HIT AND RUNWAY

Alex and Elliott. One straight, one gay. One Catholic, one Jewish. Both stereotypical. But what a treat this film is! • Alex (Michael Parducci) wants to write a screenplay, but words are not his forté. He's also homophobic and sexist, yet somehow endearing ... because once he meets Elliott, you just know Elliott's gonna help him grow. • Elliott (Peter Jacobson) is a good writer with a great sense of humor, but he just doesn't believe in himself. He thinks of himself as unattractive, yet he pines for those hunks. • After Alex and Elliott meet, Elliott rejects Alex's attempt at a working relationship-that is, until Alex fixes him up with Joey (Kerr Smith), a waiter where Alex works. • In the agonizing yet hilarious process of becoming friends, Alex and Elliott find that they have much more in common than their collaboration on a screenplay. • Good actors, good screenplay, good movie. • VHS ($59.95) and DVD ($29.95) available from Culture Q Connection at 1-888-542-5421; also from Ingram, Facets, Baker & Taylor, VPD, and Wolfe.

FOR A LOST SOLDIER

What can one say about a film in which an adult male, Walt (Andrew Kelly), is attracted to a young boy, Jeroen (Maarten Smit), and the boy falls for the adult? Well, for starters, the story seemed so natural. • Jeroen is fascinated with Walt, a soldier passing through Holland at the end of World War II. After the loners meet, they become almost inseparable for the few days that Walt is in the village of Friesland. Though it is a special and happy time for Walt, it forever changes Jeroen's life. • For adults only, For a Lost Soldier is based on the true story of Rudi van Dantzig, who was taken to Friesland as a little boy during the so-called "Hunger Winter" of 1944 and who, after the Liberation, had a brief yet strong friendship with a Canadian soldier, which would deeply influence his future. • This moving film was directed by Roeland Kerbosch, who handled the subject matter with sensitivity and intelligence. • VHS ($54.99) and DVD ($29.99) are available at www.strandreleasing.com, which also lists stores where the film can be purchased.

WOLFE AND WHEREHOUSE WED

Gay and lesbian home video retailer Wolfe Video and industry music and video pioneer Wherehouse Entertainment announced in June that they were working together to create gay and lesbian video sections in Wherehouse Music stores. Drawing upon their catalog of over 500 gay and lesbian videos, Wolfe Video consulted with the chain to create specialty sections for gay and lesbian titles in 75 outlets, including Houston, and act as the primary supplier of gay and lesbian-themed videos to Wherehouse stores. The new gay and lesbian video sections were introduced in the latter part of June. • Through targeted consumer programs and mainstream distribution, Wolfe Video showcases some of the finest features in this genre including the double-DVD release of Big Eden, the Genie-award winning Lilies, Chutney Popcorn, and No One Sleeps. Wolfe Video is now the exclusive gay video distributor of Showtime's Queer as Folk. • Remember when we could order certain gay and lesbian videos only by visiting www.wolfevideo.com or by calling 1-800-GET-WOLFE? You remember that was way back in early June (last month). Well, now we can purchase them at Wherehouse Music, 3800 Farnham Shepherd (at 59), 713/523-2200 (among other locations).