If You Only Knew (1999)

Gen-X loser Parker Concorde (Jonathan Schaech) is a shy, aspiring writer who works as a telephone psychic by day and lives a lonely existence by night. When his apartment burns down he must find a new one. At first he stays at the home of his womanizing buddy Jack (James LeGros), who lives by the credo that "New York is a dessert tray of beautiful women." Then Parker meets beautiful Samantha, (Alison Eastwood), who is looking for a roommate for her fabulous loft in the Village. Samantha is a painter who dreams of studying in Paris and has a habit of getting involved with the wrong men. When they bump into each other in a Manhattan flower shop, it's love at first sight for Parker. Samantha has an affordable room available, and she likes having male roommates--but only if they're gay. Desperate, Parker decides to take the plunge, and passes himself off as a gay friend of a friend. An inevitable comedy of errors ensues, as Parker desperately tries to keep Samantha from learning his two secrets: he's not gay, and he's in love with her. But his romantic plans are frustrated when she keeps setting him up with her other gay friends.

This sweet romantic comedy features appealing and compelling characters. It's cute, lighthearted, entertaining, clean, and funny, with heart and a good story. Viewers comments are uniformly very good. One example: "This happens to be one of my favorite movies! I've seen it many times, and every time I love it even more. For the most part I think that this has happened to all of us. You try to be someone you're not to get something that you could have easily had if you were yourself. But each person has their own opinions and I love this movie, and recommend everyone to watch it." Bill Meyers composed the original music, Gary Goldstein wrote the screenplay, and David Snedeker directed.

Oi! Warning (1999)

Janosch (Sascha Backhaus) has problems at school and despises the lifestyle of his bourgeois mother. He runs away from home to his friend Koma (Simon Goerts), whom he had met at a holiday camp. Koma is an Oi! skinhead (punk-skinhead) who has little political motivations, preferring a lifestyle of partying and binge drinking, and enjoys skinhead and punk rock music. Janosch is struggling with his sexual identity, attracted to Koma, who doesn't seem to notice. Koma and his girlfriend Sandra (Sandra Borgmann) are expecting twins soon, but Koma invites Janosch to stay in their nursery for the time being. Before long, Janosch has cut off his hair and immersed himself in skinhead culture, but he finds little outlet for his homoerotic desires. Sandra wants Koma to change his ways. She blows up his secret hideaway with dynamite, but this only angers Koma, who blames this on the punks he had a fight with previously.

Sandra decides to find Janosch a girlfriend, specifically Blanca (Britta Dirks). However, while she takes a strong liking to him, he is not attracted to her. Janosch becomes aware of a group of self-styled "modern primitives" who modify their bodies with tattoos and piercings and encourage free sexual expression. He gets to know a few of them and becomes physically involved with Zottel (Jens Veith), a punk who earns a living with small circus acts at wealthy people's parties. The two fall in love. However, the skins regard the primitives as their enemies, and Koma is not at all happy with Janosch's new friends or the open acknowledgement of his homosexuality. Janosch's happiness ends when Koma attacks Zottel and kills him. In a fit of fury, Janosch grabs a brick and slays Koma.

This movie is the directorial debut of the Reding twin brothers and took about five years to film, mostly due to financial constraints. It is shot in black and white, underscoring the film's gritty feel. The film won the German Camera Award and an emerging talent award at the L.A. Outfest. Tom Ammermann composed the original music, and Ben Reding and Dominic Reding wrote the screenplay. In German with English subtitles.

Bully (2001)

Bobby Kent (Nick Stahl) is not a nice guy. He often beats up his best friend Marty Puccio (Brad Renfro), abuses Marty's girlfriend Lisa Connelly (Rachel Miner), and he rapes Lisa's friend Ali Willis (Bijou Phillips). There isn't a lot to do in the suburban Florida town where Bobby and his friends live. They play violent shoot-em-up video games, work at the Pizza Hut, go surfing at the beach, and cruise in their hot rods. But mostly, Bobby and his friends have lots of sex. The film is drenched in graphic shots of barely legal naked teenagers. Sexual identity is an undercurrent in Bobby's story: he watches gay porn while he rapes Ali, and he forces Marty to dance with him at a gay club. Some of the other teenagers think that Bobby and Marty are a couple.

