Gay Movie Review: Bear City (repost)

Summary:

Learn about bear culture in a rowdy comedy from the director of Raising Heroes. A bear chaser bursts onto the scene, where he finds friendship and conflict.

Text:

Aside from Bear Cub, few gay films give much screen time to the bear community. BearCity not only provides a crash course in the unapologetically hirsute gay subculture but also provides frequent laughs and shows a heart much bigger than any of the exposed bellies.

Though young and cute, Tyler (Joe Conti) hates the twink culture that welcomes him. He secretly longs for the company of less fashion-obsessed and thin-obsessed men. When Tyler finally gets up the nerve to visit a bear establishment, he finds some of the same gossip and cattiness that he found elsewhere, but also finds men that he sees as potential friends, or potentially more.

The movie quickly spins into subplots, but keeps them threaded together. The comedy and sexual tension often give way to surprisingly dramatic or tender moments.

When Tyler moves in with Fred (Brian Keane) and Brent (Stephen Guarino of Logo’s The Big Gay Sketch Show), he becomes intertwined in their rising relationship changes and in their circle of friends. From the attractive and unattainable Roger (Gerald McCullouch) to the loving mama bear Michael (Gregory Gunter), all the characters help Tyler discover himself and his place in the local bear community.

Douglas Langway (Raising Heroes) directs, from a script he wrote with Lawrence Ferber. They provide a fast pace, with the more serious moments interjected between lighter ones.

Some of the more graphic scenes will offend many viewers. However, the movie’s honesty and the characters’ search for acceptance in a world of supposed perfection will attract many other viewers.

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I wrote the above review long before the sequels arrived and haven’t seen them but hope to do so in the future.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

El & Em by M. E. Samm LGBTQ Book Review

El & Em by M.E. Samm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At times, M. E. Samm’s novel El & Em feels much like a music biography or an episode of MTV’s Behind the Music. However, this rock narrative also centers around the attempts of two bisexual men to form a lasting relationship in an atmosphere where that love could easily destroy their careers. It starts in Philadelphia, in 1972, continuing decades beyond that.

Luke seems to love nothing more than his music, and he often fails to see the ways he dismisses the feelings of others while trying to make the live performances and studio recordings match the vision he creates for his songs. Complicating matters, his desire to add a trumpet player will awaken other desires.

As a fan of both classic rock and stories about gay or bi men, the premise of this book caught my attention. It delivers on both fronts. The descriptions of the long tours and long studio sessions ring true, along with how the musicians must endure both obscurity and the pressures of fame. The fear and longing the two men experience also seems all too real as they constantly attract and repel each other.

Samm writes with subtle grace, turning a lingering touch or gaze into a stepping point for a relationship that will take years to even begin. At times, I wasn’t even sure if Luke and Emmett were really the title characters El and Em, thinking maybe one of them might fall in love with some other guy who could fit within that title. Still, the connections exist and keep reemerging over the years.

The novel’s long span of time not only captures the highs and lows of a popular band but also shows how AIDS, racism, and homophobia impacted countless lives in countless ways during those years. Fortunately, the focus mostly stays on music and love. M. E Samm gives us an entertaining rock and roll story about people who often seek perfection in their work but often miss it in how they treat themselves and each other. I won’t give more away, but I hope more people download the book and hit the road with El & Em.


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Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

