Change Your Image
Ldnfilmfly
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Southland (2009)
One of the finest American police dramas ever made
'Southland' is one of the finest American police dramas ever made for television. The casting, acting and momentum of the show is exemplary. Now in its fifth and final season, it follows the working and private lives of police officers and detectives as they work in one of the most challenging and dangerous places in America for cops, in the infamous Los Angeles Police Department. The show has a 'fly on the wall' feel about it, putting the viewer into the front seat of a patrol car and side by side with officers 'on the job'.
The show's largely split between following characters whilst they work and exploring their private lives, sometimes in great detail. This is usually done alternately throughout each episode. It achieves a striking amount of realism in both regards, often demonstrating a loyalty to real life American policing and practice.
Undeniably, 'Southland' is an entertainment show and picks out the 'juicy bits', but it's the subtleties that make it so brilliant. It is to the show's credit that the entire five series remain impressively consistent throughout, with some episodes offering more to the viewer than others. Overall, this remains my favourite television series of all time and a shame it didn't have the long life it deserved.
Precious (2009)
Exceptionally powerful
This is a film that takes the viewer on a difficult journey and confronts issues around domestic violence, child abuse and poverty. 'Precious' tells the story of a young woman's struggle with life and an attempt to better it for herself and her children. The film is produced brilliantly, with the viewer feeling a huge amount of empathy and anguish for the main character 'Precious'. Many of the issues included in the film are difficult ones to do justice, but 'Precious' does it brilliantly. Some moments in the film are exceptionally powerful, with a clear storyline keeping a good pace throughout. Many of the best moments in this film are ones that involve beautifully crafted conversations between characters. Overall this film is highly recommended.
Freier Fall (2013)
Sensitive and emotive
Overall, this is a well directed film about the struggle between two men as they come to terms with their sexuality and its impact on their lives and those around them. The storyline mimics that of Brokeback Mountain but doesn't quite deliver the same effect or evoke the same attachment to the characters in the film. It also focuses heavily on one character more than the other with too little time spent on the companionship between the two main characters. Nonetheless, it's by far one of the best acted and directed films of its kind yet to be released. Free Fall is less about sex and more about sexuality which makes this film superior to many others like it.
I Want Your Love (2012)
Learn from some of the most successful gay films ever made and avoid explicit content
I first caught sight of this film in Time Out magazine... where it got good reviews. I was intrigued that Peccadillo Pictures, famous for LGBT film, had teamed up with Naked Sword, a pornography company to produce it.
I'm always reluctant to buy gay film... the majority of the time they bore me and depend on sex and six packs to maintain the viewers interest. 'I Want Your Love' was a surprisingly perceptive take on gay life in San Fransisco. The sex was natural and the films part improvisation made it feel like a realistic view into the characters lives. The film made no apology for its approach to explicit gay sex, but interestingly its association with Naked Sword seemed to be kept fairly low key on the film's cover. It was obvious that the film wanted to be taken seriously.
However, despite the film trying to deliver it failed to maintain my interest. The characters aren't that interesting to watch and their lives are fairly mundane. It affirms my thoughts about films that contain explicit sex. Sex generally replaces more subtle, interesting and intelligent portrayals of emotion that help us to connect with a character. Therefore sex, unless used well, acts as more of a distraction from what the film is actually about.
If you're looking for serious gay cinema learn from some of the most successful gay films ever made and avoid explicit content.