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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 2002)
FILM ............ ▼ ............ Out on DVD What’s new and hot and what’s new and not by A ndy M angels in the film, other than the ability to embarrass themselves for all celluloid eternity. With this much gayness in front of the camera, it’s astonishing that noth Alan Cumming (right, with Jessica Lange) adds camp ing queer ended up in the crappy excuse for a script, but it’s perhaps a blessing in to Titus disguise; our community can’t be blamed for this filmic abortion. T it u s Not one of the worst films I’ve ever seen, 20th Century Fox but I’d still rather staple my eyelids closed than have to watch it again. If you must see it, the ot a release of the awful television series DVD features both widescreen and full-screen but a retelling of Shakespearels Titus formats plus production notes, bios and a trailer. Andronicus, this film was unfairly classi fied as an art pic in theaters, and audi B ig E d e n ences weren’t sure what to make of it. Wolfe Director Julie Taymor, the genius behind Broadway’s The Lion King, helms this tale of his new release gets my vote as one of the seduction, betrayal and war with an astonish sweetest and best-acted films about men ing hand. Aided by sets, costumes and art falling in love...ever! direction lavish enough to make this a prequel Arye Gross (Ellen) plays Henry Hart, a New to Moulin Rouge, she is also abetted by sterling York gay man who travels back to his small work from actors Anthony Hopkins, Jessica hometown to care for his ailing grandfather. He Lange and Alan Cumming. is surprised to find his straight crush of 20-plus With some nudity and explicit violence, this film is not for the prude or squeamish, but it’s entertaining in the extreme and full of some of cinema’s most haunting images in recent years. Although it has little gay content per se (same-sex couples are seen in orgy sequences), the presence of Cum ming always adds a slight camp value. Highly recommended, especially for those who like extravagant spectacles with top-notch acting. But you should watch it on the two-disc set, where you’ll get multiple commentaries, a hefty docu mentary, Q & A, costume galleries and many more ultra-cool features. N T I s n ’ t S h e G reat Universal T o answer the question posed by the title: NO! Gay icon Bette Midler stars in this biographical film about Valley of the Dolls author Jacqueline Susann. Camp stage star Nathan Lane unconvincingly plays it straight as her husband and agent. Also starring are John Cleese, Stockard Chan- ning and Frasier’s fey David Hyde Pierce. None of the cast, talented as they might otherwise be, shows any skill at all years has moved back as well, and he embarks on a mission to re-establish the intimacy they shared. As he does, he ignores the quiet Native American man who is falling in love with him. James Gandolfini (right, with Julia Roberts) makes a fine gay hit man Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher in The M exican Hawkins as bisexual, she only mentions “dyke" is along for the ride as well, playing a rare and once (in a semiderogatory way) and “gay” once, very nice role. and it’s never clear that she’s either. While I am The movie is likely to make you a bit misty- impressed enough by the music that I might pick eyed, but rest assured this isn’t a gay victim up a CD, I can’t recommend this film to anyone movie; it features exactly the happy ending except hardcore fans. The DVD features com you’ll want, though the twists and turns to get mentary by the director and Hawkins, music there have some unexpected moments. videos, a photo gallery and more. Big Eden is an extraordinary film, impecca bly acted with fantastic scenery. (I ought to T h e M e x ic a n know— I grew up in Montana, where they Dreamworks shot it.) The two-disc set is packed with extended scenes, director’s commentary, a ay audience members were taken by sur behind-the-scenes documentary, soundtrack, prise with this 2001 film, but not by any recipes, trailers and more. thing stars Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts did. He stars as a luckless boyfriend who has to S o p h ie B . H a w k in s : claim a prized gun from criminal elements in T h e C r e a m W i l l R is e Mexico, while she plays his long-suffering girl DocuRama friend, who gets kidnapped by a mob enforcer. No stranger to the act, James Gandolfini he DVD cover touts this as “an (The Sopranos) portrays Roberts’ burly-but- intimate look at the bad girl of well-mannered kidnapper. The surprise comes a rock ’n’ roll,” but I’d say this is third of the way through when it’s revealed his much too intimate, and I’d question character is gay! Hawkins’ inclusion as a bad girl. Although the concept of a gay hit man might This documentary follows the cause some PC shrieks, the community has long musician for an extended tour, fea pushed for gay roles of all types, and Gandolfini turing much onstage and backstage makes his character the most likable and well- footage as well as endless reminis rounded of the ensemble. He even gets a boy cences and therapy sessions with friend, with his bearish size defying the pretty- her mother. Shot in a cornucopia of gay-boy mentality so prevalent in Hollywood. film techniques (the 80 or so I Although dragging at times, The Mexican is counted made it busy as hell, a fun popcorn movie that entertains and sur though pretty at times), Cream is prises along the way. The gay element and unfortunately devoid of any internal glam-scruffy appeal of the stars only add to its logic or narrative. Is it about the value. The DVD features deleted scenes, direc musician or a daughter in therapy? tor’s commentary, a behind-the-scenes docu The disjointedness even mentary, a trailer and more. J H includes documentary no-nos such as unnamed people talking onscreen and names brought up A ndy M angels is co'author of Star Trek: The Next with no explanation of what rela Generation Section 31: Rogue, written tn the midst tion they are to anybody else. of reviewing DVDs, movies, books and live theater for Just Out. Visit him at www.andymangels.com. Though press materials tout G T froiM O w r io Wowrsl O regon P otters A ssociation C eramic S howcase 2002 200 Clay Artists Sale and Demonstrations Northwest's largest exhibit of clay art May 3, 4, 5 Friday and Saturday 10 a.m .-9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m .-5 p.m. Oregon Convention Center 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Portland, Oregon FREE ADMISSION Awards Ceremony and Music Friday 6-9 pm Music by Rose in the Heather Traditional Irish & American No Host Bar Showing cutting edge to classics, the clay art includes sculpture, decorative vessels, jewelry, dinner and functional ware, outdoor garden sculpure, tile work, fountains and more. Collectors: Meet local clay artists! www.ceramicshowcase.com . SORT