Marty is fed up with his best friend's twisted ways and Lisa couldn't agree more, so they plan to murder Bobby with a group of willing and unwilling accomplices. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating the possible aftermath of the crime. They decide to kill Bobby because he's a bully who has hurt and angered them, and also because they're bored and desensitized to violence. After much drug use and a failed attempt at murder, they hire a supposed hitman (Leo Fitzpatrick), but as the story progresses it becomes apparent that he is just a tough-talking teenager. Initially, some in the group dismiss the plan as a lark, but eventually, they all come to the realization that they will go through with it, particularly when they lure Bobby out to a nearby swamp where he is attacked with knives. Marty slits his throat. The hitman beats Bobby's head in with a bat, then forces Derek (Daniel Franzese) to help him throw the body in the swamp. Several days later they are all arrested by the police. At the end of the film, subtitles show the prison sentences that the teenagers received.

This dramatic thriller is based on actual events, the true story of Bobby Kent, a bossy Florida teenager who was beaten to death by a group of his peers in 1993. The screenplay was written by David McKenna and Roger Pullis, who adapted Jim Schutze's 1998 book "Bully: A True Story of High School Revenge". The soundtrack features many songs. Director Larry Clark takes a hard look at the lives of some confused American teenagers.

Bound (1996)

Corky (Gina Gershon) is a lesbian who just got out of prison after having served 5 years for what she calls "redistribution of wealth", or stealing. She was betrayed by her female partner and therefore has a severe lack of trust in those around her. Corky takes a job as a painter and plumber in a Chicago condo building and soon meets sexy Violet (Jennifer Tilly), who's the girlfriend of Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), a money launderer for the Mafia. The couple live in the condo right next to the one where Corky works. The attraction between Corky and Violet is immediate, and it isn't long before Violet seduces her. Later, Violet overhears Caesar and his Mafia buddies beating and torturing Shelly (Barry Kivel), a man who has been skimming money from the business. Corky knows trouble when she sees it, but that doesn't stop her from giving in to Violet's manipulations. After Shelly is shot and killed by Johnnie Marzonne (Christopher Meloni), the son of Mafia boss Gino Marzonne (Richard C. Sarafian), Caesar returns to the apartment with a bag of bloody money.

Soon Violet makes the suggestion to her new lover that they steal two million dollars of the Mafia's money, allowing Caesar to take the fall for its loss. What a deal--two million dollars, plus Violet. How could anyone say no to that? Of course, nothing goes according to the plan as all hell breaks lose with Caesar doing just the opposite of what the two ladies had expected. Then there's the question if Corky will once again be betrayed by the woman she cares about. Anything can happen before the ending is reached as betrayal, torture, and murder become the norm. Caesar finds out and is about to kill Corky, but Violet arrives and pulls a gun on Caesar. He tells Violet that he knows she will not shoot him, and she replies, "Caesar, you don't know shit", then kills him. In the end Violet drives off hand-in-hand with Corky.

This provocative neo-noir crime thriller offers a grab bag of genres: gangster movie, comedy, sexy romance, and crime caper. It's scary, funny, sexy, suspenseful, with plenty of action, and is not for the squeamish. The script is sharp and fresh with many twists in it. There are a few violent scenes, and some people might find the lesbian sex scene offensive. Described as explicit and steamy, it is actually tasteful, discreet and realistic. Don Davis composed the music score. The film was written and directed by the Wachowski Brothers, Andy and Larry Wachowski.

