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Reviews
Body of War (2007)
Moving and Inspiring
Recently, there have been a glut of documentary films and narrative fiction features released at festivals and in theatres that have been focusing on the current Iraq conflict. Many of these films are have been content to gloss over the conflict or have been intent to provide the typical shock tactics to frighten or hammer conservatives or provide further fuel for the fire, without allowing audiences with a genuine connection or emotional investment. This is not the case with the incredibly engaging and passionate BODY OF WAR. Ellen Spiro ands Phil Donahue's documentary smartly focuses on an engaging, brave and resilient protagonist who gives audiences an opportunity to connect with an actual survivor of the Iraq conflict. BODY OF WAR is a film that unlike other films currently focusing on the conflict, sets out to inspire others to stand alongside the film's hero and hopefully make a difference.
To All a Goodnight (1980)
Way too harsh on this
OK People come on... TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT , may be marred by some poor lighting, but overall this is a serviceable and nasty lil' holiday treat. There are some fantastic kills in it, and hell anything directed by Mr. Hess, Written by The Incredible Melting man and starring 80's teen film regular Jenny Runyon, is well worth the price of admission. If anything, watch it for a Plane propeller killing. Worth a rental. Keep your eyes peeled for a DVD release. I mean, if Christmas Evil can get a fantastic repackaging, then surely something like this can get some decent treatment. 7 out of 10 definitely, for a myriad of great gruesome deaths.
Grindhouse (2007)
Tarantino BOTCHES THE FUN
OK, So yes I went in totally jazzed, I'm a big fan of both guys, and truly figured they would give it their all. Well... I was disappointed, but only in QT's ability to forget he was making an homage to grindhouse cinema not a Grindhouse style homage to his own films.
I find it a bit arrogant to spend entire parts of your tribute to a style of cinema and an era and basically talk about your own movies, and make references to things from your other films (Foot Massages, Big Kahuna Burger, etc.). Its a real shame, because tons of people in the screening I was at were walking out in his movie, hell I did.
But... I Was happy I came back for the finale of Death Proof, with some killer stunt work by my pal Zoe Bell (Subject of the stuntwoman doc, DOUBLE DARE) She goes over the top on this, and makes this film almost worthwhile. But truly, Tarantino comes way too close to shooting himself in the foot. Save the dialogue for the art-house crowd, we want T&A and car crashes and blood from our Grindhouse films.
Planet Terror, well,,, All I'll say is well it is what is, and it hits all the marks. I loved it!
BTW, the faux trailers are topnotch also, THANKSGIVING is easilly Eli Roth's best film. Let's just let him make shorts or trailers from now on.
Bottoms Up (2006)
Why I'm giving this a 10
OK, So here is the deal this is certainly not Preston Sturges, but there truly are worse films out there than this. I mean I can't really live in a world where The Passion of the Christ is not on a list of worst films, or where Larry The Cable Guy goes middle of the pack on this list, which reminds me, I'm hoping enough people see The Hamster Cage, because its incredibly bad, let try and get that film on here for the ages.
Here's hoping films other than a low brow , indie comedy can while being bad can give way to true stinkers. An yes The Hamster Cage was also a low budget indie, but compared to Bottoms Up , The Hamster Cage is auspisciously bad, and takes itself a lot more seriously.
Another Gay Movie (2006)
Incredibly disappointing film from a talented writer/director
With the exception of a few funny moments, this is a completely unsatisfying comedy, from the pen of the man who brought us such gay classics as Edge of Seventeen and Gypsy 83. The film borders on the verge of plagiarism, literally stealing jokes completely from other low brow comedy classics. Its not original just because you have gay characters reenact classic scenes from Dumb and Dumber, American Pie, etc.
The Actors certainly are not to blame, they certainly go for it in every way , but when a comic genius like Scott Thompson, can barely muster a laugh out of a script, then that must be the problem.
Granted there are some definite positives, Graham Norton is quite wonderful and over the top, and Jonah Blechman goes all out and gives a fitfully funny performance. Also keep your eyes and ears open for some wonderful sight gags, and queer historical pop culture references.
