In & Out

So what is this one about?
Netflix tells us,

When dim-bulb actor Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) wins an Oscar for playing a gay Marine, he outs his high school drama teacher, Howard Brackett (Kevin Kilne), in his acceptance speech. It all comes as a surprise to Howard -- not to mention his long-suffering fiancée, Emily (a hilarious Joan Cusack). With his wedding just days away, Howard's under the gun to get everything (ahem) straightened out.

Oh, har, har.

And how much did I pay to watch?
Well, I got this one on the 'flix, and like I've said a million times if I've said it once, I have really been neglecting my beloved. I am glad Netflix isn't a person, because he would have broken up wtih me by now.

But, I did watch three discs in rapid succession on my trip to NY, so I will finally get some new discs.

And what did I think?
Well, I basically rented this because Lori told me to. I vaguely remember this from when it was released (in 1997!!) but was urged, by her, to rent it bc we were talking about a person I work with who probably doesn't know that they are gay...or so we think. ANYWAY.

I was entertained enough, but I think my entertainment reached a new level when I read this about the movie on wikipedia this morning (...as an aside, do you have any idea how hard it was to find a movie poster for this guy? Most google searches yeilded In and Out burger stuff. harrumph)

The film was inspired by Tom Hanks's tearful speech when he accepted his 1994 Oscar (for his role in Philadelphia), in which he mentioned his high-school drama coach Rawley Farnsworth, and his former classmate John Gilkerson, "two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men that I had the good fortune to be associated with" - unaware that Farnsworth was still closeted.

HAHAHAHAHAH. Really?! Amazing. After that I thought the movie was much funnier, because really, Tom Hanks?! Man in Hollywood who can do no wrong?! Mr. John Adams, Band of Brothers, everything I make is gold?! Fabulous.

The movie was cute enough, and it was sort of hilarious to have a blast from the past in the form of a movie from 1997. Plus, I find Joan Cusack to be one of the most hideous actresses working today, so I didn't really feel bad for her when she found out her soon-to-be husband was a big ol' mo. And lets be serious, there is really nothing funnier than some gay male stereotypes. People thought he was gay because he was a nice dresser, and was well read, and rode a bicycle! I mean, seriously, how funny is that??

Answer: very.

So what is the rating? (out of 10)
As far as gay hollywood things go, it wasn't inappropriate, or lecherous, or making fun of gay people. It was good enough. Entertaining and all that. I'll give it a 7.

Kissing Jessica Stein

So what is this one about?
My beloved Netflix tells us,

Jessica (Jennifer Westfeldt) is a single, straight, successful New York journalist who, like most of her female friends, has had a history of dating (male) creeps. But when she answers an intriguing personal ad from Helen (Heather Juergensen), Jessica finds herself intensely drawn to her. As Jessica explores this new side of her sexuality, the two begin a friendship that ultimately leads to romance.

Isn't that the way it always works?

And how much did I pay to watch?
Zero dollars because I own this movie. It is one of my faves.

Though, back in the day I did see this in the theatre. I saw it with my mom at my belov'd Cinema Arts. And when the movie was over, do you know what my mom said to me? She said "You remind me of Jessica Stein." And to this day I have never been able to figure out what she meant. Though, it does make me feel a bit odd for her to say that to me.

And what did I think?
Well, here is the thing. Despite this movie being one of my faves, upon watching it I realize it isn't all that spectacular. What makes this movie so appealing is the characters.

It is empathizing with the characters that makes the whole thing relate-able. Hmm, how can I say this in a way that doesn't make me sound totally gay? Hmmm, see, the thing is, how can you--as someone who has likely met someone (no matter what gender) who is utterly intriguing--dismiss this film just because the storyline is somewhat gay? Answer: you cannot. If you think about it, of course you can relate to it.

It is like that line in Chasing Amy,

The way the world is, how seldom it is that you meet that one person who just *gets* you - it's so rare. ... And to cut oneself off from finding that person, to immediately halve your options by eliminating the possibility of finding that one person within your own gender, that just seemed stupid to me. So I didn't.

I mean, that, I think, is what Kissing Jessica Stein is about. It isn't about, like, realizing you are a lesbian, but it IS about opening yourself up to all that is out there.

Now, other than that, I realized way way later that John Hamm, of Mad Men fame, is in this movie, since Jennifer Westfeldt is his longtime girlfriend. But let me tell you, even as an avid Mad Men watcher, if I hadn't know he was in this, I never would have realized it was him. He is so much hotter in the 1960s than in the early 2000s.

So what is the rating? (out of 10)
Well, I love it. For realzies. But, I realize it isn't a 10. So I give it an 8, though it still remains one of my favorites!