For six seasons, Sarah Jessica Parker became synonymous with playing the phrase “single and ready to mingle” on Sex and the City. Her subsequent non-Sex movie roles have always steered clear of Carrie Bradshaw territory, including her latest DVD offering, I Don’t Know How She Does It.

SJP’s character of Kate Reddy is the antithesis of the role that she is best known for, what with her juggling act of being a career gal-on-the-go who has to make sure she finds time to connect on the home front – where she is the main breadwinner – with husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) and their two children.

Not helping matters on her already stretched-to-the-limit life comes in the form of working with a powerful executive (Pierce Brosnan); and two differing opinions on the title of the film and how to go about doing so. Can she pull it off? It’s SJP … what do you think! Available now.

Another Happy Daynot only has the distinction of being a Sundance Award Winning film (for screenplay), but it also has what you would call a stellar ensemble cast. The acting roster is headed up by Ellen Barkin, who also produced the film and plays Lynn, a sensitive woman who is besieged by her family during a weekend gathering at the estate of her parents (Ellen Burstyn and George Kennedy).

The clan has gathered for the wedding of Lynn’s estranged son, with her other three children in tow, and the stage is soon set for the drama to surround the day, like a cloud pregnant with the chance of an emotional downpour.

Her young son (Ezra Miller) gets the ball rolling by verbally berating his mother and telling the rest of the family exactly what he thinks of them; while her daughter (Kate Bosworth) does her hardest to keep her demons-at-bay.

Aside from trying to keep her fractured immediate family from exploding further, Lynn has to contend not only with her two extremely judgmental sisters (Diana Scarwid and Siobhan Fallon), but her ex-husband (Thomas Hayden Church) and his quick to anger new wife (Demi Moore).

The day is loaded with emotional landscapes to traverse, which are ripe with landmines that seem to go off at the slightest provocation, as long buried feelings come to the surface. Available now.

Julia Sarah Stone as Elizabeth in The Year That Dolly Parton Was My Mom

The Year That Dolly Parton Was My Momis set in the decade that brought us bellbottoms and the Bicentennial; it is the latter ’70s reference that gives us a glimpse into Elizabeth Allison Gray (Julia Sarah Stone) and her world that is loaded with imagination for the 11-year-old.

When she learns that her young life has, in fact, been nothing short of a lie, she hits the road and runs away on a quest to find her true self in more ways than one. What ensues is a cross-country journey for the pre-teen, which takes her to the borders of identity and understanding herself in ways she never expected in this coming-of-age tale. Available now.

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Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler

100 Proof

American Idol alum Kellie Pickler returns to the country music fold, for the first time in four years, with her attempt to get into the “serious artist” category. She delves into more serious subject matter on the album’s first cut, “Tough.” The topic-at-hand is drawn from her rather tumultuous childhood relationship with her father, and how it has turned her into the title of the song, rather than having it lay her low.

Her father also crops up again on “The Letter (To Daddy),” which outlines her poignant observation of the strengths he brings to the table as a man. “Where’s Tammy Wynette” is a catchy toe-tapper that is a more fun-filled entry and sounds a bit like fellow AI contestant Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats,” with its tale of teased up blond hair and hussies lookin’ to fight her for her man.

“Stop Cheating on Me,” sounds like a throwback to the days when Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn ruled the country and western airwaves. While “Long As I Never See You Again,” “Turn The Radio On And Dance” and “Mother’s Day” gives her dumb blonde persona a mature make-over. Available now.

Glee: The Concert Movie

O to the M to the G, the Glee marketing train keeps building steam with this latest inclusion into the show’s journey into giving its fans what they want, more of those McKinley High kids.

But, the live footage stars the real-life counterparts of the characters that we have come to know and love, with the exception of Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester, who adds her trademarked sarcasm to the introduction of songs and the cast.

Speaking of tunes, I would be remiss in not giving you a taste of what will be performed and by whom.

So, get ready for renditions of their unofficial theme song “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” performed by the entire cast, Heather Morris (Brittany) giving her take on Britney Spears’ “I’m A Slave 4 U,” a reworked ballad version of The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” sung by Chris Colfer (Kurt).

Plus, there are even some additional songs and performers not seen in theaters, but have made their way onto the DVD, which will be sure to illicit a squeal of delight from the musical comedy’s fan base. If it doesn’t, then the two bonus features of “On Stage with the Cast,” and its partner “Backstage with the Cast,” will provide that extra little push over the edge. Now available.

Archer: Season Two

The second season of FX’s animated Archer – a filthy dirty and very worthy of its TV-MA-LSV-rated spoof of all-things spy movies – is out for those of you who have not seen it. And just in time to bone up on what to expect with its season three premiere Jan. 19.