Another Country (1984)

Guy Bennett (Rupert Everett) and Tommy Judd (Colin Firth) are two handsome young men attending an English boarding school during the 1930's. Bennett is openly gay, while Judd is a Marxist. Bennett falls in love with James Harcourt (Cary Elwes) and the pair embark on a homosexual affair, but do not conceal their mutual affection. The hypocrisy of the other boys attending the school, many of whom are also having affairs, eventually drives the couple to extreme measures. Judd meanwhile, finds that as a Marxist, his beliefs are in direct opposition to the role he is offered as school prefect.

One day a teacher walks in on Martineau (Philip Dupuy) and a boy from another house engaged in mutual masturbation. Martineau subsequently kills himself because of the shame of having been found in a homosexual embrace, and chaos erupts as teachers and the senior students try their hardest to keep the scandal away from parents and the rest of the outside world. The gay scandal however gives the army-obsessed house captain Fowler (Tristan Oliver), who dislikes both Bennett and Judd, a welcome reason to scheme against Bennett to keep him from becoming a "god"-- a school name for the elite pupils of the school. Fowler is able to intercept a love letter from Bennett to James Harcourt. Bennett agrees to be punished so as not to compromise Harcourt.

Meanwhile, Judd is reluctant to become a prefect, since he feels that he cannot endorse a "system of oppression" such as this, and has a memorable, bitter speech about how the boys oppressed by the system grow up to be the fathers who maintain it. He eventually agrees to become a prefect in order to prevent the hateful Fowler from becoming Head of House. This never comes about, however, because Donald Devenish (Rupert Wainwright) agrees to stay at school and become a prefect if he is nominated to become a god instead of Bennett. Devastated at the loss of his cherished dream of becoming a god Bennett comes to realize that the British class system strongly relies on outward appearance and that to be openly gay is a severe hindrance to a career as a diplomat. The epilogue of the movie states that he emigrated to Russia later in his life, after having been a spy for the Soviet Union. Judd dies fighting in the Spanish Civil War.

Part coming-of-age film, part social commentary, this award-winning drama is loosely based on the life of Guy Burgess of the Burgess/McLain "Cambridge spies" incidents. The ending seems abrupt, and questions remain unanswered with nothing resolved. But it was suitable for its intended theatrical medium, and is one of the factors that ensures the film's endurance. It poses thoughtful inquiries that still deserve contemplation. Michael Storey composed the original music, Julian Mitchell wrote the screenplay from his own stage play, and Marek Kanievska directed.

The Mexican (2001)

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt), a part-time thief trying to go straight, is given two ultimatums. His mob boss Bernie Nayman (Bob Balaban) wants him to travel to Mexico to get a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican", and deliver it to a mysterious buyer. The other ultimatum comes from his feisty girlfriend Samantha Barzel (Julia Roberts), who wants him to end his association with the mob. As collateral to make sure he comes through with the goods, Samantha en route to Las Vegas is kidnapped by burly guard/assassin Leroy (James Gandolfini) who isn't quite what he seems. Samantha eventually discovers that Leroy is a homosexual after catching him staring at a man. Jerry figures that being alive, although in trouble with his girlfriend is the better alternative so he heads south of the border. Finding the pistol is easy but getting it home is a whole other matter. The pistol supposedly carries a curse--a curse Jerry believes, especially when Samantha is held hostage by gay hit man Leroy to ensure the safe return of the pistol. Jerry soon has his hands full with bandits, bloodshed, and a grizzly hound dog that vanishes and reappears with amusing regularity.

Jerry is kidnapped and winds up in the presence of local mobster Arnold Margolese (Gene Hackman). Margolese explains that he wants the pistol so he can return it to its rightful owner, the descendant of the gunsmith. Jerry agrees to return the pistol to the aging descendant, and is taken back to his hotel room. Bernie, however, is already there, demanding the pistol in exchange for Samantha. When it is discovered that she is in the trunk of Jerry's car, he explains she is the only one who knows its location. Bernie opens the trunk, revealing a very irate Samantha wielding the cursed pistol. After a brief standoff, Samantha fires the pistol, causing a small gold wedding ring to fall out. Bernie stands still for a moment, apparently unharmed, but then reveals a bullet hole in his neck that kills him. Jerry then takes the ring, proposes to Samantha, and the two begin their trip back to the United States.

