Category: Entertainment

11 songs every gay guy was dancing his tits off to in 2001

Ah, now we’re going back… Do you remember dancing your little crazed head off in Heaven/ Dot Cotton / Revenge / Mission / AXM in 2001?

2001 was a classic year for pop. These were the songs if you were a disco bunny, that probably had you throwing your Smirnoff Ice all over the dance floor. Wanna listen to the mix – go to the bottom of the page for the Spotify playlist.

It was a DIVA Year

Snakes suddenly became sexy.

If you were a real teenie bopper then Atomic Kitten was your groove.

Janet Jackson had this little (monster) hit.

Were you a survivor? We loved Beyoncé and her backing singers.

Before she was Jenny from the Block then JLO and back again… She was just plain old Jennifer Lopez. No Lo or Block to be seen.

Although it wasn’t as good as the original… It is Geri…

Then there were DIVAs multiple – in one freaking song.

Then there was the British invasion from Ms Ellis-Bextor.

Did you have one? Obviously, we’re as pure as the driven snow.

And then no 2001 list would be complete without a Steps’ song

20th January 2017
Gay and Lesbian Critics announce their film award nominations

Moonlight leads the list of nominations for the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) Dorian Awards.

Director Barry Jenkins story of growing up gay in Miami was nominated in both Film and LGBTQ Film of the year categories. It was also nominated for its screenplay and directing for Jenkins, as well as Mahershala Ali and Trevante Rhodes as Film Performance of the Year – Male, and it was also nominated for Visually Striking Film of the Year.

Moonlight will compete in the best film category along with Jackie, La La Land, Manchester by the Sea, and 20th Century Women. Jackie also received nominations for Film Performance of the Year – Female for Natalie Portman, Director of the Year (Pablo Larrain) and Visually Striking Film of the Year. La La Land, which recently won 7 Golden Globe Awards, besides Film of the Year is also nominated for Director and Screenplay of the Year (for Damien Chazelle), Film Performance of the Year – Male – Ryan Gosling and Female – Emma Stone, as well as Visually Striking Film of the Year. Gay film director and fashion designer Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals was all but ignored by the Gay and Lesbian critics, yet they found a spot for it in the Campy Film of the Year category.

In addition to film and television awards, the group also nominates individuals for their overall achievements. The Timeless Star Award will be automatically presented to John Waters. The Wilde Wit of the Year, honouring a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse, includes the late Carrie Fisher amongst its nominees.

The Dorian winners will be announced Jan. 26. The group’s annual Winners Toast, honouring a select group of the 2016-17 winners, will be held Feb. 18, 2017 in Los Angeles.

Here is a complete list of the nominees:

Film of the Year
Jackie (Fox Searchlight)
La La Land (Summit/Lionsgate)
Manchester by the Sea (Roadside/Amazon Studios)
Moonlight (A24)
20th Century Women (A24)

Director of the Year
(Film or Television)
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (A24)
Pablo Larraín, Jackie (Fox Searchlight)
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester By the Sea (Roadside/Amazon Studios)
Park Chan-wook, The Handmaiden (Amazon Studios)
Damien Chazelle, La La Land (Summit/Lionsgate)

Film Performance of the Year — Actress
Annette Bening, 20th Century Women (A24)
Viola Davis, Fences (Paramount)
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (Sony Classics)
Emma Stone, La La Land (Summit/Lionsgate)
Natalie Portman, Jackie (Fox Searchlight)

Film Performance of the Year — Actor
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea (Roadside/Amazon Studios)
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight (A24)
Ryan Gosling, La La Land (Summit/Lionsgate)
Trevante Rhodes, Moonlight (A24)
Denzel Washington, Fences (Paramount)

LGBTQ Film of the Year
Being 17 (Strand)
Closet Monster (Strand)
Moonlight (A24)
Other People (Vertical)
The Handmaiden (Amazon Studios)

Foreign Language Film of the Year
Elle (Sony Classics)
Neruda (The Orchard)
The Handmaiden (Amazon Studios)
Things to Come (Sundance Selects)
Toni Erdmann (Sony Pictures Classics)

