What’s Eating Gilbert Grape 1993

What's Eating Gilbert Grape 1993
PG-13 | 1h 58min | Drama | 4 March 1994 (USA)
Storyline:
What's Eating Gibert Grape is a beautifully shot movie of tenderness, caring and self-awareness that is set amongst the fictional working class one street town Endora. Centred around the Grape family Ellen and Amy and their two brothers Arnie and Gilbert, who, along with their morbidly obese widowed mother Bonnie Grape are striving to survive and coexist with the absence of a father figure, low wage work and seventeen-year-old Arnie's severe mental condition. It is in this awkward and extremely one sided affair that the unfortunate Gilbert has to constantly, while working for the town's slowly dying convenience store, take care of his younger brother Arnie. Gilbert's life, his future, is thwarted he knows this, but it is in this guardian angel that his love and bond for Arnie cannot, and will not, be let go. That is until the free spirit of Becky arrives in town, and with her grandmother are stranded for the week while waiting for parts for their vehicle. This realization unties new feelings, new thoughts and new hope for the put upon Gibert, something new is eating Gilbert Grape.
User review:
The first time I saw this film, I had yet to know the name Leonardo DiCaprio. And I was stunned. Is that actor really retarded or what? His acting is so excellent, you don't need to doubt why he got to be so big.
But all others perform real well also. I have always had an eye for Depp's acting, and Lewis is, like always, little. The new thing is that she's kind and caring.

The Boy in the Dress 2014

The Boy in the Dress 2014
1h 3min | Comedy, Drama, Family | TV Movie 26 December 2014
Storyline:
*May Contain Spoilers* Dennis attends a school with a very strict dress code and, although he is their football team's star striker, he feels out of place, missing the glamorous mother who walked out on the family, leaving him feeling estranged from his father. After being attracted to a fashion magazine he befriends free-spirited school-mate Lisa, a talented would-be designer, who persuades him to model a dress she has made. Initially he feels awkward but takes to the cross-dressing as his own form of rebellion and wears the dress to school, passing himself off as a French girl, but he is exposed and expelled by the stony headmaster. With no Dennis the soccer team looks doomed in a cup final against a superior side but Lisa has an idea and the whole team takes to the field in dresses, defying the head to expel them too if Dennis cannot play. As a result he helps win the cup and is declared a hero, reunited with his father, though he is still expelled – until he discovers the headmaster's own guilty secret.
User review:
Adaptations of the children's books by David Walliams have become a sort of fixture of the Christmas TV schedules, and this was the third of these.
I enjoyed the first one 'Mr Stink', but I found this one to be a little dull if I'm honest. It has its moments, and the message behind it is good, but I didn't find the cast to be as full of big names as previous adaptations, and crucially for only an hour film, it dragged.

And When Did You Last See Your Father? 2007

And When Did You Last See Your Father? 2007
PG-13 | 1h 32min | Biography, Drama | 5 October 2007 (UK)
Storyline:
The writer Blake Morrison has a non-resolved relationship with his bragger and wolf father Arthur Morrison. However, when Arthur is diagnosed with a terminal intestine cancer, Blake leaves his wife and children and travel to the village where he spent his childhood and adolescence to help his mother and his sister to take care of Arthur along his last days. The location brings recollections of his problematic relationship with his father.
User review:
The writer Blake Morrison (Colin Firth) has a non-resolved relationship with his bragger and wolf father Arthur Morrison (Jim Broadbent). However, when he is diagnosed with a terminal intestine cancer, Blake leaves his wife and children and travel to the village where he spent his childhood and adolescence to help his mother and his sister to take care of Arthur along his last days. The location brings recollections of his problematic relationship with his father.
"And When Did You Last See Your Father?" is a sensitive movie about father and son problematic relationship. Through the recollections of Blake, the viewer understand the many unresolved situations that made him indifferent (or even hating) his flawed father that loved him indeed. In the end, it dawns on him that his father is gone and he will never see him again; and he grieves and regrets the lost moments he had along his life to stay with him. And you, when did you last see your father? My vote is six.

The Basketball Diaries 1995

The Basketball Diaries 1995
R | 1h 42min | Biography, Crime, Drama | 21 April 1995 (USA)
Storyline:
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his mind. A best friend who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty") who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin — all of these begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie, an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity.
User review:
An uncompromising script and a solid performance from Leonardo Di Caprio help make THE BASKETBALL DIARIES a powerful and memorable film experience. Leo plays Jim Carroll, a high school student with a love of basketball and a flare for writing whose life goes right down the toilet when he becomes a heroine addict. Yes, perhaps Leo gets hooked a little too quickly but everything that happens to him after he gets hooked is totally real. Along with CLEAN AND SOBER, this movie so clearly and honestly demonstrates where drug addiction can take you…how nothing else becomes important but how and where that next high is coming from. There is one harrowing scene after another here. We see Jim returning to his mother (Lorraine Bracco) after being kicked out of the house and we see Jim turn from begging child to threatening thug in a matter of seconds, a scene brilliantly performed by DiCaprio. We see Jim and his friends beat up an old lady for her purse and we even see Jim prostitute himself with a man in order to get money. It's a frightening and realistic spiral downward that Jim takes and he does make it back, but it is important to remember when watching this film that a lot don't. DiCaprio gets solid support from future star Mark Wahlberg, Bruno Kirby, Jr., Juliette Lewis, and Michael Imperioli. A harrowing film experience that will not be forgotten once the credits roll.
Director: Scott Kalvert
Writers: Jim Carroll (novel), Bryan Goluboff (screenplay)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, Marilyn Sokol

Blessed 2009

Blessed 2009
1h 53min | Drama | 10 September 2009 (Australia)
Storyline:
Seven lost children wander the night streets while their mothers await their return home.
User review:
We just returned from yet another brilliant and moving Australian film; it is the third of a trilogy of tough films that we have recently attended. Do not expect anything remotely comparable to something from Hollywood. As I have commented before, these films could not be made in Hollywood; the Americans could not stand the realism, the rawness or the lack of a cutesy ending. We were particularly struck by the realness of all that we saw; I do not know people living on the edge to the extent depicted in the film but I have encountered people such those on the screen so I believe that I can vouch for the accuracy of the portrayals. The film is divided between mothers and their kids. The first half of the movie examines the kids and the kind of life they are forging on their own, generally, because the bonds of motherly love have been broken irreparably in some cases and temporarily in others. In all cases the journey for the viewer is a road full of potholes. The seven children represent different methods of survival and the mothers, it could be argued, also represent different methods of survival but at an adult level. Men play a purely secondary role, if their presence could be called a role at all. To me the males represented the alpha and omega of maleness: at one time protector, at another life-slayer. However, the film first and foremost is about females and the roles they form to survive as best they can in a disturbing, malevolent world.
Director: Ana Kokkinos
Writers: Andrew Bovell, Melissa Reeves
Stars: Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto, Deborra-Lee Furnes

Angels Sing 2013

Angels Sing 2013
PG | 1h 27min | Comedy, Drama, Family | 10 March 2013 (USA)
Storyline:
As a child, Michael Walker wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife and well-intentioned parents. But when his young son faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick gives Michael a gift and instills in him the courage to find the joy that he lost.
User review:
I will not make this long: See this brilliant movie! At parts it may seem silly, but the very profound parts will move you to tears. Willie Nelson is perfect in every way. He is so believable, but make sure you watch the very last scene! The one who steals this movie is Lyle Lovett! I am not sure a more beautiful smile has ever graced us. His haunting voice will leave shivers down your spine. There are a couple scenes towards the end that follow each other that are pure magic. It takes place while Lovett's gorgeous and haunting "Christmas Morning" is sung. A very likable movie that really grows on you. By the third watching, it will become a favorite! Watch it. And, grab the tissues!
Director: Tim McCanlies
Writers: Lou Berney (screenplay), Turk Pipkin (based on the novel by)
Stars: Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Chandler Canterbury

Boogeyman 2012

Boogeyman 2012
1h 25min | Horror | TV Movie 11 August 2012
Storyline:
A single dad cop in a small town and his female partner are called to the scene of the death of a mean recluse. A number of bizarre deaths, including teens, begin to occur at the hands of a big disfigured "monster". Eventually it is learned that the policeman's partner is the estranged daughter of the dead man and that the "monster" is actually a demonic form of "Cain" of Cain and Abel of the bible, who has needed a "brother" to be his keeper since he killed Abel. Who will be his next keeper?
User review:
This isn't Stephen King's Boogeyman, although it came out the same year.
It is unusual in the respect that it links to the Bible; a first for me in horror films.

