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Last Review Posted by UltraSound - posted: 13 May 2008 11:17

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Dante's Cove Season 2 continues where Season 1 left off. I only got to see DVD1 of Season 1, but found myself being able to pick up on the missing episode without any hassles. So Dante's Cove is like watching a series on telly that you can miss one week without missing much at all. That is both good and bad. If you take it for what it is, it is fun to watch. There are definitely better "TV" series out there, but taking this for its own merit, it is something to enjoy mindlessly. There wasn't at much nudity and gay romantic erotica in Season 2, though we did get a gay orgy. There's not much to say about the plot and the characters. Neither are exactly what I would cal developed. But who cares. This is what it is and it's silly-tainment. Rating: 7

DVD details: "Dante's Cove - Season 2" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 24 January 2008 - Rating: 7.00

Last Review Posted by fractalgirls - posted: 11 May 2008 02:04

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I am tempted to give this film a 5; It is intense and difficult to watch to say the very least. Some may even find it to be a tad too much of a harangue against the media, social disenchantment, absent parents, middle-class consumerism and self-interest, and even our apathy towards suffering experienced by others (the Bosnian war briefly features in the film). I am eventually driven to award Haneke's film a 7 just to be fair. It is, after all, another clever film from the controversial director (Hidden, 2005 and Funny Games , 1997 amongst others) who does not shy away from focusing his lens on the darker sides of humanity. The second of his 'emotional glaciation' trilogy of films, Benny's Video[I][/I] is merciless, bitterly cold, and shocking in its banal approach towards mindless murder, suffering and selfishness. Benny is the 14 year-old adolescent who does the mindless killing 'just to see what it's like'. This is indeed a very disturbed child, of bourgeois parentage who are relative affluent, discontented and bored out of his wits. He runs a successful, if not corrupt, pyramid scheme at school in which his family takes an interest. He is attached to his cameras and shows an inability to experience anything but through the viewfinder and images on screen. Such is his inability to experience the world directly, without the filter of a medium, that he even sets up a live link from his video camera, positioned to film happenings outside his bedroom window, to his TV. Haneke does not seek to judge, at least not explicitly, the actions of his characters. This enhances their moral vacuity and actually allows the viewer to mould and ultimately address their own thoughts. These characters are without their moral compass, which makes them repulsive, abhorrent and monstrous. We watch and pry, meanwhile, with voyeuristic tendencies, unsettled and discomfited but through the medium of our screens. Rating: 7

DVD details: "Benny's Video" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 29 March 2008 - Rating: 7.00

Last Review Posted by UltraSound - posted: 10 May 2008 12:44

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Proteus is based on a true story of a 17th century Dutch sailor who was imprisoned on Robben island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) for having had sex with a man. He falls in love with another prisoner, a"native", so not only is this scandal his homosexuality but his homosexuality with a black man at a time when black people were apparently scientifically classified as only half-human. The film itself features some beautiful cinematography and fuses past and present to suggest how the racism and homophobia was carried through over the ages. At first it was a bit disconcerting and confusing to see a period piece with contemporary props and costumes but eventually I came to think of it as quite futuristic. The story is a bit too slow in the beginning but as the focus became more and more about the two characters, it got more involved. I do think though that the drama of the individual characters got sacrificed too much and there was too little focus on their inter relationships for the sake of perhaps giving an account and making a statement on the topic. Most of the sub-plots become little more than an aside comment from which the viewer is to deduce that events have moved on, rather than exploiting the characters' dillemas. It is sad that that has gone missing because it would have been quite poignant considering that the object of the film is to depict a documented history of cruelty against homosexual men. Instead of making the impersonal documented history personal for people to relate to it with empathy it is just a visual depiction of what has been documented, equally impersonal and distant and with hopelessly stereotyped under-characters. The two main characters are the exception to that – eventually - and that made the movie gripping enough to see through to the end. The editing did not flow enough from one scene into the next and the score sucked. PS: In the movie, the character Lourens played by Brett Golden, gets executed in the Netherlands for sodomy. To make the point made above clearer, it takes up about 10 seconds in the film. In real life, Brett Golden was executed in a public park in Cape Town with another gay man. They were found naked and were shot in the head at point blank range in what appeared to be a hate crime. Does art follow life or does life follow art, or is it the same thing? Rating: 4

DVD details: "Proteus" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 21 January 2008 - Rating: 5.50

