Open Your Heart To Me

I stopped being way too critical about "gay movies" a long time ago because...well, life is short and if I do enjoy one, then fine. If I don't I just shrug and move on. I have seen all the movies in the Eating Out series and damn if I can even remember them. They are like strip shows - you go to a bar, you have a few drinks and you enjoy them, and by the morning it's all a distant memory. So as I put on "Eating Out - The Open Weekend," I have no expectations at all. But I do enjoy them as I watch them - the beefcake is certainly served well-done if almost generic to the point that you cannot distinguish one from the other. The plot int his one is thin - a couple goes to Palm Springs for the weekend, one guy wants to open the relationship, the other goes along even if he is unsure. Of course, exes, fag hags and the like get into the picture. So to speak. I thought this was an entertaining movie, if a bit too young-skewing for my taste. Yes, they are vapid, but have you been to Palm Springs lately? Actually, I haven't been there in twenty five years or so, but I can only imagine. There are no Oliviers here, but on a Saturday night, I found it to be a great diversion. The actors say their lines, look pretty, and disrobe. That's good enough. There is a marriage equality sub-plot that is kinda sweet without being too overtly political, and that's the extent of any kind of intelligence here. But then again, it never aspires to be so. 

You Love Who You Love

Anna Paquin was just talking about bisexuality the other day in an article. In explaining it, she says:

“I’m someone who believes being bisexual is actually a thing,” she said to Zooey magazine, as reported in Hollywood Life. “It’s not made up. It’s not a lack of decision. It’s not being greedy or numerous other ignorant things I’ve heard at this point. … For a bisexual, it’s not about gender. That’s not the deciding factor for who they’re attracted to.”

I  don't know why there are people who have problems about it. I do think it exists, although I also think it is easier for women to be bisexual because for one, they are more in touch with their feelings, and also, women are typically the one who is "pursued." So I carry those thoughts with me as I read Alex Sanchez's "Boyfriends With Girlfriends," a YA novel about four high school kids: one is gay, one is a lesbian, one is a self-admitted bisexual, and the last one is a straight girl who finds herself attracted to the lesbian. I know my description made it sound more confusing,  but it really is just a simple story about kids dealing with their sexualities and just trying to accept them amidst the usual youth issues of acceptance, peer pressure, and parental restrictions. I thought it was a great story, and it has a great message for its young adult audience. As an older fuddy duddy, I can't help but feel a little enlightened by how today's youth is so unencumbered by sexuality. My generation is certainly more restricting. I find it more and more that for a lot of younger people, sexuality is a fluid thing - what matters most for them is attraction and chemistry. Although the "wise" in me sometimes rolled my eyes at how these kids reacted to situations, I had to keep in mind that these are kids, and their emotional IQs are probably still on its way to maturity. 

BC-40

Judyism

Do you practice Judy-ism? I am not a faithful devotee, but I do believe in her. Maybe it's a generational thing - my diva worshipdom starts with Barbra and Madonna (and all in between) however, the story of Judy Garland - as fascinating as it is - seems to be a story we have all heard before, and we will hear again. Judy Garland, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston - sometimes they all just bend to one cliched story, where an artist cannot contain their own talent, and falls prey to demons. END OF THE RAINBOW tells the story of Judy's demons as it affected her. It's 1968, and she is in London to do a series of "comeback" shows. For the moment, she is clean, but is she? Tracie Bennett doesn't give us an impersonation, she gives us a real human being, and it just happens to be Judy Garland. In all my years of theatergoing, I very rarely see such an exhaustive "complete" performance, and Bennett delivers it. How she gets the stamina to perform the role this way, I will never know, but she is mesmerizing on stage. You cannot take your eyes off her, and the production will not let you, anyway. Perhaps because they know the limitations of the play, they put her front and center at all times, sometimes to distract the written word she is saying. Some people have complained about how she is being portrayed, and some have even said it is false. I don't really know, but I have read some Garland biographies that describe similar stories. They say someone on all those pills should be more lethargic than manic. Judyism fanatics scoff at their idol being portrayed this way. I do think people who only mildly know her story will see her in a more sympathetic light. I would not say that this play is a literary masterpiece, but because of Bennett's performance on that stage, what I saw on stage was exhilarating, depressing, magnetic, and kind of sad - probably just like Judy Garland herself.

