PlanetOut names top ten movies
by Bryce Eberhart
Special to Q-Notes
SAN FRANCISCO — The PlanetOut
internet portal has announced the results of the
Fourth Annual PopcornQTop Ten Movie Poll
based on a survey of the site’s members. The
annual Top Ten Movie Poll asks visitors to vote
for their favorite gay and lesbian movies released
over the past year. The complete results are avail
able at www.planetout.com/pno/popcornq/
movienews by diking the link “Year-end movie
poll.”
This year’s top honor went to the Clea
DuVall/Natasha Lyonne love story, But I’m a
Cheerleader. The popular romantic comedy,
directed by Jamie Babbit, follows the wacky
Showtime miniseries: the tesX Thing
by Lainey Millen
Q-Notes Staff
hen I was asked to review A Girl Thing
(airing on Showtime on January 20 and 27 at
8:00 pm), I assumed it would be like most such
assignments: I’d sit there for countless hours
waiting patiently for the end. Well, watch out!
This one was a real exception.
From the moment I put the first of two tapes
in my VCR (then searched in vain for the re
mote to adjust the sound and avoid scaring my life. I saw the joys, sorrows, pain, pleasure, trust,
cat when the introduction thundered from the hopelessness and all the otLr emotional highs
speakers), I knew I was and lows one encoun-
in for an incredible
ride. I did not read the
promotional material
on purpose, because I
did not want my vision
clouded by someone
else’s impressions. I am
so glad I waited.
This star-struck
and star-studded
miniseries features an
ensemble cast of some
of the finest female per
formers in the industry,
complemented by a
few first-rate male ac
tors who blend in
naturally.
The characters are
brilliantly brought to
Sensuality and exploration are
showcased by stars (1-r) Elle
MacPherson and Kate Capshaw in
Showtime’s A Girl Thing.
life by Stockard Channing, Lynn Whitfield, Kate
Capshaw, Rebecca De Mornay, Mia Farrow,
Elizabeth Franz, Irma R Hall, Linda Hamilton,
Glenne Headly, Allison Janney, Tina Lifford, Elle
Macpherson, Camryn Manheim, Margo
Martindale, S, Epatha Merkerson, Kelly Rowan,
Peta Wilson, Scott Bakula, Bruce Greenwood,
Brian Kerwin and Brent Spiner. The perfor
mance of each is solid and they work even better
in tandem.
Stockard Channing, whom I first remember
from her performance in Grease, has matured to
such amazing levels. Her portrayal of psychia
trist Dr. Beth Noonan — in private practice —
explains her ability to connect with each of her
patients as the show’s four segments unfold.
Dr. Noonan possesses an indelible beauty and
a steet-tough demeanor, yet she is able to peel
away the layers of her own life as she counsels
her clients. Her witty administrative assistant,
Lani, played by Lynn Whitfield, creates a good
ters in a lifetime played
out honestly on
screen.
Although the pro
gram is not totally
GLBT related, it is a
wide-reaching exami
nation of the human
condition and the
common ground we
find in other emo
tional issues. No one
is free from experienc
ing loss, nor is there
one of us who has not
welcomed the release
of forgiveness. Exist
ence comes with a
mixed bag of sensitivi
ties, and this produc
tion hardly missed any of them.
For those of you who are Kate Capshaw fans,
all I can say is hold on to your heart. Sexy, strong
and provocative, her character (Casey), in tan
dem with Macpherson’s (Lauren), is sure to warm
up these cold winter’s nights.
The environmental settings (that’s “sets” for
you drama queens) were well-designed and ap
pointed. Each one represented a clear picture of
the soul that lived within each character.
Showtime also did well with the location shots,
including the congested city replete with snarled
traffic to add tension to the story line.
This miniseries should certainly be among
the Emmy nominees of next year. It is short,
sweet and to the point. It pulls no punches and
speaks the truth, however painful at times.
Each evening’s performance consists of two
parts. Replay of Part One is on January 29 at
8:00 pm and Part Two is on January 30 at 8:00
pm. ▼
White
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it Books & Things
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Q-Notes T January 20, 2001 ▼ PAGE 17
goings on at a homosexual rehab camp. Com
ing in at number two is the lesbian triptych
HBO production. If These Walls Could Talk 2,
starring Sharon Stone, Ellen DeGeneres, Chloe
Sevigny, and Vanessa Redgrave (who won an
Emmy for her portrayal of a widowed lesbian).
Other top ten winners are: Oscar-contender
Billy Elliot, West Hollywood, ensemble comedy;
The Broken Hearts Club, featuring Dean Cain
and Timothy Olyphant; Wonder Boys, nomi
nated for a Golden Globe; Christopher Guest’s
campy satire. Best In Show, John Schlesinger’s
The Next Best Thing, starring Madonna and
Rupert Everett; Jon Shear’s Urbania-, 1999
Golden Globe nominee Aimee & Jaguar, and
Margaret Cho’s I’m the One That I Want. T
Oiarlotte Gay & K«esljiaii
Film Series 2001
fnisEim 81 8«ic«imin[
SERIES STARTS JANUARY 25!
balance for Channing’s character.
Each of the four vignettes allows us to see a
microcosm of life. Unless you are comatose, it
would be difficult not to see portions of yourself
in each of the cast members’ roles. I am not go
ing to reveal the story line because I don’t want
to prejudice your perceptions of the piece, but I
will reiterate that this is one television program
not to miss.
In the few spellbouond hours that it took for
me to watch, I gained new insights into my own
The 7:00pm .fbowing is
underwritten by
whi
The 9:15pm showing is
underwritten by
fe:.;
HomeOoacb
Charlie has seen and .survived incredible evil, and without letting on,
he coolly plans for the day when his unspoken rage will erupt. A
gripping psychological thriller of nightmarish beauty. Starring Dan
Futternian otYV’s, Judging Amy. Be.sc First Feature award from the
San Francisco Lesbian 8c C}ay Film Festival.
Thur.sd;iy, J;muary 25 • 7:00 & 9:15pm
Park Terrace Cinemas, Park &Woodtawn Roads
$7.00 at the door.
Aimee and Jaguar is
undenoritten by
PaperSkysoraper
CHUTNE
eJvimee df^aguar
n
Felice, a German Jew and member of
the Jewish Underground, and Lilly, A
German woman receiving awards for
being a Nazi super-mom, have just met
and fallen unexf'cctedly and passionately
in love. In German with English subtitles.
MARCH 22, PARK TERRACE CINEMAS
7:00pm — A timely comedy that explores American life,
F7ist Indian Culture and the true meaning of life.
Starring Jill Hennessey.
Big Eden
9:15pni — This heartwarming film contrasts stereotypes
of small town biusybodies with a poignant portrayal of
people for whom love is elusive.
Eden is underwritten by
.laisoris
APRIL 26, MINT MUSEUM OF ART
Paragraph 175
7:00pm — I his graccfiil documentary reveals the tragic,
untold stories of gay men and women living under the Nazi
regime. Nutrated by Rupert Et/erett.
Fun in Shorts I
9:15pm —A great collection of short films.
MAY 24, MINT MUSEUM OF ART
History Lessons
7:00pm — Barbara Hitmmer, prolific experimental filmmaker
I and documentarian continues her ongoing exploration of
lesbian ittutges in this compelling, humorous atid empow'ering
^ contribution to lesbian history.
Fun in Shorts II
9:15pm — A great collection of short films.
Series tickets only $38! Or buy a 4-Pack (four film tickets for $24)1
Now on sale at ’White Rabbit Books & Things or call OutCharlotte at
704/563-2699
www.outcharlotte.org