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Blogger’s Note:


Hey everyone,

I know that I’m supposed to be the ChicagoPride.com Music Editor and principally deal with house and dance music; but I’m coming at you over the next several days with my take on some of the films being shown at this year’s REELING: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. I wasn’t sure how to present my “reviews” to you all, but I’ve decided to do a single blog entry for each movie I talk about. I hope that works for those of you who actually read this. Each entry will list the movie, the where and when it is being shown, as well as the official synopses that was provided by the Reeling organizers. Then below that will be my take in one of two formats: a running commentary review or a more traditional recap review. You’ll see. Enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tuesday, November 11
9:15 PM
Landmark (Theater 7)

Clapham Junction
Adrian Shergold
UK, 2007, 95 Min



Synopsis:
Commissioned by groundbreaking British Channel 4 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in the U.K., the controversial drama Clapham Junction is anything but a G-rated gay pride celebration. With quite a bit of sweaty—and often violent sex—involved, it follows the interconnected lives of a group of contemporary gay men in London. From a civil partnership ceremony for two upper-crust gay men to married men cavorting in public restrooms to glory holes and gay bashing, this gripping drama touches on a range of homosexual complexities, suggesting that urban gay acceptance is surface thin with issues of self-acceptance threatening to bubble up through the cracks.

Plez's Post-Viewing Commentary:
WOW! This film is a triumphant piece of art that is brilliantly written, acted, and directed. Those looking for a pleasant romantic comedy where all ends well for its gay characters, move on. Clapham Junction is not for you. This is a serious dramatic presentation that delves into a variety of issues – mentioned above in the synopsis - and poses pointed questions along the way. A bold, ambitiously complex story told over a 36-hour period in the south of London, the tone and mood of the film is just perfect throughout and most assuredly during the intense and controversial scenes involving a gay teen boy and the object of his interest and lust. Depending on your point of view, the audaciousness of the boy – acted with fierceness by Luke Threadaway – is courageous, heroic, stupid, frightening, or a mixture of some or all of these. For those up to the challenge, the explicit – but never gratuitous - Clapham Junction will make you think: both during the film and long afterwards. The symbolism of the wedding ring being just a tad too big and not a perfect fit could drive a discussion group to endless hours of conversation, analysis, and debate. This is easily the best film I’ve seen amongst the Reeling 27 offerings, and quite frankly this is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Period. Again, all I can say is WOW!

Blogger’s Note:


Hey everyone,

I know that I’m supposed to be the ChicagoPride.com Music Editor and principally deal with house and dance music; but I’m coming at you over the next several days with my take on some of the films being shown at this year’s REELING: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. I wasn’t sure how to present my “reviews” to you all, but I’ve decided to do a single blog entry for each movie I talk about. I hope that works for those of you who actually read this. Each entry will list the movie, the where and when it is being shown, as well as the official synopses that was provided by the Reeling organizers. Then below that will be my take in one of two formats: a running commentary review or a more traditional recap review. You’ll see. Enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tuesday, November 11
7:00 PM
Film Row Cinema

Ebony Chunky Love: Bitch Can’t Get a Date
Lonnie Renteria
USA, 2007, 73 Min



Synopsis:
With a successful stand-up career and a job as co-host of Sirius Radio’s OutQ in the Morning, comedian Keith Price could easily limit his comedy routines to how hard it is to be fabulous all the time. However, as a burly, out, loud and proud African American gay man, he chooses to make his audience laugh with candid observations on not only his love life and dating, but also topics such as racism and homophobia. Ebony Chunky Love is everything you would expect from its title: super-queeny and over-the-top. But it also offers a genuine voice to issues such as the media’s portrayal of gay African American males, body image idealization, racism within the gay dating scene, and how the down-low is not just a black phenomenon. With Keith’s infectious laugh and sharp humor, we truly leave with the question: Why can’t this bitch get a date? Really.

