Post by mkb on Oct 21, 2022 3:01:03 GMT
It was as a teenager that I nervously ventured into the single-screen fleapit that was the Cannon Royal Cinema at 35 Charing Cross Road to see a double bill of Querelle and Pixote. I remember the rhythmic sound of men in raincoats furtively pleasuring themselves as they watched. It was not quite what I had expected from art-house cinema in London. It was very different from my home ABC, that was for sure. Like Dorothy, I wasn't in Kansas anymore.
Roll forward to last night, and how times have changed! In my local, provincial, high-tech Odeon, a pairing of two movies, chosen principally because one started as the other ended, might unexpectedly prove to be the most gay four hours of big-screen entertainment I have enjoyed since those formative years.
First up was Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Quite why this is being marketed as a kid's movie I can't fathom. I'd say this will appeal most to the Glee-loving end of the musical theatre spectrum. That's not quite me, but I had plenty of fun regardless. It features a singing and dancing reptile for goodness sake, a cat with attitude, and Javier Bardem hoofing it up and having a ball. What's not to like? To be clear, there is nothing gay on the screen, but it's as camp as.
More overtly in-your-face queer was Bros. No, not another biopic of the Goss twins, this is instead an American comedy where almost the entire principal cast is, in real life, L or B or G or T or + or some combination, but most definitely not straight.
I don't know if the title is pronounced "bross" or "broes", but no matter. What stands out here is the sheer intensity with which Billy Eichner as Bobby -- like a camp, gay Woody Allen on steroids -- analyses and deconstructs all aspects of the homosexual experience. It's sometimes cringe-making, often provocative, and frequently hilarious.(Well my hubby and I were laughing a lot; not sure about the rest of the mainly female audience at this preview.)
It's billed as a romcom, but like, say, Annie Hall, it's more about people trying to find themselves in an uncertain world. The "love" interest comes from Luke MacFarlane as Aaron, who is that rare screen character, the non-stereotypical gay man. By that I mean that he is totally devoid of all those behavioural and speech characteristics that are Hollywood shorthand for gay. He's also a stunner. (I expect we're no longer allowed to say that without unleashing a Twitterstorm, but the contrasting appearances of the two principals is deliberate and important.)
Bros has apparently performed badly in North America. Imdb comments reveal some preciously sensitive gay folk and some outraged straights. I think this may play better in Europe where we are not quite so puritanical. I hope so. I was seriously amused.
Four stars for both films.
Roll forward to last night, and how times have changed! In my local, provincial, high-tech Odeon, a pairing of two movies, chosen principally because one started as the other ended, might unexpectedly prove to be the most gay four hours of big-screen entertainment I have enjoyed since those formative years.
First up was Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Quite why this is being marketed as a kid's movie I can't fathom. I'd say this will appeal most to the Glee-loving end of the musical theatre spectrum. That's not quite me, but I had plenty of fun regardless. It features a singing and dancing reptile for goodness sake, a cat with attitude, and Javier Bardem hoofing it up and having a ball. What's not to like? To be clear, there is nothing gay on the screen, but it's as camp as.
More overtly in-your-face queer was Bros. No, not another biopic of the Goss twins, this is instead an American comedy where almost the entire principal cast is, in real life, L or B or G or T or + or some combination, but most definitely not straight.
I don't know if the title is pronounced "bross" or "broes", but no matter. What stands out here is the sheer intensity with which Billy Eichner as Bobby -- like a camp, gay Woody Allen on steroids -- analyses and deconstructs all aspects of the homosexual experience. It's sometimes cringe-making, often provocative, and frequently hilarious.(Well my hubby and I were laughing a lot; not sure about the rest of the mainly female audience at this preview.)
It's billed as a romcom, but like, say, Annie Hall, it's more about people trying to find themselves in an uncertain world. The "love" interest comes from Luke MacFarlane as Aaron, who is that rare screen character, the non-stereotypical gay man. By that I mean that he is totally devoid of all those behavioural and speech characteristics that are Hollywood shorthand for gay. He's also a stunner. (I expect we're no longer allowed to say that without unleashing a Twitterstorm, but the contrasting appearances of the two principals is deliberate and important.)
Bros has apparently performed badly in North America. Imdb comments reveal some preciously sensitive gay folk and some outraged straights. I think this may play better in Europe where we are not quite so puritanical. I hope so. I was seriously amused.
Four stars for both films.