And what might that expectation be, pre-tell? Well, for starters fans of the classic Hanna Barbera 1960s Johnny Quest cartoon will be drawn in by the similar animated style of the show. Secondly, those who resolved to obtain tighter abs this New Year’s are truly in luck in viewing the mostly misadventures of the somewhat suave and not-so-debonair Sterling Archer.

The other members of the secretive Isis Agency include Malory his mother of a boss, as she is his actual parent and the other maternal connotation. There’s also fellow agent Lana, a one-time fling that Archer flung to the side, like he does with his endless parade of ladies, and as he did with his mother’s daffy secretary Cheryl, and-the-not-yet-sullied by his charms HR director Pam.

Filling out the testosterone portion of the show are scientist Dr. Krieger, the creator of a sex robot named Fister Roboto, hapless comptroller Cyril, Ray a former “Pray Away the Gay” member who is gayer than little pink tap shoes and Archer’s longsuffering Man Friday, Woodhouse. Available Dec. 27.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXII

Fans of Comedy Central’s – and subsequently when the program jumped ships to the SyFy Network – enjoyed the laugh riot/snark fest MST3K; a definite comedic mainstay for 11 years. The Satellite of Love gang, led by Joel Hodgson and then Mike Nelson along with robots Gypsy, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot were stranded up in space and force fed a steady diet of some of the worst movies that Hollywood and other cinematic points of origin had to offer.

One of featured discs on this 22nd edition of cumulated episodes from different eras of the show’s run, Time of the Apes, remains a fan favorite and one of the more elusive ones to find on DVD … until now.

The Japanese-produced Planet of the Apes knock-off features a plucky young lad named Johnny who doesn’t care (his version of not giving a brown expletive). But Johnny is not a bad ass, and he is aided and abetted by his sister and a lady scientist in escaping from the monkey business at hand. The have-to-be-believed masks that the titular Apes sport are definitely short of amazing, especially in lip movement. Enjoy classic MTS3K jabs like, “Prepare to fling crap.”

It’s a good time waiting to be had, as are the three other celluloid stinkers, Mighty Jack – again a Japanese export – the written-badly-by-Ed Wood juvenile delinquent opus The Violent Years and the equally awful The Brute Man, which receives the MST3K seal of approval in making the unwatchable watchable with the gift of laughter and spot-on observations. Now available.

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The Puppini Sisters

For their third outing the not related by hemoglobin Puppini Sisters are in a refreshingly comfortable space behind their microphones.

As on their three previous endeavors – Betcha Bottom Dollar, The Rise and Fall of Ruby Woo and Christmas with the Puppini Sisters – the trio of lovely ladies provide listeners with a welcome blast from the past. This time around, the Andrews Sisters-esque sounding three part harmonizers pay homage to songs from the silver screen.

Their Great American Songbook is comprised of their lead single, and Marilyn Monroe’s signature tune, “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.”

And such cinematic yesteryear chestnuts deftly flesh out the remainder of the third-time-is-still-a-charm CD; with staples such as “Moon River,” “Get Happy,” “Good Morning” and “I Feel Pretty” transporting you back to a simpler time at the movies. Now available.

Nero

London-based producers and remix masters, Dan Stephens and Joe Ray, comprise the duo of Nero who have taken their adoration for movie soundtracks, ’90s techno and other old school entries for their debut CD, which encompasses strictly instrumental tracks and ones with vocals thrown into the literal mix.

“2808” serves as a partial intro into what is to come, as the synthesized track reaches a crescendo that sounds vaguely like a cascading waterfall.

Meanwhile, “Doomsday” shows off their penchant for paying homage to film, in this case a string section that is very reminiscent of Bernard Hermann’s score for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho at the beginning, until it melts into a thumping eargasm of guitars, drums and sparse sound bites.

“My Eyes” dispenses with the aforementioned just-for-sound endeavors and is a hauntingly striking song, while “Guilt” serves as its polar opposite with its up tempo nature. “Fugue State” and “Me And You” marks a return to the solely instrumental portion of the CD and “Innocence” provides more vocals.

By far, the tracks that stand out the most are their take on The Jets 1986 hit “Crush On You,” “Reaching Out” features vocal samplings from Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates and their decades old song “Out of Touch,” while Nero’s original creation, “Must Be The Feeling,” will certainly bring out the club kid in us all. Now available.

It’s that time of year when soccer moms get to pushing, shoving and even pepper spraying at Wal-Mart, all in order to get the perfect gifts. Seeing as our community likes to take a decidedly different tack and deliver a sack full of goodies to their loved ones, without bodily harm being involved – shouldn’t that good behavior be rewarded?

Well, consider this my gift to you in finding last minute presents to make your yuletide bright with divas, DVD delights and even a little guy candy … happy holidays.

