clive-13 Reviews

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Did they pay the actors to be this BORING??

[1/10 · 1 January 2017]

Wow! This is by far the most incredibly boring film I think I have ever seen. Brad Pitt should really be ashamed of TRYING to portray Jessie James. My God, Pitt shows almost NO emotion of any kind through out 2 hours and 40 minutes of the worst kind of torture......bad acting, stupid voice over, terrible plot lines and equally pathetic supporting actors. What a total wast of time. Stay away at all costs. Probably the very worst aspect of the overly long Hollywood mistake was the horrible voice over of Robert Ford. I did not fully understand what he was trying to do with the film. What ever he was trying to do didn't work at all. It seemed the only reason for them extreme length of the bizarre western was to get all of the voice over into the film. I say that Pitt playing Jesse should have been killed off in the first 10 minutes of this "Titanic"of a film. I can only give this film a 1 out of 10.

Isle of the Dead (2016)

Lot's of great makeup!

[9 November 2016]

Isle of the Dead has great promise. Of course, the basic plot line is as old as the hills. However, the acting is above par for this kind of film and the camera work and continuity is good. What really raises the film above the thousand (or so it seems) zombie flicks released in the last five years is the amazing zombie makeup and the very realistic special effects. The blood and brains fly on a constant basis and the zombies seem to attack in nearly ever scene. So...some spoilers... Government science lab in the south Pacific where secret experiments go very awry....zombies are the result. Lots of zombies. Crack military team is sent in 10 years later to check for survivors and check out the scene. The huge military labs are investigated and lots of bullets fly. There are also lots of dead and rotted bodies decorating the hallways and offices of said labs. Amazing! The female doctor with the military jocks suddenly finds her father is alive and is the lead scientist that you assume released the secret serum by accident or not? Well, I enjoyed this film up to near the end when it sank into a morass of bullets and black belt fighting with the seemingly endless supply of zombies. As I said the makeup and special effects, camera work, continuity and reasonable acting elevates this to a watchable film. However, by the last 20 minutes I felt like a zombie with the overdone and endless fighting. Oh, I forgot to tell you...the military jocks have just 10 hours to do what their supposed to do.....or BOOM! Just a small nuclear device will visit this lovely tropical island and say goodbye to all zombies and any of our hero group!!! One other little twist....the woman doctor who finds her father is responsible for this hideous this zombie horror have a lovely little coming home to daddy moment. This scene comes at the very end of the film... but not in the way one would think! I give this a 6 out of 10. If you like zombies give this a look.

Quantum Apocalypse (2010 TV Movie)

String Theory and Quark Heaven!

[5/10 · 26 May 2016]

I know very little about computers and even less about quantum physics, but enjoyed all the hookum put forth in the Sci-Fi channel presentation. I loved the basic story of a giant asteroid/magnetic anomaly/space and time bending "THING" suddenly changing directions and heading for where? Of course....EARTH!!!

Yes, the CGI was barely acceptable and clearly they had a tiny budget for this wing-dinger of a far out story, but I did love all the scientific mumbo-jumbo in the dialog.The acting in general was sub-par, but didn't make me sick. The camera work, music and editing was OK, just. I also, though a neophyte around all computers, I did see that the computers of NASA and the savant were pretty basic. Certainly not powerful enough to figure out all those complex mathematical formulas needed to stop this weird thing from outer space. Budget again......

All in all this was a film that I hated but at the same time enjoyed in a twisted kind of way. I can see fit to give it a 5/10.

The Leftovers (2014–2017)

Strange, very strange. Compelling and watchable but...WTF????

[7/10 · 5 May 2016]

The New York Times states in a review of season one that you can't watch this in a marathon because it takes a week after you see one episode to digest and possibly come to some decisions about what is happening in this odd, strange but fascinating HBO production. I did, however, watch both season one and two within nine days. I think this was a far more effective way to watch each episode and if I got mysteriously lost in the brilliant combination of flashbacks and multiple story lines(and I did frequently), I could check back in that episode or the previous ones to try and understand what the hell was happening!

I understand that one of the creators of "The Leftovers" was responsible for the flashbacks in "Lost" which were certainly part of the success of that TV classic. The entire 20 episodes of TLs are filled with flashback after flashback. All of them move the main story line into a variety of directions that if you watch carefully usually make sense. The same can be said for the sub plots (and there are lots of them). In fact, I don't remember any television series with more convoluted sub plots. The flashbacks work and make for an engrossing and at times gripping television fare.

October 14th (the year is never divulged), is the day that two% of the worlds population, 140 million people, disappear in an instant and the world is forever changed. Is it the "Rapture" that the more confused Christian and Muslim religions predict, or is it something even more bizarre? This question in the end is never fully answered. There are more philosophical, psychological, religious intimations and frankly mystical elements to this truly different series.

It's sad, sometimes humorous, filled with curiously unorthodox cults, and weird religious undertones that baffle, infuriate and in the end never fully leave the viewer with a satisfactory understanding of what is going on, what has gone on and where it's going to go for the third season.

The players in these episodes show wonderful and at times thrilling acting abilities. I don't recognize many of them, but they are all excellent in the level of realism and fantasy that they bring to this compelling drama. The camera work is brilliant and the editing combined with the intriguing flashbacks make for compelling viewing.

As I have explained in my review, I don't understand all of what I have seen. Just like the cultists who clothe themselves in pristine white, chain smoke cigarettes and communicate only by writing (speech is forbidden), the words"YOU UNDERSTAND"to everyone who says "I don't understand" It can be very bewildering and perplexing, but it's all very entertaining. At the conclusion of the last episode of the second season entitled "I live here now" it's very heart warming to see all all the good guys in the very last scene find themselves together at last. I give this very odd but addictive and mind bending show a 7/10. Don't let all the negative reviews stop you from giving this truly different series a view. You may really enjoy being happily confused.

Paranormal Lockdown (2016– )

What crap.....oooooooh, I'm scared!

[26 April 2016]

Another example of the "dumbing" down of America. This silly program, like all the rest of this genre that clogs the television networks today, is patently ridiculous. It presents itself as a series of real events. Real knocks, bangs, sounds, voices, messages, goosebumps and cold spots all caused by "spiritual entities". It's all shown with "scientific"panache. They use tiny recorders and a plethora of other "machines" that are presented as capturing the existence of "real" spirits of dead people. What "real" B.S..

Any contemporary person with a modicum of intelligence and education should look at such superstitious clap trap with a wary eye. I would really enjoy these programs as they are generally peopled with interesting actor types who are somehow connected to the "spirits" they are trying to communicate with. In the case of PL the 2 "professional" spook seekers come with extensive resumes of successful "ghost hunting" These shows are surprisingly well made with resonably interesting camera work and appropriately spooky music. However.....They pass this stuff off as totally "REAL" Hogwash!!!

