Movie Review – Home For The Holidays

In the spirit of the season I found a Thanksgiving movie with a gay character hoping to impress you, the reader.  Instead, I think it’s more likely to depress you.  It’s the 1995 film, Home for the Holidays.

The story follows Claudia Larson, played by Holly Hunter, as she fumbles through Thanksgiving with her certifiable family.  Her life is falling apart before she even arrives so she begs her gay brother who happens to be her best friend, Tommy who is played by Robert Downey Jr., to come home as well.  For the rest of the movie we are forced to endure chaotic scene after chaotic scene while we try to follow long, rambling stories while two characters talk over each other.  Very typical of the ’90s style I might add.  The ending is even more cliche.  Director Jodie Foster sends us through this whole whirlwind of madness just to leave us with the point that there is no point.

I understand that 20 years ago directors were taking big risks making movies like this.  This was a new style and a new concept on life and art.  However, at the end of 2014 when I’m sitting with my own crazy family and developing a headache from their boisterous claptrap, the last thing I want to do is watch more of the same.  That said, I think this movie would have a great audience with anyone who loves the National Lampoon movies and all the mess of the Griswolds.

Now, I cannot rate this movie on Netflix because for once I am not giving you a Netflix title.  Instead, this movie can be watched on YouTube.  If you choose to do so I hope you enjoy!  Happy Holidays!

Keep the Peace to Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day

Today I only have a quick message for you; keep the peace this Thanksgiving.  Easier said than done, I know, but you will be glad if you do.

It’s all too easy during these times when we are crammed into houses too small with family members we usually avoid to end up in heated debates about political issues, especially for the LGBT.  We have to realize that something is wrong when every year we dread the holidays because last year’s memories still turn our stomachs, and not just because grandma tried another international dish.  It’s too much to hope for that someone else will change, so this year be the change that you want to see.

If Republican Ron wants to give a big speech on how gay marriage will ruin the country, then let him.  He’s only making himself look bad.  Just make sure your side of the table is discussing happy memories and laughing loudly.  I guarantee you that no one else wants to debate with him either.  They would much rather me happy and will become very interested in your boisterous discussion of how Ron got drunk and slept in the wheelbarrow last Easter.  Pretty soon everyone will be laughing and joking again in no time.

If Meddling Mona wants to corner you in the kitchen to discuss how your private life is sure to send you straight to hell, just look her directly in the eyes and say, “Today is not the day.”  Then, walk away and find people who you can have a pleasant conversation with.  If she doesn’t have enough decency to leave you alone after that then it’s best to ignore her.  Eventually she will tire of talking if no one is listening.

If all else fails, take your coffee and your phone out to the porch and zone out to Pandora for a while.  At the end of the day, you know you can’t convince them to change their minds by yelling, crying, or causing a scene.  If they want to debate with you then they can correspond with you throughout the year in a civilized manner.  I recommend e-mail personally so that all words can be carefully chosen and you can decide when you feel ready to take on the challenge.

It may not always feel like it, but we gather with our family during the holidays because we love them and they love us.  Yes, they are imperfect, but they never came with the promise to be perfect.  It’s time to put down the sour grapes and extend to them what we want in return, unconditional love.

Movie Review – I Don’t Want to Be a Man

Have you ever watched a silent movie?  You should!  Silent movies were almost completely abandoned after the invention of sound recorders, however, I doubt this was a good decision.  Silent films leave specific details to the viewers imagination, making not only filming one but also watching one a creative process.  However, since they have been left behind, they also now offer a sense of nostalgia to anyone adventurous enough to watch one.  For these reasons, watching a silent movie can be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.  Specifically, I recommend I Don’t Want to Be a Man.

Teenager Ossi, played by Ossi Oswalda, is tired of being a girl in what she views as a man’s world.  She is proud to be unruly until her new guardian, Dr. Kersten who is played by Curt Goetz, shows up to teach her how to be a lady.  Frustrated by his strict teachings she decides to break free by impersonating a man.  As she goes about exploring her new freedoms, she is surprised by new rules and restrictions as well.

This film is a social commentary about gender roles and stereotypes but it maintains a light and comical air.  As I watched I was increasingly surprised by the bold decisions director and writer Ernst Lubitsch made with the plot line.  He and co-writer Hanns Kraly created a story that was ahead of it’s time.  For 1918 German film writers, they took big risks that go far beyond dressing a girl as a boy!  Luckily it paid off for them and the film was a big hit and continues to shock and please audiences today.

I really loved almost every aspect of this movie.  The clever writing of a fun period piece always makes for a good show.  In fact, just watching the characters dramatize every move to mime emotion without words is enough to make you laugh to fall out of your seat.  Especially when a teenager is involved!  I did not hesitate to give this movie four bright, gold stars!  Catch it on Netflix before it’s too late to see if you agree.

Movie Review – Heavenly Creatures

If you are LGBT and also happen to have an interest in true crime then there couldn’t be a better movie for you than Heavenly Creatures.  This movie is based on the story of two young girls whose love for each other and contempt for everyone else becomes a deadly mix for an unsuspecting victim.

Co-written by Fran Walsh and director Peter Jackson, the movie carries us away into the fantasy world in which these girls lived.  Pauline Parker, played by Melanie Lynskey, and Juliet Hulme, portrayed by Kate Winslet, are intelligent and creative yet wildly unpopular.  They connect over similar traumas of childhood illness and develop a friendship that becomes all absorbing.  As their lives at home become increasingly stressful, they delve deeper into their own collective imagination and live predominantly in the world that they created for their books.  As their parents become ever more concerned, measures taken to protect the girls end up with tragic consequences.

