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The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the rare movie that is both timeless and completely of its own time. While deservedly a cult classic with moments of brilliance, any objective viewing of it today shows it is filled with elements that modern queer or feminist theorists would certainly call “problematic.” I first saw the movie in Baltimore in undergraduate school. I instantly loved it. I have seen it in many cities but also just enjoy watching it on the computer. I do enjoy seeing the midnight shows in NYC as they are wild and crazy nights! These days, the 1975 musical by Richard O'Brien, who does a brilliant turn as the seemingly servile butler Riff Raff, is known mostly as an audience participation midnight movie. Viewing it in this setting is much more like being at large drag party than simply seeing a movie. People dress as the characters – and not always as characters of their own gender – and scream responses to the dialogue. First-time viewers are identified as “virgins” and brought to the front of the theater before the show begins to be called out. During the wedding scene, rice is thrown at the screen. It is perhaps the only time in America where normally vanilla, tall, hairy guys can be socially accepted while wearing leather mini skirts and garter belts. But, to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show in only that context deprives it of the many subtleties, both good and bad, that are in the script and the libretto. In fact, an at-home viewing of the movie is just as interesting as seeing at a viewing party – and will certainly allow you to remember more if it, since your odds of being wasted and distracted are considerably less. For the virgins reading this, a bit of the back story is needed. The film is set in the pre-HIV era of the mid-'70s, when people were experimenting with various forms of sexuality without much concern for long-term consequences. And at its heart, that is what the film is a celebration of – breaking sexual boundaries, fucking without fear, decadence, (implied) drug use and general partying. It's a giant “fuck you” to the sexual taboos that had haunted America since we were birthed out of the original debt ceiling tax protest of the 1770s. It starts with Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), themselves clearly virgins, at a wedding. Brad impulsively proposes to Janet, she accepts, and they head out to see their former professor/mentor to tell him the good news. Their car breaks down along the way, and they find themselves stranded and forced to knock on the door of a castle to ask to use the phone. (Why Apple has not used this film to sell people on iPhones, I'm not sure.) Getting into the castle is easy. Getting out? Not so much. They are confronted by friendly yet strange people who are hospitable, if vaguely threatening. The leader of this pack is Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), who describes himself as “a sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania.” While he is clearly a transvestite, “sweet” is hardly the word to describe him. Over the course of the film he will fuck both Brad and Janet, force Brad into wearing his own set of garters, act as a sort of Dr. Frankenstein by building his own boy toy out of spare parts, initiate a cannibalistic meal, be revealed as a murderer and a space alien, and eventually be betrayed by Riff Raff. All of this is good fun, set to very good music. Meat Loaf makes his first film appearance as the doomed Eddie. The best and most nuanced performance in the film is by Little Nell (who in real life became the owner of Nell's in Manhattan) as Columbia, the only person to ever have really loved Frank-N-Furter. The party attitude of the decadent '70s is what makes this film such a joy to experience. That '70s attitude, however, is also where the film's problems lie. This was not as enlightened an era as people would like to remember, and certain attitudes towards gays, bisexuals and women that would be considered completely ass-backward today are prevalent in the film – just as they were during the time. For example, Brad and Janet are not actually seduced by Frank – instead, by modern definitions, they are raped by him – and Janet actually sings a song about how thrilled she is to have been forced into sex. While today it is understood that the vast majority of transvestites are heterosexual, the movie seems to be saying that deciding to dress and act like a woman is what happens when a man is fucked by another man – a troubling and incorrect assumption believed and propagated by the patriarchy that to be penetrated