I say enjoy Pararnormal Lockdown for what it is........entertaining FANTASY! Have a good time. Rating: Fantasy show, 7/10, as real paranormal experiences 2/10.

Bermuda Tentacles (2014 TV Movie)

WHY! That is all anyone can say about this incredible DRECK!

[28 February 2016]

WHY, WHY, WHY!!! How did this drivel ever get made? Sometimes a film is so bad that it somehow becomes good. Not this mess! Pure rubbish all around. Writing, acting, plot, dialog, photography, special effects, everything is contemptible! Finally, poor Linda Hamilton. How in the world did our champion of Terminator 11 become involved with this pathetic cinematic tragedy? Worse yet, why did the make-up crew make her up to look more like a skeleton than a senior member of the ship's crew. Why would she approve looking like she was at least 103 years old! Why? Linda couldn't have needed the money after her successful career. Why would she have taken this absurd role looking like she was wearing some bad Halloween make-up? I guess her fans will never know. I just hope she is more careful in the future. I also hope this awful film hasn't ruined her future prospects.

I got this film from my library where I get many films because it doesn't cost anything. Thank God I didn't have to pay a cent to see this horrible drivel. My vote for this movie would be a -o if it were available. As is I have to give it a 1 out of 10. Stay away friend movie lover.

Designing Women (1986–1993)

Brilliant comedy

[10/10 · 21 October 2014]

This show along with The Golden Girls were the only reasons to watch TV during the last half of the 1980's. Thank God that both series are in syndication and can be seen on numerous channels today. Designing Women was the warmer of the two series, particularly the first five years before the change of cast. Just great writing and brilliant acting took this series to the very top of comedy shows. It was always a hoot to see all the girls supposedly working in an interior decorating company when they never appear to actually be working. Many of the shows featured Julia singing and those were the shows that I liked the best. My other favorite character was played by Jean Smart who unfortunately left the show after the fifth season when she married Bill the serviceman. All in all such a wonderful entertaining show that can still be seen today.

The Bribe (1949)

Superb film-noir in many respects, but...

[7 August 2011]

The plot is thin enough to be ridiculous but Taylor, Gardner, Price and particularly Laughton bring this tale of smuggled airplane engines (yes, smuggled airplane engines)to a sharp, well-realized 40's noir.

Beside an excellent cast, this film benefits from a rich atmosphere.You could swear you're in a real Mexican village in the fishing port of Carlotta. The actors sweat profusely in the steamy climate. The lighting is brilliant and the use of light and dark, particularly on the actors faces bring home how powerful lighting can be.

Pacing is very good, and this film deserves to be seen be a wider audience Good job TCM for continuing to show this film. Now here comes the but.....this is what I get for watching movies to closely i.e. picky, picky, picky.

Well here goes... the door latch/lock lip, where the door closes over thelatch/lock into Gardner's dressing room and the same location on the doors that open onto Taylor's room are odd. They all had door knobs on both entry and exit. They all lack a closing mechanism. In other words...a lock! Yet when actors enter or exit you clearly hear a door open/close sound. If continuity missed this once you could forgive, yet 6 or 7 times? Okay...I still give this very entertaining film with it's spectacular final scene a strong 7 and highly recommend

Destination: Infestation (2007 TV Movie)

I Love a good "Plane in Peril" flic BUT..........

[2/10 · 30 January 2010]

Ran across this cliché ridden number on Lifetime of all places. It's story line and general focus lend itself more to SYFY but on either channel this was a sad dud. The BUGABOO this time are MUTANT ANTS being carried by a terribly ill passenger who seizures on an aircraft on it's way to Miami from an unnamed Central or South American country. The poor bastard who seizures and crashes to the floor of the aircraft cabin, vomits, then grotesque mutant nasty ants burst right of said sick passengers stomach ala "Alien"

From 1937's "Five Came Back" with Lucille Ball to the "original" Classic 1954's "High and the Mighty" with the"Duke" all the way through the 5 (or was it 6?)airport movies, it's always fun to see how people and aircraft technology hold up in drama and/or comedy. For comedy just think Karen Black in "Airport 1975" when incredulous passengers (and most audiences) were known to murmur and yell "the stewardess is flying the plane!" Right........ Most of those films were entertaining and some were quite good.So now we come to "Destination Infestation".

Catchy title that...don't you think? LOL. Clearly a close clone of "Snakes on a Plane", but far worse. Why worse? Ah, let me count the ways. Terrible acting, HUGE plot holes, ridiculous story elements and I could go on. However, there are many other films to see and review that are (hopefully) a better waste of time for me in my senior years. I will, however give you two examples of the insipidly stupid mistakes in this film. When calling Miami to divert their landing, it appears there is only ONE controller (maybe two, but you never see him/her)in the control tower. For a major city to have such a situation is ridiculous, particularly when an outside view of said tower show 5 small Cessna type aircraft and of all things MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE Miami....I think not!

The second plot hole (among a dozen at least), is just downright amusing. When Miami, Cuba and Haiti turn the aircraft down for landing the old pilot, mysteriously restored after being well bitten by the mutant ants then sprayed with foam from a fire extinguisher suddenly is back in the pilots seat. Oh where to land? DUH! When a mysterious "black ops" group closes all US air space for fear of the mutant ants.It sure looks like this plane is in a pickle.

To the rescue the co-pilot remembers a short "closed and abandoned" US military runway in Alabama. So they fly on through US air space. No Planes or rockets bring them down and "Lo and Behold"!!!! As the A-Bus with it's 40 passengers approaches this supposed abandoned airfield...My goodness, the fields landing lights are on! What a coincidence? LOL!

There are so many other absurdities in this film it would take another 5000 words to help you understand this is a truly pathetic attempt at fine entertainment, let alone a fine cinematic experience. I only schlepped through it because I love the "disaster in the air genre".

If you do decide to waste two hrs, for a laugh, pay close attention to the woman who is sitting next to the lady who has a baby. You know in disaster films if your on an airplane and there is turbulence or aircraft trouble the passengers bounce around, the camera shakes and there is lots of vibration. Watch the lady with the pageboy black haircut seated on the aisle seat on the right hand side next to the woman passenger with the baby.

She was told by the director, I'm sure, to "bounce" around in your seat at the appropriate times......LOL! She bounces and bounces, higher and higher! She stops bouncing only after everyone else and starts before every other passenger starts bouncing. I swear this lady bounces about 2 FEET straight up. She looks like she's having a great time and she's quite funny to watch!

I give "DESINF" air tragedy a 2 out of 10. Eschew this crap and rent the "High and the Mighty", that is a GREAT air disaster film.

