Dante's Cove - Season 3 (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)WARNING!! SOME SPOILERS!!
I absolutly loved this season!! I admit i was a bit apprehensive when i discovered Van (Nadine Heiman) wasnt going to be in this season after her crucial role in season 2 and actually the whole series, but with the addition of the newest cast members, this season ranks as the best yet in my opinion. I was extremely pleased that Michelle Wolf (Britt) was a main cast member this season. She is awsome!! I also really enjoyed Jill Bennett taking over the role of Michelle, not that i didnt like Erin Cummings, it was the fact Jill brought a more deeper, even darker dimension to the character. I also was extremely pleased Thea Gill (Diana) returned. She takes on a greater role this season, very very well done. Despite Van not returning, the writers did come up with a clever way to explain her absence while still keeping the season opener continuing from the end of the second season. So i would definatly say that fans wont be disappointed, this season is even more sexier and darker than the two previous seasons with many surprising twists and turns leading up to a stunning finale. I was on the edge of my seat the entire season!!!

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Just when you thought the Cove couldn't get any more shocking..it does! The sexy and supernatural residents are back with even more seductive neighbors, more black magic and more juicy plot twists than ever before! New cast members include Amazing Race& winner Reichen Lehmkuhl and & Noah's Arc star Jensen Atwood.

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Noah's Arc - The Complete Second Season (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)A television series about a previously ignored group of people certainly deserves attention, and I applaud the creators of Noah's Arc for daring to present the first series about the lives of African-American Gay men. Even better, after watching both seasons on DVD, I found that Noah's Arc mostly lived up to its well-deserved accolades. The characters are quirky, the plot lines fast and furious, the laughs frequent and genuine and the drama quite effective.
I admit I was initially disappointed by the quality of the acting, until I realized that it took a few episodes for the cast to fully hit their stride, and I believe that the series perfectly fit its tag line, "A comedy about drama". After I relaxed into it, I came to care about the characters and their situations quite a bit. By the time I finished the DVD of Season One, I was so addicted to Noah and his friends that I had to purchase Season Two, even though it seemed the creators sometimes tried to squeeze just a little too much plot into a 22-minute format. But considering the constraints they had to work with, in the end I marveled at how skillfully the writers weaved in a myriad of subjects and plotlines, subtly handling many important issues without ever being heavy handed.
The lead character Noah is a case in point. I quickly caught on that his character is deliberately rather feminine, and I realized that the writers wanted viewers to get comfortable with the idea that this slight, delicate and very femme gay man managed in eight short episodes to attract the romantic attention of a half-dozen masculine, sexy co-stars and guest stars. The story of Noah's romance with his on-again off-again boyfriend Wade (played by the adorably dimpled hunk, Jensen Atwood) is the primary focus of the plot, although each episode also found time to explore the daily lives, loves and dramas of his three best friends, Alex, Ricky and Chance (for those who don't get it, Alex Ricky Chance = Noah's ARC, according to a comment by the series creator).
But at first I wasn't sure if Noah's wardrobe and femme manner were meant to be the biggest "in-joke" of the series. In an early episode, while his character is crying poverty and falls behind on his rent, he is dressed (as always) in an ever-changing ensemble of ultra-chic couture, much of which makes him look even more effeminate. Eventually, the effeminacy issue was tackled head-on quite satisfactorily, and one character's speech about "effemina-phobia" and his subtle but powerful comments on the anti-eroticism / ostracism of femme men in the gay male subculture was extremely thought provoking. This is the show's biggest strength; it manages to delve very subtly into issues that many members of the gay male community (and indeed, many gay films and novels) completely ignore, without spoiling the humor or getting too preachy. Before long, I realized that the creators were definitely making a statement with the fact that some of Noah's outfits bordered on cross-dressing, even while I could never be sure if his clothes were meant to be taken seriously or not. Noah's boyfriends were all extreme hunks (one thing this show does not lack for is eye candy) but all the while the disparity between Noah's feminine nature and the masculinity of his various suitors made me feel uncomfortable and definitely conscious of the looks-ism and anti-femme bigotry that permeate the gay male world today. Bravo!
In fact, the most satisfying aspect of the series was that it tackled a surprising number of real-life issues with humor and charm, and I was amazed that through the relatively short run of this show, Noah's Arc discussed a variety of important topics, like HIV testing and awareness, the "down-low" subculture, sero-discordant couples, gay dating, gay marriage, sexual compulsion, monogamy, gay bashing, and the previously mentioned delicate issue of "effemina-phobia" (and whichever writer on this show coined that word deserves a medal), all with a refreshing mix of light-hearted laugh-out-loud humor and (at times) dead serious drama. As often as I found myself laughing hysterically, I also found myself extremely touched by the dramatic situations and challenged by the serious, provocative subject matter.
There was one major disappointment - although I was aware even before I acquired the Season Two DVD set that the show had not been renewed for a third season, I was not prepared for the abrupt, unresolved cliffhanger ending of the final episode, which left the fate of one of the main characters completely up in the air. This was quite annoying, since there was no opportunity to resolve this plot point. For this reason alone, I must subtract one star from what would otherwise be a five star review.

