This past weekend, in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, DC, fans of Logo's Noah's Arc, the first black and gay television series, flocked to the theater to watch Noah, Alex, Ricky, Chance and their loved ones reunite in Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom. There were plenty of pre-parties, post-parties, repeat viewings and sold out shows to prove that the crew is still a hot ticket a year and a half later.

From the movie's title, you can gather the main story revolves around Noah and (on-again-off-again boyfriend) Wade getting married. The supporting stories focus on relationships, family (especially, babies), self-acceptance, love and a lot of kissing.

The location is Martha's Vineyard which is a welcome location change from Los Angeles. As we've learned from movies like Love! Valour! Compassion!, The Reception and Ski Trip, anytime you assemble gay men in upstate New York, you get revelations, sexual tension and drama. For the gang, Martha's Vineyard isn't any different.

Jumping The Broom wastes no time in tidying up Season 2's cliffhangers and moving on to the non-stop craziness of the wedding weekend. The cast slip into their established roles, comfortably. Noah (Darryl Stephens) reprises the doe-eyed clothes-horse who gets confused by what he wants; Alex (Rodney Chester) is in top form as the film's main comic relief; Ricky (Christian Vincent) rocks the "ho" role without shame; and Chance (Doug Spearman)... well, Chance just can't seem to catch a break.

Wade (Jensen Atwood) gets more emotional range, Eddie (Jonathan Julian) is still Eddie, Baby Gat (Jason Steed) is even more incorrigible and studio exec Brandy (Jennia Fredrique) is particularly hilarious. New to the group is 19-year-old Brandon (Gary Leroi Gray - yes, from the Beyoncé Pepsi commercial), a boy still navigating his sexuality.

But the most important development for the gang: They all have last names now!

Patrik-Ian Polk steps up his writing and direction, keeping the pacing of Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom bananas. Any comparisons to a black, gay Sex & The City are fully sealed as the movie packs more black, gay shenanigans into 90 minutes than have ever been on the big screen.

As someone who had various issues with the series, I was prepared to like Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom. I was not prepared to love it. Patrik-Ian Polk and Logo managed to create a movie that speaks directly to a black queer audience with no apologies and little explanation to others.

Sure, I have some issues with the movie: The R rating is unjustified (which isn't Polk's fault); Suanne Coy is completely unbelievable as Noah's mother (thankfully, there's Tonya Pinkins as Wade's mom) and some situations are far-fetched. But it's hard to harp on those things when the film is such a good time.

If you're unable to catch Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom in its limited theater release (the best way to see it), be sure to order a copy of the DVD (to be released December 16, 2008). I highly recommended it!

9 comment(s) | Add yours.

w-opal: My bf and I just saw Noah's Arc the movie last night ....It was well worth the wait!! We loved it!! We actually traveled over 250 miles to an Atlanta showing and all showings sold out way in advance... Hoping that the show comes back or another movie comes out REAL SOON!! U will not be disappointed go see the movie!! Dont hate on interracial dating thats lame gays are suppressed enough we dont need haters making it harder than it already is ... See the movie you will know what I am speaking of ...

duane: I will say, that I really enjoyed the show, and was really looking forward to this movie; I am very pleased that you liked it so much, because now I am looking forward to it even more!

neoCarla: This is a great review J! I will definitely plan on purchasing the DVD.

j. brotherlove: Reviews remain overwhelming positive for the movie. More importantly, the films performance over the weekend has caught the attention of mainstream media. Much like how they are scratching their heads over the success of Tyler Perry's films, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, a niche, independent film has them perplexed. From Salon.com, Black gay men are the new, um, black: "Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom," a big-screen adaptation of the cable-TV series about a group of young gay African-American men in Los Angeles, virtually sold out its New York, Atlanta and Washington venues and grossed a flat-out amazing $30,000 per screen. OK, that's a notch lower than the limited release of Clint Eastwood's "Changeling," but "Noah's Arc" doesn't have Angelina Jolie, or 1/100th of Universal's marketing budget. Or any name recognition among heteros or whites. Expect a marketing scrum to erupt over the black gay entertainment audience, and no, I'm not kidding. h/t: Cecily

LaToya : It makes me really upset that they are not showing this movie in Mississippi!!!!! whats up with that?

j. brotherlove: LaToya, I'm not officially affiliated with the film but here are my theories: 1] Although the film is performing way beyond expectations, the audience is still too small for a wide release (which is *very* expensive). Instead, Logo concentrated on major cities with large, black gay populations. This will help generate buzz for the DVD release (which is only about 6 weeks away). 2] I think the film is already produced on DVD, instead of "film". This makes showing theater previews tricky, if not impossible. Most theaters are not equipped to handle swapping between the two mediums (art film theaters usually have at least one screen they can dedicate to this).