Deep Impact 1998

Deep Impact 1998
PG-13 | 2h | Action, Drama, Romance | 8 May 1998 (USA)
Storyline:
Journalist Jenny Lerner is assigned to look into the background of Secretary Alan Rittenhouse who abruptly resigned from government citing his wife's ill health. She learns from his secretary that Rittenhouse was having an affair with someone named Ellie but when she confronts him, his strange reaction leads her to reconsider her story. In fact, a comet, discovered the previous year by high school student Leo Biederman and astronomer Dr. Marcus Wolf, is on a collision course with the Earth, an Extinction Level Event. A joint US-Russian team is sent to destroy the comet but should it fail, special measures are to be put in place to secure the future of mankind. As the space mission progresses, many individuals deal with their fears and ponder their future.
User review:
I found Deep Impact to be a very good "study" on how we has humans, may react to an E.L.E. (see this movie for details on that.) The special effects were good, but the best thing about this movie was the focus on the characters. This wasn't loud and stupid as "that other asteroid movie." This film will entertain you and mostly, touch your heart. You actually feel the doom that is about to reach these people, and to me, that is good film making.
About the only thing I could pick on would be the performance of Téa Leoni. To me, she was never convincing. She seemed down and depressed all of the time, even when she was doing the news. Very odd performance.

Vanished Left Behind – Next Generation 2016

Vanished Left Behind – Next Generation 2016
PG-13 | 1h 55min | 28 September 2016 (USA)
Storyline:
When a billion people around the globe suddenly vanish and chaos engulfs the nation — headstrong 15-year-old Gabby is thrust into adulthood way too soon. The event forces Gabby, along with her younger sister Claire and the two teen boys vying for Gabby's affection, Josh and Flynn – to try to figure out what has happened and how they fit into this dangerous new world.
User review:
This is a very nice reboot of the Left Behind story. The young actors and actresses do a wonderful job that will appeal especially to teenagers and young adults, but is equally enjoyable for audiences of all ages. This is only the beginning of the Left Behind story, and will need several sequels to finish the entire story line. The story develops into a intriguing love triangle reminiscent of the Twilight series that will appeal to young adults, and in similar fashion, is left unresolved by the end of the movie. Tom Everett Scott does a spectacular job portraying the crazy evil person and leaves you with a creepy scary feeling every time he appears. His scenes add a horror thriller thread to the plot, unusual and unique for a Christian themed movie, and will appeal to horror movie fans. It was surprising and interesting to see Tim LaHaye's grandson Randy LaHaye playing the role of the anti-Christ. The film is dedicated to Tim LaHaye and his epic legacy. An very enjoyable movie even for non-Christians
Director : Larry A. McLean
Writers: Kim Beyer-Johnson, Joan Considine Johnson
Stars: Amber Frank, Mason Dye, Dylan Sprayberry

Tan Lines 2005

Tan Lines 2005
1h 36min | Drama, Romance | 2006 (Australia)
Storyline:
From the sun-drenched beaches of Australia comes this sexy coming-of-age romance. Cute teen Midget Hollow (Jack Baxter) wanders through life riding big waves and partying with surfer boys. When Midget's best friend's gay brother Cass arrives on the scene, the two quickly dive head first into a clandestine sea of sexual awakening. As his lusty romance with the dark-eyed Adonis is soon discovered, Midget has to navigate between his friends' reaction and his newfound love all while growing up during a hot summer of fun in the sun!
User review:
I saw this last week at a gay and lesbian film festival, and quite liked it. It wasn't what I expected at all. I thought we'd have adorable blonde surfers caressed by the bright Australian sun during carefully timed outdoor shoots. The guys are cute, but mainly because they're young and do something physical — they're not preposterously cute. They're a bit … well, not vacuous, but limited in their interests. There's no indication that anybody willingly opens a book. The town they live in may have a beach and waves but it's a dreary little backwater where money is hard to come by and people fall into sex situations for lack of much else to do. The kids may be inexperienced and untutored but they're not particularly innocent, and the adults don't seem to be much different from the kids — just various degrees of Older.
The director seems unsure how to go about making a conventional film properly, so he gropes, and ends up making the movie very interestingly. There are establishing shots we don't need, of things that aren't important. And somehow the arbitrariness of that echoes the characters' ennui and drift and cluelessness.

Drink Me 2015

Drink Me 2015
1h 14min | Drama, Horror | 27 April 2015 (UK)
Storyline
James and Andy have everything they ever dreamed for but things are about to change.The classic erotic thriller is re-imagined in a vampiric thriller that is as sensual as it is terrifying.
User review:
A gay vampire on a micro-budget…why bother?
The story is as threadbare as the ludicrous amount of on-screen manscaping…

This Boy’s Life 1993

This Boy's Life 1993
R | 1h 55min | Biography, Drama | 23 April 1993 (USA)

Storyline:
In 1957, a son and mother flee the East and an abusive boyfriend to find a new life, and end up in Seattle, where the mother meets a polite garage mechanic. The boy continually gets into trouble by hanging out with the wrong crowd. The mom marries the mechanic, but they soon find out that he's an abusive and unreasoning alcoholic, and they struggle to maintain hope in an impossible situation as the boy grows up with plans to escape the small town by any means possible. Based on a true story by Tobias Wolff.
User review:
This was a very haunting, sometimes very difficult story to watch unfold on screen. It was one of the first films I recollect seeing when I went berserk collecting tons of VHS tapes in the mid-90s. I had never heard of Leonardo DiCaprio, but I'm just I wasn't alone as this was his second or third time on screen. Anyway, he certainly gave a powerful performance and served notice he was going to be a "big name" actor.
Basically, it's about teenage kid and his mom trying to survive the mean father-husband of the family in a small town during the 1950s. Robert De Niro plays the dad and Ellen Barkin, the mom. This may be the only film I've seen in which Barkin actually played the nicest person of the leads!! Leo plays "Tobias Wolffe;" De Niro, "Dwight Hansen" and Barkin, "Caroline Hansen." She had remarried Hansen after having "Toby" earlier, hence the surname "Wolffe."

