Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

This is a badly acted and directed story of sexual deviance and forbidden romance between two tortured men - who like to act out by torturing others. The poster promoted it as two serial killers in love and a wife who is betrayed. Honestly, the story is novel and had a great potential to make one of this slashy horror romance kinda films, but this is so badly acted that I Was laughing at so many places. Andrew, a celebrated gay novelist, is married to Pauline. Their marriage is going through rough patch and Pauline has taken to alcohol. Andrew, meanwhile dealing with wrier's block, goes around paying gay hookers to suck him off but is still struggling. One day he sees a guy murdering someone and drinking their blood. He runs for his life but the killer soon catches him and kidnaps him. His name is Eddie and is a psychotic serial killer. After a few days of torture and sexual activities, Andrew convinces Eddie to let him go and that he will write a novel based on his life. For next ...

Dealing with sensitive subjects in films is never easy. The film makers here take a muted, almost ambivalent stand on the subject, which show sis the questionable relationship between a 29 year old man with a 15 year old boy. As a film, it is a pretty straight forward execution without much drama trying to show as 'matter of fact' events and what/how happens. I guess it is left to the audience to make their own morality decisions. (Although looking at the film's dvd poster, which features only the younger male, rather than the duo which should have been the case for a film whose title has names of two protagonists) Eban returns to his hometown Christmas from Seattle. He is a bit vague about the reasons he has come (which we later find out). Killing time growing through local shops, he sees a young 15 year old handsome boy Charley and rather insistently strikes up a friendship on the pretense of swapping lessons about guitar and being lonely etc. You can tell that Eban likes...

This film, set in 2015, is a feel-good comedy about people trying to follow their hearts, whether it involves an inter-generational romance, a middle-aged interracial throuple or an artistic trans man looking for love in all the wrong places. Sadly a treatment of a subject like me would have likely worked in early to late 2000's but somehow in 2022, this subject feels a bot dated, especially the way it has been directed. It feels very obvious and simple and the plot feels contrived and a bit corny at places. It was good to see Matthew Montgomery after a long time. I do remember when I had just started watching gay films, he used to feature in a lot of films. In 2015, just as Supreme Court rules on marriage equality, long term couple Max and Josh decide to get a divorce, except that they have a hard time separating. We see Josh occasionally hooking up with a cop Pete while Max still harboring feelings for his ex. When a young guy named Conrad moves into Max's old apartment, he g...

My second American BL, shot in Phone format, released as multiple episodes on DramaBox. Thankfully I watched the version where all episodes were stitched together and overall the duration is just under an hour. It is an easy watch even though the plot is filled with loopholes but once you start to watch it, it is easy to ignore some aspects. The protagonist, Ace, is a ruthless and decisive mob boss who has firmly established his position at the top of London's underworld. However, during an ambush orchestrated by his archenemy, Jack, a younger stranger named Max unexpectedly steps in to save him. This act of bravery sparks Ace's interest and earns his trust. Ace brings Max into his inner circle, as his bodyguard. What he doesn't know that it was all Jack's plan. Ace likes to flirt and is gay and he does that constantly with Max making him feel uncomfortable. Max succeeds in planting care in Ace's room who does the same. So Ace knows that max is watching him have sex...

I am not much of a standup comedy viewer. I might have seen a few clips/reels here and there but watching a whole TV special is something, so I apologize of I dodged not know anything about Jerrod Carmichael. I went into this comedy special, blank, hoping to just enjoy it with no baggage of either the person or his previous work. In this latest HBO comedy special, he talks about the most intricate details of his life, his long-time boyfriend Michael and his current relationship with his family – to hilarious effect. Witty, brash, and funny, he reconciles that how much the fear of being outed made him forget about the one other thing that affects his everyday life: racism.  The show starts with his struggles with internalized homophobia and rampant infidelity. He talks about online trolling for having a white boyfriend and how maybe he has something against black folks. He also admits rather sheepishly that he still seeks the approval of Black people, which likely has to do with his...

