I too commend "God's own country" to you. However, it is set in Yorkshire, England (known as God's own country) and no concession is made with the Yorkshire accent. You might need a glossary!!!!
It's interesting that you talk about "a piece of art that comes along at just the right time", because for me that was actually your videos. I was 18, almost 19, I had just finished high school and was about to start University. I was very much in the closet (I went to an all boys school, so there was no way I was coming out), and didn't know how to feel about the fact that I was gay. That's when I came across your videos, and I was hooked. I spent my whole summer watching your videos of your adventures and other shenanigans from circa 2014 Mark Miller. Your videos showed me that it was ok to be gay, and that you can be loved and have a wonderful life being who you are. They're what inspired me to start coming out, and my gosh it was an exciting rollercoaster from there. My coming out even inspired others to come out too. That was 7 years ago, and I'll still never forget that. It's amazing the impacts we can have on others' lives without even knowing it :) Keep on being your wonderful self Mark, because your videos help show so many gay kids (and adults) that it's ok to be yourself and that you can be happy! All the best :)
I also started watching Mark’s videos around the same time. Get this, I used to be so paranoid about people finding out that I was gay to the point where I would delete the channel name from my history. I’d have to make sure no one could see my computer or phone screen, let alone hear it… So much anxiety. Happy to be at a point in my life where I’m proudly subscribed lmao
The fact that Mark was so regular and not full of affectations made me accept that I was perhaps gay as well. I have had always attraction to other boys but never had the balls to actually pursue it. His relationship with another guy and both of them were just regular guys empowered me to allow a possibility to try something like that. I went to a quasy-military high school for boys only. Lots of eye candy but I never let anyone know about that.
I actually live the same thing when I left high school for the university 7 years ago. I was very scared about it but it was ok with my family. I am still struggling with it my professional life.
@@davidlp6510 I hear what you're saying, but I have to point out the small bit of internalized homophobia in your comment. "Full of affectations" and being "regular" is just code for him being more masculine and less feminine than you'd assume. That logic is problematic because those "affectations" are just how some gay men are naturally. You should be able to appreciate Mark's videos whether he's "regular" or not.
For me, the movie "Shelter" was the movie that changed my life as a queer person. It was the first queer media I had seen. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of a queer person falling in love, because growing up in the closet my idea of being gay was just sex. It completely opened my eyes and changed the way I saw myself as a queer person.
Me. Too. I watched Brokeback Mountain in the theaters when I was 19 (in 2oo5) - twice actually. I think the second time was with my first boyfriend and sister. It was essentially the first cis gendered male queer film I had seen (of course Rocky Horror Picture show and the original "Cabaret" with Joel Grey were the very first queer films i had seen more or less due to the local UHF TV station of my hometown constantly playing them over and over...I guess the rights to play those movies must have been cheap or inexpensive enough that KVOS could afford?...) - Brokeback Mountain took a tremendous weight off my shoulders, cried through the whole movie (twice) - but "Shelter," along with "Gods Own Country" and a few others were truly like coming Home for me. with a Capital H.
The Movie is more or less traumatic to me anymore. but awesome to see what the younger generation thinks of it anymore. It was a totally different time for gay men in 2oo5 than in 2o21. It was a really a pioneering film, Truly a great work -Courageous, Groundbreaking, it did knock a lot of good things loose in Humanity , and helped with the hangups people had around Queer folks. unfortunately, due to my own core wounds, many of my ex boyfriends and our relationships came to resemble the codependent, often toxic relationship between Heath Ledgers and Jake Gyllenhaal's characters. so the nightmare - ecstasy became reality for me (over and over again) - sooo....I've been single for 3 years cuz of that! yippee! LOL! ~~~love this review of the film , like I say lovely to see younger , less damaged gay men's take on it :)
I've never cried so much at a film than when I watched broke back mountain for the first time. I remember feeling the most heartbroken I'd ever felt, that's some powerful storytelling and acting. I'm a straight female and this is one of if not my favourite film. It's just so beautifully made. Will cry every time I watch it
I saw Brokeback Mountain in the theatre when it was released in 2005. I had a similar reaction at the end. I got home from seeing it, closed my apartment door and burst into tears, if affected me that much. A brilliantly made film.
It is not hyperbole to say that "Brokeback Mountain" actually changed the world. I was in grad school when it came out, and it was all everyone was talking about as it had gained so much mainstream attention and accolades. The movie helped to set the stage and give courage for much of the growth in LGBT representation in media that came after that, not only in the U.S. but also in many other parts of the world. As an example, I was recently watching a popular 2016 boys' love (BL) Chinese web series called "Addicted" (which is great, by the way), and you can hear the "Brokeback Mountain" music playing in the background in some of the scenes. Ang Lee and the actors and crew of "Brokeback Mountain" must be very proud of this gift they gave to the world.
"Maurice" is another beautiful film, and it has a happy ending. Yes, that's a young and gorgeous Rupert Graves (Lestrade) as Alec and Hugh Grant as Clive. You'll fall in love with Alec, it's impossible not to. czcams.com/video/0igNKncphdU/video.html
I love Addicted so much, one of my favorite series from China. I didn’t notice they played the score in the background 🤭 I’m gonna have to watch it again
But the best movies I watched was struggle on CZcams and Prayers for Bobby was good too what’s crazy is prayers for Bobby was so good I cried and it was just crazy
@@NHATMINH2304 girlllllll right that movie scared me but it also showed me that some of us gays have a hard time dealing with coming out and to the lgbt+ community my people guys don’t be afraid to speak up and speak to someone if u know there’s people around u hurting you or not supporting you have the voice to get up and say I’m me and that’s the apple on this motherfucking tree because we deserve happiness too
Queer as Folk helped me figure out so much at a young age. Thank them so much as I would not be as put together and confident as I am today without that art. Justin was me and Brian showed how to be unapologetic about just being who you are to its fullest.
I can honestly say Brokeback Mountain was and still is the most significantly impactful film of my life. I first read the book in the summer of 2005, about a few months before it debuted in cinema. I was dumbstruck by the power of that short story by Annie Proulx. In many ways it described my own experience with my life partner of 24 years. We met, while both still young and inexperienced with the homosexual lifestyle, yet our relationship has remained true to one another, steadfast and just between us all of these years. My partner considered himself bi at the time we met and had had live-in girlfriends over the years prior. I was his first and only boyfriend and life companion still today. I feel Ennis and Jack would have been the same, had it not been the early 1960s when they met, or Wyoming, or being under the strict expectations of masculine, straight cowboy culture. Beginning with the North American movie premiere in Toronto, Canada, in Sept. 2005, which coincidentally most of the actors attended too, I saw Brokeback Mountain in theaters a total of 10 times! I was obsessed with it, as it depicted an altered direction our lives could have taken, had we been openly gay at a time when people were not as accepting of LGBTQ culture as they are now. Today, Brokeback is like a shrine to me, symbolic for how grateful I am to all the people before me who paved the way for us to live comfortably in our own skin, unafraid and unashamed of being who we are.
One queer film that I resonated with as a teen was a Brazilian film called “The Way he Looks” or “Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho.” A precious film about a blind teen who falls for a new guy in school. Sounds cheesy but it’s so sweet and likeable. A must watch
Beautiful Thing was the movie that gave me hope as a young person dealing with my sexuality. It’s a beautifully written British film from 1996.. a year after I graduated high school. At the time I thought I’d have to hide who I really was for the rest of my life. Living in the south and later Utah there really wasn’t a lot of hope for love as a young gay teen. For some reason as I watched this film, secretly in my room of course, I remember having that first real glimmer of hope.. Films really do matter.. especially for those that feel marginalized.
I remember watching Beautiful Thing some time during quarantine in early 2020, and it really was an incredible film. The way it was able to sort of show how class and sexuality intersected in their lives was something you don't usually see done effectively in films meant for a TV release.
