Short Gay on V Day

A short film by Elliot London

He's looking for assistance funding his feature film - for details click here

Valentine's day is over here in Oz, but those in the rest of the world will still be in the midst of it. I hope you're all having a great day regardless of whether or not you have someone to share it with.

Sex and the City 2 - review

It began with sparkle. A LOT of sparkle, the New York Skyline, the glittered the high heels, jewelled couture and it kept on coming, literally into the dialogue. But unfortunately Sex and the City 2 didn't sparkle for me.

Having wandered into SATC1 a few years back not really expecting much I was quite blown away with a movie that exceeded the TV series in terms of cinematography, storyline and fashion. The characters had developed and in the end I'd been on a journey, albeit it a very glamorous one.

The Gay Wedding, the opening event in the movie was so over the top it was a caricature and not an especially positive one. It seemed to be trying so hard to be both correct and comfortable with the whole wedding concept that the natural flow with the well known gay characters was lost, and the feeling was more discomfort. Surely by now BIG would have met Carrie's best gay friend on enough occasions to be unsurprised with men flirting with him?

We head to the Middle East and it feels like we're in an advertorial. So many products placed, a walk through advertisement for a hotel that goes on and on and on and on... There are wardrobe changes that are so obvious, it feels like a fashion show. But I don't like a lot of this particular show. The sex scenes, while few and fleeting, did feature some particularly attractive men, but they were mere interludes.

Still there are the main characters who are at times warm and fun, but at times holding onto lines that really should have been let go in the 90's. We're taken on a cultural tour of muslim customs that is so cringeworthy it's embarrassing. There's nothing subtle here at all.

It may be a reflection of the truth, of how as we age we don't always do it gracefully or intelligently and how we don't always have everything under control. But while I had fun watching much of it, as the credits rolled I was remembering more the previews at the beginning and wishing I had elected to see one of those instead.

A Single Man

I was lucky enough to be invited to see a preview of A Single Man at the Open Air Cinema in Sydney on the weekend. Sitting outdoors with Sydney Harbour, The Opera House and Harbour Bridge before you is always a great way to spend the evening, but with a screen that pops up and plays a movie as divine as A Single Man, it's perfect. But then there was the rain... Thankfully ponchos were provided to keep us less wet, I've worn quite a few of these over the years, but the rain didn't dampen the impact of the movie. Beautifully filmed, exquisitely acted and moving, right from the start, with an element of tension right through. I highly recommend it. Tom Ford's directorial debut is an impressive display of his diverse talent.

A Superchilled 4 stars.

Look Both Ways - do you?

Look Both Ways: preview

When I first saw the movie Look Both Ways a few years ago, it was quite revelatory. It became apparent that I wasn't the only one who visualised all manner of bad things happening as I went about my everyday life. As you can see in the preview here, there are illustrated imagined events happening involving shark attacks, car crashes, train wrecks... I see people riding motor bikes recklessly and I visualise them in ditches and trees farther down the road, I see cars crashing and trucks veering over the road into my path, and since Sept 11, I frequently see planes in the sky spontaneously exploding. You name the scenario - I have seen the worst possible end result.

Now I'm not neurotic, I'm not anxious and those who know me often describe me as being in fact as superchilled as the title of this blog. Certainly it seems that I have a creative imagination, although sometimes I'd like to watch a plane taking off at the airport and not wonder where it will land when it crashes. I like the way the film has put it into perspective - the imagined events are split seconds and the reality continues fluently despite it. It's like an aside, a 'what if' scenario that is mostly speculative, though sometimes eerily close to reality.

I'm curious if anyone else has these moments. I'm guessing from the film that there are a lot more out there who do. If you do - you'll love this Australian film.

Newcastle - The Movie

We've just been to see Newcastle, in Sydney. Newcastle the movie that is. It's written & directed by Dan Castle whose short film The Visitor is my favourite ever short film which I saw a few years back at the Mardi Gras film festival.

I was totally absorbed. As with The Visitor it's beautifully filmed, with most of the cinematography taking place in or by the ocean. The water based filming is mesmerising and beautiful.  The cute guys in board shorts or less aren't a problem either. It's an engaging story too, following a focal point in the life of twin brothers living in the industrial  seaside city of Newcastle, one of them gay, one a budding pro-surfer and their coming into their own. It's funny, heartwarming, heartwrenching and at times nerve racking. The story surrounding the gay brother is quite fantastic actually, and I'd recommend the movie for just this, but the complexity of growing up, relationships and families is skilfully intertwined and makes it a powerful and rewarding film. 

Lachlan Buchanan stars as Jesse

It rates a superchilled 4.5 stars. I'd give it more but you might think I was biased. 

Take yourself off to see it while you can on the big screen.

Click here for a review.

Click here for the Newcastle official movie website.

Save Me

Movie preview : 2min 3sec

"Save Me" is an independent movie opening in US cinemas in September. It is the first production from Mythgarden, the production house started by openly gay actors Chad Allen and Robert Gant.
see full review by Jeff Walsh here.

Holding Trevor - The Movie

I arrived in France to an email about Holding Trevor which is not in fact at all about me, but about the movie of the same name which opens in theatres in NYC & LA this Friday (July 4th no less). So if you're in one of those cities - take yourself off to see it.

Click on the photo for more details of the film and click here for a YouTube trailer.

