Thursday, July 31, 2008

'Dark Knight' hype is justified...

I saw Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' this past Sunday and was very impressed. Everything the pundits and critics have been saying about this flick was true: it is almost the perfect superhero movie for our morally ambiguous times, where the fine line between doing good and doing evil can often be blurred.

And yes, the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is mesmerizing and unforgettable. He blows Jack Nicholson's previous incarnation out of the water. And Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent character in this one makes Tommy Lee Jones' Two-Face (from the 1995 version of Batman Forever) look pathetically childish.

Longtime fans of Batman have told me that director Nolan has reinvigorated the franchise and returned it to its basic roots, putting to shame previous efforts in many ways. For those who haven't seen Nolan's first Batman Begins from 2005, it could be worth a look before seeing this one. But still, The Dark Knight is a self-contained masterpiece that will be talked about for years, I'm sure. Go see it.

I am so watching 'Weeds' this fall...

Wow. I couldn't help but notice the recent buzz about the TV show 'Weeds,' now well into its 4th season down in the U.S. on Showtime (Showcase will pick it up north of the border starting in September.)

It seems that 21-year-old actor Hunter Parrish (pictured above) has been causing quite a stir this season with American gay male fans, with frequent shirtless scenes and apparently this past weekend on Showtime his first butt shot. Considering the queer friendly vibe of the show, it's clear the producers are looking to expand their viewership greatly this season and they are certainly being smart about it.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Loved "How to Solve A Problem Like Maria?"

Summer is the time to kick back, enjoy the weather and catch a few summer blockbuster movies in air-conditioned theatres. And in recent years, it's also been the time to catch the odd summer evening T.V. hit, preferably light fare that only tries to charm.

This summer, for me, that T.V. show is the CBC's 'How To Solve A Problem Like Maria?'. Like many gay men, I've been a fan of the 1965 movie 'The Sound of Music' since I first saw it as a child. And there has been a decidedly gay bent to the CBC show this year: hosted by gay comedian Gavin Crawford, with at least one gay judge on the panel (the amazingly charismatic John Barrowman of Torchwood fame, whom I wouldn't be surprised to see play Captain Von Trapp in this fall's Toronto production alongside the winner) and as many as 10 very talented singing divas vying for the top spot. I've been hooked, as have about 700,000 other Canadians. For another take on the hit show, check out Xtra's article.

Good on CBC for such a success. This isn't Canadian Idol where the winner goes on to an uncertain and likely unsuccessful future. The winner on Maria goes on to star as the lead in this fall's remounting of The Sound of Music.

The final three - Elicia, Janna and Jayme - are amazing. Personally, I think Elicia will take the top prize but it could easily go to any of them. This Sunday night, they compete one last time with final performances, one is eliminated from competition and then Canadian viewers vote on the final two overnight, with the winner announced Monday night at 8 pm on CBC. You can bet I'll be watching!

*********** UPDATE JULY 29 2008 **************

As it turns out, I was correct predicting Elicia would take the top prize. I'm quite pleased. Watching the Sunday night show, I had a difficult time choosing between Elicia and runner-up Janna Polzin, but in the end gave Elicia my vote for her general likeability, her stronger ability to connect emotionally with the audience and her tomboyishness. That being said, I have no doubt that runner-up Polzin will go on to a great musical theatre career.

Surprising news out on Tues July 29, though, that the absence of Maria panelist Simon Lee from this weekend's final shows was due to more than simple 'personal reasons.' The National Post has the alleged sordid details here. Ouch.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Heath Ledger's Joker named 5th Best Movie Villain of All Time: Moviefone

Moviefone has published a very interesting list of their top 25 movie villains of all time. Landing at number five, just behind Anthony Hopkins' legendary performance as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, is the late Heath Ledger for his take on the Joker in this week's big release, The Dark Knight.

Only the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Darth Vader from Star Wars and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter are considered better screen villains by Moviefone. Ledger is two notches ahead of Javier Bardem's Chigurh from last year's No Country for Old Men (and Bardem won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for that one.)

That's quite the accomplishment for the late actor and will no doubt add to the ongoing Oscar buzz surrounding his performance. I can't wait to see The Dark Knight.

What does this have to do with queer politics? Not much, except that I continue to admire Ledger for his tragically brief career and talent. He touched my heart so profoundly in Brokeback Mountain. It would be truly amazing to see him receive a posthumous Oscar nomination for his final screen performance, or indeed the Oscar this winter.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

'New Yorker' cover might help dispel lingering anti-Obama prejudices


Six months ago, my mother sent me and various other members of our family an email string she had been forwarded with the subject heading, "read it - spread it - scary!"

The original emailer, some guy named Sam Meerkin, wrote, "I'm not an American, but I'm frightened at this revelation. Please tell all of your U.S. friends to beware."

The email went to list the litany of anti-Barack Obama prejudices with which we news junkies are now well familiar. This despicable underground campaign has been simmering in certain circles for months, even forcing the Obama campaign to launch its own website to counter the smears.

Now the shit hit the fan yesterday with the release of the New Yorker's latest edition, specifically the magazine's controversial cover illustration by the Canadian-born, Connecticut-based artist Barry Blitt, titled 'The Politics of Fear' (pictured). The Globe has a great piece today detailing the controversy.

The New Yorker says it intended the illustration as a satirical thumb in the eye of those who have attempted to smear Mr. Obama as unpatriotic or a terrorist sympathizer.

Initial reaction has been swift and predictable. The Obama campaign condemned the illustration, calling it "tasteless and offensive". The John McCain campaign agreed.

At the Huffington Post, the novelist Trey Ellis said that, while, "I get the intended joke ... dressing up perhaps the next president of the United States as the new millennium equivalent of Adolf Hitler is just gross and dumb."

A coalition of African-American media and political organizations called for the magazine to be pulled from store shelves, while irate readers deluged the publication's midtown offices with phone calls and e-mails that were met with automated responses.

Commentators on the right, who were the caricature's presumed target, reacted with glee. Many promised to sell T-shirts bearing the image.

I think those right-wing types simply expose their own stupidity by reacting this way. My initial reaction to the illustration was also mild outrage. Then I saw the media explosion that ensued yesterday in reaction. Clearly, the New Yorker has hit the mother load with everybody now talking and thinking about its latest issue.

Will this cover and the ensuing controversy actually hurt the Obama campaign? I highly doubt it. Quite the opposite.

Will it help expose these underground rumours and falsehoods that continue to make the rounds as the lies we know them to be? It may just. By bringing these whispers out into the open, we help dispel them. Such crap can't withstand the shining light of full public discussion.

The New Yorker cover is satire at its best.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

ON HIATUS for early July

After a very successful June for this blog (almost 5,500 visits, my best month yet), I'm going to take a week or two off to re-charge, relax and enjoy this weather. Of course, if inspiration or outrage strikes, I'll be back with my thoughts. But until then, please take it easy and enjoy the summer.

Talk soon...