HOTTER IN HOLLYWOOD

Outfest 2012: Finding 'Something Real'

With Outfest kicking off this week at the historic Orpheum downtown, HIH is sampling what the annual film festival has to offer this year (its 30th, and not a single wrinkle).

First up is Something Real, written and directed by Guy Shalem. 

For anyone familiar with the flashy gauntlet that is the West Hollywood bar scene, this short will not only tickle your fancy -- it will slap it silly, tug at those heartstrings, and resonate with your hopelessly romantic side. What starts out as a poignant, boy-leaves-boy tale full of heartbreak and longing soon turns into a hilarious musical of sorts (the music and lyrics are courtesy of Mervyn Warren and Avenue Q's Jeff Marx).

Actor Tony Tripoli (left) with Drew Droege.

The film's bar scene is chock-full of familiar faces as well. From comedian Drew Droege to Suburgatory's Rex Lee to Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch to the fabulous Miss Coco Peru, Something Real is a venerable who's-who of comedic actors. All of the performers appear to have a ball voicing the insecurities and opinions many of us are guilty of hiding in between cocktail-fueled glances ("If people were putting money in my shorts, I would smile").

Check out (and like) the film's Facebook page, and be sure to catch it at the festival (July 15 at 1:30pm in front of Elliot Loves, and July 18  at 10pm in the Musical Shorts showcase). Both screenings will take place at the DGA in Theater 1 on Sunset Blvd.

- Hiko Mitsuzuka (@TheFirstEcho)

Tribeca Film Picks Up Chris Colfer's 'Struck By Lightning'

Tribeca Film announced today that it has acquired U.S. rights to Glee star Chris Colfer’s film debut, the high school comedy Struck By Lightning, which will also premiere next month at Outfest here in L.A. In addition to starring in the movie, Colfer also wrote the screenplay for the film, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and was met with a standing ovation. Directed with awareness and exuberance by Brian Dannelly (Saved!), the highly anticipated film also stars Allison Janney, Polly Bergen, Rebel Wilson, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Hyland and Angela Kinsey.

The plot: High school senior Carson Phillips (Colfer) was destined for bigger things than his close-minded small town could ever offer. He was on a path to greatness, but destiny had a different plan when he was suddenly killed by a bolt of lightning in his school parking lot.

Demonstrating that life is what happens while you’re busy planning your future, Carson recounts the last few weeks of his life via witty, insightful flashbacks, including a blackmail scheme targeting the popular kids in school that he concocts with his best friend (Rebel Wilson), and a home life that includes a mother (Allison Janney) who’s more interested in the bottle than her son’s future and an estranged father (Dermot Mulroney) who suddenly appears with a pregnant fiancée (Christina Hendricks).

“Showcasing his remarkable talents not only as an actor but as a writer and storyteller, Chris Colfer infuses this reinvention of the high school comic-drama with such spirit and joy that he almost makes us fondly nostalgic,” said Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. “Rousing, fresh, superbly acted by a strong ensemble, and wonderfully directed by Brian Dannelly, we are delighted to be partnering with Chris and his fellow filmmakers to share this new take on a classic genre for a new generation.”

Colfer added, “I'm so thrilled to be partnering with a company as passionate about this film as we are.”

HIH is anticipating screening the film at this year's Outfest next month. Who's with us?

Video Premiere: Adam Lambert's 'Never Close Our Eyes'

Remember that scene in Freddy vs. Jason when Jason Ritter and his friend broke out of that mental institution where all the patients were taking a drug called Hypnocil? That's kind of the vibe we're getting in Adam Lambert's video for his hard-poundingly good single off the groundbreaking Trespassing, "Never Close Our Eyes." The drab and repressed rise up to become the colorful and rebellious. And Glambert is leading the way.

That all said, is it us, or does this video reek of some Francis Lawrence direction (the guy behind "Bad Romance" and next year's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)? Check it out:

The Abbey in WeHo Bans Bachelorette Parties

For those of you who may have experienced a drunken run-in with a tiara-wearing bride-to-be at West Hollywood's #1 hotspot, The Abbey, you might be relieved to hear this...

According to Weho Confidential, The Abbey Food & Bar, known as the "Best Gay Bar in the World," a title won two years in a row from Logo, announced today that all bachelorette parties have been banned from taking place within its doors. “Every Friday and Saturday night, they’re flooded with requests from straight girls in penis hats who want to ogle our gogos, dance with the gays and celebrate their pending nuptials," said Abbey founder David Cooley.

"They are completely unaware that the people around them are legally prohibited from getting married. Over the past 22 years, The Abbey has been a place that accepts everyone, gay, straight, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and everything in between. We love our straight girlfriends and they are welcome here, just not for bachelorette parties.”

The Abbey claims it is has long been a policy of theirs to deny admission to groups in costume, including Bachelorette regalia. Bachelorette parties had previously been allowed inside if they removed their costumes. The Abbey’s Bachelorette Ban comes on the heels of a ban on same-sex marriage in North Carolina and a number of other states across the south.

