Big Eden (2000) Director: Thomas Bezucha Writer: Thomas Bezucha Stars: Arye Gross, Eric Schweig and Tim DeKay Summary: Successful but lonely New York artist Henry Hart (Arye Gross) returns to Big Eden to care for his ailing grandfather and winds up confronting his unrequited passion for his high school best friend and his feelings about being gay in a small town. As Henry works though his emotions, the townspeople quietly conspire to help him along, until Henry realizes new possibilities for both friendship and romance. Eric Schweig and Louise Fletcher also star.
Maybe because previously I didn’t really watch this movie, but my original opinion was that I didn’t like it. This new viewing game be an entirely different perspective. It’s not really one of my favorites but I’m not much for the embarassing comedy moments. This film is well acted and shot. I really cannot have much if any complaints about this movie. The only thing I can think of is that the immediate gay acceptance of the little town is unbelievable. The great thing about this movie. I don’t care. It just makes me happy.
The Big Gay Musical (2009) Directors: Casper Andreas, Fred M. Caruso Writer: Fred M. Caruso Stars: Daniel Robinson, Joey Dudding and Jeff Metzler Summary: Life imitates a play, and that’s just the thing for sending up the Bible in this no-feathers-barred fantasia that swirls around Paul (Daniel Robinson) and Eddie (Joey Dudding), the leads in a musical called "Adam and Steve Just the Way God Made ‘Em." Offstage, the pair act out the story of their own star-crossed lives: Paul, recently dumped, just wants to stay in, while Eddie’s still coming out. But rest assured that the show tunes will go on.
I can understand a gay man who’s not into musicals but he must at least like 1 in some way, shape or form. This movie plays off the sterotype that gay men all love musicals. In the process it looks are the two main character’s lives outside of the musical they are in as well as showing a take on the whole “God hates gays” thing. Intertwining the stage musical with Paul and Eddie’s real life allows for a very compelling story and they acting for the comedic and the serious elements of this movie is spot on. They know when to camp it up, and they know when to bring it down to Earth. This is a great little film and I completely recommend it.
Is It Just Me? (2010) Director: J.C. Calciano Writer: J.C. Calciano Stars: Nicholas Downs, David Loren and Adam Huss Summary: Although successful writer Blaine (Nicholas Downs) is kind and witty, he can’t find true love because he’s intimidated by the overt sexuality of guys such as his roommate, Cameron (Adam Huss). But all that changes when he meets the man of his dreams online — or does it? Shy Texan Xander (David Loren) seems to be Blaine’s ideal man, but when Blaine accidentally posts Cameron’s picture in his profile, a battle for Xander’s affections ensues.
This is another one of those embarassing comedies. Fully playing on the mistaken identity comedic trope. Don’t get me wrong, this trope can be authentically done well, and I do believe they did that here. The performances of the actors was just a little bit over the top. Not too much, just a little bit. It on occasion was distracting but for most people, it could be forgivable. Take this movie as you will. Not my cup of tea.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) Director: John Cameron Mitchell Writers: John Cameron Mitchell, and Stephen Trask Stars: John Cameron Mitchell, Miriam Shor and Stephen Trask Summary: After a botched sex-change operation, East German glam rocker Hansel (John Cameron Mitchell) becomes Hedwig and travels across the United States with a stage show, following her ex-boyfriend (and former band mate) and telling her life story. Hedwig’s offbeat show slays audiences — but in diners not clubs. Mitchell also wrote and directed the comedy, which won at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for several Independent Spirit Awards.
You know, I thought I was going to hate this movie. I really did. Fortunately, I didn’t think this was that bad and somewhat enjoyable. The performances were great and the music is fantastic. I don’t know what more to say about it. I didn’t think this film was amazing, but it was good.
Sordid Lives (2000) Director: Del Shores Writers: Del Shores (play and screenplay) Stars: Delta Burke, Bonnie Bedelia and Olivia Newton-John Summary: Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges and Delta Burke star in Del Shores’s uproarious satire of Texan white-trash culture. When she trips over her lover’s wooden legs, Grandma Peggy meets her maker, and now her entire family is showing up for the funeral. With a raucous cast of characters ranging from feuding big-haired sisters to the cross-dressing Brother Boy, Shores skewers redneck society. Olivia Newton-John co-stars and provides music.
Good lord this has a star studded cast. One of the best parts about this film is that the actors know exactly what this film is and act it out exactly how it should be. This is a fun romp around a serious situation but you cannot help but enjoy the film. Olivia Newton-John’s part is minimal, seems like she’s just there to sing, but the little nuances she puts in there are perfect. I think this movie would surprise and delight most straight people as well. I can’t recommend this enough.
Big Eden (2000) 