Yoga Bore-a

This book, "Tales From The Yoga Studio," was near the bottom of my TBR pile until I found out that its author, Rain Mitchell was the pseudonym for one of my favorite authors, Stephen McCauley, so I dug it up to read right away. I can't believe this was written by him. It was so sluggish, and three quarters in, still not much has happened to any of the characters. To call it disappointing would be such an understatement. Perhaps it's my fault, because I was expecting too much from it. I thought it would be fun eye candy for the brain, with interesting characters that one can relate to. But, he crafted such brain-dead women that I found myself not wanting to spend any time with them. At the very least, I thought it would give me some insight about yoga, a topic I am mildly interested in. I learned nothing, though. I know that this book is a beginning of a series - the second book, "Head Over Heels" just came out - so this whole boo ma be an introduction to these characters. I found none of them worthy of a second visit. I am giving this two stars on Goodreads, but really it's just worth one. The other star is for his other books which I have all loved.

BC-39

70, Babs, 70

I cannot think of a music collector who doesn't loathe compilations. That goes for me, too. They exist not for me, because as a completist, I feel like I am being forced to acknowledge them, even if they have no use for me. But okay, I will bite, and look at "A Woman In Love: The Greatest Hits," which was released for Barbra Streisand to commemorate her 70th birthday. Most of the time, labels put one rare track in these things, but this one was so mechanically produced, it is as if it was produced by a robot. Most of her beloved hits are here, so the "casual fan" can purchase this and feel that they got their money's worth. The usual suspects - Love Theme (From A Star Is Born), People, Guity - are here. There are songs from her acclaimed Broadway albums, and songs from Funny Girl and Yentl. The only one thing that can be considered kind-of obscure is Ann Hampton Callaway's "I've Dreamed Of You," but I am sure they included that because that is Barbra's wedding song. But I can't hate this too much. This is still Barbra, and I will listen to her probably till the day I die. And it is for a wonderful occasion, her 70th. And the color scheme of the cover isn't pink. I don't even know who will buy a compilation like this - a "casual fan" of hers probably has something similar in their collection. But, all in all, the music is still like buttah. Happy Birthday, Barbra.

Broken, Just Broken

Hart Crane was an openly-gay poet at a time when openly gay meant death. That was the only thing I knew about him before I saw James Franco's "Broken Tower." This film was Mr. Franco's final thesis for NYU and while earnest, it feels like one (And that's not an insult) At times it tries too hard - artsy black and white shots abound, but I must give credit to Mr. Franco because I don't think anyone else would care to make a movie about Mr. Crane. I have heard about but have never read "The Bridge," which was Mr. Crane's poetic masterpiece, and int his movie, it is even narrated by Mr. Franco himself. The indifference to this poem drove Mr. Crane to depression and destruction. It's an interesting story, but there's too much pretentiousness going on here that you cannot get past it to mine the heart of the story. I really wish I had liked this more, but I just found myself rolling my eyes. And Franco's performance was so self-absorbed, and I never believed he was gay. The infamous oral sex scene is here, but it's so laughably fake. Whereto now, James?

Smash Episode 13: Tech Is A Bitch

I would say "Tech," last night's episode, is the series' best one yet, and I know why. Apparently, all twelve episodes aired had been in the can even before premiered, so this is the first episode they have shot since premiering. SO by the time they shot this episode, they had already heard all the mixed reviews, the criticisms, the word-on-the-street on all the storylines. And the first thing I notice? Less Ellis. Oh sure, he was still there, but they weren't using him to drive incredulous plot points.  First things first: I love the opening number, an honest-to-goodness show tune about a Broadway show. (I think it's the first time ever)  "Let Me Be Your Star" (a song I accidentally discovered I have played close to 100 times on my iPod) is interpolated - beautifully, if I may add - to Cole Porter's "Another Openin' Another Show" as they show everyone taking the train to Boston, where it will begin out-of-town tryouts. I love that scene, it's joyous and energetic, and a perfect opener. And while it is beautifully set in Grand Central Station, I couldn't help but ask: why are they taking Metro-North instead of Amtrak (which leaves from Penn Station) But anyway, they get to Boston (what a wonderful theater, I wonder where they shot?) So they get there, and it's tech - a laborious process where everyone is tired, irritated. they basically do nothing but stand on stage or do scenes over and over again. And the biggest kicker: the actor who plays Joe DiMaggio has suddenly quit after getting a pilot. So they have to get Michael Swift - which takes the story to Julia. She is distraught, she gives them an ultimatum: it's him or me. Why, you ask, wasn't Michael back with his wife anyway, and didn't I remember him telling her the affair was over? So shouldn't it be no big deal? (By the by, Julia's husband has come home) Back on stage, there is some  confusion about Rebecca and gloves, or some such thing, and it ended up to Derek sleeping with her. Ivy catches them, and is heartbroken, giving her a chance to sing a fantastic version of "I'm Goin' Down" in a singoff vs Karen. This after Karen turns down a engagement ring from Dev. (Her reason? "It's Tech!") We see Dev and Ivy at a bar, flirting. Fade out, and we see in next week's episode they slept together. 