Alien Hunter (2003)

Interseting, thought provoking and intelligent SCi-Fi

[7/10 · 6 December 2006]

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Someone once said something like "there are only ten basic plot lines". Now you notice I don't know who said it, why, when. etc. I don't even know if the correct number was 10. This piece of vaguely remembered trivia did come to mind after reading some of the reviews of "Alien Hunter". Yes, I would agree, there are more that a couple of similarities with such films as "Alien", "The Thing (1982 version), "Coccoon" and others. Does the use of proved and successful elements from great Sci-Fi make this well written, atmospherically haunting, and intelligent film a poor quality rip-off? I think not. Let me share with you why I believe "borrowing" elements of previous Sci-Fi winners makes "Alien Hunter" a very good film of this genre.

First, I do admit that the title of this film does not bring about confidence in an aficionado of what I like to call "Speculative" Science/Horror films. A little imagination could have been used here.....maybe something upfront like "Alien Warning", or something sly and esoteric like "Prime Directive!". Even something as recycled and trite as "We Came in Peace" would have certainly brought more interest from the film's target audience than"Alien Hunter" That sounds like a stupid computer game title. Oh well, back to why I liked this film regardless of it's meaningless title.

I love this genre of film and have since seeing at the age of six, "It Came From Beneath the Sea". at the Rialto Theater in Loveland, Colorado in 1951. I have made it one of my life's not so secret "guilty pleasures" to see not all ( I wish), but hundreds of films of this general type. From the excellent "Them" in 1954 to the recently seen DVD mess of a film, "Absolute Zero", a film so bad it never got a theatrical release. My point is......whether it's trips to mars by NASA, DNA sucking androids in Seattle, aliens in deep space or Wyoming, viral insanity from defense labs, volcanoes in New York, mind eating parasites in Toronto, plagues in London, giant leeches in Louisiana, mad scientists in the desert, killer bees in LA or computer viruses that kill you by getting into your brain synapses while your writing a review on IMDb.....IF THE FILM DOESN'T HAVE A GOOD STORY AND IF THAT STORY IS POORLY WRITTEN THE FILM WILL BE DOA!

That said, it's fine that the writers place the story in the depths of an underground NASA lab in Antarctica in a howling days long blizzard. Sure it's been used before. But it works because of the interesting story line and believable dialog. They find an object under the ice. Done before? Of course. Yet this object means something different than past films in the "WHY" it's there. That comes from an intelligent and NOT USED before story line that hooks together "Roswell" and the contemporary story. Yes, the object contains an alien. Done so many times now you would think there wasn't another direction for this element to move towards. Yet there is a unique and haunting difference between this "coccoon" which contains the alien and past films where there is an object that falls from the skies and contains an alien.

Why? It's called good writing. I could go on. People are infected. People fight each other. The big, bad U.S. Government knows all and must act to save the world. All done before, but many times.... done poorly. In this oddly named film all these elements come together differently because of a good back story, good, realistic dialog, reasonably good acting, effective editing and, for the most part, excellent CG.

What I really LIKED......The disturbing and hauntingly claustrophobic underground station, with its endless round and darkly lit corridors and Star Trek "sliding entryways". Theunderground genetically altered and hydroponically grown corn fields, that through the magic of CG and the terror of a fleeing "infected"scientist, start turning black with infection and curl up in steaming black rot before your eyes. The opening sequence in Roswell primes you with an interesting and ultimately satisfying explanation for that curious and still mystifying event. I liked the Russian officers on the submarine. Although it;s hard to believe that submarine officers are always in "Dress Parade" uniforms. I liked the way they began to SWEATbefore the launch of the missile. I liked the suspense and terror of being underground with IT!, the alien. I liked the characters and the subplots Well done all around.

All in all this is an excellent representative addition to the Sci-Fi genre. The writing makes this film. It does use many clichéd concepts, but it uses them WELL, with good dialog, acting CG and, to me, a satisfying ending. I know some reviewers felt there should have been more of an explanation of the future of the four survivors, but they want TOO much. Speculative Fiction shouldn't spell out EVERYTHING. Use your Imagination.

7 stars out of 10 Recommended! Clive 13 in Denver, Colorado

Damnation Alley (1977)

Totally Sad, except for the wild vehicle and sky "special effects"

[2/10 · 23 April 2006]

How badly can you ruin a great story of post-apocalyptic America? Zelaney's book, though not his best, was a good read. But this film mangles everything that was good about the concept. As I said, the vehicle, which appears to be real, is totally cool, the nuclear maligned sky is great. EVERYTHING else is just pathetic. Pass this lemon by and don't look in the rear view mirror. A "2" only for the "truck" and the sky. This should be remade. It could be a huge winner with a GOOD script, decent acting, today's CG along the lines of "Twister" "Dantes Peak" or "The Day After Tomorrow". Roger Z could be made proud if somebody could come up with a decent script from his "Damnation Alley".

Supernova (2005 TV Movie)

Such a waste of 4 hours!!!!

[5/10 · 14 January 2006]

Simply said....this mini-series could have been cut to a one night "Movie of the Week" with very little loss of continuity and a great improvement of the entertainment quality of this Sci- Fi disaster flick. The science in the film is ludicrous, but for fans of this genre one could have suspended belief IF the film had been cut to vastly improve the pacing and story development. Too many characters are introduced , taking too much time to somehow WORK them into the script. The premise, as I said is shaky at best. Our sun, a middle aged "G" category star whose life span should continue for another 10 billion years or so, suddenly, and with little explanation, starts throwing giant super heated gas balls towards Earth. This prompts a sanguine, and very low key astrophysicist, Peter Fonda, to disappear to an earthly beach paradise on the Maldive islands in the Indian Ocean to await the end of the world with a sexy Caucasian bartender. She, for reasons only she could explain if given the chance, falls deeply in love with the "Professor Fonda" character. Both await the end of the world on the beach getting bombed and eating sea food. Meanwhile electromagnetic pulses form the now sick and bloating sun cause world wide destruction as all communication becomes roaring static from TV, radio, internet....you get the picture. Airliners fall from the sky, people panic in the streets, and general havoc ensues including the CG destruction of, all places, St Louis. Underlying all this is the acknowledgment of a secret US government "Save only the Best and Brightest of Mankind" group that has been preparing for such a calamity for decades. They have built dozens of underground "lifeboats" for the chosen 10,000 souls whose role it would be to regenerate the human race after the world and it's billions have been destroyed on the surface of the planet. Throw in about 6 sub plots, including a deranged mass murderer who escapes and threatens the good guy and his family right up to the end of this overly long, ridiculously written and totally forgettable apocalyptic "soaper". As I said in the beginning of this short review....It could have been salvaged with a good film editor who was given total control over cutting about 2 hours out of this boring and less than entertaining film. Maybe.

As it stands I can only give it a 5 out of 10 and I do not recommend it unless your cable or satellite is down and all you have is "Supernova" and "The Best of the 3 Stooges" on DVD. If you want entertained, choose the latter.

Waiting for the Light (1990)

Where have all the Good Movies gone? Here's one!