Screenplay of the Year
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (A24)
Efthymis Filippou, Yorgos Lanthimos, The Lobster (A24)
Damien Chazelle, La La Land (Summit/Lionsgate)
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea (Roadside/Amazon Studios)
Mike Mills, 20th Century Women (A24)

Documentary of the Year
(theatrical release, TV airing or DVD release)
I Am Not Your Negro (Magnolia)
O.J. Made in America (ESPN Films)
13th (Netflix)
Tickled (Magnolia)
Weiner (Netflix)

Visually Striking Film of the Year
Arrival (Paramount)
Jackie (Fox Searchlight)
La La Land (Lionsgate)
Moonlight (A24)
The Handmaiden (Amazon Studios)

Unsung Film of the Year
American Honey (A24)
Captain Fantastic (Bleecker Street)
Christine (The Orchard)
Other People (Vertical)
Sing Street (The Weinstein Company)

Campy Film of the Year
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (Fox Searchlight)
King Cobra (IFC Midnight)
Nocturnal Animals (Focus Features)
The Dressmaker (Broadgreen/Amazon Studios)
The Neon Demon (Broadgreen/Amazon Studios)

TV Drama of the Year
Black Mirror (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
The Crown (Netflix)
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Westworld (HBO)

TV Comedy of the Year
Atlanta (FX)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW)
Insecure (HBO)
Transparent (Amazon)
Veep (FX)

TV Performance of the Year — Actor
Riz Ahmed, The Night Of (HBO)
Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson (FX)
Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX)
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent (Amazon)
Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson (FX)

TV Performance of the Year — Actress
Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep (HBO)
Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)
Sarah Paulson, American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson (FX)
Winona Ryder, Stranger Things (Netflix)

TV Current Affairs Show of the Year
Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)
Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

TV Musical Performance of the Year
Beyonce, “Lemonade,” MTV Video Music Awards (MTV)
Kelly Clarkson, “Piece by Piece,” American Idol (Fox)
Lady Gaga – “Til It Happens to You,” The 88th Academy Awards (ABC)
Jennifer Hudson, “I Know Where I’ve Been,” Hairspray Live! (NBC)
Kate McKinnon “Hallelujah,” Saturday Night Live (NBC)

LGBTQ TV Show of the Year
Looking: The Movie (HBO)
Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars (Logo)
The Real O’Neals (ABC)
Transparent (Amazon)

Unsung TV Show of the Year
Fleabag (Amazon)
Lady Dynamite (Netflix)
London Spy (BBC America)
Please Like Me (Pivot)
The Real O’Neals (ABC)

Campy TV Show of the Year
Finding Prince Charming (Logo)
Fuller House (Netflix)
Hairspray Live! (NBC)
RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars (Logo)
Scream Queens (Fox)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Fox)

We’re Wilde About You! Rising Star of the Year
Millie Bobby Brown
Lucas Hedges
Connor Jessup
Ruth Negga
Trevante Rhodes

Wilde Wit of the Year
(honouring a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse)
Samantha Bee
Carrie Fisher
Bill Maher
Kate McKinnon
John Oliver

Wilde Artist of the Year
(honouring a truly groundbreaking force in the fields of film, theatre and/or television)
Beyonce
Viola Davis
Barry Jenkins
Kate McKinnon
Lin-Manuel Miranda

Timeless Star
(to an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit)
John Waters

19th January 2017
60 Second Film Review | Assassin’s Creed

ASSASSIN’S CREED – No computer game has ever been made into a successful movie even with 25 years of trying and numerous attempts but at last we have a great…

Oh no, it’s another turkey.

Nutshell – Modern day Michael Fassbender is connected to the memories of his rooftop jumping assassin back in the ancient Spain of the Spanish inquisition. Plenty of action both in the past and the present day as the chase is on against the Knights Templar to gain possession of a powerful apple – yep, really a fruit with armageddon possibilities .

Running Time – 115 minutes; Certificate – 12A

Tagline – ‘Enter The Animus’ – yes you are reading this review correctly and it will get worse.

THEGAYUK Factor – Fassbender has his shirt off for virtually the entire second half and boy is he cut or photoshopped to death – maybe for the sequel the pants will go too in a couple of fight scenes. Loads of other fit guys too throughout so forget the silly plot and knock one out of the wrist.