Small-town talking

• “A lush tangle of small-town life branches out in this engrossing collection of short stories.” –Kirkus Reviews
• “The Acorn Stories delivers insight into a fictional small town, illustrating the ups and downs of life.” –Novels Alive
• “Duane Simolke’s stories invite the reader to linger — to notice the quiet in between the noise. A lovely reminder that depth lives in the details.” –Iwan Ross, author of Keepers of the Lighthouse
• “If you enjoy stories of new beginnings, stories with humor, and realistic characters then this is absolutely the book for you.” –Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews
• “Each story left me delighted and satisfied, yet still yearning for more.” –Robert Karl, author of The Goldies: 50th High School Reunion
• “The central theme is the human condition and the shared experiences, emotions, and challenges of the town's residents, with topics that range from light and funny to dramatic and thought-provoking.” –Tenkara Smart, author of His Name is Junsaku
• “I swung from sad to happy, angry to laughing out loud.” –Tweetables
• “Simolke shares life’s beautiful and humorous moments side by side with the devastating and painful ones, and the contrast is palpable.” –The RedHead Notes
• “For those who are searching for a book which is written so well that you are able to enjoy a respite from reality and enter into a fictional world…this is the book for you!” –Author and book blogger Leonard Tillerman
• “Duane Simolke presents an enthralling collection of slice-of-life stories set in a fictional Texas town.” –Readers' Favorite
• “Duane Simolke is one of our great American writers just ready to be recognized as such. He has the talent and the imagination and the humanity and the perspective to make each of our lives richer. Bravo!” –Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer
• “I found this book to be a perfect vacation companion.” –A. Chandler
• “These highly believable settings and naturally developed characters could be anywhere in the nation.” —TMDGReviews
• “I love the numerous small wins of the characters and the unexpected turns of luck.” –Billy O.
• “You’ll want to read every story to the very end of the book to grasp the concept of the interweaving relationships of these characters that at first glance appear to have no connection.” –RLWood.Rocks Book Reviews
• “Having spent quite a bit of time in Texas, I could see each character matching someone I know or have met in my time there.” –Noel D
• “Amazing and hard to put down.” –Kimmie Sue’s Book Review and More
• “Snapshots of the lives of people and their life-changing encounters that will leave lasting impressions on you.” –Michelle Williams
• “Readers who enjoy immersive first person stories about small town life and the human condition will love this book.” –Purple
• “The author demonstrates a healthy understanding of human nature.” –John H. Mangold
• “A talented, insightful author.” –E. Conley, Betty's Books
• “The town is Acorn, Texas, and it is a representation of all of the tiny places, or wide places in the road that dot America.” –jonboy
• “If you liked WINESBURG, OHIO . . . rejoice.” –Watchword
• “By the time you have finished reading these tales of the people who inhabit the fictitious town of Acorn, Texas, population 21,001, you will have met some endearing as well as irritating characters, from the Mayor to the local would-be gigolo; from the busy-bodies to the business owners; from those who grew up in Acorn and have tried to escape the small town to those who have moved to Acorn to escape from the real world.” –Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Uncle Sean
• “A well-crafted collection of short stories.” –L. L. Lee, author of Taxing Tallula
• “It was a real pleasure to read about the fictional town of Acorn, Texas.” –Mark Kendrick, author of Desert Sons
• “Simolke makes good use of his vivid imagination in creating credible dialogue and satirical images.” –Huda Orfali, author of Blue Fire
• “There are people that you like, some that you can't wait to see if they get theirs.” –Joe Wright, StoneWall Society
• “Each of Simolke's stories lets us look into the lives of some of the most interesting characters I have ever read about.” –Amos Lassen, Literary Pride
• “When you finish, when you put the book aside, Acorn will still be with you.” –E. Carter Jones, author of Absence of Faith
• “I highly recommend this book!” –Richard Carlson, author of Jeremy Grabowski's Crazy Summer in Stormville!
• “…reminds us that nobody is perfect and that everyone is just trying to get by in life either it be by hurting others or by trying to change their life for the better.” —The Abstract

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Want to learn more? Please Google The Acorn Stories by Duane Simolke.

Book Review at Novels Alive

Amy at the book blog Novels Alive book blog just posted a review of The Acorn Stories, saying “The Acorn Stories delivers insight into a fictional small town, illustrating the ups and downs of life.”

Gay Movie Review: Whirlwind

Summary:

Director Richard LeMay presents the story of a group of gay men whose views and situations vary in terms of relationships. A newcomer shakes all of that up in unexpected ways.

Text:

I sometimes complain that way too many gay films and books take place in the gay scenes of New York or other large cities. However, director Richard LeMay gives a fresh twist to the familiar “gay guys in the big city” storylines that work so well in films like The Broken Hearts Club and Gypsy Boys but wear so thin in countless other works.

Most of the film’s conflicts involve the gorgeous newcomer Drake (David Rudd). Drake inserts himself into the intertwined lives of several gay men in the Big Apple. While the group already includes a king of one-night stands, Drake not only demands the title but also challenges ideas of monogamy or celibacy for the rest of the group.

Each character is in a different place when it comes to relationships, but Drake seems determined to exploit their commitments, fears, and dreams. No matter how much he claims to care about their best interests, his motives always seem suspect.

The cast of stage actors includes Brad Anderson (A Chorus Line), Desmond Dutcher, Mark Ford (Rent), Alexis Suarez, and Bryan West (Hairspray). Writer Jason Brown makes each of the characters flawed yet loveable in different ways, and the actors all manage to bring out the individual struggles and ambitions of their characters. The dialogue Brown gives them also brings humor, drama, and realistic depth to a sometimes somewhat racy film.

While I still want to know what happened next with one potential relationship, I found the ending satisfying and the entire movie enjoyable. The various subplots and large cast all blend together well.

