Gino-11 Reviews

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (1998)

A Little Lacking in Credibility, But Still Fun

[8/10 · 18 April 1999]

It's a little hard to imagine that Billy's project of recreating "screen kisses" with gay guys would really fly, but the movie still has a lot to commend it. Credibility aside, the characters make you care about them. For one thing, Billy, as played by Sean P. Hayes, is very appealing--so much so that you can FEEL all that anxiety when Gabriel agrees to spend the night and tumbles into Billy's bed. When Gabriel decides to pose for the "famous" photographer Paul Bartel, it's almost like a personal blow that he might be slipping away from the earnest Billy. Brad Rowe as Gabriel is wonderful as the "unattainable model," too. The drag queen numbers wear out their welcome after a while, though. One thing that really caught my EAR was that snappy Petula Clark number "Happy Heart" which I hadn't heard in years! Overall, this a fun film that I would certainly recommend.

Kiss Me, Guido (1997)

Curiously Not Very Satisfying

[6/10 · 18 April 1999]

I tried very hard to like this film, and I guess I do--but it's an effort. Despite and discounting the obvious stereotypes, there just isn't that much that's really all that funny in this "comedy" of mistaken identity--so to speak. Not that the actors didn't try really hard! But I found this movie kind of lacking a heart and not especially satisfying to watch. I was pleased, however, that their was no attempt to make a "gay conversion" at the end of the picture.

Boyfriends (1996)

Thoroughly Enjoyable

[9/10 · 18 April 1999]

Although this film DID remind me of something else (NOT "The Big Chill" either), I found it to be refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable. The ensemble cast was particularly talented, the writing was appropriately intricate with a few surprises, and there was even a fun Dinah Washington song ("I Wish I Knew the Name of the Boy in My Dreams")to spruce it up a bit. As with most British films, I had a bit of a difficult time with the accents at first, but I think I got most of it. There's just something INTELLIGENT about the SOUND of the language in British films! At any rate, once I figured out the relationships (and lack of them), I had a good time watching the country weekend for the "lads" unfold. Perhaps the film didn't especially break any new ground, but I don't think a film HAS to do that to be worthwhile. Does every STRAIGHT movie that's fun break new ground? I don't think so. It's about time that a gay movie can be kind of ordinary (no drugs, no AIDS, no suicides) and still be good entertainment. I think the British are much better than we Americans at making gay films, and this is just another example. By the way, the film that reminds me of this one is "Love! Valour! Compassion!"--but this one came first.

Beautiful Thing (1996)

Beautiful Says It All

[10/10 · 18 April 1999]

The title of this remarkable British film says it all. The acting, the music (including incidental music not sung by Mama Cass), the script and story, the cinematography...all of it is just BEAUTIFUL! I have watched this film many times (and am beginning to understand more of the south London dialect now) and am a little more impressed each time I see it. There are so many little "gems" in the film. It's all so wonderful. The only drawback is that the film is so darned addictive--I can't seem to quit watching the thing.

Boys Life: Three Stories of Love, Lust, and Liberation (1994)

Good Beginnings

[9/10 · 18 April 1999]

These three directors are off to Good Beginnings. The three stories are remarkably well-done for independent productions and capture those traumatic feelings of "coming out" when you aren't really sure it's a good idea. I laughed at those veiled glances around the dressing room in "Pool Days"; I smiled at the notion that fans of Bette Midler, Judy Garland, and Barbra Streisand are assumed to be gay in "A Friend of Dorothy"(ie. browsing through the CD music racks); and I cringed over the "jock" in "The Disco Years" whose memory of sweet sex was now "blurred" by liquor. It all seemed so real. I look forward to more offerings from this trio of directors.

The Living End (1992)

A Terrible Transfer From Film

[3/10 · 18 April 1999]

I wanted to appreciate this "male version of Thelma and Louise," and I thoroughly enjoyed the young leading actors. I think their chemistry worked very well, and I was glad the story didn't degenerate into a crime spree. I was pleased that they didn't just throw everything aside for the sake of rage and violence, too, despite their disillusionment caused by their HIV+ conditions.

BUT I must have gotten the WORST film transfer copy ever made! Was my copy the only one like this? It looked like the film caught in the projector gate during the film transfer, and the projectionist was out having a smoke someplace and didn't ever notice! This happened for at least half the film. I can't believe ANY company would distribute such a LOUSY film transfer. This completely ruined the film for me!