Alonso Duralde is The Advocate’s fabulous arts and entertainment editor. He’s also the author of 101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men. Every queer, closeted or uncloseted, should have it on their bookshelf. Alonso carved some time out of his busy schedule reviewing movies and interviewing celebs to talk to Queerty’s Steve Pep.

What made you decide to compile a list of must-see movies for gay men?
Well, as I mention in the book, I've worked with a lot of very bright and very creative 20-something interns at The Advocate. But I constantly find myself being shocked at what great movies they *haven't* seen. So the book was a way to share with gay men -- of all ages -- some film titles that are definitely worth checking out, just in case you haven't already.

Your provides a pretty humorous and unconventional interpretation (read: gay) of the plot for Casablanca. Do you find that a lot of classic "straight" films can be so easily redefined this way?
I think just about any art opens itself to alternate readings, depending on how you look at it. I think the recent release of "Brokeback Mountain," for instance, has made people look at classic Westerns like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" in a new light.

You might have a hard time with this question, but can you pick one film that you would perceive as the gayest movie of all time?
I would say that a) there is no such thing, and b) if there is, JACKASS: THE MOVIE would probably be a leading contender. A bartender I know in San Diego told me once that his bosses don't let him play gay porn on the TV sets in the bar, so he screens JACKASS instead.

After the jump, Alonso talks Brokeback Mountain, blogs, lesbians, and Gene Shalit.

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The “Gene Shalit crapping all over Brokeback Mountain Saga” seems to have finally reached an end. Taking a cue from his own gay son, Shalit has taken pen to paper and written GLAAD a letter. But this time he’s apologizing for branding Brokeback Mountain’s Jack Twist a whore, um, we mean “sexual predator.”

In describing the behavior of "Jack" I used words ("sexual predator") that I now discover have angered, agitated, and hurt many people. I did not intend to use a word that many in the gay community consider incendiary. Baron Lytton wrote in 1839 that "the pen is mightier than the sword," and this matter proves again how hurtful words can be. I very much regret using them.

Let’s hope this is truly the end to a story that’s seen much more ink than anyone ever expected it to get. But after all of this, Shalit himself might actually end up benefiting from all of the hoopla. It’ll surely be an interesting addition to the obligatory Gene Shalit autobiography. And nothing sells books better than a little drama.

GLAAD Applauds Shalit's Response [GLAAD]

Last week we wondered how much crap Gene Shalit’s queer son, Peter (as a doctor in Seattle, he's a great catch for any queen!) must be really getting it from the gays ever since his father blasted Brokeback Mountain on national television. Would this be reason enough for Pete’s boyfriend to toss him to the curb? Will his friends remove him from their Myspace profiles? Well it seems that Pete has indeed been receiving lots of “concerned” emails from friends and he’s even a little ticked about the negative image his father is receiving from the blogosphere! He’s written a letter to GLAAD.

Peter doesn’t like that they’re picking on his daddy:

I spoke with my dad yesterday about the issues with his review. He had no idea that his review of a movie, and his reaction to a particular character, would be seen as homophobia. Of course he is not homophobic. Actually the truth is the opposite. Agreed, he didn't particularly seem to like Brokeback Mountain, and he found the character of Jack unsympathetic. But his negative response to a particular character is not "defamation" and had nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the character. The interpretation-generalization of this as "homophobic" is unfortunate and incorrect. It is precisely because my Dad is not homophobic that he felt free to criticize the movie as he saw it, and not anticipate that he would be accused of homophobia for doing so.

We’re anxiously awaiting GLAAD’s comeback. This could get pretty heated.

Peter Shalit writes to GLAAD about his dad [Advocate]

The full text of Peter Shalit's letter after the jump.

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• We think that secretly Gene Shalit loved Brokeback Mountain and we think he'll secretly love this poster just as much. (Thanks Matthew)

• Howard Stern has always supported the gays. Well, at least the lesbians. He's now given out actor George Takei an announcer gig on his new Sirius show. Maybe now we can hear the Star Trek thespian enunciate more than just the phrase "wet hot bitches." [Philly Burbs]

• Phantom of the Opera becomes the longest running musical in Broadway history, thanks mostly to all of us faithful gays. [Reuters]

• Kathy Griffin won't back down to anyone, even Hollywood God Steven Spielberg. This is why she is our queen. [NY Post]

• Camera whore Lisa Gastineau most likely crashes lesbian bars for the attention and not because she's earnestly searching for fish. [Gawker]

Film critics are usually much too dull to make the news. No one really cares to hear people like Gene Shalit voice their opinions. Hell, we didn’t even know the guy’s Critics Corner segment on the Today’s Show was still airing. We’d just assumed it had finally been relegated to the ranks of cable access.

But the movie buff with the God-awful mustache and unmanageable Afro turns out to be one of the few high profile film critics to crap on our beloved Brokeback Mountain.

Shalit vilifies Jake Gyllenhaal’s Jack Twist, calling him a “sexual predator" who "tracks Ennis down and coaxes him into sporadic trysts." Call us crazy, but we don’t call shoving someone’s hand onto your own crotch makes you a predator. Just horny as hell and in love.

All this has ticked off the folks at GLAAD (they call Shalit’s review defamatory!) and they want everyone to flood NBC with their angry calls, e-mails, and letters.

But the real victim in all of this is Shalit’s gay son, Pete. It’s not everyday your dad gets on national television and blasts a movie that you, your boyfriend, your queer friends, and the rest of the gay community consider a breakthrough and a masterpiece.

Poor guy must be getting it from all ends today.

Gene Shalit Offers Defamatory Brokeback Review on NBC's Today [GLAAD]

You’ve read Andy Towle’s site religiously. You’ve seen Brokeback, what, three or four times? You’ve started wearing cowboy hats. Yes, you queens are bit obsessed with this film and rightfully so.

You’ve been excited to hear of all the award nominations. And we know you’ve read the reviews. They all glow and heap praise on this wonderful little film. But none have been written like this:

Beautiful. Sexy. Masterful performances on both sides of the camera. Grand tragedy. A little slow is my only gripe. But this movie actually says something and says it very powerfully. It's like Gone With The Wind for faggots--unfortunately without the gowns! Couldn't Heath at least gotten Jake to fashion a cute rope-belted mini out of a burlap sack and a wig made of reeds to priss around and tantalize him? It worked for me that time I was hitch-hiking on acid

Forget Gen Shalit and his hate. Lady Bunny has reviewed Brokeback Mountain.

Gene Shalit Offers Defamatory Brokeback Review on NBC's Today [GLAAD]
THE TOWLEROAD GUIDE TO BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN [Towleroad]
Movie Reviews [Lady Bunny]