Jason KingTop Ten Films With a Gay Theme
May 9th 2008 03:43
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Great bunch of films!!
I absolutely hate stereotyping things especially in a racial or sexual sense. These films are brilliant in there own sense and deserved to be known as great films - not gay films. Sure the majority of lead characters are gay but that did not stop Brokeback Mountain from being bear hugged by the majority of the world and stop it from cleaning up at the Oscars. Likewise these films may be more accepted by the rest of the community and films I truly loved - and recommend to all of you. Suck it up you hetero's and get into it. (Did I just stereotype, I also hate hypocrites). I read about one of these films that it's as much about homosexuality as Charlotte Gray is about hair dye. You be the judge and let me know what you think.
Number 10:
My Beautiful Laundrette (1986) $13-
My Beautiful Laundrette is set within the Asian community in London, during the Thatcher years, and displays those values, of money but 'anybody can make it.' Omar gains the running of his Uncle Nasser's laundrette. He is helped by his friend Johnny who is an outsider, white but not entirely accepted by either the white or Asian Londoners. There are many memorable characters: Tania, Omar's cousin whom he might marry. Salim the manager of Nasser's garage and sometime drug importer. Rachel, Nasser's white mistriss, who like Johnny seems to be another outsider. The interaction of these people gives a comic insight into their world and makes a very refreshing film. Synopsis written by Matthew Stanfield.
A piece of the Thatcherite British era starring a much younger but still amazingly acted Daniel Day Lewis. Originally shot for television in six weeks on a low budget, My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) was directed by Stephen Frears (The Queen, High Fidelity), from author Hanif Kureishi's first screenplay. Originally shot on 16mm, it was so well received by critics at the Edinburgh Film Festival that it was internationally distributed for cinema on 35mm. Heralded as one of Britain's most commercially and critically successful films of 1986, it earned Kureishi an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. My Beautiful Laundrette was ground-breaking in its bold exploration of issues of sexuality, race, class and generational difference. It also sparked controversy, particularly within the Asian community, which was disgusted by its perceived degrading representation of Pakistanis. At a New York demonstration by the Pakistan Action Committee, banners called the film "the product of a vile and perverted mind". My Beautiful Laundrette's international success helped establish Channel 4's fledgling feature film production arm, Film on Four, and confirmed a move away from television single drama.
Number 9:
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) $14.50
Read My Review RIGHT HERE This is my number 19 film of the best film's ever made.
This film is without question a love story between two women. It is true representation of the women's love. The gay community has submerged this film in controversy since its release, Most people will see a beautiful film about best female friends that never touch, never kiss or never show more than friendship. But Fried Green Tomatoes has been given awards by GLAAD and other gay and lesbian groups for its "outstanding depiction of lesbians in a film." I think this is why it was so accepted for its time. Yes, it may be about a gay relationship but NO ONE wanted it thrown in their face so it was subtly changed to show best friends but the people in the know could no better. The largest national gay magazine, The Advocate, charged Fried Green Tomatoes with the crime of delesbianization, and argues that "Hollywood has always been partial to deepsixing gay and lesbian material. I myself knew it was about a lesbian relationship and my grandma would have a heart attack if she knew I was gay but this did not stop me from taking her to watch it and crying with sadness and happiness with her. Must see film for the whole family. although it is a bit of a chick flick.
Number 8:
Get Real (1998) $14.50
This gay coming-of-age drama from Britain was screened at many film festivals including Toronto, Edinburgh, and the 1999 Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema section). It tells the story of 16-year-old Steven (Ben Silverstone), a boy who can't tell anyone of his sexual preference except an overweight girl named Linda, who is also unlucky in love. Steven (and most of his school's female student body) have a crush on John, the school hunk, who dates a model. Before long, John and Steven finally meet and start a private romantic tryst. The lies, secrets, and deceit build to a head at the school's commencement ceremony, where John is to be presented a prize for athletics, while Steven reads his award-winning essay on growing up. All is finally revealed. ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide.
Truly a beautiful film, it made me laugh and cry at the joy of his outcome and at the sadness and remembrance of the same crap I had to go through. I buried myself deeper in the closet afraid to be bashed senseless as a gay boy at school. Steve, on the other hand goes a different and sometimes dangerous path filled with sadness and joy. It's a nice romantic fantasy that will give you goosebumps.
Number 7:
Bad Education (2004) aka La Mala Educación (2004) $14.50
In the early 60s, two boys - Ignacio and Enrique - discover love, movies and fear in a Christian school. Father Manolo, the school principal and Literature teacher, both witnesses and takes part in these discoveries. The three characters come against one another twice again, in the late 70s and in 1980. These meetings are set to change the life and death of some of them.