Jaffas, Sex & More

A few weeks ago I got this moisturiser "AHAVA Facial calming Moisturizer SPF 15 / dermud..." blah blah because I'd just had the second facial of my life and in the daze at the end of it I said yes to the sales pitch. I have in fact been using it, and I do like it. I'm not sure if it makes me calm, but every time I use it reminds me of Jaffas - (the chocolate balls covered in a crunchy orange flavoured coating) because despite the 'fragrance-free' labelling it smells like Jaffas - which for me instantly takes me to the cinema where traditionally you roll then down the (preferably wooden) floor and you can hear them rolling all the way to the front... down the steps... the works. And so today after applying it, I felt the urge to go to the movies, and eventually after a day full of other stuff, we did. It wasn't The Counterfeiters as we'd planed, but Sex and the City, which the Frenchman

 had felt exhausted by the promotions for already.

Two and a half hours later we stumble out, and we actually had a surprisingly good time of it. Some glitz and glamour, beautiful places and made up faces... And a sprinkling of cute men and gay kisses to keep us awake. The story actually meant something too, which was nice, and I felt in the mood for being creative again at the end. And I like that. 

The best thing about getting out of the movies late on Sunday night - is when Monday is a public holiday! It feels like Saturday night, only better. 

And today's phrases in Norwegian are: 

Hvor er kinoen?

Where is the cinema?

Vi snakkes.

Talk to you later.

And I will.

Mardi Gras Film Festival Reviews # 2

It was a two-film night Monday, and French was the tongue. First up was "King Size" exploring the impact of a newly developing three man relationship in a musical film! I must say when I found out it was a musical I wondered if I should leave then and there... but it turned out to be quite fun, and a very interesting (and enjoyable) approach to the subject material!

Following on its heels was the drama "the man of my life" set in countryside France in the summer as an extended family gather and invite the gay neighbour into the mix with powerful results. The cinematography is beautiful and the emotion raw. Loads of material here to digest, but one that does make you think, with truckloads of stunning images along the way. Recommended

Indiana Jones 4

I remember falling in love with the Harrison Ford from the first of the Indiana Jones films way back when... I can't remember how many times I've seen it, but très sexy it is!. And even though he's considerably older now, I'm sure to be seeing the 4th of the series when it is released. By the sound of the trailer it's sure to make fun of the age thing... But it's the humour in these films that makes them stand out - ie not taking themselves too seriously. I'm not sure when it releases here but I'll be looking out for it!

Mardi Gras Film Festival Reviews

The Mardi Gras Film Festival is now on and we've seen 2 movies so far. Usually film festivals are hit and miss, but so far it's all hit - fantastic films that I'd happily see again.

Friday night was The Bubble, an Israeli film from director Eytan Fox (Yossi & Jaeger, Walk on Water). At times hilariously funny, at times gut wrenching, sexy and moving but manages to be all these things while exploring the complexities of love in an intolerant world. It's beautifully and sensitively filmed and while I haven't been to Israel, I think it gives quite an insight into life in this complex part of the world and the particular challenges of being gay in this region. Highly recommended.

Preview: The Bubble 2min 5sec

Saturday afternoon took us to Shelter, which is a beautiful film at a transition point for young Zac, a surfer, skateboarder and budding artist finding more than he expects from his best mate's brother who has returned briefly to his home town. I like that it goes beyond stereotypes and feels very real and tactile. There are family issues, sexuality issues, and general life issues that are tackled, and the mix is well balanced, fun and very sexy. Also highly recommended.

Preview: Shelter 2min 15 sec

For more information about movies playing at the festival and screening times, click here for the Mardi Gras Film Festival Website.

Into the Wild - movie review

We saw an advanced screening of the film Into The Wild Sunday night, and it certainly is a movie that makes you think. It's equally insightful as it is visually stunning, and certainly moving. It follows a young man's journey to find himself, and to escape the world of his parents who have caused him much unspoken grief. There are a lot of stars in small roles who certainly pack depth and meaning into a powerful overall film. It will get you thinking - it might even change the way you look at various aspects of life. Highly worth a viewing, it opens this Thursday. Those of you in the States may have already seen it - as it's been out there since September - if not, seek it out. Written and directed by Sean Penn, an increasing force in cinema.

Interview Panel: Session 2

Continuing with the movie theme, the superchilled interview panel was asked the following question:

What One film has most influenced your life? How?

Aussielicious:
It's a tough one. I might say Interview With A
Vampire. It's hard to say why though...

Gay Banker:

I'm not aware of any film having influened my life particularly, except The Rocky Horror Picture Show of course because of all the suspenders.

London Preppy:

I don't watch films because I can't concentrate on anything for more than 22 minutes.

Single in the City:

Loved Angels in America...it made me think about what it meant to be a gay man!

Superchilled:

Blade Runner. It gave me a greater appreciation of the value of human life, in all its permutations and combinations. And all in a sci-fi thriller with man-made people, 'replicants' and hovering billboards - who would have thought?

The Green Light at the end of the Dock:

Promised Land It was so reminiscent of my family background as an Afrikaans South African that it opened my eyes to the reality of prejudice.

Has one particular film influenced you?

Crashed and burned?

Ryan Phillippe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum certainly make the movie Stop Loss (out in 2008) an attractive proposition - I've little idea about the plot , and no idea about the women - but what's new? I just love this photo. It seems you could make any number of stories out of it. Anyone care to indulge?

NOISE

A policeman with a personal health issue, a catastrophic violent event and the people living through it... NOISE is a well written and captured movie that keeps you immersed in all kinds of ways. Not a by the numbers plot, and certainly not expected results, certainly one of the best Australian films I've seen for a while.

Worth the trip to the cinema: 4 stars.