dramatic scenes

The title of Lisa Cholodenko’s High Art (1998) is a pun. Because it’s about an artist who does drugs. Get it? “High” art? This is the silliest thing about the film -- rest of it is pretty serious and difficult. I’m still a bit miffed though, because High Artwould have been a perfect name for a buddy road movie about the zany adventures of two stoners who’ve been hired to bring a priceless painting to an auction across the country in 48 hours. Instead, we get sad Ally Sheedy and the filmic equivalent of listening to the Mazzy Star cover of “Sweet Jane” on endless loop.

Jincey Lumpkin is not only the Chief Sexy Officer of the lesbian porn studio Juicy Pink Box, she’s also a recurring guest on Here TV’s sex advice show Threesome.

Michelle Clunie, best known for playing Melanie Marcus on Showtime’s Queer as Folk, has quite the résumé that includes strong acting performances, but also her many contributions as fierce advocate for full LGBT equality and women’s equality. Now she can add playwright to her list of accomplishments, as her first play, Us, is about to open off-Broadway in New York City.

Slip Away, a short film by writer, producer and Alma Award winning actress Michelle C. Bonilla, is coming to DVD February 1, 2012.