“Love means never having to say you’re sorry” – Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O’Neal)

“I wish I knew how to quit you” – Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal)

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You have to give a movie like Fat Girls points for trying. This low budget comedy, by writer/director/and the film’s star, Ash Christian, does place a great deal of heart in its telling of its tale of two high school outcasts.

The titular Fat Girls, as referred to in a voice over by Christian during the film’s first few moments, are summarized thusly, “you don’t have to be fat to be a fat girl, you don’t even have to be a girl - it’s a state of mind.”

And the actual state of Texas serves as the film’s backdrop, as Rodney Miller (Christian) and his plus size gal pal, Sabrina Thomas (Ashley Fink) set out on a quest of self-acceptance, deep in the heart of their small town existence.

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Drowsy: (adj) showing lack of attention or boredom

RED DIRT, the feature writing and directing debut of Tag Purvis was described by Ted Shen of the Chicago Reader as “vividly [capturing] the drowsy desolation of the Deep South.” While this is an apt description of the tone of the film, “drowsy” isn’t how I would describe a film so rich in beauty and truth.

Starring Dan Montgomery and Karen Black, RED DIRT leisurely tells the tale of a family in a town so small there’s barely five people in its entire population. Griffith (Montgomery) is a young man in his twenties who desperately wants to escape the trappings of his suffocating existence. Burdened by responsibility, he stays in the home he grew up with to care for his mentally unstable aunt Summer (Black). His only friend is his cousin Emily (Aleksa Palladino), a moody nineteen-year old who has all but given up on getting the hell out of Pineapple, Mississippi, and making something out of her aimless life. The two share a sibling-like bond, except, of course, the occasional sex that emerges from a life without any other social outlet. Continue Reading »

You might only recognize him if he is paired up with Julia Roberts or Madonna, but Rupert Everett is in his own rights a very successful and talented actor, although maybe not as easily recognizable as the aforementioned starlets.

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The irony is that his acting career was being forged at much the same time as the other two whose celebrity now precedes them with just the mention of their names. Yet, because of his collaborative film works with these high-profile ladies during the nineties, his name and face are not so unknown to the general public anymore, at least here in the United States. Rupert Everett is much more well-known in international circles not only for his acting but also for his forays into the world of modeling and also for his writing.

Currently he is promoting his new book called, Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, an autobiographical look back at his life and career. The book covers his early years as a privileged youth and his boyhood struggles with his sexual identity. It sheds some light onto how he came to terms with it and worked it into his acting persona. The book more importantly recounts his journey to becoming an actor, revealing his stint as a prostitute, as he fought to survive along the way.

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Mah oh Mah. Ta’s been so busy spreading FABULOSITY ’round the world that when Ah finally had a moment to relax with mah mint julep and catch up on some movie watchin’ Ah didn’t realize Ah’d be in for such a hilarious treat!

Todd (played by Jonathan Bray), who is straight, ends up on a blind date with a gay man, Kelly (the stunningly handsome and oh-so-cute, Wilson Cruz) — the result of a practical joke played by his brother, Barry (Jonathan Silverman).

To Todd’s surprise, he and Kelly strike up a friendship. They decide to take revenge on Barry by reversing the joke. After their “date,” the pair saunter past Barry holding hands. The joke works too well. Freaking out and convinced that Todd is gay, Barry calls their mother (Super-Ally Sally Kirkland)to break the news.

Concerned, she arrives on the next plane. Despite his vehement denials, Mom now sees Todd’s love of movies and theater, as well as his lack of interest in sports, as clear signs she’d previously missed. She is determined to prove to her son that she loves him no matter what. She joins PFLAG, and invites the local chapter president (Joanne Baron) into Todd’s home. Nothing Todd says or does can convince her that he’s actually straight!

Their mutual love of movies brings Todd and Kelly face-to-face with one of Todd’s homo co-workers, the devilish, rumor-mongering Clayton (the hilarious Jason Stuart) who also jumps to the conclusion that Todd is gay and wastes no time in letting everyone in the office know. Soon, everyone in his life believes he is gay despite his increasingly vehement denials.

After a limpy attempt to prove his heterosexuality with a sexy younger woman ends in disaster, Todd starts to wonder, could his feelings for Kelly be more than he’d ever suspected? Kelly is more than happy to introduce Todd to the ecstacy of homo sex because he’s now developed a crush on poor confused Todd despite warnings from his roommate and fag-hag, Bonnie (adorable Elaine Hendrix).

