guys were totally checking each other out. Yikes!) and the mood was buzzy. It’s the sort of event where you finally meet those media contacts who you only know via phone and email. All that—with coffee and croissants!
Chatting with folks about who’d seen what film so far at Sundance yielded this info:
Freelance writer Lawrence Ferber gave high marks to Tommy O’Haver’s intense drama, An American Crime, in which Catherine Keener stars as a 1960s era mother of six who takes in two more teen girls into her care, only to abuse the crap out of one (played by Ellen Page) locking her in the basement and doing dreadful, violent things to her. It’s based on a true story that nabbed headlines at the time. “It’s like it’s the year of abused tween girls at Sundance,” cracked Ferber. “There’s also Hounddog in which Dakota Fanning gets raped.” Yikes all around.
Other films folks are eager to see: Zoo, a documentary about men who have sex with horses (I’m not kidding!), based on the newsworthy case in Washington in 2005, in which a guy died after being dropped off at an emergency room with a perforated colon, after shagging a Arabian stallion. Ooooof… Maybe I'll wait for the Broadway musical version.
Also, Gregg Araki’s newest film, Smiley Face, in which Anna Faris accidentally eats some pot brownies and spend a loopy day on the town. And, The Nines, which stars Ryan Reynolds.
Rory Kennedy’s Ghosts of Abu Gharib, the documentary about the abuse of war prisoners held in the infamous Iraqi prison got high marks from CBS News on Logo’s Itay Hod. “It’s amazing,” he said. (Yes, more on the “abuse” theme at Sundance this year.)
Itay Hod, eager to savor the tasty delights of the queer brunch.
Anyway, check these Queer Brunch pics!
Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Fest's Carol Coombes wins the best hair at Sundance award!
TLA Releasing's Lewis Tice shows off the cool Q-Bert and Pac-Man buttons he got at a swaggy arcade on Main Street that has old-school video and pinball games you can play. For free! Cool!
GLAAD's Nick Adams and L-Word queen bee Ilene Chaiken prepare to dig in to brunch, when they're done snuggling.
Dennis Hensley, reporter for Radio with a Twist, Hollywood Life Magazine and formerly one of Kathy Griffin's gay pals, is VERY happy to be brunchin' it.
Will Wikle is all like, "Um, you gonna finish those hash browns?"
Wolfe Video founder/owner Kathy Wolfe and her partner Barbara Verhage. They win for coolest/nicest lesbian couple ever!
Amazing playwright Jonathan Tolins and US Weekly's nice film editor Bradley Jacobs. They like brunch, too!
And that's yesterday's brunch. There's another one coming today... Stay tuned.
PLUS: Pics of L-Word women, movie reviews, party photos and more and such.
Cheers!
This big stag statue on Main Street is kinda cool. And it's out in front of the "Chasing Ghosts" free arcade. Hurrah!
Craggy icon Robert Redford chats at the Sundance opening press conference thingy.
Maybe Redford can hook this lady up with movie tix? Yep, people line up and really get into this festival stuff.
The first full day at the Sundance Film Festival (in the ski town of Park City, Utah) came and went. And with it films about artists arrested and investigated by the FBI, a Slamdance film about crazy, indie rebels living off the grid in New Mexico, stumbling in to filmmakers (queer and otherwise) and the invasion of celebs (of sorts) into town.
Your morning view in Park City (actually, Deer Valley, a few minutes away) might look something like this. See on the far left? Ski slopes! Yep, it's really Utah.
The day began sunnily in the early morning at a temp of 5 degrees. Things warmed up nicely during the day into the 20’s… (Yes, 25 degrees makes for a warm afternoon here.) And you also get warmed up by the wild sense of the excitement of first-time filmmakers of being here, the mad rush of press charging around, and the oddness of trying to figure out which shuttle bus to whoosh you around town.
Outside when it’s really cold (early morning, or at night) it hurts to breathe. And given the altitude you’re super-thirsty. But who’s whining? It’s a nonstop parade of movies and watching crazy people rush around to them. And there are nice volunteers all over the place.
First stop: Press check-in when one gets one’s credentials, greets familiar journalist pals also checking in, and runs into the CBS News on Logo folks all hunkered around a teensy table in the press lounge, plotting their course for the day. Jason Bellini, Itay Hod, their assistant/producers Matt and Kimberly and Will Wikle are all looking sporty in their wintry gear. (Actually, I think everyone here looks great in parkas and chunky boots. So sporty…)
The CBS News on Logo guys (that's Itay and Jason on the right) peruse all their Sundance stuff to get a grip on all the newsworthy movie-ness.
Hanging in the press lounge, I end up meeting an actress in a film called Year of the Fish, an arty film about a woman struggling to establish a life in NYC’s Chinatown. Then the actress, An Nguyen,gives me a red promotional fortune cookie. Then her director, David Kaplan comes by and they’re both so nice I snap a photo.
YEAR OF THE FISH: Director David Kaplan and actor An Nguyen; so nice, especially when giving out treats!
A few minutes later queer director Marco Kreuzpaintner (who directed the German indie gay crew-team coming-of-age favorite, Summer Storm) strolls in. He’s nice and so is his producer, Rosilyn Heller. Kreuzpaintner’s new film, Trade, is getting its premiere here. It’s about kids being sold into sexual slavery in Mexico City. And it’s his American film debut. Whoa: Global-licious!
Nice, gay German filmmaker Marco Kreuzpaintner (right) and his producer, Rosilyn Heller. Their film TRADE tackles modern-day sex slavers. And it's premiering at Sundance. Rockin' coat, Marco.
Soon, it’s off to a screening of the film Strange Culture an affecting and creatively put-together movie about the artist Steve Kurtz, who was arrested in 2004 for the absurd suspicion that he was a bio-terrorist. After his wife died suddenly in her sleep, Kurtz called 911; but medics and cops found his scientific bio-supplies he used in his art, called in the FBI, who arrested Kurtz, confiscated his late wife’s body and kicked off a lengthy case (still pending) that’s becoming a landmark battle between alarmist government bureaucracy and freedom of speech and artistic expression). The film features Tilda Swinton as Kurtz’s wife, and is mix of narrative and documentary, and agit-prop activism. I liked it.
Tilda Swinton playing an artist's wife in the politically charged, passionate "Strange Culture." Her death opens a whole can of post-9/11, Patriot Act-crazed can of worms.
Then I off to see a film at Slamdance, the Sundance’s fest’s punky younger sibling. The flick was Off the Grid: Life on the Mesa, a documentary about wildly eccentric, even volatile, renegade types living out in the harsh desert, since they’re fed up of dealing with “the system.” They don’t have water or power, but they do have pot, guns and an impressive communal ethic and regard for each other. The doc was well-made, and heartfelt, put together by NYC-based brother and sister Jeremy and Randy Stulberg. Jeremy’s a nice gay guy, and his boyfriend Eric Juhola produced the film. Expect more from these sure-handed filmmaking siblings.
Filmmakers and siblings Randy & Jeremy Stulberg; their film "Off the Grid" is a cool doc debuting at Slamdance. Props to them! And he's a nice gay boy... Yay!
The rest of the day involved dashing around, hearing bits and pieces about films, and witnessing the loopy street life of sundance. Like strange promotional gangs of leggy women all dressed in monochrome beige/cream outfits handing out coupons to download free films from Blockbuster.com. Yep, Park City become shill central as brands and companies set up shops and “lounges” all down Main Street to hawk their stuff. There’s an Airborne Lounge (you know, the travelly cold medicine), the “Hanes Comfort Lounge” (free undies?), the Stella Artois Patio (mmmm… beer!), a MySpace venue, a “Bon Appetit” supper club, and so on!
