Jim Carrey is gay...on-screen at least in the prison break comedy "I Love You Phillip Morris." In case there is any doubt that his character is gay, the actor certainly appears to be camping it up in terms of wardrobe. A gold lions head belt buckle? Pul-eeze! He is pictured with co-star Rodrigo Santoro during filming in Miami but the love of his life in the movie is plaed by Ewan McGregor.

This is gonna be interesting. Based on a true story, Jim plays a con artist who is sent to prison where he falls in love with his cellmate Phillip Morris (McGregor) who is freed from jail. Carrey's character, Steven Russell tries to escape four times in order to be with him. What I wanna know is, why would he ever leave Rodrigo Santoro!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There could be a lot worse things that looking a lot like and sharing a first name with Brad Pitt.

That has been the unique experience of the handsome Brad Rowe, a busy actor with a lead role in “Shelter,” a gay love story set in a surfing community that opens in limited release on Friday.

“It’s definitely been something that’s referenced a lot,” Brad told me last week. “I wouldn’t venture to guess whehter it’s hurt or hindered me. It’s been something people have latched onto but I think it’s waned as I’ve gotten a little older. Physically, I have changed and he has changed. But anytime people have a little hook to think about, it can never be a bad thing.”

Brad, 37, got his first big break 10 years ago in another gay-themed indie film: “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss” opposite a pre-“Will & Grace” Sean Hayes. In between has been roles in major feature films (“National Treasure: Book of Secrets”), television series (“Leap of Faith,” “1-800-MISSING” ““Wasteland”) and scores of TV movies and parts in lower-budget films.

In “Shelter,” Brad has, in my opinion, one of the best roles of his career. He plays a Hollywood screenwriter who returns from Los Angeles after a break-up and begins surfing with his younger brother’s best friend Trevor Wright.

The two men begin an unexpected romance and embark on an emotional and sometimes exhilarating journey that involves family, artistic dreams and choices.Brad is so good in “Shelter” - winner of the audience award at several film festivals in 2007 - that I found it astonishing that he was brought on board just a week before the movie was due to begin production.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of time to mull it over,” he said. “I read the script and instantly fell in love with it. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be some beefcake surf film, you never know. I met with (director Jonah Markowitz) and he had a specific vision...Jonah was remarkable. He gave everyone a lot of leeway to bring their own thing. He had a pretty amazing maturity for a first-time feature director. When you go in to doing a project like this, someone who has written it is so invested. But Jonah said, ‘This is by all means not my story.’”

So how were two straight actors able to pull of the love scenes in the movie which was shot in just three weeks?

“When you get to the love scene, the physical part on the stairs and on the bed, it’s very intense but it was really fun," Brad said. “We had a great time with it. Trevor and I committed to it as actors, the producers committed to making it a safe place with a closed set, and Jonah gave us the freedom to figure it out. He said, ‘You guys make it happen in the way that you make it happen’ then just sort of let us have at it.”

Brad and Trevor's off-screen bond helped the performances: "It’s always a crap shoot when you put two actors together who don’t know each other. Trevor is a really open, fun goofy person from Southern California and definitely fit that surfer skater punk kid vibe. We just had a great time. We had a light-hearted fun time hanging out and being friends outside of work. It was totally easy and totally fun and I think that does translate onto the screen.”

Here is a clip:

Married to Lisa Fiori since 1999, Brad got a bit of a late start in Hollywood because he had an earlier career as a finance manager for political campaigns in Washington, D.C. He’s made up for lost time though. In the past year alone, Brad has guested on some of the most popular series on television including “CSI: NY,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Ghost Whisperer” and “CSI: Miami.”

While those gigs pay the bills, he is trying to be more than an actor for hire and taking a shot at producing, co-writing and acting in the upcoming screwball comedy “For Better or for Worse” that is set to begin shooting in June.

“It's in the vein of ‘The Anniversay Party’ and ‘The Big Chill’ - a weekend event film that all takes place in one house,” he said. “Rather than being a funeral or a birthday party, the central event of the weekend is a gay wedding.”

Here is a another trailer from "Shelter" ....

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I see naked people.
I saw so many of them for so long that after awhile, I actually began to mostly pay attention to the songs they were singing in the new film "Naked Boys Singing" which had a high-energy premiere last night at the Regency Landmark Theatre on LaBrea.
Virtually the entire cast of talented singers and dancers were there (with their clothes on) but I missed their introduction, getting there just in time to give producer Kirkland Tibbles a hug before the movie started.
The movie is based on the long-running off-Broadway musical comedy review featuring 16 original songs and director Troy Christian landed some real talent for the production. Obviously they had to look good naked which wasn't really a problem since these are first-rate singers and dancers. Things start off very fun with the number "Gratuitous Nudity" and it is true, early on in the film, you do start to forget (a little bit) that they are naked. This is a movie I want the soundtrack from - especially for the numbers "The Naked Maid," "Fight the Urge," "Jack's Song," "Nothin' But the Radio On" and my absolute fave: "Perky Little Porn Star." Also really loved the soaring ballad "Kris Look What You've Missed."
Since I missed the arrivals line before the film and wanted to skip the after-party (enough parties for me this week!), I snagged interviews with three cast members as they made their way out of the theater.
Jason Curie, whose big numbers were "The Entertainer" (a real show-stopper), ""Robert Mitchum," and "Fight the Urge" told me he had absolutely no hestiation about being nude on the big screen.
"I've been nude on stage before and actually in some short films. Nudity to me isn't an issue, it's kind of never been a big deal," said Jason (pictured, above). "It was really exciting to watch it with everybody here and see the positive response. I wasn't nervous until 'The Entertainer' came on then it was kind of a rush of, 'Oh God, here we go.' People laughed once the heels got up on the piano and there we go."
After the opening number, Kevin Stea kicks things off wonderfully with the upbeat and fun "The Naked Maid" which had great choregraphy and props. For Stea, the opening night was "kind of nerve-racking. I have lots of friends here and I definitely feel my shyness coming out. Most of my work that I do for camera, you don't ever get to see the audience reaction to it. Being here with the audience and being naked in front of everybody, it's, startling. I'm happy that the reaction is really positive. If they were booing me then I'd be really upset. I'd be running out the door."
He is confident that gay men will like the movie but he is hopeful for widespread appeal: "Give it a go, leave your inhibitions at home and enjoy the ride. Enjoy the courage of the csst asnd the insight of the writers who wrote the songs. There's a lot of entertainment as well as a really strong message. Hopefully, when people come they won't necessarily just be looking for nudity and that by the end of the film, they won't even notice the nudity anymore because hopefully the pieces will stand on their own."
I had to know: is it hard to dance naked?
Said Kevin: "It depends on the temprature (laughs). Yeah, there are definitely other considerations that you have to think about when you're dancing naked - especially dancing as much as I was dancing.

