Blog by Cosmo Marius

Happy National Women's History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:40:00 +0000

Tina Fey Says, "Bitch Is The New Black." Word!

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:27:00 +0000

How Gay Am I?

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:09:00 +0000

Well, let’s just say that I spent Saturday evening watching the Miss America Pageant and the free skate portion of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Figure Skating Championships. At one point, my (gay) friend suggested that we watch something else. I almost kicked him out of my apartment.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the Miss America franchise. It always seemed out of touch with the times. Well, things seem to be changing. The pageant was picked up by TLC and there’s even a Miss America reality show. That’s a very smart marketing scheme. The pageant was quite unusual. Some of the women even did push-ups on stage—very weird but kind of entertaining. Anyway, Kirsten Haglund (pictured above), the delegate from Michigan, won the Miss America crown. Good for her.

Now, let’s talk about figure skating. As some of you may know, I love everything about it. And my favorite American figure skater is the one and only Sasha Cohen; I’m sure you already knew that. So, last night, the defending U.S. National champion, Kimmie Meissner, was unable to outperform her younger rivals. In fact, she finished a disappointing 7th. Ashley Wagner, though lacking speed and grace, hit most of her jumps. Rachel Flatt delivered a great performance and finished 2nd. But the night belonged to Mirai Nagasu. This talented young lady beat 20 skaters for the National title—an impressive feat.

The future of U.S. women’s figure skating seems bright. And part of that optimism is due to a young girl named Caroline Zhang. She didn’t win the National title, but she is one to watch. She reminds me of Sasha Cohen. Beautiful!

Mario Lopez + Mark Consuelos = Muy Caliente

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:46:00 +0000

Ok, why didn't anyone tell me that Mario Lopez and Mark Consuelos made a movie together? I love them both. Below is a clip of the made-for-tv movie Husband for Hire, which aired on Oxygen a few days ago. I know what you're thinking; Marius, why in the world would you waste your time watching this crap? Oh, dear friends, when it comes to Mario and Mark, I'd endure anything--even a bad lifetime movie.

Ah, I love Mario Lopez so much, but this little clip left me wondering. Why is the choreography so bad? Why didn't Mario take off his shirt (and pants)? Why did they cast Mario Lopez, a Mexican American, to play a Puerto Rican? Is there a shortage of Puerto Rican actors? Anyway, I haven't seen this movie. But if I happen to stumble across it while channel surfing, I'm so going to watch it.

Notes On Entertainment

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:39:00 +0000

Ellen Page rocks!
Yep, it’s true. I heart that girl. As most of you probably know, she is now officially an Oscar-nominated actor. Isn’t that just wonderful? I had an interesting discussion with a friend yesterday, and my friend strongly believes that the movie Juno is overrated. Well, there may be some truth to that, but I prefer to focus on the positive. I thought Juno was great. I don’t care if people call it a “chick flick.” Whatever! This film presented an interesting (female) character that has to deal with an unexpected pregnancy. Ellen was perfect as Juno MacGuff. There was something fresh and exciting about this film. I’m so glad the critics (and America) embraced this film with so much gusto.

Cloverfield delivered!
I was completely satisfied after watching this film last week. J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Drew Goddard created an impressive movie that lived up to my expectations. Cloverfield has
been described as “Godzilla meets The Blair Witch Project.” Yeah, that’s a fairly accurate statement, but that doesn’t take anything away from the film. It was quite effective. Others have complained about the lack of information throughout the film. You know, it’s kind of annoying that some people expect everything to be explained to them. What are we? A collection of brainless tissue? This movie forces the audience to pay attention. I felt like an active participant throughout the movie, trying to make sense of the whole situation. That’s what things are like in the real world. When a natural disaster strikes, we don’t have a nicely written manual to refer to; we have to pay attention . . . if we want to survive.

An untimely death.
When I learned of Heath Ledger’s passing, I was at a loss for words. To be honest, I didn’t quite believe it at first. He was so young and talented. It’s a real shame, and he will be missed by his fans. His ex-wife’s father released a statement about Heath that I found quite touching. He said,

I think [poet] Tennyson got it right in the poem when he described someone as having died at a young age but burning the candles at both ends, and oh what a beautiful flame he made, that was Heath, what a beautiful flame he made and a great talent.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

I Heart Tarkan (And My Blog . . . Oh, And My Readers Too)

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:11:00 +0000

Dear friends, I'm still alive. I've just been terribly busy. Anyway, my poor, little blog needs some love and nourishment (i.e., words and images). Therefore, I've decided to give it lots of love and a high dose of Tarkan, an amazing performer known as the Turkish Prince. I heart this man so much. Who cares if he claims to be a heterosexual! He and Ricky Martin aren't fooling anyone. But that's an issue to be discussed later. For now, let's enjoy Tarkan's new single, Vay Anam Vay.

Gorgeous

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:39:00 +0000

Ok, I'm falling in love with Charlize Theron. She looks amazing in this Dior J'Adore commercial. She's just . . . so . . . gorgeous.