These women want to you download movies online. They're wearing stickers on their backs which say "Total Access." And they're cool with that.
Tomorrow evening I’ll check out a PlanetOut Queer Brunch, some more movies, some kind of L-Word party at the Queer Lounge, and more!
And yes, there are celebs (and weird muppet-like creatures) dashing around Park City. Enjoy these pics!
Whoa. Nick Nolte looks ruddy. He's at Thursday night's premiere of the Sundance documentary "Chicago 10." He did voiceover work on the movie, so who cares if he's a bit red-faced, eh?
Nick Cannon hits Park City, to promote his gritty indie, "Weapons." Bang, bang...
He was gay in "Capote." She rocked "Tales of the City." Now, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney join forces in the family dramedy "The Savages." She looks way cute here, thanks.
Diego Luna's all shagged out. (I mean his hair, people.) And he's in Park City. Nice!
Women get all "Delirous" over lesbian icon Gina Gershon. Her new film "Delirious" is debuting at Sundance. I approve. "Delirious!" I like that...
Remember the brooding son from "American Beauty"? Yep, it's Wes Bentley (missed ya!), back in the Slamdance film "Weirdsville."
And yes, only at Sundance do even info kiosks become little weird showbiz opportunities. Cue the faux muppets!
And of course, there must be a camera crew or two on the scene...
Coming later on Saturday: More gay info and news! Plus, just so you know... I’ve already lost one wintry knit hit, but I’m keeping warm. So far.
Showbiz meets snowbiz in Park City for the next week. Shut up and Sundance!
Tonight marks the kick-off of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah... The opening night movie of the festival is the documentary Chicago 10, which is about the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the protests surrounding it and the subsequent arrests of those involved. But it’s not just a musty doc; it’s crammed full of innovative animation and voice-over talent by the likes of Jeffrey Wright, Nick Nolte and Mark Ruffalo.
Over a week later the festival will close out with the final gala and the film, Life Support, which stars Queen Latifah as a former drug addict turned AIDS activist. It’s a story that director Nelson George based on his own sister’s life.
Queen Latifahs stars as an AIDS activist in "Life Support," which is the Closing Night film at Sundance.
Of course, between those two films, Lindsay Lohan is expected to come to town. She’s in Chapter 27, Jarrett Schaefer's movie portrait of John Lennon’s killer which also stars a heavy Jared Leto (Leto’s band, 30 Seconds to Mars will also play a gig in town). It’s gonna be, like, 15 degrees in town, so it’s likely that Ms. Lohan will be wearing undies. (Whew!) Plus, other stars like John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Kate Beckinsale, Michael Douglas, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ryan Reynolds, Parker Posey, America Ferrara and Laura Linney have films to promote in the fest, too. So yes, as happens every January, the snowy scruffily upscale Utah town will go majorly Hollywood.
Jared Leto turns in a heavy performance in CHAPTER 27.
Gena Rowlands and Parker Posey hit the streets in Paris in BROKEN ENGLISH, a film by Zoe Cassevetes screening at Sundance this year.
And yep, there are LGBT-themed movies in the fest this year, from a true documentary about a British gangster (cleverly called A Very British Gangster), to tales of courageous Filipino lesbians (Tuli). And at Slamdance, a sort of punky younger sibling to Sundance that also takes place in Park City at the same time, you can catch a gay Lucha Libre wrestling superhero (in Super Amigos) or gay twins finding their way in modern-day San Francisco (Red Without Blue).
A Very British Gangster: One of these tough guys is gay. And a mobster!
In TULI, a Filipino woman refuses to marry because she's in love with her best female friend. Then she lays down in a stream?
I arrive in Park City tonight, and I’ll be blogging from there all week, bringing you photos, movie news, reviews, interviews and all the buzz that’s to be had.
To get you primed for our gay take on Sundance, I lobbed a few questions to the super-cool Ellen Huang, who’s the driving force between Sundance’s Queer Lounge, which is a haven for LGBT festival-goers. The Queer Lounge hosts parties, media panels, and is a great place to get free Wi-Fi or meet other media gays and spot celebs.
Anyway, I’ll let Ellen tell you about it! And stay tuned for lots of good Sundance dish in the days to come!
SUNDANCE 07
Interview with Queer Lounge head honcho Ellen Huang
What is the Queer Lounge and what's the role it plays at Sundance?
Queer Lounge is a hospitality and event space meant to be the "hub" for queer and queer-friendly festival-goers. I like to think of it as a cool, happening community center meets an informal filmmakers "market," where people exchange ideas, contacts, and create a professional networking and social environment. We have panels during the day, and in the evenings, we host private receptions and premiere parties. And, last but not least, we distribute a guide that highlights all of the queer-related films screening at the festivals.
Obviously, we fill a niche. We create an all-inclusive space whereas lots of lounges at Sundance are exclusive to VIPs and celebrity. John Cameron Mitchell dubbed us "old-school Sundance," pointing to an era before heavy corporatization of the festival. We're a grassroots, open, friendly environment for filmmakers and the industry.
Ellen Huang: She IS the Queer Lounge.
What are some cool events happening this year? What are you excited about?
I'm very excited to be partnering this year with our Presenting Sponsor OurChart.com, an online social networking space founded the producer and stars of The L Word. They’ll have a "room" just for them, they’ll be available to take pitches of short form ideas and films from filmmakers who come to the Lounge.
Also, this year, I'm very excited that among the nearly 40 LGBT-interest films programmed into Sundance and Slamdance (amazing amount of films!), several of them focus on religion and homosexuality. Save Me, starring Chad Allen, Robert Gant, Judith Light and the documentary For The Bible Tells Me So—which features Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop ordained by the Episcopal Church, and politician Richard Gephardt and his family. And another documentary, Protagonist, directed by Oscar-winner Jessica Yu, that features a character who is an "ex-gay." We're doing a panel on gays and religion, and we're throwing a post-screening party for For The Bible Tells Me So, too.
Chad Allen in SAVE ME.
Church folk in drag? A scene from FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
How do people use the Queer Lounge? What's a typical day?
People come into the Lounge to surf the net on our wi-fi or computer stations. Mostly people come in knowing that they'll run into their friends. It’s networking. We also have panels and meet-and-greet's this year with production companies and VIPs such as Chad Allen, Robert Gant, and Reichen Lemhkuhl. And the new hereTunes record label will be featuring their artists live and acoustic.
Who's the biggest star who you've seen in the Queer Lounge? Who got you the most excited?
I was very excited to see Toni Collette last year. I was nervous too, so all I could say to her was, "I bet you're tired." And she said yes. I was also really excited to meet screen legend Ruby Dee who was doing press junkets for her film last year in the Lounge. We talked about the history of discrimination and how that's shared between the African-American community and the gay community. And I loved meeting Armistead Maupin last year. He said that Queer Lounge was a "tranquil island in a sea of feral children." Finally, I loved seeing Naomi Watts dancing in the aisles of our David LaChapelle party a couple years ago.
Armistead Maupin and Ellen Huang chillin' in the Queer Lounge in 2006. Cute!
Scissor Sister Jake Shears (center), flanked by Alan Cumming (right) and Cumming's new hubby, Grant Shaffer in 2006.
What are 3 or 4 of the movies you're eager too see this year?
I am very eager to see For the Bible Tells Me So, Save Me, Tuli (which is from the filmmaker of The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveras) and A Very British Gangster about a real-life gay mobster in England. There're also a number of films by queer directors this year—Tommy O'Haver (American Crime), Gregg Araki (Smiley Face) and John August (The Nines)—that I'm really looking forward to seeing. I think Save Me is going to do well and not just within the LGBT community. It really is a film that humanizes everyone, including those who are viewed as being anti-gay. It comes from a place of understanding from everyone's viewpoint. I think Tuli will do well also. It looks absolutely beautiful.