A diva’s Christmas

Kylie Minogue: Aphrodite Les Folies – Live In London

The Impossible Princess showcased her nickname with the awe-inspiring, death-defying and very eye-popping Aphrodite Les Folies Tour.

The spectacular concert has it all, dancing boys, dancing girls and the woman herself giving audiences more than their fair share of bang for their buck; while she sings the songs that have endeared her to both gay and straight fans alike for many years.

The concert, which was recorded at London’s O2 Arena, not only includes the aforementioned hits like “Spinning Around,” “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” and “Slow,” but there are two ways to enjoy it. There’s the Special Limited Edition DVD boxed-set with two live concert CDs, plus a 12-page booklet and for you high-end types, there is the blu-ray DVD with a bonus 3D DVD – which will come in handy for her number “Cupid Boy.”

Adele: Live At The Royal Albert Hall

Adele is England’s modern day version of what fellow singer Alanis Morissette was to ’90s music. With her Live At The Royal Albert Hall, she kind of makes up for the fact that she cancelled, rescheduled and cancelled most of her U.S. tour. Yes, I know it was because of throat surgery that went very well, but this DVD should appease even her most ardently disappointed fans.

The DVD/Live CD combo finds the “Someone Like You” singer in fine form, resplendent with a new hairdo, as she musically vacillates between being 19 and 21. Sure “Rolling In The Deep,” the song you could not gleefully escape on the radio this year even if you foolishly wanted to, is included during her performance; as are “Turning Tables,” “Set Fire To The Rain” and “Chasing Pavements.”

Britney Spears Live: The Femme Fatale Tour

Britney Spears proved this year that her comeback, via her last album Circus and its subsequent tour, was no fluke.

And her career resiliency resulted in one of 2011 catchiest CDs, Femme Fatale that has some of the best Brit Brit tracks ever, especially in the form of “Till The World Ends” and “I Wanna Go.”

So those of you that want to geek out, just let your inner 13-year-old girl out to play with The Femme Fatale Tour DVD and watch her perform her hits of yesterday and today “live.” C’mon, we know she’s aided by backing tracks, but it’s Britney, bitch.

Lady Gaga Presents The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden

There’s no way to get around the fact that Lady Gaga has had an incredible year professionally, as she will have a lot to fill in on her Christmas cards about what happened for her in 2011. She sold 1,000,000 copies of her single “Born This Way” in just five days time on iTunes; her album of the same name set another iTunes record for fastest ascension to No. 1 for a release date.

She also embarked on The Monster Ball Tour and the event was captured for prestige on HBO in May, which in turn has made its way onto DVD.

So set your fiery bra to flame on and watch as the Lady breaks out her unique brand of entertaining – and the aforementioned fire bra – for her little monsters.

There is plenty to get your paws up in the air about, as she performs such Gaga staples from “Bad Romance” to “Born This Way.”

New to blu-ray

The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King has to be in the Top 3 of the animated features that the House of Mouse has ever produced; with its plethora of Elton John tunes and the tried-and-true Disney tradition of killing off the main character’s parent.

But for the tale of Simba, now out on blu-ray after it dominated the box-office earlier this year in a “Circle of Life” kind of way, the aforementioned passing makes the young lion eventually grow into the title of the movie.

With his home base being Pride Rock and his Uncle Scar being one of the queerest Disney villains this side of Ursula the Drag Queen of the Sea in The Little Mermaid, and the previously mentioned Elton John songs makes for a gay ole time to be had; even if you have seen it countless times.

West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition

If one of your holiday wishes is to live out the essence of the song “I Feel Pretty,” then you are certainly in luck because West Side Story is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a beautifully done blu-ray boxed set, which also includes a DVD version, a CD, a making of the book, plus foreign language postcards featuring many versions of the film’s poster.

You can relive every exciting moment of the star-crossed lovers, Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood) all set to songs that highlight the conflicts of their forbidden love, and how it affects their respective gangs The Jets and The Sharks.

You can also take in the splendor of why this movie musical snagged 10 Academy Awards in 1961, including a Best Supporting Actress win for Rita Moreno and for George Chakiris, her Best Supporting Actor counterpart.

Kyle Chandler, Ron Eldard, Elle Fanning and Joel Courtney in Super 8

Writer/director J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 is like a throwback to the days when kids, and adults alike, looked forward to the next summer movie-going event that film auteur Steven Spielberg would unleash upon the masses. So, it should come as no surprise that Spielberg serves as the producer of this homage to days-gone-by; when kids let their imaginations flourish in a pre-digital age with handheld movie cameras, aka, the titular Super 8.

The film focuses on a group of kids, including Dakota Fanning’s little sister Elle, Joel Courtney as the lead and The C Word co-star Gabriel Basso (he plays Laura Linney’s son Adam on the show) in the summer of ’79.

