October 31, 2007

Even Gay Movies Only Care About the Guys
EW has an interesting article this week about the Brokeback Effect on movies. The story lays out the argument that two years after the breakthrough film, Brokeback Mountain, nothing has changed. There are no new films with gay leads or gay themes in the pipeline. The article also talks about how much better TV is when dealing with gay characters.

The article strictly focuses on gay movies about men never even broaching the conversation about lesbians in film. Seems that just like the rest of Hollywood even a conversation about gay films leaves out the women.

Some interesting quotes.
"When audiences complain that Hollywood is out of touch with the rest of the country, it's invariably because a movie is deemed too liberal. When it comes to gay characters, however, it's out of touch for the exact opposite reason. In the past decade, America's attitudes toward homosexuality have shifted, particularly among young people."

"While television has been fostering greater acceptance for gay people, movies remain stuck in the 20th century. Almost two years after Brokeback, the best Hollywood can do with gay content is the ''I'm not gay!'' punchlines of Wild Hogs or the homoerotic homophobia of 300. Even the ''gayest'' studio movie of the year, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, climaxed with stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James horrified by the idea of a same-sex kiss. Here's the weird thing: Walt Disney, the company behind Wild Hogs, is the corporate sibling of ABC, which, with Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters, and Desperate Housewives, is the most queer-inclusive broadcast network around. So what gives? How can TV shows be so progressive while movies seem so...old?"

Brokeback Effect

Strayed outside the girl movie theme this weekend and saw two good and different movies. First was Dan in Real Life starring Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche. Film is directed by Peter Hedges who did What's Eating Gilbert Grape 14 years ago. Carrell plays a widower who writes an advice column while trying to raise three daughters. He meets and connects with Binoche at a bookstore then realizes that she is the girlfriend of his brother played by Dane Cook (who appears to be everywhere these days.) This funny, sweet family comedy also stars Diane Weist, John Mahoney, Allison Pill and Amy Ryan.

Speaking of Amy Ryan, she seems to be the "it" actress this fall and has put herself at the top of the list for the best supporting actress Oscar with her performance in Ben Affleck's Gone, Baby, Gone which I found surprisingly good. This drama about the aftermath of a girl's kidnapping is a true Boston story. A way better Boston story than The Departed ever was.

The fantastic Janet McTeer seems to be everywhere these days. I still can't get her performance as Nora in A Doll's House a decade ago on Broadway out of my head. Catch her in The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard on PBS and in Five Days on HBO.

News
ABC's Samantha Who starring Christina Applegate has gotten a full season pick-up.

Robin Wright Penn will star in Rebecca Miller's adaptation of her book The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. "The film takes an adventurous trip through Pippa Lee's past and present, as a methamphetamine-addicted mother whose husband leaves her for a younger woman. Pippa indulges in an array of erotic adventures while heading toward a quiet nervous breakdown." Film co-stars Julianne Moore and Winona Ryder. (Hollywood Reporter)