makes a man lose his masculinity. And, of course, the film portrays transsexuals as not simply being people born in the wrong body, but as bisexual sluts who just want to party as much as possible. Then, toward the end, we hear from Columbia as to why she seems so weird and sad for much of the film when she sings, It was great when it all began I was a regular Frankie fan But it was over when he had the plan To start working on a muscle man The implication being that she felt invalidated as a legitimate sexual partner when Frank revealed his interest in men – completely in line with stereotypes that bi men are simply gay men who have yet to meet the right man. However, if you pay attention, the “problem” isn't that Frank is gay or bi, but rather that he's a pansexual predator. His interest isn't in men or women so much as it is with conquering people sexually who are not into him. This explains why Columbia, who actually loves and wants him, is rejected and turned into a maid/slave. It explains why his interest in Brad and Janet becomes near zero after he's taken their virginities. And it also explains why his ideal partner – that he actually has to build himself – is one who is beautiful but nearly brainless. He wants a sex doll that just happens to actually be a warm body. He does not believe in having sexual partners who have any sexual agency of their own. Indeed, even Columbia is portrayed as a victim in her own right. The description of her seduction borders on coercion/mind control - “He took me by surprise!” “He stared at me and I felt a change” - and Riff Raff says that seduction is akin to being “under sedation” - something that happened fairly often in the 1970s when guys would sneak Quaaludes and Valium into girls' drinks at bars and clubs. Still, these are modern complaints. Sexual liberation was a new concept in 1975; people were not as progressive or understanding as they are today. Homosexuality and bisexuality were not nearly as understood, and date rape did not yet exist as a concept. All of which is why the film stands up as well as it does. You can see people trying to explore these ideas. They make mistakes – which is only natural given the repressive culture they were coming out of – and nobody really means any harm. Even Frank-N-Furter doesn't realize he's an abuser, because he doesn't have the social context to make that mental leap. The end result is a film that is fabulously fun to watch either alone or at a viewing party, but that also has plot elements that can make for a good intellectual discussion and debate of sexual issues. This is why, while the film has to be taken as a product of its time, it will remain timeless. And exactly why people keep doing the Time Warp again.

Mvan1, Thanks for all your help and best wishes for your coming trip! And yes, I wish I am not leaving SP so soon. I suppose one needs some Portuguese knowledge to enjoy the plays etc. I felt completely at loss at Museu da Língua Portuguesa. Although the small gallery across the street is nice. Also they are free on Saturdays. Would love to catch a football game there sometime. But for me so far without speaking portuguese, boys are by far Brazil's #1 attraction Rio, amazon and Iguacu falls are worth visiting on their natural beauty alone. Arrived in Porto Alegre around noon. Used their Metro and Walked to hotel from Metro Mercado. First impression of the city is very good. Beautiful europeanish square and tons of shops along the 10 min walk to Hotel POA residence, less than 100R a day. Tipped the doorman 2r since he showed me to my room. It's bigger than most 1br apartment in Toronto! Wash up, out for lunch, the door man recommended the buffet place one block away. It's a very nice place, good deco, large variety of salad, cold, hot dishes, fruits, juices, soup and deserts. Better and cheaper than the soup place on New Year's Eve in São Paulo. All for 15R! Fabulous. Both places, people are comfortable leaving their purses unattened when they are fetching food. As maikon commented, it's fine, good people here. So full, just ready for a nap before heading to the sauna later. The reviews has been spectacular on this site. Will report afterwards.

It's nice to notice that after years of neglect, São Paulo is back on route of the discerning gay international traveller. Rio is a better looking city, their boys are nice and warm, but in matter of pretty boys it cannot compete with São Paulo. In a trip that costs a few thousand dollars, 2 or 3 days in SP more than justify the extra cost, unless of course size & "hotness" fulfill all your needs. In this case beauty south of the border might even be considered politically incorrect!

