By Hans Pedersen
Love
Now Available | Unrated | 135 minutes
In the latest movie by Gaspar Noé (Irreversible, Enter the Void), an American named Murphy (Karl Glusman) and his lover, Electra (Aomi Muyock), allow their beautiful neighbor, Omi (Klara Kristin), into their lives and into their bedroom. While the non-linear film is filled with unsimulated sex, what makes the movie a step above porn is the fact the narrative is propelled by the sexual action. When Murphy prefers to be pleasured by one person instead of another, the sexual act impacts all their relationships. Intended as an immersive experience, this movie may be the first in cinema history to feature a three-dimensional on-screen ejaculation. Can the virtual reality version be far behind?
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice
In theaters March 22 | PG-13 | 151 minutes
Guys who cannot resist watching a muscle man in tights may find it even tougher to resist a man in body-tight armature equipped with toys. Gals get their eye candy too: Gal Gadot plays the first-ever silver screen appearance of Wonder Woman. Facing off in this superhero epic are Batman (Henry Cavill) and Superman (Ben Affleck) as the Gotham City vigilante grows concerned there’s no oversight on the Kryptonian. Of course a greater threat emerges putting humanity at risk – if only the superheroes could work together, but watching them tussle is tons of fun. Directed by Zack Snyder, the film co-stars Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as Perry White.
The Lobster
In theaters March 25 | R | 118 minutes
While not explicitly gay, the movie is a parable about the absurdity of society’s rules around relationships. It’s a surreal comedy set in a near-future world where single people are sent to a hotel and must find a mate in 45 days; otherwise they are turned into animals and released into the woods. “Is the bisexual option still available?” inquires newcomer David (Colin Farrell). “I’m sorry,” he’s told matter-of-factly, “that option is no longer available.” Written and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this French- and English-language film was the winner of the Jury Prize and Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival and has snagged several accolades and nominations along the way.
That’s Not Us
Available April 22 | Not rated | 97 minutes
Three couples head to a beach home in upstate New York at the end of summer. One couple is gay, one is lesbian and another is straight, but their relationships are equally tested as they find common ground in their efforts to sustain love. Directed by William Sullivan, this independent film is being praised for its honest portrayal of romance and its exploration of what it takes to nurture a healthy relationship. David Rysdahl and Mark Berger play boyfriends, Spencer and James, who may split up over career choices; Sarah Wharton and Nicole Pursell play girlfriends, Alex and Jackie, who are struggling with their sex life; and Elizabeth Gray and Tommy Nelms are the token straight couple, Liz and Dougie.
