I was very intrigued by this story, but the background music was so loud I could not hear the speakers.
Reviews
8 Reviews
The Soccer Nanny
(2011)
Finally, I got to see the end...
6 February 2013
I had the pleasure of seeing the first half or so of this film at the North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in 2011. I was completely taken in by the lovingly developed characters and the beautifully captured scenes of winter in Kansas--so many shots of rolling hills painted in golden sunlight.
Just as the action was picking up, the power went out. It didn't just blink; an accident nearby took the whole block out, but the audience stayed put, hoping we would regain power and finish the film. Sadly, the theater officials confirmed that the festival was done for the night. They rescheduled the film, but I was unable to make those showings.
Understandably, I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to finally finish a film whose first half I truly loved.
As I watched the first half again, I remembered those lovingly created characters. Traci Lords gave a stellar performance as Helen, a widowed mom with a lot of frustration and anger. Håvard Lilleheie similarly played the part of Oddmund, an au pair from Norway, obsessed with soccer... and with unstoppable optimism and enlightenment. But is he straight or gay?
Things begin to move faster in the second half of the movie. As things get moving, Oscar Quintero (the fabulous Kay Sedia and Taco Chick) brings a bit of extra comedy, and things get sticky. Under-age drinking, accusations of molestation, estranged ex-wives, and Swedish dancing ensue. And why is Helen so angry? You'll have to check it out and see...
As Oddmund would say, "_Au Pair Kansas_ is Super Good!"
Just as the action was picking up, the power went out. It didn't just blink; an accident nearby took the whole block out, but the audience stayed put, hoping we would regain power and finish the film. Sadly, the theater officials confirmed that the festival was done for the night. They rescheduled the film, but I was unable to make those showings.
Understandably, I was delighted when I was given the opportunity to finally finish a film whose first half I truly loved.
As I watched the first half again, I remembered those lovingly created characters. Traci Lords gave a stellar performance as Helen, a widowed mom with a lot of frustration and anger. Håvard Lilleheie similarly played the part of Oddmund, an au pair from Norway, obsessed with soccer... and with unstoppable optimism and enlightenment. But is he straight or gay?
Things begin to move faster in the second half of the movie. As things get moving, Oscar Quintero (the fabulous Kay Sedia and Taco Chick) brings a bit of extra comedy, and things get sticky. Under-age drinking, accusations of molestation, estranged ex-wives, and Swedish dancing ensue. And why is Helen so angry? You'll have to check it out and see...
As Oddmund would say, "_Au Pair Kansas_ is Super Good!"
Finding North
(1998)
The gay PS I Love You, nearly 10 years earlier
3 January 2008
My partner and I saw Finding North right after we first met. It had played the local gay film festival a bit earlier, and I had missed it. It tender story has stuck with us throughout our relationship, fondly recalling our early days.
Recently, when we saw a trailer for PS I Love You, we were convinced that movie is the straight version of Finding North. I'm looking forward to seeing how similar the two are and seeing if there's any mention that that director may have been inspired by seeing Finding North.
It's great to see John Benjamin Hickey of Love! Valour! Compassion! prior to his series It's All Relative.
I hope you enjoy this film as much as my partner and I continue to.
Recently, when we saw a trailer for PS I Love You, we were convinced that movie is the straight version of Finding North. I'm looking forward to seeing how similar the two are and seeing if there's any mention that that director may have been inspired by seeing Finding North.
It's great to see John Benjamin Hickey of Love! Valour! Compassion! prior to his series It's All Relative.
I hope you enjoy this film as much as my partner and I continue to.
What About Joan
(2000–2002)
I Loved This Show, and I Hope It Makes It to DVD
5 April 2006
Contrary to the other reviewer, I found the show quite enjoyable. While it wasn't perfect, it was loads better than the typical mindless crap that makes it on network television. See also other shows networks have killed without giving them enough time to find their audience: Covington Cross, The Geena Davis Show, Bette, The Ellen Show, Good Sports, The Book of Daniel, and soon to be Commander In Chief.
Kyle Chandler was (and is)adorable, and no one makes awkwardness better than Joan Cusack. The supporting cast was stellar. I'm still sad that this show isn't still being produced.
