Sometimes, especially if you review movies, you have a chance to sit through a movie a second time. You hope, on the second viewing, you might see something you missed the first time. Now on DVD, Interior. Leather Bar. (Strand), co-directors James Franco and Travis Matthews' re-imagining of the lost 40 minutes of footage from William Friedkin's derided 1980 gay-themed flick Cruising, didn't reveal anything different the second time around.
As pretentious as it is well-meaning, Interior. Leather Bar. is a movie within a movie about a movie (following?). Inspired by Michael Warner, one of his Yale profs, Franco and his gay co-filmmaker (and the writer of the Interior. Leather Bar. screenplay) Matthews present an assortment of perspectives, including their own, about sexuality, homophobia, eroticism and freedom of expression.
Franco and Matthews meet with lead actor (and sort of Al Pacino lookalike) Val Lauren, who admits to being uncomfortable with the material. Keep in mind that Lauren is the kind of straight guy who notices that Franco got a haircut (just saying). Val's wife, however, is down with the project, while an unnamed homophobic friend of Val's doesn't hold back about his feelings (some related to career repercussions) in voice-mail message or in a phone conversation.
The truth is, the movie doesn't make Franco look all that good either. While the project appears to have a noble mission (Franco says something about gay sex ought to be part of movies in the same way straight sex is because "it's a great tool to tell stories"), it all comes off as voyeuristic. Franco insists that it's not "a porno for titillation," but it difficult to come up with what is the exact function of the film.
The worst thing you can say about movie that is supposed to be erotic and sexually charged is that it's boring. But it is. Maybe the best thing that can come of Interior. Leather Bar. is that it might lead people back to the original to see what all the fuss is about. Bonus features include two queer short films – one by Franco and one by Matthews, as well as interviews with the filmmakers.
Reel Advice: Masters of sex?
Wed. July 9, 2014 12:00 AM
by Gregg Shapiro
One of the best series on Showtime, Masters of Sex's second season premieres on July 13. That means you still have time to catch up (read: binge watch) on the first season of Masters of Sex (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment), now available in a four DVD set.
Careful attention to period detail, smart and snappy dialogue, first-rate acting from a top-notch cast, and timeless subject matter, combine to make Masters of Sex must-watch TV. The story of obstetrician and human sexual response researcher Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) and his complicated relationship with his close personal research assistant Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan, who is reminiscent of Zoe Deschanel, but with acting ability) is by nature a fascinating enough topic for a series. The presence of other characters, including closeted university provost Scully (Beau Bridges) and his tormented wife Margaret (Allison Janney), Masters' frustrated wife Libby (Caitlin FitzGerald), medical fellow Dr. Haas (Nicholas D'Agosto), hospital stud Dr. Langham (Teddy Sears), and frosty Dr. DePaul (Julianne Nicholson), who is carrying around a devastating secret, only adds to the intrigue.
Of extra special interest to LGBT viewers is the way the creators of the series maturely and sensitively handle the subject matter pertaining to homosexuality. Queer characters, including lesbian hooker-turned-secretary Betty (Annaleigh Ashford) and gay male hustler Dale (Finn Wittrock), are treated with the utmost respect and presented with the dignity of which they are worthy. Multiple bonus features include featurettes on Sheen as Masters and Caplan as Johnson, a "making of" short, cast and crew commentary and more.