Film festival - day 2

10% Shorts
Festival synopsis:
1.The Belgium Caper

Muriel is nearly 40 and still childless. Despite the misgivings of her girlfriend, Emmanuelle, she decides to take an emergenc y trip to the Belgians (neighbors of French people in Europe) where in vitro fertilization is legal. Thus begins a tragicomic journey.

My review: 
This short was mildly comical in need of better editing.  3 out of 5 stars.
Watch the trailer here.

2. Foremost in my Mind

Gail Marquis, an Olympic medalist (Montreal, 1976), met feisty Audrey Smaltz when the Olympian was 43 and Smaltz, a former model, was 61. They had both had earlier relationships, Marquis with women and Smaltz with men, but none lasted until they met each other and everything clicked. Their story will resonate with the late bloomers among us as it tracks the course of these women’s incredible lives.

My review:
This short showed 2 very successful women who meet and begin a relationship 'later in life'.  Interesting and enjoyable.  4 out of 5 stars. 
Watch the short here.

3. More Than Ever

Follow a 54-year love story between William Campbell and John Hilton, starting with their meeting in an NYC bathhouse in 1957, up to the present day, when an illness presents them with new struggles and an appreciation of their very special bond. 

My review:
This sweet and touching love story should win everyone over.  Its hard to imagine being with someone for 54 years!  4 out of 5 stars. 
Watch the short here.

4. The Kiss

After an alcohol-induced night out, Emilia, 20, wakes up in a strange apartment and that’s just the start of the strange events that follow.

My review:

I found this short to be a bit tedious and sophomoric.  2 out of 5 stars. 
Watch the trailer here.

5. P.D.A.

An urban gay couple disputes their very different views on holding hands in public, which leads to a much bigger exploration of their relationship.

My review:

This short was current and funny with an unexpected ending.  5 out of 5 stars. 
No trailer found.

6.  Wini & George

An unlikely friendship will change one young boy’s life forever. When George, a shy

8-year-old outcast, first meets Wini, his 75-year-old reclusive neighbor, she immediately frightens him. But soon enough, these two realize that they have more in common with each other than they do with the rest of the world.

My review:

Neighbor Wini understands that sometimes little boys like to play with pink stuffed ponies. Sweet and well done.  4 out of 5 stars.
No trailer found.

7. Spooners

After convincing his husband to retire their lumpy, old futon, Nelson is forced to come out in a spectacular way while shopping for a new bed at a mattress store. This charming comedy was directed by former Philadelphian Bryan Horch.

My review: 

This well-paced and smartly funny short had me laughing out loud at some points.  5 out of 5 stars.
Watch the trailer here.

In Hiding
Festival synopsis:

Janina is a young Polish woman living a lonely life with the father that raised her following her mother’s suicide. Towards the end of WWII, she is quite concerned upon discovering that her father agreed to hide the daughter of his Jewish friend. She quickly

becomes fascinated with the fun-loving Ester, a beautiful ballerina, who dreams of resuming a happy life when the war ends. When Janina’s father gets arrested, she is left to continue hiding Ester, and they live in nearly total isolation. Loneliness and fear bring

them closer together with increasing intimacy. When the war ends, Janina keeps news of the liberation from Ester, as her erotic fascination gives way to an obsessive desire to keep Ester to herself at all cost. In Hiding is a universal story with a unique, surprising twist. It is a story of human desperation with raw emotion that can make us renounce all moral inhibitions and the potential horrors that result. The two actresses give riveting performances that will linger with you long after the film ends. 

My review:

This film felt like it was 4 hours long, probably because too much time was spent setting the stage.  The film  took on a very dark and disturbing twist as Janina's obssession with Ester leads to murdering a nosey neighbor and Ester's fiance.  When the film was over I tried to decipher what point the filmmaker was trying to get across.  Human desperation?  The effect of war on people?  I did not find this film to be enjoyable or entertaining, although the actresses were believable in their roles.  2 out of 5 stars. 
Watch the trailer here.

Film Festival - day 1

Who's Afraid of Vagina Wolf?
Festival synopsis:

At her 40th birthday party, Anna wears her trademark Vagina outfit: a full size, bright pink, poofy costume, shaped like a large vulva!! In her 20s, she made several successful short films, but now life is dismal. She lives in a friend’s garage and is quickly wearing out her welcome. The only work she gets is dancing in her Vagina costume at small venues screening her old films. At one such event, she meets the sleek lesbian, Katia, who motivates her to make a film based on Virginia Wolf. Anna is smitten. She quickly writes

a screenplay, casts her longtime lesbian friends (Guinevere Turner and Carrie Preston of

True Blood) and recruits a grassroots film crew. As filming proceeds, Anna’s neurotic insecurities blossom out of control, causing cast and crew to walk out, and her eviction  from the garage. Homeless and down, she is surprised by the appearance of the one person  who can give her unconditional love. With renewed self-esteem, she edits her film, reconnects with her cast and crew, and is able to accept herself and the love she’s been longing for. This is a funny, quirky, sexy romp that will surely make you laugh and warm your heart.

