*** Gay-Friendly DVDs, version 4.0 (1 Viewer)

[Mark-W]

There is one DVD that has a mock-commercial on
it that is so damn funny:
SNL: The Best of Chris Farley
has a gay beer commercial, where Chris (and I think
Adam Sandler) look at a crummy pool in a back yard...
Once they crack open their beers, the backyard
is filled with thong-covered, gay muscle-boys,
to which Chris and Adam hoot and holler.
Then it has them checking out the guys, and
romping with them.
IT IS SOOO FUNNY!
I may buy the DVD just to have it!
Mark

 

[Michael Allred]

I got an e-mail from C1TV and they told me that they expect to release "Queer As Folk 2" on DVD in the U.S within the next 2 months! Cool.
I'm wondering though if the U.S-Showtime series will also see a DVD release, like a "Sopranos"-style box set.
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My DVD collection--> http://members.tripod.com/~evilbaby/DVD_Collection.html

 

[Alan Light]

I hope the C1TV release of Queer As Folk 2 includes the terrific 45-minute behind the scenes documentary that is on the Region 2 DVD. It has good interviews with all the actors and with writer/creator Russell T Davies and the producer. In fact, the Region 2 DVD features several unique extras I haven't seen on any American DVDs. In addition to the behind the scenes documentary it features all of the TV commercials and promos (a dozen or so), collections of still pictures of the actors with music, and a small collection of memorable lines you can access. It's also anamorphic (16:9 enhanced) which I imagine the C1TV release will be too, since their release of QAF1 was anamorphic.

 

[Mark-W]

Micheal-
I would imagine that with Warner Bros. being
the distributor behind Showtime's Queer As Folk
we can expect it on DVD at some point in time.
Like everything else coming to DVD, I am
sure they will have to see if there is a market
for it.
Other Showtime original programming currently on DVD:
More Tales of The City
Red Shoe Diaries(various episodes)
Dirty Pictures
and I am sure more...
With the British version of Queer As Folk
being one of the best selling Region 2 DVDs,
I am guess Showtime and Warner Bros. figure
they have a property that should do well on
DVD.
Alan could, I am sure, shed more light
on this, when Warner Bros preps for a DVD release.

Mark

 

[Mark-W]

One thing I failed to add about a the US QAF's coming
to DVD:
While Warner Bros. has a history of botching
TV Series releases on DVD, they are doing
AB FAB as an entire boxed set.
And unlike Friends, which
could be argued (badly) that each episode
is a perfect little encapsulated program of
its own (hence the stupid "best of" set Warner Bros. did)
No one would ever think that anything
other than a box set would do well
for a series like Queer As Folk.
Heck, they think the series is so complicated,
that they have those dumb little "guest star" intros
before each episode to make sure we know where
they are in the storyline.
Mark

 

[Trace Downing]

Mark;
I'm sure that Warner will do justice to QAF. If it's even half as good as The Sopranos, It'll be a nice set.
The Sopranos:
DD5.1
Anamorphic 16x9
All 13 episodes of season 1 in chronological order.
Featurettes.
$80

That last part I can do without.

I disagree about Friends. There's nothing wrong with having a "Classics collection" IMO. There is no way that I'll want EVERY episode of any sit-com (including M*A*S*H*, and Seinfeld). Just give me the highlights (or this set, and maybe a second), and I'll be happy. What I would take issue with is their choices of what "the best" is. But anyone has to admit, that there are a few dog episodes in any series. And watching EVERYTHING from an individual series becomes a tedious waste of time, and familiarity breeds contempt.
The rest of the world are not completists um..completely.

I bet by keeping the price down, Warner is selling a slew more of these (not to some members on this board obviously), than they would $100+ season set. It hasn't hurt SNL's "Best of" series. How many people on this forum have even watched All discs in The X-Files set a second round through? I bet I can count them on 1 hand.
It's worked for years in the music industry. I just bought "The Cars Anthology" and would rather have this 2 disc set than all 6 of their albums and who knows how many import bootlegs of B-sides, when I only have a 6 disc changer in my car.
If that's arguing badly, well I can't give you any better reason than sales figures. The X-Files sets aren't selling well, despite the praise they get on this forum (Mr. Staddon has mentioned this in the past). Star Trek however is...at $10 an episode. Go figure.
Now, I am in favor of chronological sets if the storylines warrant it. Like Twin Peaks, Quantum Leap, Cattlecar Galactica, or even Soap. But really, who could possibly want 400+ episodes of Three's Company when they all have the same plot? Magnum P.I. could stand to have a "Greatest Hits" set as well.
I realize your arguments for unabridged collections are good for the "integrity" or "sanctity" of whatever series is on DVD, but across the board season sets are neither realistic, dollars wise, or it would be just TMI (Too Much Information).

