10.The HOURS
Cast: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris,Claire Danes
Director: Stephen Daldry
Writer: David Hare
Spanning across various time periods in the 20th Century, a drama which revolves around three very different women: two of whom have been profoundly affected by the works of Virginia Woolf; the other woman is Woolf, herself. All three are battling with issues of freedom, responsibility and identity. As the story unfolds, they are negotiating their way through different depressive states: Virginia Woolf is struggling to write her novel "Mrs. Dalloway" in 1923, as she recovers from depression; Laura Brown is a depressed and pregnant L.A. housewife who reads Woolf's novel in 1949, as she plans her husband's birthday party; and, the exasperated Clarissa Vaughn is a book editor in modern-day New York, who is planning a farewell party for her AIDS-inflicted former lover, Richard--a famous author who had nicknamed her Mrs. Dalloway.
http://www.mrqe.com
Director: Stephen Daldry
Writer: David Hare
Spanning across various time periods in the 20th Century, a drama which revolves around three very different women: two of whom have been profoundly affected by the works of Virginia Woolf; the other woman is Woolf, herself. All three are battling with issues of freedom, responsibility and identity. As the story unfolds, they are negotiating their way through different depressive states: Virginia Woolf is struggling to write her novel "Mrs. Dalloway" in 1923, as she recovers from depression; Laura Brown is a depressed and pregnant L.A. housewife who reads Woolf's novel in 1949, as she plans her husband's birthday party; and, the exasperated Clarissa Vaughn is a book editor in modern-day New York, who is planning a farewell party for her AIDS-inflicted former lover, Richard--a famous author who had nicknamed her Mrs. Dalloway.
http://www.mrqe.com
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9.The Broken Hearts Club
Director: Greg BerlantiWriter: Greg BerlantiStars: Timothy Olyphant, Dean Cain and Zach Braff
A group of gay friends in West Hollywood lean on each other to work their way through gay life, not always with success. They gather around Jack's Broken Hearts restaurant and lounge, Jack acting as their father figure and the coach and head cheerleader behind the inept Broken Hearts softball team. The group of friends includes Howie who can't break the physical or emotional ties with his ex-boyfriend, Marshall, even after Marshall starts dating someone else and despite Howie being the one to call their relationship off. Patrick has self-image issues. He has to make a major decision when his lesbian sister asks him to donate sperm to her lesbian lover. Cole is the narcissist, who treats men like playthings to throw away, never having been thrown away himself until he hooks-up with movie star Kip Rogers. Taylor is going through the many stages of dealing with a break-up with his long term partner, who had a history of cheating on him. Benji, attracted to muscle types, is in desperate need of acceptance from others at almost any price. The emotional core of the group is Dennis, an aspiring photographer. Dennis has hit a stage in his gay life where he wants something more than just meaningless sex. When he meets Kevin, a not even out gay young man, Dennis tests his new resolve. But Kevin needs support of his own as someone just coming to terms with his sexuality, something that Dennis may not be able to provide in its entirety.
Written by Huggo
A group of gay friends in West Hollywood lean on each other to work their way through gay life, not always with success. They gather around Jack's Broken Hearts restaurant and lounge, Jack acting as their father figure and the coach and head cheerleader behind the inept Broken Hearts softball team. The group of friends includes Howie who can't break the physical or emotional ties with his ex-boyfriend, Marshall, even after Marshall starts dating someone else and despite Howie being the one to call their relationship off. Patrick has self-image issues. He has to make a major decision when his lesbian sister asks him to donate sperm to her lesbian lover. Cole is the narcissist, who treats men like playthings to throw away, never having been thrown away himself until he hooks-up with movie star Kip Rogers. Taylor is going through the many stages of dealing with a break-up with his long term partner, who had a history of cheating on him. Benji, attracted to muscle types, is in desperate need of acceptance from others at almost any price. The emotional core of the group is Dennis, an aspiring photographer. Dennis has hit a stage in his gay life where he wants something more than just meaningless sex. When he meets Kevin, a not even out gay young man, Dennis tests his new resolve. But Kevin needs support of his own as someone just coming to terms with his sexuality, something that Dennis may not be able to provide in its entirety.
