Any Day Now

My movie watching has slowed down soooo much. Work is getting busier. Anyway, I am so glad that I saw this movie after a long break because I know I would have been really disappointed had a I ended up watching a really bad gay film (the chances of which are really high) but I am glad that I did not have to deal with the situation. This film thankfully does not deal with gay stereotype stories and movie that we have all gotten used to Instead, it touches on a very important subject of adoption and deals it with sensitivity.

Apparently based on a true story, the film is set in 1970s. Rudy Donatello is a struggling musician and drag performer in a gay nightclub in 1979 West Hollywood, where he meets Paul, a closeted district attorney. Returning home to his apartment, Rudy finds Marco, a 14-year-old with Down syndrome, left alone after his mother, Marianna, had been arrested. Rudy takes in the abandoned boy, but Family Services intervenes and takes Marco to foster care. On Rudy's insistence, Paul agrees to help him get custody of the child. All this while, quite quickly, Rudy and Paul have become close lovers. The two visit Marianna in prison to coax her into signing the temporary guardianship papers, which she does. After a rigorous court case, they are finally allowed to get the custody of the child and everyone is quite happy. Until one fine day, Paul's boss gets a hang of the fact that Rudy is not Paul's cousin but hi solver. Paul ends up losing his job and his boss files a case on him regarding the custody after coercing Marco's mother to take back her consent. The two men are devastated after constant battles in the court and the court not allowing them the guardianship. The film ends on a shocking note which leaves audiences devastated and stunned.

I did not see the ending coming. I expected it to have a happy ending but I am glad that it was more realistic. Sure, it seems that Rudy's and Paul's affair happened all too quickly which is even mentioned during the court case but I guess sometimes love just happens and you do not question it. The tender moments they both share as a couple taking care of Marco are so hear-warming. All the court scenes are done very very well and are very realistic. Coming to performances, Alan Cumming does a splendid job as Rudy. His performance needs to be applauded and the film needs to be seen because of him. Paul also acts well. The film i snot dragged unnecessarily and comes straight to the point very quick and keeps the focus in tact.

Overall a very entertaining and touching movie. I would not regret watching the movie twice. (7.5/10)

Read More

In Between Men - Season 2 (Web Series)

A sequel to supposedly popular gay web series, this series continues from where the last one left over. Its not really a sequel in the true sense but the same characters have been taken from the first season and new stories webbed around it. This season has 9 episodes, that continue to focus on some aspect of the lives of these A-list gay New Yorkers.

The life of the 4 friends continue after the death on of one of the friends. New characters are introduced. We are introduced to a straight black man who is the girl's dousing who starts sharing the apartment of one of our protagonists. The doctor guy is still under low self-esteem and ends up dating either drug addicts or sorta losers on life one way or the other. The macho guy is all about just sleeping with anyone and everyone who he can find. (Reminded me of the dude from Queer as Folk). Of course, the straight italian lover for one of the guy is re-introduced but they keep their relationship open. At the end of 9 episodes we get to see different episodes that occur in their life and different events with the final episode focusing on where they end up wrt love.

Compared to season 1 , this season was a tad better. Acting and production values had nth considerably improved. One thing that was consistent though was still bad acting. Apart from the straight black guy, everyone was quite fake and was looking like 'acting'. Agreed the is a web series but it can be done well with really good acting like in 'The Outs'. Credit is due for the writers who came up with interesting scenarios but the acting really was flat. I just failed to connect with any of the characters because they were all pretty shallow. The entire episode of the friend's death and all a looked soooooo fake. The boyfriend of the guy who dies, was so bad. He has like no emotion. So you can imagine if this was improved acting-directing, how bad the season 1 would have been.

In any case, I have so much worse that in totally it is not a bad time pass. (4/10)

Read More

Boys On Film 9: Youth In Trouble

The ninth edition in this series comes in with a very interesting title. Most of the shorts in this series focus on youth in various stages of emotional crisis. Unfortunately, the previous series have all been a lot of fun and interest but somehow this one lacks a punch. Barring just a few, most of them somehow did not manage to hold my attention.

Deep End (Canada)

When Dane's older brother comes out, Dane doesn't react very well. But soon after he has to choose between siding with his homophobic classmates or fighting to support his brother. The film has very few dialogues but I think it was very realistic. One of the better ones in the series.

Family Affair (Brazil)

The short shows a young man briefly escaping the masculine energy of his father and brother for a smoke-infused dalliance with one of his brother’s friends. The smoke ends up in a very passionate kiss followed by one of the best reactions that i have seen by a guy after his first kiss. The mix of pleasure, happiness, cockiness and everything else. This short film was priceless just for the guys reaction of "I did it".

Together (UK)

One month after moving in together David and Mark come home to find a key in the lock of their front door. They check the house and it all seems clear, until they slowly start to realise that they are not alone. After a rosy, fresh beginning, the shades of horror film mutate the story. Definitely not my kinda short.

Easy Money (Spain)

When a handsome rent boy shows up at a mysterious client's hotel room, the boy quickly learns that sex appears to be the last thing on his clients mind. It’s an interesting glimpse of the entanglement of prostitution and violence, both involving payment for a very physical act. Brilliantly acted and directed. This one also has a very interesting twist.

The Wilding (Australia)

Juvenile inmate Malcolm is in love with his cellmate Tye, but their relationship is confined within their cell. When Malcolm is offered a shot at parole, he finds himself torn between his rare chance for freedom and protecting the one he loves. I just did not get the film much. It was too abstract for me.

Colonial Gods (UK)

A complicated friendship between a Somali man and Nigerian man unfolds against the chaos of gentrification and displacement in the small immigrant community in Cardiff known as Tiger Bay. This film just does not fit into a gay short series film. I still don't know why this was put in.

It's Not A Cowboy (France)

Last night, Brokeback Mountain aired on TV. Vincent watched it and found himself emotionally compelled by the story. Whilst chatting with a classmate in the school toilets, he takes advantage of the break to describe the film as only an adolescent can. This was a very good short. Highly recommended.

Prora (Switzerland/Germany)

In this deserted former Nazi holiday camp and communist military complex, teenagers Jan and Matthieu embark on an adventure that could change everything. Whilst exploring their surroundings they confront their identities and ultimately put their friendship at risk. But the ending is thankfully friendly and positive. Just a decent flick.

Like I said before, I was a little disappointed by the odd mix because generally they are all very good in this series. (5/10)

Read More