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Top
Lesbian Film Reviews
Page
2 of 5
Page
1: Aimee
& Jaguar to Clair of the Moon
Page 2: Daphine to Gia
Page 3: A Girl Thing to Looking
For Cheyenne
Page 4: Lost and Delirous to Serving
in Silence
Page
5: The Sex Monster to Wild SIde
Daphne
(2008, 88 min, Great Britain)
Studio: BBC Video, Warner
Starring: Elizabeth McGovern, Geraldine Somerville, Janet
McTeer
REVIEW:
Daphne Du Maurier is one of the most well
loved women writers of all time who, in Rebecca, created one
of the most beguiling characters in English LIterature. In
celebration of the centenary of Daphne du Maurier's birth,
a new fact-based drama explores the secret love life of this
renowned writer. Based on personal letters and biographies,
the film charts the story of Daphne's unrequited passion for
the beautiful and glamorous American heiress, Ellen Doubleday,
and how the play she wrote about this forbidden desire led
her to a life-changing love affair with the irreverent, fun-loving
actress Gertrude Lawrence. Daphne called herself 'a boy in
a box' and this revealing drama shows how Daphne's incendiary
love life informed the writing of her compelling stories.
Margeret Forster's acclaimed authorised biography is an important
source for this film.
More info on Daphine |
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Daughters
of Darkness (1971, 96 min, Belgium)
Director: Harry Kumel Studio: Anchor Bay
Starring: Delphine Seyrig, Daniele Ouimet, John Karlen
REVIEW:
One from the vaults! Delphine Seyrig stars as
a Hungarian countess and present-day vampiress who, in order
to continue her daily blood baths, must continually prowl
for nubile virgins. Her blood-gathering soirees take her to
Belgium where she, along with her lesbian secretary, seductively
stalks the hotel for a quick fix. Campy, funny and erotic,
this Gothic tale explores the darker side of sexuality with
shocking frankness.
More info on
Daughters of Darkness
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Daughters
of Darkness
Lesbian Vamps. Not as good as The Hunger, but some nice biting
action!
*** |
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D.E.B.S.
(2004, 91 min, US)
Director: Angela Robinson Studio: Sony Pictures
Starring: Devon Aoki, Jordana Brewster, Sara Foster
REVIEW:
Finally, the female super agent genre receives
an overtly dyked-up makeover compliments of writer-director
Angela Robinson. Unbeknownst to high schoolers taking the
S.A.T., there’s a diagnostic test embedded within that's
designed to judge their abilities for lying, cheating and
killing. High-scoring students are recruited for an elite
academy of U.S. secret agents: the D.E.B.S. (Discipline, Energy,
Beauty and Strength). Four of the D.E.B.S., Amy, Dominique,
Janet and Max, land a daunting new mission: track down and
capture the legendary, deadly villainess Lucy Diamond (Jordana
Brewster, bearing more than a passing semblance to Demi Moore’s
lesbianesque Charlie’s Angels baddie). But Amy, who recently
broke up with her boyfriend, Bobby, realizes that she would
rather love Lucy than arrest her. Between dodging bullets,
applying eyeliner and all this sexual confusion, what’s
a checkered-skirt-wearing young secret agent to do?
Robinson first made D.E.B.S. as a short film for the lesbian
filmmaker empowerment group "Power Up." Its tremendous
response resulted in Sony’s Screen Gems division backing
a feature version. Bursting with colorful visuals and CGI
effects, sassy dialogue, gun-slinging action and a superb
cast including The Fast and The Furious’ Jordanna Brewster,
model Devon Aoki and Michael Clarke Duncan as the Academy’s
President, D.E.B.S. is guaranteed to fulfill its mission of
delighting you.
More info on
D.E.B.S.
Amazing
Dreams Short-Short Review:
D.E.B.S.
WE LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! Think of a lesbian-themed Charlie's
Angels, where one of the Angels was bursting from the closet
after a super villian who looks A LOT like a young Demi Moore,
and you've got an idea of what you are in store for! Saw it
twice in two days--it's that much fun! Great writing, great
soundtrack, great young actresses--what more could anyone
ask for?