 

[Thane]

I want to mention an extremely "gay friendly" DVD that finally arrived last week that I got to watch last evening...Henry Purcell's "The Fairy Queen". I'm a big fan of Baroque opera so was anxious to see this 1995 production by The English National Opera. What I wasn't expecting was a "gay friendly" offering as well...there are guys running around shirtless, guys running around in their underwear (and guys as well as women enjoying these guys running around), several guys in drag throughout, and even a gay couple that are equal participants in a mass wedding ceremony!
This DVD is from Image Entertainment, is a widescreen 16:9 enhanced presentation, with both 5.1 and 2.0 Surround audio. It's a very solid presentation, although I prefer to have the sounds of jumping, running, etc. minimized, although this certainly isn't unacceptable...it is a live performance after all!
It reminded me a lot of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, although the overall feel of each is very different. All in all, I would highly recommend this DVD. (Oh yeah...did I mention that the music is beautiful as well??

 

[Alan Light]

A few tidbits regarding Showtime's Queer As Folk (spoiler warning).
First, it is true that Brian's character will be softened in future episodes and he will be seen doing a few good things. That is welcome news.
Second, in an upcoming episode the flamboyant Emmett decides he wants to try to become an "ex-gay" and attends a meeting of gays who are trying to go straight. The others rent him a $1000-a-night porn star to lure him back to the gay fold but end up telling him they'll accept him however he is. It is probably needless to say that he doesn't end up switching teams after all. It's touching but also used of course for comedic effect. The group is called "See The Light" and Emmett tells the others "The way some of these people are dressed, you should call it 'Turn off the Light.'" And when Ted tells Emmett that God loves everyone, even "every faggot," Michael asks Ted in an aside whether he would ever consider joining the priesthood. "No," he shrugs, "I couldn't deal with all the sex."

 

[Alan Light]

The new critically acclaimed martial arts romance film "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" isn't a gay themed DVD, although the director is the same as The Wedding Banquet, but I thought I would mention that the movie has just been released on DVD in Region 3 (Hong Kong) for those of you who have the Apex or similar multi-region player and can be ordered from http://us.yesasia.com/prdDept.asp?se...4747&aid=10546

 

[Steve Tannehill]

Funny you should mention CT/HD, Alan. I just watched this DVD.
The commentary on the DVD is by director Ang Lee and exec producer/cowriter James Schamus. Ang Lee is, of course, director of THE WEDDING BANQUET, THE ICE STORM, and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. James Schamus produced and wrote THE WEDDING BANQUET (and most of Ang Lee's other films) and produced some diverse movies like POISON, HAPPINESS, and SWOON. Interesting...
The themes of unrequited love in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON hit very close to home. Lee comments that this movie is SENSE AND SENSIBILITY with martial arts. Be careful, though. If you go into this movie just expecting to see fanciful martial arts and wire work, you may be surprised to find that the movie is actually a very touching love story.
The movie is 2.35x1 anamorphic widescreen, with multiple language options, including Mandarin 5.1 with yellow English subtitles, and a pretty good English 5.1 dub.
Supplements are also in English, including an interview with Michelle Yeoh, a photo gallery set to the music of Yo Yo Ma, two music videos featuring Coco Lee, and the feature-length commentary with director Ang Lee and cowriter/producer James Schamus.
Even the DVD cover, insert, and menus on disc are completely in English. This was clearly designed for American release, but since the movie opened in Asia in June of last year and only December in the United States, Asia is getting the DVD about six month earlier than we will.
Of course, the purists will claim that you *have* to see this movie first on the big screen. And while I think I would enjoy seeing this movie with a crowd, I am glad that I can spin it up at will...like after my High Definition Superbowl party.
Word on the street is that it will be at least June before this is released in Region 1/United States. It could be even longer if the movie scores big at Oscar time.
Alas, the disc is coded for Region 3, so you will need a multi-region DVD player for playback. But the good news is that it is NTSC, which will provide perfect playback on our American televisions.
Or you can simply wait a few months and get the Region 1 version of the disc.
I got mine at Movietyme.com for $30.49, shipped. It took about a week to arrive.
- Steve

