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kingstonguys
Reviews
The Gay Bed and Breakfast of Terror (2007)
Camp-ish rather than Campy
In reading a lot of the other comments (and message board quips) it looks like those people who enjoyed this saw it at a midnight screening. I think there's something to be said about the energy of that. I've had a blast watching a movie that, in the light of day (or on the home screen) is unbearable. I wouldn't call this movie "unbearable" but it sure is filled with missed opportunities. I think, contrary to what one poster says, this movie does take itself too seriously. The whole scenario is absurd, which is fine, but the actors play it "straight" (for lack of a better word) too much, with the exception of the villains and the drag queen (but only when she's in drag). There really is nothing redeeming about any of the B&B residents; they're all bitchy, unfaithful, wimpy--kind of like all relationships at one time or another but all at once. The acting is horrible and it's like the editing department was staffed by the actors--every scene lingers on way too long, letting the viewer watch the actors stare uncomfortably (or cluelessly) at each other (or at nothing)--so they could squeeze out a little bit more screen time. My advice if you must watch this: Be under the influence of something, and make a game out of it. Whenever a character rolls their eyes or calls someone a bitch, have another hit.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982)
A great blast from the past
I had a vague-ish memory of having watched this in my bedroom late at night when I was a middle-schooler and I always wondered why it hadn't been released, since I remember loving it. Now I see from other posts that it was likely on Night Flight which totally explains it (man, I miss Night Flight). I remember getting totally wrapped up in the story of the three girls and being taken by the authentic grittiness of a no-frills road tour (not to mention the "F*** the system" attitude of the girls). Another poster mentioned the "added on ending" that was shot three years after the fact, which explains how, when I saw it way back when, I recognized Laura Dern and was confused over why I hadn't known it was her through the rest of the movie. I just saw the DVD this weekend and even though it really hasn't aged well, it's still a great flick, if only as a good marker for the genre and a nice showcase for some great acting.
Welcome Home, Bobby (1986)
Campy, melodramatic mess
I remember talking about this movie right after it played on t.v. with a "coming out" teen group that I'd been going to. I was the only one who hated it--I thought the drag scene was horrible and I was offended that the older man (and his buddies) would be portrayed as predators like they were. Creepy all around. The only thing that stood out as a positive was the scene where Bobby's teacher talks with him after school and writes "I am gay" on the board (I think it was the guy who played Tyne Daly's husband in "Cagney and Lacey") and tells him he'll be okay. This was one of the first times I'd seen a "normal", everyday guy as a homosexual. I wish they'd made the movie about him!