[10/10 · 13 January 2006]

Wonderful family drama/comedy starring MacClaine and Garr that entertains and warms the heart every time I see it. Strongly recommended for all ages from 9 year olds to grannies. Lovely period piece capturing 1962. The story encompasses the struggling Garr, her two children and Aunt Zena (MacClaine) trying to make ends meet without a man as head of the household. The "family" heads west to take the inheritance of a long forgotten relative that has left Garr a run down, ramshackle road side cafe right out of the late 1940's. The tenacious Garr, as the sweet but determined mom, gets the whole family into the restoration and opening of the cafe. But wait......Aunt Zena is an old circus performer with card tricks, magic powders and a jesters sense of humor......she loves to get the kids and her into silly and sometimes dangerous games.....What happens next is a delightful combination of "Miracle at Lords" thrown together with the Cuban missile crises (with authentic TV news from the real event) and a "ghost" prank that gets totally out of hand. This film entertains, philosophizes, questions religiosity and gives an unnerving glimpse of the frightening scare of October 1962's Cuban missile crises. In the end one is left with the wonder of faith, family and rediscovered love. Oh, and the music from the era of the early 60's is just great!

Recommend STRONGLY as a FEEL GOOD FILM 10 out 10

Deep Rising (1998)

Now What?

[6/10 · 13 January 2006]

Nicely done sci-fi/horror of a gang of modern day pirates with ingenious Chinese weapons looking for a big money payoff as sea. These "commado " types hire a straight flying "wanderluster", his speedy boat and his oddball crew on a very stormy night on a mission known only to the seedy group of well armed neo-pirates. Their mission, and they've chosen to take it, is armed attack and take over of a sparking new 450 million cruise ship on it's maiden voyage in the China Sea. Now why a maiden voyage in the China Sea is a mystery, unless you would have read the script of this amusing action thriller. You see it has to take place over one of the deepest parts of the Pacific Ocean, the China Sea Trench. One reason for this....the ship has to sink "after" all the passengers have been taken off in the life rafts. No one will be able to visit the wreck due it's depth in the trench. The bad guys even have torpedo bombs to make sure the ship "Titanics". Why?....... you ask yourself do these guys want to sink a brand new ship? More important is once the speedboat arrives at the ocean liner (still rough seas and constant lightning, thunder and deluge of rain) is it sitting dead in the water. Well all the bad guys force the Captain of the speedboat and "comic relief man", the engine mechanic, to board the cruise ship together. This is where it does get kinda creepy. The interior of the ship, the lounges, restaurants and casinos are wrecked. Everything has been thrown all over the place. But creepier still much of the debris. broken chairs, tipped roulette wheels, smashed tables and those endless buffets are cover in blood and slime. Everyone seems to have checked out without using the life boats. The passengers are gone. Very strange! With homage to the original Posieden adventure, Aliens, and "Arnold I'll be back Swarzecnager" this flick is enjoyable, but generally forgettable. CG is great in some scenes and below par in others. The added element of humor works some of the time, but suffers in others. You could do worse on a Friday night a 9:45 at Hollywood Video. CLIVE 13 RATING SYSTEM IS AS FOLLOWS.... VSLWACSEF V.....for Violence (extreme) S.....for Sex (Very little hetro, some macho beefcake) L.....L is Language (pretty tame, just a few F words) W....W is for Writing/story (nothing totally new , mild twist) A.....A is for Acting (Basically B actors, but acceptable) C.....C is for Continuity (better than many similar films) SE...SE is for Special Effects (creature was decent, others grade c+) F.....F is for Frightening (not really...although I don't like being in water up to my waist when there is an underwater monster about!) Favorite line....Much overused by Mr straight guy captain of the speedboat "What now?" Best Scene......Creature shows it size , strength and eyes, which the captain promptly impales with a flare gun making the squid like Alienesque creature very upset. Worst Scene....Why is it that a regular torpedo can explode at the waterline of a huge cruise ship and then have it ALL blow up just the way Tokyo always did in the Godzilla franchise? And....you can tell it's a miniature model....Poor CG.

RECOMMENDED for bit of cheeky fun with little redeeming value 6-7 out of 10

Nature Unleashed: Earthquake (2005 Video)

My Goodness! They stole CG effects form "Dantes Peak"

[3/10 · 26 October 2005]

To repeat, Someone got a hold of many of the special effect earthquake sequences from the film "Dantes PeaK" and splotched them into this overly long, odd, hybrid Three Mile Island/ Chernobyle rip off disaster movie. Not only are the sequences of freeway collapses and car crashes from "Peak", but many of the disintegrating brick and plaster buildings shown cracking and crashing about sure look like buildings from the town of Dantes Peak used in the film "Peak". I thought is mighty odd, but using my DVD unit to view these scenes frame by frame, one reads English on the signs plunging into the street, not Russian as they should, because this film is supposed to be set in a Russian government town in Siberia! At the end of this film the credits don't clarify anything. The film is Canadian made, and some of the shots of the Russian town looked to be filmed say, in Romania or maybe Poland. Somewhere in the old Soviet Union at least due to the Stalinist buildings and foreign auto plates. This film might have rated higher, say a 5 or a 6, if it had not been at and least 30 minutes shorter. Much can be said for brevity with a hackneyed plot line like this. You see, a new nuclear plant is ready to go online in Russia's Siberia ...... 100% power up. Gee, there is a large earth tremor....An American scientist is in charge of bringing the plant up to capacity.The scientist is a woman, with her two teenage kids in a school for foreign English speaking teenagers in the Company town in Siberia run by the Russians with American know how and technology. The Companies scientific headquarters are back in the states. The man who built this particular reactor is called upon to investigate cost overruns and is sent to the Russian town Oh I didn't tell you that the female American scientist and the guy who designed the reactor were separated and close to divorce? Gee there is another earth tremor..... Once disaster strikes this American family in Russia bad things start to happen. The mom and dad are both nuclear engineers or programmers or physicists, or some such. The high school kids are classic, The boy, a school cut up around 17, wants a motor bike and the girl, 15 and a goth, just wants away from her mom and her American School. GEE there is a BIG earthquake and the reactor looks like it is going into the China Syndrome and it's a race to unite the family and stop a nuclear disaster unparalleled in history. YAWN, YAWN AGAIN. It takes soooooo long for this to happen, you don't care about anything except, is this thing ever going to end? Pretty boring and what's with the jacked scenes from Dantes Peak?

Not recommended

200 American (2003)

Why Don't Most Viewers Like This Charming Upbeat Film?

[9/10 · 15 October 2005]

What do viewers of Gay cinema want? After reading the other reviews AFTER I watched this film I was stunned at the many negative reactions.Some reviewers saw the beauty and craftsmanship. Other obviously expected and saw something else and that is a shame. It had no drug addicts laying in alleys or violence, gay bashing, murders, religious zealots, or any number of the sick and twisted character seen in many Gay projects. It was urbane, bright, and ultimately uplifting. Not that there is not room for those films with dark plots. It just was nice to see "nice" and "real" in a Gay project.

