MasculineCurves

Gran Torino: A movie review

Given his stellar track record there's no doubt Clint Eastwood is perhaps one of the most prolific film directors of our time. However, Gran Torino punctuates the fact that multi-tasking presents a huge challenge to even the most experienced film makers. Gran Torino, directed by and starring Eastwood, is a film about an elderly Midwestern widower, who holds prejudice views as he sees his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him change. Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is the last original resident of a traditional Polish neighborhood that's undergone the corrosion of the great white-suburban flight, and the influx of minorities and gang bangers. Disgruntled and believing everything about his community has become un-American, the catalyst of change occurs when he unexpectedly befriends two underprivileged teenage Hmong neighbors and vows to make their lives better.

Sounds like the feel good movie of the year, right? I guess my expectations were a little too high, because I so wanted to walk away from this film loving it. But that just isn't the case. Let me make this clear, Gran Torino is NOT a bad movie, it's just not a WOW movie. So I have to give it 2.5 stars out of four on my scale. I blame the screen play for most of the problems here. At times the dialog is a little over the top, predictable, and perhaps somewhat unrealistic. Which I believe contributed to Eastwood feeling the need to overact many of his scenes to the extent of coming across as a character actor as opposed to a dramatic leading man. I mean there was so much grunting and growling from ol' Clint that I almost wanted to stand up and yell at the screen "We get it. You're a grumpy old man. Now let's move the story along."

As for props.... well I give acting props to newcomer 17 year-old Vee Bang. While the script was predictable, he pulls off playing a gawky, socially inept kid in a charming kind of way. I hope he's not one of these kid actors whom we see give a powerful performance in one film, and in ten years from now wonder "where is he now." If he's fortunate enough to continue in this business I believe he'll become a noteworthy contender for an Oscar one day.

Coffee Date coming to DVD

What happens when a straight man ends up on a blind date with a gay man?  Coffee Date, a light-hearted comedy by filmmaker Stewart Wade, explores the dichotomy of dubious relationships that develop between straight and gay men. 

As the result of a practical joke played by his brother Barry (Jonathan Silverman), Todd (Jonathan Bray) is set up on a blind date with Kelly.  When he arrives at the café, he’s surprised to find the only other unattached person is a gay guy by the name of—guess what? Kelly (Wilson Cruz).  Much to Todd's surprise, he and Kelly discover they actually have quite a bit in common and strike up an unexpected friendship.  They decide to take revenge on Barry by reversing the joke.  After their “date,” the pair saunter past Barry holding hands.  But does the joke work all too well?

Freaking out and convinced that Todd is gay, Barry calls their mother (Sally Kirkland) to break the news.  Determined to prove to her son that she loves him no matter what, she arrives on the next plan for an extended visit.  Despite his vehement attempts to set the record straight (pun intended), news travels fast and soon all of Todd’s friends and co-workers believe he is gay.  After an attempt to prove his heterosexuality with a sexy younger woman ends in disaster, he starts to wonder, could his feelings for Kelly be more than he’d ever suspected?

The film's supporting cast also features Elaine Hendrix, Jason Stuart, and a special appearance by 80s pop princess Deborah Gibson.  Coffee Date is set for DVD release this fall.

Cut Sleeve Boys set for U.S. Theatrical Release

If you like a bit of camp, gender bending, and men with British accents then you’ll want to be sure to catch Cut Sleeve Boys. The independent production and distribution company, here! Films has acquired North American distribution rights to the film which will show in five U.S. cities in August (view screening schedule here) and is scheduled for DVD launch later this fall.

Synopsis
Two gay British Chinese men are getting older and looking for love. Mel is an egotistical scene queen who deals with his insecurities by sleeping around, and Ash believes he’ll meet the masculine man of his dreams when he decides to begin cross dressing.

Breaking down stereotypes
Not only does this comedy confront the media-driven obsession with youth and beauty, so often glorified in the gay community, but it also breaks down the marginalization of Asian men in film.

“The main characters in Cut Sleeve Boys do not suffer the ‘fresh off the boat’ mentality of finding it hard to assimilate into mainstream society. These characters have done it so well they have become the city itself – confident, successful and sophisticated, with the power to choose. They are a new generation of British Chinese who dare to and can have it all!” says director Ray Yeung.

Cut Sleeve Boys is Yeung's first feature film.  View the trailer here.

 

Aaron's Space: 'Evening' misses the mark

This weekend I had to choose between two of my favorite actresses: Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart or Meryl Streep in Evening. While I am curious to see Angelina in what many bloggers are considering a controversial role (portraying a person of mixed ethnicity), the promise of Meryl on the big screen wins every time.

Obviously, the buzz about this film is it’s all-star cast including: Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Natasha Richardson, Patrick Wilson and Hugh Dancy. The pleasant surprise here is Mamie Gummer’s (Streep’s daughter) breakout performance. When it comes to acting ability the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Based on the novel of the same title by Susan Minot, Evening is the story of an elderly Ann Grant (Redgrave) at the final stage of her life when she is forced to come to terms with her defining moment as a young woman in love in the 1950s.

This film features gorgeous cinematography and draws on the solid performances of most of its cast. However, it misses mark with the development of Patrick Wilson’s character, Harris. As the object of Buddy and Lily’s affection (Dancy/Gummer), Harris is the catalyst for Ann’s defining moment. While everyone in the story is in love with this character,Wilson’s flat and non-dimensional portrayal makes it tough for the audience empathize by falling for him too. This is a surprise given the complexity of the personality he brought to the screen in last year’s Little Children.

Despite this fumble, I do have to admit that the film moved me and I left the theatre with a heavy mind. Will a brief moment linger with me for a lifetime? At the end of my journey whose name will I call out as my one true love?

MasculineCurves rating: GOOD (3 out of 4 stars)

Highlights for gay audiences:

• One gay kiss
• One shirtless scene for Patrick Wilson
• Meryl Streep’s grand entrance onto the screen (this time by taxi cab, not town car…DWP fans know what I’m talking about…lol)