As I left the theater, I spotted Joseph Keane (pictured, above) waiting for his car. He had brought the house down with his big number "Perky Porn Star" and I wanted to get his thoughts about the night.
"I was really excited about my number so I wasn't really nervous," he said. "It's difficult to do anything naked in front of anyone but yourself. But the process was really fun but it was really nerve-racking at first."
Joseph added: "I didn't have any trepitdation about beiing nude. I more was concerned about the material having not seen it before auditioning. But after talking with Kirkland Tibbles and Troy Christian about their vision, I was really excited."
The title is provocative and the actors certainly are nude, but Joseph assures there is nothing to be afraid of: "Personally for me, I wouldn't have signed on unless I could show this to my mom and my grandma and all my family members so I say go out and see it. I think there's a lot of stereotypes with male nudity and this is just a funloving show that happens to show a lot of make nudity. I think that "The Full Monty" was a big success and I think this is gonna be too."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's taken an awful long time for writer-director Ryan Shiraki's comedy "Freshman Orientation" to make it to theaters but it is a film that is worth the wait. I saw it at Outfest (I think it was last summer) and again on DVD recently and it is a sweet and funny film with a very talented cast led by Sam Huntington as college student, Clay, who pretends to be gay in order to get the girl of his dreams.
Also in the cast is the hilarious out actress Heather Matarazzo ("Welcome to My Dollhouse," "Princess Diaries"), a very funny Marla Sokoloff as a militant campus lesbian, SNL's Rachel Dratch as a middle-aged campus slut, Kaitlin Doubleday as the object of Huntington's affection, Mike Erwin as Clay's closeted roommate, and a terrific John Goodman as a big-hearted gay bar owner who shows Clay the ropes.
The film will begin playing at the Regent Showcase Theater, 614 N. La Brea (at Melrose) on Agu. 31 and I do recommend it. It will also premiere in New York and a gradual rollout is planned.
I spoke with Shiraki, a former head of talent for "Saturday Night Live" about his movie recently. "Orientation" is his first film and was made in 23 days on a budget of $1 million.
“I’m happy that it's coming out. I had no idea what was going to happen to the film after [its 2004 debut at] Sundance," he said. I’m really thrilled that the movie is going to be seen by more than my inner circle of friends and that people like it.”

So how was a first-time filmmaker able to assemble such a high-caliber cast with so little money?
"I used to work at 'Saturday Night Live' as head of talent so I knew Rachel and John and we were just able to attract these actors based on the material. Heather made the part her own, she really took it and ran with it. Same with Marla Sokoloff. I felt really lucky to get her in the film. She's very talented and funny. And Sam Huntington, I’ve always been a fan of. It was always seen as an ensemble film and I wanted to cast it as an ensemble and not give anyone short-shrift. I tried to write it so each had their own big scene.”
Getting Goodman was made easier because the film was shot in New Orleans where the actor lives: "I had worked with him at least once a year in SNL. He was in town for a few days and I asked if I’d get a few days in this movie. He was really great to work withb for the younger actors. He's an incredibly deft comedian and always in character and really knows the heart of a scene.”

While Huntington's character is straight pretending to be gay, his is an open-m inded character who ends up being a poster boy for fighting violence against gays and handles things with much care when his best friend and roomate Matt (Mike Irwin), confesses his true feelings for Clay and kisses him. Clay let's the kiss go on for a bit because he's curious to see if he likes it.
“The financiers didn't want to make some big coming out narrative, they wanted something broad, which I respected," the director said. "But I didn't want him to kiss aniother man and then barf all over him. So there was just one moment of, 'Hmmm. But not for me.”
Adds the 37-year-old Shiraki: “Matt is the idealized version of myself. I didn't get the hot frat guy in the end nor was I was hot. But we did have the same glasses.”

Continue reading "A chat with the man behind "Freshmen Orientation"" »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The titles are tacky and the movies raunchy but the "Eating Out" franchise has so far been surprisingly funny, boasted hot and talented casts, and had a little bit of heart. I have learned EXCLUSIVELY (I've been itching to say that) that yes, there will be an "Eating Out 3."
"I never would have imagined it," Q Allan Brocka, who directed the first movie and wrote and produced both films, told me last week. (What am I doing holding an EXCLUSIVE for an entire week?)
"It will be next year. Nothing is official yet with who's coming back and who's not and we're going to base the story on who we can get and who's available," he said. "We just know we're doing it, we don't know more than that."