Plez's Post-Viewing Commentary:
After pre-viewing so many films with seemingly perfect body-types, it was so nice to see this documentary about a gay black male who amongst the various issues he’s had to deal with throughout his very interesting life is weight and related body-image issues. He also talks refreshingly, candidly, and humorously about his experiences as a black gay male within the larger American culture as well as within the various gay American sub-cultures, within American minority sub-cultures, and within his own family. His joyous tale of being in Montreal, where his black-ness and overweight chunkiness do not preclude him from being desired by “hot guys” particularly brought a big ole smile to my face. I myself, and many other American gay men of color that I know, have often found far more acceptance and/or been the object of unexpected desire north of the border and in other locales around the world. It leaves you wondering “why can’t I get this kind of love back home from my own people … from my own family?” This film is a nice effort – another film festival quality pic - that will appeal not just to black gay males, but to a broader gay & lesbian audience.

Blogger’s Note:

Hey everyone,

I know that I’m supposed to be the ChicagoPride.com Music Editor and principally deal with house and dance music; but I’m coming at you over the next several days with my take on some of the films being shown at this year’s REELING: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. I wasn’t sure how to present my “reviews” to you all, but I’ve decided to do a single blog entry for each movie I talk about. I hope that works for those of you who actually read this. Each entry will list the movie, the where and when it is being shown, as well as the official synopses that was provided by the Reeling organizers. Then below that will be my take in one of two formats: a running commentary review or a more traditional recap review. You’ll see. Enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sunday, November 9
5:30 PM
Landmark (Theater 6)

OMG/HaHaHa
Morgan Jon Fox
USA, 2007, 74 Min



Synopsis:
Reflecting a social networking-saturated youth culture where gay YouTubers like William Sledd and Chris Crocker speak directly to millions of kids, including teenage girls and emo-gay boys alike, along comes this queer vision that offers us a deeper (albeit digitally filtered) view into the seemingly superficial psyches of the MySpace generation. Using part video blog, part improvisational narrative, and part pseudo documentary, OMG/HaHaHa is a pastiche of the lives of a diverse set of gay, straight, and trans teens and twenty-somethings living in Memphis and dealing with flesh and blood issues, ranging from unexpected pregnancy to homophobia to dying parents. Beautifully shot with evocative indie music, OMG/HaHaHa is a queer film for a new generation.

Plez's Post-Viewing Commentary:
The description above is spot on. BTW, the synonyms for “pastiche” are “takeoff,” “imitation,” “appropriation,” “spoof,” “parody.” … In a day and age where the dramas and “reality” TV shows about teens and 20-somethings are represented by the upscale lives in “Gossip Girls” and “The Hills,” the truth of what today’s teens and young adults are dealing with is probably more closely aligned with what’s seen here. This group surely doesn’t idolize Spencer & Heidi, but they do find a kinship with the modern-day middle class/working class upbringing of Eminem … LOL moment: “Then imagine Condi Rice sending you a text message saying, ‘I’m drunk, let’s hook up.’” … A bulimic teenage boy. That’s interestingly novel, and just as sad. … Over the years I’ve had difficulty with the word “queer,” not really sure what it meant and my relationship to it. To me, this is very much a “queer” movie (within the confines of my personal definition of “queer”), not a “gay” movie. I think it’s a really good film and because of it I have a better understanding of the word “queer” and a new found, more comfortable relationship with it. … This is exactly the type of film you expect to see at a film festival: edgy, experimental, provocative, and thought-provoking. It’s also very well made.

Blogger’s Note:


Hey everyone,

I know that I’m supposed to be the ChicagoPride.com Music Editor and principally deal with house and dance music; but I’m coming at you over the next several days with my take on some of the films being shown at this year’s REELING: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. I wasn’t sure how to present my “reviews” to you all, but I’ve decided to do a single blog entry for each movie I talk about. I hope that works for those of you who actually read this. Each entry will list the movie, the where and when it is being shown, as well as the official synopses that was provided by the Reeling organizers. Then below that will be my take in one of two formats: a running commentary review or a more traditional recap review. You’ll see. Enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++++++++
Saturday, November 8

5:00 PM
Landmark (Theater 7)

Dream Boy
James Bolton
USA, 2008, 90 Min




Synopsis:
Based on a novel by Jim Grimsley set in Louisiana in the 1970s, Dream Boy is an evocative drama that will stay with you long after the film’s startling conclusion. Finding himself once again in a new town, quiet and reclusive teen Nathan (Stephan Bender) can’t take his eyes off Roy (played by Max Roeg, son of Nicolas Roeg and Theresa Russell), a long-haired, handsome farm boy that drives the school bus. Seemingly straight, Roy nonetheless seems to welcome Nathan’s glances at him in the bus mirror. Soon Nathan is tutoring Roy, which leads to friendship and then to touching, and then to more. But as Nathan and Roy bask in a sweet budding relationship, Bolton’s use of ominous music and dark innuendos signal that the plot will likely lead to a much darker place for our duo.