Written by Huggo
8.Big Eden
Cast: Arye Gross, Louise Fletcher, Eric Schweig, Tim DeKay,Corinne Bohrer
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Writer: Thomas Bezucha
Big Eden is a tiny town tucked away in the timberland of northwestern Montana, where cowboys lounge on the porch ofthe general store to pass the time away, and keep their eyes on things. Although it's been years since he was back, Henry Hart, a successful but lonely New York artist, returns to Big Eden, the town of his childhood, to care for the ailing grandfather who raised him. Once home, Henry finds he must come to terms with his relationship to Dean Stewart, his best friend from high school, and the object of his unrequited love. Henry's feelings for Dean, which caused him to flee Big Eden nearly twenty years ago, seem to have only grown stronger over the intervening years. At the same time, Henry's reappearance sparks a transformation in Pike Dexter, the shy, unassuming, Native American owner of the town's general store. Pike is as surprised as anyone, and completely unprepared, when he finds himself falling in love with Henry. As this unspoken triangle unfolds under the scrutiny of Big Eden's community, nearly everyone in town develops a stake in its outcome.
http://www.mrqe.com
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Writer: Thomas Bezucha
Big Eden is a tiny town tucked away in the timberland of northwestern Montana, where cowboys lounge on the porch ofthe general store to pass the time away, and keep their eyes on things. Although it's been years since he was back, Henry Hart, a successful but lonely New York artist, returns to Big Eden, the town of his childhood, to care for the ailing grandfather who raised him. Once home, Henry finds he must come to terms with his relationship to Dean Stewart, his best friend from high school, and the object of his unrequited love. Henry's feelings for Dean, which caused him to flee Big Eden nearly twenty years ago, seem to have only grown stronger over the intervening years. At the same time, Henry's reappearance sparks a transformation in Pike Dexter, the shy, unassuming, Native American owner of the town's general store. Pike is as surprised as anyone, and completely unprepared, when he finds himself falling in love with Henry. As this unspoken triangle unfolds under the scrutiny of Big Eden's community, nearly everyone in town develops a stake in its outcome.
http://www.mrqe.com
7.Get Real
Cast: Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte Brittain, Tim Harris, James D. White
Director: Simon Shore
Writer: Patrick Wilde
Simon Shore manages the transition from television and documentary to feature filmmaking with great assurance in hisdebut, the captivating, gay comedy Get Real, based on Patrick Wilde's stage success, What's Wrong with Anger? Shore recounts an appealing tale of a teenaged schoolboy coming to grips with his emerging sexuality. Sixteen-year-old Steven is just another teenager: He listens to the latest music, plays computer games, hangs out with friends. But Steven has a secret: He's in love with the school's top athlete, the devastatingly handsome John Dixon. Not surprisingly, Dixon is dating a model and is the object of every girl's attention. Steven certainly can't tell his parents, and none of his friends know he's gay; he can only confide in his best pal, the overweight, feisty Linda, who wants a romance of her own. As if this weren't complicated enough, Steven discovers that one of the girls at school has developed a crush on him. And then Dixon notices Steven's attention. Shore and his cast of youngsters do a wonderful job of capturing the secret lives of his teenage characters. He penetrates the hearts and minds of people trying to understand their complex sexual yearnings, while compensating for the expectations of parents, friends, and society. Fresh, youthful, and invigorating, Get Real establishes its moving tone from the beginning and doesn't let go; it takes an incisive voyage into the world of a gay teenager trying to tell the world that there's nothing wrong with being in love.