This is an unusual mixture of romantic comedy, thriller, and road movie. There are many moments to lighten the fast-paced journey of the film--the multiple flashbacks to the story behind the pistols are quite entertaining, and the quirky characters chasing Jerry and Sam definitely add something to an eclectic mix of personalities. The plot takes a few strange twists and livens things up with a few sideline stories and characters and some great acting from Pitt. Alan Silvestri composed the original music, J. H. Wyman wrote the screenplay, and Gore Verbinski directed.

Object of My Affection (1998)

Social worker Nina Borowski (Jennifer Aniston) is a young bright woman who lives in a cozy Brooklyn apartment. Nina's older step-sister Constance Miller (Allison Janney) and her husband Sidney (Alan Alda) have a party where Nina meets George Hanson (Paul Rudd), a young handsome first grade school teacher who is gay. Nina complains to George about her step-sister who is constantly trying to fix her up with somebody from high society, completely ignoring the fact that Nina has a boyfriend. She invites George to move in with her just hours after they meet. As their friendship progresses, she learns she is pregnant, and wants George to act as father to her newborn, much to the consternation of her overbearing boyfriend Vince McBride (John Pankow), who wants marriage. Nina wants independence. George and Nina share an apartment, a taste for tuna casserole dinners, and a devotion to ballroom dancing. They love each other, even though George is gay. George will do anything for some affection, but is he ready to become an unwed surrogate dad?

Everything is perfect until Nina finds out that George had a girlfriend in high school. One afternoon George has a phone call from his ex-boyfriend Dr. Robert Joley (Tim Daly), who tells him how much he has missed him and invites him for the weekend. George is confused but agrees to go. Nina feels threatened and gets jealous. George and Dr. Joley do not get back together but George meets Paul James (Amo Gulinello), a young actor and the two fall head over heels in love. Nina is very sad and cannot control her emotions. They start arguing and at George's brother's wedding Nina tells George about her feelings for him. George who loves Nina as his best friend tells her that he wants Paul. A few hours later Nina gives birth to a beautiful girl she names Molly (Sarah Hyland) and asks George to move out of her apartment before she gets home from the hospital. The end of the film takes place at George's school. All of the characters go to see Molly in a play.

This hip, multilayered comedy takes itself too seriously, although there is some genuine emotion buried in the script. It's not that the relationships are unbelievable, but the story lurches forward from one stilted setup to another. Characters take on major life changes without explanation. However the performances are good, and Rudd does not play a gay stereotype. George Fenton composed the incidental music. Wendy Wasserstein wrote the screenplay adapted from the book of the same title by Stephen McCauley, and Nicholas Hytner directed.

Carrington (1995)

"Carrington" is the true story of the unusual love affair between two nonconformists in Victorian England: boyish painter Dora Carrington (Emma Thompson) and gay author Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce). Carrington is a young English artist who is part of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of bohemian British writers and artists that includes Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster, when she meets Strachey in WWI England. Before meeting Carrington, Strachey inquires who the "ravishing boy" is and discovers that it's a woman. Surprised, he finds himself captivated by her, and they begin a 17-year relationship. Their first meetings and the strange attraction that would bind them for the rest of their lives are sketched out in the first few scenes. Although platonic due to Strachey's homosexuality, the passionate bond was nevertheless a deep and complicated one. Strachey is a quiet, dry witted, reserved writer in his 30s when he meets Carrington, who is 15 years younger and still a virgin. Having found her intellectual soul mate, she finds herself indulging in sex with many young attractive men to forget her love for the distinguished author, whose physical love she will never have.

