Before Elvis, before Elton John, Madonna and Lady Gaga, there was Liberace--infamous pianist, outrageous entertainer and flamboyant star of stage and television. A name synonymous with showmanship and extravagance, he lit up every stage he performed on, as bright as his candelabras and with a unique flair that gained him millions of devoted fans across the globe.
In the summer of 1977, handsome young stranger Scott Thorson walked into Liberace’s dressing room and, despite their age difference and seemingly different worlds, the two embarked on a secretive five-year love affair. To the outside world Scott was an employee, at most a friend, but behind closed doors his life with Liberace was an intense rollercoaster of hedonistic fun, flamboyance and excess.
Starring Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as Scott Thorson, Behind The Candelabra tells the fascinating true story of their glamorous life together and their tempestuous relationship--from the glitz and glamour of the early days in Las Vegas to their very bitter and public break-up.
Cast: Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Rob Lowe, Dan Aykroyd Director: Steven Soderbergh Language: English
Publisher: Entertainment One, Year: 2013
Oscar nominated Sir Ian McKellen and Lynn Redgrave star in an Oscar-winning tribute to the controversial life of an eccentric genius. He was the father of Frankenstein and his eerie images shocked the world. So did his private life. Director James Whale (Ian McKellen - Lord of The Rings, X-Men) flew in the face of Hollywood convention and his glittering career became tarnished by scandal and sexual excess. Alone with only his loyal housekeeper (Lynn Redgrave - Shine) in his declining years, and suffering from bad health, his unusual friendship with hunky gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser - The Mummy) started Tinseltown tongues wagging again. A riviting and poignant salute to a tragic pioneer of motion pictures, Sir Ian McKellen gives the performance of a lifetime in this critically acclaimed masterpiece.
Cast: Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Rosalind Ayres Director: Bill Condon Language: english
Publisher: Anchor Bay Ents, Year: 1998
From C. Jay Cox, the writer of the hit comedy Sweet Home Alabama, comes a heartwarming and tender gay romantic drama that combines laughs, seduction and tears with plenty of romance. The handsome Aaron (Steve Sandvoss), a Mormon missionary, travels door-to-door in Los Angeles spreading the word of his religion. Christian (Wes Ramsey), a cute West Hollywood party boy, goes from man to man without much commitment. Opposites will soon attract when Aaron and Christian meet and sparks begin to fly. Featuring two star-making performances from Sandvoss and Ramsey, the film also features a terrific supporting cast including Mary Kay Place ("Further Tales of the City"), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("Third Rock from the Sun") and international screen legend Jacqueline Bisset.
Gus van Sant directs this political biopic telling the story of California's first openly gay elected public official, Harvey Milk. Sean Penn won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the New Yorker who became known as a gay rights activist after moving to San Francisco in the early 1970s. After two failed attempts to become elected to San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Milk finally made it onto the board in 1977 - but only served for a matter of months before he and the city's mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) were shot to death by right-wing rival Dan White (Josh Brolin).
Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco Director: Gus van Sant Language: english
Publisher: Momentum Pictures, Year: 2008
Gay has rarely been so glamorous as in the American version of Queer as Folk. But the show's success rests on more than hard bodies and glossy, picture-perfect sex (though there's an abundance of that); this series gave its characters a multidimensional richness that rivals more high-profile programs like Six Feet Under or The Sopranos, while tackling an impressive breadth of social and political issues without ever (well, almost never) feeling preachy. Most TV series would take a topic like this last legal wrangle and stretch it over an entire season, but Queer as Folk is more ambitious. The writers recognise that the resolution of one problem is rarely the end of the story, that muddy consequences can be as dramatically compelling as head-to-head conflict. This aggressive and effective plotting, combined with the show's willingness to explore the complexities of every issue, be it assimilation or the coming out of a celebrity, results in an increasing emotional power as the series steamrolls towards its final episode. Some subplots can be silly (Brian has a ridiculous stud-off with a new hot guy in town), the dialogue can sometimes veer from wit to camp cliches, and the omnipresence of sculpted, muscular physiques is absurd and even a little alienating for some viewers, but Queer as Folk's strengths, the compassion and intelligence of the writers, the commitment and nuance of the acting make this show a true television landmark and a pleasure to watch. And then, of course, there's all that graphic and lovingly photographed sex.
Cast: Gale Harold, Thea Gill, Peter Paige, Hal Sparks, Michelle Clunie Director: Various Language: English
Publisher: Warner Home Video, Year: 2000/5
Charged with the electric crackle of first love, this sweet and sexy California romance is about a confused young artist torn between his family and his future. Fresh out of high school, Zach (Trevor Wright) gives up a full scholarship to spare his 5-year-old nephew from their dysfunctional family. Now restless and isolated, the gifted youth toils at a local diner. But everything changes when he finds himself drawn to thirtysomething Shaun (Brad Rowe, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss), a confident young writer. As the two hit the surf and Shaun's mattress with equal enthusiasm, they fall into a secret relationship that may give Zach the courage he needs to follow his passions.
An American re-make of the 1978 film French film 'La Cage aux Folles'. Armand (Robin Williams) runs the Birdcage nightclub in Miami South Beach where his partner Albert (Nathan Lane) is the star drag act. When Armand's son announces his intention to marry the daughter of a right wing senator (Gene Hackman), and the in-laws arrive expecting to meet Armand and his wife, a grand farce ensues.
Cast: Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dianne Wiest, Dan Futterman Director: Mike Nichols Language: english
Publisher: 20th Century Fox Home Entertai, Year: 1996
Touching coming-of-age drama about the trials and tribulations of a group of young gay friends. Kevin (Andrew Keegan) is new to the group, who all meet to discuss their relationships in Jack's (John Mahoney) restaurant. Then there's Howie (Matt McGrath) whose tendency to overanalyse winds everyone up; whilst Cole is a young thespian whose good looks keep the guys queuing at his door, and Patrick (Ben Weber) feels out of the loop, becoming bitter in his exclusion.
Cast: Zach Braff, Dean Cain, Andrew Keegan, Nia Long, Mary McCormack Director: Greg Berlanti Language: english
Publisher: UCA, Year: 2000
Based on the life of Arnold Beckoff, a gay New Yorker who spends years trying to break his female impersonator's act into the mainstream, whilst becoming involved in a series of disastrous romantic liaisons along the way. He finally finds stability with a partner (Matthew Broderick), and they decide to adopt a child. Harvey Fierstein plays Beckoff, with Anne Bancroft as his outspoken mother.
Cast: Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein, Brian Kerwin, Karen Young Director: Paul Bogart Language: english
Publisher: New Line Cinema, Year: 1988