The Abbey is encouraging other gay-owned and operated establishments to institute their own bans as a sign of solidarity until marriage is legal everywhere for everyone. Source.

'Going Down In La-La Land' Proves The City Of Angels Is Full Of Devils

Writer-director Casper Andreas' award-winning sixth film, Going Down in La-La Land, opens here in Los Angeles tomorrow, May 18, at the Chinese Theatres in Hollywood (for tickets to Friday's Hollywood premiere and VIP afterparty, go HERE). An uncensored, sexy, and funny Boogie Nights-esque look at what an actor can -- and will -- do to survive in Hollywood, Going Down in La-La Land is based on the popular Andy Zeffer novel and stars a few friends of ours, including Matthew Ludwinski, Bruce Vilanch, Judy Tenuta, Alec Mapa and Perez Hilton.

Chronicling the journey of NYC transplant Adam (Ludwinski), the film takes the fish-out-of-water format, thrusts it into the world of adult entertainment, drowns it in vodka, and ultimately paints an ugly portrait of the seedy side of showbiz. In other words, if you're a fresh-off-the-plane actor looking to make it in Tinseltown, take this cautionary tale to heart:

Photo by David Waage.

Obama: First U.S. President to Publicly Support Same-Sex Marriage

In what is sure to be a dramatic shift in public opinion, today Barack Obama became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage.

In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married," he said.

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

On Sunday, Vice President Joseph Biden told NBC's "Meet The Press" that he was personally comfortable with same-sex marriage, which was followed the next day by Education Secretary Arne Duncan saying the same.

The White House insisted that there was no daylight between the vice president's position and the president's, noting that Biden clarified his statement as being in reference to civil rights for gay couples. But the explanation was largely dismissed by both supporters and critics as a convenient way for the president to signal support for marriage equality without having to declare it himself.

On Tuesday evening, the state of North Carolina passed an amendment that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The president expressed his disappointment with the measure, but it remained difficult to square his opposition to a measure outlawing same-sex marriage with his opposition to same-sex marriage itself.

As the political pressure continued to mount, the president finally chose to speak out Wednesday, with the White House hastily scheduling a sit-down interview.

Source.

OUTFEST CELEBRATES DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Last night in Hollywood a crowd of lucky fans got to sit in on a Q&A with the cast and crew of NBC's seminal soap, Days of Our Lives, at the Harmony Gold Theater. The evening, hosted by Outfest, NBCUniversal, and Absout, honored the daytime drama's socially-conscious and historic storyline involving Will Horton (played by the Emmy-nominated Chandler Massey), who recently came out of the closet to his friends and drenched-in-drama family (played by actors Bryan Dattilo, Alison Sweeney, Lauren Koslow, and Wally Kurth, who were all in attendance).

Also in attendance was veteran actress Deidre Hall, who plays Marlena, everyone's favorite doctor who's been kidnapped, killed, brainwashed, and possessed by Satan (ah, the 90s). She also happens to be Will's understanding, unconditionally loving, and super stylish grandmother (!).

What made Hall return to the show that made her and her character a household name (she left a while back) was the rejuvenated, character-driven storylines that were focusing more on family and relationships, particularly the one showcasing Marlena's grandson.

During the panel, moderated by Entertainment Weekly's Tanner Stransky, co-executive producer Greg Meng said he's proud to introduce the timely story and promises that this won't be a flash-in-the-pan stunt other soaps have been guilty of committing. He very much stressed that Will's journey will unfold "organically," in a realistic way, and continue to have an effect on those around him (stay tuned: his mom, drama queen Sami, reacts in classic, Sami fashion).

 

When asked if he did any research while preparing for Will's emotional epiphany, Massey credited some of his friends back in his native Georgia, where they had been openly gay in high school -- in a town with a population of 8,000. The actor went on to say that despite the positive reaction and support viewers have given him, there was one surprising instance that stands out: shortly after his character's sexual awakening, he received a bible in the mail from the mother of an ex-girlfriend (We wonder if that bible-thumper still has Days on her DVR).

Check out what stars Deidre Hall and Chandler Massey shared with us at the afterparty during which fans had a chance to get up-close with the actors:

And naturally, they had to give us some love too:

- Hiko Mitsuzuka

When in Palm Springs, Try Some Trio

It has quickly become our favorite destination for dinner whenever we find ourselves escaping to Palm Springs for a weekend.

Trio, run by partners Tony Marchese and Mark Van Laanan (pictured below), occupies the former space of an Old Las Palmas bank, so the space, with its granite walls and mod structure, feels slightly retro but new and chic at the same time.

"Comfort food with a very contemporary flare" is what they're going for, and the taste will have you experiencing a foodgasm of epic proportions.

Speaking of mouth-watering food, our favorite dish is the pot roast (pictured on the right with homemade mashed potatoes and sliced carrots, drenched in a port gravy).

“When you walk in the door its all about comfort, the surroundings and the food,” says Marchese. “Our goal has always been to create a restaurant with a unique energy, where anyone can come dine two to three times a week. We are a proud part of the community in which we love, work, eat and play.”

The menu changes weekly, so every visit is guaranteed to be a unique experience for the taste buds.