Cast – Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling and Brendan Gleeson that’s five serial Oscar botherers so what are they doing in a computer game movie? – Oh yes, the money of course.

Key Player – The Parkour free runners who are central to all the action here do a stunning job and the foot chase scenes are simply incredible.

Budget – $125 Million but it opened in the States with just $10 mil, no chance it will make its money back and start the much-anticipated franchise.

Best Bit – 0.58 mins; The all important rooftop chase that this computer game made its name on; and this is an extended very impressive if largely unrealistic huge set-piece action beat.

Worst Bit – 1.35 mins; With all the best bits early on, boy does this film run out of steam towards the end. The last couple of fights are nothing like what has gone before and would have been left on the cutting room floor if this was mid-season Game Of Thrones.

Little Secret – The film features the highest free fall performed by a stuntman in history. The stuntman performed a drop from the height of 125 feet (38 meters), which lasted almost 3 seconds with a 61 mph impact speed. Michael Fassbender did 95% of the fight scenes himself rather than use his stand-in .

Further Viewing – Computer games made into movies are ten a penny but often are pretty lacking in quality – try Mortal Kombat, Warcraft, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, Doom, Super Mario Brothers and the best Prince of Persia and Tomb Raider.

Any Good – It’s nice to look at and the acting and action early on is great but you just don’t care about anyone and anything going on really. This could have been so much better but having no definitive sides for good and evil, confusing time jumping sequences and the worst ever Macguffin makes this the first disappointment of 2017.

Rating – 32% out of 100.

19th January 2017
THEATRE REVIEW | Promises Promises, Southwark Playhouse

★★★ | Promises, Promises – Southwark Playhouse

CREDIT: Claire Bilyard

‘Promises Promises’ has a fine pedigree. It’s a 1968 musical based on the classic 1960 Billy Wilder film, ‘The Apartment’. The script is by King of the one-liners Neil Simon and the music is from the outstanding duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The set list contains the lilting ‘A House is Not a Home’ and the glorious ‘I’ll Never Fall in Love Again’ which topped the charts for Dionne Warwick and Bobby Gentry. Surely, this a case for high expectations being met if ever there was one? Sadly it’s a bit of a mixed bag and isn’t all it pledges to be.

The main problem with the piece is the tone of the musical which feels dated and uncomfortable to watch. It’s more reminiscent of Benny Hill’s stomach curdling capers than the suave sex appeal of ‘Mad Men’. Chuck is a junior executive who accidentally hits on a way to curry favour with his married bosses by lending them his bachelor pad to take their girlfriends to for sex. After a lot of songs, dialogue and an inordinate amount of set up, Chuck realises that the object of his affection, waspish cafeteria worker Fran, is being taken back to the flat by the boss of the company. The first act limps along and feels uncomfortable because of the dated references to women whilst the second act takes a darker turn but feels equally uncomfortable in its bizarre response to one character’s suicide attempt.

There’s a cringe-worthy set piece in Act One where a group of married executives prance around and sing about where to take a girl to have sex on the sly. The girls are of course young and pretty (and largely devoid of character) whilst the executives are overweight and lumbering. The rest of the songs blend into one at times and the script feels less than zippy. Chuck addresses the audience and feels like he should be hilariously funny to watch but he just isn’t. The odd strong one liner that should be really funny (a woman downs a drink in one and he says ‘I’d hate to see her eat!’) barely raises a laugh, feeling lost amongst a swamp of too much dialogue and too many songs. At three hours there feels like not much content over a lot of time.

There are plenty of positives, though. The cast is really skilled and likeable. In spite of his humour falling flat, there’s something really quite loveable about Gabriel Vick’s portrayal of Chuck. Vick is a decidedly good looking man who can belt a tune out and is magnetic. He’s worth the ticket price alone. I defy you not to come out of the theatre with a slight crush on him. Equally strong is Daisy Maywood as the sharp-tongued but soft-centred Fran. Naturally, there are good songs among the setlist (it’s Bacharach and David. They write bloody good songs). Simon Wells slightly creaky set feels fun and is versatile and the choreography is filled with joyous moments.

Although this musical misses the mark by a mile in many ways it’s still worth a stroll to the delightful Southwark Playhouse just to see such strong performances and sit back for a few hours and let the music wash over you. Just don’t listen to the words too closely.

