Best. Gay. Week. Ever! The South America Edition with Movies, Hotties and more!

Newfest, the New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, kicked off this week with an impressive line-up of queer-themed and queer interest movies, some of which we've already discussed on the site. Amongst the movies showing at NewFest are 8: The Mormon Proposition, the Peruvian drama Undertow, Mindy Cohn's Violet Tendencies, the documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, and the Brazilian "gay incest" movie From Beginning to End.

We'll have full reviews of these movies a little later, but since there wasn't as much to watch this week on television, I did have a chance to check out some of the movies. Here is a bit about each one, my initial reactions and whether you should try to catch a screening.

1) Undertow (Contracorriente )

What's it about? Independent thinker and painter Santiago (Manolo Cardona) is having a passionate affair with Miguel (Cristian Mercado), a married fisherman in a remote Peruvian coastal village. Since this isn't Key West, problems arise.

What did I think? This is the best independent gay movie I've seen in years. While comparisons to Brokeback Mountain are probably unfair, given the rural location, the groundbreaking performances and sex scenes, as well as the damage wrought by the closet on married gay/bi men and their wives, comparisons are also probably inevitable.

But make no mistake, this is no mere Brokeback Mountain repeat. Something happens halfway through that spins the story off in an entirely unexpected direction, and that allows for a poignancy that rivals BBM. And while the ending can't be called happy, it is satisfying in a way that the story of Jack and Ennis wasn't. 

The acting, the writing and the cinematography are all top notch, and I find it depressing that a movie from South America is so superior to anything produced lately in the U.S.

I highly recommend you see it as soon as you get the chance.

2) Violet Tendencies

What's it about? Poor Violet (Mindy Cohn) is the last "fruit fly" left in her New York circle of mostly gay friends. But might she still be single because of those gay friends?

What did I think? There is an okay movie in here somewhere, but it needs a really good editor to excavate it. Too many storylines make it hard to care too much about any one person, and while Cohn is actually quite good, too often she's given material Meryl Streep couldn't make work and that makes her character seem either insane or idiotic. 

Since this is a movie about New York gays, naturally there are loads of hot guys naked and nearly naked (including Marcus Patrick as a stripper who shows off his more than ample gifts). The movie also includes one major twist that is nicely presented, but frankly I wish it had come sooner and been explored more in depth.

As for whether or not you should see it, if you're desperate to see a gay romantic comedy, go for it. Otherwise, head for Netflix and get Trick or The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

3) From Beginning to End

What's it about? Better known as the Brazilian movie about two brothers in love, it's pretty much about that and nothing else. 

What did I think? If Violet Tendencies had too many storylines, this movie has too few. Actually it has none. Our two protagonists have no real difficulties to face, no obstacles to overcome and not much happens to them other than showering together and lots of heavy petting.

I'm going to credit director Aluisio Abranches with having higher aspirations than just shocking us with a movie about gay brothers doing it, but whatever his vision was, he failed to get it on screen. I really can't recommend it, as if you just want to see hot guys together, you've got a lot of other better options.

4) Joan Rivers, a Piece of Work

What's it about? The life and times of Bill Clinton. What do you think it's about? It's Joan Rivers!

What did I think? The problem with many celebrity documentaries is that they really only let you see a certain side of their subject since, after all, they need usually need their subject's cooperation to get made. And while this is hardly a warts-and-all documentary, I did come away from it feeling I knew alot more about Joan Rivers than I did beforehand.

And whether you like her humor or not, Rivers is a survivor who has seemingly been around forever and her life has been fascinating. I think anyone, except maybe those who absolutely despise Rivers, will find this worth your time. 

Next page! A transman leads the way!