The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 29, 2000

DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

Plot 411: A group of gay friends face the trials and tribulations of love and loss together.

Review: On the surface, this may sound . . . well, gay. But this movie ended up being so much more than I expected. Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) is at a point in his life where he needs more than just the occassional hook up. When he meets Kevin (Andrew Keegan), he thinks that maybe he can help this newly out-of-the-closet guy avoid the bitter and cynical world that he and his friends live in. On the other hand, Dennis' friend Cole (Dean Cain) is just fine with a new boyfriend every few weeks. In fact, Kevin was one of his flings. At the center of their world is Jack (John Mahoney), a restaurant owner and boss who has been in a steady relationship for years. He serves as sort of a role model for all relationships. Dennis, Cole and their friends all work at Jack's and bring their laughter, tears and heartbreaks there. I don't want to really get into details as far as the story arc is concerned, but there are tons of issues and themes that you'll be able to relate to whether you're gay or straight. This movie is a rarity in that it portrays homosexual men as regular people. None are stricken with AIDS. None are struggling too much with their identity. They're all just regular people living and working in this world and trying to find love and happiness. The movie really is a rom com, just not one cut like all the rest. This is what makes this movie great. Also in this film are Zach Braff, Matt McGrath, Ben Weber, Billy Porter, Nia Long, Mary McCormack and Justin Theroux.

Watch It: Because it's a slice outta life with real characters and dialogue that you can relate to. Plus, the guys are hot even if they are playing gay characters.

Skip It: If you're uncomfortable about gay scenes in general. Although there aren't any nude scenes that I can remember, there's a bunch of dude-on-dude kissing and people do end up in bed together.

Garden State

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 28, 2004

DVD Release Date: December 28, 2004

Plot 411: A struggling actor returns to New Jersey when his mother dies and learns to feel for the first time in his life.

Review: Andrew Largeman (Zach Braff) has lived in a medicated haze for almost his entire life. These drugs have moderated his emotions. Nothing moves him. When he is called home by his father for his mother's funeral, he leaves his meds behind and for the first time in his life allows himself to feel. He gets reacquainted with friends from high school and meets a girl named Sam (Natalie Portman) while at the doctor's office. Over the next couple of days, he begins to reassess his life and realizes that he has missed out on most of it. Also in this film are Peter Sarsgaard, Jean Smart and Method Man. I decided to rewatch this film because I hadn't seen it in several years. Apparently I wasn't paying much attention to it the first time around because this I didn't remember any of the scenes or even the main plot points. It was like watching it anew. For the most part, I liked how the film seemed to be one of those self-aware, societal commentaries shrouded in hipster music. As Largeman slowly came out of his drug haze, it seemed like his world opened up. In small increments, he became a living person instead of a shadow of a human. Portman is awesome in this movie. She plays a pathological liar and her quirky nature intrigues Largeman. She helps to integrate him into the world one emotion at a time. It's interesting that Largeman is detoxing from his prescribed medications yet there are tons of illegals all around him. The idea that he's finally able to move forward is contrasted by the way his friends have all remained the same. At times, you completely understand why he wanted to live in the medicated haze for so long.

Watch It: For what seemed to be a realistic portrayal of one man's emotional awakening.

Skip It: If you're anti uber-hipster movies. This feels like the grandfather of the current round of hipster flicks.