My review:

This film's theme was familiar: the main girl is obssessed with a girl who's not interested in her and ignores another girl that's really interested in her.  This film also delves into the concept of whether or not someone can have personal success and career success at the same time, or if one must preclude the other.  While this film was entertaining, the 'story' wasn't fresh and I didn't find any of the actors' performances to be strong.  Oh, and the actress playing Katia had the most annoying fake accent.  I still don't know what country she was supposed to be from.  3 out of 5 stars.

No trailer found.

I'm So Excited!
Festival synopsis:

A psychic, a hit-man, a dominatrix, a crooked business person and a soap star (no, it is not the start to bad a joke), these are among the passengers aboard a disaster-prone aircraft in Pedro Almodóvar’s bawdy, mischievous, mescaline-laced new comedy of bad manners. When a Spanish flight heading for Mexico City is found to have defective landing gear, the crew decides to forego panicking in favor of a mile-high party. Presiding over the party is a trio of flamboyant male flight attendants, squeezed into slightly overstretched

uniforms, who manage to keep the banter lively: Joserra, a high-strung motor-mouth incapable of telling a lie; skinny tequila- and tablet-fueled Ulloa; and the overweight and

repressed Fajas, who carries with him a portable altar at which he prays for passengers’ souls. With a candy-colored exuberance that only an Almódovar film can have, get ready for a one-way ticket to binge-drinking, pill-popping and other such things people shouldn’t do with their seatbelts fastened. It is going to be a bumpy, but very fun ride. 

My review:

This film had all the makings of a hilarious comedy, but somehow never reached its goal.  The best part of the film is when the gay male flight attendants decide to put on a 'performance' to distract the passengers from anticipating a crash landing, by lip-synching and dancing to the Pointer Sisters' song "I'm So Excited!".  This film needed 3 or 4 more scenes like that.  Still the film was entertaining and had lots of quick, humorous moments.  3 out of 5 stars.

Watch the trailer here.

Free Fall
Festival synopsis:

In this moving and sexy drama, Marc is shaken to the core when he meets fellow police officer, Kay, on a training course and begins to develop feelings for him. When Kay asks to be transferred to Marc’s unit, the latter’s well-arranged life begins to sink into chaos. Torn between his love for his pregnant girlfriend Bettina and the rush of a completely new

experience, his life spins increasingly out of control. He soon finds himself estranged more and more from his family, but running away with Kay is not an option. Then one day Kay disappears without warning and leaves no forwarding address. It dawns on Marc that

his absence has ripped a gaping hole in his life. With his situation in free fall, Marc can no longer satisfy ever yone’s expectations - least of all his own. Director and co-writer

Stephan Lacant showcases the peculiar blend of homoeroticism and homophobia that exists in a mostly male environment like a police force. Most refreshing of all, no one is an out-and-out villain in the film, except perhaps a society that hinders people like Marc from

being their true and fully realized selves. 

My review:

This film's theme is certainly not new, but it was told in a modern way.  I thought the acting was very good.  Marc's struggle was aptly communicated without words and without over-acting.  Kay's head-over-heels feelings for Marc seemed genuine and idealistic.  My only fault with this film, and many with the same theme, is that it portrays a man who seems totally straight who is "turned" gay by seductive lover, when gay people know that is not how it happens.  The film would be more accurate to have shown Marc stealing glances at hot guys a few times, then reprimanding himself and suppressing his feelings, and THEN being seduced.  Despite this, the film was well done.  4 out of 5 stars.

Watch the trailer here.