I love the line “I wish I knew how to quit you” too, but what Heath Ledger says just afterwards hits me even more. Basically he says he’s nothing because of Jack Twist. What he means in that moment is that he wasted all his life being on hold for a man that he can’t even enjoy at the sunlight. I think that line describes the sacrifice we have to do for the things we love sometimes. Even if that means getting nothing back in return. Sure Ledger’s character could have had a better life, with a better job and a better house. But he decided to stay around for Jake, and nothing could ever compare to those magical, even if not so many, moments spent together. Btw I do suggest to watch Call Me Be Your Name, if you haven’t seen it before. Another masterpiece! Especially the book
The movie that changed me was “love, simon” because the speech that simon’s mother gives him after his coming out hit so hard on my feelings i couldn’t stop thinking about it. She explains how she knew that he was hiding something because the sparkle and the joy he used to have when he was a kid, all of the sudden disappeared. And it resembles my experience so much that i genuinely got scared because i started thinking that probably my mother knew too and she was suffering like his mother and i felt so overwhelmed and hopeless but at the same time relieved in some way. It may sound superficial but it’s my honest opinion :) Thank you for being always you, take care of yourself
Love Simon is also that movie for me, for exactly the same reason as you. That scene with his mother made me cry hysterically in the movie theatre because I related to it so much.
"You get to exhale now".... I had chills! Loved that movie, it was very nice to see something not to theatrical and basic "rom-com"ish just with a gay character
Highly recommend 'A Single Man' (2009) which is about a man in 1960s LA trying to cope with the death of his partner (not a spoiler). It has a pretty good cast and the aesthetic/use of colour change in the cinematography to reflect the protagonist's feelings really makes the film in my opinion. Even though the tone of the film is sad, I really liked that the focus felt less about the fact they happened to be two men and the taboos around that, in favour of showcasing how the grief following the loss of a partner actually reflects the significance/depth of the bond you shared (and that this is equally genuine between partners of the same gender). God's Own Country as others have suggested is also definitely worth a watch.
'A Single Man' is definitely a must-watch film. Set in 1960s California, it was the directorial debut of fashion designer, Tom Ford. I remember the film received rave reviews upon its release. Safe to say, Mr. Ford definitely knew what he was doing as the director.
It was 1975 and I was 20. My heart raced when I heard his car in the driveway. But he was determined to lead a "normal" life. I'm 66 now, still think about him everyday.
@@noahliang9553 No. He got married and I moved far away to start over. Last year I tried to contact him but found out he had passed away. So many regrets.
@@chs75 He doesn't. He regrets the circumstances. It's hard for some people to understand, today. But things were different in society back then. We made many sacrifices for survival and acceptance.
Queer as Folk was one of the first pieces of queer media that had a big impact on me. That first moment of feeling seen and represented is so important. Watching your channel also gave me hope that I could live out and proud and that gay men come in all sorts of packages, not always fitting the stereotype. Mark, if you continued these sort of media reviews, I think it could be a big hit! You did a great job with this one.
I literally can't breathe sometimes after watching it. It reminds me too much of how my life was and of how sometimes it was like all you have in this world of the love of your life is a bloody T-shirt and a lifetime of regret.
Brokeback, beyond all of its other triumphs, I think is one of the greatest examples in modern film of how critical a strong score can be to a movie. That final scene is beautifully brutal, but I don't know that it would carry the same impact without Gustavo Santaolalla's score. Even just listening to the soundtrack after all these years, that last song carries the same emotional weight on its own because of how closely linked it has become in memory of what Heath was able to do on screen. As far as other film recommendations go, I think I saw someone else already mention Torch Song Trilogy. It provides a great, if slightly cynical, slice of life depiction of the post-Stonewall queer community in New York in the 70s and 80s. It also tackles, in its own way, perspectives within the community regarding monogamy, as well as the conflict between a queer man and his family's traditional values. The writing is razor sharp, and the interactions between Harvey Fierstein and Anne Bancroft, who plays his mother, can be every bit as hilariously witty as they are gut wrenching. We talk about how groundbreaking it was for a film like Brokeback Mountain to be released back in 2005, which makes Torch Song Trilogy's release in 1988 all the more impressive.
Holding the Man. This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. It takes place during the begging and later peak of the AIDS epidemic, and wow, it’s a tear jerker for sure. Plus, this offers a unique insight into queer history, specifically during the 70s and 80s.
Latter Days was one of the first queer films that really resonated with me. I’m not Mormon, but being raised Baptist definitely made me relate to the main character and his struggle. Not as beautiful as BBM, but still a movie that helped me traverse my own coming to terms with my sexuality.
I wanna share with you guys one of my favorite movies ever: It's called "The way he looks". It's a brazilian movie about a blind guy who wants his independence, and along the way he begins to discover his sexuality. It's based on a short film called "Eu não quero voltar sozinho" that is available here on CZcams and has subtitles. :)
Shelter, Trick, Latter Days, Were the World Mine, Broken Hearts Club, there is one other set in Spain/Portugal that was a Love Triangle that had a happy ending that I can't think of the title at the moment. These are some of my favorites. I feel these films are some of the best.
When I was 18 (a very long time ago) I read “The Front Runner” and my life changed forever. I knew I wasn’t alone and that I somehow had a roadmap to find love with another man. After nearly 50 years, the story still touches my heart when I remember it. You’ll feel that same way about Brokeback Mountain, I know.
Reminded especially by the final clip in this video, I can still feel the tears and breathlessness from the first time I finished watching Brokeback! It truly changed the way I felt about myself and how I wanted the rest of my life to be. In my mid-late teens, I was recommended to watch Beautiful Thing which was another influence for me!
'Beautiful Thing' is an amazing moving from 1996, it was a great film in its day and helped me a lot. Especially because it portrayed the background of where and how I was brought up. Please watch it!!
First of all, thank you for putting yourself out there yet again with your most real feelings. Secondly, for me too Brokeback Mountain came at precisely the right time. I too was 19 then and had just broke up with a guy who wanted to marry a girl. The film hit me right in the heart. I was amazed at how ACCURATELY they had captured every beat, every emotion. I haven't watched it again because it's just too painful. ❤ From India
I watched it one day and then kept rewatching it the next few days, then I become despressed for more than a week, and then I promised I'll not watch it intentionally again in the near future. It's beautiful though.
@@maynefreeland8969 It might not be obvious from my comment but when I was rewatching the movie in the days after, I was crying all the time. And if I listened to the soundtrack, I cried as well, and said I won’t listen to it intentionally either.
The soundtrack to this movie is absolutely amazing. It hit me so many different times because it always hit at the right moment in the film. As far as other movies that kinda tipped the scale - Trick was my first piece. Such a corny movie but it was great, and it played out hilariously. Geography Club is another of my favorites, there's more I just can't remember them all off the top of my head.
If you want a film with a happy ending, try Maurice. For many gay men, that was the film. I watched it last year, and it really holds up. Totally different setting from Brokeback (early 20th century Britain), but the characters are still closeted and struggling to have a relationship. The key difference is the happy ending for the main character. Really groundbreaking for 1987, especially considering there was an AIDS crisis going on and anti-gay sentiment was at an all-time high for modern times.
Amazing description of what Brokeback meant for so many of us who were coming to terms with ourselves. Also, speaking of someone who somewhat remembers 19-20 y.o. Mark (we had mutual friends at undergrad), your 19-20 y.o. self did a pretty good job at doing the walk and the talk. So proud of the journey you've made and how comfortable you are in your own skin now.
A lot of the queer cinema that I consumed when I was younger had a sad ending. My breakthrough came with a film called “Shelter”. Gave me a glimmer of hope that life might turn out all right for me.
„Free Fall“ (in German „Freier Fall“) I think you can find it with english subtitels. Highly recommend it to all of you. Many viewers internationally have asked if there will be a second part. I think it has now been confirmed.
Shelter (2007) was a great film I watched around the same time I watched Brokeback for the first time. Similar experience to you. Closeted throughout high schools. Came out in college and just started watching whatever I could. A Single Man (2009) is probably my second favorite film ever. Beautifully shot by Tom Ford. I cry every single time I watch it.
“Call me by your name” I love this movie. It’s for sure an acquired taste, but very emotional and deep. So, Mark I think you might like this one. Plz do queer film reviews, omg I absolutely would love this on your channel. Theirs plenty of titles out there so loads of vids.
