"Big Eden" (2000)

This movie is so powerful; a modern fantasy that deals with so much of life;
unrequited love, small town issues, family, being stuck in the past, toxic love,
fear of abandonment, struggle between commitments, community, and much
more!

In the vein of "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Steel Magnolias" and other feel
good favorites of women and gay men, "Big Eden" is the ultimate in wish
fulfilment movie making. It's a heartening and seductive love story to a life
that isn't; the kind of sweet and desirable mix of comedy, drama, sex, and
love that leaves us winded, yet content.

This movie made me fall in love with Arye Gross, whom I had been cold to
on "Ellen,"  possibly because my boyfriend was smitten with him. But this
is more than a 'romance of two men.' It is, like most great stories, about
humanity, compassion, growing up, learning lessons, finding things of value,
and discovery within.

IMDB page for "Big Eden"

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The Debt (2011)

This movie was a great surprise; I went in knowing very little so all of
it was fresh to me; no spoilers!

Helen Mirren can do no wrong, and she was phenomenal as always.
The rest of this small cast was equally spell-binding and awe-inspiring,
making the most out of the most intimate scenes.

Even though it's a post-WWII film, the story is linked to WWII and
history, and never stops being riveting and suspenseful. A perfect
blend of study, action, suspense,  mystery, romance, and politics,
it is a gritty and realistic film that envelops you as it proceeds.

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Lie Down With Dogs (1995)

"Lie Down With Dogs" is a sweet, quirky, smaller film about a
rather 'plain' (i.e. identifiable) gay man's quest for love and hook-ups
in the Nineties. It's cute, charming, fun, and compelling in its
earnestness and explorations. The main character is pretty obviously
damaged goods, despite his semi-good-natured attitude.


Good cast, not too heavy, some excellent dialogue and unique
situations. Good for a break from the dire and the overly profound.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113650/

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Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont

This is one of those incredibly well done feel-good movies
that is sweet, charming, and poignant without ever having
to resort to any of the modern tricks of sensationalism.

Joan Plowright and Rupert Friend lead a wonderful ensemble
in this exploration of relationships and life among a mostly
ignored movie focus group; older people. It's smart and
funny and unflinching.

A great character study and slice-of-life film for any age.

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Midnight In Paris

I hadn't been an immense Owen Wilson fan, but this movie may have
changed all that. He's quite charming as the obligated, meandering,
scared writer who is in love with Paris.

This may be my favorite Woody Allen movie yet. It's charming,
romantic, sexy, feisty; everything you expect from the man, but
with a focus and a finesse that is inspired.

The cast is phenomenal; the punch of Kathy Bates...the charm of 
Carla Bruni, Marion Cotillard, and Lea Seydoux....the passion and
verve of Corey Stoll and Adrien Brody...the pure and palpable
villainy of Rachel McAdams and Mimi Kennedy! It was a great ride
from start to finish!

The charm of the fantasy worked so well, and the frustrations
felt by Owen's character about life, meaning, happiness were so
well explored that this movie was equally cathartic as it was
enjoyable. Haven't we all wanted merely to slip away to someplace
better?

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Recent TV Faves

Today, a sampling of my favorite TV to share.

Oddly enough, a few years ago I couldn't find

anything of value on TV. Now, I have found a

handful of true gems. If you aren't aware of the

following programs already, check them out.

Networks are listed, but I'm unsure of times;

I generally watch these on http://www.hulu.com/

where you can access most of them 24 hours

after their air date.

COMMUNITY

(NBC)

Quirk, dark, fast-paced, witty, community-college comedy;

inappropriate and politically incorrect, and loving it.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES

(ABC)

Final mystery-and-transformation-laden final season

of  drama and cheese.

MODERN FAMILY

(ABC)

Brainy situation comedy with diverse and hilarious

characters; adult and irreverent humor.

GRIMM
(NBC)

Supernatural meets detective drama;

plenty of studs, gore, pot-stirrers, and special effects.

WORKAHOLICS

(Comedy Central)

Nutsy surreal comedy featuring outcasts and weirdos;

live-action Beavis and Butthead.

YOUNG JUSTICE

(Cartoon Network)

Alternate earth DCU shows off superb animation of

former sidekicks in edgy, richly-scripted ongoing story.

(returning March)

PARKS & RECREATION

(NBC)

Tongue-in-cheek, schmaltzy comedy featuring

office nerds and nonsensical plots.

ONCE UPON A TIME

(ABC)

Action-drama split between a magical realm and

the modern trials of displaced people seeking resolution.

THE LEAGUE

(F/X)

Over-the-top adult comedy of fantasy-football buddies

and ridiculous hi jinks that are Seinfeld-ian in scope.

WAREHOUSE 13

(SyFy)

Witty, wry, moving and fun action-suspense with equal

parts X-Files and Moonlighting, add a dose of Cheers.

GLEE

(FOX)

A love song to music, outsiders, high school, and

love. Drama highlighted with original music and covers of greats.

******

Enigma (2001)

ENIGMA is a great WWII movie with a spectacular cast.
It dances around a fictionalized accounting of the breaking
of the Enigma Code (in truth done by yet another fabulous
homosexual!) and of course finds all the human drama points
hit along the way.

Kate Winslet and Dougray Scott (yum!) are so believable and
entrancing, and this is one of those authentic period pieces
that draws you into the action so thoroughly that I forgot I
was watching a film!

Jeremy Northam can do no wrong in my book, and is likewise
his typically smoking-hot self. Great suspense, action, romance,
and drama.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157583/

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