Celtic Women Rock

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:24:00 +0000

PBS is at it again, dear friends; they’re playing one of the I am Celtic Woman specials. They usually broadcast these specials during a pledge drive. You should consider making a donation to your local PBS station, if at all possible. Anyway, this ensemble of talented Irish women is amazing.

First off, they are lovely. Don’t you think? They’re lovely in a healthy and natural kind of way. Don’t get me started about Hollywood’s obsession with superficial beauty. Anyway, these gals are a breath of fresh air.

I enjoy watching them play the hell out of their instruments, dance around on stage, flirt with the male dancers (young Irish men, I presume), and sing like angels. These women have achieved a level of success that’s quite impressive. But before these Irish ladies dazzled us here in the states, we were captivated by the one and only Enya!

Ah, who doesn’t love Enya? She has a great voice, and she’s also very lovely. Seriously, where do they find these amazing Irish women? Ok, I have nothing against U2. I enjoy some of their songs, but this post is about female musicians. I’m sure Bono will understand. Moving on; one of my favorite Irish bands is The Corrs. Amazingly, this group is made of up 4 siblings—three sisters and a brother.

These women are beautiful. Andrea, the lead singer, is my favorite of the bunch. I actually went through a brief Corrs phase a few years ago. I enjoyed their music and even liked the stuff they did with Mutt Lange, although the song breathless sounded a bit Shania-ish to me.

I hope you enjoy these wonderful music videos. Celtic women rock!

Finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 05:16:00 +0000

I can't tell you how glad I am that Tiffani won the Top Chef Holiday Special challenge. Finally, a woman wins something on Top Chef. As you know, dear friends, I have been quite vocal about the lack of female talent on Bravo reality television. Tiffani's victory has temporarily placated my uneasiness with Bravo and society at large. I'll save my bitching for another post. Now, let's celebrate Tiffani. She rocked!

I Heart Kit And Steven

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 06:30:00 +0000

Episode three of Project Runway 4 was . . . um, interesting. Honestly, the designers weren’t given enough time to complete the challenge. And, as a result, most of the outfits were not great; many of them were horrible. Still, a few designers managed to express their point of view effectively, and some even demonstrated a level of versatility that’s quite impressive.

Now, I’d like to tell you about my growing love for Steven. Seriously, this wonderful man keeps getting better and better. He’s coming out of his shell, my friends. And that’s a very good thing. I love his dry sense of humor.

Of all the designs, I liked Steven’s the most. It wasn’t perfect, but it was well executed, and, with a little tweaking, it’s the type of design that I could see myself wearing. Yes, it's true. So . . . great job, Steven. Keep up the good work.

Now, let’s talk about Mexicans for a second. First up: Ricky! This man is getting on my last nerve. I said it before and I’ll say it again. His limbic (emotional) system is out of control. Seeing someone cry usually elicits a sympathetic response. Unfortunately for Ricky, seeing him cry actually makes me want to hurt him. He’s irritating other bloggers as well. Not good. Ah, but then there’s Elisa.

I assume she’s at least part Mexican because she’s from El Paso and her last name is Jimenez. But I may be wrong. Anyway, Elisa is a special kind of crazy. She’s just a fascinating character. Her bizarre behavior is a gift for bravo bloggers. Seriously, imagine this season without her. Interestingly, some have compared her to Lupe, a former PR designer from season 2. But I think these women are very different. Lupe’s craziness was highly unstable and very scary. Schizotaxia anyone? Elisa, on the other hand, is a free spirit who’s quite likable. Her craziness is cute, warm, and fuzzy. I’m digging Elisa. You know, it almost seems like she was raised by hippies or gypsies or crazy people. And now, she’s forced to interact with uptight fashion people who just don’t get her. Thank goodness she has a sense of humor.

Sweet P was a nervous wreck in this episode. Her design was very sloppy, but it was actually a little better than some of the other designs. I just can’t understand why she couldn’t pull herself together. She could have saved her outfit. She was headed in the right direction. Time, of course, was the main issue, but she just gave up when the going got tough. That’s not a good sign.

In the end, Carmen was sent home for not completing her outfit. Some suggested that Ricky should have been eliminated, but I guess that’s debatable. I think his design was so conventional (and ugly). It was just . . . horrible. He really lucked out.

Ok, now let’s talk about the wonderful Kit. I loved her very first design. It spoke volumes to me. The woman has a point of view. In this episode, she delivered another solid design. Many people liked it.

I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but it was well executed. And, more importantly, she continues to show us that she does indeed have a point of view. I also think that she’s one of the most versatile designers. As other have suggested, she has what it takes to succeed. She’s my favorite designer thus far.

Ah, Kit, you and Steven have a special place in my heart. Please don’t screw up next week or I’ll be forced to replace you. You’ve been warned. Anyway, if you can’t enough of Project Runway, you should visit the always wonderful folks over at Blogging Project Runway and Pink Navy. Also stop by the Dishin’ Dat Blog. Ms. Place is witty, fun, and fabulous. Along the way, you have to visit Eric3K. His recaps are comedic gems. And don’t forget to visit Killer Virgo. His recaps are wonderful.

