MOVIES | Top 10 Best Gay Movies with Happy Endings for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and what better way to celebrate than by watching a heartfelt movie that showcases beautiful LGBTQ+ love stories with happy endings? Whether you’re planning a cozy night in with your partner or indulging in some solo self-care, these films offer romance, joy, and unforgettable storytelling. Here are the top 10 best gay movies with happy endings to watch for Valentine’s Day.

MOVIE REVIEWS | Exploring LGBTQ+ Cinema: A Guide to Gay Films by Mood and Genre

LGBTQ+ cinema has long been a powerful medium for storytelling, capturing the nuances of love, struggle, joy, and identity. Whether you're in the mood for a heart-wrenching romance, a lighthearted comedy, or an intense drama, there's something for everyone. Here’s a curated list of gay films, grouped by mood and genre, with brief synopses to help you decide what to watch next.

MOVIES | Unveiling Desire and Obsession: A Review of Luca Guadagnino's Queer

Luca Guadagnino, known for his evocative storytelling and atmospheric visuals, has taken on a daring adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s semi-autobiographical novel Queer. Starring Daniel Craig as William Lee and Drew Starkey as Eugene Allerton, the film explores themes of unrequited desire, self-discovery, and the human longing for connection. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Ecuador and infused with Guadagnino’s penchant for emotional ambiguity, the movie challenges its audience with its layered narrative and haunting performances.

MOVIE REVIEW | Atlas (2024) - J.Lo's 'Atlas': A Star Power Misfire in a Predictable Plot

Seeing J.Lo in "Atlas" left me with mixed feelings. The last movie of hers that I genuinely enjoyed was "Maid In Manhattan." While I’m not an avid fan, I have to admit that Jennifer Lopez has undeniable acting skills. Unfortunately, "Atlas" wasn't the right project to showcase her talent. 

MOVIE REVIEW | Looking (2014)

What's great about "Looking" is how it shows gay life in San Francisco in a relatable way. It covers different ethnicities and groups within the gay community, making it both fun to watch and informative. It talks about things like sexual roles and relationships in a positive light, and even touches on HIV awareness without getting too heavy. It's important to talk about stuff like HIV prevention and treatment, especially with how many cases there are worldwide.

MOVIE REVIEW | Reel Royalty: Ranking the Best MMFF Pictures of Their Respective Years

MMFF, inaugurated in 1975, marked the epoch when luminaries such as Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos ascended to the status of national icons as fervent fandoms burgeoned. The zenith of competition unfolded in 1978, a night etched in history for its fiercely contested awards, notably featuring the iconic duel between Nora and Vilma. This rivalry transcended the realms of accolades and box office triumphs, spilling over into the palpable tension of physical altercations among their ardent supporters in cinema lobbies.

The ensuing decade, the 1980s, witnessed a more audacious and experimental cinematic landscape, epitomized by groundbreaking films like "Himala" and "Bulaklak sa City Jail." Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos continued their enthralling rivalry, captivating award ceremonies with their formidable films. A noteworthy clash occurred in 1981, with Nora Aunor ("Rock and Roll") and Vilma Santos ("Karma") standing as the sole nominees for Best Actress; ultimately, Vilma Santos emerged victorious. The following year, Nora Aunor clinched the Best Actress accolade for "Himala."

The 1990s ushered in a wave of socially relevant films, delving into authentic narratives of personal struggles and portraying historical luminaries such as Jose Rizal. In the 2000s, the cinematic landscape shifted towards mass appeal, with films eschewing social commentary in favor of humor and fantasy, catering to a broader audience.

Here's our curated selection of the finest MMFF pictures, each declared winners in their respective year, meticulously ranked

MOVIE REVIEW | Metro Manila 2023 Winner Forecast: Mallari, Rewind and Firefly Vie for Awarding Supremacy

The 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival features a diverse lineup of contenders vying for top honors. As the annual Awards Night approaches on December 27th, speculation mounts over which films will take home the coveted prizes. This year's ceremony, to be held at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, caps off an exciting festival showcasing the range of Philippine cinema. Leading up to the big event, festival organizers inaugurated a new 152-seat MMFF Auditorium at the MMDA Building in Pasig on December 14th. This intimate venue will host special screenings and events during the festival and in the future.  

With so much talent represented across multiple categories, competition is fierce. In this blog, we’ll analyze the frontrunners and predict the likely winners of this year’s major awards. From ambitious dramas to genre-bending independent films, many impressive works have a shot at being recognized by the festival’s jury. Stay tuned as we break down the top contenders vying for glory at this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

MOVIE REVIEW | What Are The Top Gay Films You Need To See In 2023?

Below is a compilation of essential gay films to watch in 2023. While not exclusively consisting of films produced in 2023, this list includes a diverse range of titles that hold relevance for the year. Our selection spans from 1999 to 2023 across the world (Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Macedonia, Spain, and USA) representing a modest yet carefully curated assortment, in my humble opinion. Recently, there has been an abundant selection of films that not only provide entertainment but also carry powerful messages of hope and redemption. These films serve as mirrors reflecting the diversity and progress of our times, and I'm delighted that many of them now conclude on a hopeful rather than tragic note. Don't you think so?

