Constantly Watchable

If you're at all like me, the 'Holiday Season' means

one thing above all else; staying as far away from the 

unwashed masses as is humanly possible!

'Nostalgia' and 'tradition' for me requires revisiting

an old, familiar friend of the cinematic variety.

One of those movies so well-done that it never

grows old--its quality maintains throughout each

additional viewing.

So, if you're looking for a reminder of some

great films that you haven't seen for a while, or

simply are in need of a little 'blast from the past'

that you may have missed, here is a smattering

of some of my favorite.

Maybe you'll enjoy trying out something new,

but most likely this will just remind you of

your own particular repeat-viewing tastes

and send you searching for a means of watching them.

It's all good.

When the world is mad and no one seems

to have a clue, creative endeavors supply

a connection to others in the world who

seem to understand us. (Or at least produce

some quality escapist fare!)

Just remember to take care of yourself

this time of year, whatever that entails!

Happy Viewing Day!

Forming a New Bond

"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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Night Wacth (2004)

WARNING: Scary scenes!


I have a very particular sensibility in play when it comes to horror
movies; I don't go in for gore or ultra-violence. I like something with
some suspense, artistry, plot, and creativity.

Often times, I find foreign film-makers fit that bill more than their
American counterparts. Such is the case with the first film in a
trilogy, NIGHT WATCH. It is anything but 'another vampire movie.'

The cinematography alone is captivating  and mouth-watering.
Many who were fans of the book didn't care for the adaptation, but
(as per usual,) taken on its own it's fine. Yes, it's subtitled.

Good stuff, if you're a fan of films like the original Fright Night
or Brotherhood of the Wolf.

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Ma Vie En Rose / My Life in Pink (1997)

One of the best and most real 'feel good' movies in recent years.

"My Life in Pink" tells an uncomfortable story of the growing up
process when you don't fit the cookie cutter mold. It deals with
the expectations (and demands) of family, neighbors, friends, and
the world. It's about finding yourself, and learning to be yourself.

An incredible cast and a compelling story will keep you riveted.

Subtitled, in case that's a concern! Treat yourself and watch with
a friend and a box of Kleenex today!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119590/

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Man From Earth

I hesitated to show the preview for this film--one of my faves from the last
ten years, and probably ever--specifically because it gives so much away
of the nuance and mystery of the story. But the trailer showcases the
incredible talent of the ensemble cast--one of the best I've ever seen
assembled!

This was the final work of Jerome Bixby, and it's a phenomenally
engaging piece that explores so many different sociological aspects and
theories in a captivating fashion. It's akin to a closed-room murder
mystery in that it's nearly a done-in-one production, and the riveting
nature of the plot does make the tension keeping everyone in the
room palpable and exciting.

Expertly written, acted, filmed, and edited, this is truly an example
of the best of what the industry can offer.

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Parting Glances

One of the earliest and better 'positive gay films' as well as

one of the earliest and best screen representations of HIV/AIDS.

"Parting Glances" is the simple love story of 2 gay men in 1980s

New york City; their struggles, their friends, and the community

they live in. It's also, primarily, the story of friendship and

becoming mature in the face of loss and tragedy.

 It's a beautiful, moving story that

has warmth and vulnerability; sadly the only film made by

Bill Sherwood before his death from AIDS. A great

and lasting memory, to be sure.

This film has a tremendous cast, whose easy fit with the

naturalistic dialogue works well. Of special note are

Richard Ganoung (later of "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss",)

John Bolger (super sexy "One Life To Live" and film/TV star,)

Kathy Kinny (Mimi of "The Drew Carey Show",)

and a young Steve Buscemi (his first major film role!)



A wonderfully human film full of pathos and

real friendship. It plays like a fantasy, or a love story.

I guess the difference is whether you're jaded or not.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091725/

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A Love To Hide

I'm a huge WWII movie buff, and this is one of the better ones.
Many think it too depressing to finish, but I thought the despair
and tragedy was a perfect representation of the reality of the
time. Also, the raw hatred and fear of gay people is only
moments away from escalating to this at any time in the present.

