BigBearMIA In The City: FLICK NIGHT IN THE CITY

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Flick Night In The City: Strapped

“What, do you imagine that I would take so much trouble and so much pleasure in writing, do you think that I would keep so persistently to my task, if I were not preparing - with a rather shaky hand - a labyrinth into which I can venture, in which I can move my discourse, opening up underground passages, forcing it to go far from itself, finding overhangs that reduce and deform its itinerary, in which I can lose myself and appear at last to eyes that I will never have to meet again. I am no doubt not the only one who writes in order to have no face. Do not ask who I am and do not ask me to remain the same: leave it to our bureaucrats and our police to see that our papers are in order. At least spare us their morality when we write.” -Michel Foucault, The Archaeology of Knowledge (1969)

After having seen the previews for some time on all my recent DVD rentals I decided to finally rent the movie “Strapped” which I thought would be some sort of soft-porn gay hustler movie as it’s title was suggesting. To my surprise the Bay Area writer/director Joseph Graham had a completely different, oddly intellectual and unsettling odyssey planned for me to take than what I was expecting. The title infered strapped for identity, for sure it was not lack of money, which our protagonist finds during one dark and stormy night of apartment hopping while seeking a way out of the labyrinthine (or was that a maze-like) apartment building of his first trick of the night.

The boyish gay hustler (played by the strikingly handsome newcomer Ben Bonenfant) pleasurably morphs from encounter to encounter into whoever the man in front of him needs/desires him to be for them. Voyeuristically watching but never actually seeing any real "action" on screen we follow the hustler’s eclectic liaisons with -- a bearded Russian unfamiliar with gay sex (Artem Mishin); a coked-up queen who vividly remembers knowing him (Carlo D'Amore) and his sexily-intellectual coke buddy (Raphael Barker, yes from ShortBus, who’s myspace says is 60 but I don’t believe it… I want proof! or some of whatever he's having); a good-looking "straight" guy with sociopathic tendencies (Michael Klinger); an aged gay-rights activist tucked away in a vintage leaky attic apartment (expertly played by former Colt model icon Paul Gerrior aka Ledermeister those into classic Colt should Google him… this hot Daddy has turned out to be a hot Grand Daddy...WOOF!); and a lonely young writer who wants nothing more than a real intimate connection with someone (Nick Frangione).

BEAR-ssential: Joseph Graham did a great job of giving this drama a Hitchcock-esque feel throughout the film that keeps you guessing where the Foucault/Shakespeare-sprinkled penetrating dialogue and seductive performances by the whole cast will climax. This unforgettable film of introspection and revelation arrives at its gratifying ending and lingers with you for days. All this makes “Strapped” a must see. Only the inclusion of a chub character could have rounded off the familiar gay stereotypes in this film making it complete, which is the only reason I gave it 4.75 of 5 Bear Claws.

Some "In The City" Fun Extras:
Memorable quotes and moments:

"WOW... I came without touching myself... How'd you do it?..."

"I feel free... Yeah... Yeah... (sighs) Yeah."

"What? You have school tomorrow, bitch? Oh. I get it. Gotta get your beauty sleep for teacher, huh? Like those nerds with big cocks, don't you, you whore. No, seriously. Come inside. I've missed you. Come on. Come on."

"And all Deep Troat here has to do is, you know, end this life of depraved godless buttfucking, right?"

"Oh no! My little Eddy's all growed up! I think I'm gonna cry. It's hard to see them go. No, sir! Not a dancing slut no more, not a drugged out devil, but a real, bona fide whore! Cash only, please!"

"I'm an agent of desiree... Do not ask who I am, and do not ask me to remain the same."

"I'm not gonna ask your name. Doesn't matter. Names. Probably make one up, anyway. But you are beautiful... Oh, you're too smart to be one of Leon's boys. And you don't do drugs. Naw. You're no River Phoenix. You know who you are? Brad Davis. Dying in your own arms. Have you seen 'Querelle?'"

"Random. Anonymous. I like adventures."

"No it's hot. I like it. Think I got some in my eye though, might've blinded me a little bit. Gonna have to check my insurance plan on that."

"I can smell my cock in your mouth."