Ryan Reynolds stars in THE NINES from queer director John August. Hurrah!
If you weren't in Park City from January 18-28, running the Queer Lounge, where would you like to be--and doing what?
I would be researching the next film festival, we some day hope to be at, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas and buying my plane ticket.
Check back here all this coming week for more Sundance news and festive festival bits. Staring tomorrow!
GREY'S ANATOMY's T.R. Knight & Katherine Heigl are best pals. And they're speaking out about the f-word slurs allegedly hurled on the set of their show. Watch it!
T.R. Knight is on Ellen’s talk show today. He’s talking about his decision to come out and all the fuss about the on-set fracas that lead up to it. (Ellen calls him “McYummy!”) And yes, he insists that Isaiah Washington did use the f-word on the Grey’s set. Meanwhile, Katherine Heigl is not cool with anybody talking trash about her best gay bud, T.R. I love her! Meanwhile, Isaiah Washington still insists it never happened. (It's in the second part of the linked clip.)
Whoa. Things are going to be kind of tense on the Grey's Anatomy set whenver these folks all get together again...
Meanwhile...
Obama’s gonna run! And he’s in favor of gay civil unions... Let’s see what’s happens with this, eh?
Olivia’s gonna cruise! And Logo’s making a TV-variety special all about it.
Rachael Ray’s gonna keep talking! For two more years.. That’s a lot of “evoo!”
Two gay German soccer stars have come out! Anonymously... Okay, they’ve just participated in an in-depth story in a German magazine, telling what it’s like to be secretly gay in the intense professional soccer world.
Here! TV gets goth with gay vampires on its new series, The Lair... It’s death by hickie! (Or would that be “undeath”?)
The Jack Bauer doll is on its way. You’d have it now, except that Kiefer Sutherland was torturing it. (Plus—see Kiefer hanging with his pants down! Gasp!)
Is the Rob Lowe character on Brothers & Sisters, like, a total closet gay? Will Calista be his beard? Someone thinks so...
“Hey, that gay boy-band dude can drink more than you!” Ha!
And, oh my goodness... The AfterEllen blog has an amazing vintage clip from The Electric Company with Rita Moreno, which explains all about “punctuation.” I remember this from childhood. It rocks!
Brad & Angelina were just some of the folks glamming it up last night. They look kinda severe. He looks weirdly tan; she's stern-looking. We should all look so bad.
The Golden Globes. Watched ’em last night. Some nice moments (J-Hud, America Ferrara, Meryl Streep, Sasha Baron Cohen’s skankily hilarious acceptance comments, and all those other charming Brits who won stuff). Few standouts (those were just mentioned).
But here’s a glance back.
Cameron Diaz: Ruffly! And not about to date Ryan Secrest.
I only caught a few moments of any of the pre-show. I turned over to E! to hear Ryan Secrest bantering with Jay Manuel and some woman about who they thought looked good. The names the usual suspects, but the woman kept asking Secrest about all the female celebs, and didn’t he think they were hot. He gushed about Cameron Diaz and how he wanted to ask her out, now that she’s single. But it seemed forced. When asked if he thought Eric Dane looked good, Secrest responded: “I’m not into that, but... Why don’t you ask Jay?” Okaaaay...
McSteamy Dane: Hot, but why so squinty-eyed, Dude?
I thought Eric Dane looked great. But kind of puffy-eyed; as if he’d smoked a spliff in the limo on his way there. Mark Wahlberg cleaned up nice, but was chewing gum like a diner waitress. Beyonce totally shimmered. That was only shiny, shiny lady. Even her skin had a shiny glow. Cate Blanchett looked shaggy and gorgeous and like she recklessly didn’t give a sh*t about any of it, but also like she was having a fabulous time.
And that’s all I saw before the actual show began!
Mark Wahlberg and his model date, Rhea Durham. Think he still wears Calvin Klein skivvies?
"Listen"--Beyonce looks golden!
Cate Blanchett: "I'm about to lose to Jennifer Hudson, but I could care less. Shag-a-delic!"
Then the actual show began, with George Clooney walking out as a manic Beyonce remix version of “One Night Only” thumped. Then, to get things started Jennifer Hudson won the award for Best Supporting Actress. Which is great; I’m happy for her. But is it freaky when a novice like Hudson beats out a veteran actress like Blanchett. Whatevs... Hudson was charmingly flustered and grateful and started off... “Oh my God! Try not to cry...” and had her great line, “You do not know what this does for my confidence.” Beyonce looked very happy for her, as did the entire crowd. She gave nice props to director Bill Condon, and just when I thought at the end she was going to give a shout-out to Jennifer Holliday, she served up some props to the Supreme who’s life story likely inspired Effie’s, Florence Ballard. Which was a nice touch.
J-HUD: "And I am telling you... Thanks!"
Then out came Justin Timberlake, rocking a simply sexy skinny suit and skinny tie. He handed out the Best Original Song trophy to Prince for a song from “Happy Feet,” which beat out Beyonce’s “Listen” from Dreamgirls. But awkwardly, Prince isn’t there. JT just mugs and laughs, and stoops down at the mic to approximate the Purple One’s small stature and accepts on his behalf. Kinda goofy; kinda cute. (Later, we learn that Prince was just stuck in traffic on his way to the show. Har! Stars: They’re just like us. Stuck in traffic.)
My dream couple of the night (if only): How fierce would it be if Mary J. and JT were, like, together?
Then comes a parade on stage which includes Adrian Grenier (looking cute) and Eva Longoria who introduce Miss Golden Globes, who’s Jack Nicholson’s daughter Lorraine. Then Jeremy Irons wins Best Supporting Actor for a TV series or TV-movie or mini-series for his work in Elizabeth I on HBO. He strides up all charming, if gaunt (and wearing a heinous tux shirt/skirt thing. But he’s dry and funny and self-deprecating (read: British). And thus begins the onslaught as British actors win all the odd obscure awards.
Tine Fey and David Spade come out to bestow the award for the “least humorous performance by a female in a TV series”—meaning the Best Actress for TV drama award. It goes to Kyra Sedgwick. She’s nice.
Then comes Naomi Watts', some scenes from Babel, and then Renee Zellweger who doesn’t something which I can’t remember. (All I do remember is her old pinched expression. Why does she always look like that?)
Jessica Biel comes out looking stunning. She’s, like, really pretty. She’s with Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy) who looks sharp. They give Prada’s Emily Blunt an award for Best Supporting Actress for a mini-series or TV movie. She’s charming, witty Brit #2 to score an award.
Emily Blunt loves her Golden Globe. Now she can relax and have a block of cheese.
And she’s followed onstage by the Heroes cast who give Hugh Laurie the Best Actor award for a TV Drama for House. And suddenly he’s the funniest, most affable and charming and witty Brit winner of the night. Guess the Hollywood Foreign Press folks just love their Brits.
Steve Carrell gives the Best Animated Film award to Cars, which is accepted by a nice, normal-looking (meaning, he’s refreshingly schlubby) animator guy.
Then last year’s Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) winner Joaquin Phoenix arrives to dole out the trophy for Best Actress, Musical/Comedy. As the nominees are announced, Annette Bening drinks and smiles, Toni Colette snags big cheers, Beyonce just looks hot, Meryl Streep looks casually regal and Renee Zellweger looks, well, puffy.
Yes, I'm classy, brassy and I rule. Go Meryl!