Stranger by the Lake

Festival synopsis:

n a picturesque lakeside spot in southern France, men sunbathe and hunt for anonymous sexual encounters in the nearby forest. Handsome young romantic Franck finds himself striking up a friendship with obese Henri, but his eye and libido are more tickled by the 70s-porn-mustache-sporting and dangerously lethal Michel. One evening, Franck witnesses Michel drowning one of his conquests, which he discovers does little to negate his

attraction. Alain Guiraudie’s idiosyncratic, steamy mix of the comic and the tragic in this existential thriller was one of the most sexually explicit surprises at Cannes this year. Part beguiling love story, part noir murder mystery, Stranger by the Lake depicts an idyllic mini-universe where murderer and silent witness have to abide by a set of peculiar codes

and rituals. While its graphic scenes of gay sex are what will grab headlines, what is most impressive is the film’s unique ambiance of eerie atmospherics that are at once crisp and observant, and oddly dreamlike, or nightmarish. It is a provocative and accomplished effort by one of France’s most overlooked auteurs.

My review:

This film was shot entirely outdoors, with only 2 locations: the shore of the lake where gay men come to nude sunbath, and a wooded area adjacent to the shore where the men would 'cruise' and hook-up.  The scenery was pretty, the acting was good, and the story was compelling but unfortunately incomplete.  Franck becomes infatuated with a good-looking man named Michel at the lake and is determined to hook up with him. Despite witnessing Michel drown another man in the lake, Franck continues to pursue Michel.  No motive is ever given for the drowning.  Franck wants to have a relationship but Michel just wants a casual thing.  When Franck witnesses Michel murder 2 other men, he goes into hiding in the woods until dark.  The film ends abruptly without suggesting whether or not Franck gets out alive or not.  There is no closure to the story, and rather than leaving the ending up to the individual to ponder, the viewer is left wondering why the film  has no ending.  There is a LOT of male nudity and some actual sex.  3 out of 5 stars.

Watch the trailer here.

Film Festival - 1/2 day

Breaking the Girls
Festival synopsis: 

Beauty and brains are a lethal combination in this sexy psychological thriller by director, Jamie Babbit (Itty Bitty Titty Committee and But I am a Cheerleader).  The film centers on Sara, a twenty-something, ambitious, law student, who is supplementing her legal scholarship with a bartending gig. When fellow classmate Brooke sees Sara stealing from the tip jar, she ensures that the gorgeous strawberry-blond bartender is fired. On the same night, Sara meets Alex (Madeline Zima, Californication), a wild trust-fund beauty, who offers Sara a shoulder to cry on. As the friendship develops, the sexual sparks prove  irresistible. As they discuss what to do about Brooke, Alex tells Sara about Nina, her gold-digging stepmother. When Alex casually suggests to Sara that all their problems would be solved if they killed each other's enemies, Sara shrugs off the suggestion as a joke, but  then, somebody turns up dead. Reminiscent of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, Babbit has cooked up a plot so deliciously twisted and over-the-top, that once it’s in motion, it’s not clear where it’s going to lead.

My review:

Having already enjoyed "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" and "But I'm a Chearleader", I figured I'd enjoy this film too.  Actually, I believe this film was my favorite of the 3.  Very much like a Hitchcock film, the story has so many twists and turns that one has to continually recalibrate how one thinks the story will turn out.  Production values were very high and I enjoyed it a lot.  4 out of 5 stars.  Oh, and scruffy-faced, hairy-chested Shawn Ashmore is shirtless a lot.

View the trailer.

Film Festival time

Its that time of year when I get really excited about the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival which starts tonight!

This independent film festival is put on by our local film society and is sponsored in part by a grant from the DE Division of the Arts and advertising by local businesses.  Film screenings begin this evening and run through Sunday evening.  I've scheduled myself off work for the next 4 days to enjoy as many films as I can.

I love independent films because they are not made to appeal to the mass media or to make tons of money (a la Disney films).  They are made to tell stories; stories that don't always end happily, stories of people you may see but not notice, and stories where the 'good guy' doesn't always win.  They're often unpredictable, heart-wrenching, tender, touching, funny, sad, and memorable.  Although not a necessity, this festival's selections are always particularly relatable to me because they have lots of LGBT-themed films.

As I've done in the past, I will endeavor to see as many films as I can squeeze into the 4 1/2 days and will provide you with a synopsis of the films I've seen the day after I see them.  Some of them may become available at an 'art house' theatre if you live in a city that has one, while others may become available on Netflix in the future.

Curious to see if some films from past festivals are available now on Netflix?  Click on the tag 'RB Indie Film Festival' at the bottom of this post to see my synopsis of several previous years, and then type the film titles into the search bar on the Netflix site.

Beardy boy

Commercial

About a month ago I wrote about being filmed for a commercial.  The real estate team of which I am a member filmed a commercial with some of our clients that will appear on a local TV station in Nov, Dec, and Jan.

Now that all the edits and tweaks are completed, I can share the commercial with you now:


Can you find me?

