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Nate and Margaret (2012)
Fun, well-made film
The trailer doesn't do this film justice. It's a fun, well-made film that feels honest. Nate is earnestly played by a very cute Tyler Ross. Balancing him is Natalie West as Margaret, whose acting and script fit together so perfectly. The writing makes the story fresh and funny, honest and heartfelt. The acting brings it to life in a way that feels true. The film is very professionally edited, making it seem the work of seasoned experts. The genuine chemistry between the actors shows.
Nate is a film student. Margret is a coffee shop waitress and aspiring stand-up comic. Their friendship is deep and meaningful; they obviously have been the most important figure in each others' lives for a while.
Nate's first romantic relationship (with Conor McCahill's excellent James) provides the source of the conflict, as James wants Nate all to himself.
Watercolors (2008)
Artist is haunted by high school relationship
"Watercolors" played at San Diego's FilmOut today. I have to say, when we read the synopsis in the FilmOut guide, and watched the trailer, we both thought this was going to be just dreadful. We weren't sure we wanted to even sit through it. I'm so glad we did -- it would be a mistake to miss -- to our amazement, this is a terrific film! First-rate acting all around, with special note to the dad's demonic smoking, the art teacher's facial expressions, the mother's nuanced looks. The writing, while melodramatic, is well-done. Nice cinematography, with cool underwater shots of the swimmers, long shots of outdoor scenes, and so forth. The casting, for the most part, fit nicely, especially Tye as Danny. It was fun seeing Greg Louganis as the coach, although I think it would be have been terrific to cast him as the anti-swimming father.
I especially liked the relationship between Danny and his mother. Very funny, touching, warm. The dad character could use more depth, but the mannerisms were nicely done. Tye as Danny looked so small and vulnerable (he's taller in real life, as we saw during the cast Q&A) and had such a perfect geek haircut.
This really didn't feel like a "film festival film", although it could do with a bit more editing to tighten up some of the scenes and cut the running time by 10 or 30 minutes.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (2007)
Disjoint, confusing
At the Outfest screening in July 2007, the director told us "If you haven't read the book, this picture will make no sense. For those of you who have read the book, I sincerely apologize." He also said "This is a difficult film." We thought he meant difficult to make, but after seeing it we realize he meant difficult to watch. He said his intent was to remake "The Picture of Dorian Gray" with the gay undertone highlighted. For whatever reason, he chose to throw out conventional film narrative style and make an experimental film. The result is dream-like, confusing, and disjoint. It's a hard film to make sense of, even if one knows the story well. If you aren't already familiar with the story, you'll have no idea what is going on.
The film does succeed in making explicit the gay subtext of the story and previous adaptations, but don't expect a conventional film.
C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005)
Strong start, weak middle, no real end
I am totally baffled by the praise heaped on this film. I just saw it at the San Diego Gay and Lesbian Film Fstival (FilmOut), where it was the closing feature. Each festival screening starts with the Executive Director talking about how great the films are. C.R.A.Z.Y. was singled out for special mention each time. With so much hype, I expected at least a mediocre film, and I hoped for a great one.
This first part of the movie is stock and formulaic, but still interesting. We follow the main character through his birth and first seven years. So far, this could be any gay film. Then, the character hits puberty. The film telegraphed his homosexuality, his father's intolerance, and his mother's ineffectualness, so none of that came as a surprise, but was competently portrayed. Following this point, however, like the broken record that was part of the plot, the film gets stuck, repeating the same scenes over and over. From here on, the film stops making any forward progress at all. The characters don't develop, nothing new of them is revealed, the plot doesn't advance. The main character tries to fit in and be "normal" while occasionally experiencing the illicit thrill of borderline sexual contact with another man. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. The character indulges in magical thinking, believing that his actions will change reality. This started when he was a very small boy, avoiding stepping on sidewalk cracks so that his mother will give birth to a boy. But now he risks his life in a series of stunts, believing that if he does so and survives, he will be "cured" of being gay. Over and over. The film even includes about twenty totally pointless minutes of him running to the other side of the world, literally, to escape his reality, but of course repeating the same behavior, in the same way. Again and again.
