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Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon is a well-produced documentary that tells the story of legendary porn star Jack Wrangler. Wrangler starred in over one hundred gay and straight videos. This prolific performer became much more than a porn star to his loyal fans. Encompassing the ruggedness and strength of his name, Wrangler turned the 1970's gay stereotype of femininity and perceived perversion on its head. More importantly, he became a gay idol, motivating men everywhere to accept themselves and come out of the closet. In addition to insightful and introspective interviews with Wrangler himself, director and producer Jeffrey Schwarz speaks with men that were inspired by him, including celebrities like Bruce Vilanch, March Shaiman, and Michael Musto. They all give real and sometimes hysterical insights into 1970's gay America, helping draw this wonderful portrait of Wrangler. Schwarz delves deep into Wrangler's life to make sense out of a sexually and emotionally confusing man. The result is a positively gripping documentary, which will keep you interested throughout the 90-minutes-and besides, Wrangler is a true treat for the eyes.

Spanish director Juan Flahn's Boystown (Chuecatown) takes a Spanish comic book about the antics of gay couple, Leo and Rey, and creates a dark comedy about murder, love, and self-discovery. Boystown revolves around a serial-killing real estate agent whose goal it is to eliminate the neighborhood's elderly, buy their apartments, and sell them at a profit to gay people. When Leo and Rey inherit their murdered neighbor's apartment, instead of selling it, they decide to give it to Rey's eccentric mother, whose venomous comments create wonderfully hysterical scenes. The move proves to be a mistake when the real estate agent targets the mother's new apartment as his next venture. The ensuing experiences challenge the strength of Leo and Rey's relationship with each other, their friends, and their mother. Flahn's world is stylish, unique, funny, and suspenseful, and it is definitely worth a look.

Imagine being single and going on a three-day weekend with your best friends, their boyfriends, and a prostitute. Sounds like a recipe for a wild weekend, but instead 3-Day Weekend quickly becomes a melodramatic Lifetime-like movie, which is being rather generous. The movie does contain plenty of sex and nudity, which is normally a good thing, but unfortunately the people portrayed here aren't the most likeable group of friends. The movie suffers from a lack of character development, too little fun, and characters that you never grow to care about.

Dog Tags, a film by Damion Dietz, follows the journey of a man as he leaves his fiancé to join the military. He has lost his job as a car mechanic and believes that military service is the only way that he can become accomplished and proud. While on leave in Palm Springs, he meets an eyeliner-wearing, emo kid named Andy. These two unlikely guys are lured into a modeling job where the photography takes in a basement. They soon realize that the creepy photographer is actually a porn director. They frantically escape together and race away in Andy's car. In the final days before our hero leaves for Iraq, his journey with Andy leads them both on a path of self-discovery where they confront their pasts and embrace their futures. The beautiful desert scenery is a perfect backdrop for their short-lived love affair. While the plot keeps you watching, the movie suffers from dull and awkward dialogue that made us laugh at times and prevented us from relating to the characters.

Poj Arnon's Bangkok Love Story is a tale of two men from extremely different sects of Thai life, drawn together by fate. The movie's premise is what should have set this film apart from so many similar stories. The story involves an assassin, Mehk, who is saved and cared for by, It, the man he was sent out to kill. During his time with Mehk, It grows disinterested in his fiancé and is haunted by the emotions that he feels. Meanwhile, Mehk is fighting his own demons at home. He has to care for his HIV-positive mother and brother while he continues to struggle with his homosexual feelings. Arnon's film has been widely marketed as the Thai Brokeback Mountain, but it falls short of the comparison. While the use of some action sequences help add life to the film, it lacks the emotional connection that Brokeback Mountain provided. Above all, this love story leaves viewers bored.

I Dreamt Under the Water (J'ai reve sous l'eau) is a sexually fluid romp, filled with drugs, love, and pain. Director Hormoz takes us on a rather voyeuristic journey as he follows the suffering and desperation of Antonin, a young man who lost the love of his life to an overdose. In order to fill his loss, Antonin begins to prostitute himself. When the promiscuous sex sends Antonin sliding down an even greater spiral, he finds love in another addict, Juliette. Unfortunately, at times this movie has extremely awkward dialogue and bouncy camera shots, which take away from the beautiful art direction. Luckily, however, the all-French cast is easy on the eyes.

[Published: August, 2008]