Meryl wins and delivers the Best Performance by a smart, classy woman receiving an award, like, ever. She’s funny, sharp and her witty speech appears to happen effortlesly. She gives nice props to her costars, the filmmakers, the studio, all of Hollwyood, and complements the very successful but difficult work her costars did of making her look “monstrous.” I’ve feeling after this breezy high point, it’s all downhill from here.
Ben Stiller then shows up and introduces a Borat clip. Elizabeth I wins for best mini-series. And Rachel Weisz comes out and presents Eddie Murphy with his Best Supporting Actor award. Everyone’s happy about this. And Murphy’s restrained and charming and grateful. But he says nothing shocking or really memorable or hilarious, which is kind of disappointing, but he comes off nicely.
Murphy's back!
Then another charming Brit wins an award for a mini-series or something. This time, it’s nice lanky Bill Nighy, rocking the coolest pair of massive black modster eyeglasses ever. (Fashion note to self: The older I get, the bigger and more trippy my eyeglasses must get.)
When I'm 64... I'll be serving this bespectacled look. Thanks, Bill!
Then America Ferrara wins for Best Actress for a TV Comedy for Ugly Betty. Which kind of rules, because she’s the most adorable person, like, ever. She’s crying.
Salma Hayek’s crying. Ferrara gushes charmingly, “I’m a mess...” and soon the entire audience is smiling through tears with her. Annette Bening’s all teary! So’s Teri Hatcher! Even Will Smith is getting watery-eyed.
America, The Beautiful.
Then, after she wins, as the show heads to commercial, there’s a weird moment where Ferrara heads off, expecting Maria Menounous to interview her. When Menounous finally acknowledges her, she says something sort of rude and awful like, “What do you have to say now to all the people who didn’ t want you to get the role in Ugly Betty?” Wha...? Ferrara’s like, “Well, I don’t know who those people are...” and sort of laughs it off. But what the hell was that about?
At this point in the show... I got distracted, got phone call and had a beer. When I come back a few awards later, Warren Beatty received his lifetime achievement award. Love the old movie clips, but he talks forever. The highlight was the nice thanks he gave his wife, Annette Bening, who should win an award for just sitting at her table and beaming gorgeously all night long.
Then Martin Scorcese wins Best Director for The Departed, and serves up a speedily eloquent thank you speech.
He’s followed by Reese Witherspoon, who’s looking really great. She looks awesome in that sort of, “You know what? I don’t need my sullen stud-puppy husband dragging me down, thanks. I rock! And I make more money than most of you acting chumps in the house tonight. Cheat on that!” kind of way. Reese is the word.
And she reads the nominees for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical. And can I just say that Aaron Eckhart is so ridiculously golden-boy handsome (The hair! The jaw! The cleft chin! Aaaack!) it hurts.
And the award goes to Sasha Baron Cohen for Borat, who’s looking tall and slyly dapper, and who delivers the most scatalogically hilarious acceptance speech, ever. He leads off uttering the words “anus and testicles” and the speech just gets smartly raunchy from here, as he talks about his smelly, heavy male costar sitting on his face. Gack! He’s brilliant. I’m not rooting for him to win the Best Actor Oscar so that I can only hear what he’ll say on that show.
OK. This would be, like, my dream couple. What if Borat and Elle Woods hooked up. Please?
Dreamgirls then wins the Golden Globe for Best Comedy/Musical. Producer Laurence Mark jaunts up to the stage and gives big thanks to David Geffen, and all the other power-gays who made Dreamgirls possible. The music kicks in before he’s done, but I’m telling you, he’s not going. He cranks out his litany of thanks speedily.
Then, Grey’s Anatomy wins for Best Drama series. The show’s creator Shonda Rymes is glowing and fab (TR Knight is up there, onstage. Yay—go gay!). She looks super-fun. And she’s rightfully ecstatic.
Philip Seymour Hoffman then appears, looking like a young Wilford Brimley. He gives the Best Actress Drama award to Helen Mirren for The Queen. She’s totally regal and spunky all at the same time. Just yet another charming Brit who’s well-spoken, succinct and fierce.
Twice the globes. Twice the talent. Go Dame Helen!
Felicity Huffman, who looks younger than ever with killer hair, gives the Best Actor Drama award to Forest Whitaker, for The Last King of Scotland. He’s flummoxed and genuinely overwhelmed, which is nice.
Forest Whitaker: It's really good to be "King."
And then the evening wraps up with Gov. Arnold Schwarzegger wobbling out on stage on crutches to give out the award for Best Picture, Drama. Which just seems weird. And not. Politics is showbiz, right? Babel wins and the director makes cracks about “Governor Schwarzenegger, I have my papers in order. I’m legal." Which is kind of funny.
Then Ahnuld bids us all good night with a Golden Globe-y, “We’ll be back!” sign off. You just knew he was gonna say that at some point...
 
Just a parting shot from Sawyer & Freckles! Cheers, y'all!
See ya at the Oscars, kids!
A scene from Hanifah Walidah's "Make a Move" video, which is fierce. That's Walidah in the right foreground. Heeeeyyy!
Here’s a head’s up of some choice music you can check out this weekend. Some of it’s on Logo; some it’s not. All of it is great.
Brooklyn-based rapper and all-around killer musical artist Hanifah Walidah is totally forging a solid career based on her talents (music, film, magazines)—and her big, winning gorgeous smile. The video for her single, “Make a Move,” features a house full of African-American lesbians having a party, dancing, checking each other out, and looking fierce. “I wanted to show women with some style,” says Walidah in an interview this week on AfterEllen.com. And that she did. The video is #4 on The Click List: Top 10 Videos which airs tonight on Logo. You can watch it here. Her complete album, Once Upon It Is, will be released in February. Watch out!
Walidah just looooves a party. Yay!
Also on Logo this weekend...
Now It's Overhead's Andy chats on NewNowNext Music...
On NewNowNext Music this coming Sunday night at midnight, you’ll catch a new video by queer artist MooneyStarr, plus fresh videos from Bloc Party, My Chemical Romance, Silversun Pickups, Lily Allen and Catie Curtis. Best of all, the show is hosted by the out and supernice lead singer of Now It’s Overhead, Andy LeMaster. LeMaster (who was described by the Logo producer who interviewed LeMaster as “basically the cutest, sweetest man in the world”) talks about his band’s life in Athens, his queer music idol and friend Michael Stipe, gay artists and the advantages the internet provides them... He’s great. And the video for “Walls” (which will also be shown on NewNowNext Music) is, as LeMaster says “people daydreaming about what they’d really like to be doing, while doing something else.” It’s a cool collage of textures and style, with a driving sound and visual oopmh.
LeMaster and his Overhead buds. Moody!
And this guy just keeps revving up the press buzz...
Hip-hop-homo hood Cazwell (as photographed by Danilo Omo).
NYC’s Cazwell got some nice big props today in the New York Daily News. Music scribe Jim Farber’s got a cool profile of the out rapper, whose fun tunes don’t shy away from sexual content. And Cazwell’s got the musical chops to back up his lusty lyrics. Farber describes Cazwell’s music as:
“...some of the most riotous, fleet and deliciously filthy rap being produced this side of Eminem's latest blurts. Cazwell's latest CD, Get Into It, out this week, plunges so eagerly into lowdown sex, none of its rhymes can be printed here.
They're that good.
If such attitudes raise eyebrows, Caz-well is quick to assert that "if I was a straight rapper who had six songs out of seven about sex, no music journalist would bat an eye."
All true. If you’re in NYC on Fridays, you can catch Cazwell at the his new 18-and-over club night, Barely Legal, at Boys Room in the East Village. Fun!
Amerie. Because she loooooves it.