To utilize their time off from the drudgery of school, the group films a movie, which is interrupted by a train derailment. And, no, the plot point about said locomotive wreck and the subsequent events caused by a creature on the loose, do not fall under the category of being a spoiler.

Why is it that all the modern-day monstrosities resemble another Abrams-affiliated project, as in Cloverfield’s and now, Super 8’s beast? Even the Kraken in the Clash of The Titans looked like that big screen baddie!

OK, with that said there are some great set pieces for the mysterious cargo, including a not-so-subtle cinematic nod to Jurassic Park in one portion. However, the vibe of the movie really harkens back to 1982’s E.T., and that doesn’t mean that this film is just a cut-and-paste-edited-from-the-past homage to the modern day equivalent of Alfred Hitchcock.

African Cats

No, Super 8 stands on its, pun intended, tripod as an individual celluloid achievement. Available Nov. 22.

African Cats may not immediately spring to mind as being an action-packed, humorous and even dramatic look at the world of the big cats that populate the wilds of the world’s second largest continent.

Well, you would be sorely mistaken by overlooking this very captivating film, and terming it as mere kiddie fare.

In a lot of ways, this live-action Disney Nature film could be the live-action equivalent of the Mouse House’s animated feature The Lion King, minus Elton John and Tim Rice songs, flatulent warthogs and the like.

The main reason is the movie’s focus on a young bunch of wild things, and their mother’s quest to keep them safe and far from danger as they grow into ferocious beasties, all spoken of by Samuel L. Jackson, the poor man’s version of Morgan Freeman as far as nature documentary narration goes.

Another interesting aspect for those old enough to remember Sunday nights watching The Wonderful World of Disney is African Cats seems like an update of real-life nature fare, like Charlie, The Lonesome Cougar and Yellowstone Cubs. Now available. listen up!

Coldplay

Coldplay hasn’t really held my attention after they were branded the next incarnation of U2. When they emerged on the music scene in grand fashion with 2000’s Parachutes and its title track, plus the single “Yellow” all equated to a new favorite. But, I have largely ignored subsequent projects; so it was with a bit of trepidation that I listened to Mylo Xyloto with an open mind about their greatest-thing-since-sliced-bread status. And my ears could not believe what they were hearing, which was the drumming of my fingers and the tapping of my foot in synchronicity with their newest CD.

“Hurts Like Heaven” is a driving force, all guitars keeping time with drums and rapid fire energy from lead singer Chris Martin’s approach to the vocals of the song. With the door of appreciation opened a crack, my journey through its threshold was well worth the walk, as a wealth of tracks reconverted me back into a fan.

“Charlie Brown” and “Don’t Let It Break Your Heart” have all of the signature Coldplay sounds and Martin’s unique inflections that were so prevalent on Parachutes. The first single that was released from the group, “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall,” is eerily reminiscent, in some guitar sections, of the sound that emitted from an early U2 effort “Bad” from The Unforgettable Fire.

While the tracks, “U.F.O.,” “Up In Flames,” and most notably the second single “Paradise,” were a hauntingly melodic reminder why I fell head-over-heels for these British blokes in the first place. Mylo Xyloto is definitely swoon-worthy. Now available.

Tegan and Sara

Those lesbian twins and band name-inspired chanteuses, Tegan and Sara, once again bring their brand of indie rock to the forefront with Get Along, a compilation of 15 of their hits performed live, and comes complete with a DVD for good measure.

Songs, such as “Alligator,” receive a stripped down acoustic starkness with the accompaniment of a lonely piano to flesh out its skeletal lyrical exterior. The so-nice-you’ll-say-them-thrice tracks “I Know I Know I Know” and “Monday Monday Monday” are at odds with each other in their delivery; upbeat for the former and melancholy for the latter.

“Night Watch,” “Back In Your Head” and “The Ocean” are standout efforts, breaking the shackles of some of the similarities inherent on a vast majority of songs that flesh out the CD. Now available.

The heterosexual couple featured on MarriageForaReason.org, the Catholic church's newest website against gay marriage.

A new website dubbed Marriage for a Reason was launched Monday by the Catholic church, premiering first at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) fall symposium.

The site is aimed to educate Catholics and non-Catholics about the “essentials” of marriage. The frequently asked question, “Why can’t marriage be “redefined” to include two men or two women?” is explained:

The word “marriage” isn’t simply a label that can be attached to different types of relationships. Instead, “marriage” reflects a deep reality – the reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman. Just as oxygen and hydrogen are essential to water, sexual difference is essential to marriage. The attempt to “redefine” marriage to include two persons of the same sex denies the reality of what marriage is. It is as impossible as trying to “redefine” water to include oxygen and nitrogen.

