Top 10 Gay Themed Movies & Films
If you have read any of my other hubs, you know that most are pretty descriptive, and I am involved with every topic I submit. So, I have no problem being somewhat informative when it comes to movie reviews. However, at this point I just want to get the ball rolling, and give you a list of what I feel are the top ten best Gay films that I have had the pleasure to watch.
Some of the films on my list are pretty mainstream. I think just about everyone has heard of or watched "Brokeback Mountain" and "Milk". But I often wonder how many people have seen films such as films as "Big Eden" or "Outrage." And probably even fewer have seen "Another gay Movie." So, I guess this is my time to try to introduce people to some that they may not have seen, while reminding them of the ones that they have.
Like some of my other hubs, I will be adding little tidbits of info over the next few weeks, as I try to find videos and photos that might relate to the movies I am about to list. I will also add a few that I recommend, and another little poll for you to enjoy. So, if you have read this far, and want to know more. I'll start the list.
1. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
I loved Brokeback Mountain. Some people may think this is a movie about gay cowboys, well, kind of, but it is more about two men who happen to fall in love while working herding sheep in the mountains. Their sheep herding employment comes to an end, but, what they find with each other lasts for decades. The story goes on about how they both go on to lead different lives. Each of them gets married and has children, until they reunite after not seeing each other for years. The two men then decide to spend time together, and, what you see between them seems real, like two people who were meant to be together.
The acting in this movie is excellent. Every single actor in the film delivers, and it was so refreshing to see gay men portrayed as they should be. No limp wrist screaming queens in this film. Even the romantic scenes were well done, and they did not shy away from anything. The only bad thing about Brokeback Mountain was the very sad ending. If you have not seen it, I won't ruin it for you. But, it will have you holding back tears. Trust me.
2. LONGTIME COMPANION
This is another tear jerker of a film. It starts out fun and lively, as you are introduced to several gay men from all kinds of different backgrounds. You see them happy and well adjusted until something comes along that changes all of their lives forever, and that thing is AIDS. You watch as this large group of seemingly healthy men are slowly brought down by the disease, and like them, you feel aweful because you know you can't do a thing about it.
A majority of the men in the film are partners, or become partners while the film progresses, and you ache along with them as some of the men have to stand by and watch as their longtime companions slowly die and fade away. Once again the acting in the move is very good, and there are quite a few to keep track of in this film. But, they all do such a great job with "Companion" that I am not one bit surprised by all the awards it won.
This movie also came at a time when the U.S. government was downplaying AIDS as a gay disease, and wanted to do little or nothing about it. And, this movie pretty much shows to them and all people who were worried about the disease at the time, what they might eventually have to prepare for, and that is the possibility of catching the illness and dying, and what you might be able to do about it. For gay men, this film really opened some eyes.
If you know anything about AIDS research today, you might think this movie is a little dated. However, AIDS is still out there, and it never hurts to have a reminder of what could continue to happen if people don't open up their eyes and do something to help. A very good film.
3. TORCH SONG TRILOGY
This is another sad gay film, as most of the earlier gay films were. This film deals with a subject that gay men and women still have to deal with on a daily basis, and that is gay bashing. I'll let you think about that, while I set up the story for you, as the title of the movie seems a bit off.
The movie stars Harvey Firestein and Mathew Broderick. Harvey plays a female impersonator who falls in love with Broderick, and they begin a relationship and eventually move in together. The neighborhood they live in seems rough enough by itself, yet they seem content living there, until a very brutal gay bashing occurs and things get very sad. Men with baseball bats beat 2 men to death because they are gay, and the story move on from there.
Once again, the acting in the movie is very good, however, to say too much about the movies plot would pretty much give away the whole film. But, this movie at least has a happy ending for someone, I will not say who, but, I do know that this movie will make you happy, sad, and mad as hell all in a short time. I guess the hope of this film is hope that people will start to understand what it means for gay people to be who we are, and what we have to deal with once in a while. It's a very good film.
4. BIG EDEN
This is a film that has probably not been seen by as many people who saw the first 3 films on my list. It doesn't have any big actors in it, but what it does have is some excellent acting and a very good story to tell. Also, unlike the some gay films it has no motive. It is just a movie about a guy who returns to his small hometown from the city, to find that his childhood love is still around, and he finds that he still has feelings for him even though his former love is now married with children. It gets somewhat amusing as a busybody of an elderly lady crashes his attempts at trying to be alone with his old flame at every turn.
But, there is also a side story about a quiet indian fellow who works in the local market, who decides to take it upon himself to cook meals for one of the actors ailing father, because the person who is supposed to be cooking meals, couldn't cook anything you would want to eat. So, it's kind of a comedy drama, with a story going on within a story. Eventually you will begin to put the pieces together and see what is going on. You may not be happy with the end of the film, but as a whole, Big Eden is a fun touching film. I think you will like it.
