Gay-Friendly Blu-rays (1 Viewer)

[Mark-P]

I've only seen it once, Matt, but it's stayed with me and my wife after all these years. It also confirmed what a great actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is.
On a similar vein, have you checked the movie L.I.E (2001), with Brian Cox and Paul Dano? Cox, playing a conflicted man, in unforgettable.

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't heard of this one. Just checked Netflix and they will have L.I.E. available for streaming starting on 3/15/2014.

 

[rsmithjr]

L.I.E. is a terrific film. It had the misfortune of being released around 9/11, when no one was in a mood for such a serious picture.

It is really about dealing with loss of parental love and attention. Paul Dano is excellent.

 

[Jason_V]

Just got done with Bear City and I'm more than happy to acknowledge I enjoyed the movie, but also know it's just about average (technically speaking).

So what I liked primarily dealt with an underrepresented community in film being showcased with no embarassment whatsoever. Typically, we're going to find movies (and gay movies in particular) where the main characters are "VGL" people (very good looking) but they feel they have a terrible lot in life because they're "ugly." This one can't get laid, that one can't find a steady boyfriend, woe is me. But here, these characters are beautiful in their own right and the movie goes out of its way to show there are people are are attracted to all sizes, shapes, colors and personalities. That in itself is a positive message.

What I didn't like was how quickly a lot of the characters changed over the course of the film. For instance, one of the major plots is a young man (Tyler) learning to accept he is attracted to bears. I felt like I missed some of his self-acceptance somewhere along the line. Sure, he found people he could be himself with, but is that all that has to happen for that switch to be flipped inside a person? Find people who think the same as you and *poof* you're suddenly okay with it, too?

There's so many competing plots that one character-Carlito-gets lost in everything going on. It's sad, when you think about it, since his boyfriend is considering lap band surgery because of his size. That could be a movie all by itself.

Still, I do recommend Bear City. It reminded me a lot of Broken Hearts Club--and I adore that movie, so it's a good comparison in my mind.

 

[Matt Hough]

I had a very pleasant surprise yesterday when I learned that Tom Cullen, who plays Anthony Lord GIllingham on Downton Abbey (and had a swoon-worthy proposal scene with Mary in episode four), was the lead in Weekend. Now I reviewed Weekend when Criterion released it a year or so ago, but I did not make the connection with the actor from one project to the other until yesterday. I hope to revisit Weekend at some point in the next few days to refamiliarize myself with it and Cullen's performance in the film.

 

[Mark-W]

I was more distracted by Julian Ovenden being added to the Downton Abbey cast; I've been smitten with him since series one of Foyle's War.
I did catch in the bonus content on this latest season of Downton Abbey where the actress who plays Mary was surprised how much Tom Cullen transforms into an upper class aristocrat. I take that to mean Cullen is more scruffy in his day to day life, much like his character in Weekend.

I had a very pleasant surprise yesterday when I learned that Tom Cullen, who plays Anthony Lord GIllingham on Downton Abbey (and had a swoon-worthy proposal scene with Mary in episode four), was the lead in Weekend. Now I reviewed Weekend when Criterion released it a year or so ago, but I did not make the connection with the actor from one project to the other until yesterday. I hope to revisit Weekend at some point in the next few days to refamiliarize myself with it and Cullen's performance in the film.

 

[Matt Hough]

Yes, I imagine so, and if I recall, he's in the bonus material on the Weekend Blu-ray, too, which I will also likely revisit tomorrow after I watch the movie again.

 

[Jason_V]

Netflix decided to bump The Green ahead of Mysterious Skin for some reason, so JG-L is off to another day.

The Green: gay male teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teacher. His world is torn apart, including his long-term partner's business being affected and his reputation being tarnished.

The first comparison I thought of was to Notes on a Scandal. It's not wholly accurate, but close enough. There's plenty to like here: the relationship between Jason Butler Harner and Cheyenne Jackson felt real, especially how they met 15 years prior. More than their relationship, most of what happens feels organic to these people and this place (somewhere in the Northeast, a state where marriage equality is the law). People deciding to go to a different coffee shop, some talk of legal strategy, news crews broadcasting statements from the alleged victim's family.