Promises, Promises plays at the Southwark Playhouse until 18th February 2017

19th January 2017
Loose Women will not be investigated over “gay best friend” discussion

Ofcom has said it will not investigate Loose Women complaints about a Facebook post and on-air discussion on whether every woman should have a gay best friend.

ITV

Last year the TV programme Loose Women on ITV came under intense criticism from some in the LGBT community, after a segment it called “every woman should have a gay best friend.” Many of the critics slammed the line of questioning as “casual homophobia”.

Pinknews reports that Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has rejected two complaints made about the show. The complaints were made on the grounds of “sexual orientation discrimination/offence”.

The show which is broadcast on ITV every weekday morning and has been running since 1999 with 26 series being made. It celebrated its 2500 episode in April 2016.

19th January 2017
Will And Grace is coming back, break open the Champs

It was on, then it was off and now it’s on again.

NBC/KoMut

Will And Grace is coming back to our screens it has been officially confirmed. Will, Grace, Karen and Jack will all return for a ten episode series of the hit comedy which was first aired in 1998. The show ran for 194 episodes in eight seasons before being taken off air in 2006.

Ten episodes of the hit 90’s comedy Will And Grace will return to the small screen after NBC green-lit the production. The announcement came after one of the show’s stars, Leslie Jordan, jumped the gun and told fans that the show was going ahead. The news forced Debra Messing, who plays Grace in the show, to deny the report and say the show was still just in talks.

“We’re thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back,” said NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt. “This groundbreaking series for everything from gay rights to social and political commentary — all disguised as a high-speed train of witty pop culture — is coming back where it belongs.”

When the show first broadcast it faced criticism after it failed to star an openly gay actor.

19th January 2017
THEATRE REVIEW | Sister Act – Sheffield Theatres and National Tour

★★★| When 70’s disco lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses Curtis, her married, crime-boss lover, murdering one of his cohorts; she is placed in witness protection in the last place on earth anyone would look for such a sassy little lady – a convent. Trying desperately to fit in, whilst doing nothing but standing out, she is assigned to take over the choir, whose screeching vocals are enough to curl your wimple. But as the singer tunes up the choir, Curits finds out where Deloris is, and sets out to make sure she doesn’t testify against him.

Picture Credit – Curve Theatre PR Supplied

Featuring the songs “Raise Your Voice”, “Take Me To Heaven”, “Fabulous Baby” and “Spread the Love Around”, Sister Act is a fun, spirited and vivacious show with very catchy songs, warm characters and a spring in its step. With a large, static set and a vibrant lighting design by Liam Jones, the production is bolstered by the presence of Alexandra Burke who, to her credit, could certainly belt out the big numbers. There was some very able (and tuneful) support from Joe Vetch as Detective “Sweaty” Eddie Souther, and a real smooth criminal in Aaron Lee Lambert as Curtis, the Shaft influenced, soul styled bad guy. Throw into the mix some enjoyable physical comedy from Curtis’s cronies, and you have the basis of a good show.

But with every heavenly blessing, there are some sins to atone for, as Craig Revel Horwood’s direction doesn’t quite hit its stride, with a heavy reliance on over-exaggeration of movement and gurning facial expressions; which meant that instead of the comedy flowing naturally from the effervescent script, it felt somewhat forced. The inclusion of musical instruments being played by the cast on stage worked in parts, but served as a distraction in others; and felt as though it stifled the choreography, which is a shame given the directors “Strictly” credentials. But once confession is over, all is forgiven as the show yields to its musical-number-filled second act and feel-good finale.

Sister Act is a high energy bundle of fun, and whilst this production and ensemble cast doesn’t sparkle quite as brightly as other productions of this show, it has enough big tunes, bold characters and beating heart to make for an toe-tapping, if ultimately throwaway, evening at the theatre.

Sister Act is currently on a UK Tour until 7^th September 2017 and details can be found at http://www.sisteractuktour.co.uk/ . The show was reviewed at Sheffield Theatres, who’s upcoming production of new musical “Everyone’s Talking About Jamie” opens on the 9^th February 2017. Visit https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/everybodystalking-jamie for details.