 

[John Berggren]

Longtime Companion comes out on Tuesday. I'm trying to decide if I should preorder. I've already seen the film and know I like it (although it's VERY depressing). I have seen so far that this is a feature-stripped DVD. What is really important though is : Will this be anamorphically enhanced? Not exactly a title they are reviewing at any of my review sites.
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Rationality is not a commodity which is evenly distributed.
View SpaceDog's DVD Collection

 

[Mark-W]

While I was showing Bishonen to
all my friends, my HK Action film friends mentioned
that you can buy DVDs from Asia much cheaper than
at yesasia.com.
http://www.dvdshelf.com
Mark

 

[Mark-W]

John B-
I am under the impression the DVD is enhanced for
widescreen televisions, but I cannot find that info
anywhere. Since the DVD is on its way to my home,
I am sure one of us here will be able to tell you
in the next 48 hours.
Mark

 

[Julian Lalor]

"Longtime Companion" is not 16:9 and the DVD seems to be sourced from a very ordinary (and soft) print.

 

[Mark-W]

Julian-
While "bad news," thanks for posting it.
I wanted to take a few minutes and post a couple
of DVD reviews for you all:
Sacred Silence
DVD Specs:
Aspect Ratio of about 1.40:1
(states 1.66:1, but I find that hard to believe.)
NOT enhanced for widescreen televisions
Stereo sound
Color,
NTSC
Region 1
Studio: Picture This!
In Italian with OPTIONAL English Subtitles
Extras: photo gallery
The story (from the box):
In the tradition of Priest and
The Boys of St. Vincent.
When a parish priest battles violence and corruption
in present-day Naples, the local Mafia takes revenge
by exposing his relationship with a 13-year-old
altar boy named Pianese Nunzio.
My Comments
That is about as good a plot summary as I can imagine.
While I liked Priest, I don't think this film
is in the same league. Maybe it is because I am not
really sure what the director's point of view is.
Am I supposed to think the priest in an honorable man,
who just happens to "show his affection" for a thirteen
year old boy by having sex with him from time to time?
Am I supposed to think their relationship is just fine?
The film leaves you with no real clear answers.
(At least it didn't for me.) Without giving too much away,
the boy doesn't seem to mind his sexualized relationship
with the priest so much as he does having people know
about it. (At one point in the film, the boy clearly
enjoys watching the priest take a shower.)
I would say this film is more like a cross between
Priest and For A Lost Soldier
which is a film that
(while I am not totally comfortable with its message)
doesn't leave me with any questions
about the director's intent.
Like Steam, which I think is a much
better film, visually, this film is almost 100%
in the MPAA Rated "G" arena. Sex is implied, but
never shown. (For example:
The camera pans to the window in some instances.)
I'd say this film is a rental-only title.
(And I love most films set in Italy.)
The other DVD:
The Trio (aka "Das Trio")
DVD Specs:
Aspect Ratio of about 1.85:1
NOT enhanced for widescreen televisions
Stereo sound
Color,
NTSC
Region 1
Studio: TLA Releasing
In German with English subtitles
Extras: photo gallery, trailers, actor biographies,
text interview with director.
The story:
A gay middle-aged couple and their "daughter"
engage in a bunch of pick-pocketing to keep fed
and clothed. When one of the gents becomes incapacitated,
the "daughter" finds his replacement in a oddly hunky
petty thief. Both the daughter and father
are sexually attracted to him. Comedy ensues.
My Comments
This film has the look and feel of
Stephen Frears' film The Snapper,
and Mark Herman's film Brassed Off.
I didn't really like those "comedies,"
because they were so dreary in their tone.
(Though they are good films.)
While the film feels wholly German,
the storyline could've easily been ripped
from a Jerry Springer show:
"My Gay Lover Is Sleeping With My Daughter,
But I Cannot Go To The Police Because We're All Thieves!
This film does have moments of comedy,
and a few brief moments of sexuality
(including full frontal nudity by the
male object of everyone's affection),
but I was never "delighted" by the story.
The father is an anti-hero, controlling
and really quite a jerk,
and I am not sure why he would ever catch the
eye of the bisexual newcomer, which he does.
(And this may be a silly point of irritation,
but why do all the principals in the film
suffer from chronic bad hair days? They all
look like they just rolled out of bed!)
I found the film's ending was also a
bit unfulfilling. Again, like the first film reviewed,
it has a moment where you are led to believe things
are not as resolved as you might originally think.
Did I smile during the film? Sure.
Would I show it to friends wanting
to see something different? Yep.
Would I recommend you BUY it? No.
Later!

