Thursday, Nov. 06, 2008
out on dvd
Every morning I log onto my computer, don my headphones and start up my iTunes so I can listen to my favorite morning radio show, "Fernando and Greg", streaming online out of San Francisco from www.energy927fm.com. During the past few weeks, amidst the conversations about the presidential election and Proposition 8, that would ban same-sex marriage in California, the buzz on air was all about "Milk." Last week, this long-anticipated film, which tells the story of the life of Harvey Milk, premiered in the Castro district of San Francisco. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California in 1977, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was only the third openly gay elected official in the country. Eleven months into his position, Milk, a staunch supporter for LGBT visibility and equality, was assassinated alongside then San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. The film, which features Sean Penn in the leading role, is set to open in select markets on Nov. 26, just one day before the 30th anniversary of Milk's assassination.
I doubt the film will make it into theaters in the Myrtle Beach area, but there are several options on DVD this fall to keep the avid LGBT movie buff entertained. Here's a quick look at a few films to check out this fall. I mean, what's better than a good movie, a friend and a nice warm blanket for these cool fall evenings?
Topping my list is "Bangkok Love Story" released in August. This Thai film written and directed by Poj Arnon ran into some problems during pre-production in 2006. The Royal Thai Police raised objections over the movie's original depiction of a policeman falling in love with the star character, Maek (translated as Cloud). The character's exact connection to the police department was made more ambiguous so that the film would be passed by the Board of Censors in Thailand, which includes members of the said police force. This gay romantic crime drama features a loner assassin-for-hire, Maek played by Rattaballung Toesawat who unexpectedly falls in love with Iht (translated as Stone), played by Chaiwat Tongsang. After Maek is hired to kidnap and eventually kill Iht, the two start on a journey of self-discovery as they live together in order to survive the dangerous hit-men that are after them. With extraordinary cinematography that turns the streets of Thailand into a complex character all its own, and a complex love story filled with personal struggles and relationships, the film has been portrayed as a Thai "Brokeback Mountain."
"Bangkok Love Story" won the top prize, the Grand Award in All Categories at the 34th Annual Brussels International Independent Film Festival and was the opening night selection for the 2007 Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. In 2008, the film also played the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and was labeled as "the boldest Thai gay movie to date," by LGBT website Fridae.com which caters to the gay and lesbian community in Asia. If you don't mind the subtitles, make sure to check this movie out. "Bangkok Love Story" is one of the most endearing love stories and well-crafted films I've seen in some time on the independent gay movie circuit.
Next on the list is "Dog Tags" by director Damien Dietz, who previously directed "Fag Hag" and "Beverly Kills." Abandoned by his father and raised by a single mother, Nate Merrit, played by the very handsome Paul Preiss, joins the Marines to support his soon-to-be-fiancé. Nate, sexually and emotionally confused, is trapped by a mother and fiancé who don't love him for what he is, but what they think he could become. While on leave, Nate unexpectedly crosses paths with a free spirited young gay man, Andy Forte, played by equally fetching Bart Fletcher. Both young men are confronting their own lives and searching for their path toward adulthood. Nate searches for a father he never knew and Andy struggles to become the father he doesn't know how to be. Like destined stars on a path for collision, the two find each other just when they need it most. What follows is an intense bond that quickly pulls the two together and questions not only their identities but their attractions.
In the end, the two realize that although they can't change each others destinies, they help each other choose to become better men than either had ever planned to be. The symbolism used in the film adds to the story of two individuals trapped in lives neither wants, and they learn to wipe the slate clean in order to move forward. Release date is set for Nov. 18.
Also set for release on Nov. 18 is director Rob Williams film "3-Day Weekend," which was an official selection at the 13th Annual North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival this year. In what seems like a movie that was inspired by the 1997 film "Love! Valour! Compassion!" the film examines love, sex and 84 minutes of gay drama. It centers on long-term couple Simon and Jason - along with Cooper and his boy toy of the month - meet annually for a three-day getaway. Filmed in the beautiful area of Big Bear Lake, Calif. this relationship drama stars Derek Long ("Socket"), Derek Meeker ("Boys Life 4"), Daniel Rhyder (MTV's "Undressed"), Gaetano Jones ("Boystown", "Pheonix"), Chris Carlisle ("Dog Tags"), Douglas Myers, Stephen Twardokus and Joel Harrison.
What used to be a relaxing weekend turns into sexual tension between new friends and old acquaintances. By the end of the 72 hours, a new couple has formed while another has parted ways. In the production notes provided by TLA Releasing, Rob Williams says that when he started writing the screenplay, he "wanted to explore different kinds of friendships and sexual relationships within the world of gay men." In doing so, Williams also decided to start with two committed relationships - one monogamous, one open - to show that each has their own problems and the potential for success. "What if you took a small group of openly gay men, each with their own friends or acquaintances, put them together and observed what happened? With that concept, the backbone of '3-Day Weekend' was created," continued Williams. Sounds like a gay version of MTV's "Real World." The film provides a fun, surprisingly emotional look at relationships that make for good movie night entertainment.
More out on DVD
Wrangler
Another Gay Sequel:
out & about
Friday, Nov. 7 - Come out and join your friends and meet new ones at the First Friday Happy Hour. This monthly social group of gay professionals will meet from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at City Bar, located at 7604 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach.
For more information e-mail FirstFriday@GambleLivingston.com.
Till next week, have fun and be safe.
-Chris Rudisill, Weekly Surge
Click here for more A GAY in the Life