Heights DVD review for This Week In Texas. Review written by Duane Simolke, author of Holding me Together: Essays and Poems -- Second Edition.

A day in the life of New Yorkers reveals constant surprises in what they learn about themselves and each other. Their lives, seemingly unrelated at first, intersect throughout the movie in ways that neither the characters nor the audience can fully predict.

Heights features a talented and familiar cast, including Glenn Close, Isabella Rossellini, James Marsden, and Jesse Bradford. Directed by Chris Terrio, it also features hidden emotions, agendas, and needs in a deeply human and moving way.

From the obvious fact that at least one of the male characters is gay to the less obvious secrets the twenty-four hours still hold, Heights keeps viewers glued with strong performances, believable emotions, and an obvious love for New York City and its citizens.

Despite the beautiful photography and the many plot twists, Heights relies on realistic dialogue and skillful acting more than anything else. It delivers in those ways and more. Amy Fox adapted the script from her play, and will, hopefully, continue to bring such engaging characters to stage and screen.

Mysterious Skin DVD review for This Week In Texas. Review written by Duane Simolke, author of Holding me Together: Essays and Poems -- Second Edition.


Mysterious Skin

Adapted from Scott Heim's 1996 novel, this sometimes dreamy, sometimes brutal, and often disturbing film engages the viewer in the lives of two boys. One boy responds to sexual abuse, and his attraction to his abuser, by becoming a hustler who fears showing emotion. The other boy hunts for the truth behind his lost time by clinging to UFO theories. As young men, they will eventually meet, for a beautiful ending to an often ugly story.

Director Gregg Araki, not known for avoiding controversy, deals honestly with the emotions of both characters, and the other people in their lives. Brady Corbet (Thunderbirds) plays Brian, the supposed UFO abductee. Corbet convincingly portrays Brian as constantly distant, constantly fragile, always searching for truths that he knows will hurt him.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (TV’s 3rd Rock From The Sun) recently starred in another instant gay classic, Latter Days. In Mysterious Skin, he owns the screen as the older version of the hustler, Neal. Quiet but smoldering with emotions, Neal obviously loves his mother (Elizabeth Shue from Leaving Las Vegas) and his best friend (Michelle Trachtenberg from TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Still, he acts coldly or even cruelly towards other characters, and himself.

Gregg Araki continues to distinguish himself as one of the most innovative and daring directors among gay movies. Looking back at Araki’s films, I hated Nowhere and Doom Generation, liked The Living End, and loved Splendor. Mysterious Skin took him to a new level in my opinion, and in the opinion of countless other viewers. With his most daring movie, Araki actually managed to appeal to mainstream critics; Mysterious Skin deservedly received constant praise during its theatrical run. Its arrival on DVD will bring it to a much larger audience.

For the DVD of an unusual movie, why not offer an unusual special feature? Stars Brady Corbet and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both give extensive readings from Scott Heim's book, sprinkled with images from the film. This feature reveals much about the characters they played, how they approached those characters, and why Araki found the novel so compelling.

Gay Book Receives Rave Review!

For my 200th blog entry here, I wanted to share some good news!


In a review appearing both at QMediaReviews.com and in the November 25, 2005 issue of EXP Magazine, SouthWest Edition, critic Shawn Revelle calls the revised, second edition of my book Holding Me Together “an inspiring and timely collection of works.” Revelle goes on to share details about the book, which he also refers to as “a worthwhile and life-affirming read.”

Book review: Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

Though I frequently came across her name as a highly recommended science fiction author, I missed out on Lois McMaster Bujold until recently, when I read Ethan of Athos. That scifi adventure involves a man from an all-male planet who uses technology to provide children for his world’s population. Ethan happens to be gay; many of the other Athosians simply practice celibacy. Unfortunately, something goes awry, and Ethan must leave Athos on a mission that will cause him to rely on a woman for help.

Despite the strange plot and the comical tone, Bujold delivers an exciting story and characters that seem real. I like that she doesn’t remind me of any other writer.

As someone who enjoys reading (and writing) science fiction or fantasy novels with queer themes, I suggest this novel, as well as Wraeththu (by Storm Constantine), Cinátis (by Ronald L. Donaghe), The Left Hand of Darkness (by Ursula K. Le Guin), Stealing Some Time (by Mark Kendrick) and The Handmaid’s Tale (by Margaret Atwood). Other readers could suggest more, but I loved those and plan to read many related titles.

Yahoo! News: Texas + gay + amendment 2

Yahoo! News: KKK + Texas + gay + amendment 2

Yahoo! News: Gay Marriage

Yahoo! News: Rick + Perry + gay

Google News: Texas + gay + amendment 2

Google News: KKK + Texas + gay + amendment 2

Google News: Gay Marriage

Google News: Rick + Perry + gay

Please see my Reactions to Homophobia page for tools to combat anti-gay bigotry.

LocalVoter Special Issue Feature: Proposed Amendment Banning Gay Marriage. That’s a thought-provoking article, with links to numerous resources.

Supporters of the gay marriage ban have allies: the KKK! That says so much! City To Permit KKK Rally Against Gay Marriage.