Such a beautiful movie those movies you see more than once and they’re still fresh, they were going to do a sequel there’s even a trailer for it however all the scandal one of the actors was having Caused athe cancellation,Armie Hammer
@@marvmoder8628 Actually, the sequel was cancelled prior to Armie's issues. The sequel book was not very good to a lot of CMBYN fans and that is what killed it.
Not to stir up a hornet's nest, but isn't "Call me by your name" essentially a Gay Lolita Fantasy that ends tragically? not a youtube Troll :p - I just despise the film, I discovered Sufjan's steven's music that way and for that I am infinitely and eternally Grateful. CMBYN gives me a visceral reaction - and not in a good way :/
You’re a good man, Mark! I’m glad the film impacted you, as it did me. I thank God that cinema and television have more of this type of content (TJ & Cyrus, Sonny and Will, Love Victor, etc) for others to see themselves through. ❤️
Your videos have been those powerful pieces of art, since high school, last week I qualified as a out and proud queer doctor in South Africa. Thank you for being an inspiration for so many queer children. 💙
I highly recommend my favorite queer film “Shelter” about a dude that does graffiti artist that surfs along San Pedro. Low and behold his best friends brother is recently single and back in town. This film was lovely and gave such cute feelies. Broke back mountain was beautiful and hurt. Shelter is closer to a happily ever after I never knew was even possible. Take a gander lemme know what you think.
As a closeted gay man back in 2005, I remember hiding and watching Broke Back Mountain alone and experiencing the flood of feelings and emotions it brought on. I am grateful we are in a much better place today but unfortunately we still have quite a long way to go! Love you Mark! ❤❤
I really enjoy listening to you, Mark. The way you think and express yourself is one of the reasons why I love this channel. And I totally agree, I havent even paid attention to the landscape back then. Btw I recommend a Spanish film called "A Escondidas". I'm not sure if you would relate to it at some point. But it will be interesting to hear your thoughts. Take care Mark! Nice vid.
there's a movie called "My Best Friend" (Mi mejor amigo) and it strikes me every time i watch it this movie is really good at reflecting the first steps of a queer person in this world and the story is so touching if someone has ever watched this movie, describe your feelings in response to this comment I will be glad to read
I love this movie but, I've never been able to watch it completely, I've only seen it in 'bits and pieces' . . . before I know it, tears are rolling down my face, for different reasons. The beautiful love between these two men tears me up, their happiness at being together, same . . . the heartache when they have to part, the hurt! Joy, love, happiness, hurt . . . all these emotions, it's more than I can take because it's happenedd to me . . . how do they say it, "Been There, Done That" - I bought the movie but, I just keep it close to me, look at pic on the cover . . . what really tore me up is when Heath Ledger died in real life.
“Queer as Folk” both British and especially the American (Canadian) version and “Roswell” (2000) were visible accessible TV series that had a big impact on me being ok.
Freier Fall (Free Fall) German movie with Hanno Koffler & Max Riemelt (Max was also "Wolfgang" in Sense 8)💔. Beautiful, Mark. Years of watching your videos and your growth to now see you as an amazing soul. Your honesty and insight have made you more human and real to me. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. 🤟
“Já tue má mere” (or I killed my mother) was my brokeback mountain when I was 17. Xavier Dolan was my favorite film maker and actor at the time too. I honestly didn’t realize why I loved the movie so much until I watched it as an adult. That, and his other film “les amore imagináres” (prob butchered that lol)
Check out “My Own Private Idaho” starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. I have only been able to watch Brokeback once: when I saw it in the theater many years ago. It struck very deeply and 20 years later it still is with me.
I really really really recommend the series called "Love, Victor", as a gay man I experienced the struggles of the main character and it made me wish this show existed back when I was a teenager, it would have allowed me to feel better and more confident about myself 🥺 We're adults now but I'm sure you would enjoy it, I've never feel so connected / relatable to a film / series before!
I haven’t watched Brokeback Mountain for years, but holy hell. Allllll of the memories came flooding back the moment I read the title of this video. Suddenly I’m 20 again, life ahead of me, talking every day with the man I was deeply in love with. Little did I know, our story would be vaguely similar to that of Jack/Ennis. We had a bunch of bursts of time together, and those still mean the world to me. He’s the one I can’t quit. I’m going to have to rewatch Brokeback Mountain sometime soon… with a box of tissues nearby. 😢 Thanks for talking about this. :)
Once again Mark your heart on your sleeve is a beautiful vision to behold.... The first gay art to impact my coming out process were the 'Tales of the City" books by Armistead Maupin. I couldn't hoover them fast enough! And my 2 first "Brokeback" impact movies were "Priest" and "The Wedding Banquet". Both provoked joy, tears and truth.
My first experience seeing gay culture in media was Will & Grace. Growing up, I started having thoughts I was gay when I was 13 or 14-ish and it scared me. I had only ever seen gay men portrayed as very effeminate, lispy individuals, portrayed as these 2 dimensional beings. And that scared me, because I thought if I embraced who I was, that I would lose a lot of myself in becoming that caricature. I mentioned these concerns in private to a neighborhood kid a few years older than me who was openly gay, and he invited me over to his place to watch Wil & Grace. He showed me a cast of characters who, sure, occasionally embraced some of those early stereotypes of gay men, but who were so much more real than anything else I had encountered until then. It was an eye opening experience to me, to understand that being gay did not have to constitute the entirety of my being. Just wanted to share. Thank you for the beautiful video and your story.
Brokeback begins in 1963. I was 15 at the time - a sophmore in high school. Gay back then was just a taboo that nobody discussed - I only knew it was something BAD. I finally came out at age 34 in 1982. After a series of boyfriends, I retired (from both work and dating) and went back to my first (we are best friends now). After almost 40 years, I guess you could say we just didn't know how to quit each other. Getting back to the film, I saw it multiple times during 2005-6. Heath Ledger was astonishing - one of the most subtle, textured, beautiful performances in the history of film IMO. Who knew in 1963 that by the time I was in my early 70s, there would be gay marriage, gays could be in the military openly, and there would be a brilliant gay man working in the cabinet as Secretary of Transportation. My point here is there has been HUGE progress since I was a teen, and you whippersnappers (haha - get off my lawn) are lucky to be around in this more accepting time.
I felt the sensation you were talking about watching your videos. You were a great inspiration for me at the time and really changed my life. Without watching that first videos of yours that day I don't know how much other time would have passed before coming out. So thank you for having been my right person at the right time. "Everyday is a great day", I'll never forget the person who thaught me this and showed that it could be true even for me ❤️
Hi Mark,! Your early vlogs were the main thing that got me to accept myself and more so embrace the community. Thank you for all of your time and effort in your vlogs, they have made a difference in many peoples lives! wish you the best! 😊
Was thinking of what my "brokeback" was, and I came up with two.. First one is Moonlight. Second one is this amazing 2011 film called Weekend. It's a 2011 film by Andrew Haigh, and is part of the Criterion Collection. Loved it so much - just a very raw/honest film about a one-night stand that develops into much more for the two guys.
Mark, you are looking so good, so healthy, so relaxed. I feel your healing and it looks good on you. Art helps us heal. See if you can find Parting Glances. It's such a great film. xo
Yes, Parting Glances is my go-to recommendation when anyone asks for gay themed films. Excellent film, gay themed or not. It's well written; nothing is wasted.
Always love to watch and listen to your vlogs. Thank you for sharing about how you felt/feel about Brokeback Mountain. I remember being scared to go see it at the cinema because I could end up outing myself. I never really appreciated it the first time and wondered what the media fuss was all about ! But as you said, it creates different responses depending on when you watch it.
Spot on Mark...the cinematography for Brokeback was absolutely stunningly beautiful!!! And the soundtrack equally so...never been more in love with the sound of an acoustic guitar!
I've always considered "A Single Man" something like a sequel to "Brokeback Mountain." One ends with a "widowed" gay man, the other begins with one. One shows that true love is possible, and the other shows you that even a wounded heart can be open to new love. I've often thought a third movie would complete the trilogy. I wonder what course the student, who was opening the door to a new life, would have taken after losing a trusted mentor.
You're totally correct, sometimes you find a movie at the perfect time and it just resonates with you. Shelter (2014) was definitely the most influential movie for me.