The site also features videos which promote heterosexual couples highlighting the importance of “sexual difference.” As Marriage for a Reason describes, “Sexual difference is an irreducible difference. It is unlike any other difference we experience, because it – and only it – allows for the total personal union between husband and wife that is at the heart of marriage.”

In the video, “Made for Each Other” a heterosexual couple explains that “sexual difference is essential to marriage… it’s a matter of justice, truth, love and real freedom…. it’s like hydrogen and oxygen [that makes water]”

The bishops have previously endorsed Minnesota and North Carolina in banning gay marriage.

Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman in Thor

Remember way back in 1984, when Bonnie Tyler informed us musically on the Footloose soundtrack that “I Need A Hero?” Well, she must have been beside herself this summer with so many cinematic heroics to choose from. Let’s just say there were some good efforts, and at least one celluloid case of “better luck next time” that are making their way to home viewing in the guise of recently released DVDs.

Thor

Speaking of the latter, at about the halfway mark for Thor, it becomes rather apparent that the inevitable sequel will be great. But, as it stands as a one-off superhero feature film, it was a tad disappointing. Whether, it was the fact that True Blood vampire Alexander Skarsgard (sigh, he’s dreamy) might have made a better God of Thunder than Chris Hemsworth (although, he’s a bit more on the beefcake side of body types), or that Natalie Portman seems to be perpetuating the post-Oscar win acting role curse in her not-much-to-do role as beautiful scientist Jane Foster, the film, for all of its special effects bravado comes off feeling flat.

And, that’s partly to blame with this origin story of how the titular superhero is banished from his home planet of Asgard, and sent to live among mere mortals on Earth. There is too much time spent on the whole stranger-in-a-strange-land plot element, yet not enough of what I like to term “superhero stuff” for Thor to do, such as … oh, I don’t know … maybe using his powers more.

Still, it’s more watchable than the 2003 failure of director Ang Lee’s vision for The Hulk, and its failed 2008 reboot, The Incredible Hulk combined. Here’s hoping that these two comic book adaptations will fare better in the much anticipated The Avengers movie, which will bring them together with Captain America and Iron Man (among other Marvel Comics creations) in 2012. Now available.

X-Men: First Class

By contrast, X-Men: First Class is a better type of “origin” film (although it’s technically the fifth film in this particular superhero franchise). It’s much better executed than 2009’s semi-disappointing X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

X-Men: First Class has action sequences to spare, plus a much better plotline about how Professor X began his school for mutants, and how his life once intersected with Magneto as allies and not as enemies.

Erik Lehnsherr in X-Men: First Class

The plot itself feels a little bit like a tip of the hat to James Bond films of yesteryear, and focuses on the Cuban missile crisis circa 1962 – maybe that’s because January Jones plays a character that reeks of 007 as Emma Frost?

Even though Kevin Bacon’s Sebastian Shaw character isn’t stroking a white cat, the actor does stretch his good guy image as the villain of the piece.

Both James McAvoy as Charles Xavier/Professor X and Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr/ Magneto do their best to walk in the cinematic shoes that Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen vacated with 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand.

The only mutants, aside from these two aforementioned reincarnates, that will be familiar to fans of the films (but not the Comic-Con crowd) are Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) and Hank McCoy/Beast (Nicholas Hoult). Those looking for the guy candy angle won’t be disappointed with Lucas Till’s turn as Alex Summers/Havok. Now available.

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Erasure

Tomorrow’s World

For their 14th studio album, Tomorrow’s World, the synthpop duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clarke deliver the goods, proving that their latest music has the ability to surpass their ’80s roots.

A synthesized blend of upbeat dance-inspired tracks, such as the first track on the new CD, “Be With You,” has all of the hallmarks of classic Erasure, while still showcasing the talent pool that they currently draw from. That pool still swims with Bell’s pitch-perfect approach to harmonizing, and Clarke’s requisite electronic adornments, such as the synthesized bells and whistles that propel the song ever forward.

The tracks’ moods vary from longing for acceptance on “Fill Us With Fire,” while “What Will I Say When You’re Gone?” covers another familiar Erasure theme of love found and lost. But, rather than being soaked in melancholia, their latest opus serves as another example of how the duo can play off each other with their individual abilities, as is the case with “Just When I Thought It Was Ending,” which highlights the recipe they have perfected since their 1986 debut, Wonderland.

“You’ve Got To Save Me” is akin to an anthem of self respect, while “I Lose Myself” may end up being the song that gets put on repeat the most. Their first new single in four years, “When I Start To (Break It All Down)” is a hybrid of their musical strength of combining meaningful lyrics with strong beats and impeccable vocals. You can catch Erasure in concert at The House of Blues on Oct. 2. Available Oct. 4.

Eight films comprise the two-disc collection, or as they are known by their singular titles Big Lesbian Love Collector’s Set and Big Gay Love Collector’s Set. Being a gentleman, let’s take a ladies first approach, as we break down these favorite films for the sapphic set.