Jason Brown received an Emmy for his screenplay adaptation of his play Tender Places. Richard LeMay also directed the gay film 200 Americans. Whirlwind received the Best Feature Audience Award at the Atlanta Out On Film Festival, as well as the Jury Award: Best Male Feature at the Long Island Gay Film Fest.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

Book review of Immortal: The House of Ganymede by Robert A. Karl

Immortal: The House of Ganymede by Robert A. Karl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robert A. Karl, author of the Clubbed series of books and The Goldies: 50th High School Reunion, returns with Immortal: The House of Ganymede, a tale that mixes gay teen drama with timely topics, social media, and Greek mythology.

Inspired by a role model who comes out, Jason wants to reveal his true self to his best friend and secret crush. To put it mildly, Jason’s plan goes awry.

While searching for acceptance and befriending a new student, Jason finds himself involved with her twin brother, Youngsoo, an out and proud gay teen. He also becomes involved with the ZEUS Universal Group and the face of their male skin-care line, IMMORTAL.

The Greek mythology enters slowly into a story that at first reads like a typical coming out story. That blending allows Robert A. Karl to create something unusual from familiar but disparate story elements. More importantly, the emotions drive the story, with Jason wanting comfort, love, acceptance, and even adulation.

The modern allure of social media acclaim blinds Jason to the misogyny and elitism of his new companions, though we still get flashes of his insights within his thoughts and observations. He seems to have risen above the homophobia he faced but still finds himself surrounded by people who look down on others.

Another person with condescending attitudes might be planning something much worse than Jason ever predicted. Despite the complicated tensions and ambitions within the story, Karl keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace that never gets bogged down by its mixed elements. Some of the reviews I read of this book give too much away, so I’ll just say to read it for yourself and be ready for some strong emotions.


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Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

Maybe We Run

Start your week with this new rock track from ‪Redline Addiction. It's got a feel-good sound, and the lyrics capture a lot of positive vibes. #MusicRecs

Louder Than Words - an LGBTQ ( GAY ) Film

Louder Than Words is a sensitive and touching gay short film about a deaf dancer, his close friend, and someone new who has entered their lives. Unlike too many other gay films, it's not only well-made but also projects a happy and hopeful tone.

The Whisper that Replaced God Part II: Silent Almighty Book Review

You might want to first read my review of Part I, so I provided that link to my previous post. Unlike most of the book-related ideas that occur to me when I wake up at 3 in the morning, I remembered that one. The review this blog entry’s title promises will now commence.

The Whisper that Replaced God Part II: Silent Almighty by Timothy Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With Part II, Timothy Wolff takes advantage of the story’s split release by letting his MC and narrator Muse comment on some of the reader reactions to Book I. Not surprisingly, it gives this fast-paced volume a level of meta cleverness that makes the pages turn even more quickly.

The story takes unexpected turns, with Mute venting frustration at how so many people follow his new rival, Deaf. Mute resorts to increasingly dark choices and justifications, but the humor keeps the narrative itself from becoming bleak or depressing. Some of the lines work as simply funny, while others reflect clever commentary on human nature, power, storytelling, and social media—even if social media might not exist within Mute’s world. I’ll avoid spoilers and say Mute takes readers on a rewarding journey.

Readers who like fantasy with exciting action and outrageous humor should add Timothy Wolff to their reading list.


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Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.

The Whisper that Replaced God (A Silent Duology Book 1) Book Review

The Whisper that Replaced God by Timothy Wolff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Whisper that Replaced God (A Silent Duology Book 1) works as an entertaining fantasy, but the first-person narration adds some much-needed levity. Mute remains aware of readers, not wanting to bore, insult, or trouble them with superfluous or unpleasant details. All of it reveals much about his personality and past, thus adding to the richness of the story.

We even get commentary that evokes the art of storytelling and the frustrations of contemporary writers. While such inclusions might become whiny and self-indulgent in less skillful hands, Timothy Wolff uses playful observations about the struggles of storytelling to make the story itself even more fast-paced and intriguing.

Of course, we also get the story itself, with Mute’s tragic life revealed in action-packed sequences and emotional betrayals. Mute’s experiences give him the insight and determination to survive it all.

In just over eighty pages, Wolff captures a lifetime of strife and pain that may or may not lead to a sense that Mute’s fate will justify his journey. One still needs to read Book 2, after all, but this satisfying read makes Book 2 irresistible.

View all my Goodreads reviews.

Thanks for visiting my blog! Please read about my books, including the small-town fiction collection The Acorn Stories and my free eBook Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.