http://www.mrqe.com
Director: Simon Shore
Writer: Patrick Wilde
Simon Shore manages the transition from television and documentary to feature filmmaking with great assurance in hisdebut, the captivating, gay comedy Get Real, based on Patrick Wilde's stage success, What's Wrong with Anger? Shore recounts an appealing tale of a teenaged schoolboy coming to grips with his emerging sexuality. Sixteen-year-old Steven is just another teenager: He listens to the latest music, plays computer games, hangs out with friends. But Steven has a secret: He's in love with the school's top athlete, the devastatingly handsome John Dixon. Not surprisingly, Dixon is dating a model and is the object of every girl's attention. Steven certainly can't tell his parents, and none of his friends know he's gay; he can only confide in his best pal, the overweight, feisty Linda, who wants a romance of her own. As if this weren't complicated enough, Steven discovers that one of the girls at school has developed a crush on him. And then Dixon notices Steven's attention. Shore and his cast of youngsters do a wonderful job of capturing the secret lives of his teenage characters. He penetrates the hearts and minds of people trying to understand their complex sexual yearnings, while compensating for the expectations of parents, friends, and society. Fresh, youthful, and invigorating, Get Real establishes its moving tone from the beginning and doesn't let go; it takes an incisive voyage into the world of a gay teenager trying to tell the world that there's nothing wrong with being in love.
http://www.mrqe.com
6.Trick
Cast: Christian Campbell, J.P. Pitoc, Tori Spelling, Clinton Leupp, Steve Hayes
Director: Jim Fall
Writer: Jason Schafer
For Gabriel, a young, gay man focussed on his dreams of writing musical theatre, life is a Broadway show. Only oneproblem - he seems to be stuck in the first act. Sharing a tiny one-room apartment with Rich, whose robust and heterosexual love life leaves Gabriel out in the cold - literally - doesn't seem to be helping. Neither does his relationship with his best friend Katherine, an off-off-off Broadway actress and Gabriel's high maintenance muse. What Gabriel needs is a little excitement of his own. Enter Mark, a mysteriously sexy go-go boy from the local cruise bar. A perfect one-night stand. In their quest to be together, Gabriel and Mark face a poignant mix of fate, friends and misunderstood intentions, all seeming to conspire against what should have been a simple act of passion. What these two would be lovers end up with is far more gratifying than anything they could have imagined.
http://www.mrqe.com
Director: Jim Fall
Writer: Jason Schafer
For Gabriel, a young, gay man focussed on his dreams of writing musical theatre, life is a Broadway show. Only oneproblem - he seems to be stuck in the first act. Sharing a tiny one-room apartment with Rich, whose robust and heterosexual love life leaves Gabriel out in the cold - literally - doesn't seem to be helping. Neither does his relationship with his best friend Katherine, an off-off-off Broadway actress and Gabriel's high maintenance muse. What Gabriel needs is a little excitement of his own. Enter Mark, a mysteriously sexy go-go boy from the local cruise bar. A perfect one-night stand. In their quest to be together, Gabriel and Mark face a poignant mix of fate, friends and misunderstood intentions, all seeming to conspire against what should have been a simple act of passion. What these two would be lovers end up with is far more gratifying than anything they could have imagined.