***** |
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Desert
Hearts (1985, 93 min, US)
Director: Donna Deitch Studio: MGM
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patrice Charbonneau, Audra Lindley,
Gwen Welles
REVIEW:
An American lesbian classic, “Desert Hearts”
was trail-blazing in its positive depiction of a love affair
between two intelligent and attractive women. An uptight English
professor travels to Reno to get a divorce (the film is set
in 1959), and there meets a sexy, free-spirited sculptress.
Their attraction for each other and their budding love is
played out in a realistic, romantic, and all-together sensuous
fashion.
More info on
Desert Hearts
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Desert
Hearts
Most lesbians have a lesbian movie they just love, and
this is our all-time favorite. Based on the book Desert
of the Heart by Jane Rule the movie is sweet and important
for any woman, especially those over 35, who is coming to
terms with her own sexuality.
*****
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Ellen
DeGeneres: Here and Now (2003, 60 min, US)
Director: Joel Gallen
Starring: Ellen Degeneres
Screenwriter: Ellen DeGeneres
REVIEW:
Ellen finally comes home to stand-up. Her
second effort finds her even more relaxed than Ellen DeGeneres:
The Beginning. The NYC audience at the Beacon Theater clearly
worships this funny lady and it feeds her comedy. She jokes
about being gay, procrastination, rude cell-phone users and
self-esteem. All matters great and small are subjects for
standup and Ellen spares no one, least of all herself.
More info on Ellen
DeGeneres: Here and Now
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Ellen
DeGeneres: Here and Now
Fun Comedy, sweet moments, and Ellen is . . . Well, ELLEN!
**** |
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Emmanuelle
(dubbed) (1974, 94 min, France)
Director: Just Jaeckin Studio: Fox Lorber
Starring: Sylvia Kristel, Alain Cuny
REVIEW:
One of the most famous and popular soft-core
sex films to hit international screens, this chastely steamy
tale of sexual experimentation is now most memorable for its
strong lesbian sub-plots. Emmanuelle, while liking the sex
with her randy husband, also enjoys the pleasures of women-to-women
intimacy.
More info on Emmanuelle
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Emmanuelle
Mild Lesbian Porn.
*** |
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Entre
Nous (1983, 110 min, France)
Director: Diane Kurys Studio: Fox Lorber
Starring: Miou-Miou, Isabelle Huppert, Guy Marchand
REVIEW:
This moving drama tells of the intensely
close friendship between two women. Isabella Huppert portrays
Lena, a reticent housewife resigned to the numbing security
of her husband and family. Through a chance encounter, she
meets Madeleine (Miou-Miou), a vibrantly Bohemian sculptress
whose love and companionship open the door to Lena's self-discovery.
(French with English subtitles)
More info on Entre
Nous
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Entre
Nous
Beautiful movie.
*** |
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Even
Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994, 100 min, US)
Director; Gus Van Sant Studio: New Line
Starring: Uma Thurman, John Hurt, Rain Phoenix, Lorraine Brocco,
Keanu Reeves,
Crispin Glover, Roseanne, Udo Kier, Faye Dunaway, Steve Buscemi
REVIEW:
Gus Van Sant's infamous box office disaster
isn't exactly faithful to the book, but the lesbian affair
between Uma Thurman and Rain Phoenix makes it well worthwhile.
Taken from Tom Robbin's 1976 hippie novel, the story features
Thurman as a big-thumbed gal who uses her effective digit
to thumb her way around the country meeting up with a series
of loony characters. One of the more interesting ones is John
Hurt as “The Countess.”
