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Pennyworth (2019)
Batman Prequel
This prequel delves into the backstory of Alfred Pennyworth, the future loyal butler of Bruce Wayne.
Set in the 1960's with a mix of historical British timelines, Pennyworth is a cocktail of genres. A veritable mix of James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes with a dash of Doctor Who, this telling of Alfred's younger years gives an insightful and compelling understanding of the man's innermost secrets that have made him into the man we all know and love from the Batman franchise.
Pennyworth is a very entertaining, well performed, directed and filmed, semi-Gotham styled telling with amazing insight into Alfie, the man that became Alfred of our knowing.
This is a must see for any Batman fan.
Strapped (2010)
This is not your average hustler movie...
If you have seen one gay hustler movie you have seen them all, right? Well, not any more! For the past year I have seen the movie "Strapped" come up in my searches over and over but never had the desire to watch it after reading the synopsis. Finally I gave in and watched it and am soooo glad that I did.
"Strapped" is the story of a hustler(Ben Bonenfant) who somehow gets lost in the hallways trying to leave his john's apartment. The people that he encounters during his 'loss of direction' provide him with little tidbits of realization that eventually leads him to a turning point in his puzzle of life.
An hour into the movie I found myself verbally cheering when the old man says, "guys like me fought on the front lines (of the gay movement) so guys like you can feel so ambivalent". The script is beyond phenomenal with actors that deliver it in a superb fashion. The lighting, direction, cinematography, editing and all the other aspects that make a great film are there as well.
Ben Bonenfant, 21, is a college student in Colorado with an extensive background in theater which shows in his portrayal from the moment the movie opens right up to the life changing end.
Shank (2009)
"Shank" is gritty and unapologetic...
Filmed in Bristol, England, UK on a non-existent budget of 20,000 euros (28,000 USD) with a cast made up almost entirely of first-timers to feature film, "Shank" is one of my all time favorites.
"Shank" is the story of teenaged "scallie" gang banger, Cal (Wayne Virgo), who is realizing his true desire for other men. In particular, his best friend and fellow gang member Jonno (Tom Bott) with whom he shares several very intimately awkward moments. His gang is known for filming the beatings that they frequently dish out to innocent bystanders. However, when the gang jumps an attractive young gay man, Olivier (Marc Laurant), Cal reaches his breaking point stopping the beating.
Having left his gang stranded to go and help the bloodied young man, Cal is now the target of their rage. Can these two young men from opposing worlds and different understandings of oneself survive all that is thrown their way? Directed by 21 year old Simon Pearce, "Shank" is a gritty and unapologetic look at a coming-out story that has never been seen before. Wayne Virgo is an extremely talented newcomer, who also happens to be a gorgeous young man with great attributes which are seen throughout out the movie.
"Shank" is violent and unsettling at times, sensual and compassionate at others, and has a well-balanced use of intimacy and nudity. All of which is necessary to truly tell this story of self-discovery and love. Most importantly it pulls you into the story from the moment it starts and holds you til the very end. Making you care for and feel for the characters, "Shank" is a perfect blend of every element that a good movie is made of.
With it's gripping script (written by Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin), beyond-their-years-in-talent acting, and superb direction and cinematography, "Shank" is a low-budget film that can stand against any Hollywood powerhouse...
Just letting you know...
Hollywood to Dollywood (2011)
Leslie Jordan chuckles, Dolly's "just a big olé drag queen..."
I am not a big fan of documentary films but this is an exception to the rule. This documentary is more than just a journey from "Hollywood to Dollywood", it is a telling of southern culture and the many different and not-so-different views of homosexuality in the south.
The Lane twins- Gary and Larry- along with Gary's boyfriend, Mike Bowen, travel the route via Interstate 40 meeting many people while making stops along the way. With back stories from Larry, Gary, Mike, the hilarious Tennessee-native-turned-Hollywood-diva Leslie Jordan, Dolly herself, Cody Renegar (he made me cry like a baby) and many other people along the way you see the wide variations of acceptance, denial, loss of family and the joy of being true to ones self.
With a soundtrack featuring 15 of Dolly Parton's best songs, a single camera, cramped RV and 2247 miles of road "Hollywood to Dollywood" takes us on a journey that is much more than a road trip... it is a journey through life. I HIGHLY recommend this movie for ANYONE- gay, lesbian, straight, bi, young and old alike.
These gentlemen did a great job and I wish them the best in their continued journey with the family. There are many great messages given in this movie but one of my favorites is from Ann Walker who said, "If some book (referring to the bible) tells me I have to hate my child, that's a book I don't want to read."
So join the boys on the journey of a lifetime from "Hollywood to Dollywood" and see for yourselves what lies ahead...
10 out of 10...
House of Boys (2009)
You lose yourself in the characters...
Filmed in Germany and Morocco this is a beautifully told and well thought out story. With a cast that is so believable in their roles that you lose yourself in the film, leaving you with the feeling that you are there with them through it all.
You begin falling in love with the characters, rooting for them to overcome circumstance, overcome barriers and find happiness in life. In the end, they all achieve just that. One gets the wish to become the person they've always known they are, another receives an unexpected but very welcomed visitor, and two find love when they least expect it.
I recommend this film and give it 8 out of 10.
Bite Marks (2011)
Not as bad as most have said...
Okay so this is by no means an award winning feature... I'm not even sure if you could call it a B title but I rather enjoyed it for the most part.
YES, it is cheesy! YES, it is lacking a budget! YES, it is not a masterpiece!
But it is fun... David Alanson does a good job in his first feature role. And he's not bad on the eyes either. Windham Beacham, veteran of gay cinema, plays Alanson's lover and Benjamin Lutz in his second feature holds own as well.
What I found rather interesting was the appearance of Stephen Geoffreys whom I have not seen in a feature since the 80's. Geoffreys' had left main stream cinema for a career in the adult industry for many years, under the names Sam Ritter and Stephan Bordeaux, and believe it or not was quite good as a hunky well chiseled power bottom.
Is this something to run out in a panic to see? No... but it is worth a watch on Netflix or a rental on an otherwise boring night.
I gave it 6 out of 10.
Charlie St. Cloud (2010)
If I could rate it higher I would...
As I watched this movie I felt like I was viewing my own life story...
In 1991 I lost my little brother to a tragic accident as well. The emotions and inability to continue "living" life felt by Charlie are the same I had struggled with for many years. I found this movie to be extremely emotional, heart felt and true to the subject at hand. The acting of ALL the actors was outstanding, as well as the camera work, editing, directing, and most of all the writing.
If you like movies with true heart and emotion I highly recommend this movie as you can tell by my rating of 10. Honestly, I would rate it even higher than that if I could.
Although my love of this movie is very much inspired by my personal attachment to the subject, I think anyone would find this movie to be very touching...
Watercolors (2008)
Absolutely Amazing....
This is an extremely rare gem.
The story is so well done. Building our interest and feelings for the characters involved. Tye Olson is an amazing up an comer. He plays this role as someone who understands through experience what the character is feeling and how the character would truly be. Kyle Clare has immersed himself in his character as well.
There is so much I want to say about this film...but rather than tell you what is great about it, I would encourage you to watch, see and feel all the raw and touching emotion yourself.
This is a must see.