With the launch of the brand-new TLAgay.com, the Gay Cinema Video On Demand experience we have been offering for a long, long time was upgraded and improved. We have expanded (and continue to expand) our selection of new and old gay-themed movies available for your viewing pleasure. Here’s just five of our current favorites, from various years, that you may have missed – ALL available to watch INSTANTLY! These aren’t our TOP 5, by any means – just a handful of flicks we want to highlight.
Last Summer © Breaking Glass Pictures
2013, United States
Writer/director Mark Thiedeman‘s Last Summer tells the story of two high school sweethearts, Luke and Jonah (Samuel Pettit and Sean Rose), who spend their final months together over the course of a long, quiet summer in the rural South, contemplating their uncertain future. Jonah, sensitive, quiet and artistic, prepares to leave his small town for college, leaving Luke behind, but all he wants is for Luke to ask him to stay. But Luke, an athlete struggling through summer school, knows that his boyfriend needs to experience the world beyond their home. A beautiful melancholy romance, Last Summer takes on an almost otherwordly vibe. It’s set in an idealistic American South where Luke and Jonah’s relationship is never questioned or taken as anything other than a normal high school romance. Their struggle isn’t with the outside world, but with the passage of time.
The One © TLA Releasing
2011, United States
Hunky Daniel (Jon Prescott) has a seemingly perfect life and he’s about to make it even better by marring his the beautiful, loving girlfriend Jen (Margaret Anne Florence). There’s just one temptation that may derail his trip toward the straight-and-narrow: he has a thing for Tommy (Ian Novick), his ultra-charming former college classmate who is now openly gay. After a few drinks, Daniel succumbs to his repressed desires and makes a one-time “mistake” by bedding his long-lost buddy. Soon after, the normally jaded Tommy falls head over heels in love, but Daniel wants to forget all about their attraction. With Tommy’s friends warning him against his involvement with a straight man and Daniel’s pledge of heterosexually, it would seem that nothing will come of them, but love and lust have a way of messing up even the best laid plans of man. Funny, romantic and sexy, The One is a refreshing story of coming out – as well as a belated coming-of-age tale – that sparkles with witty dialogue and lovable characters.
Silent Youth © Ariztical Entertainment
2012, Germany
Infectiously sweet, with beautiful cinematography and compellingly natural performances, Silent Youth follows Marlo (Martin Bruchmann), a dreamer who travels to Berlin. He has a chance encounter with Kirill (Josef Mattes), a like-minded youngster who wears battle scars from a recent run-in with a group of homophobic thugs. A cautious, but complimentary relationship begins to develop. Where Marlo is shy and reserved, Kirill is extroverted and seemingly honest to a fault. At first, Marlo just seems happy to have found a new friend, but the more Kirill opens up, the more intrigued (and confused) Marlo becomes about how their relationship should proceed. Writer/director Diemo Kemmesies keeps the plot simple and the pace casual while ratcheting up the romantic tension during quiet, observational moments.
The Skinny © Breaking Glass Pictures
2012, United States
NYC couple Mangus (“Empire” breakout star Jussie Smollett) and Ryan (Dustin Ross) have been almost inseparable since they first began dating. They finally decide to spend a little time apart during Harlem Pride. Magnus has an exciting distraction. He’s reuniting with with his best friends from college – Kyle (Anthony Burrell), Sebastian (Blake Young-Fountain), Joey (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman) and Langston (Shanika Warren-Markland). They plan to spend the weekend partying and reminiscing, but sex, drugs and pesky secret crushes keep getting in their way. Worst of all, they discover that Magnus’s beloved boyfriend is spending his weekend searching for other hot dudes. Writer-director Patrik-Ian Polk – the creator of “Noah’s Arc” and the indie drama Blackbird – has an ear for fast and furious dialog. The hilarious, incredibly sexy completely African-American cast don’t hurt matters either. Make sure you get The Skinny.
Spinnin’ (c) Breaking Glass Pictures
2007, Spain
The muy caliente Alejandro Tous stars as Gárate, an avid soccer fan who agrees to parent a child with his lover, Omar. After unsuccessful attempts to impregnate a friend, Gárate befriends a single pregnant woman who welcomes the kindness of strangers. Revolving around them are multiple passionate and lighthearted stories that include Gárate’s 60-something widower father welcoming affection, a girl playing Superman hoping to turn her life around, two playful policemen eager to find a match in their lists of favorite things and a non-practicing gay guy who describes himself as “homosentimental.” (And you’ll pay eternally for laughing at a convincing theory that supposes God is gay and the Virgin Mary is a lesbian.) With lyrical directing, a breezy soundtrack and lots of eye candy, Spinnin’ will make you dizzy with delight. And how many films have you seen that can boast having over 101 different on-screen kisses?