Black Friday, Rachel Ray, And Anthony Bourdain

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:32:00 +0000

I woke up quite early on Black Friday. It was 4:30 AM or so. My brain was barely functioning, but I still managed to drive my car to various shopping areas. Best Buy was packed, so I drove to some other locations. I eventually made my way to Kohls. And, once inside the store, I rushed to the kitchen and dinning area. Of course!

I walked around, looking at various items of interest, when out of nowhere something obscene hit my poor, unsuspecting retinas. Pictures of Rachel Ray were everywhere. On cookbooks; on various products; there was no escaping this woman. It was quite annoying. Ok, I admit that I have watched her on the food network from time to time. And she’s making money and doing well in the entertainment world. Good for her. But she doesn’t deserve to be idolized as a culinary deity by the American public. Let’s reserve praise for chefs and culinary experts who deserve it.

Anyway, let’s move on. If you’re a fan of the wonderful Anthony Bourdain, then you have to listen to his discussion with the Commonwealth Club of California. Anthony never disappoints. He talked a little bit about Rachel Ray. But he mainly focused on his life, television show, and other interesting topics. Enjoy!

Miss World Beauty: Ada Aimee De La Cruz

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:03:00 +0000

Finally! This is my last Miss World post. Actually, I’ll discuss the winner after the 2007 Miss World final, which will take place on Saturday, December 1st. So I guess that makes this my penultimate Miss World post. Whatever. Anyway, it brings me great pleasure to introduce the lovely delegate from the Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee De La Cruz. As you can see, I saved the best for last.

The Dominican Republic has been doing very well in the pageant world for many years, and I think 2007 may be another golden year for this wonderful Caribbean nation. Ada has been receiving a lot of attention from pageant aficionados and bloggers. And for good reason. She’s perfection.

She’s one of the favorites, if not the favorite, to win the Miss World crown. And I think she’ll easily win the “Queen of the Caribbean” title. I usually hate going with the obvious choice, but there’s no denying that Ada is far superior to most of the other delegates.

So, dear friends, I predict that Ada will win the Miss World crown. Of course, anything is possible. There are other lovely ladies, and, as Riyo Mori proved a few months ago, beauty alone doesn’t guarantee success. Stage presence and confidence are also important qualities that separate the winners from the losers.

I’m not sure if Ada has those important qualities. But I think the crown is hers to lose.

She is a stunning woman, and I hope she shines on Saturday.

Miss World Beauties (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 01:46:00 +0000

My goodness, this is the topic that just won’t die. Don’t worry; I’ll kill it soon. I only have one more Miss World post in the works. Anyway, we’re getting close to the Miss World 2007 finale, which will take place on December 1st. You must be so excited.

A few months ago, in the Miss Universe pageant, we witnessed something quite extraordinary—Asian delegates ruled the stage. Korea was one of the judges’ favorites; she made it to the top 5 and represented her country very well. Of course, the night belonged to Japan’s Riyo Mori. She delivered the best performance I’ve seen in a long time and won the Miss Universe crown. Can Asian delegates perform as well in the Miss World pageant. Well, the folks at Global Beauties seem to think so.

According to GB, Deborah Priya Henry, the delegate from Malaysia, has a real shot at winning the Miss World crown. She’s a lovely woman. There’s no question about that. But she’s also college educated.

Yep, brains and beauty are usually a winning combination. She’s one to watch. In some countries, beauty pageants are taken very seriously. And the wonderful nation of the Philippines may be the most passionate nation when it comes to beauty pageants. This year, Margaret Wilson will represent the Philippines in the Miss World pageant.

To be honest, I don’t think she’ll do very well. However, she has a lot of support from her home country. I wish her well.

Lithuania isn’t really a pageant powerhouse, but this year, there’s a lot of interest in Jurgita Jurkute, the delegate from Lithuania. She’s a beautiful woman, but there seems to be more behind that pretty face.

According to GB, Jurgita is one of the favorites. She reminds me a bit of Jennifer Hawkins, a former Miss Universe.

Jurgita is definitely one of the strongest delegates from Northern Europe. The “Queen of Northern Europe” title can be hers if she manages to perform well. She’s already enchanted the folks at GB.

It’ll be interesting to see how things turn out. Again, the European delegates are amazing this year.

However, Europe and Latin America may be in for a rude awakening. Just hours ago, GB declared PR China’s Zi Lin Zhang the frontrunner. This Chinese delegate has a natural beauty that may be hard to beat. She recently won the top model challenge, and that guarantees her are a place in the final.

I think it’s safe to say that Zi has what it takes to win the “Queen of Asia” title, and she certainly has a shot at the Miss World crown. But there’s a Caribbean beauty that may thwart Zi’s dream of being the next Miss World.

Miss World Beauties: From Europe to Latin America

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 07:27:00 +0000

I can’t understand why European women performed miserably at the Miss Universe pageant this year. Miss Sweden, one of the strongest countries, didn’t participate, and the other European women failed to place in the top 10. Well, the Miss World pageant is a different story. It’s a haven for Europeans. This year, there are plenty of European delegates who have what it takes to win the Miss World crown. Christine Reiler, the delegate from Austria, has the face of an angel.

