The official trailer for the documentary Born This Way has been released. This documentary is a 'must see' by every LGBT American and their allies. The story is one of raw courage of African LGBT citizens living in Cameroon. That African nation has arrested more people for being an LGBT person than any other country.
Watch this and renew your own courage. When the documentary is released take your family and friends to see it. Support it with all your heart.
Kudu Island, Thailand
Architizer.com has picked out some of the more quirky and weird movie theaters from around the world. Being a huge movie fan, it stimulates me to create a 'world wide theater tour' and see my favorite movies in the strangest places! Enjoy!
Dublin, Ireland
Paris, France
Los Angeles, USA
Vancouver, Canada
Moscow, Russia
When you anyone first meets Lance Bass you sense his Mississippi upbringing immediately. He has an earned reputation in the tough entertainment industry as an extremely kind, well-mannered and charming man. With startling bright eyes and a charismatic smile, he wins anyone over almost immediately.
What that grace and thoughtfulness hides is one of the most broadly talented young persons in the entertainment industry. Along with his good manners comes enormous courage and a life lived on the edge. It is easier to list the accomplishments he has not achieved at the age of thirty-four than it is to list his amazing diverse array of achievements.
Lance Bass has a resume that would put anyone else in his age group, actually in any age group, to shame. The talented young man has been part of the largest pop group of his generation, a New York Times best-selling author, a documentary film maker, a successful actor, radio personality, in Hairspray on Broadway and, yes, even an astronaut! That is just for openers.
Of course, it is impossible not to talk about Lance Bass without first going to *NSYNC. The group sold over fifty million records in just seven years. Their second album No Strings Attached sold a million records in one day, over two million in the first week and became one of the best selling albums of all time! The group received eight Grammy nominations.
His other great passion is Space. In 2002, Bass started training to be a Cosmonaut. Lance even had heart surgery to correct an cardiac arrhythmia so he could qualify for the space flight. Lance was sponsored for a documentary and participated in intensive and exhaustive training for a flight to leave into outer space on Soyuz TMA-1 at the end of October. The flight was to fly to the International Space Station and return to land in Kazakhstan. Both NASA and Russian Space Program certified him for space travel after he completed his rigorous training. Because everyone feared he would die in space and it would be bad for business for the sponsors, his funding was cut off.
Bass came out of the closet in 2006 on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine making him one of the most prominent people in the music industry to come out. He joined the ranks of people like Elton John, Melissa Etheridge and George Michael. Since coming out he has been extremely supportive of the community in raising fund, serving as a spokesman for different events/groups and generously lending his name.
Over the last decade he has appeared in films, television, hosted a nationwide radio show, directed and produced a documentary on being gay in Mississippi and graced the stage on Broadway. In many ways, given his desire to take chances and embrace life on the edge, Lance's journey so far seems like just a warm-up for more success and adventures.
Lance Bass was born in Laurel, Mississippi and grew up in the small town of Clinton. He is in a relationship with an extremely talented young artist, Michael. Bass has a passion for animals and wildlife.
Here are "Five Questions For .....Lance Bass"
1. When with *NSYNC, how great was the fear of being 'outed' in the beginning? What kind of personal effect did living with such fear have on you?
I have known I was gay for as long as I can remember. The fear of being outed while in *NSYNC was huge. I feared it everyday. I thought the guys would figure it out because of the girls I wouldn't take home or my mannerisms. It was stressful and it in turn made me shy and introverted. I never wanted to get really close to anyone in fear of them finding out. I had many acquaintances, but no true friends.
2. You have an intense interest in space and even went to Russia to train to be part of a space flight for several months. Do you still hope to journey into space in the future? Do you believe there is life out there?
I always dream of making a flight to space. I put too much heart and energy into my certification. I think it would be very arrogant to think we are the only beings in the universe.
3. What has been your greatest joy in coming out? Have we reached the place where there is no reason for entertainers to stay in the closet anymore?
My greatest joy in coming out is being able to live my life openly and honestly. With every entertainer that lives their lives honestly bring us closer and closer in helping bridge the gap for gay acceptance in the industry. There is a limited amount of jobs in this industry for gays. The majority of the jobs go to straight people in tv, film and music to appease Middle America. I don't think our industry is homophobic, but we have to keep Middle America happy as they are a HUGE group that watches TV and movies and listen to music.
4. Putting aside your current journey, what would have been your second choice for a career path outside of entertainment?