Came out in college and my good friend took me to see this in theaters. Literally Broke me. The whole way back I was dead silent in the car and cried all night. Even the whole week was difficult. As a young gay man, this was profound to see the gay men in this Movie kissing and loving. I was both in awe, shock and felt validated on so many levels of who I am. That being said, this Movie should be seen by Everyone.
Just watch "And then we danced" it's a beautiful Georgian movie about two dancers, they are closeted, they are under pressure of society, but they are trying to snatch a moment of their feeling. And national Georgian dance is so perfectly integrated into this movie.
it's Queer as folk for me and brokeback mountain, found it in the same moment, which changed me. Im from poland so it took a while for me to find full episodes/movie, all i had was just some love story videos on youtube, it didnt took me long to accept myself and embrace it. forever grateful
Both “Brokeback Mountain” and “Call Me By Your Name” are gorgeous, incredible, defining, artistic, heartbreaking masterpieces of queer content. The novel version of CMBYN especially destroyed me (in a weirdly good way?). If you have the chance to read it, I highly recommend it.
An amazing movie on so many levels. Great short story as well. I’m significantly older than you Mark and it is encouraging to know that I his film has impacted people who were not yet born when the film was set. Timeless.
Prayers For Bobby - I watched it when I was 15. It has a somewhat bittersweet ending, but it changed the way I viewed myself and pushed to be both more vulnerable and kinder. The innocence and kindness of Bobby helped me see that there wasn't something inherently wrong with who I can fall in love with. It also taught me that compassion and the legacy it leaves behind can change people and hearts greatly. It's pretty much a life long process to learn how to love, how to be loved, how to be kind, and how to forgive. I am probably not making a lot of sense, but as an adolescent who felt very lonely and guilty for being the way he was, for some reason the movie seemed to hit all the right spots.
It was a great movie, I saw again recently, It was beautifully done both visually and the storyline. Call me by your name is also another piece a great film work. Also very moving and when you want to see more than once. Thanks so much for making a video maybe there’s still some people out there that haven’t seen it
It's so beautiful to be able to relate to your video, to your experiance and you in a sense; as I feel so much the same. It's such a unique piece of art and such a soul breaker in a good way at the same time. Thank you for sharing that moment with us
Please watch “Contracorriente” on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions, beautiful movie.
Oh Dang Dude, I watched that movie once back in late 2006 and while it was a Great movie with an Incredible story, the latter part and the ending were so Deep that I have not yet watched it again. I give this movie a Perfect 10 and will watch it again someday soon. I caught your tears at the end of this video while tearing up myself. Happy Holidays Everybody.
A lot of the films in the comments have changed me in different times of my life but recently I watched Veneno on HBO Max and completely blew me away. I laughed, I cried, I sobbed, everything really. It’s just a masterpiece, La Veneno is a character that will catch you off guard and will make you question so much about the world we live in now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so honest and fearless, but at the same time so naive about her own circumstances. I honestly encourage you to watch it, it changed me to levels I didn’t know I had in me. I know it sounds so dramatic but it really is amazing. It’s beautifully written and filmed, it literally has something to offer for everyone who watches it 🙌
If you have never watched "Trick", you are missing a vital point in queer cinema, same can be said for "To Wong Foo: thanks for everything, Julie Newmar". Oh, and "The Way he looks" is beautiful, if you can deal with subtitles. I think its brazilian, but I am not sure
Probably going too far back in time but I'd recommend My Beautiful Launderette - 1985 (I was in my 20's when I saw that film and the kiss in that shook my world) Maurice - 1987 (Hugh Grant and a very sexy Rupert Graves) C.R.A.Z.Y. is a 2005 Canadian coming-of-age drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and co-written by Vallée and François Boulay (Great Quebec film that I think you might like) Another great film out of Quebec - Lawrence Anyways - by the brilliant Xavier Dolan. Those are just a few of the ones I've watched and very much enjoyed. - Hugh
Lots of good and bad Queer cinema- favorites include Shelter, Were the World Mine, Milk, Later Days, The Imitation Game, Boy Erased, Love Simon, Camp, the Curiosity of Chance, The Normal Heart, The Green Book, and the Eating Out franchise on the lighter end of things... Great TV Series like Queer as Folk, Noah's Arc, The Real O'Neals, Special, Love Victor, It's a Sin, Genera+tion, and We Are Who we Are just to name a few... :)
Here I thought you missed that movie for 15 years, lol. It is definitely easier to stomach as an adult, but the ending is therefore even more gut-wrenching. I occasionally rewatch it and it never leaves its glitter.. just so bittersweet.. It makes me so much more appreciative of the present. As others said, it did pave the way for more queer and homosexual content and kids nowadays may have it somewhat easier in the western world to come out and be accepted. At least it would make me very happy if it would be the case. Thanks for your feelings here and I would enjoy more movie reflections.
I still haven't watched this film and from your video, Mark, I am going to find the perfect day and time and just watch it also... Thank you for this insight and your videos again. Very insightful. Also, I grew up in the Netflix era also of DVDs and forgot all about that until you brought it up haha
I watched that film for the first time when I was a teenager, not fully understanding the cruel homophobic topics discussed about our society. Now as a young adult whose lived 6 years as an out gay man and have been separated from someone I loved due to societal standards of what is the norm, this film just breaks my heart.
Queer As Folk needs a movie! lol Mark, you made me tear up with you at the end. I watched this again recently as well. It’s awesome how a film can show you something new with each viewing.
God’s Own Country is a very beautiful cinematic movie.
It’s very similar to brokeback but has a happier ending. You should totally watch it!
I too commend "God's own country" to you. However, it is set in Yorkshire, England (known as God's own country) and no concession is made with the Yorkshire accent. You might need a glossary!!!!
Ugh! Such a GREAT film!
@@philipedwards439 I watched it with subtitles 😂
It is brilliant
Try ‘Beautiful Thing’ written by Jonathan Harvey, amazing film
It's interesting that you talk about "a piece of art that comes along at just the right time", because for me that was actually your videos. I was 18, almost 19, I had just finished high school and was about to start University. I was very much in the closet (I went to an all boys school, so there was no way I was coming out), and didn't know how to feel about the fact that I was gay. That's when I came across your videos, and I was hooked. I spent my whole summer watching your videos of your adventures and other shenanigans from circa 2014 Mark Miller. Your videos showed me that it was ok to be gay, and that you can be loved and have a wonderful life being who you are. They're what inspired me to start coming out, and my gosh it was an exciting rollercoaster from there. My coming out even inspired others to come out too. That was 7 years ago, and I'll still never forget that. It's amazing the impacts we can have on others' lives without even knowing it :) Keep on being your wonderful self Mark, because your videos help show so many gay kids (and adults) that it's ok to be yourself and that you can be happy! All the best :)
I also started watching Mark’s videos around the same time. Get this, I used to be so paranoid about people finding out that I was gay to the point where I would delete the channel name from my history. I’d have to make sure no one could see my computer or phone screen, let alone hear it… So much anxiety. Happy to be at a point in my life where I’m proudly subscribed lmao
The fact that Mark was so regular and not full of affectations made me accept that I was perhaps gay as well. I have had always attraction to other boys but never had the balls to actually pursue it. His relationship with another guy and both of them were just regular guys empowered me to allow a possibility to try something like that. I went to a quasy-military high school for boys only. Lots of eye candy but I never let anyone know about that.
I actually live the same thing when I left high school for the university 7 years ago. I was very scared about it but it was ok with my family. I am still struggling with it my professional life.
@@louisboutin3556 It sucks that we have to be defined by how we like sex and who we love to be with.
@@davidlp6510 I hear what you're saying, but I have to point out the small bit of internalized homophobia in your comment. "Full of affectations" and being "regular" is just code for him being more masculine and less feminine than you'd assume. That logic is problematic because those "affectations" are just how some gay men are naturally. You should be able to appreciate Mark's videos whether he's "regular" or not.
For me, the movie "Shelter" was the movie that changed my life as a queer person. It was the first queer media I had seen. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of a queer person falling in love, because growing up in the closet my idea of being gay was just sex. It completely opened my eyes and changed the way I saw myself as a queer person.
This movie was especially impactful to me since it was filmed just a few streets away where I grew up. Very cute film
This film gave me permission to be OK with who I am in a regular world.
