Homo Heights

Rating:
Summary: Good Concept, Poor Exectution
Review: "Homo Heights" revolves around an older man named Malcolm (played by Quentin Crisp), who is somewhat of an idol to the gay community in town. Malcolm desperately wants to leave said town, but the gay-mafia boss, a drag-queen named Maria Callous, needs Malcolm in town to keep her power. The movie, then, is more or less Malcolm's friend's trying to outwit Callous and help Malcolm escape.

Simple plot. This movie is really just a vehicle for campy jokes and situations. And while it works sometime, most of the time we're confused.

For instance, Quentin Crisp is a captivating character. His collection of Hollywood memorabilia is too funny-- including Charleton Heston's codpiece.

But while other characters have some great moments, and the script references some movies and people that are hilarious in their obscurity (Astrud Gilberto, anyone?)-- most of the movie is muddled and confused. There are so many side plots in this movie it takes until about 3/4 into the film that you actually understand where everyone stands. Lea DeLaria, especially, gets caught up in some bad film making that will have the viewer simply asking, "what?" There are times when I was so confused that I contemplated just turning it off. It would have been much easier than trying to figure out what was supposed to be happening.

Some people I was talking to praised the campy humor of this film. Indeed, some of the jokes are very good-- and very smart. But it takes more than good jokes to make a movie. The film reads as a mound of good jokes that don't always fit together.

My advice to the filmmaker-- find a stronger script to carry your witty jokes. My advice to the viewer-- get "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" instead. It has lots of the camp-- but it balances that with a much more understandable plot.

Rating:
Summary: Homo Heights
Review: Sketch after sketch after sketch, intended to be comical, but ending up just being tedious.

Rating:
Summary: Too brilliant for most to handle!
Review: This film is so far and above anything in the "gay movie" genre it's almost as hilarious as the movie itself. It's fascinating to continually read the mixed reviews on this film. Most people simply don't get it! It's witty, entertaining, thought provoking, and beautifully written and has that very fanatastical (and too often non-existent) quality of being able to transport you to another world. But it's that world that either infuriates people or engulfs them. I loved it. And thanks to Fellini for the obvious inspiration!

Rating:
Summary: Homely Heights
Review: This just may be one of the worst gay themed movies I have ever seen and I make it my practice to see as many as are avialable. The film is a completely disjointed, confusing mess. The only saving grace is the presence of Lea DeLaria. Ms DeLaria makes no false moves...ever. She has a natural talent and the camera loves her. DeLaria has the remarkable ability to make the[...] crap she is given to act here seem like the sweetest perfume.
Rent, do not buy this movie, if you have to see it.