 The beginning of a new year also marks the beginning of awards season for the entertainment industry, The Golden Globes, The SAG Awards, The Critics Choice Awards, The Oscars, and more. In a sea of awards, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) focuses on awarding the year’s finest in film and television, from mainstream to 'gaystream,' with its annual Dorian Awards, named in honor of Oscar Wilde.
GALECA is a nonprofit organization comprised of over 100 professional entertainment journalists across the U.S. "GALECA's mission is to generate camaraderie in an unsettling media environment, preserve and champion the art of constructive criticism, and remind the world the LGBTQ community has a significant history of enhancing culture at large." The wins come across 25 categories, from mainstream to LGBTQ-centric, from Rising Star to Music Video of the Year. And GALECA’S 2014/15 Dorian Award Nominees and Winners are: FILM OF THE YEAR Birdman - Fox Searchlight Boyhood - Sundance Selects/IFC The Grand Budapest Hotel - Fox Searchlight The Imitation Game - The Weinstein Company Pride - CBS Films FILM PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR - ACTOR Steve Carell, Foxcatcher - Sony Pictures Classics Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game - The Weinstein Company Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler - Open Road Michael Keaton, Birdman - Fox Searchlight Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything - Focus Features/Universal FILM PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR - ACTRESS Essie Davis, The Babadook - Sundance Selects/IFC Anne Dorval, Mommy - Roadside Attractions Julianne Moore, Still Alice - Sony Pictures Classics Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl - 20th Century Fox Reese Witherspoon, Wild - Fox Searchlight FILM DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel - Fox Searchlight Ava DuVernay, Selma - Paramount David Fincher, Gone Girl - 20th Century Fox Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Birdman - Fox Searchight Richard Linklater, Boyhood - Sundance Selects/IFC LGBTQ FILM OF THE YEAR The Imitation Game - The Weinstein Company Love is Strange - Sony Pictures Classics Pride - CBS Films Stranger by the Lake - Strand Releasing The Way He Looks - Strand Releasing FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR Force Majeure - Magnolia Pictures Ida - Music Box Films Mommy - Roadside Attractions Stranger by the Lake - Strand Releasing Two Days, One Night - Sundance Selects/IFC UNSUNG FILM OF THE YEAR Obvious Child - A24 Love is Strange - Sony Pictures Classics Pride - CBS Films The Skeleton Twins - Roadside Attractions Snowpiercer - Radius/TWC DOCUMENTARY FILM OF THE YEAR (theatrical release, TV airing or DVD release) The Case Against 8 - HBO CitizenFour - Radius/TWC Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me - Sundance Selects Life Itself - Magnolia Pictures Regarding Susan Sontag - HBO VISUALLY STRIKING FILM OF THE YEAR (honoring a production of stunning beauty, from art direction to cinematography) Birdman - Fox Searchlight The Grand Budapest Hotel - Fox Searchlight Interstellar - Paramount Snowpiercer - Radius/TWC Under the Skin - A24 CAMPY FLICK OF THE YEAR Annie Gone Girl Into the Woods Maleficent Tammy TV DRAMA OF THE YEAR Fargo - FX The Good Wife - CBS How To Get Away with Murder - ABC Mad Men - AMC The Normal Heart - HBO TV COMEDY OF THE YEAR The Comeback - HBO Modern Family - ABC Orange is the New Black - Netflix Transparent - Amazon Veep - HBO TV DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Lisa Cholodenko, Olive Kitteridge - HBO Jodie Foster, Orange is the New Black -Netflix Andrew Haigh, Looking - HBO Ryan Murphy, The Normal Heart - HBO Jill Soloway, Transparent - Amazon TV PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR - ACTOR Matthew Bomer, The Normal Heart - HBO Matthew McConaughey, True Detective - HBO Mark Ruffalo, The Normal Heart - HBO Kevin Spacey, House of Cards - Netflix Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent - Amazon TV PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR - ACTRESS Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder - ABC Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback - HBO Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - CBS Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black - BBC America Frances McDormand, Olive Kitteridge - HBO TV MUSICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR Beyonce, MTV Video Music Awards - MTV Neil Patrick Harris, “Sugar Daddy,” The Tony Awards - CBS Jessica Lange, “Life on Mars,” American Horror Story: Freak Show - FX Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Madonna, et al., “Same Love,” The Grammys - CBS Prince, Saturday Night Live - NBC LGBTQ TV SHOW OF THE YEAR Looking - HBO Modern Family - ABC Orange is the New Black - Netflix Please Like Me - Pivot Transparent - Amazon UNSUNG TV SHOW OF THE