Bear Cub “Snuggle up to one of the the first feature-length narratives to feature "bears" and their community, many of them worth a big "woof." Nat says: Whoo! The beginnings a bit raunchy! I didn’t get much further than that… this is definitely one for the blokes… hirsute blokes and those that admire them. I’ll pass this one on to Simon… Simon says: I watched it and I thought it was hot! Beautiful Thing “The ultimate coming out story. A must see for anyone who is thinking about, or has recently. come out of the closet. Nat says: Unforgettable! Brilliant, deeply moving and hysterically funny at times. Fantastic soundtrack tops of one of our all time favorite movies. Male, female, gay or straight everyone should see this film. Being Julia Based on W. Somserset Maugham's novel 'Theatre', Being Julia is a delicious tale of amorous folly and revenge set in the world of the London stage during the late 1930s. Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) is a celebrated and glamorous actress, famous throughout England and happily married for years to her agent, Michael (Jeremy Irons). But underneath the artifice, she is being tortured by her fading looks, her philandering husband, and her estranged son. Nat says: Now I love a good period drama and “Being Julia” doesn’t disappoint. Not too much gay content but a riveting story. Best In Show Si-i-i-t. Sta-a-a-a-a-y. Laugh! The director of the wonderfully wacky Waiting for Guffman and many of that film?s stars reunite for a wildly hilarious, blue-ribbon look at dog show participants (and the pooches who love them). The tension is unmistakable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air at the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show. Director Christopher Guest takes a hilarious look at dog show participants (and the pooches who love them). Meet the contestants - a fly-fishing bloodhound owner (Guest), Shih-Tzu-doting partners, squabbling yuppie lawyers, a bimbo trophy wife and her poodle handler and a married couple who dream up little ditties about terriers - all fighting for the ?Best in Show? prize. From the creators of This Is Spinal Tap, director Christopher Guest presents Golden Globe Nominee Best Picture Best In Show, a barking mad mockumentary Nat says: “It’s a light hearted look at those funny people who are obsessed with their puppies. Hey I love a good pair of puppies, just the same as the next girl, but these folk are crazy! Want a giggle? Best in show delivers the laughs. Worth a watch but I wouldn’t put it at the top of my viewing list” Better Than Chocolate A truly wonderful film which embraces and celebrates the diversity of our community. Nat says: “Yummy! That Kim is definitely better than Chocolate! A must see for all hot blooded lesbians with a eye for a nice set and a good sense of humour.” Between Two Women This powerful tale of suppressed sexuality offers poignant and sharply observant social commentary, interlaced with a tender romance. Veteran actress Barbara Marten tugs at the heart as Ellen Hardy, a working-class mother in Northern England struggling with her feelings for another woman -- her 10-year-old son's vivacious teacher, Kathy Thompson (Andrina Carroll). Nat says: I didn’t like it much, but some people might. Don’t listen to me anyway. What do I know about films! Bound Corky, a lesbian ex con hired to work in an apartment as a plumber, meets neighbors Caesar, who launders money for the Mafia, and his girlfriend Violet. The two women have a love affair and decide to steal $2,000,000 that Caesar has in custody before he gives them back to Mafia boss Gino Marzone. Nat says: Corky! If I say yes will you take your hand away?... A lesbian classic, if you haven’t seen it you’re missing out on quoting silly lines with your mates. There are some cringeworthy scenes thanks to Corky playing an unbelievable ex con bad girl. Whoo Corky, you’re so tough the only thing that would take you down is a fly swat! Do yourself a favor and watch it for the naughty bits. Borstal Boy This new gay Irish/British film tells the story of Brendan Behan - teenage IRA bisexual / firebrand / poet / playwright. Behan was imprisoned in a reform school after being arrested attempting to set a bomb in Liverpool. Nat says: “Make sure you have a box of tissues and some chockies ready when you watch this one. I really enjoyed it. The Gay stuff wasn’t overt so don’t expect much boy on boy action but if you love a good unrequited love story then this is the movie for you.” Boys Don't Cry Based on actual events. Brandon Teena is the popular new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing, and he charms the young women, who've never met a more sensitive and considerate young man. Life is good for Brandon, now that he's one of the guys and dating hometown beauty Lana. Nat says: You just have to see this movie! It’s based on a real story, which makes it even more traumatic when the inevitable happens. You may become explosively angry with the bigots of the world when you see this one. It’s a genuine tragedy in the true sense of the word. Don’t forget your tissues.” Claire of the Moon Blond, brash and beautiful, Claire Jabrowski attracts men easily, and takes her own heterosexuality for granted. But at a writer's conference, she shares a cabin with Dr. Noel Benedict, a lesbian who questions Claire's promiscuous lifestyle. Challenged and disturbed by Noel, Claire can't accept her ideas, but finds, to her great surprise, that she feels an attraction to her. As the two debate back and forth, Noel also falls under Claire's charms, but she is wary, having recently suffered a disastrous breakup. As each faces her fears, an intricate - and sensual - "dance" takes place between them, as they move apart, then come closer and closer . . . Set in the lush Pacific Northwest, Claire of the Moon tells a timeless story of a woman's struggle as she awakens to new possibilities for love and intimacy. "Intelligent and beautifully atmospheric . . . the very definition of love and intimacy." - Los Angeles Reader "Sensual and provocative" - LA Times Nat says: Yawn. Some ‘older’ (than me) lesbians love this one. It was a significant film for lesbians at a time where there were hardly any movies out there that had key lesbian characters. Personally I was bored and I found the characters hard to relate to. Watch it to get an idea of the sort of B grade scraps us queers used to be grateful for. Claras Summer Directed by Patrick Grandperret, Claras Summer deftly captures the curiosity, bravado and often hurtful dynamics of teens. Clara and her best friend Zoe head to