This is one of the very BEST of all the low/no budget Gay Indies I have seen since the rise of the"New Gay Cinema" that started in the 1980's and now sees numerous new films premiering yearly.

So the plot is not very original. This was a ROMANTIC comedy folks... It has a happy ending. It wasn't written and produced to make a great philosophical statement. It is about the most common and beautiful emotions of humanity. I speak, of course, of the mysterious lure of love. Love lost, love discovered anew, Love lost again only to become love rediscovered. LOVE.

The story is is an old one. OK, it is a cliché. but one that will always be popular regardless of gender. Boy (Conrad) loses boyfriend, He wants to get off, He's horny and lonely but does not want to date because he is still in love with with his partner of three years who he has now broken up with. So he calls up a hustler (Ian), who also has lost a boyfriend. He is from Australia. After coming to the States with his male lover he is dumped. He has no way to make a living as an alien. He can't go to school, or really follow any dream of his own. He has no one and nowhere to turn. He meets a pleasant women (Sara) who will gladly marry him for 10,000 dollars. So he becomes a professional hustler in order to make the bread to get his US citizenship. Hence the title, "200 American". That's Ian's (the Australian) hustler's base price for a couple of hours of no strings sex. Oh, but the complications arise. Misunderstandings, secrets not told and conflicts bewitch the very attractive and sexy male leads. Actually calling them boys is a misnomer. All of these guys are men and they are believable in their role as star crossed gay men.

The various other subplots just add to the attraction of this VERY nicely acted film The male leads (mostly straight guys) are all excellent actors. A lot of criticism has been thrown at the creators of Gay Cinema condemning this issue. I have friends that say "why can't they find Gay men to play these roles"? As Richard LeMay the creator of "200 American" states in his commentary, "I wanted strong realistic acting"....so what that the best actors that auditioned were straight men. That is why they are called ACTORS! Yes, I would like to see more "real" Gay actors in many of these films. Where are they? Are they afraid to come out? How silly. These "straight" guys act in roles as "Gay" men and they do it very well. What's to complain about that? There is much better acting here than in MANY other recent gay films. The smaller parts are handled by another group of really good actors (male and female), and they were able to come up with great on location filming in many nice locations in and around New York City. The editing and photography are so GOOD for a no budget film. In fact, if the writer and producer had not explained that it was really a NO budget film I would never have known.

Finally, the music written for this film is lovely. To me it fit the theme of the film perfectly. I applaud the writer, producer and director Richard LeMay. He not only made a beautiful, well made and acted little film, he trashed his sad ending he had originally written and has the 4 male leads get who they wanted. Truly a happy "GAY" film.

I highly recommend this light hearted, but NOT slapstick, funny flick about what we all WANT and NEED. You know, someone to love and be loved by. What's wrong with that? Sometimes I think a lot of folks don't appreciate the basics in cinema. They never get stale. especially in a well written, produced, directed, edited and photographed story of the power and beauty of love.

This film hits just the right spot to make you feel good and say AWWWWW.... As I said, What's wrong with that? 9 out of 10 stars Read some of my other reviews on Gay cinema. Some people would call me a romantic but, I repeat, what's wrong with that? Clive-13

Images (1972)

Brilliant, Haunting, and a film you do not forget......

[10/10 · 2 February 2005]

Of all Altman film's, Images has had the most influence on my life. I have never forgotten how I felt when this film ended the first time I saw it in 1972. It may have been the time in my life, getting into grad school, falling into an unrequited love affair with a fellow student, Nixon winning the presidential election by a land slide, all of these events caused a great deal of stress in my life. Seeing this film, with its bizarre and convoluted protagonist slipping ever deeper into her mania, created a kind of "perfect storm" of weird mental anguish for me. Not that my issues culminated into anywhere near the problems that poor Susannah York must face in her headlong descent into insanity. Images, with the murders that do or do not happen, the shockingly beautiful location on the English coast, the disturbing and compelling sound track and Altman's unique skills as a director, combine to give the viewer a spellbinding cinematic experience. See this film. It certainly, in my opinion, ranks with Mash, Three women and the Player as my top most favorite of Altman's. To this very day I cannot see a glass wind chime without this film coming to mind. A 10++ on my film scale..

Broadway Damage (1997)

Love this yummy little Gay Comedy!

[10/10 · 22 December 2004]

What can I say. With the number of newer "Gay Cinema" films being released there are some that are just down right FUN! This is one of them. No serious or ominous meanings to glean from this delicious little gem, just sit back and enjoy the silly, and quite funny ride.

There are two REALLY GREAT LINES in this film which I treasure greatly. The lusciously Titian like fag hag in this film is delightfully screwball and says at one point referring to their new apartment..."It's FABULOUS, and I don't use the F word lightly"! How funny is that? She also remarks in a plaintive voice..." Whatever happened to Disco? I loved disco. It had VIOLINS"! How fun! This is well worth a rental anytime. 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4. Clive2

De-Lovely (2004)

A De-Lovely musical! Delightful!!!

[8/10 · 22 December 2004]

I loved this film! I have always enjoyed musicals and this delicious bio/fantasy did not disappoint me. Bio because it did attempt to give the viewer a grasp of what happened to Cole Porter in his amazing life, and fantasy because much of the music and events were all scrambled up, out of order and greatly glamorized. So what????? It was a wonderfully entertaining film. Purists clearly will not like the disordered time line of his great music tied to events that, though true, did not occur precisely when the music was written. That did not bother my enjoyment of Porter's wonderful music. Possibly the very best music of the first half of the 20th century.

In one of the earlier reviews a comment was made about one younger person viewing the film and she had never heard "Begin the Beguine" . That is the reality, or should I say the tragedy of many younger viewers. Unfortunately there is at least one full generation alive today that have absolutely no reference to the era portrayed in this film and to the incredible music of Cole Porter. I do not mean 100% of those born after 1975 do not know of this music. There are always people in each generation who are exposed to the beauty of past music, art and culture. Thank GOD! However, today , unfortunately, most youth in this country have no interest in much of anything, other than vile computer games and the mindlessness of the current TV season. Certainly it did not hurt to have many current music stars do homage to the genius of Porter. Perhaps it brought a new awareness to some, who like the young woman who had never heard "Begin the Beguine", might discover his great songs.