With these exceptions, Another Gay Movie, is just another gay bore.
Wilderness (2006)
Unbelievably entertaining and messy genre entry
I'm rather surprised at some of the negative comments posted here about the film. I just got back from Montreal where the film just had it stellar North American premiere at the always incredible Fantasia festival, one that packs in the very best from around the globe, and Wilderness does not disappoint. I totally bought into this film. Its chock full of jumps, great kills, and really awesome amounts of gore. This is a total horror and genre geek must see! Its an amped up, highly charged popcorn movie with a damn great young cast. If Lions Gate or someone does not pick this up, they are bloody insane!! This is film gets me really charged up for the next Michael J. Bassett offering.
Creatures from the Pink Lagoon (2006)
Decent, campy fun!
CREATURES FROM THE PINK LAGOON, is a goofy send up of 50's monster movies, that gloriously and at times hilariously sends up every gay stereotype abound. Judy Garland, sex toys, butch/femme dynamics, etc. This film embraces those stereotypes, in a loving and sly way, and its those things, plus a variety of stock character types, and Ed Wood nods (giant monster mosquitoes, gloriously low key set pieces) that keep this piece at a high click. Where CREATURES suffers is when it decides to incorporate its gory violent moments. I love gory movies, but the films tone shifts so dramatically, that you forget at times you're watching a parody and send up, and it just turns into a painfully bad gore zombie movie. Luckily for us, the able cast of theatre veterans go for the gusto, and manage to chew the necessary scenery required to save the film from falling into this pit. The final issue will be the video format, a good run through a film look process could only enhance the film's above average lensing, and give it a much needed authentic feel.
For fans of 50's queer satire, this will provide more laughs than disappointing fare like Straight Jacket, and signals an interesting new voice amongst queer filmmakers.
5th World (2005)
Masterful and moving!!
5th World may just be the best American Indie to come along in the last 5 years. Nods to Tarkovsky, Bela Tarr, Maya Deren and, of course, Cassavettes, are evident in this devastatingly beautiful love story, which deserves to be seen by a wide audience of sophisticated cinephiles. Not everyone will fall in Love with this film, nor appreciate all of its magic. Blackhorse Lowe is as exciting a new voice as Apichatpong Weeresthakul, and hopefully will continue to create more challenging, provocative features. The Performances are also something magical, the improvisational dialogue is pitch perfect, and the visual palette is lush and soothing. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!
The Nightowls of Coventry (2004)
A Competently made, well acted little Pic!!
Nightowls of Coventry, has a light hearted charm that allows it to flow smoothly through it's tight 75 minutes. A cast of veteran character actors with a long list of television and film credits between them helps the film's banter keep moving at full speed. While the film certainly has it's flaws , it is an easy, delightful way to spend time at the movies. The best element of the film is it's overall look, ably helped by acclaimed rising star cinematographer Caroline Constantine from Australia, who has most notably shot award winning shorts for another rising star filmmaker Carla Drago. Overall this is a delightful fluid first feature that will appeal to a wide base audience but will certainly be a hit with the Jewish film audiences!!
Rodeu-mubi (2002)
A Queer Cinematic masterpiece!!
A Queer cinematic masterpiece. A brooding ,slow burning love story about a disgraced, suicidal bankrupt bondsman, who is helped by a gay, homeless drifter. The two decide to set out together to find a new beginning, as the drifter falls slowly in love with the straight bondsman. This is a gorgeous, tragic love story, teaming with style. The gentle, climax of the love story will have viewers swooning and sighing.
The film is stylistically a cross between Wong Kar Wai's Happy Together and the fractured family story style of Tsai Ming Liang's The River. A Majestic, Breathtaking, and heartwrenchingly tragic screen debut for South Korean helmer In-Shik Kim !!