Just about the only piece that doesn't feel right is the final reveal. I guess we get some hints of this along the way, but it opens a whole can of worms the movie isn't interested in even looking at.

A brisk 91-minute running time makes sure the movie doesn't overstay its welcome. And man, Cheyenne Jackson is terribly easy on the eyes.

 

[Mark-W]

Just got done with Bear City and I'm more than happy to acknowledge I enjoyed the movie, but also know it's just about average (technically speaking).

So what I liked primarily dealt with an underrepresented community in film being showcased with no embarassment whatsoever. Typically, we're going to find movies (and gay movies in particular) where the main characters are "VGL" people (very good looking) but they feel they have a terrible lot in life because they're "ugly." This one can't get laid, that one can't find a steady boyfriend, woe is me. But here, these characters are beautiful in their own right and the movie goes out of its way to show there are people are are attracted to all sizes, shapes, colors and personalities. That in itself is a positive message.

What I didn't like was how quickly a lot of the characters changed over the course of the film. For instance, one of the major plots is a young man (Tyler) learning to accept he is attracted to bears. I felt like I missed some of his self-acceptance somewhere along the line. Sure, he found people he could be himself with, but is that all that has to happen for that switch to be flipped inside a person? Find people who think the same as you and *poof* you're suddenly okay with it, too?

There's so many competing plots that one character-Carlito-gets lost in everything going on. It's sad, when you think about it, since his boyfriend is considering lap band surgery because of his size. That could be a movie all by itself.

Still, I do recommend Bear City. It reminded me a lot of Broken Hearts Club--and I adore that movie, so it's a good comparison in my mind.

Jason,

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for posting your review of Bear City.

I watched it a summer or two ago, and enjoyed it. As you stated, it was refreshing to not have a film with VGL people complaining about being ugly or single and I find your comments ring true to the film for me. The additional comment I have is that the lead is coming out as loving bears and then promptly falls for a.... "silver fox," which felt like an issue of miscasting to me. The bonus content even confirmed when the filmmakers said they were looking for a bear, but the ultimately wanted the actor they hired in spite of the fact he was not a bear.

Does this matter? In the end, I don't think so because the film is about celebrating loving all shapes, sizes, and ages. Still it nagged on me a bit while watching the film.

In trying to find an image today, I did see that the film has a sequel, Bear City 2, which includes Kathy Najimy in the cast!

I have not seen it, but here is what the site says about the sequel:
Kathy Najimy plays den mother to the returning cast of bears, boys and cubs, for a Bear Week bachelor party in Provincetown! Take a trip down the aisle with Roger and Tyler to one of the most magical beach towns on earth in this romantic comedy for all.

Kevin Smith, Lt. Dan Choi, Frank DeCaro, Mike Ruiz and Varla Jean Merman, lend their support to our lovable gang as they navigate through a foam party, ex‐boyfriends and 6,000 sexy men.

Meanwhile, Richard Riehle (Bridesmaids) as father of the groom, learns a whole new meaning to the word "Daddy!"

BearCity 2: The Proposal, is a romp full of fur, fun and family as the bears realize that marriage is much more than just the freedom to say "I do."

Here is a link to the trailer for the sequel: http://main.bearcity2.com/trailer.php
Both are available on Blu-ray, either separately or in a both films Blu ray set.
I am including images, as it mentions bonus materials (I am a sucker for commentary tracks.) for each film.
Now I need to at least rent the sequel.

The film(s) can be ordered at Amazon, and also at the film's site.

Cheers!

 

[Matt Hough]

I did get a chance to rewatch Weekend this afternoon. Tom Cullen's persona here is earnest and soft spoken rather like Lord Gillingham in Downton Abbey, but the similarity pretty much ends there. Really enjoyed seeing a complete different side of his talent in this, and will look forward to more of Lord Gillingham next season on the show.

 

[Jason_V]

Bless you, Mark! I know what's getting added to my "want" list now!