Wake up from a long nap after the best New Year's Eve ever. This visit in São Paulo is great for a single reason: maikon. Unlike North America, New Year's Eve in brazil is such a major holiday, Lagoa is closed. Fragata, however, open short from 2-7. From my hotel at Praca Republica, it's a simple 15-20 min bus ride to Fragata. With the loc preloaded on my i touch, it's piece of cake to get there. I went since mvan1 likes it, and more importantly, given it's the only sauna open on the 31st, I might run into Maikon who still hasn't replied to my email. Fragata is in a residential neighborhood like Lagoa, but I don't feel like it's safe to walk to bus stop from it after dark, so taxi only at night. Lagoa area is perfectly safe to walk to metro after dark. It's not as classy as Lagoa. At 3pm, about 8 working 'boys", 6 customers. I am quoting "boys" since they really aren't boys anymore, none I am attracted to. The place is clean, though no AC in most areas, so you sweat a bit. there is wifi, but not availble to customers Apparently not a good day to judge its quality based on a single visit on New Year's Eve, so I can't say much about later, since guess who walked in with a friend! After he undressed (too hot in here to stay in his jeans), maikon and I hugged and sat down to chat a bit. He speaks no more English than I speak portuguese, so I simply write down 7pm-7am. He understood immediately. He asked for 400, which I apparently have no problem with. We sat for a bit, there were like still less than 10 customers, so Maikon offered to leave with me right away. We taxied to Ramada on paulista ave. I booked it so if I can't find Maikon, at least I can watch the fireworks and crowd. It's already 5pm, and they have no rooms ready yet! There were about 10 people waiting for the rooms to be ready! After waited for more than an hour, finally we were alone in our room. Teeth brushed, freshly showered, in a much better room and bed, and all the time we need, sex is even better than last time. Maikon is 20, 5'9", slim smooth top half, pretty yet very straight looking, a bear paw tattoo below his left shoulder. Nice friendly big brwn eyes with long eyelashes which I noticed since he is quiet during sex and mostly keeps his eyes shut. Light Six pack abs and big forearm muscles he later told me more from working than working out. His boyish smile, very friendly, almost like he is a bit embarassed being looked at, during conversation or sex drives me wild. His legs and butt are hairy, lean and tight. The best bottom I have had so far, even though he is straight and prefer to top. He friended me on facebook, showed me pictures of his ex girlfriends. His voice is also very deep, manly and confident for a 20 yo. He loves music, have the words: music (2 words in Chinese) tattooed right below the belt. It's getting too long already, you get my point, I LOVE this kid! After sex, it's 9pm already! It took 20r taxi ride to find a restaurant for dinner on New Year's Eve! Came back almost 11. We chatted over google translate with the music channel on TV. it's a lot of fun we even skipped new year count down since Maikon is not very interested in the fireworks. A good night sleep and more fun in the morning. Then the downside hit, the sadness saying goodbye after breakfast! Now almost 10 hours later as I type this, I am sill missing the kid. Apparently I have a crush on him. Good and bad doing an overnight. Well, it helps to hear him say he is straight and only does men for money, never with friends. amazing how good he is at it. Only in brazil! Pack up, Porto Alegre tomorrow. But again, Maikon mentioned he should still be here when I fly back to Canada on the 9th. So perhaps I will meet him again.

Sunday, attempted to check out Fragatta since mvan1 gave good marks for its Sunday night. It's a single bus ride from praca republica, but the bus didn't show up as google maps predicted. It also starts to rain. Also haven't heard back from maikon yet, so I changed my mind hitting Lagoa again hoping running into Maikon there. Arrived around 6pm. Busier than yesterday, lots of boys and customers. Maikon is not there there is another boy I am somewhat attracted to. Maikon was a slim white boy late teen early twentie, this one is older, dark skinned Latino boy, great looking face, but body not nearly as tight as Maikon's. Lot of tall, good looking guys as in 117, but I prefer more compact, natural type. Checking my email to see if maikon replied, suddenly my iPod is having trouble getting emails and keeps asking for password! The broswer web version keeps sending me to Portuguese version and seems to complain wrong password. Given that my email was hacked once before, this damped my mood immediately. The Latino boy stopped me to say hello as I gave my last walkabout after I put my iPod back in the locker since there is nothing I can do with the email. He is apparently not as green as maikon, smiles seductively and put my hand on his butt. I am not in the mood to stay long and there is no point fighting a hard on surprisingly even though it's more crowded today, didn't have to wait for suit (with shower) today. He is kinda sweet and gives good head. Unlike maikon, his cock is small and soft all the time, rather disappointing, but not surprised. So far, the seasoned boys normally are the softies. It's an ok session. I packed up and rushed back to my hotel to deal with the email problem. Was able to reset password on my iPad. Feeling a bit better. Booked a better hotel on Ave Paulista for New Year's Eve. Wish I can have maikon with me. But at least I can walk back to hotel after the fireworks.