Plainclothes is a gripping film that effectively captures the tension of 1990s gay identity and the struggles of remaining in the closet. The film's electric tension utilizes grainy VHS style narration at multiple places probably trying for the audience to visualize the fear and anxiety that our protagonist is going through. Set in Syracuse in 90's the film is told from the perspective of an undercover cop. Lucas is a closeted gay cop assigned to special task force in the local mall to its bathroom, a known gay pick-up spot. The special police unit entrap the gays and arrest them for violation of the sex code and given Lucas' youthful and good looks , his job is to to find such folks, trap them and then his partner would arrest the guy. His family has a loving mother, a sick father and Uncle Paul. He recently broke off with his girlfriend, who is th only person he confided in the fact that he actually maybe attracted to guys. What happens though is that Lucas ends up fallin...

Calling this show 'Gayborhood' in today's time feels a bit outdated and not inclusive, especially given the content of the series. The series is very inclusive in terms of representation of gay, lesbian, drag queens and trans characters. It's definitely not just about gays, so an umbrella term Queer might have been better. Anyway, this is me just nitpicking. The show is primarily centered around a studio owner who rents out the place for shows and the employees working and their friends. This is not the story of just one person but a collective ensemble. Season 1 has 6 episodes of 18-20 minutes each. IT ends on a cliffhanger, so season 2 is very likely to follow. Space Studios is a vibrant LGBTQ+-owned space in Dallas run by Bruce aka drag queen Heather. After a disastrous no-show by the previous manager, Bruce hires Noah, a friendly newcomer, to help manage the chaos. Noah quickly meets Jesse, a nonbinary staff member and handyperson, and gets a crash course in navigat...

This 3 part, 45 min each, Sundance documentary series explores the panic and terror caused by a string of murders in 1970s Los Angeles. The series focuses on the discovery of 131 bodies and the subsequent police investigation, which initially focused on a single suspect before revealing the existence of three killers, each with a distinct method. The show highlights the unsettling nature of the crimes and the fear that gripped the city as the body count rose, with some describing it as a "trilogy of terror". From the early 1970s, gay men were being savagely murdered and their bodies carelessly discarded along Southern California’s highways. Through thorough investigations it is eventually found that this is not one serial killer but a trip operating individually. The documentary exposes three sadistic serial killers — Patrick Kearney, William Bonin, and Randy Kraft — and explains the truth behind these horrifying events. EP 1 Trash Bags - In the late 1960s and early 1970s, l...

A queer themed time loop story is definitely novel idea. I have seen a few time travel stories so far (primarily in the Asian BL market), but time loop is definitely different. There is a certain appeal to the idea of a protagonist reliving their lives in a loop while trying to figure their way out of it and Spark fits well into this category. It is a thriller love story that makes for a decent watch, but somewhere remains short in keeping viewers engaged for a long time.  Aaron, is the careless, in-love twenty-something caught in an annoying time loop. Every afternoon, Aaron wakes up to their roommate Dani, offering them a glass of wine that has gone horribly off. Dani reminds them her habit to refuse to see red flags in guys and Aaron promises to do better. All that starts to change once he meets Trevor, an intriguing stranger he’s paired up with for a birthday party scavenger hunt. While Trevor at first seems fairly distant and aloof, there is a hint of interest, which is enough...

This film is supposed to be a comedy thriller but honesty I enjoyed the film only in bits and pieces. It starts off almost serious about this gay couple desperately looking to become parents. It soon veers into a road film, to a series or murders, back to gay child adoption. Satire is clearly not a genre that I most related to. It could be fun if done right, but IMO this was not. Dom and Cole are a married gay couple looking to adopt a baby. While making videos about themselves, they are still waiting to get picked up by a potential mother. For their upcoming anniversary, they decide to take a Roman holiday, which would also double as their baby moon, give they are at very last stages. The dup have some anxieties about parenthood, but nothing different from anyone else. For their anniversary night, Dom's father's closest friend who is Italian has booked them into a dinner experience at some really popular chef in rural Italy. Meanwhile, the prospective mother chooses them as th...

