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GLADD announces 23rd Annual Media Award Nominees

Outstanding Film – Wide Release

Albert Nobbs

Roadside Attractions

Beginners

Focus Features

J. Edgar

Warner Bros. Pictures

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Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association’ winners for the best in film and television of 2011

Weekend took home a good bulk of the awards/nominations including Best Picture

Sometimes I get swept up in the excitement of award shows such as the Oscars, sometimes I find them a bore. But there is something fun about making lists of the things we love. And though the Academy Awards might make you roll your eyes, like when Brokeback Mountain lost out to the retch-inducing Crash in 2006, it’s much more fun to roll your eyes at an award show that’s predicated on LGBT content. It may be better, it may be worse, but I have a feeling the ceremony (or at least the after parties) are way more fun.

These winners were announced last Monday January 16th and the winners are listed below. Go ahead and check out how they compare to our own lists of Best Gay Film and Television of 2011.

The group’s Dorian Award winners this time include two big victories for the bold gay romance Weekend (for Film of the Year as well as LGBT Film of the Year). Meryl Streep earned Film Performance of the Year for her uncanny turn as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the biopic The Iron Lady, while Michael Fassbender nabbed the We’re Wilde About You Rising Star of the Year honor for his daring performance as a sex addict in Shame. In the more unusual film categories, the comic drama 50/50, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a young man diagnosed with cancer, was named Unsung Film of the Year, and The Muppets took Campy (Intentional or Not) Film of the Year. 

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Film review: ‘Pariah’

Adepero Oduye as Alike in Dee Rees' 'Pariah'

We have finally entered an era where you can expect queer cinema to be as nuanced and insightful as any other, and Dee Rees’ Pariah, which opens in Portland theaters Friday the 13th, is the perfect example of a coming of age story done so well that it has, well, come of age.

Pariah follows 17-year-old African American Brooklynite Alike (Adepero Oduye) who lives at home with her younger sister and fairly strict and religious parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell). She is a good student and a writer who is struggling not so much with her sexuality, but how to reveal it and fully engage with it. She wants a girlfriend but is frightened. She has a supportive friend but her mother pushes that friend away. And while she is a bright and sympathetic protagonist, what is most powerful about this film is not that she is a superhero but rather a very real vision of what it’s like to be a contemporary lesbian teenager.

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The Best Queer Movies of 2011

I saw a lot of movies in 2011. I can confidently say, that this list of movies comes without any frustration, and I’d hold up each and every one of them against any mainstream or non-queer content film. This was a bold and exciting year for queer cinema! […]


Don’t Ask Questions this Christmas weekend, it’s Blow Pony and Queerlandia

Merry Christmas all you beautiful queers

Did I mention you have, like, zero days left to get that holiday shopping done? Well, it’s too late for Amazon girl. Better check out the local options in our Holiday Gift Guide.

Thursday

Queerlandia 2012 – I don’t know too much about how this party’s going to be but they’re only planning a total of 5 before the end of […]


Presents for the Documentarian

Topp Twins characters Ken & Ken

Doc lovers are a special brand of film buff and while there’s plenty of good gay box sets of movies out there here’s a special subset of gifts about the “real thing.”

#1 Now out on DVD

Untouchable Girls – This year America experiences the Kiwi invasion when dyke music and comedy sensations from New Zealand, the Topp Twins, finally showed us they exist. The duo had a television show that still hasn’t come to the states but they have finally begun touring here over the past couple years, including a visit to Portland a year and a half ago. But the big news is that their documentary Untouchable Girls is finally available on DVD in the US. You can read our review from QDoc 2010 here.

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Tegan and Sara Release “Get Along,” hear them on livestream today

The charismatic Canadian queer duo, Tegan and Sara, recently released their CD/DVD combo Get Along. The live album has 15 classic T & S tracks and the DVD includes three short films.

States” is a 3o minute documentary of the twins’ US tour which includes interviews and fan base connections. “India” follows their first ever tour in India. “For the Most Part” is an hour video of concert footage shot with 75 fans in an intimate studio setting.

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Say Yes to a weekend of Shorty Shorts film, a Playboy Club, Peep Show’s Turkey Day and some Sordid Confessions

Carla Rossi hosts the Thanksgiving edition of Peep Show this Friday

Thursday

Lucinda Williams – Singer songwriter loved by the lesbos takes the stage at the Crystal Ballroom.

Friday

Del ShoresSordid Confessions – Del tries to make up for standing us up last time he was in town. The creator of the cult favorite TV series Sordid Lives (starring Olivia Newton-John, Rue McClanahan, Leslie Jordan and Caroline Rhea) is touring his hilarious new standup show. Raunchy, gay and not for the feint of heart, this seems like a delightfully small venue to catch the outrageous one man show.

Peep Show Thanksgiving with Carla Rossi – Little Tommy may be on vacay but there is no lack of talent in this Turkey day celebration of drag and performance. Hosted by wino Carla Rossi you’ll get to see favorites such as Fannie Mae Darling, Georgia Ray Babycakes and Melody Awesomazing while being introduced to some newcomers with fabulous names like Dionysus, ShpongledHoops and Austin Tatious. (Dammit why did I think of that drag name? I ever have an Austin necklace) Also, make sure you fight the tryptophan and wine induced coma to dance afterword with some of your favorite DJs.

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A weekend to go on a Space Odyssey to a deluded Donovan, a Communi-T Trans Resource Fair and more…just don’t forget your awkward poetry

Corrina Bain performs Friday as part of Q Poetry's Award Open Mic.

Thursday

Hot Mess Grand Finale – Whether you’ve been attending religiously for the past 12 weeks or just want to see how it all turns out, tonight’s final contest is sure to be a knock down drag out fight to the hot mess death. With 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize packages starting at $700 you know these queens are going to be giving their all and putting on a good show. But who will win? Jackie Daniels? Jam N Toast? Allie McQueen? One of the other 6 contestants with or without an odd drag/stage name?

Wild Flag record release show – This one’s a bit of a non-starter. Not only is it the second night of a 2 night set, but it’s already sold out. However, I’m sure there’s a scalper or two out there and with regular tickets a reasonable $12-14 they shouldn’t command too much of a premium. But if you’re not willing to risk it these locals are sure to play again soon. In the meantime check out Wild Flag videos and news in earlier posts.

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Siren Nation women’s music, art and film festival takes on Portland for the 5th year

Patty Schemel's 'Hit so Hard' screens Thursday

This 5th edition of Siren Nation, a celebration of women in music, art, and film and takes over many venues throughout this weekend. They’ve had some great music acts over the years, including a Team Dresch reunion that was not to be missed. This year the fun begins with an epic looking art show at the Albina Press opening Thursday. It features over 40 local artists including the fabulous Alicia Rose and occasional qPDX photo contributor Anna Campbell. Tunes from DJ Safi will set the stage for the weekend at this all ages event.

This year also has a much more robust film portion in comparison to former years, kicking off with Hit So Hard: The Life and Near Death of Patty Schemel. It’s the perfect combo to exemplify the fest encompassing both music and film. When it premiered in Portland at QDOC last June we not only reviewed the film but interviewed the former Hole drummer. So go ahead and read or even listen to audio of Patty Schemel talking Hit So Hard to get excited because Schemel herself, along with producer Christina Soletti will be live and in person to for a special Q&A after the Thursday screening. And visit the SN site for previews and trailers of the rest of the incredible lineup including animation from local Laika studios and several films premiering in PDX for the first time.

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