I haven’t had the best luck with queer cinema. While I’m well-aware that there are good gay films somewhere out there, I’ve had the worst luck in picking them out. Last weekend, I made the mistake of ordering G.B.F. on DIRECTV after reading Boy Culture‘s rave review. It wound up being a schlock of Mean Girls wannabe crap. Despite an interesting premise, the film suffered from lackluster writing that was neither realistic nor self-aware enough of its own ridiculousness. Perhaps my expectations were too high? All I know is that I wouldn’t recommend it to you, my dear readers…
And, of course, here’s where you come in! I’m determined to find a decent gay movie before the end of the year, and coincidentally, TLA Gay is running a 25% off sale for any four items in their online store. I’d love to hear any recommendations you might have, and if you’ve seen any of the seven flicks below, feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments section.
– Dewitt
Check out seven gay movies that might not suck below:
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DESCRIPTION: Set in a small Texas town, two lonely men struggle through relationships until one day they meet each other. A refreshing, intelligent drama about two very un-stereotypical gay men.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: Initially, I was annoying by the inclusion of “two very un-stereotypical gay men” in this flick’s description. I’m getting the sense that the actual film doesn’t flaunt how “un-stereotypical” the lead characters are in the forced, attention-seeking sort of way where they’re like, “Look! Look, you guys! Look at how un-stereotypical these guys are. They’re so NOT like the gays you see on Bravo.” If that were the case, it would annoy me… But, again, I’m getting the sense that’s not the case.
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DESCRIPTION: Sexual tensions spill off the screen as two young men and former childhood friends become sexually attracted to one another during a hot summer in the Argentinean countryside.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: Subtitles automatically make me think something’s going to be better.
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DESCRIPTION: When Patrick Moote‘s girlfriend rejects his marriage proposal on the jumbotron at a UCLA basketball game, it unfortunately goes viral and hits TV networks worldwide. Days after the heartbreaking debacle, she privately reveals why she can’t be with him forever: Patrick’s small penis size. Unhung Hero follows the real-life journey of Patrick as he boldly sets out to expose this extremely personal chapter of his life – confronting ex-girlfriends, doctors, anthropologists and even adult film stars. From witch doctors in Papua New Guinea to sex museums in Korea, Patrick has a lot of turf to cover on his globe trotting adventure, where he tries to answer the age-old question: does size matter?
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: This isn’t a gay film per se, but we’re all so hung up on the size of our dicks that it might as well be. It also features some interview footage with columnist and It Gets Better founder Dan Savage, who tends to be a “love him or hate him” sort of guy.
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DESCRIPTION: Brimming with intensity and compassion, Out in the Dark follows two men – one Israeli and one Palestinian – who risk everything for love on the West Bank.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: To heighten my understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, obviously.
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DESCRIPTION: When Lana, Tina and Donna (Kristine DeBell, Lisa London and Helene Udy), three best friends from college, reunite for their 25th year reunion, revenge becomes the order of day. Donna’s teen-age daughter recently died during a hazing prank and Donna has proof that five frat guys are responsible. Back in the day, Tina, Lana, and Donna dabbled in the occult and decide to use their powers to conjure up a demonic force to punish the guilty. A possessed clown doll is sent on a mission of murder to the frat house but there are always consequences when one makes a deal with the devil! This evil clown is no laughing matter.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: Again, this isn’t a gay movie per se, but who the fuck else do you think is watching it? Between the campy humor and the frat boys in tighty whities, I get the sense that this one would be a good time (even if it’s not exactly an Oscar-worthy film).
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DESCRIPTION: Gay-movie favorite Sean Paul Lockhart lights up the screen as a sexy but emotionally brittle young man caught up in a torrid relationship with an older man – who harbors his own kind of troubles.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: Sean Paul Lockhart is former gay porn star Brent Corrigan. The folks at TLA call this his “best performance yet”, which makes me wonder what they have against his obviously riveting performance in the musical I Was A Teenage Werebear… Plus, you know I’ve got a thing for older/younger relationships.