Despite this shortcoming, Noah's Arc gets five stars for effort, ten stars for its genuinely funny moments, and a big thank you for discussing so many important topics without being preachy or trite. May it be a harbinger of things to come.


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Navigating life and love in L.A. isn't easy, and no one knows that better than Noah and his friends - Alex, Ricky & Chance. LOGO's ground-breaking, one-of-a-kind series Noah's Arc follows all four as they chart an uncertain course through the City of Angels, where laughter and drama are never in short supply.

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Third Man Out (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the most satisfying "gay" films I've seen since "Beautiful Thing," and one of the best mystery-married pairings since John and Sherlock, or should I say Nick and Nora. It's the story of Donald Strachey, tough guy P.I. with a shady past and a sweet tooth for guy pal Sebastian Spence. It's a good story, not a great one, with a sultry jazz score and topical references to such controversial subjects as celebrity outing and pedophiliac priests. What makes it work is the unconventional casting of Chad Allen (who is gay himself, but whose somewhat beat-up good looks don't conform to cinematic stereotypes of gay--although one character dubs him "Nancy-boy Drew") as Strachey, who just happens to be very happily married to Timothy (played by Sebastian Spence, who is apparently straight, and maybe that's why his character overdoes the nelly a bit). Allen, as Strachey, is developing very nicely as an actor, and he's more interesting looking now than he ever was as a child. In "Third Man Out," he gets solid support from QAF's Jack Wetherall and Sean Young. Apparently, this is the first in a series, based on the novels by Richard Stevenson and set, contrarily, in Albany, rather than in New York City or San Francisco. Hopefully, it will prove popular enough with its intended audience that other books in the series will also be filmed. Apart from the rather pedestrian direction (by Ron Oliver) and a couple of too obvious twists in the plot, "Third Man" is entertaining throughout.


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Television\'s First Gay Detective On America\'s First Gay Television NetworkChad Allen stars as gay detective Donald Strachey in this gritty series of crime stories based on the popular novels by author Richard Stevenson.In Third Man Out Strachey is commissioned to protect gay activist John Rutka known for "outing" prominent citizens. Strachey abandons bodyguard duty when he feels that Rutka is staging the threats against him. When Rutka turns up dead Strachey is faced with an extensive list of enemies all with enough motive to kill.System Requirements:Running Time: 99 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLERS Rating:NR UPC:796019795128 Manufacturer No:79512