jbyrd130: To piggyback on j.b's last comments: 1) yes, theatrical distribution is incredibly expensive; most films, be they indies or major studio tentpoles, don't make their negative cost back after box office receipts. Who knows if this is the case for "Noah" at this point, since the official budget has not been released, but I suspect that they will at least break even on box office; practically speaking, the film seems economically produced (very few locations, 15 shooting days, shot in Canada maximizing on their tax advantages, etc.) 2) The exhibition (and probably, shooting) format is indeed digital, as opposed to going through the incredible expense of producing various film prints, but the resolution for DCI standards are above DVD quality. I know that the Landmark Theaters chain has installed Qube Cinema systems in its theaters worldwide, don't know what solutions Clearview and Laemelle are providing, but soon HD Digital exhibition of films will be a reality, ideally making the process cheaper, quicker, and more versitile for filmmakers, distributors, and the theater owners.

donell: i love season 1 and 2 and the movie i love and noah is so sweet

jon: I would have loved to have seen the movie on the big screen, but by the time I found out it was in Philly it was already gone. I had been waiting for weeks for it to come here and I missed it, my partner and I were so disappointed; well I guess we will have to watch the dvd.

Update: Read my Film Review: Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom

If I ever doubted the popularity of Noah's Arc, I only need to look at my referrer logs. Since the show was abruptly canceled by Logo after two seasons over a year ago, I've gotten streams of traffic looking for any hint to the proposed movie.

There has been plenty of speculation and confusion surrounding the movie, with some doubting it would ever happen. Earlier this year, series creator Patrik-Ian Polk and actor Darryl Stephens confirmed that indeed a movie was in the works.

And now, via Logo's website, we have a release date: October 24, 2008.

16 comment(s) | Add yours.

Chris Holden: Suddenly, I want summer over, done with. Smash cut to Oct. 24!

Derrick: I never got into Noah's Arc the way some other GBM have. It's ok; I think I find the stories lacking and it can come off a bit amateurish. I'll probably see it for the sake of nostalgia. Do I have to go back and see the show to make sense of it?

SexySagi: I hope this release date is for real this time. Before the movie was supposed to debut in September. I certainly hope the two year wait is worth it!!

QH: It is about time, I'm going to be one of the first in line. The only sad part is that Wilson Criz wasn't able to reprise his role as Junito, but hey it's all good.-QH

alan: I'm looking forward to this one!!

dorothea: i just started watchin noah arc on bet j and i got so into it, that i couldn't miss one show then i put my sister on to the show and it became our little late night riaual. i want the show back on tv so bad:0 :( it's a great show funny,educational e.t.c i give it a 10 all around

veronica: I think the show is funny, interesting and educational all in one, just like to know is the guy playing noah's boyfriend wade really gay.

darius: is the movie gonna be released in theateres everywhere or on logo or just select places tell me please

jamal: I really love this show . cant wait for oct.24 for the movie. i love u guys so much aslo i cant wait 2 see my look alike lol u guys keep it up for the gay community .

JAZZMIN: IT'S ABOUT TIME I'M SO HAPPY IT TOOK 4 EVA BUT IT'S COMING N I CAN'T WAIT!!! I LUV THEM AND I'M GOING TO SEE THE MOVIE AND I'M NOT EVEN GAY THAT GOES TO SHOW THERER'S SOMETHING IN IT 4 EVERY BODY......

JEANNIE: It's about time. We've been waiting 2 long years. The cast and author of noah's arc is spectacular. I had everybody in my neiborhood looking at the logo network, when Noah's arc came on. LOGO lost and BIG SCREEN here they come. HAPPILY WAITING FOR THE MOVIE, THE SEQUEL TO THE MOVIE AND THE SEQUEL TO THE SEQUEL.

slam: I loved that show , since it was taken off logo, the channel is pretty much useless. I love noah's arc.

Shorty Dee: I love the show and the guys. I not gay but I love watching the show. I have since every show since it started. My friend from work started me looking at the show and I have my daughter wathching it, she is 18 years old. I can't wait for the movie. I hope it is coming 2 Chicago.

beverly: Hi, I'm not gay, but I love Noah & Wade and how their storyline has worked, however I was looking forward to the new season and to what happened after the car accident. Noah, Junito & Rick are so handsome, those smiles, I surely hate they are gay, but good for some looking guy. I'm looking forward to the movie.

BeeLoveEd: I fell in love with Noah's Arc. I found it during the second season and then had to back track for season one, but it was worth it. My TiVo was on overtime! I was so heart broken to know it wasn't being renewed and have been waiting what seems like forever for the movie to come out - the reruns arent cutting it anymore.

TANYA TYLER: SO SAD THERE IS NO 3RD SEASON, MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVIE THOUGH, AND WE DRIVE TO ANOTHER STATE IF IT IS NOT PLAYING IN OUR AREA, GOTTA SEE WHAT HAPPENED WITH WADE. HOPE THE ORIGINAL WADE WILL BE IN THE MOVIE OR IT JUST WONT BE THE SAME. LOVE THE SHOW AND THE CAST. THANKS LOGO

According to a recent CDC study, new HIV infections among gay black males between the ages of 13 and 24 grew by 15 percent in 2007, about 10 times higher than in the gay community overall. These increases in recent years has some calling this the second wave of the AIDS epidemic.

NewsOK.com details the difficulties health educator Mark Knight and his coworkers face while reaching out to young, black gay men in Oklahoma City.