Up to this film, Peter Jackson was known for horror-comedies so this was a very different type of film for him.  He proved himself worthy of the task by showing us the fantasy without distorting the facts.  The girls also should be applauded for their incredible performances for this was the debut film for both.  It’s obvious that they transcend their roles as actresses to fully embody the minds of the characters.  They are stunning in scene after scene, giving raw emotion that is both captivating and eerie.  The costume designer, Ngila Dickson, was also working at the top of her game to bring us not only a period piece but also what could be loosely described as life size claymation.

The creative attention to detail and dedication to all parts of the production of this movie take it two steps above your average Netflix experience.  I will admit, immediately after watching this film I wasn’t sure how I felt about it or how it should be rated.  I was so disturbed by it that I almost didn’t like the film.  However, I soon realized that being disturbed was half the point and in that the film succeeded completely.  Since it is a winning success of creativity, plot and acting, I now believe this film deserves five gold stars.  With that kind of rating, this is a must see!

Movie Review – Stranger by the Lake

Have you ever been so desperate for love that you made one reckless decision after another?  It happens to the best of us at least once, but I doubt very many people would take it as far as putting their life on the line.  However, that’s exactly what happens in Stranger by the Lake.

Franck, played by Pierre Deladonchamps, is infatuated with Michel, played by Christophe Paou, after he sees him at a gay men’s cruising spot.  When he learns that Michel is unavailable he bides his time until Michel’s boyfriend is suddenly out of the picture.  Delighted by his opportunity, yet wary of it’s cause, he makes his move and passion ensues.  Is it worth it?

Some may say this movie, written and directed by Alain Guiraudie, is nothing more than a sausage fest.  It is true that there is an uncanny amount of male nudity depicted in all states and from all angles.  However, such is the nature of the beast at a cruising spot and Guiraudie made every encounter an opportunity to learn more about the characters rather than bombarding us with cheap sex for the thrill.

By the end of this movie I was absorbed in deep, psychological suspense and it’s been few and far between in my adult years that a movie can do that.  I was baffled by the end until I remembered the old cliche “There are fates worse than death” and realized that many would count loneliness on that list.  What about you?  Stream this title, which I give 4.5 stars, on Netflix now to see if you would choose differently or fall in the same trap as Franck.

Movie Review – Tomboy

We tend to think that life is sweet and innocent for children. That they have not yet had to face any issues of real consequence.  However, in the years preceding adolescence many things change for us that we aren’t yet equipped to understand.  Most of us deal with these changes with the help of friends or family, but gender identity issues complicate matters and leave some of us to fend for ourselves.  Tomboy is a perfect portrayal of this, showing one girl’s struggle to be a boy.

Laure, played by Zoe Heran, has just been moved to a new town and everything seems picture perfect.  She has a loving family, she’s made friends with all the kids in the neighborhood, and she even has a little love interest.  There is only one problem, she’s told everyone she’s Mickael and she’s quickly learning it’s harder to be a boy than she thought.

I was very impressed with this film, written and directed by Celine Sciamma.  It’s a beautiful, minimalist film that draws us into Laure’s mind and makes us feel.  We are excited and scared for her, sharing her happiness and her pain.  We know the worst is coming but we hope for the best.  I was especially struck by the level of maturity that was evident in the performances of these young actors and actresses.  Zoe created subtle nuances of character that really brought Mickael to life.

The ending felt a bit abrupt and left me with several frustrating questions, however, I have no other complaints with this film.  I enjoyed watching it very much and would gladly watch it again.  Therefore, I give this beautiful drama a rating of four and a half stars.  S’amuser!

Movie Review – Girltrash: All Night Long

Wanting to watch something just for fun I decided onGirltrash: All Night Long.  I was expecting it to be silly, but I had no idea I was about to get the government cheese of all cheesy movies!  It’s an indie, rock-pop musical… yeah.

I almost stopped watching it within the first five minutes when the actresses busted out in song.  However, knowing that this would make for a very interesting movie review, I stuck it out.  The movie opens with Daisy, played by Lisa Rieffel, telling her friend Tyler, played by Michelle Lombardo, that they have a gig at a local band competition.  She admits that they only got it because about five other bands couldn’t make it… and you kinda see why.  Then we meet Daisy’s little sister Colby, played by Gabrielle Christian, who just graduated from college and is ready to come out as a lesbian; which is a little weird because college is probably the best place to be a lesbian.  She’s determined to hook up and lose her V-card but she needs help from her sister and, lucky for her, Daisy needs her car.  They spend the night chasing their tails, and sometimes each others, getting into the most insane situations imaginable.

The storyline was actually interesting in an overly dramatic kind of way.  They balanced the bits that seemed too crazy to be true with normal, everyday problems to make the whole story seem more believable.  As for the music, it became more bearable and there was even one song I liked at the end.  I will add that I typically hate pop music, so that was a real hang up for me.  Being brutally honest here, it really helped a lot that all the actresses were incredibly hot.  Who doesn’t like to look at pretty people?

While doing research on the film to help with my review I found out that the movie is actually a spin-off of Girltrash, a Youtube mini-series.  Curious to know if it would add to the movie to watch this first I looked it up.  I have to admit, I ended up binge watching all eleven episodes in one sitting; but hey, they were only 3-5 minutes each.  They were actually kinda funny, especially since they were sans singing!  What I found is that it’s not necessary to watch the mini-series first because the movie doesn’t follow the exact same plot, but it certainly won’t hurt and it is quite fun.

In the end I have to say that I am not in love with this movie.  It’s too girly, too silly, and too poppy.  However, I realize that it’s pretty cool for an independent film and that others may really like it.  So, while I give this movie about 2.5 stars per my own tastes, I would still recommend this movie to young lesbians who like pop music.