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The Line of Beauty (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Directed by Saul Dibbs, this opulent adaptation of Alan Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty - his decadent coming of age novel about love, class, sex and money set in the hypocritical Thatcherite Eighties - is indeed a feast for the eye. Beautifully acted, with a spot-on affinity for detailing time and place, The Line of Beauty replicates Hollinghurst's hedonistic themes and the moral quandaries of Nick Guest (Dan Stevens), the titular middle-class outsider in this world of privilege.
As with the book, this film adaptation begins in 1983 when the young twenty-year-old Nick Guest is asked by his friend Toby Fedden (Oliver Coleman) to come and stay with his family in their sumptuous Notting Hill home in the Kensington Park Gardens estate. Gerald Fedden (Tim McInnerny) is a sycophantic Tory Member of Parliament who is on the rise, and is basking in the glory of Thatcher's economic policies. Gerald lives with loyal wife Rachel (Alice Krigg), his daughter Catherine (Hayle Atwell), and Toby.
Nick's comes from a provincial, terribly middle class background - his father is a humble antiques dealer - but he is welcomed into the Fedden family like a type of surrogate son and over time, he becomes a kind of minder to the neurotic and troubled Catherine. Nick is wined and dined, enthusiastically partaking of the family's lavish parties and political dinners, trying to impress them in their superficial discussions on literature, art and antiques.
Nick tries his best to promote civility amongst their affluent boredom, but he's unsure of his footing in this opulent, prosperous looking-glass world. In fact, Dan Stevens plays Nick with a kind of wide-eyed, eloquent fury, always nicely mannered, but forever hidden is the ever-present pretension and affectation, and as he gazes hopefully into the gilt arch of the hall mirror, this troubled man finds it reluctant to give its approval.
Nick constantly has to remind himself that he is doing this all for pleasure, yet when he falls in love with Leo, (Don Gilet) a lusty black cockney and socialist council worker, he finds himself caught in a Jamesian-like dilemma, wedged between the powerful, privileged life led by the Feddens and their friends, whilst also having to face the stark realities of Eighties Britain - the vast unemployment and the rise of AIDS.
The second and third episodes of the series feature Nick's relationship with Wani (Alex Wyndham), a long-lashed Lebanese millionaire playboy. While working as a creative consultant on Wani's new magazine, Ogee - named after the curve that is Hogarth's line of beauty - Nick is introduced to a world of non-stop threesomes, moneyed decadence, and cocaine-fueled days and nights. And of course this all culminates in the beautifully recreated coke-fuelled dance with "The Lady" herself, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher (Kika Markham).
This BBC adaptation follows Hollinghurst's book pretty much to the letter, although in some instances, the film fails to catch much of the subtleness and nuance of the source material. The scenes involving Nick's sex and coke binges in the toilets and bedrooms of his grand surroundings seem hurriedly cut short, and the pivotal scene of the dreary piano recital fails to capture the tiniest social shenanigans and inherent boredom of all the guests as well as it could.
Also, when the Fedden's take Nick on their holiday to France, the pacing slows a bit, but thankfully picks up speed again in readiness for the final dénouement, the penultimate dance with The Lady. The cast is solid throughout, but Stevens is without a doubt the standout, imbuing Nick with a neediness and an obvious desire to be loved. He speaks his emotions and is in need of reassurance of his place within the Fedden household. He exists in a limbo space of not quite belonging, and in innocence of the dark undertones of the world he has entered.
Amidst the euphoria of first love, champagne and high society parties, the young graduate witnesses political scandal, deception, and the ultimate hypocrisy towards his sexuality, and that of his bretheren. The unsaid mantra is that it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you keep it quiet and do it in private. The Line of Beauty is indeed a richly textured coming-of-age story, and accomplished adaptation of a classic work of literature set against the backdrop of a ruthless decade of change and transformation. Mike Leonard October 06.


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Adapted by award-winning writer Andrew Davies from Alan Hollinghurst's Booker Prize-winning novel, this three-part saga is set during the Thatcherite 1980s. A story of love, class, sex and money, The Line of Beauty crawls deep under the skin of Thatcher's Britain, seen through the eyes and experiences of a young, gay man, from the euphoria of falling in love to the tragedy of AIDS. Framed by the two general elections which returned Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative government to power, the series unfurls through four extraordinary years of change and tragedy.