Superstar in a Housedress (2004)
A Loving,fabulously bitchy portrait
While it lacks the polish of the various HBO produced documentaries, Superstar in a Housedress, is a Loving, Fabulously Bitchy portrait of the Warhol factory legend Jackie Curits. Filled to brim with archival footage, and fabulous retellings of gone by New York era. If anything see this film to listen to the recountings of Holly Woodlawn, Alexis De Lago and Harvey Fierstein , these interview subjects throw stories around with sauciest, campiest glee. This is a rough around the edges, but completely satisfying and informative treasure of a film!! Fabulous!! Glorious!! Trashy !! Bitchy!!
Latter Days (2003)
THE BEST GAY FILM??? OSCARS??
As a gay man, I'm always shocked to see what mediocrity will be accepted as the next great thing. Now compared to alot of Queer cinematic dribble over the years, this is atleast tolerable. But what bloody planet are you from, if this is the kind of film you choose to trumpet as the next big thing in gay cinema. Since most Gays lately seem to just line up like sheep for whatever entertainment pablum is fed to them (QAF, ,Anyone?) If there is any problem with this film, it's that the 2 leads are the prettiest, lamp posts I've ever watched. Frankly, when this film attempts to infuse itself with any real depth ,the 2 leads are left to almost drown, but for strength of an extremely talented supporting cast, who actually manage to rescue these 2 boring, uncharismatic lugs. Acceptance of mediocrity like this explains why a queer cinematic masterpiece Like Madame Sata floats away quickly. Get some culture, and originality.
Glitter (2001)
The next big thing in Midnight cult movies
I love this movie in all it's horrific, cheesy gloriousness. This will be a movie we squeeze into midnight screenings everywhere. Certainly, to Quote Dennis Miller, Mariah has about as much range as a daisy air rifle, but damn everything about this movie screams cult classic!!!
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Quit comparing this to his other films, It's a genre homage
Did I expect a lot from Tarantino with this Film? You bet. But to compare Kill Bill Vol.1 to Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown or Reservoir Dogs?? Come on people. This is a big film fan wad blow. He's only been saying that is what Kill Bill was gonna be, for I don't even know how long. It was pure Big budget pop culture grindhouse trash, With that ultra stylized Tarantino flare. If you hate grindhouse and kung fu, of course, your gonna hate Kill Bill. But if you embrace it and accept it for what it is, and go in expecting a popcorn movie, woooohooooo!!! You too, will feel like a kid in a candy store.
Gummo (1997)
THE MOST POWERFUL, LYRICAL, FINEST FILM OF THE 90'S
No film in the 90's came close to tugging the heartstrings as Gummo. Reminiscent of early Cassavettes and Charles Burnett. The film also invokes the courage displayed in Salo by Pasolini, in it's unflinching, yet disturbing portrayal of class levels and horrific imagery. People like these exist in places the world over, and maybe Harmony Korine is making a statement about class levels, and societal acceptance and exposure of the outcast, whatever he did, he has managed to display an underbelly of underexposed Americana, that probably needs to be brought to light in order to improve the lives of people in despair and poverty.
Underworld (2003)
Certain to be a contender for The Razzies
What do you get when you ripoff every set and costume Design From The Matrix, The Crow, Dark City and Batman, Then woefully miscast a pretty, quaint UK actress best known for her work in period pieces and throw in every cliche, plot twist and device from every vampire film since Near Dark?? You Get Underworld, an easy contender for worst film of the year. Lot's of things blow up, werewolves morph before our eyes, and it all happens in a dark washed out world straight out of a Fritz Lang wet dream. But the thing is boring, nothing of any real interest happens, and the chemistry between anyone in the film is virtually non existent. Kate Beckinsale has said she did this because it was unlike any scripts she ever gets, there is a reason, action films are not your forte. Back to The Crinolines, Katey, I hear Jane Austen a calling!!!
Love, Sex and Eating the Bones (2003)
The Smartest, Freshest Urban Black romantic comedy I've ever seen!!
Love, Sex and Eating the Bones, should not be as good as it is. With the recent crop Urban, Black Romantic comedies and Dramedies, By all rights a film like Love, Sex and Eating the Bones could have easily fallen flat like recent efforts. But this film delivers in the smartest, sexiest and funniest ways. Veteran short film maker and documentarian David "SUDZ" Sutherland makes the transition to features with the ease. Love, Sex and Eating the Bones, embraces the cliches and plot points of a paint by number romantic comedy and infuses them with a love and humour, that could make this film a sleeper breakout worldwide hit. Take this as a tip if you are looking for a must see film, this really, is it!!
