| Welcome to the Now Playing Reviews Database where
you can find our opinion of films which have had a cinema release in the UK.
Each of these movies are reviewed from a gay perspective, giving them
both an overall star rating plus our exclusive gay rating. The more stars out of a possible 10, the
better the film; similarly the more pink triangles, the greater the gay interest. A full list of
all our reviews appears below, and this week's current films are found on the Now Playing Main Page.
Most films are now available for rent on DVD and we recommend ScreenSelect who operate an efficient online rental service by post with no late fees and you can keep up to 3 DVDs for as long as you like. If you'd like a film permanently in your DVD collection, then the best prices are normally found at Amazon. | |
| Legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) leads the defence of an undermanned Alamo against Santa Anna's (Emilio Echevarria) superior Mexican forces as Texas struggles for independence. Though aware of the impending slaughter, Gen. Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) refuses to send reinforcements, willing to sacrifice the fortress for strategic advantage. This lengthy historical epic, based on the infamous 1836 battle, offers handsome production design, an A-list cast, and fine performances from Quaid and an overly made-up Thornton. |
Dennis Quaid. ©2004 Touchstone Pictures.
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Ultimately, though, the film falls flat,
thanks to a poorly edited, badly shot climactic attack scene that
occasionally resembles a video game and lacks suspense and emotional
resonance. Echevarria provides further irritation as he transforms the
formidable Santa Anna into a Snidely Whiplash-like cartoon villain.
Gay Interest: Houston's favourite insult to fling is "catamite." The vibe between Houston and his pal Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) is fraught with homoerotic undertones, particularly in one intimate conversation where Houston begs Bowie to bring him the Alamo's cannon. Quaid, Patric, and co-star Patrick Wilson have all played queer characters. Director John Lee Hancock wrote the screenplay for Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. |
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