And as you can guess, we plan on revisiting Trio in the summer when we make our annual trek to partake in some poolside lounging, cocktail sampling, and much-needed relaxation.

Tell Tony we sent you, and then you can thank us later.

- Hiko Mitsuzuka (@TheFirstEcho)

LA'S OUTFEST MERGES WITH NY'S NEWFEST

East Coast and West Coast, unite!

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting LGBT media, announced today that it is forming a strategic partnership with NewFest, the New York LGBT film festival, with the intent of merging NewFest into Outfest and creating one national arts organization. 

Outfest, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will be responsible for programming this year’s edition of NewFest which will take place July 27 – 30, 2012 at a venue to be announced. Outfest is currently the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artists. For three decades, Outfest has brought together film lovers, innovative artists, celebrities and entertainment industry professionals to create a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Outfest has showcased over 5,600 films to audiences, totaling close to one million people, educated hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected 18,000 stories and images through the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, the only program of its kind in the world.

"Extending the reach of Outfest as a national organization and ensuring that Outfest continues to be a leader in bringing stories of the LGBT community to audiences is a great way to celebrate our 30th anniversary milestone," said Outfest board Co-Presidents Jon Larson and Laura Ivey. “We look forward to working with the team at NewFest on their festival this year and on future initiatives,” added Kirsten Schaffer (pictured above, center, with Neil Patrick Harris), Executive Director of Outfest.

NewFest Board Co-President Steve Mendelsohn said, “Outfest brings a wealth of knowledge and wide-ranging capabilities to NewFest and will enable us to enhance our annual festival and expand our year-round programming. The potential benefit for NewFest and New York's LGBT film community as a whole is something we’re very excited about."

OSCARS 2012: PARTYING LIKE IT'S 1992

Humorous opening spoof of the Best Picture nominees? Check. Billy Crystal offering his usual schtick? Check. Boring and tedious moments peppered with foreign accents and occasionally memorable acceptance speeches? Check.

In other words, the Academy Awards of 2012 felt very much like the Academy Awards of 1992.

Taking on the job of producing the film industry's biggest event is a thankless and challenging task. One is either criticized (harshly) or praised for blatantly attempting to revamp the format with stunts and sensibilities that feel fresh, new, now...or sticking to a formula that's as old as time. In other words, you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't. After director Brett Ratner bowed out of the gig due to his homophobic slip-up last fall, Eddie Murphy, Ratner's go-to guy, also backed out. It's a shame, because after watching last night's televised ceremonies, I can't help wondering what the show would've been like had two of the industry's perceived "bad boys" taken the reins.

What's an 84-year-old American institution to do when Plan A goes up in smoke? Turn to its safety backup, of course. And that's what it did, hiring veteran Crystal to jump in. And that's what the night ended up being: safe. Actually, it felt much like a throwback. Even the production design of the stage was retro (I dare someone to revisit the 1977 broadcast and make comparisons). Yes, breaking out some vintage tricks is always fun, but it also acts as a reminder of just how old and hokey this production has gotten (Crystal even took to the Twitterverse after the Cirque du Soleil performance, calling the night “just a pony away from a Bar Mitzvah”). It's also not enough to sustain viewer interest, especially during all of those technical awards America has grown to be disinterested in. However, as someone who's lived in Hollywood for a decade now, I've grown on the contrary, and watching the awards with a bunch of like-minded individuals make the viewing experience way more fun (I highly recommend several bottles of wine and cupcakes to go along with it; that way, those three-and-a-half hours won't seem so tedious).

That said, instead of being a nit-picking, negative Nancy, allow me to focus on the highlights, five of the best moments from last night's broadcast of Hollywood's annual kudofest:

1. Queen Meryl Wins Her Third Oscar - Poking fun at her embarrassment of riches, Streep delivered a heartfelt and sincere speech. A true class act (with a sense of humor), and the undeniable benchmark for acting.

2. Chug! Chug! Chug! - Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne, continuing their Scorsese drinking game from last month's SAG Awards (taking shots whenever the director's name is mentioned), break out mini bottles of Grey Goose during their presentation when someone in the audience shouts out the auteur's name.

3. Emma Stone Shines - The Academy Award newbie, presenting with straight man Ben Stiller, couldn't contain her excitement and hilariously tried to pull a Hugh Jackman and break out into a song-and-dance number.

4. The Wizard of Oz Focus Group - Christopher Guest & Co. brilliantly picked apart the 1939 classic (Fred Willard: "More flying monkeys!") and all was right with the world.

5. Octavia Spencer's Hot Date & Angelina's Leg (tie) - We knew Spencer would deliver one of the most emotional speeches of the night (because we, and everyone who saw The Help, knew she would win), but inquiring minds were screaming: Who was that sexy piece of man candy on her arm at her seat? (it was the film's writer-director, Tate Taylor). And then, of course, there was Jolie's awkward stance during her presentation, which was immediately mimicked by Jim Rash when he picked up an award for co-writing The Descedants. Totally brill.

Tell us your other memorable moments!

- Hiko Mitsuzuka