I also enjoy going to Zack’s ‘Pacific Diner’ in San Pedro, CA often.
Me. Too. I watched Brokeback Mountain in the theaters when I was 19 (in 2oo5) - twice actually. I think the second time was with my first boyfriend and sister. It was essentially the first cis gendered male queer film I had seen (of course Rocky Horror Picture show and the original "Cabaret" with Joel Grey were the very first queer films i had seen more or less due to the local UHF TV station of my hometown constantly playing them over and over...I guess the rights to play those movies must have been cheap or inexpensive enough that KVOS could afford?...) - Brokeback Mountain took a tremendous weight off my shoulders, cried through the whole movie (twice) - but "Shelter," along with "Gods Own Country" and a few others were truly like coming Home for me. with a Capital H.
The Movie is more or less traumatic to me anymore. but awesome to see what the younger generation thinks of it anymore. It was a totally different time for gay men in 2oo5 than in 2o21. It was a really a pioneering film, Truly a great work -Courageous, Groundbreaking, it did knock a lot of good things loose in Humanity , and helped with the hangups people had around Queer folks. unfortunately, due to my own core wounds, many of my ex boyfriends and our relationships came to resemble the codependent, often toxic relationship between Heath Ledgers and Jake Gyllenhaal's characters. so the nightmare - ecstasy became reality for me (over and over again) - sooo....I've been single for 3 years cuz of that! yippee! LOL! ~~~love this review of the film , like I say lovely to see younger , less damaged gay men's take on it :)
Oh shelter 💕💕
I've never cried so much at a film than when I watched broke back mountain for the first time. I remember feeling the most heartbroken I'd ever felt, that's some powerful storytelling and acting. I'm a straight female and this is one of if not my favourite film. It's just so beautifully made. Will cry every time I watch it
I saw Brokeback Mountain in the theatre when it was released in 2005. I had a similar reaction at the end. I got home from seeing it, closed my apartment door and burst into tears, if affected me that much. A brilliantly made film.
@@Amtran727 I think many people would have. Especially after hearing of Heath Ledger's death. I did. Greatly.
Prayers for bobby is probably sadder
@@albinhuchet2287 AGREE. that movie is so fuck1ng sad 😢
Same with me! That movie was so special and just sad and made me feel so empty.. Even days after I was still thinking about it!!
It is not hyperbole to say that "Brokeback Mountain" actually changed the world. I was in grad school when it came out, and it was all everyone was talking about as it had gained so much mainstream attention and accolades. The movie helped to set the stage and give courage for much of the growth in LGBT representation in media that came after that, not only in the U.S. but also in many other parts of the world. As an example, I was recently watching a popular 2016 boys' love (BL) Chinese web series called "Addicted" (which is great, by the way), and you can hear the "Brokeback Mountain" music playing in the background in some of the scenes. Ang Lee and the actors and crew of "Brokeback Mountain" must be very proud of this gift they gave to the world.
"Maurice" is another beautiful film, and it has a happy ending. Yes, that's a young and gorgeous Rupert Graves (Lestrade) as Alec and Hugh Grant as Clive. You'll fall in love with Alec, it's impossible not to.
czcams.com/video/0igNKncphdU/video.html
@@nofirstorlast8405 You are right. Before "Brokeback Mountain", movies like "Maurice" were groundbreaking as well.
@@pppmanly Yes! "Maurice" was released in 1987; it truly was ahead of its time.
I love Addicted so much, one of my favorite series from China. I didn’t notice they played the score in the background 🤭 I’m gonna have to watch it again
Couldn't have put it better #Truth.
Moonlight, God’s Own Country, Weekend, A Home at the End of the World, Boys (Jongens)
Omg Boys what’s good and gods own country was good too
But the best movies I watched was struggle on CZcams and Prayers for Bobby was good too what’s crazy is prayers for Bobby was so good I cried and it was just crazy
@@itzgiozworld6664 my eyes swollen for a while watching prayers for bobby
@@NHATMINH2304 girlllllll right that movie scared me but it also showed me that some of us gays have a hard time dealing with coming out and to the lgbt+ community my people guys don’t be afraid to speak up and speak to someone if u know there’s people around u hurting you or not supporting you have the voice to get up and say I’m me and that’s the apple on this motherfucking tree because we deserve happiness too
@@itzgiozworld6664 omg yasss these masterpieces queers movie create a whole vision that makes me believe there is hope
Queer as Folk helped me figure out so much at a young age. Thank them so much as I would not be as put together and confident as I am today without that art. Justin was me and Brian showed how to be unapologetic about just being who you are to its fullest.
I can honestly say Brokeback Mountain was and still is the most significantly impactful film of my life. I first read the book in the summer of 2005, about a few months before it debuted in cinema. I was dumbstruck by the power of that short story by Annie Proulx. In many ways it described my own experience with my life partner of 24 years. We met, while both still young and inexperienced with the homosexual lifestyle, yet our relationship has remained true to one another, steadfast and just between us all of these years. My partner considered himself bi at the time we met and had had live-in girlfriends over the years prior. I was his first and only boyfriend and life companion still today. I feel Ennis and Jack would have been the same, had it not been the early 1960s when they met, or Wyoming, or being under the strict expectations of masculine, straight cowboy culture. Beginning with the North American movie premiere in Toronto, Canada, in Sept. 2005, which coincidentally most of the actors attended too, I saw Brokeback Mountain in theaters a total of 10 times! I was obsessed with it, as it depicted an altered direction our lives could have taken, had we been openly gay at a time when people were not as accepting of LGBTQ culture as they are now. Today, Brokeback is like a shrine to me, symbolic for how grateful I am to all the people before me who paved the way for us to live comfortably in our own skin, unafraid and unashamed of being who we are.
One queer film that I resonated with as a teen was a Brazilian film called “The Way he Looks” or “Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho.” A precious film about a blind teen who falls for a new guy in school. Sounds cheesy but it’s so sweet and likeable. A must watch
I've watched it as well and I loved it
Beautiful Thing was the movie that gave me hope as a young person dealing with my sexuality. It’s a beautifully written British film from 1996.. a year after I graduated high school. At the time I thought I’d have to hide who I really was for the rest of my life. Living in the south and later Utah there really wasn’t a lot of hope for love as a young gay teen. For some reason as I watched this film, secretly in my room of course, I remember having that first real glimmer of hope.. Films really do matter.. especially for those that feel marginalized.
I remember watching Beautiful Thing some time during quarantine in early 2020, and it really was an incredible film. The way it was able to sort of show how class and sexuality intersected in their lives was something you don't usually see done effectively in films meant for a TV release.
And The Mamas and papas for the soundtrack. That movie is perhaps one of the best films I have ever seen
I adore that film, a beautiful thing indeed.
-'do you have a match?'
-'yes, my ass and your face' 🤣🤣
I love the line “I wish I knew how to quit you” too, but what Heath Ledger says just afterwards hits me even more. Basically he says he’s nothing because of Jack Twist. What he means in that moment is that he wasted all his life being on hold for a man that he can’t even enjoy at the sunlight. I think that line describes the sacrifice we have to do for the things we love sometimes. Even if that means getting nothing back in return. Sure Ledger’s character could have had a better life, with a better job and a better house. But he decided to stay around for Jake, and nothing could ever compare to those magical, even if not so many, moments spent together. Btw I do suggest to watch Call Me Be Your Name, if you haven’t seen it before. Another masterpiece! Especially the book
The Book of CMBYN is the most beautifully written piece of work I've ever came across
@@drinkmoreagua8984 I do agree with you! 👍
The movie that changed me was “love, simon” because the speech that simon’s mother gives him after his coming out hit so hard on my feelings i couldn’t stop thinking about it. She explains how she knew that he was hiding something because the sparkle and the joy he used to have when he was a kid, all of the sudden disappeared. And it resembles my experience so much that i genuinely got scared because i started thinking that probably my mother knew too and she was suffering like his mother and i felt so overwhelmed and hopeless but at the same time relieved in some way.
It may sound superficial but it’s my honest opinion :)
Thank you for being always you,
take care of yourself
Love Simon is also that movie for me, for exactly the same reason as you. That scene with his mother made me cry hysterically in the movie theatre because I related to it so much.
