Knight at the Movies
Drum roll please...
The Ten Best GLBT Movies of 2006
EXTENDED EDITION of 12-27-06 Knight at the Movies/Windy City Times column
by Richard Knight, Jr.
The Ten Best GLBT Movies of 2006
EXTENDED EDITION of 12-27-06 Knight at the Movies/Windy City Times column
by Richard Knight, Jr.
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2006: Not quite the banner year that 2005 was. Okay, not even close.
2005 was the year that gay movies went mainstream. In 2006 they went back underground. For many in the GLBT audience the
first disappointment of the year came at the tail end of February when Brokeback Mountain failed to take the Best Picture Oscar. But
though Brokeback did win its share of Oscars and Philip Seymour Hoffman did cop Best Actor for Capote, the slate of 2006 films hasn’t
offered the mainstream public anything comparable to 2005. Gay characters and subject matter have once again gone missing from
high profile projects.
I’d like to point out – as I do every year – that all these “Best of” lists are completely subjective. My list tends to shift around with
repeat viewings and reconsiderations. And what exactly constitutes a “gay” movie these days anyway? Clearly Eating Out 2: Sloppy
Seconds would proudly display that label. But what about The Devil Wears Prada with the year’s most outrageous costumes and
bitchiest villain? Like its camp sister, Mommie Dearest, won’t this be enshrined by gay audiences long after the fickle straights have
moved on? Prada is just the latest example of a mainstream film destined to enter the gay movie hall of fame. As in the past,
some of these pictures were “coded” so perfectly for Our People that they made my list. And with that, here’s my list of the 10 Best
GLBT Movies of 2006 (in preferential order). And HERE's a link to last year's list if you're looking to rent some terrific stuff as well.
first disappointment of the year came at the tail end of February when Brokeback Mountain failed to take the Best Picture Oscar. But
though Brokeback did win its share of Oscars and Philip Seymour Hoffman did cop Best Actor for Capote, the slate of 2006 films hasn’t
offered the mainstream public anything comparable to 2005. Gay characters and subject matter have once again gone missing from
high profile projects.
I’d like to point out – as I do every year – that all these “Best of” lists are completely subjective. My list tends to shift around with
repeat viewings and reconsiderations. And what exactly constitutes a “gay” movie these days anyway? Clearly Eating Out 2: Sloppy
Seconds would proudly display that label. But what about The Devil Wears Prada with the year’s most outrageous costumes and
bitchiest villain? Like its camp sister, Mommie Dearest, won’t this be enshrined by gay audiences long after the fickle straights have
moved on? Prada is just the latest example of a mainstream film destined to enter the gay movie hall of fame. As in the past,
some of these pictures were “coded” so perfectly for Our People that they made my list. And with that, here’s my list of the 10 Best
GLBT Movies of 2006 (in preferential order). And HERE's a link to last year's list if you're looking to rent some terrific stuff as well.
1. SHORTBUS John Cameron Mitchell lived up to his enormously creative debut, Hedwig & the Angry Inch,
with his passionate, thrilling and due to its hardcore content, controversial sophomore effort. An
Altmanesque focus on a group of sexually frustrated New Yorkers, Mitchell’s deeply emotional movie is also
gloriously and unapologetically FUN about sex (the gay three-way is also one of the year’s funniest scenes).
The movie’s “Don’t Dream It, Be It” message coming at the end (one can hope) of the long, tired winter of
rigid conservatism was also very refreshing. Still in theatres.
with his passionate, thrilling and due to its hardcore content, controversial sophomore effort. An
Altmanesque focus on a group of sexually frustrated New Yorkers, Mitchell’s deeply emotional movie is also
gloriously and unapologetically FUN about sex (the gay three-way is also one of the year’s funniest scenes).
The movie’s “Don’t Dream It, Be It” message coming at the end (one can hope) of the long, tired winter of
rigid conservatism was also very refreshing. Still in theatres.
2. TWO DRIFTERS Another sophomore effort, this time from Portuguese writer-director Joao Pedro
Rodrigues, took my breath away with its daring and the crazy intensity of its characters. The story of a
young gay bartender grieving over the death of his lover and the crazy woman who may or may not be
inhabited by his ghost is sexy and audacious. The movie has the passionate, excessive bite of Sante
Sangre, the appalling glee of Cemetary Man and the tantalizing mixture of sex and death prominent in The
4th Man. The whole thing is just this side of camp and was sadly overlooked in theatres – so check out the
DVD. Subtitled.