“Identity Crisis” dives into one of the most polarizing debates of our time: the rise of gender ideology and its impact on children. It takes a critical look at the modern conversation around gender identity, particularly how it's playing out in the lives of young people and their families. Now do I agree with this documentary or representation? 1% yes, largely no and we will see how it plays out. The core of this documentary feels like something based through an Anti Transgender agenda. I would be the first person to say that I don't understand Trans completely but I believe in people having the right choose what they want for themselves. This documentary largely shows us a perspective from the other side. It shows us individuals, parents and families, who did let the individuals go through transition by taking medicine and many cases going through surgery as well. They feel like gender ideology was on such a rise that doctors would force and tell parents if you do not accept ...

Ricky Martin - A Loco Life documentary has got to be one of the laziest and lukewarm documentaries ever made. When you have an enigmatic subject like Ricky Martin, you expect all sorts of details to be known, hear from friends and family and what not, instead what you get here is a Siri-like voice reading an essay of sorts on the life of Ricky Martin, with zero emotions with visuals of pictures and video snippets. What's worse, the only interview we hear is of some random lady who is supposedly a pop-historian who gives her views of Ricky's life. I mean, what the hell!! Why even make a documentary if you do not connects to even a single person associated the actual person you are talking about !! Anyone who has ever been a fan of Ricky Martin knows exactly what happened. From being a part of all boys band under 18 called Menudo to how he became the global phenomenon is very quickly walked through in this documentary. We see how he becomes a teen heartthrob, takes a short break,...

This is an American BL that was released in vertical format (suitable to view on phones) on DramaBox. Though the show was released as multiple episodes of 1-2 minutes each, I saw them as a whole series of 2 parts, totaling to almost a 3 hour program. The makers claimed that it was the first American vertical series. I guess I will take their word for it. Season 1 came out in 2024, while Season 2 debuted in 2025 taking the story forward. Since this was released more like a reel format, you have to literally leave your brain behind and watch this show just for entertainment and not for logic and only then you would be able to enjoy the show.  Season 1 introduces us to Lucas, a young heir to an influential crypto company. His father wants Lucas to marry Sophia, daughter of an influential politician (who wants this so that he can embezzle all his black money). Lucas fake announces he is gay and that he cannot marry a woman. In parallel, a man named Michael Wyatt had just infiltrated th...

Like me, if you are stuck to your phone half the time, you have likely seen the videos and reels from comedians Michael Henry & Tim Murray. They have some really hilarious videos out there and in recent times they almost became a phenomenon of sorts in short comedy reels and darling of gay internet. So when I heard about this 6 part (23 minute each) doc-series with these two in the lead , I was naturally looking forward to it. The show follows the performers and friends as they travel across middle America in an attempt to connect with audiences, in parts where being gay is not that 'common'. Sadly this OUTtv series was so badly made and the comedy just fell flat for me in almost very single episode.  The doc-series starts with Tim and Michael reaching out to drag queen Trixie asking for a standalone show of their own. Trixie informs them that they are not ready yet and they need to understand middle America better. They need to prove that they “can make flyover state gays ...

Set in the 1950s post-war America, a seemingly sensible newlywed and her wayward brother-in-law undertake parallel journeys of risk, romance, and self-discovery. In this new world, some people went after security, while others went after thrill and living life to the fullest. With the combination of romance, exploration of sexuality, gambling; this film was interesting to watch, but also somehow felt a little short of becoming really good. This queer period drama explores the challenges of coming out in the 1950s. Back fresh from the war, Julius shows up at his older brother Lee's girlfriend Muriel's door. Strikingly gorgeous, we see that Julius and Muriel have a chemistry. Lee and Julius always had a plan to move to California, buy house and live together and Muriel expects that Julius will follow through only to be disappointed. 6 months later Lee and Muriel are married in California trying to make a life for themselves, while Julius finds himself in Vegas for life's thri...