Definitely becoming an Astronaut. That has been my dream since I was a kid.
5. What is the most embarrassing or funny incident that happen to you while you were with *NSYNC?
Where do I begin? When we went to Germany--in the early *NSYNC days, the stage manager said to us, "Go! Go!" So I ran out on stage and realized that it wasn't our music and another act was mid-performance. I was so embarrassed and had to run back.
Last night American Idol crowned Candice Glover as the 12th American Idol. Glover has the best opportunity in years to break out of the pack and become a major star. It has been a long time since we have seen such an incredible diva and fine, fine singer on the aging show.
Of course, the winners of American Idol are littered with people who have not been able to turn their winning moment into the big time. How many of you even remember last year's winner - Phillip Phillips? Taylor Hicks became a Republican and has been dropped by his label. Can anyone tell me the where we can find winner Lee DeWyze (photograph above)?
How about some of the runner-up's? Do the names Blake Lewis, Justin Guarini, Diana DeGarmo, Bo Bice or Lauren Alaina ring a bell.
The jury is still out (but not looking good) on the long term careers of Jordan Sparks, Scotty McCreery, Chris Allen and David Cook.
Here are the top five contestants who have managed to go from American Idol to being major stars.
1. Carrie Underwood:
The first country-western singer on American Idol has become one of the nations major country-western stars. Her albums and singles shoot to the top of not only country charts but also pop. She has won 6 Grammy's, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 7 American Music Awards and 10 Country Music Awards. In addition, she has won a Golden Globe award for "Best Song". She has sold 30 million singles and over 15 million albums. She was named "Country Music Artist of the Decade" by Billboard.
2. Jennifer Hudson:
Without question Jennifer Hudson has score become a super star. She has starred in film, stage and concert stage. Hudson has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, Actor Guild's Award and NAACP Image Award. On film, she starred in Dreamgirls. Hudson was nominated for 4 Grammy's and won 1. She is highly respected in the entertainment industry.
3. Kelly Clarkson:
She is one of America's favorite pop singers. She also has won 3 Grammy's out of 9 nominations. She sang for the President at last year's Inauguration which is always an honored position for major stars. Clarkson has sold over 25 million albums and 40 million singles. She has had 11 singles that have sold over a million copies.
4. Daughty:
Chris Daughty has taken his loss on American Idol and created a major rock band called Daughty. Their first album sold 4 million records. All three of his albums have sold over a million copies. He has had 5 number one hit singles. His digital tracks have sold over12 million copies! They have been nominated for 4 Grammy Awards.
5. Adam Lambert:
A man who can sing almost anything emerged as the first 'glam rocker' in the best tradition of David Bowie from American Idol. Also Lambert became the 'first out gay man' to find success from show. His first album sold two million copies and his singles have sold five million around the world. Lambert has been nominated for 7 Billboard Music Awards, 1 Grammy Award and numerous others. While he has not sold as many records as the others he is a major star.
Claude Friese-Greene was a pioneer in British film. He made this astounding color video of driving around London. It appears as if he is shooting it from the top of a double decker bus!
The film is such high quality and makes you feel like you are right there. You will love this video of London that was taken eight decades ago! The music is by Jonquil and Yann Tiersen.
London in 1927 from Tim Sparke on Vimeo.
Expectations are high for a new film called 'The Butler' which is made from the book of the same name. It tells the story of Mr. Eugene Allen who was a real life butler for seven sitting Presidents of the United States. He retired from the position in 1986.
This feature film is talented Director Lee Daniels new venture.
Oprah Winfrey will be joining Forest Whitaker as the leads in this new venture but take a look at the line up of other stars!
Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines
Oprah Winfrey as Gloria Gaines
John Cusack as Richard Nixon
Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan
Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Carter Wilson
Terrence Howard as Howard
Lenny Kravitz as James Holloway
Melissa Leo as Mamie Eisenhower
David Oyelowo as Louis Gaines
Vanessa Redgrave as Annabeth Westfall
Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan
Live Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson
Robin Williams as Dwight D. Eisenhower
Alex Pettyfer as Thomas Westfall
James Marsden as John F. Kennedy
Minka Kelly as Jackie Kennedy
Jesse Williams as Rev. James Lawson
Mariah Carey as Hattie Pearl
Nelsan Ellis as Martin Luther King, Jr.
An extraordinary part of our history is being told in a new documentary film about the notorious witch hunt against gays in the Federal Government in the early 1950's known as the Lavender Scare. This week is the 60th Anniversary of the Executive Order demanding that all LGBT employees in the Federal government must be fired.