More info on Even
Cowgirls Get The Blues
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Even
Cowgirls Get the Blues
We liked the movie for its weird quirkiness, plus Uma Thurman
with huge thumbs--just perfect for . . . Hitchhiking : )
*** |
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Exes
& Ohs: The Complete First Season (2008, 132 min,US)
Studio: Paramount, MTV Home Video
Starring: Angela Featherstone, Heather Matarazzo, Marnie Alton,
Megan Cavanagh, Michelle Paradise
REVIEW:
Meet Jennifer, a documentary filmmaker with
a vivid fantasy life and a floundering career. Jennifer wants
to find Ms. Right… but first she must navigate the rules
of lesbian life, most of which she learns the hard way. Fortunately,
her friends are there to help: Sam, a sexy commitment phobe
who flips women faster than real estate; Chris and Kris, a
lesbian couple expanding both their pet accessory business
and their family; and Crutch, a young musician who wants to
be taken seriously but still has some growing up to do. Surviving
singlehood, couplehood – and each other – has never
looked quite like this.
More info on Exes
& Ohs: The Complete First Season |
|
Floored
by Love (2005, 50 min, Canada)
Studio: Wolfe
Cast: Andrew McIlroy, Marco Soriano, Michael Robinson, Natalie
Sky, Shirley Ng
Director: Desiree Lim
Screenwriter: Desiree Lim, Karen X. Tulchinsky
A heart-warming portrait of family acceptance, as a lesbian
couple struggles to make their love public, just as a young
gay son must cope with two father figures.
REVIEW:
From the filmmaker who brought us Sugar Sweet, comes a charming,
slice-of-life family comedy centering on the homes of a Chinese/Japanese
lesbian couple, and a multi-racial family with a recently
out teen son. In one household, levelheaded therapist Cara
and stunning flight attendant Janet are in a perfect, stable
relationship...until Canada legalizes same-sex marriage and
Janet wants to walk down the aisle with her partner. Cara
is not out to her family and a series of both comical and
dramatic events ensue as she tries to tell her traditional
family she is a lesbian. Meanwhile, Norman is willfully supporting
his gay son, but he soon gets pushed aside when Jesse's biological
gay father breezes in town full of empty promises. As the
two heart-warming stories unfold, director Desiree Lim skillfully
steers everyone through the quirks of familial love as they
all discover that their lives aren't much different from one
another.
More info on Floored
by Love |
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The
Gymnast (2006, 96 min, US)
Studio: Wolfe
Cast: Addie Yungmee, Allison Mackie, Amy Lemons, Andrew
Ableson, David De Simone, Dreya Weber, John Lee Ames, Kathe
E. Mazur
Director: Ned Farr
Screenwriter: Ned Farr
Stylish and tender, this romantic drama explores the developing
relationship between an acrobatic young woman and the Asian-American
woman who performs with her.
REVIEW:
The talented Jane Hawkins (Dreya Weber, Lovely & Amazing)
was an impressive gymnast at the top of her game until a
devastating injury ended her career. Now she pours the passion,
strength and discipline that once fueled her sport into
maintaining both a tedious job as a massage therapist and
a loveless marriage. After running into her old instructor,
Jane is invited to a new, secretive gig: aerial silk acrobatics
similar to a Cirque Du Soleil performance. While she might
have the strength, her co-star, the lovely Serena (Addie
Yungmee), has the grace and style of a top-notch athlete.
Each of them are illuminated by the presence of the other,
but there are distractions. Jane's is bothered by her lack
of children while Serena is an out lesbian who tackles stereotypes
with being an adopted Korean daughter of Jewish parents.
As the stunning pair prepares to audition their act for
a Las Vegas show, the gravitational pull between the two
women becomes increasingly unavoidable... A visually compelling
film that challenges notions of both ability and identity,
The Gymnast is foremost a story about hope and taking the
necessary risks to fully become yourself.
More info on The
Gymnast
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A
Family Affair (2001, 100 min, US)
Director: Helen Lesnick Studio: Wolfe
Starring: Helen Lesnick, Erica Shaffer, Arlene Golonka, Suzanne
Westenhoefer, Barbara Stuart, Michele Greene, Michael Moerman
Screenwriter: Helen Lesnick
REVIEW:
Rachel Rosen (writer/director Helen Lesnick)
bolts from the East Coast after yet another breakup with her
seductive girlfriend Reggie (Michele Greene). Surrounded by
the love and affection of her gay friends, her sister-in-law
Carol (Suzanne Westenhoefer) and her mom Leah (the very outlandish
president of the San Diego chapter of PFLAG), Rachel embarks
on finding "Ms. Rightowitz." After a disastrous
series of hilarious blind dates, she reluctantly allows her
mother to set her up with Christine (Erica Shaffer) and the
two surprisingly hit it off.”
