Busy!

Sorry about the absence of more blog postings here. We are after all busy putting together another fab lineup for you this year. This is just the craziest time of the year for ImageOut Programming. Sometimes, frustration can be at an all-time high. Ugh! But we'll pop up here and there. Stay tuned.

~MG

Review: JULIE & JULIA

At the preview screening last night, as soon as the words "hot as a stiff c-ck" came out of Meryl Streep's (playing Julia Child) mouth, I knew I would have quite the entertaining evening at the movies. JULIE & JULIA is actually two stories rolled into one as writer/director Nora Ephron intertwines film adaptations of the memoirs of Julia Child ("My Life in France") and Julie Powell ("Julie & Julia") -- both at the time of their lives trying to master the art of French cooking.

The film is funny, entertaining and simply mouth watering. What with the constant parade of delicious-looking fine cuisine! I do not recommend coming to the theater on an empty stomach. Both Streep and Amy Adams (Julie Powell) are captivating on screen. And Meryl, Meryl, my Meryl ... you outdid yourself once again with another fine job at capturing the essence of Julia Child including her familiar manner of speech. I came out of the theater finding myself speaking a tad funny. LOL.

I definitely recommend this film and look out for fave lez actress Jane Lynch in a cameo as Dorothy, Julia Child's sister.

~MG

Julie & Julia opens nationwide on August 7.

Booked! MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY

MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY
Rob Williams, USA, 2009, 89 min

Homo heartthrob, Olaf “Gunn” Gunnunderson, is an out-and-proud college student around campus and hopelessly in love with his boyfriend, Nathan (Adamo Ruggiero, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION). But back home in the Midwest, Gunn is simply a devoted son to his wacky parents … and 100% straight! So when Nathan makes a surprise visit during the holiday break, the pressure for Gunn to come out has never been more intense. Filled with quick wit and funny one-liners, MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY gives the age-old story of coming out and familial acceptance a joyful holiday twist.

Booked! AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK

AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK
Richard Laxton, UK, 2009, 74 min

At the ripe old age of 70, having lived most of his life as an outsider in his own country, British eccentric Quentin Crisp (John Hurt, reprising his iconic role from the 1975 classic THE NAKED CIVIL SERVANT) leaps across the pond to America, amid the flourishing gay scene of New York City in the 70s. With his unique brand of wry, observational wit, Crisp quickly becomes an icon in the LGBT community. But after an offhand remark about AIDS being merely another fad, he finds himself ostracized by the same community that once embraced him for being unapologetically himself. Offering a perceptive view of the fractured state of the LGBT community, this film also pays tribute to a man who was never anything less than true to his own spirit.

Booked! I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT

I CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT
Shamim Sarif, UK, 2007, 85 min

After leaving more than one man at the altar, beautiful and strong-willed Tala just can't figure out why her current betrothal isn't going smoothly either. That is, until she meets Leyla, a shy and equally gorgeous Indian woman living in London. Finding an instant connection and smoldering chemistry between them, the two women must juggle family, religion, and intercontinental travel to see if they can ever be together.

ImageOut Wins Stonewall Award

Congratulations to ImageOut for a great presence at the Rochester Pride Parade last Saturday and for winning the Stonewall Award for the "Most Original Unit Expressing Pride" announced at the Pride Festival following the parade. Kudos to everyone who worked hard to make our participation happen. And many thanks to our donors, sponsors, volunteers, and board members who marched with us! (I did manage to walk for a couple of blocks with the group before I had to run back and avoid getting charged with leaving the scene of a crime.) Here are some great pics courtesy of Garnetta Ely.

~MG

Happy Pride, Rochester!

On behalf of the ImageOut Board of Directors and our hardworking volunteers, I wish you all a Happy Pride Weekend! And party safe and hard! Come cheer us on during the parade on Saturday.

Booked! AND THEN CAME LOLA

It's festival crunch time once again as Programming gets busy putting together ImageOut 17's lineup. I'll be posting some of our great picks here so keep checking.

AND THEN CAME LOLA
Ellen Seidler & Megan Siler, USA, 2009, 70 min

Commitment-phobic Lola has one important errand to do today – pick up photos for her girlfriend, Casey, that would help her clinch a new client, and maybe even salvage their relationship in the process. But much to her surprise, she gets three chances to get this all-important task done right! Inspired by the German hit, RUN LOLA RUN, and reminiscent of the comedy classic GROUNDHOG DAY, this fast-paced, action-packed, certifiably hot lesbian romantic comedy proves that love is worth fighting (and running all over the city) for.

A Really Funny Evening

OMG that was a truly fantastic and entertaining event last Saturday evening! Just too bad if you missed it. Suzanne Westenhoefer was in great form and she had the audience in stitches in no time. The best part was she truly had a wonderful time here in Rochester ... of course, due in great part to her enjoying the company of her b*tch. Ha! You just had to be there that night to know what that means.

Thanks to all the ImageOut volunteers who worked hard to make this event possible. Most special thanks (wrapped in a big rainbow pride bow!) to the ImageOut Board of Directors for their immeasurable contribution and stress (and probably some potent prayers).

Of course, the evening would not have been the success it was if not for our loyal members and supporters who had nothing but praises for the evening.

What a great way to start the Rochester Pride celebrations! Don't forget to check the Empty Closet-provided Pride Schedule for all the events this week.

Here are some more pics from Saturday courtesy of our tireless and ever so generous photographer, Garnetta Ely.

3 MO' DIVAS at Geva Theatre

If you love being serenaded by divas with sass, style and a showstopping voice, go see 3 MO' DIVAS currently being performed onstage at Geva Theatre's Mainstage, fresh from the show's June 2009 debut at the world famous Apollo Theatre in New York City. These talented ladies -- Jamet Pittman, Laurice Lanier, and Nova Payton -- will surely make you cheer, clap, laugh, and dance in your seats with an amazing selection of songs from such diverse genres as R&B, Broadway, Soul, Pop, Blues, Inspirational, Disco, and Opera. I went to Wednesday night's performance and I seriously wished the ladies would go on all night.

So make sure to check it out. The show runs on the Mainstage from July 7 to August 9.

ImageOut members can call the office at 585-271-2640 to ask for details on how to get discounted tickets. Or email me.

~MG

Suzanne Westenhoefer this Weekend

Just a quick reminder to everyone that our Big Summer Event is coming this Saturday, July 11. Funny lesbian Suzanne Westenhoefer brings her unique brand of comedy to Rochester for one night only. You don't want to miss this fabulous and entertaining evening! For show and ticket information, check out our website.

Happy 4th of July, From ImageOut... and The Muppets