"You get to exhale now".... I had chills!
Loved that movie, it was very nice to see something not to theatrical and basic "rom-com"ish just with a gay character
Big Eden is one of my all time favorites. Touching, moving, impactful, great diverse characters, relatable yet moving plot.
Highly recommend 'A Single Man' (2009) which is about a man in 1960s LA trying to cope with the death of his partner (not a spoiler). It has a pretty good cast and the aesthetic/use of colour change in the cinematography to reflect the protagonist's feelings really makes the film in my opinion. Even though the tone of the film is sad, I really liked that the focus felt less about the fact they happened to be two men and the taboos around that, in favour of showcasing how the grief following the loss of a partner actually reflects the significance/depth of the bond you shared (and that this is equally genuine between partners of the same gender). God's Own Country as others have suggested is also definitely worth a watch.
'A Single Man' is definitely a must-watch film. Set in 1960s California, it was the directorial debut of fashion designer, Tom Ford. I remember the film received rave reviews upon its release. Safe to say, Mr. Ford definitely knew what he was doing as the director.
It was 1975 and I was 20. My heart raced when I heard his car in the driveway. But he was determined to lead a "normal" life. I'm 66 now, still think about him everyday.
Do you guys talk or see each other regularly? I determined to never talk to him when he want to lead a normal life.
@@noahliang9553 No. He got married and I moved far away to start over. Last year I tried to contact him but found out he had passed away. So many regrets.
@@bagley11 I'm sorry to hear that. But please don't regret other peoples decisions.
@@chs75 Thankyou . We had 5 of the best years of my life together. I will always be grateful for that.
@@chs75 He doesn't. He regrets the circumstances. It's hard for some people to understand, today. But things were different in society back then. We made many sacrifices for survival and acceptance.
Queer as Folk was one of the first pieces of queer media that had a big impact on me. That first moment of feeling seen and represented is so important. Watching your channel also gave me hope that I could live out and proud and that gay men come in all sorts of packages, not always fitting the stereotype. Mark, if you continued these sort of media reviews, I think it could be a big hit! You did a great job with this one.
Queer as folk is the best of best
I literally can't breathe sometimes after watching it. It reminds me too much of how my life was and of how sometimes it was like all you have in this world of the love of your life is a bloody T-shirt and a lifetime of regret.
Seeing lots of recommendations down here thanks guys. DON'T FORGET TO BLAST THAT LIKE BUTTON
Brokeback, beyond all of its other triumphs, I think is one of the greatest examples in modern film of how critical a strong score can be to a movie. That final scene is beautifully brutal, but I don't know that it would carry the same impact without Gustavo Santaolalla's score. Even just listening to the soundtrack after all these years, that last song carries the same emotional weight on its own because of how closely linked it has become in memory of what Heath was able to do on screen.
As far as other film recommendations go, I think I saw someone else already mention Torch Song Trilogy. It provides a great, if slightly cynical, slice of life depiction of the post-Stonewall queer community in New York in the 70s and 80s. It also tackles, in its own way, perspectives within the community regarding monogamy, as well as the conflict between a queer man and his family's traditional values. The writing is razor sharp, and the interactions between Harvey Fierstein and Anne Bancroft, who plays his mother, can be every bit as hilariously witty as they are gut wrenching. We talk about how groundbreaking it was for a film like Brokeback Mountain to be released back in 2005, which makes Torch Song Trilogy's release in 1988 all the more impressive.
I couldn't agree more about the score to the film. Sublime.
Holding the Man. This movie broke my heart into a million pieces. It takes place during the begging and later peak of the AIDS epidemic, and wow, it’s a tear jerker for sure. Plus, this offers a unique insight into queer history, specifically during the 70s and 80s.
Latter Days was one of the first queer films that really resonated with me. I’m not Mormon, but being raised Baptist definitely made me relate to the main character and his struggle. Not as beautiful as BBM, but still a movie that helped me traverse my own coming to terms with my sexuality.
Fantastic Movie - really helped me to with coming out.
Fantastic symbolism and real life perspective in Latter Days
Prayers for bobby has the same themes.
I wanna share with you guys one of my favorite movies ever: It's called "The way he looks". It's a brazilian movie about a blind guy who wants his independence, and along the way he begins to discover his sexuality.
It's based on a short film called "Eu não quero voltar sozinho" that is available here on CZcams and has subtitles. :)
Thanks! I'll have to check that out.
The Way He Looks is an amazing coming of age story with some non-standard themes!
Shelter, Trick, Latter Days, Were the World Mine, Broken Hearts Club, there is one other set in Spain/Portugal that was a Love Triangle that had a happy ending that I can't think of the title at the moment. These are some of my favorites. I feel these films are some of the best.
You have add "The Falls" trilogy to the list.
When I was 18 (a very long time ago) I read “The Front Runner” and my life changed forever. I knew I wasn’t alone and that I somehow had a roadmap to find love with another man. After nearly 50 years, the story still touches my heart when I remember it. You’ll feel that same way about Brokeback Mountain, I know.
Reminded especially by the final clip in this video, I can still feel the tears and breathlessness from the first time I finished watching Brokeback! It truly changed the way I felt about myself and how I wanted the rest of my life to be.
In my mid-late teens, I was recommended to watch Beautiful Thing which was another influence for me!
'Beautiful Thing' is an amazing moving from 1996, it was a great film in its day and helped me a lot. Especially because it portrayed the background of where and how I was brought up. Please watch it!!
Great film!
First of all, thank you for putting yourself out there yet again with your most real feelings.
Secondly, for me too Brokeback Mountain came at precisely the right time. I too was 19 then and had just broke up with a guy who wanted to marry a girl. The film hit me right in the heart. I was amazed at how ACCURATELY they had captured every beat, every emotion.
I haven't watched it again because it's just too painful.
❤ From India
Beautiful movie but I can’t watch it more than once. It’s so heart breaking.
I watched it one day and then kept rewatching it the next few days, then I become despressed for more than a week, and then I promised I'll not watch it intentionally again in the near future. It's beautiful though.
I'm the exact same way. After I watched it I knew I could never watch it again. It shattered me.
@@gbuddah I am certain there are a lot of people who felt the same way that we did :)
I walked out of the theatre sobbing when Jack was “harmed”. I legit lost it in front of sooo many people.
@@maynefreeland8969 It might not be obvious from my comment but when I was rewatching the movie in the days after, I was crying all the time.
And if I listened to the soundtrack, I cried as well, and said I won’t listen to it intentionally either.
The soundtrack to this movie is absolutely amazing. It hit me so many different times because it always hit at the right moment in the film. As far as other movies that kinda tipped the scale - Trick was my first piece. Such a corny movie but it was great, and it played out hilariously. Geography Club is another of my favorites, there's more I just can't remember them all off the top of my head.
If you want a film with a happy ending, try Maurice. For many gay men, that was the film. I watched it last year, and it really holds up. Totally different setting from Brokeback (early 20th century Britain), but the characters are still closeted and struggling to have a relationship. The key difference is the happy ending for the main character. Really groundbreaking for 1987, especially considering there was an AIDS crisis going on and anti-gay sentiment was at an all-time high for modern times.
Amazing description of what Brokeback meant for so many of us who were coming to terms with ourselves. Also, speaking of someone who somewhat remembers 19-20 y.o. Mark (we had mutual friends at undergrad), your 19-20 y.o. self did a pretty good job at doing the walk and the talk. So proud of the journey you've made and how comfortable you are in your own skin now.
A lot of the queer cinema that I consumed when I was younger had a sad ending. My breakthrough came with a film called “Shelter”. Gave me a glimmer of hope that life might turn out all right for me.
Shelter was my first movie. Beautiful story
Same here
Shelter was my first movie as well! And it definitely gave me a glimmer of hope.
YES! OMG. I love "Shelter"!
„Free Fall“ (in German „Freier Fall“) I think you can find it with english subtitels. Highly recommend it to all of you. Many viewers internationally have asked if there will be a second part. I think it has now been confirmed.
For me it’s was Call me by Your Name. Such a breathtaking film and the time and setting is just perfect I wish I could’ve lived their life.