The first two films featured "American Idol" season one finalist Jim Verarros as well as the very funny actresses Rebeka Kochan and Emily Stiles (now known as Emily Brooke Hands). Ryan Carnres, who starred in the first film before his role as Andrew Van de Kamp's lover on "Desperate Housewives." He declined the sequel and was replaced by Brett Chuckerman.
Each film also have this in common: a hunky straight guy pretending to be gay in order to get a girl.In the firsat film it was Scott Lunsford and the second, Marco Dapper. Producer Michael Shoal tells me it's not crucial that the same leads return since "We always bring new meat to the market. The first two films were a success in their own way. One of the nice things about doing another sequel is that it can be completely different but just as intriguing, just as sexy, just as completely out there and just as politically incorrect. It's the type of film that nobody else would make but us."
After the jump, check out some sexy stills from the first two "Eating Out" films and if you have not seen either one, you can get an idea of why they have been so successful...

Related posts:
- Meet Marco Dapper
- Jim Varraros: From American Idol to Eating Out
- A tacky title but a funny movie

Continue reading "Announcing..."Eating Out 3"" »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kind of tough to imagine anyone but Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as the leads in "Brokeback Mountain" with Ang Lee directing. But, if director Gus Van Sant had his way, he would have been behind the camera with Matt Damon and Joaquin Pheonix as the two cowboys in love.
In the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, Damon confesses it is a regret of his:
“... Years ago, [Good Will Hunting director] Gus Van Sant wanted to do it with me and Joaquin Phoenix. But I was on my way to Italy to do "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and then "All the Pretty Horses." And Gus wanted to do "Brokeback" right after. And I was like, ‘Gus, I’m going to do a gay movie, then a cowboy movie. I can’t follow it up with a gay-cowboy movie!”[Laughs]

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Adam Sandler-Kevin James comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" came out while I was knee-deep in Outfest coverage so I just got around to seeing it on Sunday afternoon. And I gotta say, there was nothing in the movie that bothered me as much as the fact the premiere for the "Bratz" movie was going on at the same time at The Grove. One of the mom's snapping a picture of her precious one swung around and her backpack collided with me. She looks at me and says impatiently: "EXCUSE me." I just kept walking, muttering "bitch" under my breath. I don't know who the actresses are who play the Bratz but they were all there along with an odd smattering of celebs ranging from Oscar winner Jon Voight to "American Idol" also-ran Ace Young.
Oh yeah, the movie. It's about a pair of firefighters, best friends, pretending to be gay in order to secure benefits for the widowed firefighter's (Kevin James) kids in case he is killed. But they undergo scrutiny by the state's pensiion board so get married in Canada and even sleep in the same bed in order to pull off the ruse.
I know there are some people who thought the movie to be homophobic which it is, at first. But it really does come around and in the end, makes a good statement against homophobia. Does that make it a good movie? No. But I always like Adam Sandler and I can't think of a movie where I found him more adorable. He'd make a terrific gay man. What I liked best was how Sandler's character handles the effeminate son of James's character. The boy wants to sing and dance - just like Justin on "Ugly Betty" and he ends up being his biggest champion - encouraging him to be who he is.
If every child who is "different" was embraced this way rather than shunned or made fun of - even by their own families - this world would be a much happier place.
Other good things: Jessica Biel, Richard Chamberlain and Lance Bass (in a cameo) are also in the cast.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I love sharing this news. here! Films has just announced that it has acquired North American distribution rights to the award-winning comedy Fat Girls, written, directed, starring and produced by emerging filmmaker Ash ChristianI saw this movie at last year's Outfest and was absolutely charmed by it. Read my year-old post: Channeling Your Inner Fat Girl.The comedy focuses on the trials and tribulations of Rodney Miller (Christian), a gay theater-obsessed high school senior who has his heart set on becoming a Broadway star. With his overweight best friend and fellow social outcast Sabrina (Ashley Fink) by his side, the pair tries to find dates for their high school graduation dance sending them on a journey of self-discovery.
Says Mark Reinhart of here! Films:“We are thrilled to help bring Mr. Christian’s debut project to theaters across the country. "Fat Girls" explores the angst and social isolation so many teenagers face as they struggle to fit in during the tough high school years. We hope audiences will fall in love with these characters.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, well, imagine my delight when I clicked over to the terrific AfterElton.com site this morning to see their lead story: Gay Movie Sex Scenes that Made History.Now most of them in the article, I'm seen and loved - including the photo at right of Daniel Day Lewis and another actor whose name I can't recall in "My Beautiful Launderette."
But one movie I had never heard of and now absolutely must see (I mean, look at the pictures!) is "Wet Hot American Summer. Set in 1981, the article states that "Summer" has become a cult favorite (sign me up for that cult!), especially among gay viewers for its unabashedly positive portrayal of a gay couple — sex and all. In fact, the gay couple is the only one in the film who even has a sex scene, and it's played more for heat than laughs.
The camp's hottest preppy (played by Alias' Bradley Cooper) is in love with another counselor (comedian Michael Ian Black), and they even get married, to the supposed dismay of the straight colleagues who — in true summer camp form — have been trying to get one of the men laid with a girl counselor all summer (the straight guys, far from horrified, actually buy the newlywed gay couple a chaise lounge for a wedding present)."
So sweet! How did I not ever see this movie? In addition to Cooper and Black, the cast also includes Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon ands Amy Poehler.
Check out the article, lots of video clips with it too!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, now I really can't wait to see this flick. Page Six reports: "ALAN Cumming may love his new flick, "Suffering Man's Charity" - but not too many others did at its premiere at the Core Club. Some scenes in the dark comedy - about a "failed composer turned music teacher with a weakness for impoverished young men" - were too much for the crowd. During a gruesome torture scene involving a scantily clad David Boreanaz and a whip, several people left and a woman fainted. Cumming - who adapted, directed, produced and stars in the movie - was unfazed and partied with Paper magazine execs afterward."
I'm sorry people fainted but a "Scantily clad Davi9d Boreanaz" I gotta see!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of my favorite things to do when in Palm Springs is to take in an afternoon movie at the Camelot, an arthouse theater where you can sip on wine while watching a film and escape from the scorching afternoon sun. On Saturday, I took in "Waitress" starring Keri Russell, a movie that is one of the sleeper hits of the summer. It just quietly, week after week, hovers around the bottom of the top 10.
My friend Sue and I have been planning to see it soon but I jumped the gun. Sorry Sue! "Waitress" initially got my attention because of the murder of writer-director and co-star Adrienne Shelly who was killed a month before this wonderful film made a triumphant debut at Sundance.
What a gem she left behind. Keri Russell leaves "Felicity" behind for good with her wonderous performance as Jenna, a diner waitress who is something of a pie genius who names her creations after the tumultuous events and emotions of life. An example: "I Don't Want Earl's Baby" Pie--a quiche of egg and cheese with a smoked ham center.
The close-knit relationships she has with the diner's two other waitresses (portrayed by Charyl Hines and Shelley) help get her through the hell that is her life with her annoying, needy, controlling and abusive husband (Jeremy Sisto, even creepier than he was in "Six Feet Under.").