Now, Coffee Date could have devolved into a conversion tale and Ah’m glad writer/director/co-producer Stewart Wade not only didn’t fall into that morass but deftly contrived a conclusion that actually says more about the character and speaks to our dream to have a world as equally understanding.

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Tallulah Givehead is a Fabulous drag queen living in Portland, Oregon (Lord only knows why!) writing reviews of gay film by day and tearing up the stage by night. You can read her reviews here as well as at her blog, QUEER VUE MIRROR.

Y’all know Ta loves any excuse to participate in some drama an’ ball her eyes out. A wedding is one of the perfect excuses … AND Ah get to bring out all mah favorite wigs an’ dresses. Many of Ta’s friends have tied the knot in commitment ceremonies – some of which top Princess Diana’s wedding to Prick Charles – but, unfortunately, such ceremonies mean nothing in the greater context of Life in the United States. Committed or not, a gay or lesbian couple’s life can be torn asunder with the slightest of efforts.

Stephanie Higgins’ “The Gay Marriage Thing” makes this sad state of affairs more intimate and personal than anything Ta has seen. Her documentary (which doesn’t feel like one) presents the politics, the piety, and the people embroiled in and affected by the heated debate over same-sex marriage in history-making Massachusetts. Amidst the chaos of legislators, church leaders, and protesters, one couple’s quiet story puts a human face on the social struggle of our time.

We get a little peek into the lives of Lorre and Gayle and their two great-aunts (sisters who’d lived together their entire 80+ years) whom they live with and are caregivers for. With that, the first few moments of “The Gay Marriage Thing” paint a picture of what it means to be a family. Gayle and Lorre, thirtysomething college sweethearts who marked their 15th anniversary a year after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled a ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, form the heart of this documentary scrapbook.

“The Gay Marriage Thing” captures all of the voices that swirl in the air around Gayle and Lorre as they approach May 17, 2004, the first date same-sex couples could file for marriage licenses in Massachusetts; from the protests outside the Massachusetts State House, to the churches of the Reverends Rich Wiesenbach and Carlton Smith, to the historic chambers echoing State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein’s perspective.

The emotional and spiritual toll this issue puts upon all parties is apparent in the everyday angst and anticipation of Lorre and Gayle’s own wedding.

“The Gay Marriage Thing” is not some historical commentary on gay rights in the United States. It is instead a small story with big implications. By focusing on one suburban couple and the multitude of events that directly affect that couple’s otherwise average life, “The Gay Marriage Thing” strives to show a different side of this issue than documentaries or television newscasts have thus far.

With protesters and their colorful signs serving as a Greek chorus, and an array of opinions from church, state, and everyone in between, this is the film that family members can finally watch together. “The Gay Marriage Thing” is the documentary that opens the dialogue, fully expecting the audience to continue it.

“My hope is that this film will artistically promote discussion over shouting, communication over violence. If THE GAY MARRIAGE THING does nothing more than open a dialogue between two family members, co-workers or friends on opposite sides of this debate, then I have done my job.” ~ Stephanie Higgins, Director

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Tallulah Givehead is a Fabulous drag queen living in Portland, Oregon (Lord only knows why!) writing reviews of gay film by day and tearing up the stage by night. You can read her reviews here as well as at her blog, QUEER VUE MIRROR.

Unfortunately, Ta simply doesn’t have enough money leftover after buyin’ wigs and shoes to afford pay cable like the LOGO channel … even when everyone’s all giggly over the irreverant new series, Rick & Steve. Luckily for me movies and TV shows get put onto DVD so soon after they’ve been released / aired that it’s not like missin’em at all!Seein’ as how this series is animated, Ah invited some of mah little twinkie boiz over. Ah mean, how complex can a TV series be when its made with little animated Lego people?

Oh. Mah. Gawd.

TWICE Ah had to go back to fix mah mascara!