These four distinct looks at love kick off with The Four-Faced Liar, which does not revolve around two gals with multiple personalities who meet and complications ensue. Rather, it is a reference to a clock that has four faces and displays as many incorrect times (each one wrong) at its namesake bar. When newly moved-in together couple Greg (Daniel Carlisle) and Molly (Emily Peck) meet Trip (Todd Kubrak) and his lesbian pal Bridget (Marja Lewis Ryan), a steamy affair begins between Molly and Bridget.

My Normal centers around Natalie (Nicole LaLiberte), a young New Yorker who is trying to achieve a rather unusual balance that she attempts to strike between her dreams of becoming a filmmaker, her current gig as a dominatrix and sustaining a new relationship.

And Then Came Lola stars Ashleigh Sumner as the titular character who is on the verge. No, not of a nervous breakdown, albeit she is a tad on the distracted side, but the precipice that she is standing on has to do with her burgeoning career as a photographer and her relationship. If she doesn’t make it to a meeting on time, she could lose the whole kitty and kaboodle.

Itty Bitty Titty Committee is from director Jamie Babbit who brought LGBT audiences But I’m A Cheerleader, and while that film was a comedic look at the coming out process, Itty, is a decidedly more dramatic take on finding your true voice. Especially when All-American girl Anna (Melonie Diaz) takes up with a radical feminist group to help her unearth hers.

Before your minds end up in the gutter, by title’s sake alone, that the companion piece to the aforementioned collection has something to do with being a size queen that is not the case.

Big Gay Love Collector’s Set also highlights the gaieties of life, granted from a male point-of-view.

Were The World Mine falls under the category of being a romantic musical fantasy film, in which the subject matter of gay empowerment gets a helping hand from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is your atypical gay teen, who has a crush on the captain of the rugby team at his all-boys school, and is involved in the school’s production of the literary classic. When Timothy is cast as Puck, he happens upon a love potion that sends the town into a tizzy, as they strut a mile in his shoes.

The subject of closets is at the heart of East Side Story. Diego (René Alvarado) works at his family’s restaurant, under the watchful eye of his grandmother (Irene DeBari), who may want to get her vision checked, as he is carrying on a clandestine affair with Pablo (David Berón), a fellow closet dweller. Stifled by his East LA lifestyle, or rather lack of the lifestyle he wants to live, Diego makes plans to open his own restaurant, hopefully with his love life out in the open.

Recently single gay Parisian Jérôme Beaunez (Eric Debets) says Hollywood, je t’aime when he books a trip to sunny SoCal to skirt a lonely Christmas. While he proclaims his love for the City of Angels, he gives serious consideration to a lifelong dream of becoming an actor, and faster than he can say, “All right Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up,” he sets out to make his dreams a reality.

The elusive Mr. Right makes an appearance in the film of the same name, as intertwined tales of looking for love in London make up the bulk of this romantic comedy. At the heart of the film is Louise (Georgia Zaris), a fruit fly of the highest magnitude and her group of gays, and her introduction of her latest contender for the title of Mr. Right that sends her close-knit friends into a tizzy. Now available.

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Natalia Kills

Perfectionist

For her first full-length CD, Natalia Kills, lives up to her CD title of being a Perfectionist, as she has enlisted Black Eyed Peas go-to producer will.i.am, and a slew of other behind-the-scenes producers, who have worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Mary J. Blige.

The end result is a great introduction to this emerging artist, as with the first track on the CD, “Wonderland,” she may not “Believe in Fairy Tales” but she does subscribe to making the most out of the material she’s working with.

The will.i.am single, “Free,” could be an unearthed Peas track at the very beginning of the song; but it’s quickly evident that Natalia owns it in a different way than Fergie Ferg would.

Similarly, “Break You Hard” has an eerily familiar sound to it as well; you could swear it’s Lady Gaga upon first hearing it.

“Mirrors” is the stand out single of the bunch, having already achieved status on the Billboard club charts, and is perfectly suited for getting the dance floor packed.

All in all, Perfectionist is a solid effort, and will appease dance music fans, and those that like their pop music with a hint of darker fare. Now available.

Do you like the film genre known as “teenage runaways who become prostitutes” with characters named Cookie and a pimp named Duke? How about unearthed and all-but-forgotten, work by actresses and actors that have gone on to award show glory? Or, perhaps, another female-based genre, simply known as “chicks who kick a**” is more or less up your collective alleys? You are in luck, as we have examples of both to add to your Netflix queue, and one to avoid at all costs.