I'm in 1 'live action' scene and in the group scene at the end.

What do you think?  Would you list or buy a home from us?

Just because

Halloween

Science of Happiness

We've all heard the sayings "Money doesn't buy happiness" and "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving".  What brings happiness to people can vary greatly.

That's why I'm sharing with you this terrific video "The Science of Happiness".  It takes just 7 minutes to watch, and I bet it will change your life.  You may need a tissue.


Will you do it?  Call someone and tell them how much you appreciate them?

Thanks to BosGuy for bringing this to my attention.

Beardy boy

Bravo Bravia

About a month ago our expensive, 52" Toshiba Regza LCD HDTV developed a wide multi-color bar down the middle of the screen.  It wasn't some phantom change in one of the settings.  It was just plain "broke".

This really pissed me off because the TV is only 5 years old and was their top-of-the-line model.  I really expected this TV to become obsolete before it broke.  So much for paying extra for the name brand that will last forever.  Conversations with multiple 'techy' friends confirmed there was no fixing the TV.

For the past month we've had to compromise and watch the same shows (gasp!) while we looked at different models, compared prices, and decided which features we thought we'd use and which we wouldn't.  For instance, the rage now is internet-enabled TVs or 'smart' TVs.  Our friend Joe P has one.  He's a super 'techy' guy and loves all kinds of gadgets.  But Spouse & I decided we did not want to pay the considerably higher price for an internet-enabled TV.  We find it very easy to stream movies from my laptop by popping the TV's USB cable into my laptop.  We really just want a good, clear picture and decent sound.

So after an exhaustive online search we ended up buying at 50" Sony Bravia LCD HDTV.  

Although the screen is 2" smaller than our previous TV, the total size of the TV is about 6" smaller because the new TV has a much smaller bezel/frame.  The new TV is also thinner, about 1/2 the weight of the previous TV, and less than 1/2 the cost.

Swapping out the previous TV for the new one as very easy, especially when compared to the ordeal we went through when we got rid of our old behemoth box TV 5 years ago.

So domestic bliss has returned to our household since I can once again watch all my HGTV shows and Spouse can once again watch all 3 home shopping channels and reruns of The Sopranos.

Life is as it should be.

Thierry of relativity

I saw this cheeky commercial/video on facebook and couldn't resist sharing it with you.  It features Canadian model Thierry Pepin who's walked fashion runways and appeared in ad campaigns for nearly every major designer.  He also had bit parts in a couple films and TV series.

I think you'll agree that Thierry's body is pretty impressive.  If only we would look this good by wearing these underwear!

Just because

Ben Cohen

Ben Cohen.  (Big sigh)

What more can I say besides 'that man is so damn sexy!'??  

Well, maybe I could say that in addition to looking sexy with a serious face (when modeling), he's also absolutely adorable when he smiles, too.  

Or maybe I could say that although he is straight, he created the StandUp Foundation whose mission is to raise awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying and to raise funds to support those doing real-world work to stop it.

Really, what's not to love about this guy???

As if all of that weren't enough, I saw a video of the making of Ben's 2014 calendar.  (Huge sigh.)


Missed the making of Ben's 2013 calendar?  Watch it here:

Beardy boy

Thanks to JeepGuy for this hot dude!

Congratulations NJ!!

Last year the NJ Legislature passed a bill to grant marriage equality to GLBT citizens of NJ, but Gov Chris Christie refused to sign the bill.  Supporters pushed the case to the state supreme court and last Fri a judge ruled that the state could not deny marriage equality.  Christie said he would appeal, but today withdrew that decision.

Same-sex marriages began at 12:01 AM today in NJ!!

 
NJ became the 14th state (plus DC) to pass marriage equality.  Nearly 1/3 of the states now have marriage equality, and several more appear to be getting closer.

The times they are a-changin'...

Lovely lyrics

Please enjoy another installment of Lovely lyrics!

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
performed by The Real Group

What are you doing the rest of your life?
North and south and east and west of your life?
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me.

All the seasons and the times of your days.
All the nickels and the dimes of your days.
Let the reasons and the rhymes of your days.
All begin and end with me.

I want to see your face, in every kind of light,
In fields of gold and forests of the night;
And when you stand before the candles on a cake
Oh let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make.

Those tomorrows waiting deep in your eyes
In the world of love you keep in your eyes,
I'll awaken what's asleep in your eyes,
It may take a kiss or two.

Through all of my life
Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life,
All I ever will recall of my life
Is all of my life with you.

Just because

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Beardy boy