One of Pedro Almodóvar's greatest works starring the sensational Gael GarcÃa Bernal known from Amores Perros (2000), Y tu mamá también (2001) & Babel (2006). This film stands out among Almodóvar's work in that it features a nearly all-male cast (among Almodóvar's trademarks are stories about women) and is among his most serious works. The reception of the movie among audiences was mixed. It received the honor of opening in the 57th Cannes Film Festival in 2004, the first Spanish film to do so. Due to its homosexual nature it received a very limited release in the US despite its rave reviews the world around. It is said Almodóvar later made his film Volver as a more traditional work, as an attempt to cleanse himself from the "too controversial" Bad Education. It's bloody brilliant - check it out!
Number 6:
My Own Private Idaho (1991) $15-
Surreal character study focusing on the friendship between two male hustlers, Mike and Scott, in Portland, Oregon. They live on the streets, do drugs, and sell themselves to men and women. Mike is quiet, gay and suffers from narcolepsy. Abandoned as a child, he is obsessed with finding his long-lost mother. Scott is the rebellious son of a high-ranking family, who lives this life mostly to embarrass his father. Mike is in love with Scott, who still maintains he is straight and insists that his wild lifestyle on the streets is only temporary. Together, they embark on a quest to find Mike's mother, traveling from Portland to Idaho to Italy, with Scott picking up a beautiful girl along the way.
Gus Van Sant's greatest work starring two of my fave's, Keanu and the late and who would have become the greatest actor of all time, god rest his sole, River Phoenix. I still have a large print of River on my wall from this film. It is truly a remarkable and a completely different release for its time. It was the first art house commercial film I can remember that blended an brilliant art house story and director with two of the hottest and talented actors for their time. It was a massive risk for both actors and one that has benefited them immensely.
The day River died I cried for hours. The loss to the world of this talented genius is by far the greatest loss in the acting world of all time.
Trivia: 1) Many members of the cast (including River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, Flea, and Michael Parker) moved into director Gus Van Sant's large old house in Portland, Oregon during filming. They apparently caused such a disturbance (staying up late, getting drunk, partying, and playing music) and overtook the house to such an extent that Van Sant eventually had to move out of his own house and stay with a friend in order to get some sleep. 2) For its initial American video release, this gay themed movie was packaged as a straight film, with both of its stars Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix in clinches with women on the video jacket. 3) The campfire speech when River Phoenix's character declares that he is in love with Keanu Reeves' character was written by Phoenix.
MUST SEE FILM. RIP RIVER
Number 5:
Latter Days (2003) $15-
Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss) and Christian Markelli (Wes Ramsey) are the two most opposite people in the world. Aaron is a young Elder (or a Mormon missionary) who wants to do his family proud and is quite passionate about his religion and film. Christian is a shallow WeHo waiter/party boy who only looks forward to bedding a new guy every night. After Aaron and three other missionaries move into the apartment across from Christian, his friends bet him $50 that he can't get one of them to jump into the sack, so he instantly latches onto Aaron. There are two problems, though - Christian is falling in love with Aaron and the Mormons are not the biggest fans of the homosexual community. Once Aaron is discovered, the two have to go through trials of regret, loss, perseverance, and forgiveness if they both want to get to the thing that matters to them most: each other. Written by Will
This is such a beautiful, sad, comedic, soul searching, heart grabbing film. I pissed myself with laughter, I cried with emotional tearing and I shook with sobs at the end. The acting may not be the best in the world but it feels real, it grabs you and holds you and takes you on a journey you would never have expected. This is the first film to actually show the dispute between gays and Mormon's and I have been surprised in my brief research to have found so many comments from X Mormons who had been excommunicated for being gay and how they found this film beautiful and spot on. Kudos to the film just for that. A great viewing!!
Number 4:
Summer Storm (2004) aka Sommersturm (2004) $15-
Tobi and Achim have been best mates for years. As cox and oarsman, they have lead their rowing club to win several rowing cups in the past and are now looking forward to win a big regatta in the countryside of Germany. But this trip isn't your usual summer camp experience and problems soon arise. As Achim's relationship with his girlfriend Sandra, who's also on the team, grows more and more serious, Tobi starts to realize that his feelings for Achim run much deeper than he's willing to admit to himself. He feels confused, unsure of himself and increasingly left out by his friend Alex and the team. When Sandra's best friend Anke shows her interest in him, his anxiety starts to grow. When it turns out that the much-anticipated Berlin girls' team has been replaced by a team of athletic, cliché-bursting young gay men, Tobi and his teammates are suddenly forced to grapple with their prejudices, their fears, and, perhaps, their hidden longings. As the tension grows, Tobi, Achim and the others head towards a confrontation as fierce and liberating as the summer storm that's gathering over the lake. And Tobi realizes he has to start facing some facts about himself he didn't dare to face before. Written by KerrSmith2306
Probably the best coming out movie ever made. It deals with the issues facing closeted gay teens with humor, sensitivity, reality and pure honesty. I believe this should be a film studied in all schools around the film. Directed, acted, filmed and cast to perfection. Brilliant.
Number 3:
Brokeback Mountain (2005) $15-
This film is my number 11 Best Film of All Time. Read my review RIGHT HERE
The poignant Ang Lee masterpiece that made gay mainstream. You all know about this one!