Shelter (2007) was a great film I watched around the same time I watched Brokeback for the first time. Similar experience to you. Closeted throughout high schools. Came out in college and just started watching whatever I could. A Single Man (2009) is probably my second favorite film ever. Beautifully shot by Tom Ford. I cry every single time I watch it.
“Call me by your name” I love this movie. It’s for sure an acquired taste, but very emotional and deep. So, Mark I think you might like this one. Plz do queer film reviews, omg I absolutely would love this on your channel. Theirs plenty of titles out there so loads of vids.
Elio, Elio, Elio, Elio, Elio!
Definitely a must watch ❗️❗️❗️
Such a beautiful movie those movies you see more than once and they’re still fresh, they were going to do a sequel there’s even a trailer for it however all the scandal one of the actors was having Caused athe cancellation,Armie Hammer
@@marvmoder8628 Actually, the sequel was cancelled prior to Armie's issues. The sequel book was not very good to a lot of CMBYN fans and that is what killed it.
Not to stir up a hornet's nest, but isn't "Call me by your name" essentially a Gay Lolita Fantasy that ends tragically? not a youtube Troll :p - I just despise the film, I discovered Sufjan's steven's music that way and for that I am infinitely and eternally Grateful. CMBYN gives me a visceral reaction - and not in a good way :/
You’re a good man, Mark! I’m glad the film impacted you, as it did me. I thank God that cinema and television have more of this type of content (TJ & Cyrus, Sonny and Will, Love Victor, etc) for others to see themselves through. ❤️
Your videos have been those powerful pieces of art, since high school, last week I qualified as a out and proud queer doctor in South Africa. Thank you for being an inspiration for so many queer children. 💙
I highly recommend my favorite queer film “Shelter” about a dude that does graffiti artist that surfs along San Pedro. Low and behold his best friends brother is recently single and back in town. This film was lovely and gave such cute feelies. Broke back mountain was beautiful and hurt. Shelter is closer to a happily ever after I never knew was even possible. Take a gander lemme know what you think.
As a closeted gay man back in 2005, I remember hiding and watching Broke Back Mountain alone and experiencing the flood of feelings and emotions it brought on. I am grateful we are in a much better place today but unfortunately we still have quite a long way to go! Love you Mark! ❤❤
I really enjoy listening to you, Mark. The way you think and express yourself is one of the reasons why I love this channel.
And I totally agree, I havent even paid attention to the landscape back then. Btw I recommend a Spanish film called "A Escondidas". I'm not sure if you would relate to it at some point. But it will be interesting to hear your thoughts. Take care Mark! Nice vid.
there's a movie called "My Best Friend" (Mi mejor amigo) and it strikes me every time i watch it
this movie is really good at reflecting the first steps of a queer person in this world and the story is so touching
if someone has ever watched this movie, describe your feelings in response to this comment
I will be glad to read
I was so frustrated with how it ended. But it was a very gripping story and the characters played it well
„Freier Fall“ free Fall in english is phenomenal!
I love this movie but, I've never been able to watch it completely, I've only seen it in 'bits and pieces' . . . before I know it, tears are rolling down my face, for different reasons. The beautiful love between these two men tears me up, their happiness at being together, same . . . the heartache when they have to part, the hurt! Joy, love, happiness, hurt . . . all these emotions, it's more than I can take because it's happenedd to me . . . how do they say it, "Been There, Done That" - I bought the movie but, I just keep it close to me, look at pic on the cover . . . what really tore me up is when Heath Ledger died in real life.
“Queer as Folk” both British and especially the American (Canadian) version and “Roswell” (2000) were visible accessible TV series that had a big impact on me being ok.
Freier Fall (Free Fall) German movie with Hanno Koffler & Max Riemelt (Max was also "Wolfgang" in Sense 8)💔. Beautiful, Mark. Years of watching your videos and your growth to now see you as an amazing soul. Your honesty and insight have made you more human and real to me. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself. 🤟
React to SHELTER please… it’s a good movie too!
“Já tue má mere” (or I killed my mother) was my brokeback mountain when I was 17. Xavier Dolan was my favorite film maker and actor at the time too. I honestly didn’t realize why I loved the movie so much until I watched it as an adult. That, and his other film “les amore imagináres” (prob butchered that lol)
Also known by Heartbeats…. Love him!
J'ai tué ma mère...
Word! It's such an incredible movie!
J'ai tué ma mère
Les amours imaginaires
Never heard of those, are they french movies?
@@albinhuchet2287 they are in french but the actor/director (Xavier Dolan) is from Canada
Check out “My Own Private Idaho” starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
I have only been able to watch Brokeback once: when I saw it in the theater many years ago. It struck very deeply and 20 years later it still is with me.
I really really really recommend the series called "Love, Victor", as a gay man I experienced the struggles of the main character and it made me wish this show existed back when I was a teenager, it would have allowed me to feel better and more confident about myself 🥺 We're adults now but I'm sure you would enjoy it, I've never feel so connected / relatable to a film / series before!
I haven’t watched Brokeback Mountain for years, but holy hell. Allllll of the memories came flooding back the moment I read the title of this video. Suddenly I’m 20 again, life ahead of me, talking every day with the man I was deeply in love with. Little did I know, our story would be vaguely similar to that of Jack/Ennis. We had a bunch of bursts of time together, and those still mean the world to me. He’s the one I can’t quit. I’m going to have to rewatch Brokeback Mountain sometime soon… with a box of tissues nearby. 😢
Thanks for talking about this. :)
Saw it on Christmas Day 2005. Still one of those movies that can make me cry even after the countless times I’ve watched it
Once again Mark your heart on your sleeve is a beautiful vision to behold....
The first gay art to impact my coming out process were the 'Tales of the City" books by Armistead Maupin. I couldn't hoover them fast enough!
And my 2 first "Brokeback" impact movies were "Priest" and "The Wedding Banquet". Both provoked joy, tears and truth.
My first experience seeing gay culture in media was Will & Grace. Growing up, I started having thoughts I was gay when I was 13 or 14-ish and it scared me. I had only ever seen gay men portrayed as very effeminate, lispy individuals, portrayed as these 2 dimensional beings. And that scared me, because I thought if I embraced who I was, that I would lose a lot of myself in becoming that caricature. I mentioned these concerns in private to a neighborhood kid a few years older than me who was openly gay, and he invited me over to his place to watch Wil & Grace. He showed me a cast of characters who, sure, occasionally embraced some of those early stereotypes of gay men, but who were so much more real than anything else I had encountered until then. It was an eye opening experience to me, to understand that being gay did not have to constitute the entirety of my being. Just wanted to share. Thank you for the beautiful video and your story.
I really enjoyed watching “the boys in the band” recently. It’s based on an old play and the actors are really good!
The original movie from the late 60's is even better.
Brokeback begins in 1963. I was 15 at the time - a sophmore in high school. Gay back then was just a taboo that nobody discussed - I only knew it was something BAD. I finally came out at age 34 in 1982. After a series of boyfriends, I retired (from both work and dating) and went back to my first (we are best friends now). After almost 40 years, I guess you could say we just didn't know how to quit each other.
Getting back to the film, I saw it multiple times during 2005-6. Heath Ledger was astonishing - one of the most subtle, textured, beautiful performances in the history of film IMO.
Who knew in 1963 that by the time I was in my early 70s, there would be gay marriage, gays could be in the military openly, and there would be a brilliant gay man working in the cabinet as Secretary of Transportation. My point here is there has been HUGE progress since I was a teen, and you whippersnappers (haha - get off my lawn) are lucky to be around in this more accepting time.
I felt the sensation you were talking about watching your videos. You were a great inspiration for me at the time and really changed my life. Without watching that first videos of yours that day I don't know how much other time would have passed before coming out. So thank you for having been my right person at the right time. "Everyday is a great day", I'll never forget the person who thaught me this and showed that it could be true even for me ❤️
Hi Mark,! Your early vlogs were the main thing that got me to accept myself and more so embrace the community. Thank you for all of your time and effort in your vlogs, they have made a difference in many peoples lives! wish you the best! 😊
Was thinking of what my "brokeback" was, and I came up with two..
First one is Moonlight.
Second one is this amazing 2011 film called Weekend. It's a 2011 film by Andrew Haigh, and is part of the Criterion Collection. Loved it so much - just a very raw/honest film about a one-night stand that develops into much more for the two guys.
