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Reviews
Postcards from London (2018)
R-Rated thematically, PG-rated visually
I saw this at Frameline42 and the descriptions given played up the sexiness of the movie. While thematically it was risqué, it could have been shown on PBS due to the lack of any real nudity. While the acting was well done, the production was sub-par.
There was a scene where the protagonist is having promotional photos taken. The photographer asks him to drop his underwear. He shrugs his shoulders and it is implied that he is pushing his underwear off. The camera stays above his waist during the entire maneuver.
The sets were very stylized and claustrophobic. It felt like they were filming a play. And not in a good way.
Kater (2016)
Writer makes mockery out of Mental Health Care
The writer got a diagnosis for a faked mental health condition and used it as a key point in this movie. When you see a psychiatrist or psychologist, they will try to figure our a diagnosis for whatever problem you describe, no matter how unlikely your problem is. They aren't going to call you a liar and throw you out of their office. The writer lost all credibility when he described his methods.
I would have accepted the incident as an unfortunate accident, but the writer specifically said that the character deliberately and without provocation did what he did. This upset me so much, I had to walk out of a Q&A session due to his provocative and irresponsible behavior (especially his falsification of a mental illness).
Mental health is a serious topic and mental illness should not be something to fake just to create a more shocking plot development.
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Boring.
Not a very amusing premise. One not very funny joke that just goes on and on long past its expiration date. I'd like my time and money back.
Many of those in the apparent target market won't realize the real joke is on them. Several of the unwitting 'stars' of the movie are now suing, but I have to believe that they were only exposing their true feelings when they said and did what was shown in the movie.
Some of the others featured in the movie were trying to be nice and helpful, but were cruelly insulted and embarrassed.
It really isn't funny to keep pushing people to see just how far you can go before they stop being polite to you. Especially when that doesn't end the rudeness.
Humor doesn't need to be Politically Correct, but it does need to be funny. This movie was not funny.
Epiphany (2004)
Unbelievably Powerful!
It's hard to believe that this film stars and was directed by a 14-year-old! I was moved the two times I saw it during Frameline28. (The short was in two different programs.) The director was clever in using simple imagery to convey his story. The images are strong and the emotions felt very real. There was no excessive dialog. It shows just what teenagers can do if given the proper tools. Wow! (This is the first movie or short film, that I have seen, that was Presented by a Middle School.) I wish we lived in a world where no child (or adult, for that matter) ever has to contemplate what the protagonist does in this movie.
Ja zuster, nee zuster (2002)
A Dutch Musical Comedy
Maybe you won't get to experience a full Castro Theater singing along with the star of the movie, but I think you'll enjoy it almost as much as I did! And while it played in the 27th San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, it isn't really a Gay film. It's just a movie that has a special appeal to a Gay audience. I doubt that most of the audience speaks Dutch. I doubt that most of the audience had ever heard any of the songs. I had no idea that this movie had its origins in a long lost '60s Dutch TV series. None of this mattered. The movie was silly and just plain fun. The characters burst out in song and start dancing. There were bits and pieces that reminded me of '60s American musical and others that reminded me of British sit-coms. There were heroes and villains. There is growth and change. The Dutch Queen even comes to visit. Yes Nurse, No Nurse could never have been made in the US. And that's a good thing.
The Event (2003)
A Mainstream Movie
I just got home from seeing this at the 2003 San Francisco ILGFF. It is an extremely powerful movie by the director of The Hanging Garden and Beefcake. There are some familiar faces like Olympia Dukakis, Parker Posey, and Jane Leeves (Frasier's Daphne Moon). The Event shows many different sides of the issue and does not impose an opinion on you. You will leave the theater discussing the issues and characters with your friends. And that's the mark of a good movie. I don't want to spoil it, just go see it!
The Trip (2002)
Hot men, fun story.
what more do you want in a movie? The characters are fascinating with flaws just like real people have. They grow and develop through the movie. My favorite was Tommy (Steve Braun), but Alan (Larry Sullivan) goes through a greater transformation. Lots of fun period clothing and interesting tidbits of real history thrown in (cue the applause and the boos and hissing!). The film got an extended ovation at the 2002 San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. I felt it was the best program in this year's Festival.