This woman has to be a model. Actually, most of the delegates are probably models. Anyway, Christine may not be as stunning as Miss Russia, but she has a very natural beauty, which has won over several bloggers and pageant aficionados.

I mean, just look at her. She’s a winner. I think she’ll be a serious contender for the “Queen of Northern Europe” title. Look out Lithuania and Russia.

Yendi Phillipps is the delegate from Jamaica. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding Yendi. Some have compared her to Beyonce. Yeah, I can see it.

Does Yendi have what it takes to win the Miss World crown? To be honest, I don’t think she stands a chance. Interestingly, her biggest rival is also from the Caribbean. She’s going to have to give the performance of her life, if she wants to win the title of “Queen of the Caribbean.” The Miss World crown may be too elusive for this lovely Jamaican.

What pageant would be complete without a delegate from Venezuela? Seriously, Venezuelan women have been a force to be reckoned with for decades. Claudia Paola Suarez Fernandez, the Venezuelan delegate, is photogenic, but there’s something about her that just doesn’t sit well with me.

I remember my reaction to a friend’s comment regarding Shandi Ren Finnessey, Miss USA 2004. My friend said that Shandi looked like a porn star. Now, I love Shandi, but I couldn’t completely disagree with my friend. Anyway, let’s get back to Paola. I think she looks like a porn star. I’m sorry, but she is not Miss World material. Better luck next time Venezuela.

Mexico’s current success in the pageant world has been something of a mystery to me. After Lupita Jones won the Miss Universe title in 1991, everything went downhill for Mexico. Of course, a handful of Mexican delegates performed well in both the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. But Mexico was far from being a pageant powerhouse. Then, something magical happened. Within the past few years, Mexico has consistently placed in the top 15.

This year, Carolina Moran Gordillo will represent Mexico in the Miss World pageant. I can’t say I’m a fan of this Mexican beauty, but I suspect she’ll perform very well on December 1st. She’s a very attractive woman and seems to know how to work it on stage. Can she win the “Queen of the Americas” title? It’s possible, but Carolina has to be flawless.

Puerto Rico’s success in the Miss Universe organization is quite remarkable. This small island has produced some of the most beautiful women in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. Jennifer Guevara Campos will represent Puerto Rico in the Miss World pageant this year.

She’s lovely, but I just don’t see her winning the Miss World crown. I don’t even think she has what it takes to win the “Queen of the Caribbean” title. I know that sounds harsh, but the competition is just too intense. Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago will be her biggest rivals.

When I saw pictures of Abigail McCary, the delegate from the USA, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Finally, an American delegate with some promise! Unfortunately, delegates from the US haven’t been a strong force in the Miss World organization. Well, things may change starting this year.

Abigail is quite photogenic and she has a great body. I really think she has what it takes to win the “Queen of the Americas” title. Or . . . maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. Either way, Abigail is a great delegate.

Familiar Faces, Miss World 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 04:18:00 +0000

The 2007 Miss World pageant is just days away. There are various events leading up to the finale, which will take place on Saturday, December 21. Honestly, I don’t know the detailed history of the Miss World pageant. In the states, it’s all about Miss Universe. The Miss World organization is based in the UK, and it differs from Miss Universe in a lot of ways.

Now, let’s discuss the delegates. I’d like to start with some familiar faces. Tatiana Kotova is the delegate from Russia. She competed in the Miss Universe pageant a few months ago.

Unfortunately, Tatiana didn’t do so well; she didn’t even place in the top 15. Still, this woman is drop dead gorgeous.

She wasn’t able to win the Miss Universe crown, but is the Miss World crown within her reach? I’m not entirely sure. However, European women seem to do very well in Miss World pageants. Tatiana is certainly Miss World material.

Natalia Zabala Arroyo also competed in the Miss Universe pageant this year. She represented Spain, and, like Tatiana, she failed to place in the top 15.

I was devastated that she wasn’t even given a chance at winning the crown. She was my favorite delegate. Oh, well. That’s the nature of the competition. She just didn’t impress the judges.

Natalia will always have my support, but other bloggers have noted her less than stellar performance at the Miss Universe pageant.

I think she may have a shot at winning the title of “queen of Southern Europe.” But her chances of winning the Miss World crown are slim.

Miss Angola. Micaela Reis, also participated in the Miss Universe pageant. And of the three women mentioned in this post, she delivered the best performance. She placed in the top 10.

In the 2006 Miss World pageant, Angola managed to win the “Queen of Africa” title, and I think Micaela has what it takes to win that title again for her country.

Before the most recent Miss Universe pageant, I had overlooked Micaela. But after watching her light up the stage a few months ago, I became a believer in the power of Micaela. This woman is a great representative of African beauty. I wish her the very best. If she wins the Miss World crown, I'll be one very happy blogger.

Victorya And Eric Shine; Christian . . . Not So Much

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:30:00 +0000

So, the guest judge in episode 2 of PR 4 turned out to be Sarah Jessica Parker.

