The UK’s only openly gay sportsman, Gareth Thomas, has been reflecting to Rugby World magazine about his life since publicly coming out a year ago.

The former Wales rugby union captain says that he misses the anonymity of being just another player, but is humbled by the response from people who have been helped and inspired by his actions. He also acknowledges that, as a gay player, he’s “walking a path that’s never been trodden before”.

He also had a few things to say about Hollywood star Mickey Rourke’s interest in his story for a movie biopic. “Mickey loves rugby and admires rugby people; the fact you then drink beer in the bar with the guy you’ve just tried to smash,” he said.

“He’s always wanted to make a movie based on rugby but he needed a person or character to revolve it around. He read my story and got in touch.

“Some people have said he’s too old to play me at 58 but I think he’s the best man to play me.”

Gareth also wants a hand in the writing, although he’s not looking forward to revisiting recent history. “The truth is I don’t want to go back. I’ve moved so far forward and it’s something so dark I don’t want to go back there,” he said.

“It’s hard to even think about it now because it’s like I’ve put a brick wall up and unless I push really hard it won’t fall down.

“I want to write it myself as I don’t want to miss a part of it.”

Thomas revealed the untitled movie is being lined up for a late-2011 start.

Continue Reading »

It’s been a very gay friendly weekend in Hollywood, starting off with excellent first weekend box office numbers for I Love You Phillip Morris and Black Swan.

On a mere 6 screens the Jim Carrey/Ewan McGregor con-rom-com made a hefty $113,000. Even that pales next to the incredible start for Natalie Portman’s new movie, however, which came in at no. 13 on a very limited release and achieved Fox Searchlight’s best ever per screen average.

It’s likely that I Love You Phillip Morris suffered from competition with the gay themed ballet thriller. “[It] took away a nice chunk of our hipster, gay and specialty audience,” said an exec from distributor Roadside Attraction. Still a great start, though.

The other big story was actress Amber Heard’s decision to come out and introduce her girlfriend Tasya van Ree to the world at Saturday’s 25th anniversary event for GLAAD in Los Angeles.

The Pineapple Express star (soon to be seen with Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary) credited the gay organisation with helping her decision to go public. Speaking to AfterEllen.con she said: “I think GLAAD is one of the many reasons that I, as a 24-year-old, can come out.

“I think that organizations like GLAAD make that possible because if it weren’t for opinions being changed, people being influenced, people being engaged to do the right thing, then there would be no prerogative for anyone to come out. Like I said, I can’t be a part of the problem. I hate the idea of a label just as much as anyone else but I’m with who I’m with, I love who I love.”

Smart, sexy and talented; Amber and Tasya are surely Hollywood’s new golden couple.

Continue Reading »

This slick looking twinky horror, Seeing Heaven, is out on DVD on 14 December. It reminds me a little bit of creepy film The Orphanage.

Continue Reading »

(Dir. John G. Young. US, 2009. 85 mins).

This violent, brooding story of murder, drug dealing, race relations, repression and abuse set in the Deep South manages to shine a light in the darkness with some flowering gay love and a meditation on the transformative power of friendship.

Black, gay teenager Sequan (Derrick L. Middleton) is forced to leave his home in New York and move in with hard-up relatives in Alabama after his mother dies. It’s hardly a warm welcome: his aunt just about tolerates him, while his younger cousin eyes him with disdain and his closeted, older cousin (with whom Sequan shares a room) immediately starts physically and sexually abusing him.

If things at home are bleak, there’s not much relief elsewhere in Sequan’s new life in this dead-end town with its dark secrets. At school the quiet, sensitive teen becomes a target for star basketball player and drug dealer Ahmed and his gang.

Rescue comes in the form of Ahmed’s junkie girlfriend, Lori, who is drawn to Sequan out of compassion as well as the desire for a more meaningful relationship. She also quickly figures out Sequan’s sexuality and spots an opportunity to play matchmaker for her younger, gay brother Jake. Unfortunately for Sequan, getting a little too friendly with the local gangleader’s bit on the side is likely to have its consequences and when a loaded gun is stolen from their headmaster’s car, the whole town’s fate hangs in the balance.

The low-budget graininess of Rivers Wash Over Me has its pros and cons. Its raw style and edgy camerawork creates an all too believable authenticity as events unfold, helped by director John G. Young’s casting of unknowns. On the other hand, the film could have used some tighter script editing to iron out any plot confusion.

While some characters may veer a little towards stereotype in their actions and choices (‘tart with a heart’ and her jealous, gun-toting boyfriend), the script (co-written by Darien Sills-Evans, who plays the town’s crusading sheriff and uncle to Sequan) has real anger and passion. The scenes between the two gay teens, which come much later in the film, are especially sweet and tender, but its the central friendship between Sequan and the complex Lori which gives the film its thrust.

It’s not an easy task blending such dark and disturbing sequences with lighter moments, but Rivers Wash Over Me goes places few other gay movies dare and if you’re prepared for an uncompromising and unsweetened watch then this film is a must-see.

Rivers Wash Over Me is available on DVD from 21 December.

Continue Reading »

Movie of the month: Strapped

It’s down the rabbit hole in this seductive and highly recommended gay movie which owes more than a little to David Lynch, Alice In Wonderland and Franz Kafka. Sexiest scene of the year, too.

Read full review here…

I Love You Phillip Morris

Jim Carrey takes a risk and it pays off in this quirky, frenetic, funny and ultimately heart-warming gay movie. Don’t forget Ewan McGregor either, who gives a nicely judged performance. Only a true story could be this unbelievable!

Full review here…

Release

The team behind last year’s hit gay movie Shank have another ace up their sleeve, but instead off lightening the mood, they’ve gone darker still. This gripping story is about a convicted priest who’s faith is tested to breaking point after falling in love with a prison guard and witnessing some horrific crimes.

Read more…

Patrik Age 1.5

Although bound to fall under the shadow of The Kids Are All Right, this Swedish movie about a dysfunctional gay family deserves the spotlight too. Sweet, funny and positive, this film should appeal to anyone with a heart and an open mind.

Read more…

Rivers Wash Over Me

Friendship might just rescue black teen Sequan from his brutal new life in the Deep South. A flowering gay love shines like a light in this angry story of murder, drugs, race relations, repression and abuse.

Read full review…

Loose Cannons

This irresistible movie has humour, tragedy, sparkling dialogue and a few surprises as student Tammaso is torn between his secret gay life in Rome and expectations that he toe the line and take over the family pasta firm. It also boasts one of gay cinema’s sexiest couples!

Loose Cannons reviewed in full here…

Continue Reading »