YEAR Getting On - HBO Looking - HBO Orphan Black - BBC America Please Like Me - Pivot Transparent - Amazon TV CURRENT AFFAIRS SHOW OF THE YEAR Anderson Cooper 360 - CNN The Colbert Report - Comedy Central The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - Comedy Central Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - HBO The Rachel Maddow Show - MSNBC CAMPTY TV SHOW OF THE YEAR American Horror Story: Freak Show How to Get Away with Murder Jane the Virgin Peter Pan Live! Penny Dreadful MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda” Perfume Genius, “Queen” Sia, “Chandelier” Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass” THE "WE'RE WILDE ABOUT YOU!" RISING STAR AWARD Ansel Elgort Jack Falahee Ellar Coltrane Jack O'Connell Gina Rodriguez Finn Wittrock WILDE WIT OF THE YEAR (honoring a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse) Stephen Colbert Rachel Maddow Bill Maher John Oliver Jon Stewart WILDE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (honoring a truly groundbreaking force in the fields of film, theater and/or television) Xavier Dolan Neil Patrick Harris Richard Linklater Jill Soloway Tilda Swinton TIMELESS AWARD (to an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit) George Takei
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 Our friends over at Orchard Winfield Productions are making Season 1 (6 episodes) of the People You Know available to our Connextions Magazine readers for free - but this offer is only available until the clock strikes midnight on 12/31/14 as a holidays' present! This just might be my newest guilty pleasure and if you have an extra 2 hours, 26 minutes & 51 seconds before the end of this year, then do yourself a favor - get your friends together, pour some of your favorite adult beverage and have a "gay old time" with a marathon of People You Know. Everyone will fall in love with at least one of the characters in this for adults only show. During the first season of People You Know, sinners fall and saints rise, as you follow a group of friends as they learn hard truths about love, relationships, friendship and life. People You Know tackles the story of having it all in the most iconic, demanding and cutthroat city in the world, New York City. People you Know is a provocative series where the seven deadly sins corrupt a group of thirty-something urbanites, threatening their chance for happiness and love, as they strive to achieve their dreams while surviving the drama. At every turn, these friends get pushed to the limit and run the risk of losing all they hold dear. Monty St. James: The Boy Scout, whose passion to lend a helping hand to those in need at times causes him personal turmoil. His good old southern boy roots and attitude has all the boys swooning. Mia St. James: The Girl Next Door, she's every guy's fantasy and every girl's obsession, but one girl, Jenna, has her heart. Jenna Naidu: The overachiever, with a tough exterior and sweet, soft heart. Christian Torres: Latin Lover with a tough exterior at work, but a cuddly puppy in his love life, looking for love in all the wrong apps. Billy Bennett: still a lot to learn about surviving in a big city, a bit of an enigma. Brady Campbell: The Hot Gay Nerd, has a "very large" intellect, perfect combination of brains and looks. Reese Adams: Party boy, in love in love with one of his male friends and big mouth hides his own insecurities. Emma Young: party girl with a weird background that is still unfolding. Three-time MAC award winner and veteran of NY stage, Steve Hayes plays Patrick Carter. Steve Hayes is best remembered for his performances in the films Trick and Big Gay Musical. He also hosts his highly popular web show Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies. Steve’s character, Patrick Carter, is the master of sexual innuendo and always ready with a scandalous quip. He often acts as the voice of reason, even if he won’t listen to his own advice. The series also stars Pandora Boxx, an alum of RuPaul’s Drag Race, who plays Adora Jarr, a twisted bartending version of herself. She has performed around the world first with the sold out Off-Broadway comedy show Lick this Boxx and debuted a new comedy show Missed Connections in New York City in September. “Each character has a moment in the season where they must decide if they are on the side of the saints or the sinners. The choices they make have a direct effect on everyone else, which makes it so much fun to watch,” says co-creator Baltimore Russell. “The thing that compels the characters to action is the same thing that might be also holding someone else back from achieving their dreams.” "We see the characters love and scheme and fall victim to their own insecurities. It’s what really makes the show relatable," says John Dylan DeLaTorre, co-creator. “Anyone can watch the show and find a character to identify with and then root for them to succeed. It’s that drama and intrigue that sets the show apart from other series.” Production of the final 7 episodes of season one will take place in mid 2015 and it might come to a TV network near you, but you can NOW enjoy the first 6 episodes of season one. We wanted to post the first episode here, but because of its adult content, we are not able to, but you can see the official trailer here and follow this link to view the full series: People You Know  White Frog
