“I can’t believe I’m actually arguing with some anonymous crackpot commenter on a blog…”

Again, people with weak arguments, without facts and based on personal opinion often resort to personal attack. Hurl all the insults you want if it makes you feel better. Unfortunately it only makes you less credible.

Again, your personal opinions mean nothing except to you. What evidence do you have that proves older suburban gay men “have a big effect” (again, vague terminology – define “big”, define “effect”) on 1) the content of gay film festivals, and 2)the marketing of gay films?

To my mind what you originally said, Steven, is suburban gay men are old and rich and desperate, and fund gay film festivals. Why don’t you go back and read it?

Whining that TNG censor those who disagree with you is no way to gain credibility. Self-righteous vindictive reactions like yours are precisely why anonymous commentary is necessary.

While you are so busy proving me wrong and silencing dissent I am merely substantiating what I wrote.

landoftrolls: if you are so concerned we’ve “strayed far from the original intent of the blog post” then simply drop it. Take your own advice and simply “agree to disagree”.

The tastes of a subset of older suburban gay men who patronize gay/lesbian film festivals have a big effect on the selection of films that are programmed in the festivals and on the way those films are marketed. I don’t know what could possibly be controversial about that.

Anonymous: your “translations” of my sentences don’t stand up to the most basic test of logic. Stop arguing with what you think I mean, and take a look at what I actually said. You obviously have a bone to pick, but it’s not with me.

I do not believe that is what he said. Rather, I see you finding offense where none was intended.

1) So all you can counter with is your personal opinion? If you are going to debate an issue you’ll need something stronger than that, like the proof in Steven’s actual writing I requested.

2) People with weak arguments without facts and based on personal opinion often resort to personal attack. I assure you pointing out the bigotry of others has nothing to do with “harboring resentment”. I guess gay men angered by hate crimes are just “harboring resentment”? Steven sounds like he is harboring (to use your words) a great deal of personal resentment towards other gay men. What about the “outsized buying power” of (the vilified rich suburban) gay men who donate their time and money to HIV/AIDS research, gay youth groups and gay rights politics? For example David Geffen funded many early ACT UP New York actions. But I guess he’s really just nothing more than a stupid old faggot with bad taste and a lot of money.

The problem with what Steven wrote stands. Again, regardless of his motivation, age, profile or personal feeling the words are his record. It is up to Steven to retract, clarify or reaffirm what he wrote. It is not your place to lodge personal attacks in his defense to make yourself feel better.

Bad taste in film is just as evident at E Street Cinema as it is at Bethesda Row.

There is a lot of bad taste throughout gay culture. Stop using class resentment to mask the real problem: complacency, self-loathing and insecurity among most gay men, regardless of age or place of residence.

Dissent is valid. Good luck trying to silence others.

I clearly understood what Steven wrote. It is transparent. Debating his motivation is ancillary, not to mention irrelevant.

The point: his actual words say suburban gay men are old, rich and desperate. That is offensive, ageist and typical of the ignorance and disrespect in most young gay men.

Above I used quotes to prove my point. I challenge either you or Steven to go back and find quotes that prove me wrong, that prove what he wrote does not say (or imply) suburban gay men are old, rich and desperate.

Stop projecting. It is not anonymous posting but your double standard whining that gives us a “peak into your own internalized cacá.”

TNG, seriously, consider eliminating anonymous posting, so folks will take responsibility for what they write here.

Are you just that stupid? Are you just so incredibly self-reflexive that your writing is careless, duplicitous and vague? Your actual words reveal your intent. Don’t expect others to read your mind. That’s pretty lazy.

Anonymous, If you’re gonna argue with me, at least argue with something I actually said. C’mon.

OK. Some things you actually said…

1) You said:
“The homo festivals …attract suburban gay men with money to fill seats and donate to the festivals.”

Translation:
suburban gay men have a lot disposable income and are rich enough to support film festivals.

2) You said:
“…the movies that are advertised with pictures of shirtless young boys always attract long lines of, mostly, older men…”

Translation:
suburban gay men are old (and desperate).

3) You said:
“What I don’t understand is why those guys will sit through an awful movie just to see a few minutes of nudity. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to rent porn?”

Translation:
suburban gay men are desperate.

Don’t say something and then deny you said it. You just end up looking stupid.

And for the record a lot of suburban gay men are over the fucking rainbow of your urban queer fantasy. Start honestly applying that diversity you so aggresively evangelize.

