Ambery goodness!

Last week the third annual Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival took place in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It’s grown considerably since last year, which is great; unfortunately--probably necessarily--ticket prices have followed suit, which is not so great, since it meant that I had to seriously limit my viewing choices.

One choice was easily made, however: as I was flipping through the festival brochure, a still from one of the films caught my eye. Was that who I thought it was, head tilted backward, draining the dregs from a wine glass? Why yes indeed! It was none other than the lovely Amber Benson, and as I discovered from the caption, her movie Race You to the Bottom was playing on Sunday afternoon.

I must admit that I don’t keep up with Ms. Benson’s career to the degree that I used to, so I didn’t really know anything about the film. Considering the...um, less-than-stellar quality of most of her post-Buffy projects, however, I kept my expectations low.

I was pleasantly surprised, not least of all by the fact that Amber’s name was first in the opening credits. If you’re as unfamiliar with the movie as I was, it concerns a straight girl (Amber) and her bisexual male friend (played by an actor named Cole Williams, who I kept thinking was someone else, though who I can’t put my finger on). They both have steady boyfriends, and they are both messing around behind said boyfriends’ backs. With each other, of course. The film depicts a weekend trip from L.A. up to Wine Country, and it’s basically just a talky character piece (which genre, by the way, I happen to love) about their relationship, which is prickly to be sure. As Wine Country romantic comedies go, it’s definitely no Sideways, and as talky character pieces go it’s definitely no Before Sunset (my fave flick of 2004, incidentally), but it’s nonetheless a decently written, superbly acted, and clearly lovingly crafted little movie. (In addition to the acting, the cinematography is particularly noteworthy.) It was great to see Amber in something that, more than just not being total dreck, was actually worthy of her talents (I understand she won the Best Actress award at Outfest), and it was cool to see her in a role that is decidedly un-Tara-like (lots of profanity and dirty dialogue). It’s worth seeking out if you’re a fan.

On the other hand, and in related news, I watched the first 2 episodes of Alyson Hannigan’s new sitcom. And now I’m done with that. Yeeeeowch. It’s abominable. I mean, I hate traditional sitcoms in general, but this one has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Not even Aly’s incandescent presence (nor the welcome return of Freaks and Geeks alum Jason Segel) can lift it out of the litterbox. Better luck next time, Aly.

Oh, also in movie news: I recently rented the DVD of Rock School, a documentary about the Paul Green School of Rock Music in Philadelphia (upon which the Jack Black movie School of Rock was allegedly based). Paul and his band were active on the Philly scene at the same time I was. I’m not sure I agree with his teaching philosophy, but the doc is worth a look, if only for a glimpse of what is surely the world’s only gangsta rap outfit composed of Quakers. And if you do happen to see it, keep an eye out for a brief appearance by one of the former guitarists for my band--he’s the guitar teacher who’s not Paul.

Finally, and on a completely unrelated note, here's a funny article about the giant squid.