Behr Movie: Gone Girl

One of the nice things about being home has been the freedom to go see movies on a weekday - during the day. Our local independent cinema has a $5 day for all movies all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's wonderful since I always think movies are usually overpriced elsewhere. And we're talking first run movies!

Today I went to see Gone Girl. I'm not a big Ben Affleck fan. Oh sure, he's cute enough and when he sports a beard, I sport a hardon but I don't go out of my way to see his movies because of his involvement. I don't remember how long ago I saw the trailer for this film but it intrigued me. And I adore Rosamund Pike. I finally went to see it today.

Don't worry, I won't include any spoilers. Let me say - for those who don't know anything about the movie - it is the story of a man accused of killing his wife. There are, of course, many plot twists and turns and quite a few incredible performances. It falls into the "thriller" genre and it does not disappoint. There are a few "moments" but not the "make the audience jump" moments, but more "make the audience gasp because it didn't see that coming" moments. 

My only complaint is the Neil Patrick Harris character is just a creepier Barney Stinson. Don't get me wrong, I don't for a moment doubt his character wants the Rosamund Pike character (and there's a brief glimpse of little NPH). But it seemed a bit too close to his HIMYM character, imo. 

Speaking of glimpses of male genitalia, there's a brief flash of Ben Affleck cock and ass. NICE.

I really thought this was a well-paced mystery. Going in I knew there were some twists (I'd heard of one) and yet there were some nice surprises. The supporting actors are very good and believable too. No one recognizable to me, I still need to do an IMDB look to see what other movies some of these people have done.

I truly think - and hope - that when award season is upon us that this movie and Rosamund Pike in particular are remembered.

If you like thrillers, Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, NPH, or just a good mystery movie, go see Gone Girl.

BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: Hellbent

I'm not much of a horror fan but something compelled me to obtain Hellbent (2004) from Netflix, perhaps because it's billed as a "gay horror" film. I actually liked this movie despite it being a bit predictable and not that scary. 

Basically it's the story of a serial killer targeting gay men on Halloween in West Hollywood. The movie starts with the murder of two gay men in a car the night before Halloween. The remainder of the movie follows five friends as they celebrate Halloween and their run in with the killer. There's a visit to a fetish club (Colton Ford makes an uncredited appearance), the street celebration in WeHo, and of course the climax in the main character's apartment. 

The main characters are all attractive, of course, especially the bisexual Chaz (imo). Even the killer has an awesome bod.

The only drawback is the weapon is called a knife by the characters when in fact it is a sickle:

Now that's a wicked weapon!

There's great rock/punk music provided by Pansy Division, Nick Name, and Three Dollar Bill. There's blood, of course, and a few "scares" that the seasoned horror fans will yawn at. The ending is the best part, which sets up a possible sequel. And in case you're wondering there is definitely eye candy. Lots of eye candy.

The DVD includes a nice little featurette that includes clips of the movie and the cast and production team discussing various elements. It's obvious from this that the makers are not gay filmmakers; Joseph Wolf, Executive Producer, talks about how "gay people are just people." Steven J Wolfe, Producer, talks about discovering the huge gay horror fan base. Maybe it's all the negativity crap of the Presidential election going on but I found their comments to be heartening and supportive. 

All in all the movie is just plain fun. And with it being the Halloween season, it is a nice little movie to cuddle and watch with your favorite buddy. Did I mention there's eye candy?

BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: Breakfast on Pluto

Last night I watched Breakfast on Pluto that I got from Netflix. It's the story of an Irish transvestite - Patrick "Kitten" Braden - who searches for his mother and ends up finding his father. 

It stars Cillian Murphy as Kitten and boasts a cast that includes Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, and Stephen Rea. The movie is based on the book by Patrick McCabe and is quite different from the novel, according to Wikipedia. The film was directed by Neil Jordan of The Crying Game fame. In the movie, the boy is left on the steps of the church to be found by the priest who promptly places the boy with a haranguing foster mother. The boy grows up to be an effeminate boy who garners the ire of most and yet also garners the life long love and support of friends who accept him for who he is. Her many adventures include joining the IRA, being befriended by a glam rocker, moving to England, becoming a prostitute, getting arrested for an IRA bombing, working as a character at a children's park, working in a peep show, and finally meeting her biological mother. She finds her way back to Ireland and her biological father and best female friend who is pregnant. The movie does have one drawback in my opinion and that is most people recognize that Kitten is indeed male and yet they are either attracted to or accept her with little violence or discrimination. It perhaps could be the time period (60s-70s). On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate it a 4 or 4.5. It's a little long at 129 minutes but is quite entertaining. In the Extras on the DVD, Neil Jordan says that it is "oddly uplifting" and that it is.

BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: War Horse

This morning my Dad and I saw the movie War Horse, which had opened locally on Christmas Day.


For those unfamiliar, this all began as a book, which was then rewritten into the Tony Award-winning play of the same name. In the play, life size horse puppets were used, making the story come alive without use of real horses.

Steven Spielberg made this movie, based on the play, substituting live horses for the puppets.

WARNING: Possible spoiler alert!


 The film is about a young lad who trains a horse that is eventually commandeered by the military at the dawn of WWI. Through a set of circumstances, the horse is reunited with the lad and they both return safely from the war. 


The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. The lushness of the English countryside in the beginning of the film and the beautiful orange sky of the ending both complement the grayness of the war. I have no doubt that this is not an accident. Spielberg sends a message about the harshness and sacrifice of war not only in words but in images.


Like most Spielberg movies, I found myself crying toward the end. I knew I would and was prepared with a handkerchief. I thought I might be able to get through to the end but when horse and lad are reunited...waterworks. I'm not ashamed to say that yes: the Behr is a sentimental old fool who cries at the movies. If I'm not moved, Spielberg didn't do his job.


I anticipate it being on the short list of Academy Award Best Picture nominees; it's inevitable, in my opinion, as it has already garnered a Golden Globe Best Picture nomination. And while it is a wonderful picture, I look forward to the day I can see the stage production with the puppets.


After the movie we went to lunch, which was delicious. It was a wonderful morning/early afternoon with my Dad.


BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: HPDH2

Here's my take on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II:

AWESOME!

I went to the midnight showing on Friday with my friends Patrick and Steven. It was great fun. Never before have I stood in line 6 hours for a movie. Patrick arrived at the theater about 5 pm and bought our tickets and got into the entry line. I got there about 6. I had brought a sub sandwich that we shared and Patrick had some candy. Since that wasn't enough for two bears, he went off and got us a large cheese pizza about 8:30. We only ate half of it! Steven finally showed up as the line started moving!

Patrick and I had fun listening to the teenagers on both sides of us and determining which of the males were going to end up gay. It was obvious. We also checked out lots of older guys walking by the line. Who knew that standing in an alley behind a movie theater would yield so much hot meat!

SPOILER ALERTS BELOW!

The movie itself was - in my humble opinion - the perfect ending to the series. It is also the first one that I've seen in the theater that I would see again in the theater. We happened to see it in 3D. While this certainly gave the movie a unique look in comparison to the previous seven, I don't believe it enhanced the movie to the degree that it is a "must see" in that format.

There's been much written on the final battle between Harry and Voldemort, on Neville Longbottom killing Nagini (and what a hunk Matthew Lewis has grown into), and the death of Severus Snape...but for me the two great moments of the movie involved two different Weasleys.

The first, in a brilliant moment of acting, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley sobs over the body of his dead brother, George; the raw emotion that Rupert expressed was very emotional, although it lasted but a few seconds on screen. It was a moment for Rupert to shine as an actor and he pulled it off deftly.

The second, in a brilliant moment of story telling, was the showdown between Molly Weasely (the ever brilliant Julie Walters) and Bellatrix Lestrange (the uber-talented Helena Bonham Carter)...with the now oft-quoted line of "Not my daughter, you bitch!" and several flicks of her wand, Molly kills Bellatrix (without use of the Avada Kedavra). The audience erupted in approving clapping and shouts. What made this brilliant was the fact that the Molly character has been the mother hen, protective, hovering in the kitchen, dispensing wise advice, but not truly showing off defensive magics....until now. Well done Molly.

I was very happy that the original actors (Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, Bonnie Wright, and Emma Watson) were used for the epilogue rather than hiring "older" actors. And Rupert Grint with a little belly looked HOT!

I will be surprised if HPDH2 is not one of the ten nominated Best Pictures for next year's Academy Awards. I think it surpasses LOTR's Return of the King. Perhaps that's just the afterglow still talking though.

If you liked any of the previous movies then jump on the band wagon and see the final movie on the big screen. You'll be happy you did!

BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: The King's Speech

If I haven't mentioned it before, I'm quite the anglophile. When I first heard about The King's Speech I was excited, especially since it stars the incomparable Colin Firth who is - imho - long overdue for international recognition. That means he deserves an Oscar. His portrayal in last year's A Single Man was nothing short of brilliant. But I digress. Yesterday afternoon I saw The King's Speech, which incidentally has been nominated for seven Golden Globes.