Continue reading ""Waitress" is a winner..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jim Carrey has played many people in his very interesting career - characters both light and dark - but the only gay-themed project I remember him acting in was the superb telefim "Doing Time on Maple Drive" directed by Ken Olin way back in the early 90s when Carrey was a cast member on "In Living Color." In "Maple," he played the alcoholic brother of a closeted gay college kid played by the wonderful William McNamara.
But Carrey is about to play gay, something reported in Daily Variety yesterday which was then posted on Towleroad.com. Carrey will play Steven Russell, a real-life gay convict currently serving a 144 year prison sentence in Texas, "in I Love you Phillip Morris," based on the Steve McVicker book of the same name.

Continue reading "Jim Carrey to play gay in "I Love You Phillip Morris"" »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few years ago, I actually FELL ASLEEP while watching "Ocean's Twelve" at The Grove. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Hated it. Was bored by it. Was actually pissed off by it because it was such a bad follow-up to "Ocean's Eleven" which I had absolutely loved.
Well, good news: "Ocean's Thirteen" is terrific.
I attended a packed screening Monday night at the Bruin Mann Theatre in Westwood of the film, which opens on Friday. As I walked out, I heard people say things like: 'That was so much better than the second one" and "That was pretty good!" and a few 'I loved it!" It's fun to hear that kind of positive buzz about a movie that deserves it.
Brad Pitt, George Clooney and to a lesser degree Matt Damon are the heart of this franchise and have a wonderful, easy chemistry on-screen. Clooney and Pitt in particular play off each other well - literally finishing each other's sentences at some points and ribbing each other at the end with some not-so-inside jokes. As they part ways at the end, Pitt says to Clooney someting like: "Don't let your weight go between jobs" (a reference to the weight Clooney gained for his Oscar winning role in "Syrianna" and Clooney responded with: "Why don't you have a couple of kids." The preview audence laughed knowingly.
Another comic highlight: the Oprah moments. That's all I'm saying on that.

Continue reading ""Ocean's Thirteen" nicely redeems and revives franchise..." »