I’m sorry, but I’m kind of over SJP. That doesn’t mean I don’t like her. I just can’t understand why the designers had such a strong emotional response when they saw the Sex and The City star. I’ve never had that kind of reaction to anyone. Actually, I’d probably respond that way if I saw Sarah Polley or Tom Ford. My heart rate would probably reach dangerously high levels. So . . . I guess I can imagine what it would be like to meet one's favorite celebrity. Oh, and how sweet was SJP on the show? With her status in Hollywood, she could be forgiven for being self-centered and bitchy, but she was the exact opposite—so gracious. And she’s a smart cookie, too.

Christian’s confidence is both fascinating and annoying. Is it the product of environment, genetics, or both? I have no idea, but this little diva needs a serious reality check. When he essentially ignored Tim Gunn’s criticism of his outfit (pictured below), I almost lost it. Christian responded by saying that it was perfect. What?

Tim is the voice of reason and experience on the show. Christian is a 21-year-old kid with the least experience and a serious attitude problem. Nina Garcia brought up a great point about the dress. She hated it and said it reminded her of 80s disco fashion. This design and his dress for the first challenge looked really dated and uninspired to me, which is odd when you consider his age. Of all the designers, one would think he’d be the most fashion forward. Nope! I’m not sure what his problem is. Is he stuck in the past? Does he lack vision? Or both? He needs to get with the program.

Ok, I’m getting concerned that I agreed with the judges’ decision this week (and last week, too). They loved Victorya’s dress (pictured below). It’s too early to tell, but I’m starting to think that Victorya doesn’t mind using her neocortex, that stuff that sits on our primitive (reptilian) brainstem.

I presume that being a designer is something of a balancing act. Of course, a designer wants to remain true to his or her vision but also has to know what pleases those powerful fashion types (older, well established designers, editors, and so on). Jeffrey Sebelia did that so well last season, and Victorya and Kevin made it work this time around. Some bloggers seem to think that their dress looked kind of dated. Well, I think it was quite effective. Again, I’m happy that they won this challenge.

There’s another brain system between the primitive brainstem and the neocortex. It’s called the limbic (emotional) system. And I think it’s safe to say that Ricky and Elisa are more than in touch with this particular system. Ricky cries in response to all types of things—good or bad. It’s starting to get annoying. However, he seems like a nice guy. So I’ll give him a break, for now. And Elisa is turning out to be quite a character. I have more to say about her later.

Ah, Marion, where did it all go wrong? His outfit (pictured above) was a disaster. It was poorly executed and he got what he deserved. I must say, it must be hard to keep a show like PR going after 3 seasons. The novelty effect has worn off, but the producers have managed to keep this thing alive. This episode didn’t blow me away, but it was entertaining. You have some craziness, a little drama, divas, and I’m sure there’s more to come. And by “more to come,” I mean Jillian. She has serious diva/bitch potential. I’m over Christian. That kid’s all bark and no bite.

A Very Queer Post

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:47:00 +0000

Another day, another blog-a-thon. Wait! This isn’t your average blog-a-thon. Not at all. On Monday, November 19th, Queering The Apparatus will be hosting its very first Queer Film Blog-A-Thon. Finally! An opportunity for gay bloggers all across the blogosphere to express their love for queer cinema. The following is my contribution to this wonderful blog-a-thon.

I’ve always enjoyed great films. However, like most members of the LGBT community, I’ve often been disappointed with the dearth of gay characters and stories in mainstream Hollywood Films. Fortunately, there are directors, writers, actors, and producers who manage to create amazing cinematic treasurers for us (the gays), often with limited resources and support. Thank goodness for independent films and passionate artists.

In the film The Sum of Us, Russell Crowe plays a regular bloke who just happens to be gay. I debated whether to mention this film. To be honest, it is far from being perfect. However, I liked Russell’s character (Jeff) a lot. The great thing about this film is that is doesn’t conform to tired stereotypes. Jeff is straight acting, and he has a father who offers him unconditional love and support. And that’s a beautiful thing.

I realize that coming out stories are an important part of gay culture, but they’re becoming something of a cliché. And coming out films usually annoy the hell out of me, especially when they’re poorly made. The film Get Real is an exception. There are other great films that deal with the same subject matter, of course, but I connected with the film’s protagonist, Steven Carter; and I think Ben Silverstone did a great job of brining this character to life. The film is conventional in many ways, but Steven’s courage is quite remarkable. He wrote an inspiring essay that was published in the school newspaper. For a while, the author of the essay remained anonymous. But in the end, Steven addressed the entire student body, as well as his family, and acknowledged that he had written the essay. The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword.

I enjoyed Brokeback Mountain. It certainly deserves to be praised. This film, by the wonderful director Ang Lee, brought a love affair between two men to the silver screen. Of course, other films have done that before, but Brokeback Mountain did what most gay films rarely every do—it managed to break into the mainstream. And it has secured a special place in American popular culture. I also think Annie Proulx, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, and Ang Lee should be commended for making this film a reality. It’s always nice to have some straight people on our side.

