Myfi.2001 •
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So you Group want
to
be
a
film
critic?
of guys gab about gay cinema
he men pick up their forks and stab at
their food.
films for about 45 minutes each then mention
and briefly review other movies.
Although such a conversation could become
too chaotic and random, Ruckman and the pan
Facilitator Tom Ruckman sits apart at
elists keep it focused by posing questions. He
by P eter Z uckerman
a table he seems to have converted into a
also provides a program giving time guidelines.
desk. He grabs a piece of paper and reads the
For example, each panelist has about three
ground rules.
right or wrong opinion,”
minutes to describe and review the movie.
“No violence, verbal or physi
explains Ruckman, who
When the group is large, Ruckman breaks the
cal.... Whenever we disagree, even
founded the group. “And I
discussion into more intimate groups of three
strongly, we express ourselves with
keep it so no one is put
to eight men.
mutual respect.”
down for what he thinks. I’m
Men’s FilmTalk also serves a social function.
When he reads this, I scoot for
pleased when we end up
“It opens up potential for friendships to devel
ward on my seat. I’m checking out
with a split where we dis
op,” one regular attendee remarks.
Men’s FilmTalk, and we’re in a pri
agree. That’s when FilmTalk
Love relationships might have blossomed
vate room at a Portland restaurant.
really does its job."
within the group, but Men’s FilmTalk functions
I scan the place. There’s only
Men’s FilmTalk functions
more as a friendly discussion forum than a
one exit, partially obstructed.
like a book club. Each man
hookup place. Ruckman says it’s a way to get
These men might be flamma
views the movie at his own
together with people who have something in
ble. I’m ready to bolt if they get in
convenience,
common in a
a fistfight over Rupert Everett.
then the group
T'T)Oco -mart
nonthreatening,
l-LlGbe lll&ll
comfortable
Ruckman introduces the two
discusses it
panelists du jour: a retired Lewis &
together.
atmosphere.
Clark professor and a licensed
Most atten
You don’t
nurse. They summarize the film
dees have seen
have to be a cin
Reflections in a Golden Eye, place it
only some of the
ema buff or an
in a historical context, tell us about
films. Other
expert critic to
the actors and the genre, and give
shows they dis
enjoy the discus
La Liz isn’t thrilled with the reflections hubby Marlon sees in his golden eyes cuss the night
a brief review.
sion. Men’s
Discussion opens to the floor.
I’m there include
FilmTalk is part
Conversation twists and turns,
elaborates on how great he thinks the film is.
The Sum. of Us and Maurice.
of the Speak to
swinging from the symbolism of a
An academic focuses on how Reflections
Among the 20 or so gay men who gather
Your Brothers program of Cascade AIDS Project.
stallion to the social implications regarding the
compares to the book. Another guy likens it to
around the table are an English as a second lan
Monthly meetings start 7 p.m. at Old Wives’
Vietnam War to “I loved the scene where they
Billy Elliot.
guage teacher, an undergraduate biology major
Tales, 1300 E. Bumside St. Films to be discussed
held hands.”
One critic discusses the film on purely emo
and a pianist. Most of them know each other by
July 12 include Boys to Men, My Beautiful Laun-
One man seems moje interested in listen
tional terms. Someone else thinks it is too much
name, but a few are new to the group.
drette, Maurice and Dog Day Afternoon. JH
ing. When Ruckman asks his opinion, he
of a soap opera, and yet another person hasn’t
The laughter, arguments, irrelevant and
replies simply, “1 liked it.”
amusing anecdotes, and civil conversation con
seen it and decides now he definitely won’t.
For more information about M en ’ s F ilm T alk call
Another man chooses his words with tweez
At meetings of Men’s FilmTalk, “There’s no
503-220-0618 or e-mail mensfilmtalk@home.com .
tinue for about two hours. The men discuss two
ers. “You guys are pulling the wings off a butterfly
or at least a beautiful moth,” he complains, then
T
might be Rammable.
I’m ready to bolt
if they get in
a fistfight over
Rupert Everett.
'Absolutely the funniest rock & roll musical ever
written about a carnivorous, alien plant!"
I
(J- III
À
1 )
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