5. OUTRAGE!
This film is kind of a "What IF" Documentary about the U.S. Government's agenda when it comes to passing laws to deny gays and lesbians of their rights, under their so-called family values platform. It attempts to uncover the truth about certain senators like Larry Craig, who continue to deny that they are gay, even though there is plenty of evidence that they are not telling the truth, while they continue to vote against laws that protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. And, I am not at all surprised that there are several senators on the list, including one that they claim may take a run at the white house in 2012.
The thing I found the most disturbing about this documentary, is that our government is going out of it's way to protect and lie about it's own representatives, while it turns around and constantly stabs regular Americans in the back. Even those people that we thought might eventually help with equality, turn out to be some of the worst defenders of the whole family values BS. There is so much underhanded crap going on, this film makes you wonder what else they are up to. They claim they do what is in the countries best interest. This will make you wonder. But, I will let you watch it and decide for yourself.
6. MAURICE
This is a touching film set in the days of romance, back when women wore long dresses, and men were supposed to be respectable, and marry their childhood sweetheart, or at least marry the woman that the family picked out for you to keep you respectable. It starts out as a close friendship between two boys whom you assume will end up as lovers, but something happens along the way, and one Choses the "right" road, while the other pursues the boy who works in the family boathouse. Yet, he undergoes treatment to be cured of his thought up insanity, mainly to escape the possibility of going to prison for the rest of his life, as it seems that people he knows are being arrested for indecent behavior left and right. I even think there is an Oscar Wilde moment in the film. Once again, the acting is very good, and it's a good story.
7. MILK
This is kind of a drama about the life of Harvey Milk, and his rise to political office as an openly gay man. The role is very well played by Sean Penn, and there is an equally talented cast of people who portray those who helped Milk get into office. I felt that there was a certain gay ugliness that was put into the film, as Milk began his early years of the campaign trail. I felt there were just a tad too many long haired drunks and drug addicts in the film, but, if this is how they claim people were back then, I guess it's only fair to go along with it. But, I am sure that a lot of the gay community was not as they were portrayed in this film, but, they certainly went through a lot of trouble to make us believe it.
At any rate, we get to see all of what got Milk to where he was, how he never stopped trying even though he was defeated many times. The story about his political career gets better, as his personal life was portrayed as not so great. Then we are taken to the story that everyone knows too well, and that is Milk's death, and the temper of the community that got him elected, and, grief that followed, shown in real news footage, including bits throughout the film involving that bitch Anita Bryant. Anyway, it's a very good film, great acting, and well told.
8. PHILIDELPHIA
It has been a while since I have seen this movie. Once again the subject of the movie is AIDS. Like the "Longtime Companion." this movie came out when hundreds of gay men were sick and dying of the disease that we still knew little or nothing about. It stars Tom Hanks, who plays a man that is slowly dying of AIDS, and his fight for his life. The entire story centers around him, and I think that is why it didn't reach as many people as "Companion" did. But, Tom Hanks was excellent in his role, and they say it was probably the role that really made him stand out in Hollywood as a great actor, as what he was most known for was comedy. It's a sad movie, but, it is also a good story with great acting.
9. IN AND OUT
I know what you are thinking. Everyone and their brother has watched this movie! Well, that may be true, but isn't it fun?! Here is a highschool english teacher in a small town who is suddenly outed on national television by a former student turned actor, when he can't even admit to himself that he's gay. What follows is his stunts to prove to everyone that he is not, including his future wife, who seems to have no clue of his sexuality with a wedding just days away. His town and school becomes a media frenzy, and a certain reporter played by Tom Selleck is out to uncover the truth, and get a story as the reporter is also gay. And, it is a kiss between Tom Selleck, and the teacher played by Kevin Kline, that the teacher finally sees the light and comes clean. But, there is a lot of funny stuff going on in the meantime.
In and Out has some serious moments, but, it is mainly a comedy. I didn't put this one up high on the list, because it isn't quite as interesting as the other movies on the list, but it is worth watching for it's entertainment value. There is a scene at the end of the movie that will either have you laughing or shaking your head...clue... it involves a wedding dress. have fun!
10. BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS
This movie was more than likely not seen by a whole lot of people, and it's story might only appeal to gays and lesbians, but, it is such a good story why pass it up? This is a movie about an out of work gay man named "Billy" played by Sean Hayes, (Will and Grace) who is somewhat of an amateur photographer who decides to turn a very handsome coffee shop worker into the subject of a photo series. The worker played by Brad Rowe (WOOF!) is portrayed as being the so-called straight model. Hayes is madly in love with his model friend, but tries not to show it, even though it is fairly obvious. Aided by his friends, things are looking good for "Billy", until his model is snatched up by another photographer who makes him an offer to appear in an underwear ad. And, the story changes as it goes along, but it keeps your interest the entire time, even though not all of the acting is that great.
