Call Me By Your Name and White Straight Privilege

I’ve posted about the barely legal 17 year old boy angle that has garnered criticism for the movie, Call Me By Your Name, and I’ve posted about the critics who point out that Call Me By Your Name is anything but a gay film or a gay romance, but this review is something a little different.

Narcissism is Elio’s problem but it is also the film’s failing. Instead of powerfully exploring gay passion as in this year’s Paris: O5:59 and God’s Own Country, Guadagino’s movie is regressive. It harkens back to a pre-Stonewall sensibility in which closeted emotions are inflated due to an out-dated, introverted and mostly inept sensibility.

I think that’s a pretty accurate description. You can read the rest here.  There’s more, including a clever comment about the title.

All Gay Cast of Boys In the Band 

There was as time when the only gay content out there was a play like Boys In the Band. I’ve seen the old movie several times, and it’s fascinating to watch. It’s the essence of gay culture, then and now. It’s intense, it’s real, it’s dialogue and character driven. It shows you what life was like. Once you start watching you can’t stop. 

Here’s an example…an example that straight people will never fully understand.

“What I am, Michael, is a 32-year-old, ugly, pock-marked Jew fairy, and if it takes me a little while to pull myself together, and if I smoke a little grass before I get up the nerve to show my face to the world, it’s nobody’s goddamn business but my own. And how are you this evening?”

The play is being revived, with an all gay cast that includes some of your favorites. 

The 50th anniversary finds a lion’s den of gay actors at the helm of the classic bitch-fest: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, and Andrew Rannells. Co-stars will include Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tuc Watkins. The 50th anniversary production will be directed by Joe Mantello at the Booth Theatre.

You can read more about this, here. There’s an excellent trailer. I really want to see this. But mostly, it’s nice to see gay people taking control of their own culture for a change. 

James Franco Is No Weinstein

This is an interesting link to more information regarding the allegations made about James Franco. And right now they are only allegations. I don’t believe in jumping to conclusions when it comes to something as important as this.

Two women who have accused “Disaster Artist” star James Franco of inappropriate behavior appeared on “GMA” this morning, where one said the actor “created exploitative environments” but is “absolutely not a Harvey Weinstein.”

You can check it out here. You have to read it all. I’d like to know one thing. Just who defined what is and is not considered “inappropriate behavior?” Because if there is a set definition for that, I’d like to see it.