For lovers of scorchy pop and R&B, Amerie is about to bust out another new disc. Because I Love It is due in Spring 2007. You can already go and watch the video for the first single, “Take Control” in which she goes all Jane Bond on us in some plot to rub out a corrupt U.S. Senator. It’s crazy and glam!
And finally...
Blonde Redhead: Not as dainy as they look...
New York-based Blonde Redhead is touring this spring and has a new album, 23, due in April. Love that moody new wave rock/pop stuff!
Enjoy the long holiday weekend (Happy Birthday Martin Luther King!) if you have Monday off... Posts will resume here on Tuesday!
LOST star Matthew Fox. He's dressed here, but he'd rather be naked....
Happy Friday! Here’s a random roundup of news to discuss amongst yourselves...
Lost’s Matthew Fox likes to get naked. Evidently he’s a big fan of skinny dipping, as he says in next month’s Men’s Journal magazine. He also uses terms like “huge unit” freely. And he likes to get drunk friends to fess up to stuff and use it against them. And he says he lies a lot. Oh, that sneaky Dr. Jack... Maybe we can get more of this skinny dipping stuff somehow written into the Lost plotline, eh?
Gay folks can now get married—okay, civilly unionized—in a second state in Mexico. The northern state of Coahuila just legalized same-sex bonding officially. Make a run for the border!
David Beckham talks to Good Morning America today about his move to L.A. (It’s all about the soccer! Hello!) Of course, at first he just sits there, unresponsive and smiling silently... Which looks nice. And then they give him presents.
Originally, the producers of the upcoming Young Frankenstein musical were all hot to have Cloris Leachman reprise her genius role from the film as Frau Blucher. And she was way into it, too. Sadly, now they’re wussing out.
Katharine McPhee to guest star on Ugly Betty on February 1st. The episode’s entitled “I’m Coming Out.” Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson’s on Reba this Sunday. Thankfully, at present, William Hung has no further showbiz prospects whatsoever.
Word of the Stonewall bar getting new owners has reached England. They’re excited!
OMG! Finally, news you can use. Yes, the clip-on earring has returned! Really! Wanna a pair in mink? (Check the slideshow.)
Speaking of fashion... This little instructional video is the real deal. “Ostrich feathers anyone?” Somewhere, Project Runway’s Kayne is loving this.
Still more amazing video. It’s from the World Aerobics Competition or something like that (from the looks of it, circa 1993) but it’s more like the gayest Spandex Extravaganza ever! All set to some twinked out Madonna mega-mix, naturally. Bless!
And bringing this full circle, Matthew Fox isn’t the only nude-o-phile out there. Ski champ Rainer Schonfelder hit the slopes in Austria au natural this week. (Okay, it’s because he lost a bet, but still...).
Stay warm!
She can dance. She can jive. She can also act. And Meryl Streep is going to do all of those things (and sing, too...) as she's just signed on to play the lead in the upcoming film version of the international mega-hit musical Mamma Mia! Talk about merging the ridiculous and the sublime... Still, I think it might work beautifully.
Some might feel that Streep's talents are a bit too lofty for the fluffy, pop-culture giddyness of a musical based on ABBA tunes. But Streep is often at her best when uplifting not-too-deep mainstream goo to cinematic heights. Neither The Devil Wears Prada nor The Bridges of Madison County were books of any brainy heft or social import. But the movie versions of each are kinda great, largely due to Streep's powers.
Hey, Meryl... Hope you like satin!
So, I'm all for throwing Streep into a yellow jumpsuit and having her crank out "Dancing Queen." What's the downside, eh? Plus, if this means we might get to watch her belt out the schmaltzy power ballad "The Winner Takes It All" during the Oscars in 2008, I'm there!
Ricky Gervais & David Bowie make music together this season on EXTRAS. Photo by Ray Burmiston/HBO.
The new season (six episodes count as a season, right?) of Ricky Gervais’ brilliant Extras series begins this Sunday night on HBO. And it looks to be a pretty hilarious one. Guest stars showing up as themselves include a narcissistic Orlando Bloom, a horny Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter), Sir Ian McKellen (there’s Vaseline involved), Coldplay’s Chris Martin and, hilariously, David Bowie.
Orlando Bloom gets up in Maggie's grill on EXTRAS. Photo by Ray Burmiston/HBO.
To get a taste, head to TVgasm to catch this clip of Bowie’s bit on the show. When Andy (Gervais) and Maggie (Ashley Jensen, who’s crafted one of the greatest best pal roles seen in TV in years) end up hanging in a VIP lounge with David Bowie, the results are musically hilarious. You can also catch previews clips on the show’s site.
One sees so little of Bowie, it’s cool to know he’s still got a sense of humor. Not surprisingly, Gervais is as sharp as ever.
Action!
Steve McQueen embodied 1960s & '70s California cool. Think he moisturized?
My skin gets dry in winter time. But that’s a thiny veiled excuse so that I can justify the fact that I’m kind of a skin products junky. I love moisturizers, hair creams, nice bars of soaps for “sensitive skin,” fancy shaving creams and lotions, and of course, lip balms. There are many great brands out there, but for the last year or so (and I’m not even lying or just shamelessly schilling here) I’ve been really digging products by Baxter of California. They’re made for guys, but anyone can enjoy them.
The line was created originally by a groovy Californian, Baxter Finley, back in the 1960s. A few years ago, a young smart entrepreneurial type named J.P. Mastey purchased the line and he’s breathed new life into it. You'll find Baxter’s signature blue bottles in fine stores all over (like Oak in Brooklyn, which caters to urban, aesthetically minded, well-dressed, casual types). They’re also in spas and apothecaries (which is word I totally love).
My favorite Baxter product may be their classic, the Super Shape hydrating lotion that comes with built-in SPF 15 protection. It’s a great daily moisturizer; not greasy or heavy, and nicely hydrating. I think I’m also going to give the Under Eye Complex a try; city life can make your eyes puffy, so I’ll take whatever help I can get.
I also like the soap, or more specifically, the Vitamin E-D-A Cleansing Bars that’ll help you scrub clean, but won’t rob your skin of moisture. I’d also give props to the Invigorating Body Wash (a nice shower-time wake-up call) and the Daily Protein Shampoo. I only wash my hair a couple times per week (it’s better for it), and this stuff works nicely.
Anyway, you don’t need to read more from me. Just check out Baxter’s products. They’re good; and they’re stylish and not overly pricey. Plus, it’s all kind of a cool retro nod to 1965 when men were goodlooking, rugged and well-groomed (think Steve McQueen). What’s not to like?
Looking good worked for Steve. Can't make things any worse for you, eh? Groom it up!
Scrub a dub!
P.S. Need a really great gift? Go for the Baxter Shave 1.2.3 Kit. It comes with a great little army-green DOPP bag, a very cool shave brush and Super Close Shave Formula and After Shave Balm. Niiiiice.
  
50 Cent plays safe, Claire Danes' break-up backstory and Lily Allen chows down. Keep readin'...
50 Cent = “Wrapper.” Meaning, he’s coming out with his own line of condoms.
Claire Danes loves her gay friends. Some more than others?
Barbara Walters chucks the high road, finally. Calls Trump “that poor, pathetic man.”
Richard Gere is educating Indian prostitutes on how to protect themselves from AIDS. Which is cool, and much less hassle than adopting a baby somewhere.
And yesterday, AfterEllen’s Karman wrote about watching last year’s gymnastic flick Stick It, which is out on DVD. It sounds great—like The Facts of Life, with floor exercises.
Gwen Stefani’s new video for “The Sweet Escape” is everywhere today. Like, here.
One more reason to love Lily Allen: She loves chili cheese dogs!
So Apple’s got the iPhone coming out. But how is it? As The New York Times begins: “It feels amazing in your hand. Not like an iPod, not like a Treo — but something new...” and later, “The Web browsing experience is incredible.” So far, so good, eh?