Gigli (2003)
Well, why am I really surprised about this??
Hmmmm....., it Boggles the mind as to how Martin Brest did'nt smell this screenplay arriving at his door. It was ripe for problems. When Halle Berry jumps ship on it, thats generally a sign it's in trouble. Certainly, the obnoxious Quotient of Bennifer and J-Fleck did'nt help but, I truly prayed for this to work out for the best, if just for the sake of Martin Brest (Christ man He made Midnight Run!!). As for Pacino and Walken, well Pacino lost it a long time ago, (the HooHa!! thing from Scent of a Woman went to his head, so all he does is mug and yell now) But Walken must have Just needed spending Cash. Although it still ain't worse than Swept Away, Gigli is pretty damn bad!!!
Kiki+Tiger (2003)
Solid, moving student feature
Kiki and Tiger, is a powerful, poignant story of friendship and unrequited homosexual love. The tension derived from the cultural and racial differences, helps this tale move forward wonderfully. Some people wished the director had painted for them a very simplistic, easy to read paint by numbers feature. Asking for the director to offer more Background on the Albanian-Serbian conflict. Sometimes, the reason behind it is cultural, other times the director is trying to entice you to learn more on your own, by, GASP.... Reading!!! Demanding a director offer you more of a history lesson on the real life conflict is silly, I never went to Russian Ark hoping for cliff notes on Russian social and art history, i just embraced what the director put on screen. Kiki and Tiger (while nowhere near the technical achievement Russian Ark is) Deserves the same respect and time.
P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! (2002)
P.S. This film ain't funny
Well , so Steve Guttenberg got a hold of a great Play, and managed to adapt it, into a watered down, ham fisted Grand standing star vehicle for Himself. Now I like Steve-o (I'm a huge Short Circuit Fan), and was excited at the Prospect of him adapting this, but boy oh boy did this get wattered down. But props for getting AJ Benza to play a Nelly Queen, I loved that, just not this film.
The Master of Disguise (2002)
VIRTUALLY UNWATCHABLE
This over budgeted, juvenile piece of cinematic sewage, makes Such Turkeys as Rhinestone, Citizen kane. My friend's Five year old looked at me mid way through and even said, can we go home now?? UGGGGGHHHHH!!! What horrors will the Studios unleash upon us next??
And Then Came Summer (2000)
Amateurish, sophomoric film sets back gay film 10 years
This film could quite possibly be one of the worst, written and acted gay feature film in recent memory. The number of Great gay features that do not receive video Distribution in North America (Mala Noche anyone??) Make the release of this appalling feature an even more bitter pill to swallow.
Zhantai (2000)
The Most Perfect Piece of filmmaking of the last 10 years!!!
It is hard to express in words the sheer joy i take whenever i view this Contemporary masterpiece!! Truly a pleasure to behold and the most special cinematic journey I've had in years!!
Dance Academy (1988)
Fluffly, goofy cheeseball fame ripoff, but oddly appealing
Certainly this is a bad movie, but gosh darn it I spent many an hour in my early teens watching and rewatching it. I always dreamed i could perform one of those cheesy fairytale romance dance number and be whisk someone way. And then there is a real gulity pleasure sappy romance ballad that is made completely for the sheer purpose of making girls and young fags (like moi) swoon with Glee!!!
Rad (1986)
Everyone has guilty pleasures, this is totally one of mine!!!
You know, this movie on so many levels is probably not a 10, but I gave it one anyway, because since I first saw it in theatres, to now when I've probably seen it about 100+ times, I still am totally engaged and entertained by it. And to this day i still dream about finding my own special someone to go ass sliding with (don't ask , just see the movie). Plus any movie that has Ray Walston(My Favorite Martian) riding a BMX bike and flipping the Bird, is allright by me!!!