Call me by your name is a great one! Set is Italy & also VERY beautiful a scenery
Mark, you are looking so good, so healthy, so relaxed. I feel your healing and it looks good on you. Art helps us heal. See if you can find Parting Glances. It's such a great film. xo
Yes, Parting Glances is my go-to recommendation when anyone asks for gay themed films. Excellent film, gay themed or not. It's well written; nothing is wasted.
I love your openness in this segment. Thank you for sharing. Have a great Sunday. 👍👍
"...to make me feel a part of something." Been looking for that my entire life.
Always love to watch and listen to your vlogs. Thank you for sharing about how you felt/feel about Brokeback Mountain. I remember being scared to go see it at the cinema because I could end up outing myself. I never really appreciated it the first time and wondered what the media fuss was all about ! But as you said, it creates different responses depending on when you watch it.
Spot on Mark...the cinematography for Brokeback was absolutely stunningly beautiful!!! And the soundtrack equally so...never been more in love with the sound of an acoustic guitar!
The Normal Heart is a great film!
i cried… a lot. highly recommend.
I've always considered "A Single Man" something like a sequel to "Brokeback Mountain." One ends with a "widowed" gay man, the other begins with one. One shows that true love is possible, and the other shows you that even a wounded heart can be open to new love. I've often thought a third movie would complete the trilogy. I wonder what course the student, who was opening the door to a new life, would have taken after losing a trusted mentor.
You're totally correct, sometimes you find a movie at the perfect time and it just resonates with you. Shelter (2014) was definitely the most influential movie for me.
Came out in college and my good friend took me to see this in theaters. Literally Broke me.
The whole way back I was dead silent in the car and cried all night. Even the whole week was difficult.
As a young gay man, this was profound to see the gay men in this Movie kissing and loving. I was both in awe, shock and felt validated on so many levels of who I am.
That being said, this Movie should be seen by Everyone.
The piece of art that changed me many times through my life is your channel 💛
Just watch "And then we danced" it's a beautiful Georgian movie about two dancers, they are closeted, they are under pressure of society, but they are trying to snatch a moment of their feeling. And national Georgian dance is so perfectly integrated into this movie.
I've watched this movie countless times. It is definitely an array of different emotions!
it's Queer as folk for me and brokeback mountain, found it in the same moment, which changed me. Im from poland so it took a while for me to find full episodes/movie, all i had was just some love story videos on youtube, it didnt took me long to accept myself and embrace it. forever grateful
I watched this movie millions of times, I know the feelings and LOVE LOVE this movie !! so emotionally!!!
Both “Brokeback Mountain” and “Call Me By Your Name” are gorgeous, incredible, defining, artistic, heartbreaking masterpieces of queer content. The novel version of CMBYN especially destroyed me (in a weirdly good way?). If you have the chance to read it, I highly recommend it.
An amazing movie on so many levels. Great short story as well. I’m significantly older than you Mark and it is encouraging to know that I his film has impacted people who were not yet born when the film was set. Timeless.
Crazy you mention how the film impacted you in a positive way and when I was 14 your videos did that for me. Thank you🙏🏼
Prayers For Bobby - I watched it when I was 15. It has a somewhat bittersweet ending, but it changed the way I viewed myself and pushed to be both more vulnerable and kinder. The innocence and kindness of Bobby helped me see that there wasn't something inherently wrong with who I can fall in love with. It also taught me that compassion and the legacy it leaves behind can change people and hearts greatly. It's pretty much a life long process to learn how to love, how to be loved, how to be kind, and how to forgive. I am probably not making a lot of sense, but as an adolescent who felt very lonely and guilty for being the way he was, for some reason the movie seemed to hit all the right spots.
It was a great movie, I saw again recently, It was beautifully done both visually and the storyline. Call me by your name is also another piece a great film work. Also very moving and when you want to see more than once. Thanks so much for making a video maybe there’s still some people out there that haven’t seen it
Maurice, The cakemaker, Closet Monster . Must watch movies!
“i wish i knew how to quit you” 💔 ugh. too real. great commentary mark!
Thank you Mark for sharing this. Unreal ending. I really like these two movies: Shelter (from 2007) and Call Me By Your Name.
It's so beautiful to be able to relate to your video, to your experiance and you in a sense; as I feel so much the same. It's such a unique piece of art and such a soul breaker in a good way at the same time. Thank you for sharing that moment with us
Please watch “Contracorriente” on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions, beautiful movie.
Oh Dang Dude, I watched that movie once back in late 2006 and while it was a Great movie with an Incredible story, the latter part and the ending were so Deep that I have not yet watched it again. I give this movie a Perfect 10 and will watch it again someday soon. I caught your tears at the end of this video while tearing up myself. Happy Holidays Everybody.
A lot of the films in the comments have changed me in different times of my life but recently I watched Veneno on HBO Max and completely blew me away. I laughed, I cried, I sobbed, everything really. It’s just a masterpiece, La Veneno is a character that will catch you off guard and will make you question so much about the world we live in now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so honest and fearless, but at the same time so naive about her own circumstances. I honestly encourage you to watch it, it changed me to levels I didn’t know I had in me. I know it sounds so dramatic but it really is amazing. It’s beautifully written and filmed, it literally has something to offer for everyone who watches it 🙌
Perfect timing for sure! It was brokeback mountain definitely a cultural shift in our lives. It was amazing to see and cherish the parallels.
If you have never watched "Trick", you are missing a vital point in queer cinema, same can be said for "To Wong Foo: thanks for everything, Julie Newmar". Oh, and "The Way he looks" is beautiful, if you can deal with subtitles. I think its brazilian, but I am not sure
Old school, but Chasing Amy, Bound, or Beautiful Thing...three of my faves!
Probably going too far back in time but I'd recommend My Beautiful Launderette - 1985 (I was in my 20's when I saw that film and the kiss in that shook my world) Maurice - 1987 (Hugh Grant and a very sexy Rupert Graves) C.R.A.Z.Y. is a 2005 Canadian coming-of-age drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and co-written by Vallée and François Boulay (Great Quebec film that I think you might like) Another great film out of Quebec - Lawrence Anyways - by the brilliant Xavier Dolan. Those are just a few of the ones I've watched and very much enjoyed. - Hugh
Lots of good and bad Queer cinema- favorites include Shelter, Were the World Mine, Milk, Later Days, The Imitation Game, Boy Erased, Love Simon, Camp, the Curiosity of Chance, The Normal Heart, The Green Book, and the Eating Out franchise on the lighter end of things... Great TV Series like Queer as Folk, Noah's Arc, The Real O'Neals, Special, Love Victor, It's a Sin, Genera+tion, and We Are Who we Are just to name a few... :)
Brokeback Mountain is one of the best movies ever made.I used to watch it a least once a year. Thank you for bringing it back to me
Absolutely loved that movie. I drove an hour w my uncle and his lover of 46 yrs to see it. It still chokes me up today. Thanks for your take😘
Here I thought you missed that movie for 15 years, lol. It is definitely easier to stomach as an adult, but the ending is therefore even more gut-wrenching. I occasionally rewatch it and it never leaves its glitter.. just so bittersweet.. It makes me so much more appreciative of the present. As others said, it did pave the way for more queer and homosexual content and kids nowadays may have it somewhat easier in the western world to come out and be accepted. At least it would make me very happy if it would be the case. Thanks for your feelings here and I would enjoy more movie reflections.
I still haven't watched this film and from your video, Mark, I am going to find the perfect day and time and just watch it also... Thank you for this insight and your videos again. Very insightful. Also, I grew up in the Netflix era also of DVDs and forgot all about that until you brought it up haha
Your content deserves millions of views if not billions. Amazing channel
Love love love you took the words outta all our mouths your very well spoken
I watched that film for the first time when I was a teenager, not fully understanding the cruel homophobic topics discussed about our society. Now as a young adult whose lived 6 years as an out gay man and have been separated from someone I loved due to societal standards of what is the norm, this film just breaks my heart.
Queer As Folk needs a movie! lol Mark, you made me tear up with you at the end. I watched this again recently as well. It’s awesome how a film can show you something new with each viewing.