Figure skating champ Johnny Weir. Sure, he's flamboyant. What's wrong with that? Read on...
So there’s a video clip from Nancy Kerrigan’s "World of Skating" show wherein Kerrigan and commentors Lou Tilley, and openly gay skating maven Mark Lund all have a snarky meow-fest tearing Johnny Weir a new one. Ouch!
Why they gotta be mean to a fun, flam-glam skating diva like Weir? It’s like kicking a My Little Pony!
First, they show a video clip interview of Weir, which is genius. Weir says he’s got a “stronger look” in mind these days, and that he’s planning a skating routine “loosley based on Jesus Christ” (!!!!) Sounds genius. It’s bound to be way more fun to watch than say, The Passion of the Christ, yo.
 
Mark Lund & Nancy Kerrigan: Gettin' together for a Johnny Weir-bashing party...
Then Mark Lund, who's credited as “Founder, International Figure Skating” (which is a magazine) then turns all skater-commentator-hater on Weir saying petulantly: “I’m sorry—I don’t think he’s representative of the community that I want to be a part of. And who designs these outfits?” Meow! Lund then goes on about Weir’s mention of Jesus: “You can not compare yourself to the Lord Savior as a figure skater! I mean... (gasp! fume!)”
The trio then gush about up-and-coming skater, Evan Lysacek, who may herald the next generation of skater. Which is cool. He’s way cute. But then Lund says that Lysacek has a “classic elegance and masculinity on the ice that we need to see in male figure skating. I’m sorry, I don’t need to see a prima ballerina on the ice.” Hmmmm, I’m not sure people look to figure skating as a bastion of aggressively butched-out athletics, but that’s just me.
And they still needn’t all gang up Mean Girls-style on Weir? What’s their damage? Are they jealous they didn’t get to walk the Heatherette runway like Weir? Or because Weir has the fiercest website, like, ever. (Go here and check out his faves. How can you hate on a guy who’s favorite show of 2006 is The Girls Next Door?)
C’mon, people. Can’t we all just skate and be friends?
Broadway actor Jeffrey Carlson is giving his all (plus a mad British accent) to his trans character of Zarf on All My Children. We're talking MAJOR acting drama, folks.
While Rosie and Trump (and Barbara Walters) are still brawling, Alan Cumming got hitched, and Britney’s latest boy-candy got unveiled....
...There’s been some serious acting (re: scenery chewing?) going on over on All My Children. As you remember, they recently kicked off a storyline of a character, the British rocker Zarf (played by the very able Broadway star Jeffrey Carlson, pictured above), who’s going to be transitioning from male to female this season. This plotline is well underway, evidently, from the looks of this clip featured this week on VH1’s Best Week Ever (via DListed).
Go here to watch it. And brace yourself for the "P-word!"
Are the folks at AMC milking this for all the drama they can? Sure looks like it. Is it moving or just campy or... what? Is this going to be another pulpy tale of a tormented, anguished transgender person which we’ve seen on TV and in films over and over... Or will Zarf (who’ll be Zoe before long) transcend all of that? Who can say? Not sure if this clip is going to tell you much, but check it out anyway. It’s rather, er, mesmerizing.
And if you want more Zarf, the ABC site has some video podcast footage of Jeffrey Carlson on the AMC set, with the writers talking about their plans for the character. Looks like they mean well... But watch out for that big slap!
Ouch!
Steve Jobs shows off his cool new iPhone. Wonder if these things'll catch on?
So today’s gone downright Apple crazy!
There’s the announcement of the new iPhone to get your pants vibrating and your earbuds steaming... It’s a phone, a music player, an internet browser thingy—and an Epilady!
Mmmmmm... Pretty little visuals! And just one button!
Or maybe you dig the fish tank option?
But wait there's more...
This thingy beams video and music and stuff from your computer to your TV. Magic!
There’s also the new Apple TV gadget so now you can finally watch those episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, The Girls Next Door and Noah’s Arc that you’ve had on your iPod on a real TV. Just use the Apple Remote.
The new AirPort Extreme. Ready for takeoff.
And then there’s the new juiced up Apple AirPort Extreme, that’s more powerful and flatter and less flying-saucery than its predecessors. So there!
Got to Gizmodo and Engadget and The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) for more, more and more...
Or just go to Apple.
Taye Diggs: Looks good. Choreographs nicely, too.
Can one help being majorly in love with Taye Diggs? No, one cannot. He’s gorgeous, a great actor, does musical theater, dances, is married to a Broadway diva, and is an all-around nice guy. Plus, he’s a choreographer. Really! Evidently, he’s been a student of modern dance even longer than he’s been acting...
Tonight in NYC, a dance piece that he created, “Loose Change,” sees its debut at the Joyce Theater, performed by out dancer Desmond Richardson of the Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Dance your way there if you’re in the neighborhood.
Hey, Taye got Stella's groove back. Think what he can do for you...
Not an ad for Tylenol PM, but this week's New York Magazine, with arty men on the cover.
This week New York Magazine has a cover story on downtown New York artists, Dash Snow, Ryan McGinley and Dan Colen. That’s the three of them in bed on the magazine cover, above. McGinley’s gay (he’s in the middle), Snow and Colen are straight. They all are good friends, live fast in the art world, and as New York is feeling it, epitomize a certain free-wheeling, wildly iconoclastic, messily debauched but aesthetically thriving segment of the art world right now. McGinley (who’s been an art star for several years now, with a solo show at the Whitney a few years back) is gay; Colen and Snow are straight. They’re all kind of “enamored with penises.” (It says so in the article!) And read about the “Hamster’s Nest.” Messy!
Dash Snow at V Magazine's party for Courtney Love in NYC, just before Halloween.
The central focus of the cover story is Snow, a former graffiti artist who lives without phone or email, makes art which involves ejaculating on stuff, and comes from a politically progressive and very rich art-world family (though, he’s been on his own, on the streets and just about everywhere else since he was 13). The story’s pretty interesting, even if just for giving a glimpse of the randomness of the art scene, and the characters who populate it. As McGinley says of his friend Dash, Dash’s distance from his enigmatic family and Dash's rough-and-tumble-meets-messily-not-quite-but-almost-glamorous life... “Who knows, maybe someday he’ll pull a My Own Private Idaho and go after the money.... you never know...”
Check out the New York story for a good read...
"Untitled (Morrissey 3), 2006" by Ryan McGinley, on view now at Team Gallery, NYC
And right now in NYC, McGinley’s got a show up of his latest photographs, taken over the past few years at Morrissey concerts, now on exhibit at Team Gallery. They’re not as viscerally sexy or arresting as some of this older works of partying youths and skaters, but they’re beautiful in their own evocative, hazily romantic way.
Then, go out and take some nice rock star photos of your own...
Bloc Party's Kele Okereke talks about his innermost desires and sexuality and stuff. Finally...
Kele Okereke of Bloc Party talks about his sexuality! And sounds like he might talk more soon... And is he single?
Also, in more news from Europe...
Amy Winehouse is not well. Meaning, she barfed onstage (or backstage, perhaps) at G-A-Y in London! Hey, it happens... Right?
Kylie Minogue is really stylish. Officially.
Up-and-coming U.K. song-boy Mika gets some love from The Times in London.
Arjan’s got some stuff on the new release from the tres lovely French duo, Air. And you can listen and groove to their sounds, too.
Madonna gets harshed on again for her Malawi adoption. This time from Angelina Jolie?
And Lily Allen might “just do it.” She likes Nike.
 
Apple + telephone = iPhone? We'll find out soon...
