Queer Beacon

Reno 911!: Miami (2007) - LightShed 10

In Reno 911!: Miami we follow my favorite redneck cops from Nevada in their trip to a police convention in Miami.  All the cops in the city are stranded inside the convention center after a bio-attack, but our Reno cops had not been allowed into the convention center, so, they end up being the only ones who have a shot at saving the day.

You will get quite a few laughs, and if you are a fan of the TV series, you just can't miss this movie. 

As expected, we have a lot of gay content, all either neutral or kind of offensive (but it's that kind of offensiveness that comes within a context of redneck cops messing up everything they do -- everything). 

Our main gay is Lieutenant Jim Dangle, played by Thomas Lennon (who is also a writer on the show).  He is the boss of them all.  We also have lesbian Deputy Cheresa Kimball, played by Mary Birdsong (she is actually the only cop who is sort of competent); and, of course, Terry, the male hustler played by Nick Swardson, who follows the team of cops to Miami. 

Dangle and Cheresa don't really mention being gay.  Cheresa denies it, as a matter of fact.  In one scene of the movie, Raineesha (Niecy Nash) asks whether Cheresa is a lesbian, and while she denies it, we see her hanging out with some ladies who just look like they are ready bang her.  As for Dangle, the word "gay" is just not mentioned.

Maybe what's going on is that they are all from a small town (Reno) and saying the word "gay" may still be a problem in their heads.  I guess the characters kind of stay in the closet because they probably would be in the closet in real life.  I think there's this feeling that a small town will force you into the closet, sometimes so deep into the closet that a guy may not fully realize that gay is what he really is.  This process is what I think is at play with our Reno gay cops.  So, it is never really stated that Cheresa, Jim Dangle (or Terry the hustler) are gay, but come on:

On the TV show, Dangle's sexuality is pretty out there (again, the word gay is mostly avoided).  In one episode of the TV show though, we see that Jim Dangle has a one night stand with Jonesy (played by Cedric Yarbrough, the hottie pictured on the right), something Dangle got to after luring Jonesy into the house under the false pretense of helping out with a move.  In the movie Dangle continues to hit on Jones, while Rainessha (played by Niecy Nash) and Clementine (played by Wendi MacLendon-Covey) continue to fight for Jonesy, the show stud. 

Our gays are just as screwed up as the other cops.  In this circumstance, it would actually be far-fetched (and probably not funny) to have the gays be all smart and righteous while the rest of the group are all screw-ups...I guess it would be fine to have a smart gay bossing a bunch of rednecks around, but I actually think it is more effective, in this case, to have the gays be just as screwed up.  Equal.

I attended a special screening of Reno 911!: Miami, and Deputies Raineesha and Clementine were present and answered questions in character.  That was pretty funny.  Surprisingly, Clementine was quicker and funnier than Raineesha (but Raineesha is still my favorite on the show). 

Just FYI, according to Clementine, if you want to join this crazy police team all you have to do is show up, with a valid driver's license.  You also need to produce a utility bill with your address on it: and you're in.

Ray (2004) - Shipwreck 4

Excellent movie.  The movie takes us through the life of artist Ray Charles, including his heroin addiction, growing up blind, and many, many, women.  Most of the cast was good, but I need to take special notice of Regina King's performance (she was much better than Jamie Foxx -- who delivered a great performance).  She played one of Ray's backing vocals.  Just brilliant.

Now the bad content.  In one scene, Ray Charles' brother calls him a sissy (they were not more than 8 years old).  It was a very small incident, almost unnoticeable, but it was there.  I saw it.

Rock School (2005) - Shipwreck 4

You need to really like Frank Zappa to enjoy this documentary.  I don't like Frank Zappa.  Here, Paul Green is an unsuccessful guitar player and successful teacher.  He teaches kids how to rock and roll in Philadelphia.  I'm not really sure what possessed NewMarket to pick this film up and promote it.  I usually love the stuff NewMarket is involved with, but this was pretty bad.

In one scene, while scorning a kid, Paul Green asks whether the boy wants to play like a girl, if he wants to be perceived as a girl.  He spends the whole movie scolding kids (but only once he uses homophobia).  Watch grass grow instead.  Don't bother with the soundtrack either.

Rent (2005) - LightShed 10

I'm gonna run the risk of having my license to practice homosexuality revoked for saying this, but the singing in the movie could have been (much) better.  I don't know if the sound system in the movie theater I went to is to be blamed (other people liked the movie and did not complain about the singing), but the singers seemed to have lacked the powerful voice common to Broadway singers.  That being said (yeah, after I ripped it apart, right?), the movie was beautiful.  It will definitely break your heart.  You're going to cry your eyes out.  If you haven't already, you have got to get Seasons of Love, the lyrics are unbelievable ( ).

Here, a few friends, some gay, some straight, are facing eminent eviction (the person doing the eviction is Taye Diggs, currently dating Will, in Will and Grace).  There are a few couples, new and old, all just struggling through life, and Aids is an issue.  Believe me, you can cry just by looking at Rosario Dawson's dangerous frailty.  You wanna rescue her yourself.  She is superb in the movie. 

Our second perfect score (the first one was Transamerica) comes due to the naturality with which gays and straights live together and interact.  Awesome.  Makes you believe the world can accept us (even if having to live in a shady little apartment in Manhattan is what it takes).  Almost makes you forget about the far right.

Get out now and measure your life in love!  Rent the movie while you are at it (and use good, loud, sound speakers, you will need them).

Rumor Has It (2005) - No Gay Content

Nothing. The movie is pretty bad.  Jennifer Aniston is not sure whether she loves Mark Ruffalo or not. So she makes out with Kevin Costner.  Not good use for your money.  Keep it.