The purge of homosexuals from the government was massive in the 1950's but continue for four decades until President Clinton an executive order allowing LGBT civilians to work for the Federal government.
At last, this documentary give those victims of the 'lavender purges' a voice. Their stories will be heard by an entire nation.
The producers have started a KICKSTARTER campaign to raise $50,000 to complete "The Lavender Scare". I have given and I hope you will join me. Please click here and make it possible for our history to be told for future generations.
George C. Scott
One of the most difficult movies to create is a good political one. Audiences can become easily bored or just plain turned off by the theme. Over the years, there has been some great political films and some of them very successful.
Here are my ten favorite political movies.
1. All The Kings Men (1940): This is viewed as one of the best political films of all time and tops most people's lists. This is a 'fictional story' based on the real life of Louisiana's Huey Long. The film stars Broderick Crawford, John Ireland and Mercedes McCambridge. It was nominated for six Oscars and won Best Picture, Best Actor (Crawford) and Best Supporting Actor (Mercedes McCambridge)
2. Dr. Strangelove(1964): This is one of the best political satire's ever made. Directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, the film was nominated for four Academy Awards. It won for Best Picture, Best Director (Kubrick), Best Adapted Screenplay (Kubrick, Peter George and Terry Southern) and Best Actor (Peter Sellers).
3. All The President's Men (1976): The thriller about the Watergate scandal starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Nominated for eight Academy Awards it won for Art Direction and Best Sound.
4. Wag the Dog (1997): Dark comedy starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro and it was directed by Barry Levinson. With a theme of a sex scandal so close after the Clinton/Lewinsky affair that might have influenced Academy voters who gave it a mere two nominations and no wins.
5. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939): This is the all time 'political feel good' movie starring Jimmy Steward. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won just won for Best Original story. This was also the legendary year that saw the release of Gone with the Wind, Good-bye Mr. Chips, Stagecoach and The Wizard of Oz
6. The Manchurian Candidate (1959): A political thriller involving the 'brain-washing' of a political candidate by Communists. The film was a major vehicle for Frank Sinatra and Angela Lansbury who was nominated for her performance.
7. Primary Colors (1998): A dramatic depiction of the Clinton for President campaign. The film starred John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Kathy Bates and tons of others. Bates was nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
8. The Candidate (1972): A drama starring Robert Redford and written by Jeremy Larner who won Best Screenplay Oscar. This is the famous movie where the candidate decks his political consultant to the cheers of the audiences!
9. War Room (1993): The only documentary on the list but a damn good one. The story behind the scenes of the 1992 Clinton run for the Presidency. It was nominated for an Academy Award for 'Best Documentary".
10. Frost/Nixon (2008): Taken from the Broadway play, this is one great drama based on the famous David Frost interviews with President Richard Nixon. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards but won not one.
Most people know Nigel Barker as the actor and director on television and as one of the nation's leading photographers. However fewer know his skills as a documentary film maker. Barker has completed several powerful documentary films. His most recent is Dreams Are Not Forgotten about daily life in Haiti since the devastating earthquake that killed a quarter of a million people in 2010.
Barker writes about his latest effort:
Dreams are Not Forgotten is my latest documentary film that captures the heart and soul of an inspiring community in the slums of Bel Air in post-earthquake, Haiti. It's an intimate glimpse of life, concentrating on the details that we all share in common, despite living worlds apart.
The film is set in the shantytown of Bel Air in Port-au-Prince and witnessed through the lives of three Haitians. Roodline is an abandoned 13-year-old girl who sleeps on the floor in a make-shift tent with four other people and wants to be a nurse when she grows up, Leslie is a 24-year-old self-proclaimed vagabond trying to figure out who he is and who he wants to be. Roland is a 64-year-old Iron Worker, struggling to get by and reflecting back on better times in Haiti's colorful past.
Dreams are Not Forgotten is a story of struggle and hope, pride and potential and explores the strength and courage of the human condition against all odds.
The film won the Film Heals Award at the Manhattan Film Festival. Here is Barker's documentary film on Haiti.
Tonight on HBO will premiere a documentary, Fall From Grace, created by Alexandra Pelosi about former Governor Jim McGreevey who came out when he was Governor of New Jersey. He resigned but for several months he became the first serving 'out Governor'. Check your local listings for this HBO documentary.
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