Eventually, after subjecting the audience to such repetitive drivel that we first stop caring what happens to the characters, then actually hope the lead finally succeeds in killing himself, if only to bring the interminable film to an end, and presumably only because the director ran out of both film stock and money to buy more, it ends. It doesn't advance to an ending, it doesn't resolve anything through drama; it just ends. As if to reinforce that he simply ran out of film and cash, the director has the lead character just tell us, in a voice-over, how it all turns out.
If you see this movie, go home about mid-way through, and read a spoiler. Either way, you'll be merely told the resolution. But it'll be much more satisfying not to have been forced to sit there as the same few scenes are endlessly repeated for an extra hour beforehand.
Sure, the music was well-chosen and evocative. But buy a mix CD and save yourself the grief.
I notice a lot of the earlier comments seemed to feel this film is wonderful because it is Canadian. That's an insult to Canadian filmmakers. I've seen a lot of really terrific films from Canada. This isn't one of them.
Hate Crime (2005)
Amazingly well-done
One of the selections of the 2007 San Diego Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (FilmOut), this film is exceptional. An interesting story, nicely-drawn characters, well-acted, tightly directed. A thoroughly enjoyable film. Everyone involved should be proud of this.
True, there are some details that don't hold up to scrutiny, and a few coincidences, but these are easy to overlook given the overall quality of the work. The score might be a little top-heavy on the drama and suspense, but still fit nicely with the rest of the film.
Probably the weakest acting was that of the homicide detective, who is tentative and unconvincing. The rest of the cast turn in performances that range from acceptable (the female officer) to outstanding (the neighbor).
Le dernier jour (2004)
Interesting, but very French
This is an interesting, but ultimately disappointing film. The plot twists (of which there are several) are telegraphed way ahead, so if one is paying attention they become obvious and hence unsurprising. The characters are well-drawn and the soundtrack is quite nice. This is a very French film. It has all the obligatory scenes, including many of characters brooding where no one speaks. It even features several scenes on a train, as is required of all true French films. Also classically French is that one must guess at motivation, and the film does leave many questions unanswered.
This film does best as a character study of a small ensemble of interesting people. The boy, his parents, and his childhood best friend. His sister has a very small role, serving mostly to provide excuse for exposition and show other sides of the boy's personality.
Gone, But Not Forgotten (2003)
Well done, original story that transcends its budget
This story of a forest ranger and the man whose life he saves transcends its low budget to present a compelling tale with a lot of originality. While the acting could be better in parts, the writing is superb. Unlike many low-budget productions, I was able to see and hear what was going on (the director apologized before the screening for the volume being low, but I thought it was perfect).
As the story unfolds, we learn about the ranger and his family and the small town in which they live. As the man whose life is saved recovers from amnesia, we learn with him who he is.
The characters are compellingly drawn. The small-town environment, with its mix of support and limitation, rings true.
if you get the chance, see this film!
Straight in the Face (2002)
Hilarious, but abruptly ends
This short film starts out hilarious and doesn't let up. A gay couple meet their daughter's new boyfriend, who sets off their gaydar. As they try and figure out if he's gay or straight, we also learn more about their relationship, and their relatives and friends. The film is well written and well acted. The laugh lines are so frequent you'll need to see it several times to catch the dialog. However, just as the film gets going, it abruptly ends. While it is a short film, it ends before it has made any kind of point or reached any sort of resolution. It sets up a situation and leaves it hanging. Let's hope the director can turn this into a feature film.
Unlike Havan (who commented earlier), I don't see any resemblance to or twist on "La Cage aux Folles", other than the basic fact that both films feature a gay couple who has a daughter.
Take-Out (2000)
Delightful, original, funny coming-of-age story
The opening sequence alone would make an outstanding short film in its own right. Time speeds up and slows down as we see the customers at a diner, especially the family at one table.