Please! Somebody put this out on DVD!
Kyle Chandler was (and is)adorable, and no one makes awkwardness better than Joan Cusack. The supporting cast was stellar. I'm still sad that this show isn't still being produced.
Please! Somebody put this out on DVD!
Hate Crime
(2005)
Very good but unsettling
15 August 2005
I saw this film at the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and found it to be very good (even if sometimes somewhat predictable). Within the first 15 minutes or so, I had figured out who committed the crime.
While I found the film to be of good quality, I also found it to be a bit disturbing.
It seemed to want to show real Christianity as a stark contrast to hate-mongering fundamentalism, and for that it should be praised. But while it took great effort to show that there are Christians who aren't filled with hate and intolerance, it seemed to glorify attempts at revenge. I found the incongruency to be quite disturbing.
It'd be a really good conversation starter.
While I found the film to be of good quality, I also found it to be a bit disturbing.
It seemed to want to show real Christianity as a stark contrast to hate-mongering fundamentalism, and for that it should be praised. But while it took great effort to show that there are Christians who aren't filled with hate and intolerance, it seemed to glorify attempts at revenge. I found the incongruency to be quite disturbing.
It'd be a really good conversation starter.
Windtalkers
(2002)
30 Minutes of Plot; 1 Hour & 45 Minutes of Blood
2 September 2003
Expecting a mature movie dealing with racism and friendship in World War II, I found this to be a montage of blood and limbs being blown across the screen for a really long time. It seems the director thought the movie would be considered more serious if it went on forever... too bad there wasn't enough story, he had to resort to gory.
24 Nights
(1999)
I love this movie!!!
5 October 1999
It's been nearly 14 years since I originally saw and reviewed this film, and looking back, it's time to add more...
I did find a man as wonderfully romantic as Jonathan found. Oddly enough, I met him about four months after seeing the film, and now that it is available on DVD, we watch _24 Nights_ at least once a year as part of our Holiday tradition. For us, it ranks up there with old classics like _Miracle on 34th Street_ and _It's a Wonderful Life_; as well as modern classics like _Love Actually_; and even lovable campy movies like Olivia Newton-John's _A Mom for Christmas_. My partner and I a just suckers for great holiday films. This is one of our all-time favorites, and the soundtrack rocks.
Oh. And the DVD has the instructions for playing 45 Poker!
My Review from 1999: I've only had the pleasure of seeing this film once, but it's one I want to own and see time after time. I had gone to a rather dismal Gay/Lesbian film festival and had almost given up hope of finding a good film... then I saw-24 Nights-. It's quirky and fun and leaves you feeling really good. It kind of reminded me of -A Christmas Story- meets -Beautiful Thing-, but better. It manages to have a nostalgic feel and yet remain totally up to date. There's a brilliant scene where the characters are playing poker using 45's as their money--too funny. And the romance... wow... to find someone as romantic as Jonathon found... I wonder if Kieran Turner is that romantic...
I did find a man as wonderfully romantic as Jonathan found. Oddly enough, I met him about four months after seeing the film, and now that it is available on DVD, we watch _24 Nights_ at least once a year as part of our Holiday tradition. For us, it ranks up there with old classics like _Miracle on 34th Street_ and _It's a Wonderful Life_; as well as modern classics like _Love Actually_; and even lovable campy movies like Olivia Newton-John's _A Mom for Christmas_. My partner and I a just suckers for great holiday films. This is one of our all-time favorites, and the soundtrack rocks.
Oh. And the DVD has the instructions for playing 45 Poker!
My Review from 1999: I've only had the pleasure of seeing this film once, but it's one I want to own and see time after time. I had gone to a rather dismal Gay/Lesbian film festival and had almost given up hope of finding a good film... then I saw-24 Nights-. It's quirky and fun and leaves you feeling really good. It kind of reminded me of -A Christmas Story- meets -Beautiful Thing-, but better. It manages to have a nostalgic feel and yet remain totally up to date. There's a brilliant scene where the characters are playing poker using 45's as their money--too funny. And the romance... wow... to find someone as romantic as Jonathon found... I wonder if Kieran Turner is that romantic...
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