Unsolved Suburbia 2010

Unsolved Suburbia 2010
1h 5min | Crime, Drama | Video 5 October 2010
Storyline
MARTY is a quirky straight guy weekdays, and gay on weekends, a high school senior, who along with his questionably straight friend JAKE, unravels the mystery of who put a hit on their friend THOMAS'S new gay lover. Jake uses his expertise as a peeping tom and gossip monger to discover neighborhood secrets, while Marty helps Thomas hide safely. At home Marty has problems of his own, when his boyfriend MICHAEL, and girlfriend ANYBODYS, find out about each other. When a surprise fourth person is sneaks into the room, the end results might be deadlier than the hit man.
User review:
What is the law about citizen's arrest? Because the acting in this film (and I use the term loosely) is downright criminal. Especially from the men – and there are mostly men. While there may be some good things about UNSOLVED SUBURBIA, I couldn't see past the poor performances to find any. It is like a good chef cooking with rancid food – no good can come of it. The boys involved are not only poor actors, they are a scrawny lot who get naked at the drop of a hat. There are few women who are equally dreadful but they don't add up to much except jokes about lesbians and West Side Story. Avoid this film – it will not be a crime to miss it!
Director: Steven Vasquez (as Cheetah Gonzalez)
Writers: Jeremy Huntington (screenplay), Steven Vasquez (screenplay) (as Cheetah Gonzalez)
Stars: Johnny Lockhart, Aleksandr Dissan, Steven Christopher

The Wylds 2010

The Wylds 2010
1h 48min | Action, Adventure, Drama | 31 August 2010 (USA)
Storyline
Chris, a runaway child, lives with a group of misfits in a junkyard, stealing to survive. When a traveling preacher tells him that his father is alive and wants him to come home, Chris must leave his family of thieves and venture into the wilderness in search of his father and a better life. Join Chris on an action-packed adventure as he outwits bandits, escapes swamp monsters, battles evil robots, and learns valuable lessons about choosing the right path in life. A contemporary allegory inspired by John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress."
User review:
I have never seen a more disappointing movie, i bought it from tesco thinking it would be a good children's fantasy adventure but when I started to watch it I realised it was the complete opposite. From the awful actors to the tacky costumes. I haven't got a clue what time zone it is meant to be because most of the adults have old fashion clothing like top hats but then there is robots and modern buildings. Scince when do cowboys happen to have two swords. I know £3 seems cheap but for this movie i felt very ripped of, my family and thought it was made by a drama club with a normal camera. My brother who is 7, my sister who is 10, me 14 and my mum and dad found it funny that it was so rubbish and tacky.
Director: Andrew Wiest
Writers: John Bunyan (book), Andrew Wiest (screenplay)
Stars: Solomon Ray, Staci Crowe, Robert Bear

Little Lord Fauntleroy 1980

Little Lord Fauntleroy 1980
1h 43min | Drama, Family, Romance | TV Movie December 1980
Storyline:
Suddenly, into the poor but happy lower-class Manhattan home of the widow Errol and her son Cedric, aged about 9, comes an agent from Cedric's mysterious grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, asking them to move to England so that Cedric can learn aristocratic ways and inherit the vast estate. Cedric's mother consents with misgivings, especially for having to live in a house nearby rather than in the castle with her son. The Earl proves to be a penurious misanthrope, hated by almost everyone who knows him. But from the beginning, Cedric sees only good in him, can't imagine that he would ever treat his tenants and villagers poorly, and wins their hearts with kindnesses, giving all credit to his grandfather's wishes. Soon the dour old man finds that he loves this cheerful little boy so dearly that he wants to live up to this new image of himself. The sudden appearance of a vulgar, ambitious American claiming that her son is the true heir to the title is a more grievous blow to him than anyone would have thought possible.
User review:
This film was released in 1980 (as stated), three years after my younger daughter was born. I taped it on TV, and she watched it avidly for many years. It became a milestone in our family life.
Within a year of first seeing it, my daughter knew every line of the script, and we would watch her watching the movie, her lips moving, speaking all the parts…(she was of course, going to marry Ricky Schroder). She still has the tape, and even at 28 years of age, still watches it from time to time. But it is sadly worn, and like another reviewer, I too long for it to be re-released on DVD. It is a beautifully made story performed equally beautifully by a superb cast.

The Girl Next Door 2007

The Girl Next Door 2007
R | 1h 31min | Crime, Drama, Horror | 17 October 2008 (Italy)
Storyline
Based on the Jack Ketchum novel of the same name, The Girl Next Door follows the unspeakable torture and abuses committed on a teenage girl in the care of her aunt…and the boys who witness and fail to report the crime.
User review:
Directed by Gregory Wilson, and shot and produced by William Miller, Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door is a movie that few who've seen it will ever forget. Black-hole dark and beyond harrowing, it's nonetheless a carefully crafted work and also extraordinarily sensitive. In fact, if it's not strictly a horror film, then one can only conclude that it's the genre's loss. Jack Ketchum's novel, like much of his work, is based on compelling real-life events. In this instance the story draws upon a 1960s case of almost unspeakable child abuse—most of that abuse committed by other children under adult supervision. Ketchum, who is extremely proud of this film adaptation, speaks openly about production company Moderncine's initial pitch to him: "Let us make this movie before Hollywood does and ruins it." To bring The Girl Next Door to the screen, Moderncine enlisted some topnotch talent, including award-winning director Gregory Wilson, who here displays a tremendous talent working with actors, and veteran writers Philip Nutman and Daniel Farrands. Still, in a period when horror movies have repeatedly pushed, and even mangled, the envelope, this one derives most of its emotional shock not from graphic content but from the realistic and courageous presentation of a long-standing cultural taboo: on-screen violence to children. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for mainstream critics to shoot down this kind of movie by terming it "exploitative" when actually it's the opposite: a tragedy that immerses the audience in the misery of the real rather than promoting escapism with comfortable, and clichéd, lessons about violence and evil. After a successful theatrical run in New York early in the fall, The Girl Next Door is now available here on DVD. I urge you to see it. Like another powerful film released in 2007, Bug, it may hit too close to home to appeal to the typical horror fan. Indeed, it has a slightly different audience in mind: human beings.
Director: Gregory Wilson (as Gregory M. Wilson)
Writers: Daniel Farrands (screenplay), Philip Nutman (screenplay)
Stars: William Atherton, Blythe Auffarth, Blanche Baker

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982
PG | 1h 55min | Family, Sci-Fi | 10 June 1982 (USA)
Storyline
After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott. Bringing the extraterrestrial into his suburban California house, Elliott introduces E.T., as the alien is dubbed, to his brother and his little sister, Gertie, and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Soon, however, E.T. falls ill, resulting in government intervention and a dire situation for both Elliott and the alien.
User review:
The classic of family classics, 'E.T.' is a wonderful and heartfelt portrait of childhood exploring the friendship between Elliot, a young boy living in California, and an extra-terrestrial who gets accidentally left behind by his spaceship. From the multiple viewings during my childhood to the nostalgic sense of warmth I get from watching it nowadays, there is no way I can fault this science fiction masterpiece. One of Spielberg's greatest films, 'E.T.' is a compassionate and emotionally-driven tale packed with clever storytelling, bold direction and state-of-the-art visual effects.. oh and it also features one of the most iconic images in cinema history. A remarkable adventure that acts as both a touching family drama and an exciting sci-fi flick, and one that needs to be seen by all.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Melissa Mathison
Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote

Billy Elliot 2000

Billy Elliot 2000
R | 1h 50min | Drama, Music, Romance | 29 September 2000 (UK)
Storyline
County Durham, during the endless, violent 1984 strike against the Thatcher closure of British coal mines. Widower Jackie Elliot and his firstborn, fellow miner Tony, take a dim view of 11 year-old second son Billy's poor record in boxing class, which worsens when they discover he sneakily transferred to the neighboring, otherwise girls-only-attended ballet class. Only one schoolmate, closet-gay Michael Caffrey, encourages Billy's desire, aroused by the teacher, who judged him talented enough for private lesson, to train and try out for the world-renowned Royal Ballet audition. Only the prospect of a fancy career unimagined in the pauper quarter may twist pa and big brother's opposition to indispensable support.
User review:
Billy Elliott is a moving, uplifting, and often exuberant, drama about motherless young Billie (Jamie Bell) fulfilling his dream of becoming a ballet dancer, in the process overcoming the objections and prejudices of his father and brother (Gary Lewis and Jamie Draven).
It is also a piece of magic realism, with political overtones. By setting their near fairy tale in the context of a close-knit mining community, and more specifically against the backdrop of the 1984/5 miners' strike – a defining moment of modern British economic and social history – writer Lee Hall and director Stephen Daldry are able to refer to gender and class issues, without turning their work into a political tract, and without losing focus on the central human drama.

