For Film Lovers in LA, Outfest Begins Today!
If you enjoy gay and lesbian themed movies and live in Los Angeles, you’re in luck as Outfest, Los Angeles’ annual gay & lesbian film festival, begins tonight with a festive Opening Night screening of Save Me at the Orpheum in Downtown LA. It continues for the next nine days with a variety of shorts, features, documentaries and panels — and even a Dreamgirls singalong on Thursday, July 19 at the Ford Amphitheatre in the Hollywood Hills.
I’ve been volunteering at the festival for the past six years and have been a theater manager since 2002. While I regret that many of the films do have a left-wing bent, I am pleased to be associated with a film festival where the staff shows such respect for the volunteers and patrons. One of the reasons I continue to volunteer is that organization has gone out of its way to thank me — and the others who donate their time and enthusiasm to Outfest.
So, if you’re free in the next few days, check out Outfest where you can see some interesting, unusual and entertaining films — and have a lot of fun. And maybe even catch sight of (and schmooze with) a celebrity or two. (Many openly gay celebrities — and a few gay-friendly straight ones — have been known to frequent the festival.)
To get more information about Outfest, just click here or here for an online film guide and to buy tickets.
And if you’re going to be at the festival, make sure to e-mail me to see if I’ll be working at a venue where you’ll be seeing a flick.
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Yeesh!
The only gay films I’ve ever liked are Trick and Priscilla QOTD. The rest that I’ve seen have been depressing, artsy-fartsy garbage.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — July 13, 2007 @ 1:39 am - July 13, 2007
Oh, I sorta liked Brokeback Mountain.
As I said when that came out, TGCpartner likes to watch gay movies as a “show of support”. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t care who made a movie, if it doesn’t look interesting to me, chances are I won’t watch it.
Thought The Mostly Unfabulous Life of Ethan Greene looked interesting, but that was a bust. The kid was cute though.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — July 13, 2007 @ 1:46 am - July 13, 2007
I watch a lot of them myself, less for support than for curiosty about the stories being told. Many of them simply aren’t very good, though I do have a few I like. Never been to any of the film fests, though.
I’m with you on Ethan Greene, TGC. Daniel Letterle is kind of cute, but was disappointed in the movie. I remember reading the cartoon. Like most movies based on cartoons, the movie didn’t capture the humor in the same way.
Did anyone else think it was ironic that this posted followed the post about GLAAD and the Adam Sandler movie?
Comment by Mike — July 13, 2007 @ 10:20 am - July 13, 2007
The last really good “gay” film I saw was “To Wong Foo.” But I have to agree with TGC – as long as the film is interesting and entertaining but not overtly political or preachy, I don’t care who lensed it.
This criteria eliminates anything by Michael Moore, of course. Who, by the way, has been reputed to have devoured the entire country of Andorra.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — July 13, 2007 @ 11:16 am - July 13, 2007
Did anyone happen to see “A Beautiful Thing”? It’s a British import, about 8 or 9 years old with a great soundtrack-Mamas and Papas. It’s mine and Doc’s favorite.
Comment by David — July 13, 2007 @ 1:48 pm - July 13, 2007
David, is that the one about the two kids in the London housing project? That was a good one.
Comment by Mike — July 13, 2007 @ 3:09 pm - July 13, 2007
Yes Mike, that’s the one. The black girl who lived adjacently was obsessed with Mama Cass.
Comment by David — July 13, 2007 @ 4:19 pm - July 13, 2007
I saw “A Beautiful Thing” with Hubby as well. We love the scene where the boy’s mom clocks the black girl in the head so she can get the same “voice” as Mama Cass.
The last scene where they are all slow dancing is my fave.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — July 13, 2007 @ 4:48 pm - July 13, 2007
We love that scene too, Peter. My personal favorite the scene when they are running through a wooded park and Mama Cass is singing “Make Your Own Kind of Music”
Comment by David — July 13, 2007 @ 6:02 pm - July 13, 2007
Last good gay-themed movie I saw was actually one of the best movies of any genre I’ve seen. “Urbania,” with Dan Futterman (“A Mighty Heart,” nominated for Oscar for writing “Capote”) It was a bit artsy, but it worked in the same way “Sixth Sense,” “Vanilla Sky,” or “The Others” worked. Probably the best “gay” movie I’ve seen. (I know, it was released in 2000, but I hadn’t heard of it until last month; I’m behind the curve on these things.)
Comment by LukeInSedona — July 19, 2007 @ 6:05 pm - July 19, 2007