So I've been neglecting my duties in informing all of you of what movies I've been watching my gay film class, so here are reviews for the past three weeks that I've slacked off on:
Jeffrey (1995) - Christopher Ashley and Paul Rudnick
The movie version of Paul Rudnick's off-broadway play. This thing translated horribly from stage to film, and the cinematography and direction really shows.
The basic story goes: Jeffrey is the story of a New York City catering waiter, who decides to abstain from sex in the midst of the AIDS crisis. Meeting the man of his dreams at the gym, who is HIV positive, changes his views on sex and relationships.
This thing is outrageous, campy, and silly. But not without its merits. It boasts a pretty significant cast (Patrick Stewart, Sigorney Weaver, Olympia Dukakis), and honestly, you can't miss Patrick Stewart as a middle-aged gay interior designer whose boyfriend is in the cast of Cats. A little too trite for me, I get the feeling that "Jeffery" is a gay movie for straight people. But watch if you're ever bored.
The Living End (1992) - Gregg Araki
One of the films billed as the "Queer New Wave." Unlike "Jeffrey" and "The Broken Hearts Club" which I watched before, Araki's "The Living End" is washed-out and gritty, a homosexual homage to the buddy film genre, French amour fou and Godard.
"The Living End" is about John and Luke, two HIV positive men who discover each other in the streets of Los Angeles and take off for the ride of their lives. This one is definitely for you arty movie goers, as the narrative style and direction is nowhere close to mainstream cinema. With a powerful message and very erotic sex scenes, I think you guys might like this film a lot. ^_^ That is, if you can find it. >_>
La ley del deseo: The Law of Desire (1987) - Pedro Almodóvar
Cocoa's mother recommended Almodóvar, and I have to say that "The Law of Desire" has not disappointed me. This movie is a lot of stories all interwoven, but most importantly is about a director, Pablo Quintero, and how his passion for his work blinds him to his loves and his desires.
Awesome movie, featuring a young Antonio Banderas as Quintero's jealous lover. Again, very nice directing, acting, and cinematography, and you really Banderas at his best here. If any of you think he's a bad actor, you should go and see this movie. ^_^ More themes with the French amour fou here, but much more fantasical and well-crafted than Araki's "The Living End."
Supposedly "All About my Mother" and "Talk to Her" are also very good Almodóvar movies. ^_^ Go see them.
Guess that's it for today. I finished reading the last volume of Paradise Kiss too, and I have to say it's really, really good. I like how it played out in the end, very satisfying. ^_^ And I love Isabella even more. ^_^ And you get to find out what her name used to be. ^_~
And one more thing: just to show my support, because I wrote my district representative today about the issue:
| Marriage is love. | |||||
and sign the Million for Marriage petition.
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