Pete’s Dragon 2016

Pete's Dragon 2016
6 | 1h 43min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy | 31 July 2016 (UK)
Storyline
Pete, a boy is found in a forest. Apparently he's been living there for six years after an accident took his parents. A ranger named Grace decides to take him in and when she asks him how he survived all by himself, he says he had a friend, Elliot, with him. He draws a picture of Elliot and it's a picture of a dragon. Grace takes the picture to her father who claims that years ago, he encountered a dragon in the forest. Grace takes Pete back to the forest and he shows them where he lives and Elliot. A man saw Elliot and when he tells about his experience and is not believed, he sets out to prove it by capturing the dragon.
User review:
Walt Disney Pictures seem to have set out to make all of their animated treasures into live action features.(The recent Jon Favreau Jungle Book for example). This film is not remake of the 1970's mixed live action animated musical of the same name. It is not a musical. It is live action with a well thought out plot, a great cast including Robert Redford and new young talents. It is a great story ,that tugs at your emotions and though directed to the pre-teen age group I found it captivating as well. The visuals were great and the Dragon extremely well done. Yes the environmentalist theme underlies the story here, but their is really no villain. This movie looks great on the big screen and is best seen there . The beginning may disturb the younger child less than 6 or 8 years of age, so just a word of caution to those with young children :this film is not for them. Still,this is one of the best films I have seen this year
Director: David Lowery
Writers: David Lowery (screenplay), Toby Halbrooks (screenplay)
Stars: Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Oakes Fegley

Love Everlasting 2016

Love Everlasting 2016
Romance | 15 November 2016 (USA)
Storyline
Bridger Jenkins, a senior in high school, is an outsider with hidden scars and a lifelong dream to see the ocean. Living in poverty, his mother has done everything in her power to give her son a good life, but their world is once again turned upside down when Bridger's abusive stepfather threatens their lives. On the road with only 197 dollars to their name, Bridger and his mother embark on the journey of a lifetime. But a series of obstacles foil their plan and they end up stuck in the middle of nowhere – a small town that will prove to change their destiny. When Bridger has a chance encounter with a brown-eyed beauty shrouded in insecurity, sparks fly and an everlasting bond is ignited between two misfits longing for acceptance and true love.
Director: Rob Diamond
Writers: Robert Conder (contributing writer), Rob Diamond (story by)
Stars: Emily Procter, Christie Burke, Lucky Blue Smith

The Kidnappers 1953

The Kidnappers 1953
1h 33min | Drama, Family, Romance | 1954 (Austria)
Storyline
A Scotsman, Jim MacKenzie, living on a primitive homestead in Nova Scotia, is raising his two grandsons, Harry and Davy, following the death of their father in the Boer War. His son's death has developed antagonism by MacKenzie toward all Dutchmen, which leads to Harry brawling at school with the son of a Dutchman. Harry falls down a cliff and is helped home by the community doctor, Willem Bloem, a Dutchman in love with MacKenzie's daughter, Kirsty. Due to the old man's feelings, they must carry on a clandestine romance. Forbidden by their grandfather to have a dog, Harry and Davy "kidnap" an unattended baby and care for the child in a lean-to shack. When found, the baby proves to be the child of MacKenzie's most-bitter Dutch enemy.
User review:
I also remember this film with great fondness after watching with my grandmother many years ago ,the conversation between the older boy Harry and the young lad still brings a smile to my face.."Is this oor babee Harry..?" answer – "No its mine but you can share it". I would love to see this heartwarming film again,the memory of the Grandfather giving the children the two red setter dogs at the end still brings a lump to my throat…I would make this film compulsory viewing and would my love children to see this wonderful tale,I suppose really it could be classed as a feel good film and the atmosphere the film provides showing the rural struggles of Scotland at that time makes it almost Dickensian..tremendos film hope its not lost forever.
Director : Philip Leacock
Writer: Neil Paterson (screenplay)
Stars: Jon Whiteley, Vincent Winter, Adrienne Corri

Midnight Sun 2014

Midnight Sun 2014
PG | 1h 38min | Adventure, Family | 13 November 2014 (Italy)
Storyline
Midnight Sun is both a family film as well as an action/adventure film, taking place in the ice fields of Northern Canada. When Luke discovers that a young polar bear cub has been separated from his mother, he sets out to find a way to reunite the two. Goran Visnjic joins the cast as Muktuk, a half Inuit and half Canadian, who knows the terrain where the polar bears live and who agrees to help the boy. When a floating iceberg divides the party, it is up to Luke to protect himself and the cub from both the dangers of the wild, and the elements to complete his mission.
User review:
@nega reviewer, I appreciate all your reality checking points for this movie, maybe you should make that your hobby, you can do that also to Free Willy sequels, in there a child is getting friendly and cozy with a big big Killer Whale! The point is, its really rare we have these kinds of movies that make us aware we are not the only ones existing on this planet, but there are also other creatures too that lives here, that needs our attention and maybe even care. are you aware, I think I read sometime that Polar Bears are getting extinct, I don't know how and why that's happening, maybe there are still poachers that kill them for their furs to be made as fur coats. but as a person living on this world, Im concerned for them. We are not the only creature God created here, God also created these animals wild or tamed ones, so we cant just always put fear ahead of us to block us from seeing the truth. Just to end, there are only two basic Commandments God gave us that will cover all of His will, to love God above all else, and to treat our neighbors with compassion. where do you think caring for animals and nature falls in the Commands, none other than the first Commandment, we love God if we treat His creation with care like responsible stewards of this world, His creation! OK, hope its clear to all of us, God bless!
Directors: Roger Spottiswoode, Brando Quilici
Writers: Bart Gavigan, Hugh Hudson
Stars: Dakota Goyo, Goran Visnjic, Bridget Moynahan

Normal Adolescent Behavior 2007

Normal Adolescent Behavior 2007
R | 1h 33min | Drama, Romance | 27 April 2007 (USA)
Storyline:
In a suburb populated by wealthy and liberal parents who want a bucolic life for themselves and their children, Wendy, Billie and Ann are seniors at the alternative private school; they spend all their time with fellow students John, Price and Robert. The six have been friends since elementary school and their friendship has become a six-person monogamous relationship. They swap sex partners each week; their loyalty is to the group, not to one person. The six friends don't want to survive high school – they want to transcend its pettiness. Their friendships are intense, especially between Billie and Wendy. After orientation, Wendy meets Sean, a new senior who moved from Chicago; he finds out about her "inner geek" and she quickly recognizes a kindred spirit. Soon their friendship becomes romantic and Wendy is torn between her genuine affection and desire for Sean, and her commitment and belief in the group. Wendy starts to test the boundaries of her vow to her friends, and Billie realizes that she is going to have to fight to keep her best friend; which shouldn't be a problem, since each of the teens has collected a box full of mementos from their sexual experience. If Wendy tries to leave, Billie can destroy her reputation and relationship in a heartbeat. While Wendy is trying to decide between Sean and her friends, Wendy's younger brother Nathan meets Sean's mother, Helen who is waiting a long three weeks to start a new job. Nathan develops a huge crush on her, and uses his considerable cooking skills to try and woo her. When Billie realizes that Wendy really might leave, she tests her – pushing Wendy to publicly ridicule Ryan, a girl who left the group last year along with her boyfriend, Aaron. Sean witnesses the brutal scene, where Ryan's past is used against her. Wendy is devastated that she allowed herself to be pushed around by Billie. Then Wendy spends another Saturday night with the group and she is unable to "cheat" on Sean; her hesitation is all that Billie needs to accuse her best friend. After the girls fight, Wendy takes out her frustration on a random couple who keep making out in front of her house. Ryan, hearing that Wendy is out of the group, tries to be friends, but Wendy doesn't like what Ryan has become – a subservient wet dishrag of a girlfriend. Sean and Wendy try to be a "normal" couple, but the group quickly tests the relationship: Billie puts the box of memorabilia in Sean's locker. Wendy claims she isn't scared, she knows that Sean loves her. Maybe so, but when he sees the photos that document a lifetime of sexual experimentation, he is fed up and offers an ultimatum – Wendy can burn the box, leave the group and be a normal girl, or they can break up. Wendy has gone from one ultimatum to another. When Wendy sees Billie being tortured for being alone by other students, she wants to comfort her friend. Billie invites Wendy back to the group; such is the depth of Billie's love for her. But Wendy makes a braver, and stronger decision – to be alone. The girls in the story – Wendy, Ryan, Billie – all must face the next chapter of their lives alone, and for the first time, at least Wendy sees the possibilities this offers.
User review:
As a teenager, myself I defiantly was interested in seeing this movie. It looked as though it would have portrayed an average teenagers life accurate as opposed to the wholesome "teen flicks" out there. I went to this movie with a friend of mine who is also a teenager and we left the movie theater speechless because the movie literally astounded us. Not only was the movie well edited and shot wonderfully, it was also profoundly truthful. Of course, a few of the party scenes were a little outrageous but it is a movie and some things are going to be unrealistic. As an older viewer they may think this movie is a far cry from what there teenage years were like but in a teenage modern society it is more adult and sexual then one might think. Amber Tambyln as well as the other young actors did a marvelous job portraying their characters and the raw emotion that was felt. I recommend this movie to anyone! PS. the soundtrack was amazing as well!
Director: Beth Schacter
Writer: Beth Schacter
Stars: Amber Tamblyn, Ashton Holmes, Kelli Garner