Queer cinema doesn’t get better than John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This film is one of my favorite films (top 10 material). John plays a transgender performer who leads an extraordinary life. Everything about the film is wonderful. John does a great job of introducing the protagonist, Hedwig. Within the first 15 minutes, I fell in love with Hedwig. John is a gifted director. There’s no question about that. The music is wonderful and the film is just enchanting from start to finish. Of all films mentioned in this post, I think Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the most beautiful. It is also visually and intellectually provocative.

I love John Waters. This post wouldn’t be complete without a John Water’s film. And Pink Flamingos is my favorite film by this great director. I know some—or maybe most—people find it crass and unacceptable, but this film represents so much to me and other members of the LGBT community. Pink Flamingos is a film that refuses to conform to societal standards of decency. It laughs in the face of social conformity. Divine’s character, Babs Johnson, is confident and defiant. It’s hard for the average gay person to exhibit this degree of self-confidence in the real (straight) world, which is why Babs Johnson is a breath of fresh air. Of course, one shouldn’t celebrate the violence in the film, but the violence is part of what makes it work so well. It’s all about defiance! Interestingly, John Waters often says that he wants the audience to just relax and have a good time. Well, mission accomplished. His films are certainly very entertaining, but there’s so much more to Pink Flamingos than meets the eye.

Pink Flamingos was my favorite gay film for a very long time. That changed after I saw Gods and Monsters, a film about James Whale, a film director who made horror films in the 1930s. The accomplished stage actor Ian McKellen was brilliant as James. Lynn Redgrave also delivered a great performance, and Brendan Fraser was effective as Clayton Boone, the object of Whale’s interest in the film. Gods and Monsters explores the last few moments of James Whale’s life, before he committed suicide in 1957. James lived with depression, memory problems, and other conditions that lead him to take his own life. He was 67.

Gay cinema and culture seem obsessed with youth and beauty. This blog is no exception. I post pictures of hot actors and models from time to time. However, this film focuses on the inner struggles of an aging gay man. That, I think, makes the film stand out in the world of gay cinema. Older gay men are often portrayed as asexual figures in many films. In God and Monsters, James tries to seduce a young straight man. He shows us that sexuality and the need for companionship are strong motivators that exist in all human beings, young and old. But the main reason I adore this film is because of Ian McKellen. His performance is the heart and soul of this film. The people behind Gods and Monsters get extra points from me because they cast a real gay man to play a gay character on the big screen. What a novel concept!

Bravo, Project Runway, & Crazy Women

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:30:00 +0000

I had an interesting conversation with a friend this morning. What did we discuss? Global warming? Trouble in the Middle East? The current mortgage crisis? The answer to all these questions is . . . no. We were talking about Project Runway. My friend was, to borrow a phrase from Michael Kors, quite underwhelmed with the first episode of PR. He was so disappointed that he suggested not watching the show on a regular basis. His words elicited a reflexive response from me—I was ready to slap the crap out of him. But I didn’t. I don’t resort to physical aggression to solve problems or resolve disputes. I’m all about peace and love and all that good stuff. Anyway, my friend is not alone. A number of people in the blogosphere found this episode a tad boring.

I understand what they’re saying, but, honestly, I think some people had unreasonable expectations. Consider the following. I dare you to approach your friendly neighborhood drug addict. Ask him or her to describe the first time they tried their favorite drug of abuse (psychostimulants are quite popular with the kids). In many cases, they’ll describe feeling immense pleasure. However, after repeated drug use, it takes even higher doses of the drug to experience the same effects, and, in many cases, the person eventually stops experiencing pleasure all together. Ok, I’m not sure that’s a good analogy. Honestly, I just wanted to use the phrase “friendly neighborhood drug addict” in this post. My point is: we’re talking about the fourth season of Project Runway, for crying out loud. Did you expect to be blown away? We’ve seen a lot of it before. The divas, the drama queens, the assholes, the nut jobs, and the list goes on. And, as the years go by, some of the designs are starting to look awfully familiar. Aren't they? Again, the novelty effect has worn off. I thought the first episode of PR4 was entertaining and predictable. But that’s ok.

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. Ok, let’s get back to the task at hand—obsessing about Bravo reality television. Anyway, I’ve already complained about the lack of female talent on other Bravo shows; so now I’d like to say something positive about Bravo. I’ve noticed a few interesting trends in Bravo land. For starters, they sometimes select contestants who don’t conform to certain stereotypes. Exhibit A: lesbian hairdressers! Seriously, before Shear Genius, I had never thought of combing the words lesbian and hairdresser in the same sentence. Bravo managed to find two lesbians for Shear Genius 1 (my beloved Tabs and Daisy). Also, what’s with over-achieving Vietnamese Americans? Cloe (Project Runway) and Hung (Top Chef), both Vietnamese Americans, won the top prize in their respective shows. Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for them. I really am. But the chances of two Vietnamese Americans succeeding on Bravo aren’t that high. Why not Chinese Americans, Mexican Americans, or White women? It’s just interesting. That’s all I’m saying.

