FILM
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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
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May 3, 4, 5
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m .-9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m .-5 p.m.
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FREE ADMISSION
Awards Ceremony and Music Friday 6-9 pm
Music by Rose in the Heather
Traditional Irish & American
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Showing cutting edge to classics, the clay art includes
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