Otto – Up with Dead People 2008

Otto – Up with Dead People 2008
1h 34min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy | 18 September 2008 (Germany)
Storyline
Otto is a handsome, sensitive, neo-Goth zombie with an identity crisis wandering the streets of the city, until one day he auditions for a zombie film…
User review:
I just watched this and I should warn all viewers, especially fans of gore, that Otto; or Up with Dead People starts out remarkably slow paced. This film takes it's time getting started with the plot and it will likely challenge most people to continue watching. It may be too slow for many viewers. However, if you stick with it, you will most definitely be rewarded! This latest film by Canadian filmmaker Bruce LaBruce is fantastic. It's my second favorite Bruce LaBruce film after The Raspberry Reich. It is always an interesting experience to watch any of his films and this one sure didn't let me down! Otto is a gay pornographic zombie horror movie. Judging from that description, it should be quite obvious that this isn't for all tastes. Then again, not all Bruce LaBruce films are! Otto was, in a way, the movie I have always been looking for. I love zombie films, I love horror films, I love gore films, and I love films with gay themes. If you are a fan of all of these genres, this film should satisfy you. It is among one of the more satisfying gay films I have seen for quite some time. The film is scary, it's gory as hell, and the sex scenes rock.
The plot basically follows around Otto, a German zombie with memory problems who has risen from his grave. He travels to Berlin and meets an underground filmmaker who wants to make a political zombie porno and finds a fondness for Otto and chooses him to be the poster child for the film. However, things get complicated when he discovers his boyfriend's identity and agrees to meet with him. From there, things get extreme.

Shadrach 1998

Shadrach 1998
PG-13 | 1h 29min | Drama | 23 September 1998 (USA)
Storyline
In 1935, 99-year-old former slave Shadrach asks to be buried on the soil where he was born to slavery, and that land is owned by the large Dabney family, consisting of Vernon, Trixie and their seven children, and to bury a black man on that land is a violation of strict Virginia law.
User review:
This beautiful story got overlooked somewhere; what you call a 'sleeper'. Most certainly undeservedly, as this is indeed a wonderful film.
One could say that 'Shadrach' is an 'amateur' production, as most of the cast and the director Susanna Styron had not made any other films previously. Albeit the inclusion of very well-known names in the cast such as Martin Sheen (invisible narrator), Andy MacDowell and Harvey Keitel, who must be considered the 'professionals' in the whole enterprise.

Sweet Movie 1974

Sweet Movie 1974
18 | 1h 38min | Comedy , Drama , Mystery | May 1974 (France)
Storyline:
The intercut story of two women: a nearly-mute beauty queen who descends into withdrawal and madness, and another who captains a ship laden with candy and sugar, luring men and boys aboard for sex, death, and revolutionary talk. The beauty queen passes from a wealthy husband whose honeymoon delight is to urinate on her, to a muscular keeper who punches her, stows her in a suitcase, and ships her to Paris, to a lip-synching rock idol with whom she has a love spasm, to an Austrian commune complete with a banquet of vomit, urine, feces, chopped dildos, and wet nurses. By then she's in a fetal position, until everyone's rescued by reminders that "it's just a movie."
User review:
It doesn't happen very often that you encounter a movie that totally & utterly perplexes you, but Dusan Makavejev's "Sweet Movie" definitely is such a rare experience! The box of the VHS I watched describes the film as "a erotic comedy with a tongue-in-cheek attitude towards the psychiatric world". Well…yeah, maybe. But still I wouldn't really recommend it to fans of ordinary comedies, or to admirers of erotic cinema and I can't even begin to imagine what eminent people in psychiatry would make of it! I'd say that "Sweet Movie" is exclusively meant for cult cinema hunters with a passion for art-house atmospheres, experimental story ideas and extremely eccentric characters. This is a unique and thoroughly bizarre film, yes, but I wouldn't go too far in calling it "shocking", "sick" or "repulsive", as that might frighten people unnecessarily! Undoubtedly Makavejev's script contains a truckload of offensive elements and unsubtle social statements, but the wholesome remains stylish and inexplicably funny at all times. There's two main story lines, but unlike I expected, they do not merge together in the end. The first story revolves on a young introvert beauty and her introduction to the dangerous world of sexual perverts. Being the winner of a virgin-beauty contest, young Miss Canada is married off to a sardonic industrialist with…um…peculiar body parts (truly fabulous appearance by cult icon John Vernon!). Following a series of events that are too insane to mention, the poor girl ends up among an assembly of "artists" that work with their own faeces and vomit. People that are familiar with the work of Otto Mühl know exactly what to expect of this and, yes, it's all shown in detail… The other story is – believe it or not – even more deranged than the first and follows a strange lady as she navigates her flamboyant ship down the Seine. She has sex on deck, seduces young schoolboys and brutally kills people atop a large pile of sugar! Sweet, indeed!
How do you begin review a movie like "Sweet Movie"? As mentioned before, you have to be very careful who to recommend it to. Makavejev's filming style and world perspectives are perhaps similar to the oeuvres of acclaimed directors John Waters ("Pink Flamingos") and Alejandro Jodorowsky ("El Topo"), but his motivations and political convictions clearly differ. Also, some people will think the controversy in "Sweet Movie" is artsy, whereas others will label it as pure and meaningless trash! Fact remains that this movie is unique and courageous, especially considering its period of release and land(s) of origin. The first story (with Carol Laure) loses a bit of its impact near the end and I didn't really like the climax, but the other story (starring the Polish Anna Prucnal) only gets more depraved with each twist and eventually reaches a stunning denouement. The sex sequences couldn't be more explicit and, somehow, Makavejev is the ONLY director capable of being tasteless and stylish at the same time! The use of music is brilliant and the decors as well as the set pieces are downright breathtaking. It may not be for all tastes, but if you're searching for an exceptional cinematic experience, there's NOTHING that even remotely matches this sweet, sweet, sweet "SWEET MOVIE"

Little Men 2016

Little Men 2016
PG | 1h 25min | Drama, Family | 21 September 2016 (France)
Storyline
A new pair of best friends have their bond tested by their parents' battle over a dress shop lease.
User review:
This film tells the story of a boy who moves to a new place after his grandfather died. He befriends the neighbour and is very happy with his life, but grown up troubles get in the way, as his parents get into a rental dispute with the neighbour boy's mother.
I thought "Little Men" would be sweet and touching, but unfortunately I was not. The title may suggest that the film is the reality through the youngsters eyes, but the story is really viewed from a third perspective. The pace is slow, and not much really happens. I find Greg Kinnear's character indecisive and unassertive, as he does not deal with the rental problem quickly. It is as if the whole story is unnecessary because it would not have happened if he dealt with the rental problem quickly. I was bored by the film, and was disappointed.

