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gregj777
Reviews
Sommersturm (2004)
relevant
I started off thinking this was stupid but it turned out to be enjoyable, worthwhile and above all, relevant to any gay person who struggled, which is uh I guess about 99% of us. It had the usual appeals and this and that but regardless of what you think of the outcome it was true to form and a little more optimistic than some similar British movie. I can't say the name but that's OK you probably know what I'm talking about (apologies to Hillary Clinton). No really it was an awesome movie I'm just running on and on because im-db must require a minimum amount of text- duh- and they will freaking kill your account if you deviate- and my gosh, isn't that what this movie is about- deviation??? It's been a year or so since I watched a movie with subtitles. This is one, but it was cool. And the video is great, almost HD. So screw you IMDb I said what I needed to say despite your horney assed requirements (or uh was it because of them??) ;-)
L'homme que j'aime (1997)
CSI Miami?
Strange summary but let's face it- Jean-Michele Portal's excellent portrayal of "Lucas" reminds me of H of "CSI: Miami". Nearly emotionless, yet full of passion. Too bad American TV is not as sophisticated. I would be willing to bet that nothing was said against the film when it was screened on French TV. Try that in America, land of the free? I doubt it. What are people so afraid of? People in love? Amazing. A magnificent performance by the entire cast. The cute little church toward the end was very nice, as was the entire scenery. Many thanks for a realistic story that saves us the fluff but provides closure and meaning along with hope. Nobody is forgotten. Merci.
The Trip (2002)
Worth every moment of your time
It is unfortunate that the mass media operate as though those of us who enjoy this film do not exist. So, we instead get, excuse my French, a bunch of crap. If John Kerry can indeed change America for the better then getting this and similar films screened on a mass scale would be worth adding to the list of changes needed. "The Trip" begins and ends innocently touching your mind. It does this first by getting you to care about the characters, to like them or to loathe them, and then by the inclusion of David Mixner (ingenious) and Jill St. John (watch the extra features on the dvd for some of her FUNNIEST work!). Their appearance adds flavor and spice to a fresh young cast including the very talented Steve Braun and Larry Sullivan. I was engrossed in every moment. I believe it helped that many involved were, in some cases, re-living some of their own life moments (read: writer/director/exec. producer Miles Swain). Well made, touching, engrossing. What more could a director- ask for? It almost gives you the same feeling as "Big Eden" but without the scripted ending. Kudos, and thank you Miles.
Boy Meets Boy (2003)
Interesting
The writer who said that the show played up stereotypes and that the contestants were too "clean and scrubbed" must not have watched any of the other "reality" shows. I was able to resist most of them but one in particular I did see all of was "Joe Millionaire". The guys on "Boy Meets Boy" were no less scrubbed and selective than the gals on Joe. It's just the type of show that it is. What's good for the women is good for the guys too, that's it. I'm not offended by watching people who actually take care of their bodies (gee, we only have one ya know.) TV doesn't necessarily always pander to this idea. "Roseanne" was a good example of the opposite, showing overweight parents and their dorky children who all had to put up with each other, without the benefit of a gym membership, Lexus, or summer cabin. Imagine. So in that sense, BMB is an actual "break" from reality, something the creators of the genre probably intended to start with.
Total Eclipse (1995)
See it for the contradiction of emotional intensity
Perhaps I like this movie so much because I was once in a relationship with someone who had the same take on love as Leo's character in this movie. The emotional intensity displayed throughout the film is enough alone to keep you firmly planted in your seats until the end, if you like films for the works of art that they are supposed to be, and that this one is. If you want a film for the fluff that passes for a true production out of most of the studios today, this one isn't for you. The performances are top notch. It's tragic that people do act this way, that lives are destroyed, that dreams aren't fulfilled, but this is life. Watching this movie will make you feel more a part of it.
Get Real (1998)
A tale that brings forth your emotions
I saw this for the first time at the end of 2000 on Sundance. Coming out at a very late age it actually depressed me for a bit, since the lead character did what I should have done, come out very early. I think it can show that you should take that chance and darn what others think. God gave you your life, it's up to you to make something out of it, and you can't do that by living a lie. It develops the characters well although sub-plots are never fully hashed out. But then they can't all be perfect movies can they. This one isn't but it's well worth the time just for how it makes you feel, a well of emotions all swirling to the top, lifting you up in the end. Very fine acting by Brad Gorton (currently of the British TV series "London's Burning"), who doesn't get the credit he deserves for this part in most reviews I've seen.