Well, Bravo has done it again. They’ve managed to find another stereotype to mess with. Instead of the tired stereotypical Hispanic woman, Bravo now offers us the crazy, rebellious Hispanic woman. At first I thought Lupe was an isolated case of craziness. Of course, a handful of unstable Latinas exist in this country, but Bravo found another one. Yep, I’m talking about Elisa Jimenez. Ok, she’s not exactly like Lupe. Elisa appears capable of formulating coherent sentences; I can’t say the same for Lupe. I like Elisa. She’s the crazy, artistic type. I can dig that. However, if she’s going to play that part for the next few weeks, she’ll need to produce some great designs.

Wow, this post is getting kind of long. I know; you’ve got other things to do. So . . . I’ll stop beating around the bush. This episode wasn’t horrible. It was predictable but still entertaining. As stated in the previous post, I love Rami. Did he deserve to win? Well, that’s debatable. I think he has great taste, but his design was kind of safe and not very original. Two dresses caught my eye. The one below was designed by Chris.

I agree with Ms. Place; his dress was fierce. The man certainly has talent. Also, I noticed that a handful of gay bloggers are going crazy over Chris. Why? He seems like a nice guy, but it’s too early to tell if he’s a character to love. I’ll give him a chance. Who knows; he may win me over. Christian is turning out to be a little bitch, which isn't always a bad thing. Although I didn't like his design, I admit that he is creative and confident, but I suspect he may have trouble competing against more experienced designers. He’s a kid compared to many of the other designers.

I also liked Kit’s dress (pictured above). She may be one to watch. Of course, it really is too early to pick favorites. Now, I’m off to Pink Navy. See you there!

Oh, Happy Day

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:50:00 +0000

Dear friends, I'm alive and well. Sort of. Things have been crazy at work, but I won't bore with the details today. I'll save that for another post. Anyway, like any self-respecting gay man, I'm watching Project Runway as I type this. I must say, the men this season are quite attractive.

Rami Kashou had me at hello. This Palestinian hunk has worked with the likes of Jessica Alba. And he won the first elimination challenge. Great job, Rami. I love you!

Jack Mackenroth is hot. Did you see his abs? However, my heart belongs to Rami. But there's no denying Jack is gorgeous. So, season 4 is off to a good start. We have some crazy characters, a few divas, and Tim Gunn! Oh, happy day!

Halloween Costume Ideas: Fun In Space

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:33:00 +0000

Who doesn't remember Mel Brook's 1987 comedy Spaceballs? Even if you didn't enjoy the film, there's no denying that it's full of colorful characters. And how hot was Bill Pullman in that movie? Anyway, if you're looking for some Halloween costume ideas, this is the post for you. Here are two characters that caught my eye.

John Candy as Barfolemew (aka Barf)

Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet

The Problem With Perez

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:45:00 +0000

Sometimes the gay media pisses me off in a major way. What did they do now? Well, Out.com recently recognized Perez Hilton as one of the most influential gay people in this country. He even got the royal treatment by the folks at Out.com (check out the following picture), and that's what I object to.

Now, in all fairness to Mr. Lavandeira (aka Perez Hilton), I have to acknowledge that his blog, Perezhilton.com, is one of the most popular blogs on the web. Is he influential? Well, I'll give him some credit. He gets a lot of attention from the main stream media. He was on the view and he appears on MTV and other popular news and entertainment outlets on a regular basis. So, from a very objective perspective, I'd say that he is influential. But does that mean he should be honored by the gay media?

Funny thing is, he is every activist's dream. He's out, proud, and successful. Oh, but it gets better. The man doesn't hide his sexuality. Many have seen a side of Perez Hilton that's too disgusting to describe on this blog. My point is: he is not asexual. I read somewhere that's he's getting his own show. That's impressive. So, should we kiss his ass? I don't think so. I contend that he is not an asset to the LGBT community. I'm sorry, but simply being out and proud shouldn't be some sort of badge of honor. I think it's great that's he's out. It's always wonderful to see someone who's comfortable with his or her sexuality, but we shouldn't just shower someone with praise for being out. He is not a good role model for LGBT people in this (or any) country. He's a smart internet personality. Good for him, but why does the gay media have to jump on the "I love Perez" band wagon.

I'm fully aware that Perez is a part of our community, whether we like it or not. The LGBT community is not a monolith. We are a very diverse group of people, and Perez will always have a place in our community. My beef is with the gay media and the writers who work for and/or are associated with them. These individuals often serve as representatives of the entire LGBT community. And that's a shame. They only represent a segment of our community. It's interesting that Perez Hilton is Hispanic American but contributes nothing significant to the plight of gay men and Lesbians of Hispanic descent. I'm not saying Perez is obligated to do anything; I'm just pointing out that he's just a successful American blogger who has nothing meaningful to contribute to any cause. Where are other gay people of color? Don't they exist? They have a very different perspective that's rarely heard. How about gay people who can't be out for various reasons. This large group of gay men and lesbians may not be out to the world, but they are on the internet consuming gay culture. They are a part of our community.

What's On Dumbledore's Mind?

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:03:00 +0000

Click on the image below to find out. Wait! If you're at work, you may want to wait until you get home.