Visit the following Web site to see how Constitutional Amendment 2 puts all Texas marriages at risk.

http://www.savetexasmarriage.com/ Save Texas Marriage

The language in that amendment is supposed to ban gay marriage in Texas, even though gay marriage is already illegal in Texas. It actually just panders to prejudice. It also bans civil unions and domestic partnerships—possibly even common law marriages.
Now read what it says in the first part: “Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.”

With that definition in mind, a judge or a lawyer could use the second part against any or all heterosexual marriages: “This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.” That would include marriage itself! Don’t underestimate the wave of litigation that would exploit the lack of clarity, or what it would cost Texas taxpayers.

Our legislators couldn’t find time for school finance, leaving schools wondering if they could pay for text books; yet, they found time for this garbage. Please tell these politicians not to mess with Texas families, or the Texas constitution.

Please also see http://www.nononsenseinnovember.com/ No Nonsense in November.

Both sites include details on where to vote and how to encourage others to vote against this outrageous legislation. Please vote No on 2.


Related blog entry from LGRL’s blog:
Texas AFL-CIO Against Proposition 2

And from Burnt Orange:
Austin & Victoria Papers Against Prop 2

Gay Symbols and History: PFLAG-Lubbock Presentation by Duane Simolke. 10/18/05.

Visit http://DuaneSimolke.Com for Rainbow: Lubbock and many more resources.

* Bear Pride Flag. Consists of a bear paw print with brown, white, and black stripes to suggest the different kind of bears, as well as a blue stripe for the sky and a green one for the Earth. What’s a bear?

* Gender symbols. The common gender symbols for men and women, put together in varying ways to symbolize gay men, lesbians, or bisexuals.

* Lambda. Greek letter lambda, or L. The Gay Activists Alliance of New York adopted it in 1970, though their reasons for choosing it are unclear. Many organizations use Lambda in their name, including the gay fraternity Delta Lambda Phi and Lubbock’s former group Lambda Social Network.

* Leather Pride Flag. Consists of blue and black stripes, with one white stripe and a red heart. Created by artist Tony DeBlase and first displayed on May 28, 1989 at the Chicago Mr. Leather contest.

* Pink triangle. Used for gay men in concentration camps, imprisoned for Paragraph 175. In 1871, the Reich Criminal Code criminalized homosexual acts, but the law received little enforcement before the Nazis. Black triangle for lesbians.

* Rainbow flag. Created by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 for a gay pride parade. Many variations, often combined with other symbols.

* Red ribbon. Symbol of AIDS awareness. Popularized by actor Jeremy Irons when he wore one while hosting the 1991 Tony Awards. Variations include a white ribbon for gay teen suicide, as well as many other symbols and causes.

1.) How does seeing LGBT symbols affect you? Is it important to see or display gay symbols? I mentioned some of the most popular ones, but can you think of others?

2.) In 1869, “homosexuality” first appeared in print, in a German pamphlet written by Karl-Maria Kertbeny (1824-1882). Then in 1892, “bisexual” appeared in Charles Gilbert Chaddock's translation of Kraft-Ebing's Psychopathia Sexualis; however, the term apparently goes further back. What are the origins of the words “gay,” “queer,” “dyke,” “lesbian,” “faggot,” and “fag hag”? How do you feel about those words? How have their meanings and the reactions to them changed?

3.) When did you become aware of gay history? Of gays in the holocaust? Did your high school or college cover those topics? Did they ignore the sexual orientation of famous LGBT people?

4.) What is important about June 27, 1969? Oct. 11, 1987?

5.) Did all past cultures condemn homosexuality, and do all countries do so today?

6.) What are some of the famous gay organizations, past and present? These could be local, national, or international.

7.) How much did AIDS change gay people and the attitudes toward them?

8.) In 1533, King Henry VIII established English sodomy laws. What has happened to sodomy laws in England, America, and other countries, and how did those laws affect LGBT people? Are anti-gay laws still a problem?

9.) Which changes and events have affected LGBTs the most?

Serenity is an exciting, emotional scifi thriller. It doesn’t matter if you watched Firefly or not; it’s a great movie either way.

More upcoming science fiction and fantasy.

DVD
Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

Movies
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Books
Knife of Dreams (The Wheel of Time, Book 11)
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)

I’m now writing Worried: A Science Fiction Adventure, a sequel to my award-winning novel Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure. For a limited time, you can read a partial draft here: FanStory: Worried: A Science Fiction Adventure.

TV
On the WB, Smallville has just started its fourth season.
StarGate SG-1, StarGate Atlantis, and BattleStar Galactica will resume new episodes this January, on the SciFi Channel. Meanwhile, they’re showing reruns of those shows and reruns or unaired episodes of the aforementioned Firefly on Friday nights.

Book review: The Handmaid's Tale: A Novel by Margaret Atwood

Can you imagine sexism and homophobia mingling with government? Considering that it really happens, I'm sure you can. I don't know how many times I've read this scary but plausible tale, which is set in the near future. If you like 1984, Fahrenheit 451, A Clockwork Orange, Brave New World, or other dystopic novels, give this one a try.

Book review: The Left Hand of Darkness (Remembering Tomorrow) by Ursula K. Guin

The author of the Earthsea books brings readers to a frozen world that challenges traditional views of gender and society. Both exciting and fascinating, the adventures of Earth Ambassador Genly Ai on the planet Winter represent science fiction storytelling at its best!

More of my gay DVD reviews have appeared at the newly redesigned This Week in Texas site. Watch for still more soon.