Born for the Big Screen
Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival October 4-7, 2012
It’s time again for the Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and this year’s festival promises to be one of the best yet. The Gateway Theatre on Sunrise BLVD will host the event, and there are 20 films to choose from, so come on out if you are looking for a movie night this weekend, make the evening a little gayer supporting these independent films. The Opening Film, CLOUD BURST, starts at 7:30 on Thursday night, and the festival runs until Sunday night, when the closing film BEAR CITY 2: THE PROPOSAL shows at 8pm. Many of the screenings are expected to sell out, so plan ahead, and arrive early as the organizers of the festival are asking everyone to be in their seats 10 minutes before show time.
One of the films showing this year is the critically acclaimed “I Do.” It tells the story of Jack, a gay British man living in New York. When he is deprived of his immigration status, he risks losing his family and his life in the U.S., so he tries to marry his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family. Starring David W. Ross as Jack, this tour de force, emotional drama steps right into the middle of the marriage-equality debate. Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos, Entourage), Alicia Witt (Twin Peaks, Cybill, Four Rooms), Maurice Compte (Breaking Bad, E-Ring, CSI, 24, Burn Notice), and Grant Bowler (Liz And Dick, Twilight) round out the cast. Be sure to bring a tissue with you to the theatre because it’s sure to tug at your heart strings. Let me assure you, this well written, wonderfully directed, film will not disappoint movie goers who are looking for a sweet story about how two little words can change a person’s life forever. “I Do.”
“I Do” is showing on Saturday, October 6 at 7:30pm at the Gateway Theatre 1.
On a lighter note, The Men Next Door is a light hearted story about a man in California who falls for two different guys at the same time. (When it rains it pours, huh?) After his friends bail on his 40th Birthday party, Doug (Eric Dean) is a little down in the dumps. He hears a knock at the door, and receives a stripper-gram as a gag gift from his “straight” twin brother. The only problem is, the stripper is a woman, and it’s obvious from the first frame, that Doug IS NOT into women. As he finally convinces the ditzy stripper that he’s not into her, his new neighbor comes over to deliver some mail that was accidentally dropped off at his house. Doug thinks the sexy hunk is another stripper-gram sent from his brother. Of course, despite that fact the neighbor, Colton (Benjamin Lutz- The Love Patient, Bite Marks) jumps right into bed with Doug, and proceeds to give him a birthday present he won’t soon forget. The next day, Doug’s hook up buddy, Jacob (Michael Nicklin), shows up with a bottle of wine, and a belated birthday booty call. Hilarity ensues when we find out that Jacob is Colton’s father, and they both live next door. Doug is soon faced with a decision to make; does he keep the father or the son? Told mostly through a series of flashbacks, this cute story will keep you entertained till the end.
The Men Next Door is playing on Friday, October 5 at 8pm in Gateway Theatre 1.
Naked As We Came is a powerful drama, which asks the question: What is your dream?
After an unexpected phone call, Laura (Karmine Alers –Whirlwind, Good Morning Baby) and her brother Elliot (Ryan Vigilant- Gossip Girl, Lenox Avenue) rush to their family’s country estate to find their mother, Lilly (S. Lue McWilliams- The Pill, One Life To Live), gravely ill and living with a handsome young stranger named Ted (Benjamin Weaver). Their mother’s condition sets Laura and Elliot on a path to realizing where their own lives have gone wrong. Love, loss and hope are all explored in this spellbinding story. It was beautifully shot and will surely make you consider your own dreams.
Naked As We Came is showing at 9:30pm on Saturday at Gateway Theatre 4.
Bear City 2 is the continuing journey of a pack of bears and their friends in the New York City Bear Scene. Although, this time the gang heads to P-Town for Bear week and the fun and hijinks ensue. Bear City 2 takes place 2 years later where Tyler and Roger are boyfriends and have moved in together. Whereas former player Roger has settled into married life nicely, Tyler is getting antsy. Big Bear Michael has become a sought after Broadway producer and his very hot Latino boyfriend, Carlos (ok, I would get 2 more jobs to be with this hottie), is realizing his dream of opening a gay sports bar in New York City. Their busy schedules have put a wedge between them. Brent and Fred are also at odds as Fred is shooting a bear documentary which Brent doesn’t fully agree with. When Roger pops the question, the gang heads to P-Town for the wedding. Will they get married? Will these couples stay together in the middle of 3000 bears? Will they stay friends? The only way to find out the answers to all of these questions is to watch Bear City 2. If you liked Bear City 1, trust me you will love the sequel. There are 3 great things about this movie other then the relationships among the leading characters: 1) you don’t have to have seen the first movie to appreciate the sequel and 2) Kathy Najimy is one of the new stars and 3) There are tons of guest appearances and cameos even some by local Florida boys.
Bear City 2: The Proposal shows at 8pm on Sunday as the Closing Film.
For more information or for a listing of all the films go to: FLGLFF.com