When Carrington develops a more physical relationship with soldier Ralph Partridge (Steven Waddington), Strachey welcomes him as a friend, although Partridge remains somewhat uneasy, not so much with Strachey's lifestyle and sexual orientation as with the fact that he is a conscientious objector. Strachey and Carrington eventually move in together and have a series of offbeat sexual experiences with other members of the group and sometimes even with the same man. Carrington even marries another man, yet their relationship endures until Strachey's death years later.

This touching and intelligent film features excellent acting. Pryce was honored as Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance. The music score of the film was composed by Michael Nyman, primarily based on his String Quartet No. 3. Christopher Hampton wrote the screenplay based on Michael Holroyd's book. Christopher Hampton also directed.

The Adjuster (1992)

Insurance Adjuster Noah Render (Elias Koteas) works with people who have suffered the loss of their homes and other disasters in Canada. He gets a little too involved with his clients, taking advantage of their vulnerability to control their lives--while only having superficial interactions with his own wife Hera (Arsinée Khanjian), who secretly videotapes the porn films she watches for a government censor board. There are various other characters who come into contact with the pair and sexual fantasies are the main theme that drives the story forward. "Was this a purebred?" Noah asks a gay couple whose dog still smolders in the ashes of their apartment. When another couple, Bubba (Maury Chaykin) and Mimi (Gabrielle Rose), poses as part of a film crew who want to use Noah and Hera's house, Noah moves his family into the motel where he houses his displaced clients, bringing his separate worlds too close together. The ending quotes from "The Sound of Music" in a comic horror finale. One of the main characters--unable to "play house" anymore decides to burn down the Insurance Adjuster's house he has rented, and starts singing "My Favorite Things" as he proceeds to extinguish them all.

There is very little plot, but this sex comedy does have some very memorable characters and it has a good climax. Though initially mysterious and distanced, "The Adjuster" builds to a sense of loss and sorrow. As in his earlier films, director Atom Egoyan explores how people evade and contain the traumas in their lives. Wicked, darkly funny, sexy, it's perhaps the most successful critique of consumer society ever filmed. It's a strange, repetitious, surreal, confusing, disturbing, and hilarious film. Not all viewers like it, of course. Mychael Danna composed the original music, and Atom Egoyan wrote the screenplay and directed.

Pink Narcissus (1971)

"Pink Narcissus" is a drama visualizing the erotic fantasies of incredibly handsome male prostitute Pan (Bobby Kendall). Between visits from his keeper, or john, he is alone in his apartment and fantasizes about worlds where he is the central character. Obsessed with his own beauty and youth, he escapes the realities of street life through intricately choreographed fantasies. He portrays a Roman slave boy and the emperor who condemns him, a matador, a wood nymph, and the keeper of a male harem for whom another male performs a belly dance. Characterized by bright colors and highly stylized sets, props, and costumes, this film shows that the fantasies allow him to escape the harsh realities of his life in a creative slice of gay erotic cinema.

This cult classic is very highly regarded for its artistic production values, and less for its narrative. The movie was mostly shot on 8 mm film with bright lighting. Aside from its last climactic scene, which was shot in a downtown Manhattan loft, it was produced entirely (including outdoor scenes) in a small New York apartment over a seven year period (from 1963 to 1970) and released without the director's consent, who therefore had himself credited as Anonymous. It was not widely known who had created the movie, and there were rumors Andy Warhol was behind it. In the mid-1990s, writer Bruce Benderson, who was obsessed with the film, began a search for its maker based on several leads and finally verified that it was James Bidgood, who was still living in Manhattan and was working on a film script.

In 1999, a book researched and written by Benderson was published by Taschen about Bidgood's body of photographic and film work. The French DVD of "Pink Narcissus" includes the 2000 documentary "The Queer Reveries of James Bidgood". Bidgood's unique kitschy style has been imitated and refined by artists such as Pierre et Gilles. Written, produced, filmed, and directed by James Bidgood.