Rodrigues, took my breath away with its daring and the crazy intensity of its characters. The story of a
young gay bartender grieving over the death of his lover and the crazy woman who may or may not be
inhabited by his ghost is sexy and audacious. The movie has the passionate, excessive bite of Sante
Sangre, the appalling glee of Cemetary Man and the tantalizing mixture of sex and death prominent in The
4th Man. The whole thing is just this side of camp and was sadly overlooked in theatres – so check out the
DVD. Subtitled.
3. QUINCEAÑERA The year of the sophomore efforts continues to bode well for gay filmmakers. This
follow-up to the very likeable The Fluffer by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer tackles teen
pregnancy, teen homosexuality, homophobia, gentrification, and a whole lot more besides. It sounds like a
Lifetime Television movie but in the hands of real life partners Glatzer and Westmoreland the result is fresh
and original. It’s an assured, beautifully observed piece – a Latino style kitchen style drama that crackles
with energy. A great movie that tackles a lot of hot button issues within a very entertaining drama. Coming
to DVD January 9th.
follow-up to the very likeable The Fluffer by Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer tackles teen
pregnancy, teen homosexuality, homophobia, gentrification, and a whole lot more besides. It sounds like a
Lifetime Television movie but in the hands of real life partners Glatzer and Westmoreland the result is fresh
and original. It’s an assured, beautifully observed piece – a Latino style kitchen style drama that crackles
with energy. A great movie that tackles a lot of hot button issues within a very entertaining drama. Coming
to DVD January 9th.
4. HATE CRIME Writer-director-producer Tommy Stovall’s exciting, In the Bedroom style melodrama, the
prologue and aftermath of a vicious hate crime on a young gay couple in the south. Stovall’s script
resonates with small but telling details about the normalcy of the gay couple at the center of the drama
when a rigid but supposedly “loving” religious conservative bully moves in next door and convincingly moves
into thriller mode as their world is shattered by their interaction with their new neighbor. On DVD.
prologue and aftermath of a vicious hate crime on a young gay couple in the south. Stovall’s script
resonates with small but telling details about the normalcy of the gay couple at the center of the drama
when a rigid but supposedly “loving” religious conservative bully moves in next door and convincingly moves
into thriller mode as their world is shattered by their interaction with their new neighbor. On DVD.
5. V FOR VENDETTA Based on the hit underground graphic novel, this movie scripted and produced by
the Wachowski brothers was the best social protest film in years. Set in a horribly conservative England of
the future the story focuses on V, an insurrectionist who, Phantom of the Opera like, wears a mask, loves
art, music and culture, and engages in various acts of terrorism (aided by the fetching Natalie Portman) in a
quest to bring down control of the rigid government. Part of his rage has to do with the various injustices
(including torture) done to his gay and lesbian compatriots in the name of “family values.” Stylish and
sweeping. On DVD.
the Wachowski brothers was the best social protest film in years. Set in a horribly conservative England of
the future the story focuses on V, an insurrectionist who, Phantom of the Opera like, wears a mask, loves
art, music and culture, and engages in various acts of terrorism (aided by the fetching Natalie Portman) in a
quest to bring down control of the rigid government. Part of his rage has to do with the various injustices
(including torture) done to his gay and lesbian compatriots in the name of “family values.” Stylish and
sweeping. On DVD.
6. CASINO ROYALE There’s a new James Bond in town – after 40+ years – and nothing could be more
refreshing for the tired series than its new portrayer. That would be one Daniel Craig, the first James Bond
to not only take on the role of the British agent but also the part of the series’ sex symbol. Now it’s Craig,
not Halle Berry or Ursula Andress, who struts out of the ocean in the bikini blithely showing off his God given
assets. As the movie demonstrated, this Bond clearly doesn’t mind being fantasy material for anyone who
wants to take a gander.
refreshing for the tired series than its new portrayer. That would be one Daniel Craig, the first James Bond
to not only take on the role of the British agent but also the part of the series’ sex symbol. Now it’s Craig,
not Halle Berry or Ursula Andress, who struts out of the ocean in the bikini blithely showing off his God given
assets. As the movie demonstrated, this Bond clearly doesn’t mind being fantasy material for anyone who
wants to take a gander.