Last Review Posted by paulthatispaul - posted: 9 May 2008 12:31

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Poor Edmond, bored with his buttoned down middle class existence and wishing he was black he sets out into the night looking for some action on a budget. Haggling however gets him nowhere, he gets mugged and snaps and decides to really start living with the aid of a nifty WW1 knife brass knuckle combo. This being a Mamet script the focus is on awkward social situations and verbose often darkly comic dialog and he’s written a great role for William H Macy here, he is a truly pathetic, disturbing yet sympathetic figure. It plays like Eyes Wide Shut meets Falling Down or an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry decides to go on a killing spree. Understanding of the story and the films conclusion can be viewed in terms of fate (the tarot card symbolism, the recurring 1:15) or the relationship between fear and desire in humans (Edmond states that every fear hides a desire) Edmond a homophobic racist ending up in prison in the arms of a black inmate. Poetic justice no? On the minus side the films slow, oblique, misanthropic and a bit of a chore. But whenever the film hits a slow spot some of that fantastic Mamet dialog pops up to keep you interested. Rating: 7

DVD details: "Edmond" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 29 March 2008 - Rating: 7.00

Last Review Posted by fractalgirls - posted: 4 May 2008 16:18

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Starrbooty is one of the 2008 London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival favourites. It stars RuPaul - the bodacious babe herself, complete in drag with big hair, luscious lips and tight, outrageous outfits. This is a film filled with sass, wit and a plot so twisted and silly that it will make you roar with side-splitting laughter. The goal, after all, is 'to make an exploitation film that is part Russ Meyer, John Waters and Naked Gun... and we succeeded', says RuPaul. Starrbooty (RuPaul) is an agency operative/world supermodel (of course!) who is forced to go undercover as street hooker 'Cupcake' to rescue her beloved niece Cornisha when the latter gets kidnapped by the evil Annaka Manners. Annaka, Starrbooty's arch nemesis, runs a huge beauty and cosmetics empire that sells everything from permanent tan lotion to vulva gloss. For more distinguished customers, Annaka also offers special transplant surgeries ie. replacement clits, limbs and the like. Cupcake / Starrbooty is joined by an interesting bunch of other street hookers as she goes on her mission. Expect sluts who love to suck cock and will do anything for a fiver. When they are not servicing men, they parade around in revealing outfits and dance to hip music with explicit lyrics. Director Mike Ruiz's touch is evident in the film; there are plenty of glossy, high-impact close-up shots of Ru and her friends, airbrushed and haloed to maximum effect. Never in any other film will you find so many gorgeous queens pouting and batting their lashes for the camera. Ru's wacky sense of humour is also markedly stamped on the film and gives it its identity. The plot is thin and very silly, but this is a film that dares to be shocking and isn't afraid of shoving it in our faces. Audiences will either laugh and ride along with Ru & co., or they will sit and sulk. Rating: 6

DVD details: "Starrbooty" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 4 May 2008 - Rating: 6.00

Last Review Posted by fractalgirls - posted: 4 May 2008 16:08

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I sat in on this film expecting a drama heavy with intense discussions on the worldly subjects of abortion, religious conservatism, lesbian parenting and single motherhood. The film explores all of these issues, and pleasantly manages to pull it off tenderly without losing intellectual/emotional gravitas. Dr Finn Jeffries is a handsome, intelligent-looking reproduction specialist who has recently lost her life partner Nancy, a famous activist on women's rights and dedicated mother to their child Zelly. After Nancy's death, Finn dedicates herself to running Nancy's (in)famous abortion clinic, a refuge for women and a target for religious crusaders who are bent on shutting down the clinic at all costs. The antagonistic but ultimately heart-warming relationship between Finn and Zelly anchors the film and makes it simultaneously a smart domestic drama as well as an insightful narrative of social issues. 12 year-old Zelly (brilliantly played by Maya Ritter), is a feisty, unruly and independent minded pre-pubescent girl who can't help but rebel against Finn ('she is not my mom'). As Zelly struggles emotionally to cope with her 'real' mom's death, Finn finds herself having to to win over her daughter's affections. With every gentle approach rebutted with insolent one-liners, at times exacerbated by the presence of Finn's new girlfriend in the family home and the involvement of Finn's father who also works at the clinic, the relationship between mother and daughter is strained at best. Things take a further dive when Christian religious extremists begin making death threats against Finn in order to compel her to abandon her work at the clinic. Such are the severity of these threats that she is assigned her personal police protection team - one of whom is a lesbian. As the threats grow and her need for tighter security increases, Finn begins seeing more of her personal protector. Torn between her dedication to Nancy's work and her devotion to Zelly, Finn eventually decides to relinquish the role for the sake of Zelly after two assassination attempts. The relationship which blossoms between the two women also smoothens the frictious relationship between Finn and Zelly, who ultimately learns that she shares more with Finn than she could ever have imagined. There are a few light-hearted moments in this complex drama. The characters have depth and are credibly acted by, most notably, Brooke Johnson (Finn) and Maya Ritter (Zelly), both of whom brought subtlety to their roles. This film was eight years in the making, its ideas conceived by directors Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert, whose usual genre is documentary filmmaking. Now that they have moved beyond their traditional repertoire, it is splendid to see that they have retained their social consciousness ethos in 'Finn's Girl'. Touching without being soppy nor saccharine, and serious enough to approach feminist and lesbian issues without letting the drama get in the way. Rating: 7