I'm sorry. I saw this image of Daniel Radcliffe on another blog and just had to use it. Also, there's no harm in looking. He's legal now.

A Trip Down Memory Lane With The Gals of Project Runway

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:50:00 +0000

Ah, Project Runway 4 is just around the corner, and Bravo bloggers all across the blogosphere are more excited than Anderson Cooper at a Scissor Sisters concert (sorry, I just had to use that line again). Anyway, now we’re stuck waiting—waiting for the queen of all Bravo shows to begin. Be patient, my dear friends. Let’s prepare for another great season of PR by taking a trip down memory lane to celebrate the great women of Project Runway.

Kara Saun will always have a special place in the heart of the truly devoted Bravo viewer. She may have lost to Jay McCarroll in season 1, but she earned the respect of many people in the fashion industry. Her talent and professionalism are, of course, undeniable. But Kara contributed greatly to Bravo reality television in so many ways. She set the stage for future generations of women and minorities in project runway. She’s a great role model.

Chloe Dao’s victory in PR 2 is a clear indication that the American dream is alive and well. Her family came to America from Vietnam with almost nothing. They started a new life in Houston, Texas and never looked back. Their success in this country is quite inspirational. I respect Chloe tremendously because of her amazing work ethic. She stands alone as the only female champion in Bravo reality television. How do you like them apples?

Laura Bennett is by far a Bravo blogger’s dream. She’s fabulous, friendly, and accessible. And she’s everywhere. She’s a regular over at Tom and Lorenzo’s blog, and she even appeared in an episode of Tim Gunn’s unfortunate reality show, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style. This woman really knows how to market herself. While Jay spends his days bitching about his sad, sad life, Laura is busy raising her children but still finds time to do various things. I have to say, Laura is quite possibly the most efficient designer in the history of Project Runway. Even Tim Gunn was impressed with her progress during the weeks leading up to the finale. I can’t imagine what it would be like to prepare 12 pieces for fashion week with an expanded uterus pressing against one’s internal organs (particularly the bladder). Talk about pressure! Laura Bennett deserves a special award for performing so well under very stressful conditions.

Uli Herzner won me over the minute she smiled at the camera. Like Chloe before her, Uli came to America with a strong desire to succeed in the fashion industry. Well, her hard work paid off. Although she was unable to beat Jeffrey Sebelia in PR 3, she still created a great collection that deserves to be praised. However, the thing I love most about Uli is her humility and respect for others. She's living proof that good things happen to good people. And it doesn’t hurt that she’s as cute as a button. Rock on, Uli! Rock on!

Confessions Of A Bravo Whore (Chapter 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:00:00 +0000

Dear friends, this season of Top Chef is finally over. I can't thank you all enough for reading my blog. I appreciate your interest. Actually, I suspect only a handful of you read my blog entries; most probably stopped by just to see pictures of Lucas Gil, Riyo Mori, Tara Connor, and other beautiful people. Whatever. I don't blame you. Thanks for stopping by.

Anyway, this post is all about love (i.e, kissing major ass). Let me explain. Before February (or was it March?) of this year, my blog was like a ghost town. Every once in a while, a stranger would stop by, leave a comment or two, and then rush off to other uncharted areas of the blogosophere. I was like the Yanomami of Brazil, confined to my little piece of territory on the outskirts of the known blog universe. Ah, those were the days. I was so young and naive.

Over the past few months, I became a somewhat successful Bravo blogger. And by somewhat successful I mean that I currently dwell at the bottom of the Bravo hierarchy, which is fine with me. And now, it's time to thank a group of wonderful people for their support and generosity. Laz of Lazarus West and Ms. Place of Dishin' Dat have been regulars here at Blog By Cosmo Marius. As soon as they started commenting on my blog, other bloggers followed. So . . . thanks, Laz and Ms. Place, for your support. I'd also like to thank Damselfly and Calady of Blogging Top Chef and Bravissimo for including me in their Monday Morning Mixer. Ladies, you are wonderful and kind. It was a pleasure being part of your little Top Chef family. Allison over at Reality on Bravo has always been very kind. So, thanks, Alison. Oh, and I almost had a heart attack when Miss Xaxa and Charlus added me to their blog roll on Amuse-Biatch. That was such a pleasant surprise. I can't thank them enough for their kindness. And, of course, I have to thank the following bloggers: Jinxy, CB, Eric 3000, GayProf, KillerVirgo, and Linda Merrill. All of you rock!

Yes, my friends, we've been through a lot together. We've had some good times (Shear Genius, Workout, and Flipping Out, to name a few), but we've also seen the negative side of Bravo reality television (e.g., the lack of female talent). That's life, I guess. We'll have to move on and hope that things will improve. Now that Top Chef is over, things are starting to change in Bravo Land. Bravo bloggers are getting ready for the return of the queen of all Bravo Reality Shows--Project Runway. Banners are being updated as I type this. Gay boys all across this nation are creating new blogs with hopes of being the next Tom and Lorenzo. And there's a great sense of excitement building up across the blogosphere. All is right in Bravo Land.

Happy National Coming Out Day

noreply@blogger.com (Marius) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:35:00 +0000