The Gayest Thing You'll See This Week

Also the funniest. I couldn't help myself (via Towleroad):

DVD Review: "Pathology"

For his feature film debut, Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia chose Pathology, a slick, sick thriller from the writers of Crank (a silly but highly entertaining movie), Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Ventimiglia plays Ted Grey, a pathologist on the rise who takes a job at major hospital under the tutelage of Dr. Quentin Morris (John de Lancie, better known as "Q" on Star Trek; TNG). There he falls in with a group of young doctors who play a 'game' in which they commit murders to see who among them can figure how it was done. Led by the pathological Dr. Gallow (Michael Weston), the group choose their victims from among the unnamed city's low-lifes and degenerates, ensuring that no one will miss them very much. Fueled by sex, drugs and alcohol, Gallow spirals out of control, taking Grey and the rest of the team down with him. When Grey's fiancee Gwen (Alyssa Milano) comes to visit, things take a turn for the worse and it is up to Grey to stop the murderous band of MDs.

Loaded with gore, violence, S&M and graphic drug use, Pathology had a brief theatrical run this past spring, but was out of theaters as quickly as it went in, and for good reason. The plot is riddled with holes and inconsistencies, and while the cast gives it their all, the base vileness of the movie's central characters is completely off-putting, leaving the viewer with no one for whom to root. Some horror fans may find much to admire here, but it just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Let's hope Mr. Ventimiglia chooses better roles in his future feature film (say that 3 times fast) career. *(One Star out of Four)

DVD Review "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"

Finally - back to movies.

In full disclosure, I saw Indy IV in May, when it was released in U.S. theaters. I liked it then, and liked it again on DVD, but I must admit that seeing it a second time changed my opinion slightly.

It is 1957, 19 literal and fictional years since Indy's last adventure (the disappointing Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). Now it's the Commies who are the enemy. Soviet Colonel Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) has captured Indy (Harrison Ford, looking might fit for his 60 years) and is forcing him to help her find a relic first discovered in 1947, now ensconced in a military warehouse in Nevada's notorious Area 51. After a harrowing (and ridiculous) escape, Indy finds himself accused of being a communist sympathiser and is ousted from his position as a tenured professor of archaeology. About to take off for Europe, Indy is approached by a young ruffian by the improbable name of Mutt Williams (Shia Lebeouf), who asks Indy to help him rescue both his mentor and his mother, who have been kidnapped in Peru. After the two are nearly attacked by KGB officers on campus, Indy and Mutt find themselves on their way to Peru, where Indy rediscovers the one true love of his life, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) and his former schoolmate, Professor Harold Oxley (John Hurt). Oxly has found a fabled "Crystal Skull" which seems to have driven him mad. It is also the catalyst for what the evil psychic Spalko is planning to use in the creation of a psychic mind-control weapon against the West. Indy also discovers (SPOILER ALERT) that Mutt is his son.

While nothing will ever come close to the excitement and wonder director Steven Spielberg created in the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull tries mighty hard; there are exciting chases, monstrous buggies, and other-worldly powers at play. Sadly, the script by David Keopp (Jurassic Park; War of the Worlds; Panic Room) gets bogged down midway through with exposition and discovery, leaving Indy and company to slog through some rather boring, but necessary, dialog. There are more than a few amusing moments (including a very funny nod to Indy's fear of snakes). but it all feels rather forced this time around.

The performances are mostly fine. Ford seems game, if a bit long-in-the tooth-for some of the sillier action sequences. Lebeouf is terrific as the rebellious Mutt, sporting Marlon Brando's outfit from The Wild One in his first appearance. And Karen Allen dazzles as Marion; the chemistry between her and Ford is just as dynamic (and welcome) as it was in Raiders. John Hurt isn't given a whole lot to do here as the crazed "Ox" but Cate Blanchett has plenty of opportunities to chew the scenery as a Russian psychic who wants to know (literally) everything. The CGI effects aren't too terrible (with the exception of a pack of Peruvian monkeys), though the finale pales in comparison to Raiders' ghostly face-melting, head-exploding denouement. Certainly better than than the ridiculous Last Crusade, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull lacks the sense of wonder we all felt when we first saw Raiders. Time has not been kind to our heroes, and it shows. **1/2 (Two and a half Stars out of Four)

PS - A recent Internet rumor says that Indy will be fighting Commies over possession of the Ark of the Covenant (glimpsed briefly in Indy IV's opening sequence) in Indy V. Let's hope that's not true and that all parties involved have put Dr. Jones and company to bed, once and for all.

