Queer Beacon

Sicko (2007) - LightShed 5

Michael Moore finally got it right this time, movie-making wise.  In terms of politics he has always, mostly, preached to the converted as far as this queer is concerned; but I always felt that his points were either weak or poorly argued (or both), and his movie-making abilities, lacking, at best.  But Sicko is excellent -- you absolutely must see it.

In Sicko, Michael Moore goes after the health care industry in the US and the picture ain't pretty: a lot of people are uninsured, and some of the people who are insured suffer too, with constant and abusive denials for health coverage.  We see how well France, Cuba, the UK and Canada do in the area of health for their population. 

I never loved the fact that I live in Canada more.

We get some brief gay content out of a scene from Paris, we see two guys strolling their kids together, and I am pretty sure they were gay, I mean, they could be just French, but by their demeanor to each other and how close together they were...I'm going with gay gay gay.

Seriously, go see this one whether you love or hate Michael Moore.  I hope he does a movie about the gays soon, now that he finally got a better hang of it all.

Reno 911! - Miami - Win a DVD from the Beacon

Reno 911! - Miami is just out on DVD (you can read my review for the movie here), and you have a chance of winning one from the Beacon.  The three top commenters from now through Tuesday (July 3rd) will get one DVD.

So, you need to leave a comment to a review of any movie on this blog by 10pm Tuesday (US Pacific Time).  You can submit as many comments as you'd like. 

I will announce the winners on Thursday (July 5th).  The DVDs can only be mailed to addresses in the US or Canada.

You need to check back on Thursday; if you are a winner please send me an e-mail with your address.  Good luck!

Shoot 'Em Up - Trailer

I love the Giamatti, Bellucci, Owen combo in Shoot 'Em Up. Love it.

...but the trailer looks a little sucky, don't you think?

Sunshine - Trailer - Chris Evans and Cillian Murphy

This movie looks awesome:

I saw the trailer for Sunshine before 1408, the review for that is coming soon.

Open Water 2: Adrift (2006) - LightShed 5

I actually liked this one.  In Open Water 2, we see Eric Dane shirtless the entire movie, agonizing with his hot fellas (old high school buddies) in the open sea.  Here's the plot: they all hop into the ocean, all of them -- and, get this, they forget to lower the ladder necessary for reboarding.  Don't you just hate when that happens?

Right in the beginning of the movie, Susan May Pratt, an old fling of Dane's, is holding her baby when she and Niklaus Lange (one of the buddies on the boat) barge into a room where Eric Dane (looking like a real boat captain) is banging some Barbie; walking away from the incident, Niklaus says something like: "Now that baby is going to grow up to be a Popeye lover or a lesbian." Okay, right?

Then later, Eric Dane is making a toast in celebration of his best friend's birthday (that's Niklaus), and at the end of the toast Eric praises Niklaus "great ass." 

Oh, and did I mention Eric Dane is shirtless, and then naked (although we don't actually see much) the entire movie?

Kathy Griffin on Larry King

What a great show last night.  Larry interviewed Kathy Griffin for the third time, and bitch was crazy! Watch her hit on Coop (there's a reason for that):

[via Queerty / Virtual Matter]

GaySay: "He will prove himself to be the biggest homophobe and the biggest friend to the gay man in the history of humanity."

"He will prove himself to be the biggest homophobe and the biggest friend to the gay man in the history of humanity." That is from Jeremy Piven, talking about his character in Entourage: Ari Gold (via TV Guide and The Advocate). 

So, basically, the show is likely to continue with its ambivalent attitude towards gays.  We have a gay character (played well by openly gay Rex Lee), but most of the time he is there to be ridiculed.  In some ways, it is good to have our gay in the show, he is competent, smart (and cute), and I guess it is almost nice to see that a homophobe can actually work with a gay assistant.  Rex Lee is one of the reasons why I watch Entourage. 

But in the end, I think the result for us gays is not that positive, the continued epithets ("cocksucker" etc.) the cast uses on the show and their macho grossed-out-by-any-level-of-male-intimacy attitude reinforce homophobic attitudes and provide confirmation to the fact that being a homophobe is okay. Worst of all: the show is very good, and attracts the attention of a lot of straight men.  Hopefully the show will grow out of its infantile and inconsequent need to add homophobia to the mix, and leave only the good stuff in there.

Fantastic Four: The Rise of The Silver Surfer (2007) - LightShed 5

If you are going to see Fantastic Four just to see Chris Evans shirtless, don't.  You can check that after the jump (via Totty).  The only legitimate reason you could have to see this mediocre movie is the special effects, those are cool, everything else sucked -- the acting chiefly.

In this installment of Fantastic Four, the Silver Surfer (played by Doug Jones) comes from outer space to destroy our poor little planet (like we need somebody else to destroy us). 

Not-aging-well Julian McMahon (Dr. Doom) joins the team to help  (or does he?).

The movie doesn't really have any gay content, but there are two quick scenes that involves gayety nonetheless.  In one of the scenes, Ioan Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic, aka Flaccid Man) acts all macho and stand up against this bully army general -- after his hissy fit Jessica Alba (wearing contact lenses borrowed from the set of the Exorcist) says that the fit made her all hot for her man, to which Chris Evans concurs, embracing Mr. Fantastic from behind saying he is hot for Mr. Fantastic too! -- it's just a guy fooling around, but from Ioan's look at the end, he did not mind the attention:

[photos from Towle]

In the other scene, a not so nice one, Chris kisses The Thing repeatedly on the face and The Thing says Chris is making him uncomfortable, and pushes him away.  Stupid Thing, if Chris wants to kiss you, let the man kiss you!!

There's more Chris after the jump.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - Trailer

When I first heard about Chuck and Larry, I thought it would likely be something negative for the gays -- and the trailer kinda confirms that:

But I don't know, maybe they will be able to deliver something positive for us.  In a sense, I guess it's always good for people to get used to the idea (and image) of two guys together; but not if the situation involves but ridicule, right?  I'll certainly keep my eye on this one. 

Anyway, tonight, I think I'll see Fantastic Four.

Bear Grylls - Self Golden Shower

This is a new one:

What a peculiar guy this Bear Grylls is (his real name is Edward Michael Grylls by the way)...I think he has one crazy eye, his left eye...check out the pic below (with wife Shara):

[h/t Towle / Socialite]