Number 2:
Mandragora (1997) $15.50
This film is HEAVY. Think "Kids" on crack that are forced to do things they don't like just to survive.
This isn't one of those movies you can pop in your DVD player or VCR anytime of the day and enjoy it. This isn't a movie you rent with your girlfriend to make out too. It's not a movie you would recommend to your friends, and it's not a movie you get a bag of popcorn and sit down with your family and enjoy. This movie will disturb you. This movie will make your stomach feel awful, hours and possibly days after you watch it.
Marek is a troubled teenager who is having trouble at home and at school and he realizes he's much different than they are. His father finds out Marek has stopped going to school and tries to talk some sense into him. Talking turns into yelling and this pushes Marek further and further away and decides to runaway from home, which takes him into the dark underworld and streets of Prague. In Prague, Marek is drugged, raped and forced into a life of hustling for money, where AIDS is always a threat.
It twists and turns down dark roads without a light and by the time the movie ends, you feel a little sick to your stomach. It's a side of life we're not used to seeing, we know it's there, but either we don't care or we realize we can't do anything to help make matters worse. Wiktor Grodecki makes you care. He shoves it right in your face in plain view. You have no choice but to look. Wiktor Grodecki pulls at your heartstrings and breaks your heart over and over throughout the movie.
Besides its gut wrenching honesty and subject matter the film is made brilliantly - I mean Academy Award brilliantly. It is just amazing and made with such top notch production skills that I am surprised it did not make my top 20 films. The story is so well told you will feel like a cast member in each scene. It will tear at your heart, make you frightened, make you squirm and bring forth so much compassion for these poor kids surviving in the dark underbelly of what the rest of us think of as beautiful Prague. Miroslav Caslavka is beyond sensational in his portrayal of the lead character.
Number 1:
Beautiful Thing (1996)
This film is my 28th Best Film of All Time.
Tthe first gay film I saw that made me happy to be gay. It is pure joy and the end scene has you sobbing with happiness. LOL
A tender love story set during a hot summer on a South-East London housing estate. Jamie, a relatively unpopular lad who bunks off school to avoid football, lives next door to Ste, a more popular athletic lad but who is frequently beaten up by his father and older brother. Such an episode of violence brings Jamie and Ste together: Sandra (Jamie's mum) offers refugee to Ste, who has to 'top-and-tail' with Jamie. Hence, the story tells of their growing attraction for one another, from initial lingering glances to their irrefutable love, which so magnificently illustrated at the end of the film. In deals with the tribulations of coming to terms with their sexuality and of others finding out, in light of Sandra's unwavering loyalty and defence of Jamie and the fear of repercussion should Ste's family find out. The plot is set against sub-texts of Sandra's desire to manage her own pub, and thus escape the estate, and of her new relationship with her hippy boyfriend Tony; and of Leah, the brassy girl next door who has been expelled from school and spends her time listening to Mama Cass records and tripping on a variety of drugs. Written by Mark Edwards
Thanks for reading!! Hugs
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i will put this whole list on my "to see" list
and why dont i have a gay themed film post yet? you are giving an old hag ideas . . .
Comment by Jason King
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What 3 have you seen?
They are all great films but I have this idea you would totally LOVE Bad Education.
I could have done a top 20 but would have been writing into next year, there are just so many! Sorry Hedwig did not make the cut.
Bring it grandma hag - I need some films to hire out.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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oh no PLEASE dont tell the fag hag society!
*begs, pleads*
haha
ok ill put together a list pronto . . . ill tell you when i post it!
Comment by postmoderncritic
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I've only seen BBM here... which means I have a lot to look forward to, I guess!
Looking forward to that list, Morgan...
Comment by Cibbuano
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My Beautiful Laundrette is incredible, as well - Daniel Day Lewis shows how deeply he dissolves into a role, and the entire film reeks of social critique.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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CLICKHERE for Morgans list "Top Ten Queer Films" on Movie Train
(epiphanie, i want your opinion too!)
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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I agree with Bryn, Gael makes a fabulous drag queen - I could barely take my eyes off him.
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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I have seen about half of Science of Sleep, unfortunately I had to return it before I saw the end, but will rent it again soon to confuse myself a bit more, lol.
And yes, I've seen Y Tu Mama Tambien. I went in with really high expectations so I was a bit disappointed, but it was good regardless.
Speaking of Almodovar, have you seen 'All About My Mother'? One of my favourite films...
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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I thought you might be interested in my latest post on Postmodern Critic, Top 10 Films Featuring Gay and Lesbian Themes...
Cya!
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There is a whole world of gay films out there and you have seen 5 of the best
Add me on FB if you want to chat with another gay guy
Comment by Anonymous
Please take a look at 306, a gay short film, written, directed & produced by Melbourne born film maker Elliot London.
Please would you post it on your website and/or share it with your friends.
Warning: adult minded (nudity, no porn). http://vimeo.com/32775696
Thank you
Hilde. hilde311@gmail.com
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