Everything Happens For A Reason

There is a saying that goes, "Things happen for a reason." But do they, really? I think things do happen, but we push them to go certain ways, and I do believe the Universe helps us for and against where things may go, should go, end up. That was the thought on my mind when I was reading Laura Dave's "The First Husband," which I think is a great book. It's one of those simple stories: girl loses boy, girl meets another guy, first guy tries to get her back. But Ms. Dave gives us a relatable narrator, and the story moves so quickly that it got me reading the whole thing in less than  a day. I started reading this as sort of a diversion from another book that was boring me, and was hooked instantly. The most interesting plot point for me was whenever Annie would watch "Roman Holiday," something bad happens to her. It's cute, and kind of scary at the same time, and I am crazy and superstitious enough to believe at something like that. All in all, this was a great read, and it makes me want to discover her other work. 

BC-38

I Should Be So Lucky

"The Lucky One' is based on a Nicholas Sparks novel.  So you know what that means, right? Leave all logic and common sense at the door and just surrender to the movie. You will have to rely on good acting, convincing visuals...and chemistry. That last one is very important, because if you don't believe it, then the film won't be a success for you. Sadly, this just didn't work for me. Since this is a love story, I have to be convinced that the two people falling in love appear to be. Logan (played by Zac Efron) and Beth (played by Taylor Schilling) never, for once, looked in love with each other. Their story is quite extraordinary. Logan is a Marine, and in a combat zone, picks up a picture of Beth in the rubble, and because of that split-second decision, gets his life saved. He makes it a quest to find the girl, and the credits have not even finished rolling and he has already found her. (He walked from Colorado to Louisiana!)  Of course, you don't have to be a genius to see where this is going, and to sense all the circumstances that will keep them apart. I think my main problem is that Efron is not really convincing as a rough and tumble drifter. When you see him dress in flannel and jeans, he looks more like a hipster - those are three hundred dollar designer jeans, for example. And Schilling reads older, making it seem like she is more sister than girlfriend to him. Playing her mother, Blythe Danner is a welcome relief, she is acting like she is not taking this whole thing seriously, and who can really blame her? I really thought I would like this movie - I think Efron is a naturally gifted actor. I just think he is miscast here, appearing like a boy playing dress-up. 

Smelled For The Very First Time

Katie Puckrick interviewed Stephen Nilsen,   who is the nose behind Madonna's scent "Truth Or Dare," and it gave great insight on how Madonna created her first perfume. I had heard that Madonna was a scent lover, and that may be one of the reasons why she will be forever close to my heart. I also know that she loves white florals, and she has been vocal about her adoration of Fracas, that big bold tuberose monster. (In her brother's memoir, he writes that she also douses herself with Anick Goutal's gardenia Passion) Alas, I expected her perfume to be something, mostly tuberose, and, well, it is. A lot of people are saying that it is a Frasca knockoff, but I don't think it is. It's much lighter, and less in-your-face. Truth or Dare is also more commercial, more accessible. The top is a tuberose-gardenia-jasmine mixture, and to me pretty well blended that not one note stands out. Then that "addiction" accord comes out - a mixture of caramel, benzoine, musk - and here is where it makes or breaks for you. It reminded me a bit of Prada Candy, and also Burberry Sport. On me, it ventured into the synthetic, but I kind of like it. It reminded me of the plastic balloons I used to play with when I was younger. I have worn Truth Or Dare a couple of times since I bought a bottle, and each time, there is a layer I discover about it. There was a time where the jasmine was more prominent (it was a rainy day) and a couple of days ago, the tuberose/musk combo came out, and it was kind of lovely. Maybe I am just projecting as I am a Madonna fan, but as far as celebuscents go, this one, for me, is a winner. I hear it call my name and it feels like home. 

  Anyway, love this queeny review of it: 

Just Can't Get Enough

"Diary Of A Sex Addict" by Scott Alexander Hess is indeed full of sex, but it is not erotica. Just like the movie Shame, the sex is not titillating. On the other hand, it is kind of sad. This novel takes you inside a mind of a sex addict, but I think it's more a peek into someone who uses sex to fill a void in his life. There is an underlying sadness in the narrator's story that you will feel so sorry for him, although he does trudge on in the end. My main problem with the book, though is that it does not have any arc. Set a couple of days before Christmas, we do not see anything happening to him as the book ends. I want to look at this as a "slice of life" kind of thing, but I had hoped there was some kind of something there - resolution, retribution, reformation. It's a compulsive read, but all empty calories.