The renditions of his various songs, I thought, were rather refreshing and much has been said in these reviews and elsewhere that most of the them were atrocious. To be critical is a reviewers right, however, to my ear and eye they were quite lovely. I especially enjoyed Cheryl Crow's "Begin the Beguine". As it has been pointed out by many, Miss Crow's unique presentation of this classic was unusual. However, this song , which was written for an unsuccessful Porter musical in 1935, did not become popular until Artie Shaw's big band interpretation in 1940. It became a classic forever when danced to by Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire in the last great black and white musical "The Broadway Melody of 1940". The almost sad jazz rendition of Miss Crow's throw the entire song into a new light. Listen carefully to the lyrics and you hear a plaintive love ballad, not a swing and dance number. The other contemporary singers and performers were very good and Elvis Costello was both good and really funny leading his band in "Let's Misbehave"

Now to Porter's homosexual life portrayed in this film I have just one thing to say.....The truth will always win out!!! (no pun intended) Hollywood film has pussy footed around on the private gay lives of so many stars of the past because it was thought necessary to save their careers from the homophobic and hypocritical public. Well it is not 1946 again and Kevin Cline is not Cary Grant in Porter' first bio "Night and Day". Grant was so de-sexed in that film he was unable to love anything but his music. That was complete fantasy. Porter, though short and rather ugly in real life, did have many lotharios of the male variety during the 50 or so years depicted in this film. Whether any of them were as decidedly attractive as we are shown here may not be true, but he did "purchase" many of his lovers, including many men of color in New York and Paris. The use of the revolving camera in the gay bar showing his various "tricks" while "Love for Sale" is sung is a great use of music supporting a film's reality.

I have one final observation on the gay male elements in De-Lovely. The scene where Porter jumps onto the stage to convince the dreamy male singer, Bobby Reed, played dreamily by Kevin McKidd, to buy into the "obsession" in the lyrics and haunting music of "Night and Day" is the most homo-erotic in the entire film. The two men never touch, yet, facing each other front on, 18 inches apart, as the youth finally "feels" the meaning of the piece is quite irresistible. I watched it twice. Of course, the now enlightened singer reciprocates his appreciation for Porter's guidance accordingly on a moonlit ride in New York's Central Park.

Ashley Judd, playing Porter's wife is absolutely stunning. She plays the muse, the supporter, the right hand man, so to speak and was certainly one of Porter's deep loves in his life. As to why she was such a free spirit in regards to Porter's bi-sexual-ism is somewhat unclear. Was she a lesbian as has been mentioned? That she wholeheartedly supported Porter and his music and believed in him from the very start is well documented. She did, at times in their long relationship, leave him to his boys, but she was always there for Cole when he needed her as shown in Cole's horrible riding accident and subsequent life long disability. Did she get enough of Cole in real life? Probably not, yet she stayed with him until the end, her end that is. Ashley Judd should get an Oscar nomination for her vivid and dramatic portrayal.

The acting all around was commendable. Kline, not my favorite actor, shines in this role. The costumes and sets were beautiful and very period. All in all a very substantial film that, due to the critiques harsh lambasting, was not seen by enough of the mainstream public. I give it 3 and 1/2 stars out of 4. Clive2.

Locked Up (2004)

Surprize! Surprize! Not really a modern "Fortune in Men's Eyes"

[10/10 · 19 December 2004]

I was reluctant to watch this film because I have never enjoyed films about men in prison. Though brilliant , "Midnight Express" still haunts me and the repellent treatment of homosexuality in "Fortune in Men's Eyes" made me steer clear of this genre. The only other prison film with a "gay:" subtext that I have enjoyed was "Kiss of the Spider Woman" That said, this little German film, "Locked Up", was a rather tender and provocative gay love story. Filmed on video, in an apparent real prison, this film struck me as quite entertaining. The two leads are very good actors and even though it has a somewhat unbelievable ending, I liked it. WARNING SPOILER.............This film has a few graphic scenes that take it close to porn. There is a lot of male on male nudity and a real masturbation sequence. There is also a very graphic rape scene, which, if it had not been integral to the plot line, could never have been acceptable to any audience. Now that doesn't mean all viewers will appreciate this film. No this little hummer is not for the weak at heart or the homophobic. In the end it manages to be quite a charmer. The oddest thing about this film is not the bi-racial love story of the two male leads, but the hauntingly beautiful sound track, which somehow manages to be romantic, meaningful, and surprisingly "new age". The music, coupled with the hideously depressing and stark prison ambiance, raises the emotional impact of this film. It actually brightens up the story line and the romance between the two male leads. Definitely not for everyone. However, if you like the new "Gay Cinema", and enjoy film in general,this little odd duck of a movie will shock, entertain, and bring a tear to the eye as well. 31/2 out of 5 stars.....Clive2

10 Attitudes (2001)

Sweet, realistic portrayal of 21st century search for love - SPOILERS

[10/10 · 8 December 2004]

This was a great film. So many gay films today focus on teenage youth coming out, or 20 something pretty boys and their gorgeous boy friends, or, much too common, have an AIDS theme or sub theme. Even then most films of the last 15 years, the period of time I call the age of "Gay Cinema", focus on REALLY YOUNG GUYS. Don't get me wrong. Beautiful men with pecs and six- packs are lovely eye candy. What I like about this film is it dares to look at men who are past 30! As a man looking back at 6 decades of life, with about 5 decades ofpersonal gay identity behind me, this film speaks to my own personal experiences. Yes, it's hard to date when you reach 39, or 45, or 60. Damn hard. Yet my life did not hits it's prime until I turned 40! That said, it's nice to see on film a portrayal of what all the twinks, muscle queens, and in the case of this film, all the "Every Man" types will have to go through as they pass the big three 0.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Josh, a 30 something year old caterer living in West Hollywood, catches his long time partner of 10 years in a flagrant act with a 19 year old twink. He throws a fit (who wouldn't), stomps his feet, cries a little and goes to a bar where his friend Chris, an aspiring MBA graduate, proposes that he, Chris, set up Josh with 10 guys in 10 dates to find "Mr Right". Now Josh is the every man of the gay world. He is an average guy. Not pretty. Not a muscle boy. A nice looking man, but he would stand out as "over the hill" in many circles of gay society today. Josh reluctantly goes along with the silly plan but insists that if no perfect love shows up that he, Josh, will go back to Cleveland where he grew up and start his life over. OK...... what ensues is a very funny set of scenes with 10 guys from HELL who either are "gay for pay", hustlers, stoned out losers, are hiding lovers on the side, have anger management issues, are bi-sexual and have a girlfriend on the side or just plain loony tune! What makes this film so real and really very romantic and sweet is that Josh is really an old fashioned guy. Or as Josh puts it to one of the 10 dates, "I'm just a regular gay guy". He says this to a cute 20 something year old guy who has a girlfriend, but explains "though not gay myself, my girlfriend want to watch me get it on with another guy"! Josh responds with the line "that's just not gonna happen". Josh wants a commitment. He wants a guy who loves him, who has a job and a car and even someone who will tear open "three equals" for their ice tea or coffee That's the sugar substitute. This seemingly meaningless line plays an enormous part in the last scene of the film. Now this film was made with very little money and sometimes that is really noticeable. Lots of hand held cameras and naturally lit bar and restaurant scenes. Sometimes the sound is not too clear. What is clear to me is that unlike many recent popular gay films like "Latter Days" or "Edens Curve" the men in this film are really gay. Probably not all of them, but certainly the leads and many characters.This gave the film a reality that is unmistakable. When your going for an attempt to show how hard it is for a gay guy of a certain age to find a certain someone that will share your life and love, it great to have real GAY men providing the acting. The acting is what makes this film. I have known all these people at some time or another in my own life. They are real and the pain, happiness, confusion and redemption they express in their search for love is real. Now I know what some will say.....The cast are playing characters that are all stereotypes! Sometimes, sometimes. Josh, however is absolutely "DEAD-ON". I have been Josh. My friends have been Josh. All the pretty boys in this film will reach a time when they are all becoming Josh. Is that a stereotype? Maybe, but its also real life. Finally, anyone reviewing this film must speak to the great Judy Tunuta.