Quick Plot Outline: George V (Michael Gambon) is ruling but asks his second son, the Duke of York (Firth), to make a speech. Albert (or "Bertie") stutters terribly and makes a laughing stock of embarrassment of himself because of it. To help her husband for future speaking engagements, the Duchess of York (Helena Bonham Carter) employs Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to help the Duke overcome his stutter. In the meantime, the King is becoming weak and the heir apparent, Edward VIII (Guy Pearce) is dating a divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson (Eve Best), who he wants to marry but can't if he is to be king. George V dies, Edward abdicates, Bertie becomes King, and Parliament declares war on Germany. Bertie - now George VI re-enlists Logue who eventually helps him with his first war time speech.

The film is rated R for language; evidently the Duke of York does not stutter when he swears! The language isn't directed at anyone, isn't gratuitous, and is definitely one of the humorous highlights. In fact, the movie is full of bits of humor although it does hit a serious note or two towards the end.

All of the performances were wonderful. I especially enjoyed Gambon as George V and Claire Bloom as Queen Mary. Firth was wonderful, and Rush is as always the consummate actor. The big surprise was Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth. She returned to her Howard's End days in this performance. She was quite proper and spot on as the (future) Queen Mum. And a word about Eve Best: the only think lacking in her portrayal as Wallis Simpson was the mole. She was scarily spot on!

The movie is just shy of two hours but it doesn't feel overly long. Everything about the film - the acting, the costuming, the set design - is pitch perfect. I highly recommend The King's Speech for anyone who has an interest in British period pieces. On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a full 5. I'm no expert but I saw no flaws or drawbacks. Definitely the movie I'll be rooting for at Oscar time.

BEHR HUGS

Behr Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1

Last night I went to see a late showing of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1." I assume you have all heard of it. The movie time was 9:50 p.m., which really means 10:05. All the same...I enjoyed it immensely for the following reasons:

*As mentioned by several bloggers, Rupert Gint (Ron Weasley) is turning into one handsome and hunky ginger. (I thought I'd get that out of the way.)

*The faithfulness of the movie to the book. I re-read the book several months ago but my memory isn't what it used to be so there were a few things I'd forgotten.

*I really enjoyed the different cinematic styles used throughout the movie: straight forward filming, the blurry movements, and of course the animated telling of the original hallows

I've read all seven books and now have seen all of the movies (I actually own all those released on DVD). I know it's not easy to adapt a book to the big screen but each movie becomes more and more remarkable. From the cinematography to the acting to the musical score, HP7a (as I call it) is a darn entertaining book.

And if anyone sees this and doesn't wish that he or she was a wizard or witch something is seriously wrong with them!

BEHR HUGS!!

Behr Movie: Guys and Balls

Whenever I watch a DVD of an offbeat or indie flick I always watch the trailers for other movies in hopes to find one of interest. This is how I found "Guys and Balls." Yes, it's an innuendo. If you like GLBT films and soccer, this may be the movie for you.

Made in Germany (with English subtitles), it's the story of Ecki, a local circuit soccer player and the son of a baker. Early on in the film, Ecki is outed as gay and subsequently kicked off his soccer team. He endures a lot of insults from his former teammates and in a fit of anger challenges them to a match. The problem is, Ecki has no team.

Ecki takes off for the big city where he enlists the assistance of his straight sister in finding gay men to form a soccer team to play against the "heteros." The ensuing search is quite funny, especially the scene in which the sister, Susanne, is barred from entering a leather club. The interior scene was one of my favorites, probably because of the leather bears as extras! One of the gay men Ecki enlists on his team is Sven, a handsome young blond man who works with Susanne at the hospital. The remainder of the movie revolves around the newly formed gay team and their practice, personal relationships, Ecki's father's disapproval and subjection to insults from the community, and of course, the big match between the Gay Team and Ecki's former team. Oh and Ecki gets a boyfriend at the end of the movie. (Can you guess who?)

Like most movies of this ilk, you can probably guess the outcome. However, I found this to be an absolutely charming movie. There is a variety of characters, including a straight guy in love with Susanne who "plays gay" just to be on the team, a leather triad, and the usual queen or two. The soccer match action is fairly well shot although some sequences seem to be almost slow-motion to add to the suspense. I don't profess to be an expert on soccer but the scoring of the match didn't seem right to me; but that is a minor flaw and probably just my ignorance.

This isn't a movie you can just have playing in the background, unless you're proficient in German. It takes some concentration and you may find yourself stopping and rewinding a few times if you miss the visual due to reading the subtitles. There is minimal nudity, mostly backsides, and the language is probably PG although in German it sounds much worse! The film is rated R, for nudity, sexual language, and subject matter. On a scale of 1 to 5, I rate "Guys and Balls" a 5. It's a sweet story with some eye candy that addresses discrimination, homophobia in sports, and the acceptance of one's self.

You can get this movie on Netflix; I don't think it is a highly requested film so you should have no problem getting it. If you do rent it, I'd love to hear what you thought.

BEHR HUGS!!