Love 2015

Love 2015
18 | 2h 15min | Drama, Romance | 20 May 2015 (France)
Storyline
Murphy is an American living in Paris who enters a highly sexually and emotionally charged relationship with the unstable Electra. Unaware of the effect it will have on their relationship, they invite their pretty neighbor into their bed.
User review:
'Love' will most likely be discredited by many due to it's sheer honesty, like many films of it's kind are. Yet this honesty, as brutal and daring as it might seem, feels necessary to connect with and understand what the characters are going through, on an entirely new emotional level. In the words of Murphy, Gaspar Noe might have made the only movie that truly depicts 'sentimental sexuality'.
'Love' has many subtle and not-so-subtle references to the underlying story and to the director himself. Gaspar's mother is named Nora Murphy, while Murphy's son is named Gaspar and Electra's ex boyfriend – Noe. His favorite movie is Kubrick's '2001', while hers is Lang's 'M', both of which seem to fuel Murphy and Electra's behavior throughout the movie, where Murphy is often aimlessly overwhelmed with hope and desire, while Electra seems unable to forgive.

Shiloh 1996

Shiloh 1996
PG | 1h 33min | Drama, Family | 25 April 1997 (USA)
Storyline
An abused beagle runs away from his owner. On the road, he meets young Marty Preston and follows him home. The boy immediately forms a bond with the dog and names him Shiloh. His stern father won't let him keep the dog because it belongs to Judd Travers, a local hunter. After Shiloh is mistreated again, he runs away and returns to Marty. Knowing his father will once again make him bring Shiloh back to Judd, he makes a home for the dog in an old shed up the hill from the Prestons' house and hides him from his family. His secret is soon discovered when a stray attacks the dog one night and he must turn to his father for help.
User review:
Good film about a love starved man who heartlessly uses dogs as his means of earning a living. When one of his dogs runs off and adopts a neighbor's son, trouble begins over who will take possession of the animal. Anyone who goes for cutesy canine films will like this picture.
Director: Dale Rosenbloom
Writers: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (book), Dale Rosenbloom (screenplay)
Stars: Blake Heron, Michael Moriarty, Scott Wilson

Were The World Mine 2008

Were The World Mine 2008
1h 35min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy | 14 May 2009 (Germany)
Storyline
If you had a love-potion, who would you make fall madly in love with you? Timothy, prone to escaping his dismal high school reality through dazzling musical daydreams, gets to answer that question in a very real way. After his eccentric teacher casts him as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, he stumbles upon a recipe hidden within the script to create the play's magical, purple love-pansy. Armed with the pansy, Timothy's fading spirit soars as he puckishly imposes a new reality by turning much of his narrow-minded town gay, beginning with the rugby-jock of his dreams. Ensnaring family, friends and enemies in this chaos, Timothy forces them to walk a mile in his musical shoes. The course of true love never did run smooth; it's a bumpy ride.
User review:
This is a film for the young at heart be you gay or straight or just curious. And did you see that Peter Ustinov 1948 film "Visa Versa"?
If you like modern day fairy tales, musicals and films set in boys boarding schools then enter Shakespeare's Dream for a boy who is different.

Shelter 2007

Shelter 2007
Shelter (original title)
R | 1h 37min | Drama, Romance, Sport | 16 April 2009 (Germany)
Storyline
Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead-end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe's older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach's selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.
User review:
This film is inspiring and the acting is superb. Trevor Wright does an amazing job in making us believe he is struggling to be everything to his family while dealing with his sexuality. Brad Rowe is also incredible. Casting him with Trevor was perfect. They are a true couple in this story. Jonah will go far in his career if he continues to make outstanding films like this one! Nice job to here! Networks for producing such quality work. I would like to know how Jonah came up with the idea for Shelter? As the film gets distributed in theaters, I also hope it makes it to GLBT youth programs so that young audiences can see this film, and be proud of who they are.
Director: Jonah Markowitz
Writer: Jonah Markowitz
Stars: Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, Tina Holmes

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children 2016

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 2016
PG-13 | 2h 7min | Adventure, Drama, Family | 25 September 2016 (USA)
Storyline
When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds a magical place known as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. But the mystery and danger deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers… and their powerful enemies. Ultimately, Jacob discovers that only his own special "peculiarity" can save his new friends.

User review:
Tim Burton has tackled almost all of the genre's, and done most of them very well. So who doesn't want to see him go back to his adventure-fantasy comfort zone with Miss Peregrine?
It's billed as Tim Burton's X-Men, and I like that comparison a lot. It definitely has certain similarities to a mutant story, but with Burton's flare for obscurity and peculiarity. Let me start off by saying that I really liked the premise and set up. Not only are the characters similar to X-Men, but the story slightly resembled Days of Future Past. I love the time travel elements and links to World War II. But the rest of the film just didn't live up to the promise of the trailers.

Like a Moth to a Flame 2009

Like a Moth to a Flame 2009
1h 25min | Thriller | 30 November 2009 (USA)
Storyline
An anthology film featuring three stories of closeted men and how their sexual obsessions lead to violence.
Directors: Toby Ross, Joe Rubin
Writers: Toby Ross (segment), Joe Rubin
Stars: Anthony Blaze, Rachel Cable, Johnny Carvajal

Snowtown 2011

Snowtown 2011
1h 59min | Biography, Crime, Drama | 19 May 2011 (Australia)
Storyline:
Sixteen-year-old Jamie lives with his mother, Elizabeth, and two younger brothers, Alex and Nicholas, in a housing trust home in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Their home is but one of many sun-starved houses crammed together to cater for a disenfranchised society. Jamie longs for an escape from the violence and hopelessness that surrounds him and his salvation arrives in the form of John, a charismatic man who unexpectedly comes to his aid. As John spends more and more time with Jamie's family, Elizabeth and her boys begin to experience a stability and sense of family that they have never known. John moves from the role of Jamie's protector to that of a mentor, indoctrinating Jamie into his world, a world brimming with bigotry, righteousness and malice. Like a son mimicking his father, Jamie soon begins to take on some of John's traits and beliefs as he spends more and more time with him and his select group of friends. The protection and guidance that John presents to Jamie is initially welcomed however as events occur around him, including the disappearance of several people, Jamie begins to harbour deep suspicions about John and his motivations. When the truth is finally revealed to Jamie his hopes of happiness are threatened by both his loyalty for, and fear of, his father-figure John Bunting, Australia's most notorious serial killer.
User review:
I agree with the other people who have written reviews who say that it is good to get some background on the murders as I watched this without any and was confused in parts. What is interesting is that the film makers either assumed that you would have this knowledge, or accepted that the plot would only partially be known. In that sense we really are like witnesses who aren't let in on all the facts – in a strange way keeping some of the plot details leads to the sense of claustrophobia in the film.
Snowtown is an excellent example of the genre of gritty Australian realism which includes films like The Boys and Idiot Box.