BC-37

Smash Ep 12: Hurray For Bollywood

First things, first, I love the Bollywood musical scene, "One Thousand And One Nights,"  on this week's episode. It's one of those big grand expensive musical numbers, dreamed by Karen as she sits in an Indian restaurant while her new BFF and her boyfriend fight over her. It kind of doesn't make sense - Julia's husband and son are in it when she has never met them - but we won't be sticklers for that kind of thing. And it is really nice to see Raza Jeffrey (Dev) in musical numbers, as people probably don't realize he is an accomplished West End musical performer. This episode was seemingly all about Karen - she gets to song a pop song, and the new musical number for the show is being framed for her. But of course, nothing goes as planned in soaps. Even though Ivy does some questionable tricks to get where she ends up, she sings "Second Hand White Baby Grand," so beautifully - she sings it with intelligent phrasing and nuanced voice shadings that I thought to myself, Ivy: do what you need to do, you deserve the spotlight. Technically, McPhee is a great singer, but Hilty's theater chops prove that she understands the music more. As for Julia's domestic drama storyline, I was prepared to get snarky about it, then I realized that yes, it wasn't too bad, and I loved that scene where Deb Messing spies incognito outside Leo's school to threaten and talk to Leo's best friend. Is a composer really supposed to be powerful? But she was good in that scene, and maybe I have been too harsh with her. One thing, though: Tom crying about Leo running away seems a little too drama queen, no? I am so happy that Anjelica Houston gets to have a cougar love angle, and like everyone else has said, that hair style she has at BAM was gorgeous. And lastly, the least said about Ellis the better. 

You Must Haunt Me

There are two big questions people ask you when you say that you just saw the new revival of EVITA:  How is Ricky Martin, the pop star, who plays Che (Very Good) and then they ask, Is Elena Roger, who plays Eva Peron, really that bad (No, she is actually very good as well) I was so looking forward to seeing this production for a couple of things: EVITA is probably one of my favorite scores of all time, and one first ones I memorized in its entirety. Plus, I had never seen a production of it, because I was still on the other side of the world when it was playing on Broadway. Bottom line: this production does not disappoint at all, and may even be the Best Musical Revival this season. (Maybe. I change my answer to "Follies" every couple of hours) It is lavishly directed by Michael Grandase in a churascurio tone, and it soars when it needs to be. Surely, Sir Andrew's score has a lot of deficiencies, but it's still, in my opinion, his best. Rob Ashford's choreography is beautiful to look at but it sometimes crosses to overkill. This is a dancey Evita, for sure. Ricky Martin, as I said earlier, is very good, but his performance is saddled by the blankness of his character. While he moves well, and sings well, we do not really understand his character because, essentially he has none. As for Elena Roger, I admit I have been a bit harsh on her.  Her first act was disappointing for me, there were a lot of high notes she just screeches, but something really magical happens as she sings "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" to open the second act: her singing and acting became nuanced, she brings so much theatricality to her singing that it took me by surprise. I was literally stunned by its beauty. Even on the throwaway song "You Must Love Me," there is an shading, a layer in that song that I never saw in Madonna's rendition when she introduced it in the film. By the end of the show, I was in tears for her and with her. Her Evita isn't big, it isn't campy, it's real. And as I think about it now, it still haunts me.

Give Me Scotch

They say you can't judge a book from its cover, but can you judge it from its title? This one is called "Scot On The Rocks: How I Survived My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding With My Dignity Ever-So-Slightly Intact," and yes it's a mouthful. It also tells the story, leaving out any element of surprise. That's fine in itself if the characters have a distinct voice that it keeps you interested. Unfortunately, this one doesn't. About sixty percent in, I mentally checked out of the book even as I kept on reading. I basically gave up on the characters: they were uninteresting, unlikeable, and I didn't care one way or another about what happened to them. Thankfully, it's a short read, as I think I will reward myself with some scotch to ease off my disappointment. 

BC-36

SMash Episode 11: The Enemy

I love this scene (above) from last night's episode of SMASH. It's Karen and Ivy getting a drink, and Ivy says to Karen,"Why don't you hate her? She stole our role. She is the enemy." And the show is desperately trying to make Uma Thurman's character, Rebecca Duvall the villain. But guess what? I am not buying it. Her character may be difficult, she may be a pain in the ass, but she did not get by being nice. And yes, Rebecca Duvall was a horrible singer in the beginning, but she works hard, as evidenced by the final musical scene, where she is no better or worse than any movie-star turned Broadway-star on the boards right now. But yes, I know, she is still all kinds of wrong for the part: too leggy, too old, too Uma and not enough Marilyn. Cut to another boring domestic subplot for Julia, and zzzzz - but at least we get to see Brian D'Arcy James eat Deb Messing in any scene they are both in. I am kind of loving the Elaine-bartender story line, mostly because of Anjelica Houston's very light touch - she knows this is a trashy soap, and she just has fun with it. But the best part of last night's episode: a start to Ellis' unraveling, when he gets caught playing Rebecca's agent.  And "the Frogs" is Tom's favorites Sondheim? Really? Really?