I always find that the shorts screenings are the best thing at Reel Affirmations too. Any advice on how to get them / look out for them, have you been lucky?

I liked very much Men’s Night Out, Men’s shorts last year, especially: Groucho, Daddy’s Boy (very funny!) and the Caress of the Creature..

Your movie recommendations sound very interesting, “Don’t Tell Anyone”, is an adaptation from a book by Jaime Bayly, a great Peruvian writer..I think that the book was better though…

I’ll add “Km. 0″ and “Plata Quemada” to my Netflix…

I have 3 further recommendations:

‘Plata Quemada’ (‘Burnt Money’ was the English title), from Argentina.

‘Km. 0′ (‘Kilometer Zero’ in reference to the central point in Madrid), from Spain.

‘No Se Lo Digas a Nadie’ (Don’t Tell Anyone), from Peru (yay, Peru!)

Those three movies played the year Reel Affirmation focused on Spanish-language films.

The films that are most exciting to me right now are the trans films… it seems like that’s the new frontier in queer storytelling.
The trans community seems to be just coming into its own, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.

Part of the reason for this disconnet between really great cinema and mediocre fare, to me, is that because we, as the gay community, are not facing any huge life or death struggles right now.
AIDS is still with us, but we’re ignoring it the best we can.
There’s anti-gay violence, but the elected officials are all over it.. promising us… something.

It’s primarily out of conflict that come these great stories, and we’re largely without conflict right now. We’re in coasting mode, or we’re busy creating solutions … enough laws to ostensibly make us feel safe, just enough job protection to keep us sated and clothed, and we can fly to Ca. to get hitched if we want.

I re-watched Dog Day Afternoon a month or so ago, and all I could think about was how close in time it was to Stonewall and the anger that was bubbling up in the gay community.

Having said all that, I don’t think that gay cinema should be held to any higher standard than non-queer cinema. There are some folks who laugh hysterically at Eatinig Out, but would fall asleep at Maurice.

It’s all about accepting our diversity in tastes and places in life. At 20, a different type of film appeals to me than at 30 or even 40.

The films that are most exciting to me right now are the trans films… it seems like that’s the new frontier in queer storytelling.

Part of the reason for this, to me, is that because we, as the gay community, are not facing any huge life or death struggles right now.
AIDS is still with us, but we’re ignoring it the best.
There’s anti-gay violence, but the elected officials are all over it.. promising us… something.

It’s primarily out of conflict that come these great stories, and we’re largely without conflict right now. We’re in coasting mode… enough laws to ostensibly make us feel safe, just enough job protection to keep us sated and clothed, and we can fly to Ca. to get hitched if we want.

I re-watched Dog Day Afternoon a month or so ago, and all I could think about was how close in time it was to Stonewall and the anger that was bubbling up in the gay community.

Having said all that, I don’t think that gay cinema should be held to any higher standard than non-queer cinema. There are some folks who laugh hysterically at Eatinig Out, but would fall asleep at Maurice.

It’s all about accepting our diversity in tastes and places in life. At 20, a different type of film appeals to me than at 30 or even 40.

re: Steven
Not all suburban gay men are old, rich and desperate. Would you argue all urban gay men are young, poor and stupid? Doubt it.

Anonymous, If you’re gonna argue with me, at least argue with something I actually said. C’mon.

Did anybody mention the film, High Art? One of my favorites. Patricia Clarkson as a German lesbian junkie.

Boy Culture! I read the book and couldn’t stand the tripe. If it contains a male hustler, I am not interested.

1. Wilby Wonderful. Charming.

2. East Side Story. Had it’s moments.

3. Gone but not forgotten. Yeah, low budget, but an interesting story line.

4. Boy Culture. Very nice production.

5. The Donald Strachey mysteries. I think they are getting better and I like how they aren’t about BEING gay, but just have gay characters.

6. The Dying Gaul. This is the best of the bunch. Amazing movie. The passion shown by the two leads was awesome.

7. Cut Sleeve Boys. Fun movie, and great to see Asians as the lead for a change.

Lastly, have you been watching movies on HereTV!. Although the quality isn’t always there. (mostly not there), it is fun that Gay movies are moving beyond about being gay and into just fun movies that have gay characters. I think this is an interesting breakthrough. I always wanted to see a big budget movie like “Indiana Jones” or “Titanic” or “Jaws” where the lead is gay. I think HereTV is working towards that goal.