Welcome to the gayest of gay ghettoes, West Lahunga Beach - which could easily be mistaken for West Hollywood or Laguna Beach, a trendy neighborhood with its own time zone (when you leave you have to set your watch to five minutes ago). This is where Rick and Steve make their fabulously decorated double-income-no-children home. The insults fly, nothing goes unspoken, and the ugly, bitter truth about domestic bliss never looked so cute.
Rick, voiced by virtually unknown Will Matthews, and Steve, perpetrated by perennial poppet Peter Paige, have been LTRing it for seven years—that means long-term relationship (many gays have only heard of the term). They live with their sometimes magical pussycat, Pussy, in a gorgeous little two bedroom that Steve virtually stole off the market.

Kirsten, voiced FABULOUSLY by Emily Brooke Hands (Eating Out, Eating Out 2, Boy Culture), and her butch wife Dana, Taylor M. Dooley, have cohabitated for three long, drama-filled but satisfying, years. Kirsten’s lifelong friend, Rick, is her first choice to father their child. The only catch is, Kirsten’s wife and Rick’s husband are avowed mortal enemies.

Steve’s best friend and bad influence is Chuck, voiced by Alan “Why-Is-He-Famous?” Cumming, a bitter old queen who is outspoken, HIV positive, and confined to a wheelchair. Chuck’s partner of four years is Evan, voiced by cuite-pie Wilson Cruz (Starring in the recently released on DVD, Coffee Date), a feisty 19 year-old club kid who never sleeps. Yes. That means the ol’ perv started hookin’ up with the little trollop when he was 14! Oh. Mah. Gawd. Is THAT politically correct?

Well, for some reason, animated characters can get away with a lot more than human actors! Writer/Director (and extremely HOT and HUNKY) Q. Allan Brocka (Hmmm. He must so love the Q Netwerk he added a Q in front of his name!) must know this because ALL the boundaries are stretched in Rick & Steve … Ah mean, sheesh. If y’all liked Queer Duck, y’all will love Rick & Steve.

This recently released DVD contains all of Season One:

Episode 1: Guess Who’s Coming to Quiche?

The guys are hosting a dinner party for their West Lahunga friends. The lesbians are bringing the baba ghanouj, the quiche is in the microwave, but the evening does not go too smoothly…

Episode 2: Bush Baby

So the big cliff-hanger! Rick and Steve’s sperm has spilled onto Dana’s wife-beater and nether regions… and has perhaps gotten her pregnant (we actually didn’t see that one coming). Also, Echinacea won’t stop saying, “Bush!” after seeing the hilarious, incoherent Dubya on TV.

Episode 3: Damn Straights!

Kirsten is overjoyed to learn Dana is pregnant with Rick’s (and/or Steve’s?) baby. Dana? Um, not so much. Miss even considers calling the “Bye Bye Baby” abortions hotline. Meanwhile, Steve’s Southern-Baptist parents come to visit West Lahunga (the only place Steve’s mom can get a vaginal renewal performed), and they still don’t know Steve is gay!

And when Chuck decides to stop Evan from taking Chuck’s meds recreationally, Evan must fake having HIV and travel to- gasp!- straight Lahunga Beach to get the uppers (and complimentary downers) he needs.

Episode 4: It’s Raining Pussy

Echoes of Hitchcock in this one. All those cats… eek! Poor Dana. We meet manipulative fag hag Condi and Dana’s Amazonian ex-girlfriend Michaela. (Holy moley!) Condi gets a haunting from the town’s resident ghost. Plus, Dana’s electrifying discovery sure has some unintended consequences for West Lahunga’s lesbian community. Episode 3 reminds us that there is a lot to fear in this life — even in the cozy confines of West Lahunga Beach!

Episode 5: Save Our Seamen

Plenty of nitrous oxide aboard the U.S.S. Corybungus. Maybe that self-righteous Mommy Boot Camp instructor could use a huff or two to relax. Not that we condone that sort of thing. Favorite moments? How about the heroic contribution Hunter makes to a killer whale’s lunch? The glittering drag queen was a hoot, too.

Episode 6: Hormonally Yours

Can you believe it’s over? Let’s hope there’s more in store. So many unanswered questions! What are they going to name the baby? Who’s the daddy? (Besides Chuck.) Will Dana’s hormones ever be the same? What about Rick’s libido? And will Steve ever be able to look a garden gnome in the eyes again?

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Tallulah Givehead is a Fabulous drag queen living in Portland, Oregon (Lord only knows why!) writing reviews of gay film by day and tearing up the stage by night. You can read her reviews here as well as at her blog, QUEER VUE MIRROR.