summer camp for a week of adventure and self-discovery. Zoe quickly gets involved with Sebastien, but is upset to find he is dating her just to impress his buddies. For comfort, Zoe turns to Clara, telling her she loves her, but Clara rejects her advances. Clara hates camp and feels isolated. When Sonia, a beautiful bisexual, befriends her, the other campers accuse Clara of being a lesbian. To quell rumors of their romance, Clara decides to sleep with a male counselor, but this only complicates things further. Eventually, Clara succumbs to her attraction to Sonia, who helps Clara learn to express her own sensuality and self-awareness. With all the drama, lust, cruelty and manipulation that are a part of adolescence, Clara's Summer bravely goes on an unforgettable journey through teenage torment, with the courage and discovery that this tender but confusing age embodies. Nat says: I loved it but the sandwich rating is only three because to be honest I was perving on Clara through the whole thing and neglected to pay attention to much more than her. Which goes to show you that it wasn’t completely riveting, however it is worth seeing. I did relate to a few parts of the movie that brought back some teenage angst for me. If you don’t like reading subtitles, just check out Clara instead. De-Lovely De-lovely is an original musical portrait of American composer Cole Porter filled with his unforgettable songs. In the film, he looks back on his life as if it was one of his spectacular stage shows, with the people and events of his life becoming the actors and action onstage. The story of his excessive past comes to lightÉincluding his deeply complicated relationship with Linda Lee Thomas, a beautiful American woman completely taken with Porter, whose intelligence and charm is a welcome change after her brutal first husband.Ê When they marry, the understanding and support she brings to the marriage was astonishing for the time (while she is aware that her new husband is gay, sheÊforgives his "indiscretions" with other men in favor of the emotional support he brings her). De-Lovely features a number of noted pop singers interpreting classic songs from Porter's catalog, including Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Mick Hucknall, and others. Directed by Academy Award¨-winner Irwin Winkler from a script by Jay Cocks and starring Oscar¨-winner Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, and Jonathan Pryce, "De-lovely" is a celebration of Cole Porters music as well as an exploration of the artists journey and the undying power of love. Nat says: I first saw this movie with my grandma, a big Cole Porter fan. Hey, I didn’t know who he was before I saw the movie! Needless to say Granny was a bit shocked when she found out that Cole was a bit of a boys boy. Like many gay guys of his era he married and attempted to live a double life. A double life that was probably his undoing. OK he obviously adored his wife, but sort of in the same way you adore your best mate. I think straight people read this movie quite differently to how gay people do. Grandma is still a big Cole Porter fan and I’m a new one! You must see this movie, there’s something in it for everyone. Why not invite Grandma and Grandpa over to watch it with you… maybe prior to saying “Pop? Gran? I got something to tell you… “ D. E. B. S. Sultry crime boss Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster, The Fast and the Furious) is back in the states and the D.E.B.S- and elite team of Paramilitary college co-ed superspies – are hot on her trail. But when their top agent, gorgeous Amy Bradshaw (Sara Foster, The Big Bounce), mysteriously disappears after coming face to face with the attractive young villainess, the D.E.B.S begin a full-scale search for Lucy’s secret lair, never suspecting that Amy may not want to be rescued after all, in this smart and sexy spy spoof about love at first gun sight Nat says: This movie was so funny! Don’t watch it if you are in a serious mood. Best viewed with a few bevies and a sofa full of your queer family. I really enjoyed it and so did my girlfriend who is now obsessed with Lucy Diamond. If I didn’t give it four sandwiches she would have been a bit grumpy with me. Great stuff! Eating Out Set in the Arizona Sonoran desert, EATING OUT stars Scott Lunsford as Caleb, a hunky straight college student, who falls for Gwen (Emily Stiles). Caleb's gay roommate, Kyle (Jim Verraros), convinces him that pretending to be gay will get Gwen's attention, and it does. But instead of hooking up with Caleb, Gwen decides to fix him up with her own gay best friend, Marc (Ryan Carnes). Meanwhile Gwen?s latest boyfriend Joey (Billy Shepard) confesses to her that he is actually gay. Puzzled by her attraction to gay men, Gwen sadly wonders if she'll ever fall for a straight guy. When Caleb agrees to go on a ?date? with Marc, Kyle gives Caleb some pointers, secretly hoping this will eventually bring him closer to his own desire: Marc. But things get complicated and Caleb is faced with a confusing situation -- how does he reveal his true feelings for Gwen without hurting Kyle or Marc? Marc can't tell why the new guy is so hot and cold while Kyle watches the two loves of his life leave him behind. EATING OUT is writer/director Allan Brocka's feature debut and was shot on location in Tucson, Arizona in only ten days - and is one of the most heartwarming, funny and must have films of recent times. Nat says: This has got to be one of my favorite gay comedies. I laughed myself stupid! So stupid in fact that I just cant think of what else to say but WATCH IT! PS All you gay guys should know that the male actors are HOT! Edge Of Seventeen A gay teen finds out who he is and what he wants, who his friends are, and who loves him, in this autobiographical tale set in middle America in the 1980s. Nat says: This wasn’t that good. 30 somthings may enjoy the trip down memory lane . Ellen The Beginning Ellen makes a great comeback in this stand-up comedian movie. Nat says: I think I’ve watched this one about a hundred times now and I still laugh! Ellen’s interpretive dance about coming out is hysterical. One of the best stand up routines I’ve ever seen! Blah, blah, blah, blah… what ever happened to Gloria Estefan? Ellen – Here and Now She's back..... With her endearingly off-kilter observations and off-the-wall wit, Ellen DeGeneres has carved out a special place for herself in the pantheon of stand-up comedy superstars.
More film reviews to come, stay tuned as we work our way through the alphabet... |
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