Homo Box Office

Don't ask me how, but I actually got Michael to sit through -- and stay awake for -- two movies in two nights.

On Tuesday, we watched Rosie O'Donnell's HBO documentary, "A Family Is a Family Is a Family." What an emotional roller coaster! It was only 40 minutes long, but I think I spent 35 of them either crying or smiling so hard my face hurt. For some reason, I thought the film was about her LGBT cruise venture (maybe that was another film). But it was actually a very moving piece about families, and all the shapes and sizes they come in. While Rosie's fingerprints are all over it, there isn't a hint of a political agenda in there -- unless you're so twisted that you find inclusion to be an "agenda." Would love to see this film shown in all schools in America. Can't help but thinking that it would go a long way toward opening people's eyes to the reality that all of us -- gay, straight, bi or trans -- have one thing in common: we're all members of families.

 

Then last night, we finally got around to watching "The Art of Being Straight," a film I have been dying to see since finding out a college friend of mine -- Laurence Ducceschi -- was the executive producer. Now I'm the first to admit that I get nervous when taking in my friends' artistic endeavors (no one likes to be put on the spot -- and what are you supposed to do if you hate something?). But I'm thrilled to report that this indie look at a cute recent college grad's struggle to come to terms with his fluid sexuality is great viewing, completely NOT one of those "gay films" that you turn on and immediately start cringing. Although the story and all of the characters are compelling, it's the extreme likability of the main guy, Jon (played by Jesse Rosen, who also wrote and directed), that really pulls you in. Rosen has a subtle charm -- think of a Jewish Danny from "The Real World: New Orleans" -- that makes you care about him and the struggles he's facing. It's available on Netflix and definitely worth a look. That my pal Laurence couldn't resist giving himself a cameo only added to the enjoyment here in the (212).