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through their own production company, Mythgarden, actors Chad Allen and Robert Gant not only managed to get their own film made ("Save Me") with lead roles for themselves, but the gay-themed film set at a "gay recovery" center, was also featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
"There's challenges at every level of this industry to tell stories about us," Allen Sunday at the Q-MeCon Queer Media and Entertainment Conference. "There's enormous challenges from financing to distribution to the creative side."
But he is undaunted and when it comes to making his own movies, uncompromising.
"If you're not in this to change the world, then go back and write about straight people because we've got things to do..Instead of being marginalized with niche themes and niche products, we get to break down all the walls. Gay cinema does not have to open in two theaters then go onto a life on DVD. We want our films to reach as large an audience at they can find...and in theaters."
Charlie David, the 26-year-old star of "Dante's Cove," is setting up his first independent film, Mulligans," to produce and star in and says: "It's an interesting dance when you step out of lur bubble and into the mainstream. Trying to sell outside our arena, everybody wants to [gay characters] to be the 10 percent part. Like the gay one on "The Real world" then there are nine other [straights]."
But Paul Colichman, the successful out producer of films including "Gods and Monsters" and the founder of here! TV and Regency Films, seems to have no use for the mainstream. He is at the forefront of creating and distributing queery content through his own companies and is encouraged by young filmmakers like Allen and Gant.
"Chad and Bobby exercise their power through their art every day and I'm so proud to know them," Colichman said at the Q-MeCon closing party. "Get your message out! Use digital distribution, use gay networks, use radio, use the Internet. Use it all!"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got Milk? Directors Bryan Singer and Gus Van Sant think they may.
According to today's front page of Variety, each is trying to be first in production with a film about Harvey Milk, the San Francisco supervisor and first openly gay elected official in the U.S., who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone by Supervisor Daniel White.
After 15 years in development, "The Mayor of Castro Street," the movie based on the book by Randy Shilts, is moving toward the starting gate. Warner Independent Prods., which brought in Singer two years ago, is near a deal with Participant Prods. to co-finance and with Chris McQuarrie to write the final draft.
Now, Van Sant has attached himself to an untitled Milk script by Dustin Lance Black, writer of several episodes of the HBO drama "Big Love." The writer's agents at Endeavor will shop the script early next week. Adding to the intrigue is that fact that Van Sant was once set to direct "Castro Street" and even wrote a draft of the script years ago for Warners.
There will be a race to be first, Variety reports, noting the fates of "Capote" and "Infamous." "Capote" came first and became an awards season darling highlighted by an Oscar win for Philip Seymour Hoffman; "Infamous" followed a year later, and, despite good reviews, a dead-on Capote perf by Toby Jones and the presence of Daniel Craig and Sandra Bullock, barely got noticed.
Craig Zadan, who is producing "The Mayor of Castro Street" with Neil Meron, liked their chances to get into production quickly. This despite Singer's commitment to the Cruise movie, "Valkyrie," which has a July 8 start date, and a "Superman Returns" sequel which Warner Bros. hopes to have ready for release in 2009.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After an advance screening of "Fracture" last night at The Grove, the audience clapped enthusiastically and people walked out telling each other how good it was. I agree! It's a thriller about a brilliant man (Anthony Hopkins) who tries to kill his unfaithful wife then delights in manipulating the legal system - including a young prosecutor (Ryan Gosling) as he is brought to trial.
Let me say this first off: the Hopkins character does not seem in any way like a real human being. He's a brilliant perfectionist and it's fun to watch his outfox Gosling but we have no idea who this guy is and what makes him capable of shooting his wife in the face so methodically. He's so methodical about it all and Hopkins comes off a bit like Hannibal Lechter in his jailhouse face-off scenes with Gosling. There's a lot of far-fetched stuff here but Hopkins is awfully fun to watch though.
Gosling on the other hand, MAKES the movie. His portrayal of a young prosecutor who does some questionable things to get hmself a high-paying corporate job is outstanding. But before beginning his lucrative new gig, he's got a trial to finish for the district attorney's office.
While the plot is at times unbelievable, Gosling makes his character believable at all times. He's cocky, he's flirty, he's smart, he's determined, he's SEXY. He's got the world by its tail. But this case turns that world upside down. I found myself thoroughly engaged in the film due to Gosling's performance.
Also loved that it was filmed in LA with all kinds of location shots around the city. "Fracture," released by New Line Cinema, will bow in theaters on April 20.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Finally saw "300" last night! My college pal Bill was in town from NYC and we met up at Grauman's Chinese Theater to see the movie. I picked Grauman's because it is so plush and also has digital picture and sound. What better way to enjoy this hunky bloodbath? First off, let me give kudos to the filmmakers for making a movie like this for something like $40 million. It is set to cross the $200 million mark domestically this weekend. THAT, is a major financial success."300" is a 2007 film adaptation of the graphic novel 300 by Frank Miller, itself partly inspired by another film, "The 300 Spartans" and is a fictional account of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.
The film, directed by Zack Snyder, was shot mostly with bluescreen to duplicate the imagery of the original comic book. As Spartan King Leonidas, Gerard Butler commands the screen. Wow! I hate to be shallow (yeah, right) but those fricken abs! They are like railroad tracks! Rodrigo Santoro is a very handsome man but you would not know it with the make-up he wears as Persian King Xerxes.
It was the perfect movie to take my straight friend to. I got all kinds of eye candy to watch and he got to see a bloody action flick. I know reviews were mixed but I had a good time. I recommend seeing it on the big screen because, well, all those Spartan abs look better that way. The flick is alos on giant IMAX screens...that would be cool - abs the size of a building.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Even though the only gay character in "Blades of Glory" is a crazy stalker, I still enjoyed this goofy flick. So, it was no surprise to see that "Blades," which has Will Ferrell and Jon Heder playing-skating rivals who become the sport's first men's pair, debut as the No. 1 movie with $33 million in ticket sales.
Ferrell scored the second-best opening of his career, behind last summer's "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which took in $47 million in its first weekend.
And "Talladega" had a more prominent gay character who was a racing champion (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) instead of a stalker even if that stalker had my favorite line in the movie when he says to Heder: "I want to cut your skin off and wear it to my birthday party!" And my favorite scene? Someone's head falls off...that's all I'm saying.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I caught "Eleven Men Out" last summer at Outfest. I was tired after seeing three other films that day but was so glad I stuck it out to see this sports dramedy set in the soccer world in Iceland! It's damned good and I was so happy to learn today the here! Films has acquired distribution rights and its sister company Regent Releasing will book the movie into theaters this summer.
Written by Jon Atli Jonasson and Douglas, "Eleven Men Out" centers on Ottar Thor, the star of KR, the Icelandic soccer team. After he surprisingly comes out of the closet to a reporter in front of his teammates, the controversy surrounding his coming out leads him on a journey to discovery himself, and a journey off the KR team. He soon joins an amateur team made up of other gay men trying to play in a straight world. In the ultimate culmination of hard work and heartache, the KR team and the amateur squad wind up battling it out on the field during Gay Pride Day.