Family Drama Capturing the true spirit of kindness, positivity in humanity and love, White Frog removes the screws from the closet door, one twist at a time. With each turn you feel the heartfelt journey of a young teen leading you to the impactful and extrodianry love within a family struggling with facing the truth of their son. Chaz Young (Harry Shum Jr.) is the perfect son, the most popular kid in school, headed for Stanford, and unconditionally adored by his upwardly mobile parents (BD Wong and Joan Chen). His younger brother Nick (Booboo Stewart) lives in his shadow, brilliant but isolated by his Asperger’s Syndrome. At home, chaz keeps the peace between his father and mother while running interference for Nick, who is barely acknowledged by his conservative parents. When Chaz dies in a tragic car accident, the family spirals into disarray. In an effort to keep his borther’s memory alive, Nick tentatively reaches out to Chaz’s school friends to try making sense of his untimely death. In doing so, Nick quickly realizes that his brother had a secret life. The truth of his brother’s life will change his own forever. Released on DVD July 16, 2013 Available at www.WolfeOnDemand.com As reviewed and featured in Connextions Magazine, Issue 13.  Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land
Documentary Filmmakers: Michael Lucas & Yariv Mozer Michael Lucas teams with Israeli director Yariv Mozer (The Invisible Men) to examine a side of the Holy Land that is too often overlooked: its thriving gay community. When many people think of Israel, it is often in terms of modern war or ancient religion. But there is much more to the Jewish state than missiles and prayers. Undressing Israel features interviews with a diverse range of local men, including a gay member of Israel’s parliament, a trainer who served openly in the army, a young Arab-Israeli journalist, and a pair of fathers raising their kids. Lucas also visits Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife scene—and even attends a same-sex wedding—in this guided tour of a country that has emerged as a pioneer for gay integration and equality. Undressing Israel impressively offers honest reviews of what life is like for gay men, as documented by the gays who live there. Before watching this very well filmed documentary, I am among those who would have stereotyped the land and the people of Israel. Yes, I thought they still rode on camels. After watching the insightful 45 minute film, I am happy to report that Israel has been put on my bucket list. My favorite quote from the film: “The best thing about Tel Aviv is that you don’t need to have the gay bars and gay places, because everything is gay friendly. We don’t need the labels.” Watch the trailer here --> http://www.undressingisrael-themovie.com/ As featured in Connextions Magazine, Issue 13.  Cloudburst
Romance/Drama Internationally-Acclaimed, Award-Winning Independent Film, starring Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker I laughed, I cried, I related, I understood, and I felt the heartache. Two geriatric disabled lesbians and one young gay buck, hit the road and head for Nova Scotia. On their quest to be legally married, they encounter many bumps in the road that bring light-hearted laughter, and this emotional ride offers a suspenseful ending that will surely have you in tears. The movie addresses LGBT issues such as aging, family stigmatism, and marriage. The cinematography is outstanding. My partner and I watched this movie together and both agreed that every couple, lesbian or not, should have this film in their que. Released on DVD July 30, 2013 Twitter: @Cloudburst_film  Petunia
Comedy/Drama Starring: Thora Birch, Brittany Snow, Tobias Segal, Eddie Kay Thomas, Christine Lahti and Michael Urie Writer/Director: Ash Christian If The Family Stone (2005) had you laughing, Petunia will have you peeing your pants. The dynamics of this film are similar, as it is the story of one hysterically dysfunctional family. Part relatable and part unpredictable, but one thing is for sure – it will have you rolling in tears of laughter! Christine Lahti – who had me LOL, ROFL, LMAO and any other acronym you can think of - plays the Mom who is also a therapist, and go-figure - she avoids any real feelings of her own. The father has erectile dysfunction; all three of the brothers have sex issues, either avoidance or over abundance; the sister-in-law is depressed and just plain crazy; and then there’s the cousin, who is married to a woman, and having an affair with a gay man. Though laughter is always the best medicine, I am a hopeless romantic at heart, therefore the ending was my favorite part. Seriously – put this on your watch list! Released digitally August 6, 2013 Released on DVD September 3, 2013 Twitter: @PetuniaMovie  A Perfect Ending
