Fabulousity

Yesterday, I finally decided to check out the Reel Affirmations Film Festival. They are showing LGBT-themed movies at a theater near chinatown, and also at the AFI in downtown silver spring. Since it was a wednesday and anything I'd want to watch at home, was set to be DVR-ed, I decided to go. After null responses from most people, one other friend decided it might be cool, so I went. The movie listed was titled Fabulousity, yet it was a collection of 9 short films, one of them being title Fabulousity. (Here are quick reviews of them in order of appearance/rememberance.Along wir=the ranking in parentheses afterwards.)

Fabulosity: A conservative couple learn what to expect after they discover that their son will be born with “fabulousity.” - Don Newcomb, US, 2007, 5 mins
Review - Funny, live-action musical-ish short film. Well done, and a joy to watch.(3)

Dolls: An unexpected find, while preparing for a yard sale, forces a mother to come to terms with her teenage son’s sexuality. - Randy Casperson, US, 2008, 10 mins.
Review - The pauses and silences are where this movie excelled. Everything else was subpar. Not the best telling of a typical scenario.(9)

Romeo’s Kiss: As if there isn’t enough drama in the drama class already! When Juliet leaves the room, rehearsal continues with a male stand-in, and Romeo’s kisses become much more passionate. - Julien Eger, FRANCE, 2007, 12 mins
Review - The movie was in French, and of course, the rude french bastards didn't add subtitles. But it was an okay story focusing on the conflicting emotions and hormones present in the teen years.(8)

Something Like That: Boy meets girl. Girl takes boy to club. Boy meets boy. Boy takes girl to grocery store. Touching Brazilian tale about lights, laughter, and lust. Or could it be love? - Esmir Filho, BRAZIL, 2006, 15 mins.
Review - At first I didn't get the girl. but then my friend said it was basically a "Girl who likes a boy that likes boys". Looking back at it, it captured the idea perfectly and was one of the better films.(2)

Neurotica: Picture this: you are standing alone in a club and everyone is looking at you. Are you sexy? Is your hair standing on end? Or are you just gay?! - Nick Wauters, US, 2007, 14 mins.
Review - Hands down, BEST movie of the night. Me and my friend both identified with the main characted and his inner thoughts. A fun retelling of the different attitudes, thoughts, and ideas about what happens in a gay/club bar. (1)

Herzhaft: No matter how often the story makes the headlines.. some people never learn. A coach and his underage player are having a passionate affair , one that everyone knows won't end well. - Martin Busker, GERMANY, 2007, 15 mins.
Review - Definitely a realistic tale complete with an unhappy ending. I'd almost feel for the guy, but I can't.(6)

Sweat: To prove to his boyfriend that he’s open minded, Simon heads to a London bathhouse where he finds two potential replacements. Can either one give him what he came for? - John Lochland, UK, 2007, 15 mins.
Review - The most graphic of the movies. But thats about the only thing it had. The idea was "ehh", and it had no real conclusion or climax, so it felt like a waste.(10)

Just: After meeting for a casual hook-up, two men learn more about each other and, in a moment of vulnerability, share their views on fidelity and monogamy in the modern world. - David Maurice, US, 2007, 12 mins.
Review - Not the best ending, but it was interesting to see Asians(without accents) acting(without fighting). But the dialogue and their views were very true to life and represented both ends of the spectrum. (5)

Mirror Mirror: Are you the fairest of them all? He used to think so. Now who are you without him? - John Winter, AUSTRALIA, 2007, 10 mins.
Review - It was a well done movie, about a drag queen coming to terms with his older age. Not particularly funny or dramatic, but was good for what it was.(7)

The Red Dress: A wily woman escapes suspicious dress shop clerks and breaks into a church morgue in a heroic attempt to honor Lily’s true identity and final request. Her efforts and eulogy pay tribute to a friend who knew herself more than most. - Barney Cheng, US, 2008, 7 mins.
Review - A good(although not nice) twist at the end, saves this movie from the confusing beginning/middle. (4)

Tonight they have a documentary about some queer rock band, and TNG is
making an event out of it. I'm probably going to go, and if you're interested in going, let me know.