She is just perfect as the goofy psychologist overseeing the group therapy sessions that Chris attends. Judy is always so funny. You just can't take your eyes off her. It's also so funny that her name is Glenda in this film. The therapy group calls her the "good witch of the west".

Oh, remember those packets of sweetener? The 3 Equal packets? They provide the unspoken, yet brilliantly encapsulated little "cheat" which brings a happy ending to this film. The look in Josh's eyes when he watches the guy in front of him tear open those 3 packets for his coffee in the train station restaurant is so romantic. It brought goosepimples up on my arms to understand what Josh was thinking and feeling. Who was this guy? That is for you to find out when you see the film. This is a wonderful, funny, compassionate movie with a real heart. Its a keeper.

Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train (1998)

Very unusual, haunting, complex and darkly sexy.......

[6 December 2004]

Wow, what was this about? I rented this film with no knowledge of plot, characters, actors, directors, anything. All I knew was it was filmed in France, with English subtitles, was contemporary and had a gay plot or subplot. As I write this it occurs to me that I must have liked it. I love to critique film, yet unless I am moved, emotionally or psychologically, I rarely want to write down why, or how, a film has affected me. This film affected me. ...........................SPOILERS AHEAD........................ Let's start with the basic plot line. A rather minor painter in Paris has passed away and has asked to be buried in his old home town of Limoges in the south of France. 14 of his old friends, relatives, lovers and hanger-ons board a train in Paris early in the morning for a few hours ride to the funeral. The painters body is not on the train but is being driven down in a Pugoet station wagon. They all meet up at the cemetery where a man reads a poem in English and one of the lead male characters translates into French. Men and women standing around the grave cry openly. The majority of the mourners end up at a huge French chateaux for a wake. There, over the next 12 hours or so, everyone engages in a nonstop bitch about sex, money, relationships, marriage, children, love and inheritance, not in that order, but all subjects are covered by everyone by the next morning. Now.....What was this film about? It took viewing through the first hour of this 2 hour film for me to realize that many of the men were gay or bi-sexual and had been lovers of the now dead minor painter. Now I know that Europeans, and particularly the French have always been more accepting of same gender love, but what took me so long to get a handle on what was happening in this film was the way that homosexuality was being portrayed. It was taken as almost natural that most of these guys had been a part of the painters life at one time. Not only natural, but simply "the way it was". There was no censoring "gay" as evil or a perversion. That really did not exist. They had all loved the dead man and they were all grieving for him in some manner. What about the women in this film? Other than some older female relatives and two younger women, most of the characters were men. Is it intimated that these women had been lovers of the painter? This is not clear, however, more unusual is the fact that these women have been either lovers or wives of some of the guys who are mourning for their dead lover, the painter One of the male characters, the one who drove the body down from Paris, is married and his wife and child are on the train to Limoges with everyone else. They go to the funeral and the wake. When her husband is driving the body down to Limoges the guy picks up a hitchhiker and uses him as a sounding board to verbalize his grief over the dead painter. He says something like, " I carried him around, washed his body, worshiped him" Does his wife know of his relationship with the dead guy? Did she approve? What is that all about? There is another character who falls in love with a very cute dark haired guy he meets in the railway station as everyone is boarding the train in Paris. They catch an erotic "squeeze" in the trains toilet. Suddenly you are introduced to a woman who is the older guy's wife? Lover? Old girlfriend? She is very upset. Is she upset over his relationship with the young boy, or is she angry about something else? Yet another male character is gay and he drops his hold on the older guy who loves the young boy. I assume because he wants them to happy together, but without him. To top all this off there are old aunts and, I think, fathers and other people who have something to do with the dead painter, but whose role in all this drama isn't clear. Finally there is the transsexual Viviene. She used to be Frederic, and sill has Fred's equipment, but with boobs as well. Did Frederic have a relationship with the dead painter to? I don't know. Viviene's role in this film is also unclear, yet she seems deliciously happy that no one at the funeral and wake has figured out that she used to Fred. So you see this film is extraordinarily complex. I said it affected me and I was not quibbling about that. I will watch this film again (not tonight!). It stupified me. The negative about this film, from an American point of view, is, of course, the beautiful French language that I don't understand. I know the intricacy and double meaning that the French can put into dialog, and I'm sure the translation into English subtitles butchered some, if not a lot, of the meaning of the interplay between characters. Also, the subtitles themselves were small and in white, not yellow, as they should have been making it very difficult to read and understand. Other reviews have mentioned the darkness of the film. I found that not distracting at all. Many of the sequences in the chateaux are dark to fit the sometimes bizarre and somber storyline. Others were emotionally head on perfect. The crowded, speeding train with claustrophobic atmosphere, carrying all the former lovers and friends, hurtling south across the French country side so they may have a last goodbye. The cemetery, huge, with 180,000 dead souls in the bright sunlight. All filled up to the brim with symbolism and portent. This film is a strange one. Wonderful acting, really top notch all around. The camera work is unique and very stylish. The camera floats along at times, sometimes delivering very long, hypnotic track shots. Sometimes the camera is in a helicopter or plane and the sweeping shots of the city of Limoges and the cemetery are very arresting. Most of the scenes in the rest of the film were shot with a hand held camera and cameras. This gave the film an aura of gritty realism and was not the least distracting.

I'd have to say the film is strangely Robert "Altmanish" in texture and characterization. In fact, this film would have been more powerful with a deeper insight into all the characters involvement with the dead painter. Altman would have shot enough for another hour, or longer. It would have been just a little easier to understand all the intense emotions and motivations. But, This was not an Altman film. It was a very unique and off beat art film that I will watch again to see what I missed. Don't buy it, rent it, it makes you think. Isn't that what good drama on film is supposed to do? I liked it and recommend it to anyone who loves different and interesting cinema.

Denied (2004)

Awful lighting and garbled sound, but this Gay film is the REAL thing!

