Denzel Washington makes his directorial debut with the true story of Antwone Fisher (Derek Luke), a sullen sailor with a heart of gold whose exceptionally harsh life has left him severely lacking in both self-esteem and self-control. When his temper lands him an appointment with a Navy psychiatrist (Washington), Fisher is forced to confront the … Continue reading
This fascinating bio-pic traces Hogan’s Heroes star Bob Crane’s curious transformation from mild-mannered family man to sex-crazed amateur porn producer. With his creepy pal John (Willem Dafoe) in perpetual tow, Crane (Greg Kinnear) uses his fame to lure women to wild orgies he captures on tape. Ultimately, his refusal to acknowledge the serious conflict between … Continue reading
I had a heck of a time trying to decide whether, in reviewing Bend It Like Beckham, I needed to explain exactly who “Beckham” is. On the one hand, most gay readers couldn’t name a single American football player, much less a British one – even if he is one of the biggest internationally known … Continue reading
Like most Americans (well, the women and gay men, anyway), I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy. Give me Meg Ryan tippity-typing away with Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts selling her love to Richard Gere and I’m quite content, thank you (and if Julia’s got a gay best friend and is trying to stop … Continue reading
Many critics will undoubtedly point to Big Trouble’s unfortunate subject matter (particularly an extended plane-hijacking sequence and an excruciating lampooning of airport security) as the reason for the film’s certain failure at the box office. Disney, the film’s distributor, will surely cling to that theory as well, having already pushed the film’s opening back from … Continue reading
When Al Gore invented the Internet, he surely never guessed how useful a tool it would become in helping love-starved denizens of cyberspace find their perfect mate. How could he have known that, by the year 2002, websites like match.com would be advertising during Friends, promising a perfect partner for every Tom, Dick and Mary … Continue reading
If you own a Palm Pilot, you’re probably already playing Dope Wars, the most popular game currently available for the Palm. For those whose lives aren’t ruled by pocket circuitry (and may therefore be unaware), Dope Wars is essentially an accounting game: starting with $2000, players must make money by buying and selling a variety … Continue reading
Inspired by legendary Irish playwright and poet Brendan Behan’s extraordinary memoir, Borstal Boy depicts the artistic and sexual awakenings in sixteen-year-old IRA soldier Behan during a term in an English reform school. Forced to live among the “enemy,” the idealistic Behan (Shawn Hatosy) gradually discovers he actually likes the English. Adding to his confusion, he … Continue reading
In this over-the-top demonstration of the hazards of internet dating, uptight lawyer Peter (Steve Martin) ventures online in search of a refined woman to help him get over his ex-wife (Jean Smart). Believing he’s found just the person in Charlene (Queen Latifah), he arranges a face-to-face meeting, only to discover she’s actually a sassy prison … Continue reading
Bully bears the unmistakable stamp of director Larry Clark, who is known for his documentary-style cinematography and graphic depictions of teenage excess. Clark’s films luridly amplify teen sexuality, drug use and violence; true to form, Bully, an in-your-face portrait of a group of aimless youths, makes the crowd from Fast Times at Ridgemont High look … Continue reading
Mike Rucker Writes 