Is the Apple iPhone’s arrival imminent? Or maybe a gizmo to send video from your computer to your TV? Come on, tell us already! (And to see some possible looks for the iPhone, go here!)
AND...
Want zippy iPod speakers for the road? These are kinda cute. And cheap.
Casio’s little Exilim digital camera is back! And it's packing more power. And it's still teensy.
Comic fans: Check out anime versions of The Simpsons and Futurama.
TiVo to go for your Mac? Wha...?
LG has whipped out its combo new Blu-Ray/HD DVD Player in Vegas. It’s due in March. Save $1,200 if you’re excited to hear this.
 
Cybill! Sitting pretty in 2005, and working a charity runway show this year.
One of the reasons I’m super-excited about watching The L Word premiere this Sunday is that Cybill Shepherd is joining the cast. I first grew to love Cyb during her Moonlighting hey-day. Then I backtracked and caught her in Taxi Driver and The Last Picture Show, and I’ve even seen her do cabaret shows, where she’s fun and blousy onstage.
Anyway, Time Out New York has a fun interview with Cybill, and they quiz her about how, back in the day, she dated Elvis. And surprise, she reveals Elvis as kind of a homophobe. His take on two men kissing onscreen: “Ewww, gross!”
Cybill however, has no issues smooching ladies. Yay! She also makes fun of herself for playing Martha Stewart, and she offers her take on the word “c*nt”: “If it’s disrespectful at all, I hate it. If it’s a sexy comment? Sex doesn’t have to be politically correct.”
She even talks about how plastic surgery can make people less funny comedians.
Hurrah Cybill!
Hey newshounds... Much like Katie Couric does her newspecials beyond the realm of the CBS Evening News or how Matt Lauer hosts specials on MSNBC, gaydom’s own resident newsanchor now has a side gig that you should know about. Yep, the head anchor for CBS News on Logo, Jason Bellini, now has a new online vlog that he’ll be updating every few days, serving you with news stories and pop culture coverage that go beyond the usual "CBS News on Logo" briefs.
The new video blog installments are called Jason Bellini's Here & Now, and they’re going to be in-depth or even relaxed looks at what’s going on in your gay world. In some cases, they might be the real gay story beneath the major headlines out there (like his first entry, which gives you the gay backstory on late President Gerald Ford’s relationship with the gay community), or Bellini may just highlight some artsy or cultural topic that is garnering buzz.
Check out this first entry. I like it! And I’m looking forward to more, which will get posted on the CBS News on Logo page on LogoOnline (and Jason will have his own “Here & Now” site coming soon).
Enjoy! Go Jason!
And then...
After you get some Bellini news, go hear the first single from American Idol alum Katharine McPhee and her forthcoming solo disc.
You can here to read Britney Spears’ letter to her fans. “I get it,” she says about all the furor over her recent dodgy behavior.
Plus, Jacob & Joshua of Nemesis are gonna be on The Tyra Banks Show on Tuesday, January 9th. It’s a coming out episode. Surprise! They’re gay! (Go to Tyra’s show site and click on the “Tuesday” episode for a preview.)
New York's new governor, Eliot Spitzer (far right), posing with openly gay NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and gay-friendly Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Some pink politics in the works?
Yesterday I reported that there’s a trend in New York where straight guys seem to be fostering “crushes” on the new go-getting governor, Eliot Spitzer. (He does have nice eyes, by the way.) But there may be a rash of gay folks crushing on the guv soon, too.
The New York Sun reports (with a big headline on its front page) that high on Spitzer’s agenda this year is to push through legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. This issue didn’t come up in his “State of the State” address two nights ago, but an aide to Spitzer tells the Sun (which does lean towards the conservative politically), “"The governor made a commitment to advancing it this year, and he will do so." The only nod to Spitzer’s gay agenda for NY, might have been found in this nugget from his first big statewide address, in which he said that he saw New York as a "state that understands that the civil rights movement still has chapters to be written."
Sounds great to me... And Spitzer does seem to get results. I'm crushing already!
Meanwhile...
In another New York city paper, the pink-paged and crustily snarky Observer, writer/designer/wit Simon Doonan pens a piece about gender confusion. His own. Seems that given that men are more sensitive and women are pretty aggressive these days, and since so many folks are transitioning gender-wise, Dumenco just resolves his uncertainty on gender-specific greetings by using the universal, “Hey, Mary!” With mixed results...
  
SAG loves J-Hud and Ryan Gosling; but Beyonce's "Best Song" isn't happening...
The SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Award nominees were announced today. Jennifer Hudson got a Best Supporting Actress nod for Dreamgirls. But Beyonce was left out. Just fyi... Another note: Ryan Gosling got a much deserved nod for Half Nelson. Nice, eh? No big surprises otherwise.
Meanwhile, it seems like Beyonce won’t be eligible for an Oscar nomination. Not for Best Song, anyway.
Ashley Parker Angel—puppy-doggish and much-coiffed star of O-Town, MTV’s Making the Band and There & Back—is going the way of Usher, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond and Hayley Duff. Which means that he’s gonna be on Broadway. More specifically, he’ll be gyrating and warbling as heartthrob Link Larkin in the tres gay Hairspray starting January 19th. Good morning, Baltimore!
In other Broadway news, gay playwright Tennessee Williams' classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (which also deals with an "is-he or isn’t-he" gay lead character scenario) is gonna get revived on Broadway this year, with an all African-American cast. Got any noms for Maggie the Cat? Audra McDonald? Angela Bassett? Halle Berry? Beyonce? Wanda Sykes?
Wanna be Logo’s next top model? Well, the LGBT TV network is looking for “real people”—you know who you are—to be featured in an upcoming print ad campaign. It’ll help if you’re in L.A. next week (like, January 8th or 9th), and you’ll need to send in a face and full-body pic to this address: SeeYourselfLogo@yahoo.com. Go here or here for more info...
DUDE MAGNET: NY Governor Eliot Spitzer
And finally... New York’s new governor Eliot Spitzer has many fans. Including straight guys who find themselves with a “crush” on the new guv. Awwwww...
Rosie gets consoled by Barbara after she hears there's an even gayer all-female talk show in town.
And you thought The View had turned into a totally lesbian talk show? (Hurrah! Thanks, Rosie!) Well, stand back... Starting today there’s a new, all-woman gabfest on-air (by which I mean online) that’s gonna make Rosie’s pro-gay rants with Joy and Barbara (as Frau Hasselbeck sputters helplessly) look downright provincial.
Yep, broadcasting online from the new and improved AfterEllen.com site is the lesbian talk-a-rama, She Said What?. The show is going to be a weekly, ten-minute talk show wherein four super-smart, funny and perfectly entertaining women gab about all that’s going on in the lesbian world at large. And yes, they are gonna have weekly L Word recaps, too. (Watch out, Jenny!)
Women on the Verge: She Said What's Sarah Warn, Staceyann Chin, Chagmion Antoine and Lauren Blitzer.
The show is piloted by AfterEllen’s able head honcho Sarah Warn, and it’s co-hosted by CBS News on Logo reporter Chagmion Antoine (love her!), author Lauren Blitzer (who co-wrote the fun coming-out tome, Same Sex in the City: So Your Prince Charming Is Really a Cinderella) and the killer slam poet, Staceyann Chin (seen on Broadway in Def Poetry Jam). They’re a fun, opinionated bunch.
 
StaceyAnn & Chagmion looking serious; Lauren and special guest Jill Bennett chat it up.