As always, more of this, anon.

Prospero

My Most Recent Musical

For the first time in months, I actually pulled up my unfinished musical (I can't tell you the title here, as it is an adaptation of a film to which I do not yet have the rights to adapt) and wrote a little tonight.

I finished the dialog for the last scene in progress and started the penultimate scene - less than a whole page, if truth be told, but still more than I have written since the auditions for The Skin of Our Teeth, back in early August.

The creative process is a bizarre one, to say the least. 90% of what I've written so far poured out of me in a six-week burst of creativity between directing What the Butler Saw and The Skin of Our Teeth. And I think the stuff written in those six weeks includes some of my best lyrics, ever (I'm particularly proud of the songs "Miami," "Staple in My Navel," "Pretend It Was a Dream" and "They Say It Ain't Natural" ). But the show still has quite a way to go before I can even approach a composer (anyone interested in writing music for a 'Hillbilly Horror' parody?), let alone a potential producer.

But somehow, I still have confidence in this particular show's potential. The original film, a 1960's drive-in shocker, has plenty of modern fans. And the fairly recent successful productions of Batboy and Evil Dead: The Musical give me hope that this kind of show can be a hit. I just need to find others who believe in it's potential as much as I do. This could very well be the one...

Or, I could simply be deluding myself.

A month ago, a production company contacted me about about a screenplay I'd published online, expressing interest in optioning it for possible production, which was a big ego-booster. Of course, I have heard nothing from them since. But, no matter. I write for myself, as all writers must do, and as I do on this blog. I know of at least one person (a dear, dear friend) who reads this regularly. Maybe there is someone else out there reading this and thinking, "I believe in you, too." If you're out there, please let me know.

More of this, anon.

Prospero

Gay TV

I readily admit that I love television. Not in a Homer Simpson way, but in the way that an hour of smart writing and great acting and a bit of cheese can be just as wonderful as a great film or play. And, after many years of seeing stereotypical gay characters (damn you, Billy Crystal), the networks are finally starting to give us the respect we deserve. I'm not talking about cable here (despite Showtime's efforts with Queer as Folk and The L Word), or even Here! or Logo. I'm talking about the big four: ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. There are now realistic portrayals of gay characters all over the tube. And I say "It's about damned time!"

The gayest show on TV right now is ABC's Ugly Betty. Sweet, funny and bitchy in the best possible way, Ugly Betty features not one, but two gay characters (Mark & Justin) plus a bonus transgendered character (Alexis). Yes, it's silly and corny and very soapy, but who cares? It's great fun and features wonderful performances from America Ferrara; Vanessa Williams; Becky Newton; Eric Mabius; Michael Urie; Mark Indelicato; Judith Light; Ana Ortiz and Rebecca Romijn.

Then there's one of my mother's favorite shows, Brothers and Sisters which features gay brother Kevin (Matthew Rhys). I don't watch this particular show, though Mom tells me it's fabulous.

And then there's everyone's favorite gay talk show hostess, Ellen Degeneres. When she came out publicly and made her sitcom all about being gay, it almost ruined her career, but her uber-successful talk show proved she's still one of the country's funniest ladies. Bright, articulate and so quick-witted, Ellen's recent (and celebrated) marriage to Portia DeRossi proved that America can deal with with openly gay celebs. And thankfully, Ellen has finally made her own Anti-Prop 8 PSA.

Of course, where would we be without NBC's ground-breaking comedy, Will & Grace? Yes, Sean Hayes' Jack is a stereotype. And yes, the brilliant Megan Mullaly's Karen can be a bit shrill. So what? the simple and sweet friendship between Will and his straight soulmate Grace is the core of this often hilarious ensemble comedy and often reminds me of the friendship I share with my dear "K." Now in syndication on Lifetime (women's TV - go figure), Will & Grace stands as a landmark in LGBT programming.

Finally, my favorite gay show is the BBC's Torchwood featuring the gorgeous and openly gay John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, leader of the Cardiff, Wales branch of a secret government agency that monitors supernatural, extraterrestrial and other odd phenomena. Best line ever? While investigating a case involving the illegal sale of extraterrestrial meat to the general public, Agent Gwen Cooper (the brilliant Eve Miles) asks Jack. "Have you ever eaten alien meat?" "Yes," Jack responds. "How was it?" Gwen asks. Jack smiles, wryly and says: "He certainly seemed to enjoy it." Smart, funny, sexy and silly, Torchwood is simply the best Sci-fi on TV.