http://www.mrqe.com
5.Maurice
Cast: James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Denholm Elliott,Simon Callow
Director: James Ivory
Writer: E.M. Forster, Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Synopsis:Director James Ivory brings his subdued, Masterpiece Theater style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. Clive (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic Englishman with a life of privilege, suddenly shocks his close friend Maurice (James Wilby) by declaring his love for him. Maurice is initially stunned by the pronouncement, but in the end finds himself giving Clive a passionate kiss and telling him that he loves him as well. Clive, in the stiff-upper-lip British manner, considers their love to be more of an intellectual concept, but Maurice becomes passionate about the affair. Clive, afraid of being exposed as a homosexual, backs off and breaks up with Maurice for marriage, family, and politics. Maurice is crestfallen, but then he has a passionate affair with Clive's gamekeeper, Scudder (Rupert Graves), and Maurice and Scudder decide to risk their reputations by openly living together as lovers.~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
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Director: James Ivory
Writer: E.M. Forster, Kit Hesketh-Harvey
Synopsis:Director James Ivory brings his subdued, Masterpiece Theater style to a forbidden subject -- homosexual love. Maurice is based on E.M. Forster's suppressed 1914 novel that was held back from publication until after his death. The film takes place at Cambridge, before World War I, when homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. Clive (Hugh Grant), an aristocratic Englishman with a life of privilege, suddenly shocks his close friend Maurice (James Wilby) by declaring his love for him. Maurice is initially stunned by the pronouncement, but in the end finds himself giving Clive a passionate kiss and telling him that he loves him as well. Clive, in the stiff-upper-lip British manner, considers their love to be more of an intellectual concept, but Maurice becomes passionate about the affair. Clive, afraid of being exposed as a homosexual, backs off and breaks up with Maurice for marriage, family, and politics. Maurice is crestfallen, but then he has a passionate affair with Clive's gamekeeper, Scudder (Rupert Graves), and Maurice and Scudder decide to risk their reputations by openly living together as lovers.~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
http://www.mrqe.com
4.Latter Days
Cast: Wesley A. Ramsey, Jacqueline Bisset, Steve Sandvoss,Mary Kay Place, Erik Palladino
Director: C. Jay Cox
Writer: C. Jay Cox
Synopsis:Christian is the typical LA gay boy: hot tanned body, gorgeous looks, and a taste for the one-night stand. By day, he waits tables at the quaint Lila's where his sexual conquests are frequently discussed with his co-workers. One day, new tenants move into Christian's apartment complex-four young Mormon missionaries, including the sweet and innocent Elder Aaron. As sexual tension builds between Christian and Aaron, the Lila's staff wages a bet that Christian cannot bed his missionary man. The bet is on, but there is a problem-Christian is falling in love with his latter-day saint. To make matters worse, the Mormon condemnation of homosexuality sends our lovelorn heroes into trials of regret, loss, perseverance, and forgiveness.
http://www.mrqe.com
Director: C. Jay Cox
Writer: C. Jay Cox
Synopsis:Christian is the typical LA gay boy: hot tanned body, gorgeous looks, and a taste for the one-night stand. By day, he waits tables at the quaint Lila's where his sexual conquests are frequently discussed with his co-workers. One day, new tenants move into Christian's apartment complex-four young Mormon missionaries, including the sweet and innocent Elder Aaron. As sexual tension builds between Christian and Aaron, the Lila's staff wages a bet that Christian cannot bed his missionary man. The bet is on, but there is a problem-Christian is falling in love with his latter-day saint. To make matters worse, the Mormon condemnation of homosexuality sends our lovelorn heroes into trials of regret, loss, perseverance, and forgiveness.
http://www.mrqe.com
3.Shelter
Director: Jonah Markowitz
Writer: Jonah MarkowitzStars: Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe and Tina Holmes
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Brokeback Mt., but I saw a screening of this film at the SF Gay and Lesbian Film Festival tonight and loved it as much as BBM and in some ways appreciated it more. At the Q & A after the screening the producer mentioned that the production company exec who green-lighted the project said he wanted to make "the anti-Brokeback," and in this I think they have succeeded magnificently. This is a genuine, heartfelt story about gay love minus all the tragedy and shattered lives. Which isn't to say there's no drama... Let's just say that some characters in the story have some problems, but mostly they're not a direct result of the love story at the film's core. For my money the acting (with avowed heterosexuals playing the gay roles, as in BBM) was more convincing, the kissing more natural, the sex scenes extremely sexy and moving; another milestone in the realistic portrayal of gay love and sex. The family setting provided a context that allowed one man's coming out story to be just one among many changes all families go through together while simultaneously putting some evil homophobic stereotypes to bed, you should pardon the expression, rather than dwelling on them as in BBM. Bravo to the filmmakers and excellent cast, and I hope you get a chance to see it soon if you weren't lucky enough to be among the 1400 people at the Castro theater tonight. Oh, and the lead actors are drop dead gorgeous and playing surfers. Enough said.