More info on A
Family Affair
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
A
Family Affair
Didn't see it, but heard it is very good.
? |
|
Female
Perversions (1996, 113 min, US/Germany)
Director: Susan Streitfeld Studio: Trimark
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Amy Madigan, Karen Sillas, Clancy
Brown, Frances Fisher,
Paulina Porizkova
REVIEW:
Swinton stars as Eve, a high-profile lawyer
preparing for an interview with the governor in the hopes
of being appointed a judge. In the meantime, she must contend
with her estranged, kleptomaniac sister (Madigan), a workaholic
boyfriend (Brown), a somewhat hesitant female lover (Sillas),
and her own inner demons. While the lesbian angle is not the
film's main thrust, it proves important to the heroine in
her efforts to find solace.
More info on Female
Perversions
Amazing
Dreams Short-Short Review:
Female
Perversions
LOVE THIS MOVIE! Even though this was not a pure lesbian film,
this is a great one to see, and has important messages about
how society treats women. Make sure to watch what is going
on in the scenes behind the characters--amazing imagery.
***** |
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Fire
(1997, 104 min)
Director: Deepa Mehta Studio: New Yorker Films
Starring: Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das
REVIEW:
This emotionally charged drama about the
forbidden love between two women in India. The newly wed Sita
(Das) is a young and beautiful woman who comes to live with
her husband's brother and his wife Rahda (Azmi) in New Dehli.
Restless and independent and realizing that her arranged-marriage
husband is far from faithful, Sita quickly finds her new world
stifling. The older Rahda, on the other hand, offers the face
of complacency, all the while holding within her rage and
loneliness. Within this volatile atmosphere the two women
strike up a natural friendship which leads to smoldering passions
and a sensual but secretive romance. . (Filmed in English)
More info on Fire
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Fire
Didn't see it, but have heard several women say this is
their favorite movie.
? |
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The
Fox (1967, 110 min, US)
Director: Mark Rydell
Starring: Anne Heywood, Sandy Dennis, Keir Dullea
REVIEW:
One of Hollywood's earliest attempts at
handling lesbianism as a central theme, this somber drama,
adapted from a D.H. Lawrence novella, gives us two women in
love but at the same time shows that it is not all that fulfilling.
What starts as isolated love for the two ends with defection
and betrayal by one and death for the other. (This video is
currently out of print and is not available for sale, but
may possibly be found for rent.)
More info on The
Fox
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
The
Fox
Another "The Lesbian Must Die" movie.
** |
The Fox
|
French
Twist (1995, 100 min, France)
Director: Josiane Balasko Studio: Disney/Miramax
Starring: Josiane Balasko, Victoria Abril, Alain Chabat
REVIEW:
Victoria Abril is Loli, the dutiful, housebound
Spanish wife of a boorish French real estate broker (Alain
Chabat), who prides himself on his profusion of extramarital
affairs. Marijo (Josiane Balasko), a cigar-smoking dyke from
Paris, lands on their doorstep in the South of France with
a broken-down VW minivan. After a bit of small talk, Marino
makes a pass at Loli. Starved for the attention of her philandering
husband, Loli responds warmly to these advances, much to his
outrage. But when his indiscretions come to light the whole
situation really blows up and Loli retaliates in a most unusual
way. (French with English subtitles)
More info on French
Twist
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
French
Twist
Liked it..