Some of the films on my list are pretty mainstream. I think just about everyone has heard of or watched "Brokeback Mountain" and "Milk". But I often wonder how many people have seen films such as films as "Big Eden" or "Outrage." And probably even fewer have seen "Another gay Movie." So, I guess this is my time to try to introduce people to some that they may not have seen, while reminding them of the ones that they have.
Like some of my other hubs, I will be adding little tidbits of info over the next few weeks, as I try to find videos and photos that might relate to the movies I am about to list. I will also add a few that I recommend, and another little poll for you to enjoy. So, if you have read this far, and want to know more. I'll start the list.
1. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
I loved Brokeback Mountain. Some people may think this is a movie about gay cowboys, well, kind of, but it is more about two men who happen to fall in love while working herding sheep in the mountains. Their sheep herding employment comes to an end, but, what they find with each other lasts for decades. The story goes on about how they both go on to lead different lives. Each of them gets married and has children, until they reunite after not seeing each other for years. The two men then decide to spend time together, and, what you see between them seems real, like two people who were meant to be together.
The acting in this movie is excellent. Every single actor in the film delivers, and it was so refreshing to see gay men portrayed as they should be. No limp wrist screaming queens in this film. Even the romantic scenes were well done, and they did not shy away from anything. The only bad thing about Brokeback Mountain was the very sad ending. If you have not seen it, I won't ruin it for you. But, it will have you holding back tears. Trust me.
2. LONGTIME COMPANION
This is another tear jerker of a film. It starts out fun and lively, as you are introduced to several gay men from all kinds of different backgrounds. You see them happy and well adjusted until something comes along that changes all of their lives forever, and that thing is AIDS. You watch as this large group of seemingly healthy men are slowly brought down by the disease, and like them, you feel aweful because you know you can't do a thing about it.
A majority of the men in the film are partners, or become partners while the film progresses, and you ache along with them as some of the men have to stand by and watch as their longtime companions slowly die and fade away. Once again the acting in the move is very good, and there are quite a few to keep track of in this film. But, they all do such a great job with "Companion" that I am not one bit surprised by all the awards it won.
This movie also came at a time when the U.S. government was downplaying AIDS as a gay disease, and wanted to do little or nothing about it. And, this movie pretty much shows to them and all people who were worried about the disease at the time, what they might eventually have to prepare for, and that is the possibility of catching the illness and dying, and what you might be able to do about it. For gay men, this film really opened some eyes.
If you know anything about AIDS research today, you might think this movie is a little dated. However, AIDS is still out there, and it never hurts to have a reminder of what could continue to happen if people don't open up their eyes and do something to help. A very good film.
3. TORCH SONG TRILOGY
This is another sad gay film, as most of the earlier gay films were. This film deals with a subject that gay men and women still have to deal with on a daily basis, and that is gay bashing. I'll let you think about that, while I set up the story for you, as the title of the movie seems a bit off.
The movie stars Harvey Firestein and Mathew Broderick. Harvey plays a female impersonator who falls in love with Broderick, and they begin a relationship and eventually move in together. The neighborhood they live in seems rough enough by itself, yet they seem content living there, until a very brutal gay bashing occurs and things get very sad. Men with baseball bats beat 2 men to death because they are gay, and the story move on from there.
Once again, the acting in the movie is very good, however, to say too much about the movies plot would pretty much give away the whole film. But, this movie at least has a happy ending for someone, I will not say who, but, I do know that this movie will make you happy, sad, and mad as hell all in a short time. I guess the hope of this film is hope that people will start to understand what it means for gay people to be who we are, and what we have to deal with once in a while. It's a very good film.
4. BIG EDEN
This is a film that has probably not been seen by as many people who saw the first 3 films on my list. It doesn't have any big actors in it, but what it does have is some excellent acting and a very good story to tell. Also, unlike the some gay films it has no motive. It is just a movie about a guy who returns to his small hometown from the city, to find that his childhood love is still around, and he finds that he still has feelings for him even though his former love is now married with children. It gets somewhat amusing as a busybody of an elderly lady crashes his attempts at trying to be alone with his old flame at every turn.
But, there is also a side story about a quiet indian fellow who works in the local market, who decides to take it upon himself to cook meals for one of the actors ailing father, because the person who is supposed to be cooking meals, couldn't cook anything you would want to eat. So, it's kind of a comedy drama, with a story going on within a story. Eventually you will begin to put the pieces together and see what is going on. You may not be happy with the end of the film, but as a whole, Big Eden is a fun touching film. I think you will like it.