Let me tell you this: the actor who plays Ottar Thor (Bjorn Hylnur Haraldsson) is as gorgeous as he is talented, He displays a full-range of skill in scenes where he is dealing with his rebellious teenaged son who is humiliatied by his decision to come out as well as with his ex-wife as they unite as parents. There are cool soccer scenes and fun stuff with fellow players and, here's a realo selling point: Haraldsson has a really steamy sex scene with another man that is pretty much worth waiting for!
Says here! executive Mark Reinhart, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions & Distribution, here! Networks: “This timely social satire illustrates the struggle gay men and women in professional sports and beyond face while trying to stay true to their identity, and we think our viewers will be charmed by this delightful film.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lots of news coming out of here! Networks this week. The latest tidbit is that it has acquired North American distribution rights to the South Korean film "Huhwaehaji Anah" ("No Regret"), the first feature film from director Leesong Hee-il. here! Films’ sister company Regent Releasing will handle the film’s theatrical release during Summer 2008.
Set in Seoul, South Korea, No Regret centers on Sumin (Lee Young-Hoon), who leaves the orphanage where he grew up and heads to the city to study art design. After losing his job at a factory due to layoffs, he finds himself working as a prostitute in a gay bar. Initially Sumin resists the advances of Jaemin (Lee Han), who comes from a rich and conservative family that doesn’t accept his sexual identity. Eventually Sumin succumbs to Jaemin’s advances, after they briefly experience happiness as passionate lovers, Sumin and Jaemin’s relationship falls into heartache and tragedy.
“No Regret is a moving and visually stunning film, and here! Films is pleased to bring this project to North American audiences,” said Mark Reinhart, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Distribution for here! Films. “This is one of the first films made on the Korean peninsula dealing with homosexuality, and we’re thrilled to be involved in bringing this project stateside.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Judging from this sexy scene, I think I want to see here! Networks' "The Raven," a gothic, alternative adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic horror tale. The film, directed by cult horror icon David DeCoteau ("The Brotherhood" "Leather Jacket Love Story"), makes its debut on here! this summer.

Principal photography on "The Raven" was completed this week. From a screenplay by Matthew Jason Walsh, the movie puts a new spin on the gloomy and macabre proceedings of the classic Poe story. The film centers on a group of young men and women in Britain who throw an extravagant party at an eerie mansion said to be the site of an infamous mass-murder. When the festivities are cut short by an ominous visitor, all hell breaks loose. As the murderer begins picking off the party participants one-by-one, old grudges resurface and new suspicions arise, making the entire affair a deadly night to remember.
DeCoteau’s "The Raven" is the first in a series of Poe-themed films that DeCoteau will shoot for here!. Next up for the director is the adaptation Edgar Allan Poe’s House of Usher, based on the classic Poe story “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The movie poster for the Adam Sandler-Kevin James summer comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" was unveiled this week. They play firefighters who pretend to be gay in order to receive domestic partner benefits. There is some concern that the film, which no one has seen yet, will make light of what is a very serious equal rights issue for gays and lesbians: same-gender marriage.
I share that concern but am optimistic that the movie will have a positive message in that regard given that Sandler is involved. His movie, "Big Daddy," had one of the best no-big-deal portrayals of a gay couple I've ever seen in a mainstream movie. At any rate, I plan to check it out!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I get a press release the other day about the award winning gay feature "Race You to the Bottom" opening theatrically in Los Angeles on March 30 at the Showcase Theater. This is prior to the film's nationwide debut throughout April. It came with this picture of actor Justin Hartley, shirtless, and I thought it would be criminal of me not to share! Oh yeah, here's the movie's poster too (somehow I think the shirtless picture of Justin would sell more tickets):

I'll be writing more about this movie in the weeks to come but here is the plot in a nutshell: Nathan (Cole Williams "Harry and Max")), 24, is a travel journalist from Los Angeles assigned to write about romantic hot-spots in California's Napa Valley. Maggie (Amber Benson "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer"), 24, is trying to figure out how to turn her political science degree into a career. Although Nathan and Maggie both have boyfriends, they are in the throes of a passionate affair, and this will be their first weekend away together. En route to Napa, they visit Joe (Justin Hartley, "Smallville") and Carla (Danielle Thomas) – friends of Maggie’s from college.  A spontaneous seduction brings to light their hopes and fears, forcing Nathan and Maggie to confront the reality of their romance as they drive through a gold and green autumn in wine country.
Hmmmm. Sounds like a real sideways "Sideways." 