Plez's Running Commentary:
Why does every movie set in the Deep South seem to have those “Deliverance” banjo chords in the soundtrack … Rural Louisiana, several overt religious references within the first 5 minutes, foreboding music – in addition to the banjos – hormonal teenage boys flirting with each other? And there’s a cemetery behind their houses. This can’t end well, can it? … The look, feel, and pacing of this film are pitch perfect … OMG! They’re doing it on a school bus. HOT!!! … Both of these boys have some dark secrets. “Brokeback in the Bayou.” … As appealing as the movie is on a lot of different levels, it ultimately failed to really grab me and deliver a knockout punch. In the end I was somewhat indifferent to the characters fate, and I so much wanted to care more. Maybe I need to see this film again.

Blogger’s Note:


Hey everyone,

I know that I’m supposed to be the ChicagoPridde.com Music Editor and principally deal with house and dance music; but I’m coming at you over the next with my take on some of the films being shown at this year’s REELING: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. I wasn’t sure how to present my “reviews” to you all, but I’ve decided to do a single blog entry for each movie I talk about. I hope that works for those of you who actually read this. Each entry will list the movie, the where and when it is being shown, as well as the official synopses that was provided by the Reeling organizers. Then below that will be my take in one of two formats: a running commentary review or a more traditional recap review. You’ll see. Enjoy!


Friday, November 7

9:00 PM
Landmark (Theater 7)

Watercolors
David Oliveras
U.S., 2008, 106 Min



Synopsis:
Winner of the audience award at Outfest, this debut feature by writer/director David Oliveras is the tale of two star-crossed lovers. Sensitive and artistic, Danny is an outcast, more accustomed to perusing guys in magazines than in real life. But when Carter, the hunkiest swimmer in school, ends up bunking with him one weekend, an unexpected romance unleashes both positive and negative consequences for both. Oliveras gives the actors (including Golden Globe winner Karen Black) plenty to work with in his well-rounded script that plays like a first love story anyone can identify with.


Plez's Running Commentary:
This is a flashback story of first time gay love in high school. Carter (I’ve never seen a swimmer with longer hair) is a hottie newcomer to the school and Danny is the geekily cute artist boy (eating his cookies, snacks, and ice cream while being thin as a rail). On screen as a couple these two “opposites” just click and sparkle. You can’t help but like them. ... [The sound quality of this movie is HORRIBLE.] ... This movie is SO ADORABLY CUTE. … Look, it’s Greg Louganis as the swimming coach. … These two young actors are really quite impressive. Tye Olson, who plays Danny, won the Best Actor award at OUTFEST, the LA G&L Film Fest, this past May … Interesting how the movie on one hand is so very modern in how the boys are fairly understanding, if not totally accepting, of their sexuality and yet they face the same old issues of bigotry and gay-bashing in high school and their community. … While the artsy boy’s relationship with his mother is presented well (she’s loving and accepting; the type of mother we’d all like to have), the swimmer boy’s relationship with his father is clunky and poorly written (he clearly does not know how to be a good parent; but he loves his son, I think.) … There are a few maddening editing/story-telling holes that painfully keep this from being a top notch film. It’s like they may have been worried about the length of the film – it clocks in at 106 minutes. They should have targeted for 110. And one can only hope that the sound quality of the film that is actually shown at the Festival is much much better than what I had to endure with the screening DVD copy. ... Ultimately, this is a film that I am glad I saw. I laughed; I cried; and my feelings for the film will always be warm and enthusiastic. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic and a sucker for a good love story and this film pushes all by buttons.