Review: The Men Next Door

Originally published on www.biggaypictureshow.com

Luring you in with a concept that has only really been seen in soaps and mainly carried out as heterosexual storylines, The Men Next Door makes you feel as though you’re about to see something a little different in terms of gay cinema. However once the film begins it’s rather disappointing to find that it’s just another mound of clichés, stereotypes and unfunny comedy.

After initially reading the plot synopsis I thought I’d be in for a rather funny and not too serious treat – after all seeing a film about a man falling in love with both a father and his son isn’t something you see every day. I was expecting a few laugh out loud moments with a sweet sentiment underneath. However, within the first 15 minutes of the film I saw two cocks and two or three sex scenes, once again reinforcing the fact that the majority of gay cinema is sold on sex.

Aside from this much of the ‘comedy’ within the film was not funny, tried a little too hard and on the whole was a little bit predictable. Also the sweet sentiment that ran throughout the film failed to make you go “awww”, instead it made you want to reach for the nearest sick bucket.

That said there are a few funny moments that did make me laugh, such as the awkward moment when the truth about the father and son comes is revealed. There’s also an entertaining situation in a getaway cabin later on the in film, which gets ruined by afamily therapy session that ensues. I did enjoy the way in which the more amusing parts of the film were told during conversations between Doug (Eric Dean) and his brother, and in all fairness you do wonder whether he will choose the father or son in the end. But as the film nears its conclusion, it gets extremely mundane and yawn inducing.

The way the film is shot is extremely low budget and it shows, which makes you feel as though you’re watching something a film student made on their lunch break. Adding to the pain I felt watching this is that the majority of the acting is wooden, beside Benjamin Lutz, who plays the son of the story, Colton, but even he annoys you after a while.

The character of Evelyn (Heidi Rhodes) does amuse at times, but she too becomes a little annoying as you realise she’s just another stereotype of how some gay people see their straight friends who have settled down with children.

Overall Verdict: This film could have done so much with the premise, but instead it’s badly written, badly shot and badly acted. Where it could have invested in good comedy and a more heartfelt sentiment, the makers settled for lacklustre comedy, stereotypes and a couple of helpings of sex in order to make people watch it.

Review: New Year's Eve

Originally published on www.moviemuser.co.uk and www.biggaypictureshow.com

New Year’s Eve gives us a look into the way in which we all cross over into each other’s lives on a daily basis without even knowing it, amongst a combination of romance, heartache, laughter and sadness.

With an all-star ensemble cast the audience gets to enjoy the many different plots, in what reminded me of films such as Love Actually. The film is generally good and moves at a steady pace so the audience won’t get bored as they keep zigzagging through the multiple stories, some of which are much better than others.

The story involving Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron is one of the more touching, and we get see Michelle looking very dowdy, something I thought I’d never say as she gets Efron to try and fulfil her New Year wishes. Also, the interlinking story of Halle Berry nurse and Robert De Niro’s dying patient is enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eye.

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara has to get a special mention for her laugh out loud one-liners and superb comedic acting; she truly steals the show from everyone else. The same however cannot be said for Abigail Breslin who, aside from looking completely unrecognisable, will make you thing it’s baffling that she was once nominated for an Academy Award, as her performance is a little wooden and unbelievable.

The one negative aspect of the film has to be the fact that in two hours some of the stories don’t get as much time as others, therefore making you either forget about them or not care too much. A few are so perfunctory they’re barely stories at all.

Aside from that the film is very enjoyable, taking us on an emotional rollercoaster of happiness and sadness. There are quite a few points when you will hear yourself go “aww” or wipe a tear from your eye.

New Year’s Eve is surprisingly enjoyable, light-hearted and quite sweet at its core. It’s just a shame some stories couldn’t have been padded out more, but overall very good.

We Remember: Beautiful People

Originally posted on www.differentscene.com

Another week another amazing British television series that concentrates on the LGBT community.

This week I am looking at Beautiful People a BBC television series based on the memoirs of Simon Doonan about growing up as gay teen in 1960s Reading. The television series has made a few alterations, the main one being changing the setting to 1997 along with a few name changes.

The show ran for two series between 2008 and 2009 and concentrates on Simon Doonan a young effeminate boy growing up in an eccentric family in 1990s Reading. The series takes parts in the present day before going back to the past and concentrating on a number of hilarious incidents that happened to the shows protagonist throughout his life, such as how he broke his nose and how he got the scar on his head.

Where as the first series concentrates mainly on the hilarity of these incidents allowing you to warm to the Simon and his best friend, the equally as effeminate Kylie (Kyle), as they aspire to leave Reading and head for the bright lights of London, where they can be with ‘the beautiful people.’

As the second series begins we are still treated to same odd ball circumstances that Simon faces throughout his life, but we also see the shows star begin to come to terms with the fact that he is in fact gay and doesn’t necessarily fit in with the rest of the boys at school.

Throw in some brilliant performances that come in the from of Simon’s mother Debbie Doonan and the remainder of the cast (because to be fair they are all brilliant), along with a very interesting tale about a Posh Spice doll, and you instantly get a piece of comedy gold along with a touching story of ones boys acceptance of himself, and his persistence to find somewhere he fits in.

The show is a must for any one who had a hard time fitting in when they were younger and aspire to make the most of their life. After all the real Simon Doonan went on to become the creative ambassador at New York clothing store Barneys.

As the theme tune says, (sung by the brilliant Dan Gillespie-Sells) “Dreams are foolish but don’t let them go” and that is exactly what he did.