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So after watching the season finale of "The Class," I decided to watch a screener of "Nine Lives" which made for quite an adjustment from light silly comedy to hard core drama! I gotta say, "Lives" was fascinating in the way that it just took you to unexpected places as it zoomed in on nine individuals whose lives intersect – emotionally, sexually and dangerously over the course of one day. It was at times moving, at times very sexy, at times disturbing and at times horrifying.
The real standout segment is the story involving Daniel (Nick Salamone), a closeted television producer who is a real jerk, his hunky boyfriend Corey (Steve Callahan) and their pool boy Carlos (Eric Turic). Salamone does a perfect job of being absolutely loathsome and Callahan is superb in showing his character's hurt and rage. You'll see what I mean during a certain pool scene.
The other standout is the story of pregnant Lisa and her perpetually late husband Ralph, who is living life on the down low. I was particularly impressed and moved by the performance of Debra Wilson as Lisa. It's mostly a monologue of her talking to the camera as she tells us her life story while painting her baby's room. The power of those scenes, especially after she gets a fateful phone call, are still with me today and I think will stay with you.
"Nine Lives," an adaptation of the play "Complications," is the film debut from writer/director Dean Howell and writer Michael Kearns and is described as a cross between Schnitzler's "La Ronde" and Altman's "Short Cuts."
The movie debuted this month on here! TV and will be out on DVD in the coming months.
Don't miss it!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tom Cavanagh, one of my crushes, is playing a gay ex-Toronto Maple Leaf in the upcoming film "Breakfast with Scot." He did an interview with NBC Sports.com about the movie and locking lips with actor Ben Shenkman who plays his life partner in the film which is about a gay couple raising a gay kid.
Here is some of the Q&A that led to the kissing question:
Q: Let's play "$20,000 Pyramid", the bonus round. I'm giving the clues. Here goes. 'Julie Bowen, Kelly Ripa, Rena Sofer, Bridget Moynahan, Ben Shenkman...'
TC: Um, 'People Who Are Better-Looking Than Me?'
Q: I'm sorry. We were looking for 'People I've Kissed Onscreen.'
TC: Here's the problem with that. You ever hear Conan O'Brien talk about the problem with having gone to Harvard? It means that you're sentenced to a lifetime of, whenever you do anything halfway stupid, having to hear, "And you went to Harvard?" Likewise, when you get to kiss these beautiful women, for the rest of your life you get no sympathy. "Oh, your leg was severed at the knee? At least you got to kiss Bridget Moynahan."
Q: You even feel that way about Ben Shenkman (pictured, right).
TC: Let me quote Keats here: "Beauty is truth, and truth is beauty." And when you're as good-looking as Ben Shenkman, it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. Although, I'm not sure if Ben's wife wants to hear me say that."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Got a note from actor Steve Callahan (he's on the right side of the bed in the picture above) who I liked so much in "East Side Story" and got to know a little bit when I did a profile on his boyfriend Tom Beirdz. Another movie Steve starred in, "Nine Lives," has had success overseas but not been distributed in the US. That changes today. Here! TV begins airing the movie today and will repeat it throughout the month in advance of its DVD release. I have not yet seen the film but look forward to it (especially judging from these stills from the movie. Steve is as good looking and thoughtful as he is talented and won Best Supporting Actor at the 2004 Tampa International Film Festival for the film.

NINE LIVES is a provocative film debut from writer/director Dean Howell and writer, Michael Kearns (INTIMACIES, T-CELLS & SYMPATHY, ROCK). A cross between Schnitzler's LA RONDE and Altman's SHORT CUTS, we zoom in on nine individuals whose lives intersect- emotionally, sexually and dangerously over the course of one day. In addition to Callahan, the cast includes William Christian, Dennis Christopher, John Ganun, Dean Howell, and Michael Kearns.
Visit the film's Website to see the trailer and for more information!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

For those of you in the LA area, the new issue of Frontiers Magazine is on the stands! Why am I so excited? It features my cover story on the stars of 'Boy Culture' that's why! And for those of you not in the area, I can't mail ya one but I can share it with you...enjoy!

THREE'S COMPANY: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE STARS OF THE SMART, SEXY NEW FILM 'BOY CULTURE'
By Greg Hernandez
Before they all arrived in Seattle to shoot Q. Allan Brocka’s new film, Boy Culture, Derek Magyar, Darryl Stephens and Jonathon Trent had never before crossed paths.
That could have been an obstacle since they had only 18 days to shoot a movie that required physical and emotional intimacy between the three leads. But the three actors bonded deeply as they got gym
memberships for daily workouts and lived together in the days before filming and all through the shoot.
“We were up in Seattle by ourselves. For the most part, it was the three of us,” says Stephens, best known for playing the title role in Noah’s Arc. “We had every opportunity to become real friends which I
think worked for the movie. All three are very different characters and have a genuine affection for each other.”
Boy Culture, which will be released in theaters March 23, tells the story of “X,” a wildly successful male escort played by Magyar whose life changes when he get entangled with his roommates (Stephens and Trent) as well as a reclusive elderly client named Gregory (portrayed by Patrick Bauchau).
“What drew me to the character was, at the core, he was somebody who is really afraid to love,” explains Magyar. “He’s kind of a tough guy, not the most chipper or sweetest. But underneath, he’s a great person who wants to be loved and accepted - that’s something we all want, gay or straight.”
Based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Matthew Rettenmund, the film goes beyond the drama that would likely arise when three available and very attractive men are sharing a home. Those attractions are explored but the film also focuses on the unlikely friendship the develops between X and Gregory.
Before Gregory will agree to sex with X, he tells an unsettling love story spanning fifty years and dares X to try something he hasn’t felt for years: emotion.
“It appealed to me more because I found that this had Gregory’s character was written in to expose X to real feelings and emotions,” Magyar says. “I would say that in the film itself, his roommates are his friends so to speak but Gregory becomes a close friend.”
He also found it especially gratifying to work with Bauchau who he says is “an incredible actor and great person and was very easy going with him. We just formed a friendship outside of work and it carried over into X and Gregory. It made it a very relaxing and comfortable environment.”
Stephens’ character Andrew and X are clearly attracted to each other but face a bumpy road toward getting close.
“Andrew is recently out of the closet and just moved to Seattle to get away from marriage engagement to a woman that didn’t pan out,” Stephens explains. “He is just coming into his sexuality and learning to deal with men on that level. When he met X, he was attracted to him but wasn’t sure about pursuing it. They sorta became friends but
it seems Andrew began to pursue other means of satiating his sexual appetite.”
Besides his own issues, it bothers Andrew that X is a male escort: “I think that was the big stumbling part of it. He likes X but doesn’t understand how he can share himself with people for money. He’s got a problem with that.”
Trent’s character is even more rudderless than his two older roommates and engages in self-destructive behavior involving drugs and sex.
“Joey is the child or the baby in the threesome,” says the young actor. “He’s this young kid who is very insecure and scared and lonely so he flaunts his sexuality to get what he wants. A lot of
people do that when they don’t know what else to go on. They use what they feel they have. For Joey, it was all about his sexuality. He’s charming in a slutty way.”
Stephens is confident the movie will connect with gay audiences given its popular reception at Outfest and other festivals. But he also this “film has great crossover potential. It has issues that cross race and cross age. Even though it’s essentially a gay love story, I think it will appeal to a broad audience.”
Magyar agrees.
“I think if you are looking for a story about love, being gay or straight, this is the movie to see,” he says. “It’s a drama with fun and humorous moments. It’s very real, something we can all relate to - that feeling of being afraid to love and putting up walls and barriers because we’re afraid of what it means to allow ourselves to feel certain things.
“I am very proud of the film.”