A gay romantic comedy is always a good way to move on from pride month. The film interestingly mixes cuteness and awkwardness using stereotypical formulas but has realistic characters. The movie needed more finesse in acting and and a bit more tighter ending, because the story is as predictable as it gets. Two unlikely guys meet, sparks fly, start dating, one of them is reluctant to make a commitment and/or express true feelings, they have a major falling out, and then something happens that probably brings the couple back together. We have all heard/seen it before but it's the treatment that makes all the difference. Set in New York City, Zack Anthony, an overweight guy, is a wannabe novelist and the film starts with a hot guy fathoming him after sex. He feels “stuck” in life because he’s unemployed, his aspiring career as a novelist has stalled and of course he is conscious of his body. And even though he says he doesn't want love, you can tell he is a romantic. We meet anoth...

This Dekkoo series of 9 episodes and 10 minutes each, recounts the title character’s misadventures dating in New York City. Danny is a 40-ish gay man who has a series of horrifically amusing bad dates that make him wonder if he will be single forever.  Addressing the viewers directly by breaking the fourth wall, Danny recounts his experiences as they happen, endearing himself as a gay everyman who seeks sex if not love.  Danny makes no bones about being an irritated, promiscuous bottom who has seemingly insatiable sexual needs. He is an "elder millennial," which, he contends, is the reason for his frequent erotic trysts. "I need a steady stream of sexual attention in order to feel any amount of self-esteem," he says in one episode. Every date has some sort of problem with the other person, whether it be clinginess, fetishes, or political stances. Over the course of 9 episodes we see how Danny meets a different man and is in a different situation and how nothing seem...

Set in New York, this 1960's LGBT drama is at times tender and other times tragic. What price do we pay as a human being when we suppress ourselves to fit expectations of society? Of family? Of those around us? What price does society pay? A tragic love triangle, that is both intimate and universal, this film keeps the look of 60s throughout in both exterior and interior shots. The film goes in flashback where we see an older Jay going over family albums with his son. It is early 60's. We meet Jay, who is on track for his typical American dream. He is the son of a very successful businessman and his father rewards his hard work and business acumen. He marries his beautiful wife, Beverly, who gives him a healthy baby boy. But Jay is hiding a deep, dark secret. Before his wedding, on a beach vacation, Jay is served by the handsome Ricky of Puerto Rico descent and they just have a chat. Months later, Jay and Ricky meet again at a family event where Rickey is serving. They share a ...

Comedian and content creator Benito Skinner writes, produces and stars in this sex-filled eight-episode look at coming out and finding yourself after high school. This Amazon prime series came a few weeks back and has been trending. I will be the first to an admit, like I do most time, I have no idea who Benito Skinner is. It's only when I started to watch the show and wanted to know about the actors, this is what I found. With 8 episodes of about 35-40 minutes each, I went in with quite high expectations and I am sad to say that by the end of it I was quite underwhelmed. We meet Benny, a former high school football hero and homecoming king who is struggling to accept that he is gay, let alone share his sexuality with anyone around him. Deep down he knows he is attracted to guys but he has deeply buried his sexuality under the weight of social pressure. He is now joining college at Yates where his older sister Grace and her boyfriend Peter. Peter immediately takes Benny under his w...

If you’re looking for the perfect weekend movie that blends horror and comedy in all the right ways, The Parenting absolutely delivers. This film strikes a delicate balance, just enough jump scares to keep horror fans on edge, while packing in plenty of LOL worthy moments that make it a joy to watch. The film was premiered directly on HBO Max. With a simple premise and all the characters having their own quirks, this was a mindless entertainer joy ride right from the get-go. The film starts in 1983, where see a family of 3 being suddenly abducted by haunted power and they mysteriously disappear. Cut to current time and we meet Josh and his boyfriend Rohan who have rented the same house in the countryside for a weekend with both their families. They’ve planned this short trip to introduce themselves to each other’s parents, and their parents to one another, but Rohan has also been secretly planning to propose to Josh. The situation predictably goes awry: Rohan is tense and nervous, Josh...