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DESCRIPTION: A truly original comedy of “city meets country,” shot with a spot-on 1970s aesthetic and featuring a gorgeous folk soundtrack, Leather is an entertaining and erotically-charged tale of modern gay urbanites forced to adjust to country living. When New Yorker Andrew (Andrew Glaszek) hears that his estranged father has died, he travels with his boyfriend Kyle (Jeremy Neal) to the cabin in the Catskill Mountains where his father spent his final years. Upon arrival, Andrew is shocked to find his childhood friend, Birch, is living in the cabin and spent the last few years being mentored by Walter. Birch spends his days fishing, practicing carpentry and making items from leather. Though Birch embraces a peaceful lifestyle free of modern technology, his presence leaves Andrew with conflicting emotions – regret, jealousy, suspicion and possibly desire.
WHY I WANT TO SEE IT: This feels like a big “duh”. Actor Chris Graham’s bushy beard alone would be enough to trick me into watching this, and when paired with the NSFW clip above, I can’t deny that I’m a little intrigued to see where the film goes once Andrew and Birch are reunited. Beyond that, the filming (and location) looks rather beautiful… But would the story be worth it? I’m still not sure! TLA refers to Leather as a “smart examination of masculinity and father-son relationships”, and much as I want to believe their review, I remain on the fence with this one.
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‘Shelter’ and ‘Save Me’ are great films in my opinion.
I’ve heard good things about Hawaii! Also Tatuagem and Stranger By The Lake and Tom At The Farm. Luckily for moments like this I keep a running list of movies I mean to see but will probably never get around to.
Also if you like musicals try ‘Were the World Mine’, gay twist on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Not the best acting in the world but it’s worth a watch.
Most everyone’s probably seen it by now since it’s on Netlfix but “Weekend” is really great.
Saw “Pit Stop” at the Dallas International Film Festival, Yen Tan was in attendance, as was the film’s writer, David Lowry (director of “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” and the upcoming remake of “Pete’s Dragon” [!!!]) and loved the film. Extremely well made, marvelous performances, one of the most enjoyably bittersweet (gay) films I’ve seen in a long time.
Oh my, I hate to be such a Debbie Downer, but I loathed “Were The World Mine” when I saw a screening in New York. I think I was the only one in the theater who was annoyed by the notion that people turning gay automatically meant they’d turn into blatant stereotypes (instead of maintaining their old personality and mannerisms).
I remember being amused by Eating Out, but realized it was a load of crap when I watched it some years later. Though I think The Trip (2002) with Steve Braun would still decent on a repeat viewing.
I really liked “August.” Of course it’s highly sexual, but it’s about a love triangle, so yeah… Enjoy the sexual tension if you watch it. The guys are hot/cute.
You can find it on Netflix.
Out in the Dark is a touching film and beautifully made. And it actually gives a different perspective into the region.
Don’t want to state the obvious here, but Brokeback Mountain is far and away the best movie dealing with gay characters that I’ve ever seen. Death in Venice (1971) is the most beautifully shot and scored movie about unrequited love (with a phenomenal, almost silent, performance by Dirk Bogarde). No sex, however. Yossi and Jagger by Eytan Fox (2002) is perhaps the best modern gay film after Brokeback. After that would come Big Eden (2000), a happy exercise in bucolic wish-fulfillment (co-starring Tim DeKay of White Collar). On a far lesser plane is Another Gay Movie, which has much awfulness, but a few genuinely funny bits. Weekend left me underwhelmed, perhaps due to the poor quality of the sound (I found much of the elliptical dialog very hard to catch) and the wobbly ending. However, everyone’s taste is differently formed, and you may not enjoy any of these and yet find something else that you love. That’s what’s great about movies – there’s always another one to find.
How did they turn into stereotypes? Sure some parts were a little over the top (the rugby ballet dance) but it was a comedy as was ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The characters all changed their personalities and acted like fools when they were under the magic flower’s influence. Hell Nick Bottom turns into a donkey.
Weekend is genuine. Yossi and Jagger becomes sublime when followed by Yossi.
Yeah, it might have hit me at the wrong time… I vaguely recall the coach becoming VERY flamboyant, when his straight counterpart was nothing of the sort. Maybe it was pure comedy, maybe it was his true nature, or maybe I need to lighten up?
Shelter and C.R.A.Z.Y are both good.
I thought The Trip was excellent.