DVD details: "Finn's Girl" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 4 May 2008 - Rating: 7.00

Last Review Posted by fractalgirls - posted: 4 May 2008 16:02

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This impressively assured gem of a film is brimming with talent and packs in such subtle emotional punches that it will leave you feeling strangely melancholy but enlightened. With an arty European sensibility, 27-year-old French director Celine Sciamma (who has just graduated from film school) has managed to pull off a coming of age story that is clever, poised and brave in its portrayal of the angst, confusion and budding sexuality of young adolescents. This film is erotic, honest and intelligent. The young cast and, especially the three main female leads, are brilliant; their acting fine-tuned and honest, to the point where one could actually get swept into thinking this is a documentary about their lives in a suburb of Paris. The setting is clever and the focus on the all-girl's synchro-swim team is an apt one. Floriane (Adele Haenel) is a gorgeous, popular blonde with come-hither looks. Captain of the team, she is the opposite of withdrawn, mousy Marie (Pauline Acquart), who lest one gets confused, is not on the team. But it is clear from the outset that Marie is perhaps rather infatuated with Floriane, who despite her popularity and beauty, actually doesn't mind befriending the former. The two gradually become close friends and Floriane, who because of her popularity and looks is often the envy of other girls, eventually starts opening up to Marie. Almost like secret lovers, the two share their fears and wants. Marie's best friend Anne (Louise Blachere) gets swept aside in the blossoming of this new friendship. Anne is big breasted and on the chubby side, self-conscious about her body image and desperately in love with male swimmer Francois (warren Jacquin), who is having an affair with Floriane. The girls struggle to maintain composure on the surface of every day life whilst they battle with inner turmoils. Each of them have their own demons, and each their own desires, which sadly, will not ultimately coincide. And indeed, there is a sense that the film is somehow an autobiography. Its painfully spot-on essence of teen confusion, self-questioning and self-loathing is uncomfortable to watch, not least because it will probably be reminiscent of our own adolescence. The gulf is palpable between straight and gay, between girl and boy, and possibly in its starkest form, between beautiful/popular and non-beautiful/non-popular. Sciamma brings a compassionate side to all its leads, but does not aim to lessen their pain or joys. A pleasure to watch - probably one of the best films screened at this year's London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival - and definitely one for your film collection. Rating: 8

DVD details: "Water Lilies" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 4 May 2008 - Rating: 8.00

Last Review Posted by CRFORD - posted: 4 May 2008 15:49

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Hardcore Christians, Brady and his mother have recently moved to the idyllic small town of Rock Haven. It doesn't take long for Brady to befriend the hippy neighbour’s son, Clifford. The two of them realise that they are more than just friends and become lovers. Have you ever been on a date and from the get go the guy has just been a bit wet and boring? You try to your best to look for his good points but you just can’t find any? Well for those fortunate enough not to have gone through such a painful experience, but are curious as to what it might be like, I suggest watching Rock Haven. This film has about as much depth as a paddling pool that has dried up, which is a shame because I do love a good romantic yarn. The film begins with Brady on a beach reading, what looks like, the first bible ever published. Just in case you hadn’t realised, this means Brady is a Christian. It seems the director has little or no faith in his audience’s skills in perception. This is one of many blunt attempts to inform us as to what is going on in the film. Brady might as well have walked down the mountain carrying a stone tablet with the Ten Commandments on. In-fact the film lacks subtlety in all departments. The script lacks any original dialogue relying on awful clichés such as "why do you put up with me?" and "don't worry you will find your way". The script even sinks to new lows during a game of trivial pursuit between Brady and his mother. I’m not sure if it is the acting or the script which are the main offenders here. While the script may be the most childish piece of fiction ever to tackle such a subject, you still can’t blame it completely for the wooden acting. It seems as if they are just reading the lines straight out the script in places. With the quality of acting so low it makes it almost impossible to believe in this unrequited love affair. The scenery is stunning and the story idea is good but you can’t help but think this is more like Days Of Our Lives for gays. Having seen Patrick Wilson play the confused religious zealot in Angels In America, this film never really stood a chance. Rating: 1

