Fake Whitney Album: Hilarious!

Spreading through the Web like herpes is this cover of Whitney Houston's upcoming album. It's fake, people. But still hil-ar-ious!  

Reel Pride Opening Gala Film: 'Tru'-ly Unloved

If the final aw-moments in “Tru Loved” were indeed true, California’s deplorable Prop. 8 wouldn’t have stood a chance in hell of passing. But, topped with a pretty pink bow, queer writer-director Stewart Wade’s out-of-touch dramedy mostly deserved the beating it got from Roger Ebert when the film critic recently decided eight minutes of the movie was enough, walked out and gave it a thumbs down based on what he saw (he later, after controversy erupted, screened the film in entirety, still maintaining his one-star rating).

It’s obvious why. So much story is crammed in, so many characters are loose, stereotypical archetypes, and so much of your time will be wasted if you see this drab bore – unless you’re looking for messages that’ll massage your heart and super-glue a smile on your face. That it does, and well. “Tru Loved” actually begins promisingly, with lesbian moms and their name-called straight daughter, Tru, who deals with a new town, a new high school, new friends and the inevitable snotty teenage clique. The 16-year-old (the film’s champ, Najarra Townsend), realizes her potential new boyfriend, Lodell (Matthew Thompson), is queer. To keep it on the down-low, she acts as his diversion. Things get complicated when Tru launches a GSA and, during a meeting, spots a hetero hottie. Had the movie’s remainder fleshed out Tru’s straight-kid-with-gay-parents story, this humdrum after-school special could’ve materialized into a groundbreaking queer film. Instead it’s stuck in quick sand – and sinks into an abyss of been-there-done-that gay cinema. Compared to last year’s endearing festival-opener “Shelter” – and several better choices, like the avant-garde “Were the World Mine,” also at the current Reel Pride Film Festival – it’s a mighty shame this drivel was selected for the opening night gala. Just about everything in Wade’s script is obvious – the piggish football coach who calls his players “girls,” the triumphant coming-out story, the gayer-than-Christmas dads. And as if slapping on more rainbow hues than a Rubik’s Cube wasn’t bad enough, “Tru Loved” feels fake, like a lot of the acting. Almost like it’s been lifted out of one of the cheesy, uncalled-for daydreams in the beginning. The homophobic jock instantly comes around when his buddy escapes the closet and everyone and their homophobic mother is gay (including all four of Tru’s parents, her new pal, a teacher, her boyfriend’s dad). It ends sweetly with a wedding – but would school staff who doesn’t even know the couple getting hitched really attend? It might have a lot of heart, and will probably be embraced for its clogged message cache, but you have to wonder where all the brain went. C-

If you saw the film, what'd you think? Did you feel all heart-warmed? Or ready to walk out like Ebert did? 

Also, read more Reel Pride coverage, including an interview with Michael Emerson (Ben Linus of "Lost"), in the latest issue of Between The Lines, out now. Or online tomorrow at www.pridesource.com. 

Mariah, I Love You – But Put The Boobs Away

No Marriage? No Taxes, Says Melissa Etheridge

One of my favorite rock chicks, Melissa Etheridge, spoke out about the recent passing of Prop 8 in California, where she lives with her longtime wife (or girlfriend? BFF? roommate?). Her words are profound, true and heartbreaking. 

Okay. So Prop 8 passed. Alright, I get it. 51% of you think that I am a second class citizen. Alright then. So my wife, uh I mean, roommate? Girlfriend? Special lady friend? You are gonna have to help me here because I am not sure what to call her now. Anyways, she and I are not allowed the same right under the state constitution as any other citizen. Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books. To continue reading, click here 

Talking to Ben Linus – Uh, Er, Michael Emerson!

I love me some "Lost," especially Michael Emerson as once-creeptastic Ben Linus. Who knew the very queer-friendly actor played gay in one of the films being screened at the Reel Pride Film Festival next week in Royal Oak? I didn't until "Ready? OK!" – about a boy who wants to be a cheerleader –  showed up on my desk! His wife, the uber-sweet Carrie Preston (who played Felicity Huffman's sis in "Transamerica" and "Desperate Housewives" and currently stars in Alan Ball's "True Blood"), produced and starred in the film. They're definitely one of the nicest, most gay-amicable couples ever (Emerson was fired up about Prop 8's unfortunate passing), and I chatted with both of them today. Check out the story next week when we preview the film festival.  

OMG – IT'S RUTH FISHER!

"Six Feet Under"'s control freak mom, Ruth Fisher (played by the divine Frances Conroy), got the intimacy she so longed for in my absolute favorite series (still!). Tonight on "Desperate Housewives" Conroy played a lonely woman who got a little more than just a massage from Gaby's hubby Carlos. She got an orgasm. I can't even begin to tell you how geeked (so excited, in fact, that this is the first post with an all-capped title) I was when her name popped up in the opening credits. I missed you, Ruth! In honor of her playing another lonesome soul (she does it so damn well!), I had to reminisce on one of television's greatest mothers, one that could break your heart and make you laugh all in one scene. So, I dug up this YouTube video below. Breaks me into tiny pieces every time. 

To watch tonight's episode of "Desperate Housewives," head to www.abc.com 

Do Not Vote ... NOT!

Hilarious and empowering. Do it! Vote!