Streetwalkin’

Streetwalkin’ was made in the heady days of the 1980s (1985 to be exact) and stars future Academy award-winner Melissa Leo (Best Supporting Actress for The Fighter) in the aforementioned role of Cookie, a teenage girl who flees from her abusive stepfather (are there any other kind, really?) to the concrete jungles of New York City, with her younger brother Tim (Randall Batinkoff from For Keeps?) in tow.

As soon as she steps off the bus at the Port Authority bus terminal, she meets an actual white pimp named Duke (Dale Midkiff of Pet Sematary fame). Naturally, he is as charming as he is sadistic, and seeing that the girl is down on her luck, he inquires if she would like to come work for him.

Thus begins her descent into the brutal world of prostitution that is a far cry from Julia Roberts being wooed by Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. She encounters both the nitty and gritty in a cast of characters that includes Julie Newmar as Queen Bee and Starsky and Hutch’s Huggy Bear himself, Antonio Fargas as Finesse. Now available.

Sucker Punch: Extended Cut

Seeing as Sucker Punch has Watchmen director Zack Snyder helming a visually arresting tale of five young women escaping the harsh realities of their abusive lives by conquering a fantasy-based realm, it begs the cinematic question of “Why wasn’t this better?”

Case-in-point, the details about the quintet’s collective troubled background, especially that of lead character Baby Doll (Emily Browning), is at times relentless with the violence against women angle. Plus, the plot moves along at a pace that would make a snail say, “Hurry Up!” So the fact that 17 minutes of unseen footage have been added to this extended cut version is truly for those who are gluttons for punishment.

And then there is the acting, or rather overacting, by two characters that are not part of the five women attempting to bring their brand of girl power less effectively to the big screen than The Spice Girls did in 1997s Spice World, and that’s saying something. Scott Glenn’s (The Silence of the Lambs and who now resembles a handbag with his leathery skin) Wise Man character comes off as a low-rent Yoda, dispensing his inspiring bits of wisdom to help the ladies on their journey; some sage advice would have been to have gotten into character before production began to stop them for including this on their acting resumes. And then there’s Carla Gugino as Dr. Vera Gorski, whose accent comes off as if she is trying to find a way to capture moose and squirrel on an episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle. This one should have been rated “T” for “There goes two hours of my life I’ll never get back!” Now available.

Shelf life

Patchwork is author Dan Loughry’s debut novel that encompasses the late 1980s through the new millennium, and brings the AIDS epidemic into sharp focus.

The novel, which opens against the backdrop of the Names Project Quilt in 1989, features the tale of Randy Manning, his partner Sal, and parents Barbara and Ben as they navigate the news that Randy is not long for this Earth, and the collective and separate impact that the news has on each individual.

When Randy passes away, Patchwork stitches together the threads of aftereffects of his death on Sal, who is forced to re-evaluate his own existence, while it also chronicles the long lasting devastation for Randy’s family, as the tendrils of his impact on their lives stretches on throughout the decades.

Loughry utilizes elements of humor, insightfulness and frankness to highlight this tale of loss and ultimately hope that makes for a stunning literary debut. Available July 31.

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Genius Lovers

Strange Game

For their debut CD, the electropop duo of songwriter-producer Dave DeRosa and vocalist Katara have culled musical inspiration from a wide range of other acts, ranging from Lady Gaga to Adele.

The title track, “Strange Game,” is a club ready effort, complete with a pulsating beat. “Hi-Tech” sounds like a lost carryover from the ’80s, which is both reminiscent of the decade, yet original in its production with Katara’s voice overtaking the beats being thrown down.

“Push Back” opens with a great horn section that opens up the track with a bang, and crops up throughout the remainder of the four minutes of listening pleasure of this very infectious tune. “Find Our Way” highlights the aforementioned Adele reference, with its soulful rendition about love lost and love found.

Genius Lovers may have taken its cues from other musical acts, but Strange Game stands on its own two feet as an original effort. Now available.

Graffiti6

Annie You Save Me EP

Britain’s Grafitti6 is comprised of singer-songwriter Jamie Scott and songwriter-producer TommyD, who have been making beautiful music together since 2009. To prep music lovers for their upcoming album Colours, the pair have released an EP for download that features their eclectic blend of pop, R&B, and even a bit of the psychedelic thrown into their musical tastes blender.

The resulting concoction perfectly announces their brilliant efforts of melding together different genres. Their first single, “Annie You Save Me,” is pure pop perfection with Scott delivering an emotionally rousing performance over the din of drums and the melodic piano that accompany the track.

And, Scott is not afraid to lay his soul bare again on the acoustic effort, “Free,” and definitely has control of his unique vocal abilities that range from whisper tones to all-out belting of the lyrics.

The four-song EP also includes a remix of “Annie,” and a haunting acoustic cover of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity.” Now available.

viewing pleasures

Three movies with music underscoring their plotlines have made their way to the high quality promised land, known as Blu-Ray. The first two are full-fledged musicals that celebrate the big band era of the 1940s in a great metropolitan city and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius two decades later, while the third one uses songs from the ’70s, and beyond, in its telling of three drag queens on an adventure in the Australian Outback.