The film is the coming-of-age story of the child in the opening sequence, now a chicken delivery boy (although he hates chicken). Alienated from his father, and with an uneasy relationship with his (not gay-friendly) best friend, he meets a new customer. A lawyer going through a divorce, the customer is also alienated and lonely.
Told with humor and originality, this films breaks out of the restraints of its genre.
L.I.E. (2001)
Honest, Complex Film Doesn't Take the Easy Cliche
This is one of the best films I've seen in a long time. It's amazingly honest, allowing its characters a complexity and depth they would never have in a mainstream film. It's so refreshing to see a film not take the easy way, not fall back on the simple cliche or the cardboard character.
The performances are outstanding, especially the young cast and Big John.
Gypsy Boys (1999)
Seriously Flawed "Gay Date" Flick
This film tries to be a fun, funny look at a the intertwined lives of a group of young gay men in San Francisco and their search for love. (It bills itself as the "Gay Date" film of the year.)
While the writing has its moments, the movie suffers from incoherent editing, bad directing, deficient acting and a poorly-mixed soundtrack. In many scenes it appears that the actors are reading (badly) from cards. Delivery of most lines is of soap-opera quality. The casting makes one wonder if any thought at all went into choices for some important roles. The dialog is inaudible whenever the boys are in a bar or are otherwise playing music.
In short, a clever idea that went horribly wrong in its execution (which is what should happen to this unfortunate picture).
Inside Out (1996)
Very funny, human look at life in the glare of famous parents
Jason Gould plays himself as a young gay man, trying to live his life in the glare of his famous parents, hounded by paparazzi.
Very funny, well-written, acted, and directed. This charming short film features an array of famous actors.
Queer as Folk (1999)
Wonderfully fun, fast, energetic
This is really a delight. Despite seeing all episodes in one marathon session, it remained great fun all the way. The high-energy and really interesting characters (including some great lesbians) kept interest from flagging.
Speedway Junky (1999)
Very Good, for a TV Movie-of-the-Week
While reasonably well-acted, and certainly earnest, this film suffers from being exceedingly unoriginal and glib. It's one cliche after another, and frankly, we've all seen the ending far too often. Had the writer been more creative, we might have an excellent film, but instead we have a decent TV movie of the week (or perhaps an After School Special).
Will & Grace (1998)
Will & Grace vs. Jack & Karen
Will and Grace are boring. Will is so bland it's hard to notice if he is in a scene or not. Grace is just annoying. She's whiny and self-defeating in a "Cathy" (the really irritating comic strip) sort of way. You just want to slap her.
Jack and Karen, on the other hand, are funny, interesting, and delightful. These are characters that are fun to watch, unlike the drab title roles.
If the producers have a skosh of sense, they'll relegate Will and Grace to the sidelines, and focus the show on Jack and Karen.
Skin and Bone (1996)
A disappointing film
With its plot implausibilities and excessive violence, this is a film that is much worse than it could be. The characters are obviously able to work on their own, yet continue to work for a manipulative woman who takes a big cut of their earnings and sends them on unpleasant assignments. The ending is especially irritating because of the out-of-character total stupidity needed to resolve the plot.
Edge of Seventeen (1998)
Coming-of-age, coming-out story set in middle America in the 1980s
This is an exceptional film: honestly written, very well-acted, beautifully -filmed. Peopled with likable, true-to-life characters and situations, this film really stands out from the crowd.
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)
A gay "Beverly Hills, 90210"
This is a cute film, but one in which the characters act like chowderheads (as it so popular in movies in TV shows).
Since there is some degree of subject matter overlap, and they both were made around the same time, I can't help comparing this film to "Edge of Seventeen", and there really is no comparison. This is a lightweight bit of pleasant fluff, that is an exceptional, wonderful film.
Fire (1996)
An unhappy newlywed starts to question her duty to herself versus society
A stunningly well-made film, with exceptional acting, directing, writing, and photography.
A newlywed finds married life not what she expected, and starts to question her duty to herself versus her duty to society. Together with her sister -in-law, she makes some radical departures from conventional roles and mores.