DVD details: "Rock Haven" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 4 May 2008 - Rating: 1.00

Last Review Posted by fractalgirls - posted: 3 May 2008 23:44

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Corneliu Porumboiu's medium-budget and astringent, dry comedy follows in the wake of other politically insightful films from his Romanian film-maker colleagues such as Cristi Puiu (who brought us last year's excellent The Death of Mr Lazarescu)and Cristi Mungiu (who directed 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, which bagged the Cannes Palme d'Or). The cinematography is rather crisp and definitely well-composed, the colour hues subdued, but by no means, monotone nor boring. Porumboiu has a knack for dry humour and pessimissim mixed in with a desire to also trudge forward. This is characteristic of much Romanian modern cinema, but is by no means ineffective in portraying a country struggling to free itself, economically, culturally and politically, from the shackles of Soviet-inspired Communism. Revolution is the focus of attention (or perhaps it is the lack of revolution) and the date with which the film's three main protagonists are concerned is 22nd December 1989. This, the date on which then dictator Ceausescu was forced to flee the country due to a popular uprising against his Communist rule. The story is not set in 1989 however. Rather, it is the year 2005 and local TV presenter Virgil Jderescu (played by Teodor Corban) has invited two unlikely, and potentially unreliable, locals to join him on his low-budget show. They are Tiberiu Manescu (played by Ion Sapdaru), who is a depressed, bibulous school-teacher whose pupils like him but are sadly, not very bright, and whose wife confiscates his earnings, and Emanoil Piscoci (played by Mircea Andreescu), a snowy-haired retiree who receives requests from locals to play Father Christmas. All are seemingly mundane, ordinary folk, living non-existent lives in a small, working-class town but their personal struggles and eccentricities come to the fore as the film progresses. The grand 1989 uprising is a reality; the details though, particularly for this small town, are rather hazy. The events which unfold on the TV show are rather comedic but the tone is serious. Tiberiu asserts that he was one of a few teachers who gathered at their local square before 12:08 to instigate their town's revolution (when Ceausescu fled) on that fateful day. Emanoil was also present during the time on that day, although his is a story quite different from that of Tiberiu's. He reminisces about his wife, whom he had a fight with. Being a chat-show, callers are vital to the programme and it is when they start receiving live calls that problems begin. There are aggressive disputes about whether Tiberiu was a proud instigator of the local revolution at the square, and whether he was even actually there. As the programme develops, each of the three characters' lives inevitably become exposed on TV, much to their embarrassment and chagrin. The only sensible person seems to be Emanoil, who sagely states that their disagreements about what exactly happened on 22nd December 1989 were an act of 'splitting hairs'. Memories fade, morph and elevate into believable fantasies. Some people wish to forget and some people, desperate to cling on perhaps to an age where hope was still possible precisely because the promised revolution had yet transpired, eager to assert their own truths. There is a parallel here with remembrance and forgetting in politics and historical narrative, particularly poignant in post-Soviet states which have had to go through processes of purging the remnants of Communism. Rather slow-paced, but with good effect, this is a film about revolution or the lack of it, and the lives of those under the old regime in Romania who continue to live as if though there were stuck in 1989 and struggling to move on. The end shot suggests that their disagreements about their momentous political uprising is perhaps, to an outside observer, their way of sticking to the past despite the realisation that things have become static. Rating: 7

DVD details: "12:08 East Of Bucharest" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 25 November 2007 - Rating: 7.00

Last Review Posted by FrenchBen - posted: 29 April 2008 12:17

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A really good one from BelAmi. They've put together all their cute models with huge cocks, and added Ralph Wood (he was on the cover of Falcon's Big Dick Club) All the guys top and bottom with their partners and look like they are having fun, which is always good. BelAmi movies can be expensive, but you'll keep watching this one, I guarantee it! Well worth the money. Rating: 9

DVD details: "Some Like It Big" by scene-OUT.com - posted: 29 March 2008 - Rating: 9.00

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