I’m, basically, a wuss. I own more than one nightlight. And I can’t watch scary movies without a big, big pillow. So then the new remake of “Carrie” leaves me conflicted. On the one hand, awesome cast of Chloë Moretz, Julianne Moore, Judy Greer and more. On the other hand, so much scary. On the one hand, queer filmmaker and “Boys Don’t Cry” director Kimberly Peirce is at the helm. On the other hand, so much blood. On the one hand, classic story of bullying, power and vengeance. On the other hand, they already told this classic story of bullying, power and vengeance pretty well already. Also, have I mentioned the scary? But, in the end, my curiosity will overcome – I think – my fear and I’ll venture to see what one picked on girl and a bucket of pigs blood can unleash on the world. Someone get me a really big pillow. Happy Halloween, gals and ghouls.
Right, so did everyone make it through the wrath of Sandy? I hope you stayed safe and warm and dry, my East Coast friends. My thoughts are with you all as you heal, rebuild and dry out. Between the apocalyptic storm coverage and post-apocalyptic media I’ve been watching lately (a steady diet of “The Walking Dead” with a light sprinkling of “Resident Evil” for taste), I’ve been thinking a lot about how to survive the end of the world. Note: Marathoning two seasons of “The Walking Dead” in a day will result in a restless night of mentally packing and repacking one’s zombie apocalypse survival kit. I’m sadly lacking a lot of things – like multi-gallon jugs of water and a machete. I enjoy post-apocalyptic entertainment, because it quite literally brings us back to our most base survival skills. But I also know in my heart of hearts I’d probably not be one of the rugged survivors. Not much use for a snarky writer type with terrible coordination and no idea how to hotwire a car. But, on the plus side, at least I know the kinds of things that will hasten our descent into total zombie apocalyptia. A week before the election and remember, there’s only one man running for president who calls funding for federal disaster relief “simply immoral.” So listen to our friend, Joss. Zombie Apocalypse 2012, anyone?
If you’re gay or a lady or a human with a functioning sense of empathy, election season can really start to get you down. Our bodies, our loves, our lives get thrown round like a political football. We’re used as a wedge. We’re used as a divider. We’re used as a scare tactic. It can all get rather disheartening. I just want to live my life and be a decent person and watch too much TV, like everybody else. But, the good news is, no matter what happens this election, we’ll all wake up Nov. 7 and do just that. Sure, it may or may not be easier and fairer for us that next morning. But we’ll still be who we are and love and laugh and eat a Reese’s for breakfast because those free-loading kids shouldn’t get all the Halloween candy, right? And, whenever another idiot talking about what rape is or how our relationships are abominations or why corporations really are people, remember there are also lovely people – all over the world – who think the exact opposite. And those people will stand up with us against the tide of injustice with their voices and vote and, like our French friends above are doing in front of an anti-gay rally, their lips.
p.s. If you are still down, give my lovely friend Up Popped a Fox and her lovely post a read. Hope and perspective bring forth better days.
You know what I like? Women. You know how I like ‘em? Roaring. This election season has been hard on us and our lady bits. There’s been a lot – too much – talk of what we can and cannot do with them. There’s been a lot – too much – talk of what is legitimate and not legitimate when it happens to them. And there’s been a lot – too much – talk of what should happen when someone violates them and whether the unwanted result is something God intended to happen. Enough, old white men. ENOUGH. So this weekend my crush is not on any one woman, but all women – and discerning men folk – who are tired of more than half of the population being told what they can and cannot with our lives and bodies. So here are a lot of smart, talented, funny and fierce ladies saying enough is enough. My vote is my roar. Happy weekend, all.
I loved “The Matrix.” Who didn’t? It’s two sequels, well. But “The Matrix” was one of those universal cinematic moments where we all let out a collective Keanu “whoa.” And then I was impressed by “V for Vendetta.” And, come on, if you don’t get a little hot just thinking about “Bound” I’m not sure you have a pulse. So the Wachowskis have always been filmmakers on my radar who make me sit up and pay attention. In the past decade, the sibling duo has made headlines themselves, but not just for what they’ve put on screen. Lana Wachowski came out as transgender and transitioned in the past decade, and during promotion for her new movie “Cloud Atlas” discussed her experiences for the first time publically. Over the weekend she was honored with the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award at its annual gala. Her acceptance speech is funny and thoughtful and well worth a listen. I haven’t written much about transgender issues here, not necessarily out of disinterest but because of the lack of mainstream discussion, period, of transgender issues. It is, admittedly, a lame excuse. Sadly we still live in a world that is wary of the other. We love our boxes and our binaries and those who stray outside get branded with the freak flag (and worse) with frightening speed and frequency. So to have such a well-respected and high-profile advocate, albeit a reluctant one, is wonderful. It’s also wonderful to listen for 30 minutes to someone’s experiences that may be outside your own and realize we humans aren’t so different despite out so-called differences. We all want to be loved, accepted, respected and able to feel comfortable in our own skin. I honestly can’t tell you what “Cloud Atlas” is about from watching the trailers. Something about identity and interconnectedness and space and time and love, always love. But, man, it sure looks fascinating. And knowing it comes from the minds of those wondrous Wachowskis makes me ready to take that ride.
Lady, are you a sight for sore eyes. In case you blinked for one minute and 42 seconds last night, you missed the very welcome return of Leisha Hailey to television. The artist formerly known as Alice appeared as half of the “wonderful, eloquent” lesbian couple Ryan Murphy had promised us on “The New Normal.” The jury is still out on whether they are indeed truly wonderful and eloquent. But they certainly were childless and bitter about it. Also a little frowny. But, hey, Leisha looked great. Of course, it’s unfair to judge them just one very short appearance. The true proof of their wonderful and eloquentness will be on how much the couple reappears and reveals. Though I will say Leisha and Constance Zimmer managed to have more chemistry in one minute and 42 seconds than Justin Bartha and Andrew Rannells have had in their 420 minutes so far.
I know Leisha has the whole being a rock star thing going already, but I sure so miss her lovely face and impeccable comic delivery on my teevee. In fact, seeing her reminded me of how many wonderful (and eloquent) actresses I’d love to see more often in my living room. Actresses like Emma Caulfield and Rachel Shelley (both had guest Actresses like Lauren Ambrose and Shelley Conn. And so many, many more. Well, here’s hoping we’ll get a lot more than one minute and 42 seconds from Leisha in the future.
p.s. Love the hair, Leisha. Very power lesbian chic.
