This week in home entertainment sounds like one of those “a *** and a ** and a *** walk into a bar together” jokes:
A man of God, openly gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson, is the subject of the documentary Love Free or Die.
A president, FDR, heads up scandalous period drama Hyde Park on Hudson.
A drug addict with a penchant for bug killer powder enters a queer, dangerous fantasyland in Naked Lunch.
And a stand-up comic who could deliver a punchline is featured in Dante’s One Man Comedy Hour.
($24.95 DVD; Wolfe)
Gene Robinson’s appointment as the first openly gay Episcopal bishop was not without its controversy: he wore a bulletproof vest to his 2003 consecration. But his open love for his husband, Mark Andrew, was equally shocking to some of the faithful. Director Macky Alston, who previously explored God and religion in 2002’s Questioning Faith, follows Robinson on his quest for equality and progress within not only Christendom, but the entire world. Winner of a 2012 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize. Extras include deleted scenes.
($34.98 Blu-ray, $29.98 DVD; Universal)
The rumored affair between President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and sixth cousin Daisy, played by Billy Murray and Laura Linney respectively, is at the center of this drama that takes place during a 1939 visit from the King and Queen of England. Extras include deleted scenes, a pair of featurettes, and audio commentary.
($39.99 Blu-ray; Criterion Collection)
David Cronenberg’s 1991 adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ classic cut-and-paste novel also amalgamates incidents and people from Burroughs’ own life, including the shooting of his wife and friend Alan Ginsberg. Peter Weller stars as Burroughs alter-ego Bill Lee, an addict who slips into a strange alternate reality where typewriters talk, insect powder is the drug of choice, and a whole bunch of gay boys await. Strange, queer stuff, and this Criterion Blu-ray release makes it look absolutely stunning. The generous trove of extras includes a commentary track, making-of, special effects gallery, audio recording of Burroughs reading from the novel, and much more.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
($19.99 DVD; Nandar Entertainment)
Gay-friendly comic Dante, of Last Comic Standing and America’s Funniest People fame, delivers an hour of hysterical, scalding stand-up and impersonations. Fun fact: his girlfriend is Rebekah Kochan of Eating Out fame!
ALSO OUT ON DVD:
Boss: Season Two
The Kitchen
One Life
tdx3fan
I have no comprehension as to why someone that is gay would want to be religious. Religion has condemned homosexuality for centuries. Just because some dying religions are now willing to get into bed with the gays simply for the profits, it does not mean we should flock to them. Anyone that does so is truly incomprehensible.
yaoming
Why is the FDR movie on this list? Let’s keep it gay, please.
LARRYBMOVIE
Funny, I didn’t know William Burroughs shot his wife AND Alan Ginsberg…..
DickGreenleaf
Yaoming , Eleanor like ladies too.
DickGreenleaf
Yaoming , Eleanor liked ladies too.
boring
Don’t just concentrate on just the Gay releases, concentrate on awesome releases.
It just so happens Naked Lunch is both Queer and totally fucking awesome.
carob
@boring: A homophobic director bastardizing a beloved cult queer novel.
Lefty
@carob: How is Cronenberg homophobic?
boring
@Lefty: I think he mixed up “homophobic” with “Canadian.”
Which is an honest mistake, really.