Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

This short 45 min film which came back in 1980, must have been something of a game changer. I am guessing that this 'coming of age' genre barely existed then. An interesting love and power dynamics between two school lads leading to awakened and heightened sexual curiosity, this film can get confusing at times, but is a very interesting case study. In the first interaction we meet Philippe and Claude and it seems they have some previous connection. Claude is the younger of the two boys. Claude wants Phillipe to be near him in the train in literal sense but latter is a bit of a tease, goes and sits on another seat and a smile on his face watching Claude sleep. Soon, their friendship starts to develop where Philippe becomes sort of a mentor to Claude. The next day, it is Philippe who is saving a seat for Claude. They spend a lot of time together and one night in bed, Claude brings topic of masturbation and asks Philippe to teach him. He refuses and we know they are both playing a...

This film came out in 1980 and is apparently based on a play. So you have to watch the film keeping that context in mind. Set amongst some of the low-income class Philadelphians, its not the brightest movie made. The film can easily be summarized in a good 15-20 short film. Francis Geminiani gets a surprise visit by his quasi girlfriend Judith and her brother Randy on the eve of his 21st birthday. For being best friends, Francis is not at all happy with their surprise visit and soon we realize it's because Francis thinks he is gay and is struggling with it. The siblings nevertheless get a warm welcome by Francis' father, his girlfriend, their neighbor who has a clumsy asthmatic son Herschel. Judith refuses to believe Francis is gay and keeps telling him they cannot be friends if thats true. Further probe tells that its actually Randy on whom Francis has a crush on. Nothing can come out of it though. After birthday celebrations, things start coming out and the film ends wit...

I just wasn't sure when I started watching this film. Made in 1980 and a period drama, I had my reservations both for the story and how the execution would have happened. I also wasn't sure of what the storyline is like and will it actually qualify as a film that could be reviewed on my blog here. Apparently this is the true biographical film of the famous Russian ballet dancer. The film is told in just 2 years of 1912/13. Vaslav Nijinsky is a young, supremely talented baller dancer. He works for the Russian ballet company managed by Sergei, a controlling but loving man. Everyone knows that they are a couple but they keep the personal and professional lives separate. Of course Sergei sees talent in  Nijinsky and encourages him to do better, even asking him to try choreographing some of the ballets. But Nijinsky is always a bit insecure of their relationship. They have continuous misunderstandings but their true love for each other keeps bringing them back together. It does...

This film features in pretty much everyone’s ‘Must see Gay Films of all times’; so I finally decided to stop procrastinating and give this film a chance. I think I was just worried that because the film was a while ago, I just assumed that I may be disappointed and was just trying to delay that as much as possible. But boy, was I wrong! It may be old, but the situation, scenes, landscape and scenarios are as relevant today as they were yesterday. New York city in 1980, some murder victims are found and it is suspected that it is a work of a serial killer. The targets are all gay men (similar age and looks) hanging around in West Village bars. The head of the detective department picks Al Pacino to go undercover, since he resembles the victims. He gets an apartment there, and moves out of his girlfriends home. Unfortunately the assignment takes a toll on their relationship since he cannot tell her the details. He starts frequenting the S&M bars in the area and MeatPacking distr...

When you see this film, you have to remember that this film came out way back in 1981. Things were way way different then. Despite this disclaimer, I am going to review this film as what I felt today after watching it. What things left impression on me and what were the things that I was bothered with. Moreover, I strongly believe that the title of the film is just not suited for the story that was presented. Sometimes, the title make s huge difference. Based on autobiography of the actor-director himself, the film shows the life of Frank Ripploh. He is in 30's, gay man and a school teacher. He hides his sexual orientation from school but then is very very active in his sex escapades. He is constantly thinking whom and where to meet next. In fact, he even checks student papers in toilet while cruising. During one such instance, he meets Bernd. Their one night stand soon turns up into a stable relationship. Bernd has eyes for only Frank but this is not the same case with Frank. He ...