My Sucky Teen Romance 2011

My Sucky Teen Romance 2011
1h 17min | Comedy | 15 March 2011 (USA)
Storyline
In this witty comedy from teen director Emily Hagins, young Kate visits a local comic convention and falls for good-hearted vampire Paul, but her friends are worried when she suddenly starts displaying eerie, undead qualities of her own.
User review:
Saw this film at CONvergence the other day and it was the highlight of my weekend. The story is pretty simple: Teenage supermarket employees get bit by rocker vampire, and then arrive at a typical science fiction/fantasy convention ( I'm not going to spoil the rest). The fun of this movie lives in the detailed writing. At first glance it might appear this is typical Twilight type teen romance junk ( and in fact I think those fans might like this as well) but it is actually more in the style of a movie like Scream, in that it ponders the conventions of Vampires, and especially the movies they come from. Fun cameos, a great young cast, a couple good kill scenes (although I could have used a little more blood) make this a fast paced fun film. I would recommend this movie to fans of Troma to Twilight and I can't say that about many films.
Director: Emily Hagins
Writer: Emily Hagins
Stars: Elaine Hurt, Patrick Delgado, Santiago Dietche

I Want Your Love 2012

I Want Your Love 2012
1h 11min | Drama, Romance | 1 May 2013 (France)
Storyline
After a decade of living in San Francisco, Jesse is forced to move back to his Midwestern roots because he can no longer afford the city. On his final night in the city, friends and ex-lovers gather for a going away party that promises to heighten Jesse's already bittersweet feelings about leaving.
User review:
If you like porn with a plot — I do! — then take a look at this movie. I was expecting an NC17 kind of movie, but when you include cum shots, sorry in my book that crosses over to porn. In that category, it might have been a 6 or 7 except for one small problem.
I am a typical American in very few ways, but I really, really, really do not like point in time stories with no beginning, climax or end. I think of this as a European / International genre. I always feel cheated because just when I am engaging with the characters — oops its over.

50 Ways of Saying Fabulous 2005

50 Ways of Saying Fabulous 2005
1h 30min | Drama | 8 September 2005 (Canada)
Storyline:
Set in New Zealand in the summer of 1975, 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous is the story of 12 year-old Billy, who is about to discover that growing up is a lot more confusing than he could have ever imagined. He is a farmer's only son who is out of step with the other boys at his school. He feels they only want to fight and play rugby and while he tries to be the same, he feels he was never cut out to be a farmer or a rugby player. Instead, he prefers to dream about an imaginary life in outer space. In this world, a turnip paddock becomes a lunar landscape and a cow's tail a head of beautiful blonde hair which transforms him into "Lana" the heroine of his favorite TV show. With the arrival of Roy, the class freak, and Jamie the sexy young farm laborer Billy's world is changed forever. As he learns about his sexuality, everything he knows is called into question, including his lifelong loyalty to his best friend, tomboy Louise, whose world is changing alongside his. Set in New Zealand's Central Otago landscape.
User review:
Not as true to the book as it could have been. Some of the more feminine moments in the book ended up on the cutting room floor. However congratulations to the young male actors for very brave performances. The golden colours appear too contrived at times and this was unnecessary because the landscape is awe inspiring anyway.
At screenings in Wanaka this last week I am told the audience is clapping at the conclusion of each screening. Well done to all involved particularly given the budget the film enjoyed.

The Unspoken 2015

The Unspoken 2015
1h 31min | Thriller | 28 October 2016 (USA)
Storyline
In 1997 the Anderson family vanished from their home without a trace. No bodies were ever found. For 17 years the house has remained undisturbed… until now.
User review:
I recommend this movie absolutely, which is a HORROR movie and not only a thriller. The type of the movie is not correctly declared in IMDb like some other movies. There are similarities to other movies like Amityville, which is also cited in the movie. The director and at the same time writer of the movie must be a fan of Amityville movies just like me. The opening is very good and very promising, so that it makes you curious for more. The acting is good, Neal McDonough is the sheriff and the main actress Jodelle Ferland is known for The Tall Man (2012). Before I watched it, I thought it's about a ghost house. Was I right? It was not only this. By the way the special effects are also good. Altogether it is a 6.2 or 6.3 movie for me.
Director: Sheldon Wilson
Writer: Sheldon Wilson
Stars: Jodelle Ferland, Sunny Suljic, Pascale Hutton

Summer of 42 (1971)

Summer of 42 (1971)
1h 43min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | 9 April 1971 (USA)
Storyline
Silent as a painting, the movie shows us day-dreamer Hermie and his friends Oscy and Benjie spending the summer of '42 on an US island with their parents – rather unaffected by WWII. While Oscy's main worries are the when and how of getting laid, Hermie honestly falls in love with the older Dorothy, who's married to an army pilot. When her husband returns to the front, Hermie shyly approaches her.
User review:
This movie captivated me beyond my expectations. Not being a movie-goer or a TV-watcher, I had not yet seen (or read about) the movie, its excerpts, the original book, or the cast, although I had heard references to the summer of '42. After an intense work week, I had tuned into the PBS channel on TV to watch 30 minutes of a business news program, at the end of which, PBS showed that "The Summer of '42" was next. I thought of watching it only for a few minutes – not really being interested in seeing a story from 62 years ago in a movie made 33 years ago. PBS played the movie without a break, and I sat through all of it – totally captivated. I don't think I can explain the reasons with a typical technical analysis. I think it held me in a trance, because it reflected my own coming of age. Even though I grew up in a different era, country, culture and society, there were many parallels to the drugstore episode, the furtive readings of the book, the carrying of the grocery bags, the storing away of the boxes, and the attempted "fooling around" inside the movie theater.
I like a production (movie; theater; music) that reflects the reality one experiences in life. This movie was one of those rare productions. I felt it was quite artistic in its balance – the way it assimilated simple elements from everyday living, with a simple, but enchanting, musical score. The movie did not need any dazzling stage effects – Jennifer O'Neill was enough; and, even in her, the art and beauty was in her being so natural.

House of Boys 2009

House of Boys 2009
1h 57min | Drama, Musical, Romance | 20 November 2009 (Luxembourg)
Storyline
A glamorous, colourful coming-of-age story that follows the dramatic journey of Frank, a high school kid in 1984, through an exciting world of sex and music, where his deep new passion is suddenly turned into a struggle for courage facing a new disease – the "gay cancer" – and becomes deep, true love in the expectancy of his friend's horrible death and beyond.
User review:
Some viewers, unfortunately, will pass on this film as the cover of the DVD makes it appear to be a gay sexploitation waste of time. It is anything but that. Written and directed by Jean- Claude Schlim (with assistance from Christian Thiry and Robert David Graham) this is one of the finest films about the early days of the AIDS pandemic and long with 'Longtime Companion' is probably one of the more important films for the public to understand the inception of the disease that still hovers darkly over the globe. The cast is rich in talent and the method of unfolding the story is superb.
In opening credits we see an apparent carefree young lad running through sunlit cornfields – perhaps reference the path to Oz: where that goes is revealed at the end of the film. It is 1984 and a gay high school lad Frank (Layke Anderson) escapes his rigid parents by moving to Amsterdam where he lands a job as a bar boy in a gay dance club, the House of Boys run by a man referred to as Madame (Ugo Kier) who keeps everyone in tow as well as performing in drag on stage. Frank is assigned a room with a straight boy Jake 9Benn Northover) who is the club's most popular dancer and who makes considerable money participating in passive physical gratification for the gentlemen who frequent the club. Jake has a girlfriend who sneaks in through the window of their room at night for trysts with Jake: Frank must then move in with transgender Angelo (Steven Webb) and raunchy mohawked dancer Herman (Oliver Hoare) for the night. Frank is talented and wants to leave his job at the bar where he assists the gentle lovely Emma (Eleanor David) and become a dancer. In the meantime Frank has fallen in love with the unattainable straight Jake but the two become close friends. Jake has been saving his money as a dancer and as an escort to run away with his girlfriend, but when his savings go missing he realizes his girlfriend has taken the money to abort Jake's baby. Jake is decimated by this but at the same time he leans on Frank for succor. The two boys realize their friendship has turned to being lovers. Jake introduces Frank to his way with clients and in the process falls through a glass tabletop sustaining cuts the require sutures. Frank takes Jake to the hospital where they encounter Dr. Marsh (Stephen Fry) who ultimately discovers that Jake has no T cells – and the mystery and cruel head of AIDS arises. Jake is fired form the club by Madame who fears for the reputation of this new plague and Frank and Jake move in together, compliments of Emma. From this point Jake has obvious Kaposi's sarcoma and the rest of the film is how Frank and the friends of the club are supportive. The unique aspect of the story is that it is the straight boy receiving passive sex from clients is the one who becomes infected. The beginning of the film is repeated with the full story at the end.

