Tag Archives: LGBT Films

Film Review: 4th Man Out (2015)

Posted on August 15, 2018 | Leave a comment

On his 24th birthday, Adam comes out as gay to his three best friends – Chris (Parker Young), Nick (Chord Overstreet), and Ortu (Jon Gabrus). Naturally, the three freaked out but immediately reassured Adam that nothing is going to change between them.

The whole film actually seems to be about Adam finding a boyfriend and his male pals acted like Adam’s long lost fairy godmothers intent on finding a guy for him. They’re even more knowledgeable than Adam about the gay scene. Like seriously? There are a bunch of cringy moments in it and a number of funny scenes too. I still liked this movie. It is something that you could watch to combat boredom but it didn’t deliver its intended message. More like, the film didn’t actually have a message at all.

Director: Andrew Nackman
Cast: Evan Todd, Chord Overstreet, John Gabrus, Parker Young, Jennifer Damiano, Jordan Lane Price, Kate Flannery, 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Others

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Film Review: Handsome Devil (2016)

Posted on August 14, 2018 | Leave a comment

I absolutely adore this film! It’s very old school in a way but very refreshing at the same time as its story revolves around two gay schoolmates and the friendship between them that you won’t even mind that there’s not a single whip of romance in it and I loved it for that! Not every gay guys are out there are looking for their “one true love!” I also loved the fact that there’s nothing remotely sexual about it. It’s just about two high school boys trying to fit in or in Ned’s case, trying to get through high school.

At first though, I find it a bit Glee-ish but then it transitioned so fast when Ned, the bullied outsider and Conor, the star athlete transfer student started to interact with each other. They have such amazing chemistry and that it’s easier to root for both of them.

There’s a ‘scene’ here that I did not like in so many book characters and even most recently, from the movie Love, Simon when one of the characters outed the closeted character. It was not cringy at all here. It was actually heartbreaking because it felt like Ned did it out of necessity, being fed up with the bullying and the feeling that he’d finally have the upper hand just for once. It wasn’t right but at that moment, for him it must be some sort of vindication. As he was narrating the whole film, he said that this story is about his ‘most embarrassing moment’ ever. This must be that moment.

The conclusion was not exactly what I was expected because it felt a bit rushed but I appreciate the sort of a happy ending the movie has given us. Also, It’s just so good to know that a lot of LGBTQ+ films are now being produced for mainstream viewing!

Director: John Butler
Cast: Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, Andrew Scott, Moe Dunford, Michael McElhatton, Ruairi O’Connor, Ardal O’Hanlon, Mark Lavery, Jay Duffy, Jamie Hallahan

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Movies

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Film Review: Alex Strangelove (2018)

Posted on August 7, 2018 | Leave a comment

At first glimpse, Alex Strangelove looks like a mere rip-off of Love, Simon but far from its smiliar LGBTQ+ lead characters, this coming-of-age film has a charm of its own with Daniel Doheny adorably playing the role of Alex Truelove and his quest – with the help of his supportive friends – to lose his virginity to his awesome girlfriend / bestfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein).

Unlike Love, Simon – this isn’t as wholesome and as realistic in terms of how accepting the high school kids are and virtually just about everyone around Alex. That is where it falters a bit in my opinion. Alex Strangelove is a cliché yet poignant and optimistic movie in an unforgiving high school setting moving towards acceptance, rather than just mere tolerance when it comes to sexuality and individuality. It is beautiful yet too ideal a scenario that we only see on TV and the big screen – this time, through my smartphone.

That being said, Alex Strangelove is a step forward towards education. A step towards acceptance. We’ve already made some progress. One step at a time. One step at a time.

Director: Craig Johnson
Cast: Daniel Doheny, Antonio Marziale, Madeline Weinstein, Daniel Zolghadri, Nik Dodani, Fred Hechinger

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Leave a comment

Posted in Movies

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Film Review: Love, Simon (2018)

Posted on May 2, 2018 | Leave a comment

Synopsis: Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he’s gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.

I am absolutely delighted by this movie adaptation! The book didn’t do much for me but this one just made me appreciate it more in a way. Nick Robinson was very charming and funny as the closeted High School teenager blackmailed by a fellow student!

I also love Duhamel. It thought he’d be awkward as the ‘awkward’ dad but he’s incredibly charming here. Jennifer Garner was her usual amazing self and she and Nick had the best scene in the movie methinks. Their heart to heart talk is so beautiful it made me tear-up right then and there.

I loved that Berlanti did not demonized Martin’s (the creepy blackmailer) character here but I was maybe hoping that one of the most intense scenes would be Simon confronting Martin about HIM taking away his right to come out in his own terms.

Super sulit! I wished more people would watch it. Too bad, it’ll be affected by the Infinity War but if you’re looking for an alternative watch, then you should really check this out.

Director: Greg Berlanti
Cast: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Keiyan Lonsdale, Miles Heizer, Logan Miller, Talitha Bateman, Tony Hale, Natasha Rothwell, Drew Starkey, Clarke Moore, Joey Pollari, Mackenzie Lintz

Love, Simon was based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. (Read my review HERE)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Love, Simon opens in Philippine cinemas on May 9, 2018 courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

Leave a comment

Posted in Movies

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,