Dude + dude = porno!

Photo: Seashel Pictures

Mark Duplass (left) and Joshua Leonard in “Humpday.”

If there’s an early candidate for Sundance breakout hit, that would be Seattle filmmaker Lynn Shelton’s third feature “Humpday,” a subtle and intelligent picture that blends dudely comedy and adult relationship drama. It premiered here on Friday afternoon to a packed house that surfed along with every laugh line and every squirm. If you want a frame of reference, Shelton’s clearly seen the films of Nicole Holofcener, Mike Leigh and the early Woody Allen, but gives those influences her own Pacific Northwest spin. Although it’s based on improvisation and shot without a screenplay, “Humpday” moves propulsively forward, as former college hell-raiser buds Ben (Mark Duplass) and Andrew (Joshua Leonard) come ever closer to fulfilling their mutual dare: making an amateur porn film, together, with no other participants.

I’m not sure how wide Duplass’ acting range is — I don’t know that he could be an action hero, or play Shakespeare — but he sure is great at playing self-deluded doofuses forced by some life crisis to ever-so-slightly grow up. Also known as half of the Duplass brothers’ filmmaking team (“Baghead,” “The Puffy Chair”), here he’s a 30ish Seattle yuppie who’s settled into Gap pleated pants, married life and homeownership, with fatherhood right around the corner.

See Dude + dude = porno! By Andrew O’Hehir @ Salon.com

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/dude-dude-por…

‘Milk’ named best film by New York Film Critics

Sean Penn and “Milk,” (LEFT),Gus Van Sant’s biopic about gay rights leader Harvey Milk, continued to gain awards momentum Wednesday, winning best film from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Penn was chosen as best actor for his performance in the lauded film about Milk, the openly gay San Francisco politician who was assassinated in 1978. Josh Brolin won best supporting actor for his performance in the film.

On Tuesday, Penn was chosen as best actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. “Milk” also leads the Broadcast Film Critics Association with eight nominations, tied for the most with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

Like their West Coast brethren, the New York critics picked Sally Hawkins for best actress for her performance in Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky.” Best director went to Leigh.

See ’Milk’ named best film by New York Film Critics