*** |
|
Fried
Green Tomatoes (1991, 130 min, USA)
Director: Jon Avnet Studio: Universal
Starring: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise
Parker, Jessica Tandy, Cicely Tyson, Chris O'Donnell, Stan
Shaw, Lois Smith
REVIEW:
Adapted from Fannie Flagg's novel "Fried
Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe," this endearing
adaptation centers on the relationship between two pairs of
women in separate time frames: but studiously avoids any of
the lesbianism of the book. Of this, director Avnet said,
"You can take it how you want to. I had no interest in
going into the bedroom." Regardless of the filmmaker's
intentions, there is a palpable sexual energy between Idgy
and Ruth. Wonderful and warm movie.
More info on Fried
Green Tomatoes
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Fried
Green Tomatoes
Loved the movie! Great actresses, lots of love between women,
and an implied lesbian relationshp that left us wishing for
more.
**** |
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Gasoline
(2001, 90 min, Italy)
Director: Monica Lisa Stambrini, Studio: Strand Releasing
Starring: Regina Orioli, Mariella Valentini, Maya Sansa, Luigi
Maria Burruano
REVIEW:
A bespectacled student dropout, and Stella (Maya
Sansa), a tough girl mechanic, are lovers, running a countryside
service station/cafe. It's a happy, quiet existence for the
adoring pair. That is, until Lenniís domineering, truculent
mother shows up, sparking a violent confrontation that ends
with her bloodied corpse. Although an accidental homicide,
Lenni and Stella decide to cover up their gruesome act of
matricide by clandestinely disposing of mom's body. Unfortunately,
just then a bored group of hetero twits materialize and mess
with the panicked girls, resulting in a wild cat-and-mouse
road trip and literally explosive finale! Oh - and there's
some racy lesbian restroom sex, mom's nagging ghost, and relationship
frictions thrown in for good measure.
More info on Gasoline
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Gasoline
Why do lesbians always have to be either evil, drug addicts,
kill themselves, or kill someone else?
** |
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Gaudi
Afternoon (2000, 88 min, Spain)
Director: Susan Seidelman, Studio: First Look
Starring: Judy Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, Lili Taylor, Juliette
Lewis, Christopher Bowen, Maria Barranco
REVIEW:
Susan Seidelman's latest film mixes Almodovar
with a dash of mystery and plops it down in the back alleys,
boulevards, parks and stylish apartments of scenic Barcelona.
Based on Barbara Wilson's lesbian detective novel, the film
stars Judy Davis as Cassandra Reilly, an eccentric dyke American
ex-pat who translates Spanish novels for a living. She's struggling
with her current project and running quite low on cash when
Frankie (Harden) propositions Reilly to spy on her ex-husband
Ben and daughter for the sum of $3000. Reilly accepts the
proposition but finds out rather quickly that Stevens has
lied to her and nothing is as it seems.
More info on Gaudi Afternoon .
More info on Gaudi
Afternoon
Amazing Dreams Short-Short Review:
Gaudi
Afternoon
Didn't see it.
? |
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Gia
(1998, 125 min, US)
Director: Michael Cristofer Studio: HBO
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Mitchell, Kylie Travis,
Mercedes Ruehl, Faye Dunaway
REVIEW:
A mesmerizing, fact-based drama about the tragic
life of bisexual supermodel Gia Carangi, Cristofer's mercurial
film boasts a sensational performance by Jolie in the title
role. Gia's rise and fall from an unruly Philadelphia teenager
who becomes a top model to drug addict and AIDS victim makes
for spellbinding viewing. As Gia seeks love and support from
her mother (Ruehl) and her hesitant girlfriend Linda (Mitchell),
she breaks all the rules, and everyone's heart. Cristofer's
approach to the material is never melodramatic; however, he
uses diary snippets and memories from those who knew her to
depict Gia's fast life and untimely death.
More info on Gia
Amazing
Dreams Short-Short Review:
Gia
Angelina Jolie: incredible, sensual, beautiful, awesome power
in her acting. This sad-as- anything true story about the
rise and fall of a NYC lebian supermodel, made me want to
hold Gia tightly and save her from the evilness of the world
that she had stumbled into.
***** |
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Lesbian
Movie Review from
HOW TO BE A HAPPY LESBIAN:
A COMING OUT GUIDE
©2008 by Amazing Dreams Publishing
All rights reserved.
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