American Romance 2016

American Romance 2016
1h 26min | Thriller | 23 October 2016 (USA)
Storyline
A series of horrifying murders, the victims, always couples, staged in bizarre collage dioramas with cardboard cutouts and scribbled, childlike messages about the corrupting power of love. The killer's on the loose, and the FBI is looking for a truck driver. Emery Reed is a long haul trucker disillusioned with the American Dream after an accident left his wife paralyzed and took the life of their son. Newlyweds Jeff and Krissy are having the time of their lives until their car breaks down on a rural road in the middle of nowhere. When the love birds collide with the forlorn truck driver, a wild ride leaves everyone questioning the true value of love and American Romance.
Director: Zackary Adler
Writers: Wes Laurie, Mei Melançon
Stars: Nolan Gerard Funk, John Savage, Daveigh Chase

Keep the Lights On 2012

Keep the Lights On 2012
1h 41min | Drama, Romance | 27 July 2012 (Taiwan)
Storyline
It's 1998 and New York City is in a state of intense flux when documentary filmmaker Erik Rothman (Thure Lindhardt) first meets Paul Lucy (Zachary Booth), a handsome but closeted lawyer in the publishing field. What begins as a highly charged first encounter soon becomes something much more, and a relationship quickly develops. As the two men start building a home and life together, each continues to privately battle their own compulsions and addictions. A film about sex, friendship, intimacy and most of all, love, Keep the Lights On takes an honest look at the nature of relationships in our times.
User review:
What a trip this flick is!
Director/writer: Ira Sachs really brings to the screen a story about obsession and pernicious behavior between the emotionally needy Erik and the psychologically baleful Paul. In this story you will go through three stages in what you think of Erik – impatience, because Erik can't see the obvious before him with Paul, – sympathy, because Erik is obsessed with Paul and Erik is truly a nice guy while Paul is nefarious, – relief, when Erik finally get beyond his hang-up with Paul.

Kids 1995

Kids 1995
1h 31min | Drama , Romance | January 19957 (USA)
Storyline
Disturbing, dark, low-budget independent film about teen-agers in New York City. The story focuses on Telly (Leo Fitzpatrick), a teen who has a goal to de-flower as many virgins as he can. When one of his old encounters discovers that she is H.I.V.-positive, after only one encounter with a guy, Telly remains undaunted.
User review:
Larry Clark has broken the boundaries with this film. Not only is it one of the realist depictions of our nation's youth, but it also brings the fear of the AIDS virus closer to home. This is not a piece of fictitious work, this is brutal honesty in its rawest form. While many will knock this film because of the pornographic nature, I saw past that and witnessed the birth of the next plague. Writer Harmony Korine has taken the world of our children and transferred it to the big screen. I never once saw this as a shock film or disgusting, I saw honesty and truth behind every scene. This is really what is happening in our backyards. Kids are not as young as they used to be, and are growing up in a world with more possibilities and distractions than ever before. This is the modern world, and these are the newest leaders.
While this is not what happens with all of our youth, it does paint a beautiful picture of just a handful. This is not just a story about NYC, it is a message for every city. This is happening all over this country. In the wealthy, poor, and everything in-between, our children are experimenting without any form of education or realization of their actions.

Lost Wilderness 2015

Lost Wilderness 2015
1h 41min | Family
Storyline
Four would-be siblings on an outdoor vacation are encouraged to bond by their parents. The four adventurers journey out of bounds into the wild on their ATV's in search of a family relic. They soon find themselves lost in the woods and ill equipped to deal with not only the rugged terrain but each other. This is a story of hope and overcoming, full of humor and fun. Its a coming of age tale not only for kids but for parents as well.
Directors: Garnet Campbell, Wes Sargent
Writers: Garnet Campbell, Andre Harden
Stars: Connor Beardmore, Artine Brown, Emma Lindsay

King Cobra 2016

King Cobra 2016
1h 31min | Crime, Drama | 21 October 2016 (USA)
Storyline
This ripped-from-the-headlines drama covers the early rise of gay porn headliner Sean Paul Lockhart a.k.a. Brent Corrigan, before his falling out with the producer who made him famous. When Sean decides he'd be better off a free agent, a cash-strapped pair of rival producers aim to cash in by any means possible.
User review:
The still very much active Sean Paul Lockhart, aka Brent Corrigan's career and the scandal associated with it is the subject of the film King Cobra. Disney twink actor Garrett Clayton plays Corrigan and I'm sure Clayton probably has a limited future with the Magic Kingdom. He joins a list of players like Shia LaBoerf, Miley Cyrus, and Lucas Gabreel who've appeared in less than wholesome projects. I don't see any more Teen Beach movies in Garrett Clayton's future.
Subsequent to the story told here, Sean Paul Lockhart has gone to mainstream entertainment and gay stories of the non-pornographic nature. I know a few gay adult film stars who have other lives and have diversified their interests and entertainment roles like Lockhart in order to survive. A lot don't survive for one reason or another.

December Boys 2007

December Boys 2007
PG-13 | 1h 45min | Drama , Romance | 20 September 2007 (Australia)
Storyline:
An adult nicknamed Misty is narrating a story about one summer in his life when he was an adolescent in the late 1960s. He was living in a Catholic orphanage in the Australian outback. His best mates were the "December boys" – Maps, Spark and Spit – the four of them so named because they were the boys in the orphanage born in the month of December. With a recent windfall, the orphanage decided to give each of the boys a group vacation for each of their birthdays, the December boys the first to go. Their vacation was to Lady Star Cove on the Australian coast, to stay at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. McAnsh – Bandy and "Skipper". Their relatively carefree Christmas vacation took a turn primarily from three events: learning the reason the McAnshes hosted the boys specifically at this time; Maps, the oldest in his mid-teens, exploring his sexuality with a girl named Lucy, who was also visiting Lady Star Cove for the summer; and Misty secretly learning that a young couple in the cove, Fearless and Teresa, were thinking about adopting one of them, the couple who were unable to conceive a child of their own. Beyond the dreams of especially the younger three to be adopted by a loving family, Fearless had the extra wow factor of being a stunt motorcyclist as his profession. Misty, the youngest, tried the hardest to be the one chosen, even initially keeping the fact of Fearless and Teresa thinking about adopting one of them from the other three. Misty concludes his story with the reason why he is telling it at this stage in his life.
User review:
Set in the late 60s, December Boys is a beautiful, poignant tale of adolescence and abandonment with the vast, awe-inspiring Australian outback as a backdrop, unraveled in the same vein as Stand By Me.
"What's the big deal about having parents anyway?" Maps (Daniel Radcliffe) retorts to his summer fling Lucy (Teresa Palmer). Maps is the eldest of four orphan boys who get sent for a seaside holiday with an elderly couple. Misty (Lee Cormie) is the youngest and the artistic one of the brood. Sparks (Christian Byers) is good with mechanical things, while Spit (James Fraser) is so named for what he does best.