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Boy Meets Boy - Complete Season One (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)I never actually watched this show when it aired because in the initial round of advertising, we, the viewers, were actually told what James was not: that of the 15 guys fighting for James' attention, 8 were straight. However, I admit that in a moment of weakness, the absolutely adorable star of the show was enough to get me to fork over the cash to see what the heck it was actually about.
When watching 'reality' TV one has to realize that 'reality' TV has nothing to do with reality at all; rather, it's an opportunity to take the non-famous and put them in dangerous/ridiculous/humiliating circumstances and see how they deal with it. This show was no exception - and while I'm glad that Bravo has been delving into gay-themed television, shame on them.
There's a catch, here, though. If you actually get the DVD's, a few key points shine through. Number one, James and Andra truly ARE quality people. On the third disc, there is a 30+ minute segment just showing their discussion about their manipulation by the producers of the show and how disappointed they were that they had become pawns in a stupid gay-for-pay game. For those fans of 'reality' TV - take a good hard look at this segment and maybe you'll learn a bit more about what the networks DON'T show - people getting hurt and not wanting to be used for entertainment purposes.
The rest of the set with the shows themselves are fairly forgettable simply because the premise itself was deceptive not only to the participants but to the audience. It's almost excruciating to watch James develop feelings for people who are simply there for the cash 'n grab. While James is beautiful and sweet and charming (there's hope after all, kids) it's a shame that he and his friend (and most of the 'contestants') were used for the sake of a television show. I hope they found happiness elsewhere.

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Meet James.He's 32, single, drop-dead gorgeous, and looking for Mr. Right. James has his pick of 15 potential soul mates, and they'll do anything to get his attention. Watch each episode as James eliminates suitors until only his number one man remains. But what James doesn't know is, there's a catch...some of the 'mates' are actually straight men, pretending to be gay! Should James select a gay suitor as his final choice, the two will ride off into the sunset on an all-expense-paid dream vacation. But if it's a straight man who catches James' eye, he wins $25,000, and James goes home alone.
Relive television's groundbreaking gay reality dating show, complete with a bonus DVD completely filled with exclusive extras! Watch the deleted scenes and never-before-seen footage that the network couldn't air, and follow the cast from their earliest audition tapes to their exit interviews and "where are they now" updates.Take James home - and experience television history.
Over 3 hours of DVD Extras Including: Unseen Interviews; Andra Reacts to the Twist; Casting Reels; James and Andra's Elimination Deliberations; The Mates Enter the House; More of the Infamous Shower Scene; Hula Performance; Performances with Miss CoCo Peru; Original--and Never Aired--Boy Meets Boy Opening Sequence; Cast Biographies; Where Are They Now? Updates Written The Cast; Interactive menus; Scene Selection

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Queer as Folk - The Complete Series (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)First off, let me just say I would give the show five stars. It has heart and soul, gives you character you love, and still deals with important social issues.
The box set, on the other hand, I would give two stars. The set is actually really nice and looks great. There's just one problem, the disc holders are faulty. I've had to exchange the set more then once and eventually get a refund because each set I got had about half the discs dislodged from shipping. Most were scratched and scuffed so that they were unplayable in parts. Others have reported the same problem as well. I would suggest buying the seasons individually despite the increased price because no matter what method of shipping, the discs are likely to get dislodged and damaged. Better to pay a bit more and have a set you can actually watch.

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Based on the British series of the same name, Showtime's 'Queer as Folk' presents the American version. Following the lives of five gay men in Pittsburgh, 'Queer as Folk' is a riveting drama full of sex, drugs, adventure, friendship and love. Although the creators of 'Queer as Folk' wanted to present an honest depiction of gay life, it is by no means a comprehensive depiction. In addition to the usual sexual escapades and relationships of the five friends, the show explores critical gay political and health issues.

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