In the first episode, they go off on The L Word, chat with fun guest Jill Bennett (the out actress seen recently in the queer action film In Her Line of Fire with Mariel Hemingway), and talk up the recent trashy news about Miss USA boozing it up and getting caught smooching Miss Teen USA. Says Chin on the whole mess: “Young people... Give them some alcohol, some money, some freedom and a great apartment in Trump Tower—Of course you’re gonna end up kissing a woman!” Then she goes on: “Maybe if they gave [a crown] to a 35-year-old, maybe she wouldn’t end up drinking and making out with teenagers!” Ha! I love it already...
Future guests will include lesbians authors, directors, actors—all-around cool folks. I’ve got some ideas on some good guests for future episodes of "She Said What?"...
Jennifer Beals. Love, love, love, love, love her foxy L Word bossiness.
Lucy Lawless. Same thing; she’s big, she’s wild, she’s [forever] Xena.
Dora the Explorer. This is just me, but that kid on Ugly Betty isn’t the only little starlet on TV who just may fit into Logo’s demographic someday.
Eleanor Roosevelt. Hello? She’s the ultimate lesbian icon... But she really outta rethink this whole fur-wearing thing. PETA’s gonna bring her down...
Anyway, check out She Said What? every Thursday at AfterEllen.com.
  
Madonna, McGreevey & Whitney: Today's news is soooooo 2006.
In the headlines that make ya go “ewwwww!”: Gay Governor McGreevey Hung. (I'm not sure if that's disturbing due to some kind of post-Saddam reference, or for other reasons entirely...)
Think you’re a good DJ? How are your dinner party mixing skills? You might have a career in restaurants ahead!
“Hey, Madonna? How’s my kid doing, eh? Um... Hello?”
TV monolith CSI is cranking out yet another franchise. This time at your local science museum. (Scroll down on link.)
Whitney Houston’s skivvies can be yours! I’m all about the velvet bodysuits, thanks.
The Village Voice’s Michael Musto (he’s like the gay godfather for present-day gay drudge-slingers) has been interviewed by Radar Online. And here’s a nugget:
“I evolved into somebody who became furious about the way celebrities cowered in the closet and how the media went along with that little dance. So, I was the original Perez Hilton—he cites me as a pioneer of celebrity outing. Nowadays, I would've strung up Liberace by his chandelier. I would be prodding his anus just to see how loose it was.”
AND...
I scream, you scream... Ranting homophobes scream...
In my favorite news of the day so far... Some tool on Staten Island goes into a homophobic rage at McDonald's. Who knew McFlurries were that good? (And check out Gawker’s hilarious—and dubiously offensive—dissection of the New York Post coverage.)
New music, new year: Meet Maria Taylor!
Some quickie music notes on what's new and grrrroovy today...
Maria Taylor was one half of the cool, poppy all-girl duo, Azure Ray. They had a tune on the Shortbus movie soundtrack, and she’s also done some songwriting work with the smart kids in the band Now It’s Overhead. Coming soon (like, in March) Taylor’s got a new solo release (her first, 11:11, came out in 2005), called Lynn Teeter Flower, coming on Saddle Creek records. She’s very cool; her work is articulate and arty, buoyant and melodic, happy and sad and cheery all at the same time. It’s sweet stuff. You can watch her video for the irresistible “Song Beneath a Song” here. And she’s got the most awesome big, dark eyes, like, ever.
Maria, Full of Face
Patrick Wolf is shiny and colorful. Just like his music.
The U.K.’s Patrick Wolf grew up in South London, left home at 16 and has been making music ever since. His 2003 debut album Lycanthropy was a chronicle of teenage torment, and this year his third release, The Magic Position, is due in February. It’s full of sweeping piano and orchestral arrangments, reedy and strident vocals, and all kinds of rapturous melodies and dramatic sounds. Alternately, the new disc’s title track is a chugging, poppy zinger... You can also catch up on many of Patrick’s rollickingly dramatic videos here. (Watch "Tristan," from his second album, Wind in the Wires, which is like opera-meets-electroclash on some medieval runway.) He’s going to be touring all over the U.K. come February, so if you’re in those parts... Enjoy!
The Love Arcade lads are gonna "keep it comin'"!
The last new artists getting noticed today are the cheeky boys of Love Arcade. In spite of their somewhat playful and fey look and antics, these boys are apparently straight. But their music is such hook-filled, buzzy pop/rock that it’s likely to get anybody razzed and dancing. I’m loving their lo-fi videos up on MySpace, particularly the “Keep It Comin’” tune, which is a jumpy party anthem waiting to happen (and the video boasts some crazy dance moves). Sure, it’s kinda like indie-kiddie-rock... But it’s fun, too. They’re touring all over the U.S. right now with Kill Hannah and Pink Spiders. You’ll wanna check them out.
FORWARD...
The music bloggers at Gorilla Vs. Bear have picked the best songs of 2007. So far, anyway. On top: Those loopy Deerhoof kids!
BACKWARDS...
And one last nod to the music of 2006. Zippy music blogster Arjan asked his readers to talk about what they dug last year. And they did. Their fave song? Dangerous Muse’s “The Rejection.” For real!
Arjan's readers loved DM's "Rejection."
Courtney Love: Resolving to get smart in 2007.
I post about Courtney Love here every so often. I’m a fan; I can't help it!
And you can read Court’s own post of her list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2007 (via Stereogum) on the Courtney-fueled Moon Washed Rose site. They’re a choice batch of goals (written in an almost kind of “Rosie-style” stream of consciousness, but a less haiku-y, and with more spelling errors).
Some of my faves:
mean it when i smile.
mean it when i meet a stranger no matter how bnothersome- be sincer and take the damm photo without attitude.
And
dont go to nightclubs with 19 year olds.
Words to live by? And also...
chant for Hillary to win
take nothing personally.
learn an asian language
The full post goes on and on...
She’s gonna have a busy, busy year.
  
Downsizing "Brangelina" for the tube... McSteamy meets Nikita?
ABC has ordered up a pilot based on the film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Who’s gonna get to be the small screen’s “Brangelina?” Paging Eric Dane perhaps? And for the Mrs., how about La Femme Nikita’s Peta Wilson? She's hot and can shoot up stuff real good.
Meanwhile, those dashing folks in Britain’s Royal Air Force are looking to recruit gays. They’re even trying to let the gays know that married same-sex loving servicemembers can live with their partners in quarters on bases.
The L Word debuts this coming Sunday. And you can dress up like Shane or power-mama Bette Porter, in an L-Word inspired line of togs. Let the AfterEllen folks direct you, please.
The FX tv show Dirt, starring Courtney Cox as a sleazy tabloid editrix premieres tonight. It looks trashily fun, though the smart scribes at AfterElton are wary of “the offhand way in which homosexuality is used as a ‘scandalous’ element.” But, hey the show is about tabloids, which usually treat gayness as just that: Scandal! And another question is: Is a show about tabloids all that current, given the bloggy culture that we live in? (Of course, if they did launch a TV show starring Courtney Cox as a blogger, every cynic with a keyboard would most likely trash it, right?) Also, Melrose Place alum Grant Show pops up as a closeted action movie-star in episode three. And there’s a lesbian character named Garbo (Carly Pope), who's the “drug dealer to the stars.” Cute!
Two lesbians in prison just got married in Belgium. Okayyyyy, so jailed felons in Europe can have legal same-sex marriages and I can’t? Remind me why I still live in the U.S.???
A Chicago house party ends in gunfire with six people shot. The house was known as the “gay house” in its apprarently not-so-gay-friendly neighborhood.
And in the least suprising gay news ever, a British judge declares George Michael “unfit to drive.”
Jake Shears serves up "Baby New Year" drag in Berlin... Photo by Kevin Tachman.
Finally, a silly New Year’s pic to get you started with 2007. Jake Shears as Baby New Year, live and onstage in Berlin! Cheers!
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