New York, New York

“The war was over and the world was falling in love again” was the tagline that accompanied the 1977 poster for director Martin Scorsese’s New York, New York, a musical salute to the bygone era of the 1940s brand of big band music.

The film was initially considered a box-office flop upon its release, as Scorsese had attempted to use the musical as a springboard away from grittier fare, such as 1976’s Taxi Driver, and as a way to pay homage to musicals from Hollywood’s Golden Era. The title song, “Theme From New York, New York,” became a hit for Frank Sinatra, who recorded a cover version in 1979, while Minnelli performs the signature tune at almost all of her concerts.

Hair

When Hair made its off-Broadway debut in 1967, it broke new ground in the realm of musical theater with its plotline about an anti-Vietnam war peace movement. It featured a racially diverse cast, the use of illegal drugs, profanity and – gasp – even had a nude scene.

In 1979, the story of the “tribe” of socially conscious hippies was immortalized on the silver screen and focused on Claude Bukowski (John Savage), who has a date with destiny in New York City. He is a farm boy that is scheduled to be enlisted into the Army, until he stumbles upon a hippie “happening” in Central Park. There he meets Berger (Treat Williams), the hippies’ pacifist leader and Sheila (Beverly D’Angelo), a beautiful bohemian who challenges his core beliefs about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The titular Priscilla is not one of the three drag queens on a cross-country excursion, but rather the bus that they use for transportation in this Australian-based 1994 comedy.

When Tick/Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) is summoned to be the headlining drag act at Lasseter’s Hotel Casino in the remote central Aussie town of Alice Springs by his wife Marion (Sarah Chadwick), he enlists the help of fellow drag queen Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce) and transsexual Bernadette (Terence Stamp).

Along the way, the trio encounters a bevy of characters, including an Aboriginal tribe, and performs spectacular musical numbers, set to the likes of Peaches and Herb, and Gloria Gaynor.

As the miles on Priscilla’s odometer tick along, revelations are made, frocks are worn to perfection and the finer points of Adam/Felicia’s love for ABBA are argued with Bernadette, which all make for one unforgettable road trip.

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Beyoncé
4

For her fourth solo effort, Beyoncé has appropriately titled her newest CD 4, and prior to it leaking on the Internet, the former Destiny’s Child singer gave a listening party for it at The New York City offices of Sony Music.

She said of the new effort, “When editing the DVD [for Beyoncé: I am…World], I noticed that the tone of my voice is different live [than my recording one]. So I used that live performance tone throughout the record. I wanted to do something refreshing and different.

“So I mixed genres and drew inspiration from touring, traveling, watching rock bands and attending festivals … was like a mad scientist, putting lots of different songs together.”

The culmination of that fusion is most evident on the track, “Till The End Of Time,” which features a bass line inspired by Fela Kuti, a Nigerian composer and musician. Available June 28.

Jessie and The Toy Boys
Show Me Your Tan Lines

If you are a fan of Ke$ha and Britney Spears (C’mon, you are! Admit it!), then get ready for Jessie and The Toy Boys, and a sound that is sure to get you up and dancing.

Tracks like her first two singles, “Push It” and “We Own The Night” perfectly highlight that there is a new pop music force to be reckoned with. However, there is even more than meets the eye with Jessie and The Toy Boys, who are opening for Britney Spears on her “Femme Fatale” tour this summer.

The best part of the music is singer Jessie Malakouti’s (who writes all the music for her projects) uncanny ability to slip some good old-fashioned female empowerment innocuously into the dance-themed songs. Her raw sexuality harkens back to the early days of Madonna’s decades-long career, when she was “Burning Up” for our love. Now available.

Singled out: Lady Gaga
“The Edge of Glory”

The latest hit song in Lady Gaga’s unstoppable arsenal of catchy pop songs is “The Edge of Glory,” which is by far the best song off her latest CD, Born This Way. The song debuted in the No. 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying itself as her tenth consecutive Top 10 song to chart since she exploded onto the music scene.

“The Edge of Glory” is somewhat of a departure for the singer, as there is not a “Gaga” thrown into the mix to remind us of who we are listening to. The song, which she debuted during the American Idol finale, is nothing short of being pure pop music confectionary goodness, and is as much of an anthem as her recent smash, “Born This Way.”

And kudos to Gaga for bringing back a saxophone solo, which were so prevalent during the songs of the 1980s. In fact, the track comes off as almost a throwback to a lost gem from the St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack, and its catchiness proves that she is a lady in motion, albeit it is suffice to say she will have more career longevity than John Parr did. Now available.