Now, let me share my recommended gay films for 2023.

MOVIE REVIEW | Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Rating: 8/10

Silence of the Lambs, is probably one of the very few horror movies which I liked. Believe it or not, I have only seen the movie in 2021 (that's 20 years after it was first released) and what really piqued my attention was the fact that it was voted as the scariest movie of all time by one online survey. But I never really paid much attention to that survey since I am not into horror genre.

SOTL still employed gore and blood as shock value, but take that away and it would still be a great film, simply because the plot/thesis was able to make the audience think from the POV of Hannibal Lecter; as we as audience become Clarisse as we try to piece the puzzle based on the snippets of clue Hannibal was providing. The elements of urgency e.g. running after Buffalo Bill to save the victim, gave us audience the push to think quickly - who can be the serial killer, and so on.

MOVIE REVIEW | The Shining (1980)

 

Rating: 6/10

My initial reaction upon struggling to finish this film was, "Stephen King novels should be left as novels and not be adapted on screen." I have not seen any Stephen King works in movies that impressed me. "Carrie" and "Children of the Corn" both gave chill but do not really end up well as a material for films, simply because the endings were too weak or the character development was abrupt.

For instance, in the case of "The Shining" the narrative was supposed to be about the "shining" which is Danny's ability to see past and future events. But the movie failed to utilize this ability as main element in the entire thick of things. In fact, I feel like the movie could have been OK as it is, without Danny even having this ability since it's pretty useless anyway. As opposed to the "Sixth Sense" where the boy's gift was the center focus of the conflict, and how everything was affected by his ability to see and talk to spirits.

The Shining would have been better titled as "The Caretaker" or "All Play and No Work Makes Jack a Dull Boy" because that is what it is - a story about how Jack lost his mind because he was too busy trying to write. At best, the movie becomes eerily scary because of the ambient sounds that give away if something is going to happen; well, to the point that it becomes too distracting already. Nobody wants to be told that this is a horror story. We already know that.

 

MOVIES | Top 10 Independent (Indie) Films in the Phlippines

If you are wondering what might be some good films to understand Filipino culture, I made a list below of some of my recommendations. These films deals with poverty to homophobia and family issues - themes which are all very prevalent to Filipinos. Again, these are all mere reflections and do not necessarily apply to all Filipinos' lives, but nonetheless these works of art are good gauge to understand the Filipino psyche.

MOVIE | Five Dances (2013)

Five Dances (2013)

In the movie "Five Dances", we witness how the budding romance of Chip and Theo evolved from mere dance partners into something more serious. Chip is a dance prodigy under the scholarship of the studio's dance instructor while Theo, though not much is said about his character seemed to be well off as we learn that he is from Australia who is now living in New York.

FILM REVIEW | Call Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

"Call Me By Your Name" has made a huge impact on me since I've seen the movie. To be honest, I had no plans to see this film until one of my friends mentioned it being potentially nominated at the Oscars 2018. And since I am an avid follower of Oscar movies (because that's the only form of entertainment that amuses me and makes life bearable), I went ahead and watched it.

MOVIE REVIEW | Justice League (2017)

Justice League (2017)

I liked how the director made an effort to give all characters equal exposure in the film, that is- not giving the limelight to any of them. Although Wonder Woman obviously stood out, what with all the grand entrance and that signature sound effect whenever she gets her limited screen time.

MOVIE REVIEW | IT (2017)

IT (2017)

Let me start off by asking- what makes James Wan horror flicks compelling? The simple answer is- jump scares are injected at the right spots where you least expect it to be.

MOVIE REVIEW | Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

This fantasy action packed film borrows themes from Fast and the Furious, James Bond and even Charlie's Angels; it is funny and has lots of close up shots on channing tatum's bulge (one can never go wrong on CT's package)... Julianne Moore was also a perfect sociopath villainess... skip the burger though.

MOVIE REVIEW | Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

Rating: 8 / 10 
★★★★★★★★

Not my favorite DC movie really, but when I think about Batman and Superman, I must say that Wonder Woman is not a bad film. As with the usual DC films, there is depth in the story. But what makes Wonder Woman different from other DC superhero films is that-

MOVIES | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Here's a tip before you decide not to scroll down- there are 5 post credits after the film. Some of the clips will deal about the movie. The others will build up on the next Marvel films so better not leave the theatre.

MOVIE REVIEW | Aftermath (2017)

Aftermath (2017)

After a long time, Arnold Schwarzenegger has starred in a drama film about a man who lost his wife and daughter from a midair collision. Loosely based on real events that took place in Germany.

MOVIE REVIEW | The Purge 3: Election Year

The Purge 3: Election Year

Not having seen the previous two movies e.g. The Purge 1 & 2, I absolutely had no idea what this movie was all about. Hence, there was the element of surprise during the whole time. However, the surprise factor was due to the gore and bloody scenes in the film. Without the violence, I am not so sure if the movie will stand out. In effect, I felt like I was watching Saw-Chainsaw Massacre-The Green Inferno sort of movie.