19th January 2017
James Jordan and Jasmine are evicted from Big Brother

Following the ‘Weekend from Hell,’ on Sunday, Jasmine entered ‘Hell’ never to return. On Sunday, in the final part of the task, Housemates chose to evict Jasmine over James C and Speidi in a shock eviction. Jasmine immediately left the house in shocking style through a back door in the garden.

CREDIT 5

Tonight, Jasmine joined CBB host Emma for a quick chat at the start of the live show. On her unceremonious exit Jasmine said: “I wasn’t expecting that, it was such a brutal weekend.”

Jasmine on being voted out by her friends: “So disappointed, I thought they would have had my back, I’d said to a few people that this isn’t for me, I’m not used to this kind of lifestyle, this is a lot of toxicity, heavy drama.”

Emma asked how different this was from Jasmine’s previous time in the Celebrity Big Brother house: “It was a lot of tasks, everything that came my way was negative and then I just broke.”

On her problems with fellow Housemate Stacy: “I still have love in my heart for this poor girl but… she would come at me at the wrong place, wrong time, she’s extremely confrontational, nosy and butts into conversations.”

On an alleged past relationship with Calum: “We had a lot of experiences together… I was definitely hurt that he didn’t have my back.”

After the initial shock of the way she was evicted last Sunday, Jasmine said she was “very glad” to be out.

On Monday, Housemates were made to turn on each other for the first face-to-face nominations of the series. James C, James J and Jedward all received the most nominations and therefore face the public vote.

Emma announced that the housemate with the fewest votes and therefore forth to be evicted from the Celebrity Big Brother house is James J.

James J said his goodbyes and left ‘Hell’ to a mixed reaction from the crowd.

On how it feels to be out, “Gutted, but at same time I get to see my wife, its win win.”

Jedward have got a massive following, James is just a true gentleman, he’s adorable.”

CREDIT: Channel 5

On his friendship with Jamie and Calum: “I definitely knew Calum was going to nominate me and knew Jamie might have, Jedward were stirring, they’re not as innocent as they make out.”

James J on Calum: “When we saw him snap when we wanted to put his mum up, I liked that and I told him I wanted to see more. I forgot he’s from America so doesn’t fully get the humour.”

On the difference between this, and his first time in the CBB house: “I was exactly the same 100 percent, I was ill with flu, so I apologised for a few things, I had a week moment (laughs).”

On an expected clash with Spencer and subsequent friendship: “How can you argue with someone you like.”

On his relationship with new Housemate Kim following several arguments: “She loves me now, she said ‘I think you’re wonderful’… she’s gone in there to wind up the house, no-one can be that stupid.”

18th January 2017
Eurodance queen Angie Be is back!

She’s a DJ, a singer, and a French Big Brother celebrity. You may remember her famous tune ‘Soundwaves’ from back in 2009. The catchy Dance song was signed in 27 countries including Ministry Of Sound for the UK, reaching number 4 in the Italian Charts and no. 16 in France. She had even won the prestigious Eurodanceweb Award this year, an honour shared with Basshunter (2006), Ultrabeat (2007), Inna (2010) and Milk Inc (2012). The voluptuous blonde ended up on magazine covers countless times and dated famous soccer player Toifilou Maoulida for some time, before taking a break from her music career.

in 2017 she’s BACK and not just with one exciting project, but two!

First of all, she’s teaming up with DJ/Producer BLUE ME (aka Manuel Blanch). Together, they are starting a worldwide club tour. “Blue Me is an incredible DJ, I’ve always loved his track Airwave 99 and his wild energy on stage. We’ll be the perfect combination I’m sure: we’ll both be behind the decks, and he can also play a synthesizer on stage while I can sing live. We won’t be a boring DJ duo, that’s for sure!”. They have recently been posing for the talented photographer Joel Dart (L’Oréal, Puma, Elle Magazine). Here are the sexy results below as well as their deliciously exhilarating official mix!

BLUE ME vs ANGIE BE – Official Mix: www.hulkshare.com/nknxmux0bx1c

And finally, she’s also back with a brand new single titled “All Your Love” that should be released soon. The song was composed and produced by an LA-based music team behind the making of hit singles for superstars Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber. The Radio Edit of the song has just been finalized and remixes are being made at the moment. Of the song, Be says: “All Your Love is a perfect summer tune with catchy lyrics, that will get stuck in your head! I’m extremely happy to finally come back with this amazing song. We’ve been working so hard on it, and I’m confident it will be worth it.”