[10/10 · 27 November 2004]

Shot almost entirely in a basement apartment with lighting coming from a few table and bed lights this film is very dark. I do not mean sardonic, depressing or black humor when I say dark. In at least half the scenes you have a very difficult time seeing the leads faces! Compounding the downside of this film is a really bad soundtrack, with lots of thumps, knocks and barely audible dialog. That said I believe this to be the most realistic portrayal of two young guys coming to terms with their love for each other that I have seen on film. It is such a shame that two brilliant actors, working with an absolutely "dead-on" script couldn't have had some production values to make a perfect film.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Two best friends, Troy and Merrick, had gone through high school together. Troy, the star football player and Merrick, the party boy with all the girl friends. It's maybe a year or so after graduation and the film opens at a party the two are throwing at their basement apartment that they're now sharing. Girlfriends are introduced, or at least Merrick's girlfriend is introduced. Various party types, guys and gals, get drunk, smoke dope and pretty much act juvenile as hell. That's what Troy thinks anyway, as you see the party mainly through his eyes. He doesn't drink much, or smoke and you can tell he is pretty much underwhelmed by the antics of all attending. His angst is particularly readable in his eyes as he watches Merrick. Party's finally over, Merrick's gal friend is passed out in Merrick's room and the two long time pals are lounging on the couch. This is where this little movie takes off. Merrick is pretty drunk and it takes a while to understand what he is saying to Troy (the sound is bad) but he is asking Troy for "one of those special backrubs". Troy at first seems reluctant, but here we see for the first time the intense emotional hell that Troy has been going through in his relationship with Merrick. You see, when Merrick gets drunk, he turns to Troy for that "special treatment" that only two guys can give each other. At this moment in the film you begin to realize that this relationship has been on-going for a long time. Only now, when Troy pulls up Merrick's shirt and leans down and starts to kiss Merrick's back do you see Merrick "turn 0ff", push Troy away and stagger into the bedroom where he later shags his girlfriend while Troy listens dejectedly. This scene shows what has been happening with these two guys for at least 3, maybe 4 or 5 years...They are secret lovers who do it ALL! All, except Merrick cannot, won't kiss. This is real life.... This type of relationship is happening as I write this. It's happening to guys in the army, in high school and college. It happens between good, close guy buddies everywhere. It just isn't TALKED about. There is usually no attempt by one or the other guy to bring it into the light of day. This is why I love this film. It is intelligent in it's portrayal of "Christ I was so drunk last night" sex between guys. One guy is usually closer to being out than the other. Or, one guy will insist that what they are doing isn't "really gay".

Pretty common, corny gay smaltz.... right? Wrong, This is the most real presentation of one young gay guy, Troy, who is deeply in love with a man in denial, Merrick. It is happening right out there in the real world. This is the first time that film has captured it so accurately. The dialog is exactly what guys have said to each other in these situations. Most gay men (including myself) have gone through something very similar in their lives. Sure, other films have visited this before....I love you....but I'm not gay....Oh, we just do this cause we are horny....but this film is different. Who ever wrote this film knew exactly what these guys would say and act. It is so wonderful to see two very handsome( but not pretty) guys go through what so many of us have lived through. As the film progresses the boys fight, make love, get closer, are torn apart, make up, make love and fight some more. Merrick's ability to perform in bed but never kiss, haunts Troy. Finally, in desperation, Troy cuts Merrick out sexually. He tells him that he cannot take the pain of loving Merrick and not having it reciprocated.

For a while he hangs on and watches from the sidelines as Merrick continues his party boy life, drinking, smoking and banging his girlfriend in the bedroom next to Troy. Troy makes plans to leave and move to Toronto to go to college. Merrick comes home that night, pretty high and jumps Troy in bed. Now Troy gives in and just as they are gazing into each other's eyes and moving towards a mouth on mouth kiss, Merrick's girlfriend walks in on them! The film has a wonderful extended ending which is both happy and sad and bitter and sweet....but definitely REAL. See this film for it's gritty and absolute clarity of realism. I don't know who the two actors are, but this film deserves to be remade and brightened up. It has a lot to say and it says it better than anything on the screen out there. This one is a keeper!

Km. 0 (2000)

Another Brilliant film from Spain

[10/10 · 22 November 2004]

With the fall of all things Franco in Spain during the last two decades nothing has flourished and blossomed more beautifully than Spanish cinema. From "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" in the late 1980's to more recent cinematic gems "All About My Mother", "Talk to Her" and "The Devil's Backbone" among many, Spanish writers, directors, producers and actors have been free to create film that is unique, shocking, thought-provoking, profound, many times achingly human and often hilarious and heartfelt. That is the case with the delicious comedy/drama "Kilometer 0", or "Km. 0". At first blush I know I have seen some of these superb actors and actresses in other films from Spain, but I am not sufficiently familiar with their names as yet. ** *******SPOILERS AHEAD*********This film, takes place on a hot day in Madrid's summer over a time span of approximately 8 hours or so from 4 pm to midnight on the same day. The complex story line relies on the age old "cheat" of mass mistaken identity to propel this film and it's wildly different characters forward. You are introduced to 14 persons who , for one reason or another all are to rendezvous at a stone marker in the sidewalk of a Madrid central square called Km 0. Of course, everyone meets people who they think are there to meet them, but they are all meeting the wrong people. A frustrated wealthy older woman whose boring husband pays her no attention orders a male hustler to make her feel like a woman again, two gay men meet on a chat-line and agree to get it on for a tryst, an out of town boy arrives and thinks he will meet his sister's conservative friend. You get the picture. Throw in a whore going to Km 0 to meet a john, a panic stricken straight guy who needs to get laid, an actress who can't get a part and a director of musicals looking for some new voices and you have one giant, mixed up group of folks. The acting is excellent , the comedy and pathos are real, the sex is hot and every one ends up at the same little bar drinking champagne. This is such an entertaining little movie that makes you feel so good. One to keep!

Can't Stop the Music (1980)

Very Camp!

[10/10 · 22 June 2004]

This film is pure camp from start to finish. All during the late 70's people of the"Gay persuasion" wondered how the Village People, with such an obvious gay subtext, could be accepted as such popular main stream rock heros. Well, when this film came out in 1980, the straight and gay world generally said "Whew, something stinks". This film, with its then very popular stars, the Village People, Guttenberg, Perrine, and, yes, Bruce Jenner, bombed big time at the box office. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, I saw this film at a friends and I must say, the sexual innuendoes, the absurd plot lines, the hysterical cameos of Tammy Grimes, and the outrageous music videos of the People themselves had me rolling on the floor. Very Funny! This may have bombed back then because the straights finally saw how queer it was and the gays were embarrassed at how silly it was. Also, one remembers that shortly before this film hit wide release in 1981, the "Gay Cancer" showed up in New York and L.A. Suddenly "Gay" was not so funny. Whatever the reason it did not make a hit back then...it should be seen now for its very entertaining smaltz and great, but where else can you see a young and luscious Valerie Perrine and a hot and studly Bruce Jenner in SHORT SHORTS dancing in a YMCA with the Village People. "Oh the Humanity"