"Ask me how do gay men say goodbye... I'll call you."

"Oh. Hey. Hi. I'm sorry. I know you... Don't I know you?"

"It's an apartment building, It isn’t Purgatory."

“A maze is a trap, a labyrinth goes somewhere.”

Okay this wasn't in the movie but I had to share Paul Gerrior aka Ledermeister...WOOF!
From Hot Dady to Hot GrandDaddy.

“I don’t know. I’m sure there are a few straight guys walking around here somewhere. But, this is the gayest building on the gayest street in town. Is that a problem?”

"Saint Sebastian" by Guido Reni c. 1616

"No. No, son. You're much older than those. You're body may be young but, there. You see that picture? That's how old you are. (as they look at the painting "Saint Sebastian" by Guido Reni c. 1616).

“No. I don't wanna fuck. I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you deep. For like days… Because. If you kiss me, I won’t be alone. You know? Like, alone alone. For five fucking minutes. And then you’ll leave, and you’ll go. And I can have that. I can have that kiss, I can remember that kiss. Because that kiss will be mine. ‘Cause I know that you’re gonna touch my soul. And that’s, that’s really where I really need to be touched right now. Okay? Not my cock. Not my hole”

"STRAPPED" Movie Artwork

Monday, January 10, 2011

City Spotlight On The Hotties (Part 2 - Gerald McCullouch)

Today it’s “City Spotlight On The Hottie” which will included a broader type of guys, except the “Pocket Hotties” which are reserved for that special “City Spotlight On The (Pocket) Hottie” (guys of short stature, mostly those guys under 5’8”). As mentioned at the end of yesterday’s entry our spotlight is on Gerald “HardG” McCullouch who plays Roger the HOT DADDY Player from BearCity. He’s most know for is long time as his role as Bobby Dawson on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (or CSI: LasVegas aka The Original) and on E! TV as recurring guest of FYE!. The Irish-American Alabama native is an award-winning actor, director, screenwriter and singer [yes he has some pipes (mind out of the gutter guys!) playing the title role in the European tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar].

The “McSteamy Bear” (especially since he’s been embracing his HOT HOT HOT grey) is a 2010 honoree of OUT 100 with the likes of Ricky Martin (finally out!), Julianne Moore (my fav big screen diva for many years), Nate Berkus (WOOF! What a Pocket Hottie… maybe I’ll feature him soon?), Scissor Sisters (there is a triple helping of spotlighting there… hum more ideas), Alan Cumming (I love his great smile), Circuit Party Superstar DJ Tracey Young and others. Photographer Larry Fink did an amazing job capturing HardG’s essential sexiness during their session.

How cute is he in this one? Found on lasplash.com

Daddy Bear showing his softer side with Teddy.

Here are some from all of his OUT100 awards... he would make one beary hot "Double OH Bear!"

McDreamy Bear

Mike Ruiz & Gerald McCullouch

These that follow came mostly from his site (which you should visit):

At the OUT 100 party at the IAC Building

Gerald McCullouch and photographer Derek Storm

On Red Carpet at NYC's GLAAD Awards

Gerald on Red Carpet for Housing Works Benefit in NYC

BearCity at Outfest Red Carpet

Daddy Opening Night NYC (OH DADDY!)

Daddy Card LA

Gerald looks "oh so HOT -In The City" (well really anywhere)...

Central Park Reservoir. Photo credit Maya Adrabi

Columbus Circle. Photo credit Maya Adrabi

Gerald, the GWB and 3 pigeons. Photo credit Daniel Lugo

The J Hood Wright Park. Photo credit Daniel Lugo

Gerald in the center of the world Times Square. Photo credit Maya Adrabi

HardG & the GWB from the NY Daily News feature on his renovation of a NYC apartment 20090821

The bathroom of his self designed NYC pad as featured in the NY Daily News & BearCity's must see scene

On the steps of the Met. Photo credit Maya Adrabi

Photo credit Maya Adrabi

HardG in the City. Photo credit Maya Adrabi

Gerald and the George Washington Bridge. Photo credit Daniel Lugo

These next two pics remind me about of some benevolent saying by Big & Rich, something about "NYC... Broadway... cowboys... and saving hourses... and riding"...