We’re really excited to break the news of this project, and having heard a short clip of Angie Be’s new track we’re sure it’s gonna be a massive club hit! We hope to be able to bring you the full track as soon as it’s officially released!

18th January 2017
REVIEWED | WE Festival – New Year’s Eve Madrid

★★★★ | WE Festival

Madrid, Spain – this year for the New Year’s celebration my boyfriend, I and a few friends travelled to Spain to check out the WE New Years Eve Festival.

CREDIT: Aaron Holloway

The WE circuit dance party is one of the biggest brands in the world, hosting parties in Spain, Germany, UK, and America. The party in Madrid is WE on its home turf. Madrid is known for its party lifestyle and the plethora of clubs the city offers makes it the perfect home for a week-long dance festival. We attended two of the parties, the Matinee theme night (Matinee has its home in Ibiza) and the main WE party on New Year’s Eve which was held at La Riviera, a massive club that could well be described as the home base of WE Madrid.

In true Spanish style, the clubs don’t get really going until around 1 am, but after that they are jam packed full of hot guys and occasionally girls looking to dance the night away. One thing can be said for the WE parties: they are excellently managed. The lines to get in are kept moving at a good pace so you’ve got more time to enjoy the party rather than stand outside, the coat check staff were quick and efficient, and the bars, which use a ticket system that I’m not personally a big fan of, were fast and the clubs are arranged to have lots of large bars so that you don’t spend most of your night waiting in line for a drink.

As is to be expected, the music is excellent and provided by some of the world’s best DJs including GSP and Phil Romano. On New Year’s Eve we were even provided with a couple of attractive hosts to help us count down to midnight when we partook in a glass of prosecco and the traditional 12 grapes on the strokes of midnight.

Madrid is host to many excellent gay events, not only the WE New Years Festival but also the WE summer festival which happens during the Madrid Pride week.

In 2017 WE Festival is one of the sponsoring events at World Pride in Madrid at the end of June. Having attended Pride, or Orgullo to the locals, two years ago and having an excellent experience at both the clubs and pride events which take over the city’s gay area Chueca, one can be certain that World Pride hosted by Madrid is going to be one hell of a party. Keep an eye on their website for details and ticket sales.

Aaron attended the WE New Years Festival as a guest of WE Party Group

17th January 2017
FILM REVIEW | Manchester By The Sea

★★★★★ | Manchester by the Sea

Studiocanal

Casey Affleck gives a devastating performance in Manchester by the Sea.

In a role that will win him the Academy Award for Best Actor, Affleck is Lee Chandler, a man stricken with grief, so much grief that gets worse when he gets word that his older brother Joe (Kyle Chandler in flashbacks) has suddenly passed away in their hometown of Manchester, New Hampshire. Joe leaves behind teenage son Patrick (newcomer Lucas Hedges), and it’s Lee who is now Patrick’s guardian.

But Lee just doesn’t have the energy, or the passion, to take in his nephew. Now a handyman, he moved to Boston after a tragic event that took the lives of his three children, a tragic event that could have been prevented, and a tragedy that caused the breakdown of his marriage to Randi (Michelle Williams).

So he’s really quite unsure and struggles with what to do with Patrick. Lee can’t send Patrick to his mother, who he is not close to.

There is so much darkness in Manchester by the Sea that it’s hard to leave the film without feeling depressed and sodden. Yet it’s Affleck’s acting that propels this film to must-see and award-worthy status.

Affleck, who is Ben Affleck’s younger brother and who just won a golden globe gives the best performance of his career.

His Lee is quite unlike any character you’ve seen all year – and Affleck plays him amazingly.

Williams is also very good as Lee’s wife who eventually moves on and starts a new life, and BAFTA rising star nominee Hedges is a real find and perfect as the rebellious teenager.

In a film produced by Matt Damon, who was originally going to star as Lee, and with excellent writing and directing by Kenneth Lonergan (2000’s You Can Count On Me) who with this film cements himself to A-list status of Hollywood filmmakers, Manchester by the Sea is one of this year’s few must-see films.

15th January 2017