Lesbian Romance Drama Starring: Barbara Niven, Jessica Clark, John Heard, Morgan Fairchild, Rebecca Staab Directed by: Nicole Conn Rebecca (Barbara Niven) is a wealthy housewife and mother of three, who has dedicated her life to being the ‘family stone’. Now middle aged with grown children and a husband more dedicated to his work than his wife, Rebecca toils with thoughts of something missing in her life. With the help of friends and a Hollywood Madam, Rebecca is introduced to Paris (Jessica Clark), a beautifully sexy and much younger, call girl. As the passionate love affair begins, so does the complications at home. The untold stories of the past – and the future - are slowly revealed. A Perfect Ending is a fun and relatable lesbian romance and drama film, boasting an all-star cast with an honest chemistry between the main characters. It offers excitement, humor, intensity, and anticipation with an unsuspecting ending. Available at WolfOnDemand http://wolfeondemand.muvies.com/reviews/1854-a-perfect-ending-  Living Adoption
Documentary Photosynthesis Productions, in association with the Human Rights Campaign, have created this inspirational, moving and honest documentary of gay and lesbian individuals who chose to become adoptive parents. The 21-minute video gives insight into all facets of the adoption process, from the beginning thoughts of being a parent to the struggles of raising a teenager, as well as societal issues and racial concerns. Each of the parents, with their honest and well spoken feelings, share their challenges as well as the joys of their journey. This documentary is informative and educational and comes highly recommended for ALL parents. Our 14 year old Assistant ‘Editor-in-Training’ enjoyed the feature so much, that she chose to watch the bonus scenes as well. When I asked her what she learned from this video, she said "It’s a great reminder of how racism, in all forms, affects so many families." DVD available at: www.photosynthesisproductions.com www.hrc.org www.amazon.com As featured in Connextions Magazine, Issue 5.  Training Rules: No Drinking, No Drugs, No Lesbians
Documentary Released: 2009 SYNOPSIS: Training Rules is a 63-minute award-winning documentary, co-produced and co-directed by Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker. The film examines the degree of homophobia in women's collegiate sports, and focuses on the women's basketball program at Pennsylvania State University under head coach Rene Portland and her policy of discrimination (or lack there-of). REVIEW: I've had this film in my play-list on Netflix for a few weeks. Since I'm not a sports fan, I wasn't driven by desire to watch a film about basketball. My interest quickly turned to intrigue and undivided attention, about 30 seconds into this documentary. I was deeply disturbed and saddened by the destruction that one head coach was able to cause to some of America's most talented athletes. Jennifer Harris will simply be regarded as a hero in the community fighting for equality. The courage she displayed by telling her story will no-doubt pave the way for others to live a life of their dreams! Have you seen this film? Let us know your thoughts.  Welcome to New York
Short Film by Steven Tyler O'Connor Starring: Sherry Vine SYNOPSIS: Welcome to New York is about unique first experiences in New York City. This 30-minute short film, starring Sherry Vine as Dr. Kitty Rosenblatt, the unorthodox yet wildly successful therapist, gives a close look into the lives of 5 therapy patients, who are adjusting to NYC life. REVIEW: This short film, written and directed by Steven Tylor O’Connor, is a humorous look into the lives of five characters, who are trying to balance daily life, while looking for love and following their dreams in the big apple. At the start of the film, each of the characters have one thing in common, their unconventional, eccentric and humorous therapist. By the end of the film, O’Connor cleverly depicts how each of the five characters lives are intertwined. I especially appreciate how Dr. Rosenblatt gives her patient (Mick) a dumbfounded look, after a conversation where Mick explains his profession about performing as a “man in a dress.” This particular part, gives a clear understanding, with unspoken words, just how ‘normal,’ the LGBT community sees itself. O’Connor has a unique ability in his script writing, to give any audience something to smile about and relate to, not to mention, a craving for the sequel. Kudos on another successful film! WelcomeToNewYorkTheMovie.com Facebook.com/WTNYTheMovie twitter.com/WTNYTheMovie |
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