7. NOTES ON A SCANDAL Feature films didn’t offer a lot to the ladies this year (things were a bit better
on DVD with the current Loving Annabelle a dyke must see). One big exception is this acting tour de force
that stars Judi Dench as the sneering, superior Barbara, a teacher and closet lesbian at a private prep school
and Cate Blanchett as Sheba, the new teacher and object of her latest fantasy romance. “Her complexion is
the color of white peaches” Barbara lovingly writes in her precious journal but as the complicated story
reveals (and as Dench thrillingly portrays) this narcissist isn’t about to let anything get in the way of her
potential Great Romance – not even the disinterest of her intended. The film opened in Chicago on
December 27th.
on DVD with the current Loving Annabelle a dyke must see). One big exception is this acting tour de force
that stars Judi Dench as the sneering, superior Barbara, a teacher and closet lesbian at a private prep school
and Cate Blanchett as Sheba, the new teacher and object of her latest fantasy romance. “Her complexion is
the color of white peaches” Barbara lovingly writes in her precious journal but as the complicated story
reveals (and as Dench thrillingly portrays) this narcissist isn’t about to let anything get in the way of her
potential Great Romance – not even the disinterest of her intended. The film opened in Chicago on
December 27th.
8. GAY SEX IN THE 70s Joseph Lovett’s documentary homage to the halcyon, hedonistic period when
gay men, after centuries of repression (centuries!), helped themselves to each other whenever and wherever
the mood struck. But this free wheeling look back, of course, comes with the foreknowledge of the AIDS
scourge that soon hustled the gay sexual liberation offstage. The joyful memories of the dozens of
anonymous sexual trysts by the rare survivors of the period are naturally mixed with sadness for those that
didn’t make it out alive. The movie also acts as a bit of a cautionary tale. On DVD.
gay men, after centuries of repression (centuries!), helped themselves to each other whenever and wherever
the mood struck. But this free wheeling look back, of course, comes with the foreknowledge of the AIDS
scourge that soon hustled the gay sexual liberation offstage. The joyful memories of the dozens of
anonymous sexual trysts by the rare survivors of the period are naturally mixed with sadness for those that
didn’t make it out alive. The movie also acts as a bit of a cautionary tale. On DVD.
9. X MEN: THE LAST STAND Science fiction action films edged ever closer to going all out gay with this
over the top, coded masterpiece of understatement, the third installment in the series. From the
misunderstood, vilified mutants being forced to take a cure that rids them of their “specialness” to the
purple costumed Sir Ian McKellen cooing to Patrick Stewart one moment, bitching about him the next, this
was Gay Central. And the scene where the hunky, golden haired mutant with the wings, stripped to the waist,
decides to forgo the cure and flies out the window high above the city, proud of his “deformity” at last was
like a clarion call to everyone still in the closet. Could there be a bigger gay metaphor than this? On DVD.
over the top, coded masterpiece of understatement, the third installment in the series. From the
misunderstood, vilified mutants being forced to take a cure that rids them of their “specialness” to the
purple costumed Sir Ian McKellen cooing to Patrick Stewart one moment, bitching about him the next, this
was Gay Central. And the scene where the hunky, golden haired mutant with the wings, stripped to the waist,
decides to forgo the cure and flies out the window high above the city, proud of his “deformity” at last was
like a clarion call to everyone still in the closet. Could there be a bigger gay metaphor than this? On DVD.
10. TIME TO LEAVE Provocative French gay writer-director François Ozon (Eight Women, Under the Sand,
Swimming Pool) returned with this poetic elegy on the death of Romain, a gorgeous but distant and rather
egotistical David LaChapelle like photographer facing his death from brain cancer. In typical Ozon fashion,
delicious ambiguities abound. French heartthrob Melvil Poupaud plays the title role and Jeanne Moreau has
a memorable cameo as Romain’s grandmother. On DVD.
Swimming Pool) returned with this poetic elegy on the death of Romain, a gorgeous but distant and rather
egotistical David LaChapelle like photographer facing his death from brain cancer. In typical Ozon fashion,
delicious ambiguities abound. French heartthrob Melvil Poupaud plays the title role and Jeanne Moreau has
a memorable cameo as Romain’s grandmother. On DVD.
Honorable Mention: 20 Centimeters, the wacky Spanish musical whose leading character is a narcoleptic
transsexual involved with a hunky stock boy who can’t get enough of her…20 centimeters. On DVD.
transsexual involved with a hunky stock boy who can’t get enough of her…20 centimeters. On DVD.