5. OUTRAGE!
This film is kind of a "What IF" Documentary about the U.S. Government's agenda when it comes to passing laws to deny gays and lesbians of their rights, under their so-called family values platform. It attempts to uncover the truth about certain senators like Larry Craig, who continue to deny that they are gay, even though there is plenty of evidence that they are not telling the truth, while they continue to vote against laws that protect gays and lesbians from discrimination. And, I am not at all surprised that there are several senators on the list, including one that they claim may take a run at the white house in 2012.
The thing I found the most disturbing about this documentary, is that our government is going out of it's way to protect and lie about it's own representatives, while it turns around and constantly stabs regular Americans in the back. Even those people that we thought might eventually help with equality, turn out to be some of the worst defenders of the whole family values BS. There is so much underhanded crap going on, this film makes you wonder what else they are up to. They claim they do what is in the countries best interest. This will make you wonder. But, I will let you watch it and decide for yourself.
6. MAURICE
This is a touching film set in the days of romance, back when women wore long dresses, and men were supposed to be respectable, and marry their childhood sweetheart, or at least marry the woman that the family picked out for you to keep you respectable. It starts out as a close friendship between two boys whom you assume will end up as lovers, but something happens along the way, and one Choses the "right" road, while the other pursues the boy who works in the family boathouse. Yet, he undergoes treatment to be cured of his thought up insanity, mainly to escape the possibility of going to prison for the rest of his life, as it seems that people he knows are being arrested for indecent behavior left and right. I even think there is an Oscar Wilde moment in the film. Once again, the acting is very good, and it's a good story.
7. MILK
This is kind of a drama about the life of Harvey Milk, and his rise to political office as an openly gay man. The role is very well played by Sean Penn, and there is an equally talented cast of people who portray those who helped Milk get into office. I felt that there was a certain gay ugliness that was put into the film, as Milk began his early years of the campaign trail. I felt there were just a tad too many long haired drunks and drug addicts in the film, but, if this is how they claim people were back then, I guess it's only fair to go along with it. But, I am sure that a lot of the gay community was not as they were portrayed in this film, but, they certainly went through a lot of trouble to make us believe it.
At any rate, we get to see all of what got Milk to where he was, how he never stopped trying even though he was defeated many times. The story about his political career gets better, as his personal life was portrayed as not so great. Then we are taken to the story that everyone knows too well, and that is Milk's death, and the temper of the community that got him elected, and, grief that followed, shown in real news footage, including bits throughout the film involving that bitch Anita Bryant. Anyway, it's a very good film, great acting, and well told.
8. PHILIDELPHIA
It has been a while since I have seen this movie. Once again the subject of the movie is AIDS. Like the "Longtime Companion." this movie came out when hundreds of gay men were sick and dying of the disease that we still knew little or nothing about. It stars Tom Hanks, who plays a man that is slowly dying of AIDS, and his fight for his life. The entire story centers around him, and I think that is why it didn't reach as many people as "Companion" did. But, Tom Hanks was excellent in his role, and they say it was probably the role that really made him stand out in Hollywood as a great actor, as what he was most known for was comedy. It's a sad movie, but, it is also a good story with great acting.
9. IN AND OUT
I know what you are thinking. Everyone and their brother has watched this movie! Well, that may be true, but isn't it fun?! Here is a highschool english teacher in a small town who is suddenly outed on national television by a former student turned actor, when he can't even admit to himself that he's gay. What follows is his stunts to prove to everyone that he is not, including his future wife, who seems to have no clue of his sexuality with a wedding just days away. His town and school becomes a media frenzy, and a certain reporter played by Tom Selleck is out to uncover the truth, and get a story as the reporter is also gay. And, it is a kiss between Tom Selleck, and the teacher played by Kevin Kline, that the teacher finally sees the light and comes clean. But, there is a lot of funny stuff going on in the meantime.
In and Out has some serious moments, but, it is mainly a comedy. I didn't put this one up high on the list, because it isn't quite as interesting as the other movies on the list, but it is worth watching for it's entertainment value. There is a scene at the end of the movie that will either have you laughing or shaking your head...clue... it involves a wedding dress. have fun!
10. BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS
This movie was more than likely not seen by a whole lot of people, and it's story might only appeal to gays and lesbians, but, it is such a good story why pass it up? This is a movie about an out of work gay man named "Billy" played by Sean Hayes, (Will and Grace) who is somewhat of an amateur photographer who decides to turn a very handsome coffee shop worker into the subject of a photo series. The worker played by Brad Rowe (WOOF!) is portrayed as being the so-called straight model. Hayes is madly in love with his model friend, but tries not to show it, even though it is fairly obvious. Aided by his friends, things are looking good for "Billy", until his model is snatched up by another photographer who makes him an offer to appear in an underwear ad. And, the story changes as it goes along, but it keeps your interest the entire time, even though not all of the acting is that great.