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love the tagline of the new movie "Gray Matters," opening in theaters today: "A romantic comedy about a brother, a sister, and the girl of their dreams." Gray (Heather Graham) and Sam (Tom Cavanagh) have the perfect relationship — as brother and sister. Close since childhood, now that they are adults they still live together and are each other's best friend.
The one thing that ends up coming between them is Charlie (Bridget Moynahan), Sam's new girlfriend who also ends up bringing out a different side of Gray that she never knew existed before — her lesbian side! Uh boy. Poor Sam. But when you are as cute as Tom Cavanagh (I've had a mad crush on him since "Ed'), you should be able to rebound just fine. Alan Cumming and Molly Shannon are also in the cast. The trailer looks really funny but critics have not been kind.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just noticed this on USA Today's POP CANDY blog and had to share it even if it was released last week. If I hadn't seen it, chances are a lot of you had not either: Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger's gay kiss in 'Brokeback Mountain' was voted the best screen kiss of all time, according to an online poll conducted by DVD rental firm LOVEFiLM.com.

Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard's romantic scene in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' was voted second (I agree!), while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's passionate kiss in 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' came third. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh took fourth place with their tender moment in 'Gone With The Wind'. The other same-sex kiss to rank high was Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair's lesbian clinch in 'Cruel Intentions' which claimed fifth position.

Here is the complete list:
1. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger in 'Brokeback Mountain'
2. Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith'
4. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in 'Gone With The Wind'
5. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair in 'Cruel Intentions'
6. Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster in 'From Here To Eternity'
7. Al Pacino and John Cazale in 'Godfather'
8. Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger in 'Bridget Jones' Diary'
9. Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in 'Spiderman'
10. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray in 'Dirty Dancing'

What I wanna know is this: why didn't the kiss between Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Dr. in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" make the list? Just kidding. I just found it while surfing for "Brokeback" smooches and wanted to share:

I also thought it would be fun to also add some of the comments readers made after the list was published on PopCandy. Feel free to add your thoughts to the Out In Hollywood blog
Comments Added: Today 18:20
"I am a straight man. I would vote for 2 guys kissing if it were Tony Leung and Alain Delon. or maybe that guy from Taboo."
- jerry Added: Today 16:51
"I'm not a lesbian but i like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair in 'Cruel Intentions'. but I love Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray in 'Dirty Dancing' more... And hey, can I vote for "Killing me softly"? It was simply hhhooottt... :-) "
- jessie Added: Today 05:26
"I'm straight and I'd vote for it."
- also mike Added: Mon 21:05
"is this a gay poll? no straight man would ever vote 2 guys kissing ever!! no offense to the gay community"
- mike

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just love the title. In fact, I keep saying it over and over again - much to the utter annoyance of my colleagues here in the newsroom. The indie film, "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" made its World Premiere last week at the Berlin Film Festival. The Jamie Babbit-directed feature will screen three times at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Tx. beginning March 11.
"Itty" is the story of a girl’s blooming political consciousness and ascent or descent (depending on how you see it) into political extremism. Anna (MELONIE DIAZ) is a young apolitical receptionist at a plastic surgery clinic whom has recently broken up with her girlfriend and been rejected from college. Anna’s family is readying for her sister’s upcoming marriage, and Anna is feeling lost and miserable. One night, Anna meets Sadie (NICOLE VISCIUS), a radical feminist and member of a guerilla action group called Clits in Action (CIA). Intrigued by this flirtatious girl, Anna gets ensnared in the group, and eventually she surpasses her feminist mentor and leads the CIA to its most radical act. By the end of the film, Anna is truly empowered and is transformed into a womyn with a “y”. Stars Daniela Sea ("The L Word"), Melanie Mayron ("Thirtysomething"),Nicole Vicius ("Half Nelson") and Melonie Diaz ("Raising Victor Vargas") with a rocking soundtrack featuring Heavens to Betsy, Slaeter Kinney, Team Dresh, The Need, Slumber Party, Bikini Kill, Peaches and Le Tigre and other politically charged music.
Will keep you posted for any local LA.area screenings as they are announced...
Now say the title five times fast" Itty Bitty Titty Committee Itty Bitty Titty Committee Itty Bitty Titty Committee Itty Bitty Titty Committee Itty Bitty Titty Committee.
It's hard to stop!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 2:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)