Mark

 

[Alan Light]

Yes, I just finished watching the Longtime Companion DVD and can confirm it is quite a disappointment. It's not 16:9 enhanced and the print is indeed ordinary. Picture is soft and blemishes appear throughout.

 

[Michael Allred]

you know, the US "QAF" has become a rather depressing show. it's like everyone hates themselves, lives empty, useless lives....like they WANT to be unhappy and destroy themselves. what happened to this so-called "celebration" of gay life? nobody can convince me the show, in an way, celebrates gay life. it's beginning to look very anti-gay to me and it's really turning me off. there isn't a single sympathetic character any more.....Ted used to be but now he's just as bad as Brian, just in a different way.
the show now completely & totally represents every single negative aspect of the gay community.
there isn't a single positive shown about gay men.....nothing redeeming at all. what a shame.
if this is the best we can hope for, i'll stick to gay themed movies like "beautiful thing".

 

[Mark-W]

Michael-
I'll post my response to your comments
in the soon-to-be resurrected QAF thread
in the TV SHOWS section.

Mark

 

[Michael Allred]

Apologies for posting this here but...
i knew there were going to be characters i was going to dislike to the extreme for one reason or another. however, 1-2 people from the UK show i felt a lot of sympathy for...this is something a good writer ALWAYS puts in his work. there HAS to be someone to like or else an audience will have no emotion invested in the show and eventually lose interest.
in the beginning, my fav character was Ted. smart, funny..the kind of guy you'd love to have as a friend because he's always supportive. though he was down on himself a lot, he gave you the feeling that, if you knew him in real life, you'd want to be there for him. THIS is essential, in a show with completely dispicable people, you have the one guy to root for.
initally i was hesitant as his UK counterpart died so i assumed he would as well. sure enough i am pleasantly surprised when he comes out of his coma. we see his character smarten up and realize there is more to gay life than mindless bars/clubs.
we see him finally meet someone who had a lot in common with him, that they had great potential together. Ted was going to be happy because he FINALLY knew what was really important.
then the QAF writers made their biggest mistake so far. they make Ted's character regress. he's no longer the "down on himself but still very sweet" guy but the complete fool who throws what could potentially be a great source for happiness away because of self-hatred. i say that because look at him back at the bar.....becoming rejected to ted is like you or me getting hit on. it made him happy in a sick, sad and twisted way.
so the ONE male character virtually everyone liked, (at one time) could even relate to, became this idiotic & simpering coward who at his very core, was no better than the vile Brian.
what exactly were the producers expecting to get from this? happy viewers? it's as if they decided to perpetuate this stigma that all gay men MUST lead empty, soulless lives. that to hate oneself is the only way to go.
i knew from the beginning that Brian was worthless, Michael was mind numbingly stupid in love and Justin just didn't have a clue but quickly became a slut.......just like every gay man is supposed to be apparently.
the US "QAF" does not celebrate ANY aspect of gay culture but insults it. it perpetuates the lie that one must fit in, look/act like all the others to "get some action" while forgoing any semblence of love. in fact the show shuns love as if it's a disease to be avoided at all costs.
with last sunday's episode.....the show has lost any claim to being a drama, a "groundbreaking" gay series that homosexuals should be violently happy is on the air.....it's nothing more than a low rent soap opera and that is the great shame.
if i wanted to watch gay men throw their lives away, i'd run along to a gay bar.
of course young gay americans will only see the eye candy of Justin....think that gay bars are some kind of hardbody heaven where all their dreams will come true. read "XY" magazine (or is it "YX"?) and check out the reader mail...kids want the drinking age to be reduced so they can "finally" get in, "finally"....as if it's their destiny that cannot or should not be denied.
having said all of that, i would not be here as a strong critic of the show if the producers would JUST LET SOME OF THE GUYS BE HAPPY! it IS possible, it's even been documented that gay men have found happiness in actual relationships. yes, it's true! where's Ripley when you need him?

 

[Steve Tannehill]

where's Ripley when you need him?

Ripley is watching gay-themed DVD's and commenting on them in this thread..come on, guys, let's try to keep this on topic. There's already an active thread on QAF in our TV Shows forum.
- Steve