You bring up a good point about Roger being a silver fox and not a bear, per se. I missed it the first time around and it does bug me now, honestly. Still a really good movie, but if one of your leads is going to wrestly with the type of guy he's attracted to, make the other guy someone society would generally go "Really?" to. Roger is more like Anderson Cooper in a lot of ways. And how many gay guys are going to be "ashamed" of saying they find him attractive?

 

[Mark-W]

I just thought I would pop in for a few minutes and post a release notification.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is now available on Blu-ray.

 

[Jason_V]

I finally caught up with Kiss of the Spider-Woman a year or two ago. Not having any idea what I was going to see, I was slightly disappointed, though I can't put my finger on exactly why. Raul Julia is excellent, as always.

 

[Matt Hough]

I reviewed the 2-disc City Lights DVD release of the film six years ago (review is here), but I wonder if the film has been cleaned up or improved visually from the master used for the SD release.

 

[Will Krupp]

Kathy Najimy plays den mother to the returning cast of bears, boys and cubs, for a Bear Week bachelor party in Provincetown! Take a trip down the aisle with Roger and Tyler to one of the most magical beach towns on earth in this romantic comedy for all.

Indulge me for a moment but, funny story....my friends and I usually go to P-Town every 4th of July week which is the week PRIOR to Bear Week. I have two good female friends (not lesbians) who were planning to take a trip to the Cape and P-Town and were leaving almost on the day I got back to Boston.

I said to them, "oh! You'll be in P-Town for bear week!"
which prompted one of them to say "BEER Week? They gotta BEER Week? How friggin' awesome is that, I LOVE BEER!!"
Haha. I almost didn't have the heart to tell her...

 

[Jason_V]

That's funny, Will!

 

[mackjay]

Thanks for the info: I did NOT realize Lord Gillingham was the same actor as in "Weekend". He should have seemed more familar since I've seen the film twice.

Has anyone seen "L'Etranger du Lac" (The Stranger at the Lake)? I saw a DVD copy and it's worth a look. I imagine a blu-ray will be amazing with the beautiful location in this film (and beautiful guys too). The movie left me a little unsatisfied, though I enjoyed it well enough (*no spoilers*)

 

[Jason_V]

Jay, I saw it playing downtown Seattle and haven't gotten down there yet. Would you recommend it or no?

 

[mackjay]

Jay, I saw it playing downtown Seattle and haven't gotten down there yet. Would you recommend it or no?

Yes Jason, by all means I recommend it. After you see it, report back.

 

[Jason_V]

I'm hoping to get downtown, but I'm not sure if it'll happen before the movie closes. I've seen the trailers on Hulu and it looks...fascinating.

 

[Will Krupp]

Speaking of P-Town (in a very roundabout way)... one of my absolute favorite gay themed movies from the past couple of years is one called GOING DOWN IN LA-LA LAND. The blu-ray is almost two years old now but definitely worthwhile:

From the 2006 novel by Andy Zeffer, it tells the story of a young actor named Adam who moves from New York to LA to make it in Hollywood and winds up entering the world of porn and gay escorting before finding love. It SOUNDS dark but it's tone is consistently comic and it's played by a very amiable cast. Casper Andreas' production is slicker than most gay themed indies and it features IMO a really winning performance by its lead, Matt Ludwinski. The book is darker and more cynical and is reported to be something of a roman a clef but the movie is a lot of fun and has great repeat value. Looks great, too.

The reason that mentioning P-Town made me think of this (even though the movie has NOTHING to do with it in any way) is that the first time I saw this (about a year and a half ago) I fell head over heels in love with the lead but I had this nagging feeling that I had seen him before. He looked so familiar that it was driving me crazy but after checking his credits on IMDB I realized I hadn't seen anything else he's done. Finally I found an interview with him in which he mentioned that shooting nudity didn't bother him (and why should it when you look like that?) because he was used to it from his time in NAKED BOYS SINGING. Of course, it then hit me that back in 2009 we went to see the show, flirted our way into VIP section tickets and wound up in the front row about 4 feet from his junk! I was mesmerized by him then too (he sang "Bliss of a Bris") and never forgot him. Anyway, I was really happy that he was the lead in this and he's damned good, too!

If you haven't seen it, give it a chance!