A beautifully written, acted, and filmed movie, it is a grand love story,
and a story about the perils of life. It's a stirring and riveting story.

The ending; a showing of the one place on the planet that gives
honor and remembrance to the gay and lesbian victims and heroes
of the Holocaust, was worth the watch alone.



Prelude To A Kiss (1992)

From early in Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan's film careers is the cinematic
gem (from playwright and screenwriter Craig Lucas) "Prelude to a Kiss".

An exploration of the limits of human sexuality and male homophobia,
the film is a fresh take on an old conundrum. The supernatural element
involved is actually not that outlandish thanks to superb performances
from all involved.

It's a sweet and moving story highlighted by glimpses of frailty and
awkwardness. A great blast from the past, highly recommended for
fans of either actor, romantic interest, or taboo love!

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"Clue (1985)"

Lots of campy, cheesy, witty, punny stuff from the 1980s
with this comedian-laden gem, "Clue" (one of the few--
or perhaps only--good movie versions of a board game!)

Incredible performances from Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan,
Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd and
more make this one well worth the effort!

Fast-paced and extremely well written (and performed,)
'Clue' is a great night of laughs!

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Community - Season 3 - Promo/Sneak Peek #1

So, this season of 'Community' is even more outrageous, more trippy,
more deliciously inappropriate and Un-P.C. than Evah!

If you haven't been watching, it's best to start at the beginning, or at
least Season 2 to get an idea of the characters. You definitely need
some background for all the insanity to deliver as well as it does.

But if you love caustic, weird, biting, cynical humor, this show is IT!
Not for the easily offended....this is live-action South Park, baby!
Feel the burn!

(Thursdays at 8 on NBC, or any time on www.hulu.com)

For a brief intro to the ludicrous (the already infamous "Pocketful
of Hawthornes" piece,) click below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi3NLojzWxE&feature=related



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BAGDAD CAFE

A great 1987 character piece with strangeness and wonder, starring
CCH Pounder, Jack Palance, and Marianne Sagebrecht.

Features an incredible soundtrack, perhaps most famously known for
the haunting Jevetta Steele's "Calling You."

An oddball comedy-drama with great performances and a strong
story of friendship, hope, new beginnings, and inspiration.

We can't ever have too many of those, can we?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095801/


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Black Book (Zwartboek)

This 2006 Dutch film (Netherlands) was directed by Paul Verhoeven
(Basic Instinct) and tells the story of an Jewish woman who has survived
countless German attacks going undercover to exact revenge.
Full of spirit and courage and tenacity, it is a tremendous underdog tale.
Puts  Valkyrie and others to shame.

I included a non-English trailer because the US trailer was frankly boring
and didn't encapsulate the explosiveness of this film. "Black Book" is
filled with sex, violence, depravity, language, music, and all the things
that movies were made to show. It's raw and real and frightening and
inspirational. (It is of course available with English subtitles, however the
performances are so powerful that translation is almost moot.)

The leads by Carice van Houten and Sebastian Koch have smoking
hot chemistry and gave me extremely conflicting emotions. More
twists and turns than an episode of Law & Order make this a must-see film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389557/


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All Over the Guy

Quite possibly my favorite relationship movie of all time!

No matter who you're attracted to, you'll find yourself
or someone you know in this hilarious and moving
romantic comedy starring Richard Ruccolo, Dan Bucatinsky,
Sasha Alexander, and Adam Goldberg.

Biting and witty dialogue, fast-paced scenes, believable
characters all make for a treasure. There is not a single
moment of wasted space or speech in this film. Julie
Davis does a phenomenal job directing, and there are a
host of incredible cast scene-steals from Andrea Martin,
Doris Roberts, Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow.

The best part of this movie, besides being genuinely funny
and uniquely honest, is that there is no sugar coating the
relationships in this flick. Everybody is unavoidably,
absolutely messed up beyond compare. Sometimes
tragically so, sometimes endearingly so, but it's real.
Watch it alone with a bucket of ice cream, watch it
with a new date, watch it with friends, or watch it with
a spouse. If you've ever had a broken heart or a bad
experience dating, you'll laugh your ass off!

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