Author: laweat from United States
Writer: Jonah MarkowitzStars: Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe and Tina Holmes
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Brokeback Mt., but I saw a screening of this film at the SF Gay and Lesbian Film Festival tonight and loved it as much as BBM and in some ways appreciated it more. At the Q & A after the screening the producer mentioned that the production company exec who green-lighted the project said he wanted to make "the anti-Brokeback," and in this I think they have succeeded magnificently. This is a genuine, heartfelt story about gay love minus all the tragedy and shattered lives. Which isn't to say there's no drama... Let's just say that some characters in the story have some problems, but mostly they're not a direct result of the love story at the film's core. For my money the acting (with avowed heterosexuals playing the gay roles, as in BBM) was more convincing, the kissing more natural, the sex scenes extremely sexy and moving; another milestone in the realistic portrayal of gay love and sex. The family setting provided a context that allowed one man's coming out story to be just one among many changes all families go through together while simultaneously putting some evil homophobic stereotypes to bed, you should pardon the expression, rather than dwelling on them as in BBM. Bravo to the filmmakers and excellent cast, and I hope you get a chance to see it soon if you weren't lucky enough to be among the 1400 people at the Castro theater tonight. Oh, and the lead actors are drop dead gorgeous and playing surfers. Enough said.
Author: laweat from United States
2.Beautiful Thing
Director: Hettie MacdonaldWriters: Jonathan Harvey, Jonathan Harvey (play)Stars: Glen Berry, Linda Henry and Meera SyalAuthor: Howard Rabb (malocite-3) from Dundas, Ontario
I have seen VERY few films that I consider dramas that I would consider watching over and over again in my lifetime.
The day I discovered Beautiful Thing, that changed. For a young man coming to terms with his sexuality this film is brutally honest, and marvelously written and directed.
The scenes between the two young men were wonerfully directed, and not over the top as is seen in other films of this genre. Much of the sexual activity between the two was inferred, which was a big plus as it kept the overall theme of the film to an artistic tone.
The mother was one of my favourite characters as everytime I see it I see another side of her. I have now seen the film five times, and each time I get another joke I missed before. The accents and brittish slang can make the film hard to follow if you aren't paying attention.
All in all I recommend this film to EVERYONE who wants to feel this Beautiful Thing touch their soul.
Author: Howard Rabb (malocite-3) from Dundas, Ontario
I have seen VERY few films that I consider dramas that I would consider watching over and over again in my lifetime.
The day I discovered Beautiful Thing, that changed. For a young man coming to terms with his sexuality this film is brutally honest, and marvelously written and directed.
The scenes between the two young men were wonerfully directed, and not over the top as is seen in other films of this genre. Much of the sexual activity between the two was inferred, which was a big plus as it kept the overall theme of the film to an artistic tone.
The mother was one of my favourite characters as everytime I see it I see another side of her. I have now seen the film five times, and each time I get another joke I missed before. The accents and brittish slang can make the film hard to follow if you aren't paying attention.
All in all I recommend this film to EVERYONE who wants to feel this Beautiful Thing touch their soul.
Author: Howard Rabb (malocite-3) from Dundas, Ontario
1.Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang LeeWriters: Annie Proulx (short story), Larry McMurtry(screenplay), »Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger and Michelle WilliamsWhat an extraordinary accomplishment! Ang Lee presents us with something we've known about but we've never seen. Profoundly honest, stunning to look at, superbly acted. I could go on with the superlatives because I feel lifted by the experience. You've all heard the ins and outs of the subject treated here. Well, forget it, the words used are used words and do not apply here. "Brokeback Mountain" introduce us to something utterly new, daring you and me to be indifferent. The film is about us, really. Love as an unexpected blow that makes you find and confront yourself. Jake Gylenhaal gives a performance that you'll never forget. Michelle Williams and Ann Hathaway are incredibly good but the film belongs to Heath Ledger. I'm not going to talk about revelations or Oscar buzz, I'm just going to let you know that what he does in this film is so courageously beautiful, so truthful and so transcendental that his Ennis del Mar is bound to become a point of reference not just for us but for generations to come.
Author: Donald Agustamarian from London, England
Author: Donald Agustamarian from London, England