As always, more of this anon.

Prospero

Politics (Both Humorous and Serious)

I try to be relatively apolitical. But some things are just too near and dear to my heart to ignore. You may have read my previous post about California's Proposition 8, which would amend that State's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. There is a similar item on the Florida (where my sister lives) ballot, Amendment 2. Here is someone we all know with his thoughts on that issue:

Now, just a fun little anti-Prop 8 music video from Mandy Steckelberg that I thought was both hilarious and true:

And finally, if this was a real campaign video, I might actually consider voting for her:

Vote your hearts, folks. You know what's right and what isn't. America is supposed to be the land of opportunity for all, not just those of a particular belief system. Okay, I swear, unless it's particularly funny, I won't be posting about politics again. I just brought home three new DVDs to review and will post about those, soon.

As always, more of this, anon.

Prospero

My Favorite Comedies

Comedy, almost more than any other film genre, is completely subjective. What I may find unrelentingly funny, you may think is relentlessly stupid. Of course, this post is about my favorite comedies, not yours. In no particular order, here are my favorites:

Young Frankenstein Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder wrote the screamingly funny screenplay for this parody/homage to one of Universal's most enduring characters. Nearly every line is quotable and almost every sight gag is hilariouos. Add brilliant performances from an amazing ensemble which includes Wilder; Marty Feldman; Teri Garr; Madeline Kahn; Peter Boyle; Kenneth Mars and an almost unrecognizable Gene Hackman, and you have one the singlularly funniest and most-beloved comedies of all time, bar none.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail I was in middle school when I first discovered Python on PBS. By the time The Holy Grail came out, I was a devout fan. Their first film, a parody of the King Arthur legend is their best and most quotable. Eric Idle's recent stage musical adaptation "Spamalot" is further proof of the films enduring hilarity. Sheer comic genius. And so hard to choose a favorite moment. Here is one of many:

The Producers Mel Brooks again, this time with his Oscar-winning screenplay about a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and the hapless CPA he convinces to help him produce a Broadway flop. The incomparable Zero Mostel joins Gene Wilder, Kenneth Mars and a host of "little old ladies" in quite possibly the funniest movie about a musical about Hitler, ever made.

Bringing Up Baby My personal favorite film has Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant at their madcap best. This 1938 Howard Hawks comedy was a flop when it premiered, but is now considered one of the director's best films. The story revolves around Grant's paleantologist character and Hepburn's zany heiress who loves him; two leopards; mistaken identities; a bone-stealing Terrier and a hundred other things that all add up to a zany romantic adventure. Pure genius.

What's Up Tiger Lily? Early Woody Allen at his best. Allen took a Japanese spy movie, removed the soundtrack, re-cut and re-dubbed it with his own script about the search for the perfect egg salad recipe. With a soundtrack provided by The Lovin' Spoonful, this 1966 film is both silly and sublime and it never fails to make me laugh. The only decent clip I could find is from the end credits, but it will give you an idea of just how goofy this movie is.

What's Up, Doc? The only Barbra Streisand movie on any of my lists, Peter Bogdonavich's love-letter to 30's madcap comedies is pure hilarity. Ryan O'Neal (at his peak of hotness) is a music professor presenting his latest theory at a "Musicologist's" convention in San Francisco. Striesand is the girl who gets him into repeated trouble. Madeline Kahn makes her brillaint film debut along with a host of comic geniuses, including Austin Pendelton and Kenneth Mars (funny how he seems to keep popping up). Loopy, looney and silly, What's Up, Doc? is just a whole lotta fun. The funniest movie about igneous rocks, stolen CIA documents and San Francisco you will ever see.

Dead Alive Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings; King Kong) made this insane horror-comedy early in his career. It concerns a young nerd, the Hispanic beauty who loves him; his zombified mother and more fake blood before or since. Gross, disturbing and hilarious, it is without a doubt the funniest zombie movie, ever.

Evil Dead II Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) cemented his reputation for outrageous visuals with this slapstick horror film about a group of young people vacationing in an abandoned cabin who stumble upon the Necronomicon (Book of the Dead) and unwittingly unleash a horde of 'Candarian' demons upon themselves and the world. If the Three Stooges had made horror movies, this would have been their best. It also made a cult star out of its young hero, Bruce Campbell. It also inspired a hilarious Off Broadway musical. For some reason, I can't embed the clip I wanted to show you, but you can view it at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLTecCcL6o&NR=1

Hope you enjoyed these clips as much as I did. More of this, anon.

Prospero