"There is a definite disconnect with what the virus means to the younger generation and what it meant to those of us who were there in the beginning."

One only has to look at the plethora of "bareback" and "raw sex" porn videos to see that an interest in at least viewing risky sexual behavior has grown. The influence these videos have on young viewers isn't well documented. But many activists cite bareback porn as a contributing factor.

What is known is that teenagers and young adults often feel impervious to harm. Also, with the advances in HIV treatment, most young men haven't directly experienced the large amount of deaths of friends and family experienced by gay men in the 1980s.

He adds:

"Younger folks think that all you have to do is go and take some medication and you will be fine, without understanding the medications themselves come with a whole host of side effects."

4 comment(s) | Add yours.

JNez: I would argue that these young men aren't influenced by bareback porn videos. they are, however, meeting men online who are misrepresenting their own HIV status. when what was intended to be a safer-sex encounter veers off into riskier behavior, as is common, the hiv+ individual is afraid to disclose for fear of rejection or even anger. the most dangerous assumptions then occur: the now unsafe encounter ensues because each partner is falsely assuming that the other is either already HIV infected or certainly HIV free, or else they would not participate in the encounter. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It's always the responsibility, and at times, obligation of the infected person to disclose immediately. assuming that your partner is also HIV+ and as a result, it is permissible to engage in an unprotected encounter is what has the infection rate skyrocketing. You only have to look to your own seroconversion to see the fallacy in that assumption. Simply put, only HIV+ individuals are capable of transmitting the virus. Any prevention efforts must begin by addressing the sexual behavior of individuals already infected with HIV in order to have any success in lowering infection rates.

Jeff: This is just sad, although, I would not really think its due to bareback porn, its due to not caring about ones self. In this day and age, you can't be living anywhere in this country and not know how HIV is spread. To fix this? Good question, but, it starts with the individual. I took a safer sex class years ago, and, the first word he said was when you sleep with anyone, you are sleeping with everyone they have slept with and just assume they are positive, so use a condom. Condom use isn't that hard to do, and, its not just young black men, but, black women as well, along with any other sexually active adult dating. And, yet another reason I'm glad you are back blogging, I had not heard this story.

rpcjr72: SOMETHING has to be done on a more personal level. i know i try to talk to the young bucks at the gym all the time about personal responsibility in regards to sexual activity. it's just so aggravating to see it be a problem when WE can beat this thing!

QH: It comes down to building a culture of knowledge, common sense, and safety. If you want to have sex, you just have to do it safely. However, it seems that unsafe sex culture is setting a new deadly standard of conduct. In that case, a possible reeducation about the reality of HIV culture needs to be explored with us young folks. Bareback sex is alluring, but more often than not leads to terrfying and challenging consequences.-QH

With Gay Pride season upon us, there's bound to be an increase of people coming out of the closet (voluntarily or otherwise). Be sure to check out Coming Out Stories on Logo. One story, "Hip Hop and Ready to Drop (Trish)," spotlights lesbian hip hop artist, Feloni.

Like many in the LGBT community, Feloni hasn't had much of a problem coming out to people around her; with the exception of her family. Unlike most of us, Feloni doesn't shy away from writing and performing explicit songs about her sexuality. Having such a public persona makes it difficult to stay closeted. Prior to the release of her debut album, she decides to come out to her family. Logo's cameras capture the moment.

Check the schedule for future airings. Or you can watch many of the Coming Out Stories online including, Feloni's episode.

0 comment(s) | Add yours.

Derrick ponders his usual single status:

Despite these obstacles, I’ve had some brief but fun sexual times with guys but it never got any further than that. I know its partly my fault. I could have said something to the effect of, “This has been great…you wanna catch a movie sometime? Maybe check out that MOCA show or grab some tacos?” Perhaps the day of courtship and whirlwind romances are over. Maybe now we screw around to find someone we’re sexually compatible with and then go out of our way to see if we actually like them.

Bernie participated in the New York City Gay Pride march:

My friends in political circles had asked me awhile ago to be more involved with the gay community outreach efforts of the Obama campaign but for time and burnout reasons, I’ve been somewhat reluctant. But the email invite came more than a week ago, looking for Obama Pride marchers and well, I couldn’t resist. Smart move on my part. It was a blast.

Brandon feels the drained by the job:

I get exhausted doing adult work, tired. Adult work is draining in a way other professions aren't. Clients are rough, day in and day out. So many cokeheads. So many unkind faces. My favorite activity in the world is to sit alone doing nothing, hours with my eyes closed, not sleeping.

Ramon shares how to upgrade your boyfriend's style and adds:

What's good for the style clueless is good for the style conscious. Keep in mind that he may not like your style either and may use similar techniques to get you to dress how he fancies. Stay open to the possibilities. If that tight V that you hate really gets him going, you may want to reconsider wearing it.

BronzeBuckaroo is angry over gay marriage coverage:

This may come as a shock to the larger gay community, its political machines and its pandering Negro admirers, but Afro American and other Diasporic men (and women) DO live lives and have lived a history FAR OUTSIDE your gaze without being impressed by you and wanting to bed you.

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