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  • FILM REVIEW | Star Wars: The Last Jedi

    STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI – The eighth film from a galaxy far far away, bigger, better, longer, more convoluted and with added gay appeal as the new Darth Vader gets his kit off. These films are not just for kids anymore

    FILM REVIEW | Star Wars: The Last Jedi

    Nutshell – This film picks up from the end of the Force Awakens so there is no need for character introductions or background info so we can get straight into a very good twisty turny story with endless action and so many strands to follow in future. Han Solo is pushing up intergalactic daisies, and the rebels lead by Carrie Fisher’s Leia in her final acting role before she sadly passed have finally located Luke Skywalker, and he is not a happy bunny. The new bad guys the First Order are in control of the entire Galaxy, and the good guys are down to a few hundred, and they are hotly pursued, is this the end – strap yourself in for a great roller coaster ride through hyperspace and beyond – this will be very big indeed.

    Running Time – 150 minutes The longest Star Wars film to date by a considerable margin but there is a lot of story to get through here; Certificate – 12A.

    Tagline – Doesn’t need one if you don’t know what is going on here after 40 years then you never will.

    THEGAYUK Factor – There has been nothing gay in the Star Wars universe to date and then suddenly here the new Darth Vader Kylo Ren for no plot reason whatsoever starts walking around shirtless… it is very eyeopening and slightly jarring. He looks really good and the unnecessary scene lingers on, even one of the other characters tells him to get some clothes on and cover himself up but we were happy with it. There are no other apparent studs here like say early Harrison Ford, but we hope for more gay angles in future maybe next time Chewbacca will get a blowjob from a hot Ewok or perhaps C-3PO will get into fisting.

    Cast – From the original series you get Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher with a much more significant part than you may expect, Anthony Daniels and Frank Oz. They are joined by the new team of Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro, Game Of Thrones Gwendoline Christie even Ade Edmondson turns up, and of course, Prince William and Prince Harry are there as stormtroopers.

    Key Player – George Lucas has not been involved for five years, but he got so much right with the first film(s) that this and all future SW films are slam dunks – probably impossible to screw up. You get some real crowd-pleasing new stars in the Porgs which take to nesting in the Millenium Falcon amongst other places. The fox-like Crystal Critters and BB-8, the new fan favourite droid, gets a bigger part and he steals the movie. Disney knows better than anyone what they are doing with franchises and product placement and every kid and big kid will buy anything with these characters on.

    Budget – $200 Million and already in 5 days it has made $450 Million and is heading towards the Top 20 of all time. Repeat viewings will push it to the top of that list hopefully with huge profit unless the competition steals screens from under it namely Ferdinand, Pitch Perfect 3, The Greatest Showman and Spielberg/Hanks/Streep’s The Post all within ten days of SW opening. Disney currently reportedly makes $2.5 billion every year from the brand in memorabilia, so the film is a big money-maker.

    Best Bit – 2.11 mins; The final battle is one of the best of the entire series but every appearance of BB-8 is a winner and the Porgs double act with Chewbacca throughout is priceless.

    Worst Bit – 1.02 mins; Some editing would have been nice as we could do with less Jedi training and not as much time spent on an unnecessary Casino planet. That you can live with but when Leia is blown out into space and goes all Marvel superhero – there is a serious problem – it is a rare mistake in a great addition to the saga.

    Little Secret – There is only one Star Wars film on the biggest box office chart of all time, and that is The Force Awakens in third place behind Titanic, and Avatar and they are the exclusive three members of the Two Billion Dollar club. High hopes for this one to get up there but that running time will limit the number of shows per day, and that competition is coming for its screens with gusto and no fear. The Last Jedi‘s first record target is to beat Fast and Furious 8 the biggest movie of the year to date, and it is way behind that at present. Its other big Achilles heel is that Star Wars is just not popular in Asia unlike Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings, Pirates, Jurassic, Transformers, Avengers and Fast and Furious films and that is a bloody big market.

    Further Viewing – Star Wars 1-7, Rogue Nation, Spaceballs, Star Trek’s 1-13, Avatar, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordan and Battlestar Galactica.

    Any Good – It is wonderful and so entertaining. New fans maybe should steer clear as there is so much past knowledge needed here. Great effects, several wow moments, sad bits, laugh out loud bits and something for all ages and plenty for geeks and those that just want a great Friday popcorn night out to forget their working woes. On now to next year’s Han Solo origin story, but do not miss this one in the meantime.

    Rating – 87% out of 100.

  • Man jailed for ‘vicious’ homophobic attack in London

    Man told police, during his interview, the reason for his attack was that his victim was gay.

    A Polish man has been jailed after being found guilty of a vicious attack which left one man with a broken leg. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the north London, Wood Green Crown Court.

    Kamil Wladyslaw Snios, 29 attacked two men in Tottenham in an unprovoked assault which left one of the men with serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

    “Trophy”

    The victim, a 36-year-old man was on his way to nearby shops in Stamford Road with a friend when he was approached by Snios.

    Snios shouted at them in polish and then slapped and kicked the victim hard enough for him to fall onto the floor. Once down, Snios continued to kick the man as he tried to crawl away and slapped his friend beside him whilst in shock. Sinos then took a packet of cigarettes out of the rear pocket of the man’s trousers and held it above him as a trophy to show his friends, who were nearby.

    The attack happened on Stamford Road in North London.

    Reason for attack

    Officers from Haringey arrested Sinos and upon interview he made a number of homophobic remarks, sighting this as a reason he attacked the men.

    Detective Constable Mark Nicholls from Haringey CID, said, “We are pleased to have secured this sentencing for a needless, unprovoked and sustained assault that left the victim seriously injured and frightened.

    “It is evident that the Met will not tolerate homophobic attacks and will work to bring offenders to justice.”

  • Boyfriends killed in hotel fire in Scotland

    Two men were killed when a fire ripped through the Cameron House Hotel.

    Couple Simon Midgley, 38 and Richard Dyson, 32 are reported to have died on Monday when a fire broke out in the Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond.

    Police have yet to announce the names of the victims, however, the BBC is reporting that relatives of the men have taken to social media to paid recognition to the couple.

    More than 200 guests were evacuated from the luxury hotel, when the fire started in the early hours of Monday morning at around 6:40 AM. All reports suggest that only the couple were fatalities of the fire.

    Last message

    Mr Midgley posted a photo of the pair enjoying a Christmas film in their room at the Cameron House Hotel just hours before the fire, on Instagram and wrote, “Home for the weekend.”

    It is believed that the pair lived in London.

    Simon worked as a freelance journalist for the London Evening Standard as well as running his own PR firm while Richard is believed to be a TV producer.

    “Heartbroken”

    Mr Midgley’s sister posted a photo of her brother and captioned it, “I’m beyond heartbroken.”

    A statement on the website of Cameron House Hotel said, “Due to an ongoing incident please be aware that Cameron House will remain closed to arriving guests for at least the next 48 hours.

    “We would ask all guests and customers to remain patient as we work with the emergency services to establish the extent of the damage and ascertain when we will be able to re-open.”

     

  • Andy Cohen says he’s a virgin, because he’s never done it with a woman

    Errm, we’re not sure that’s how virginity works Andy.

    TV hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper, who have been friends for “decades” were playing a game 1-2 AC on Andy’s show, Watch What Happens Live! when the question of Andy’s virginity came up. While Anderson guessed that his BBF Andy lost it when he was 34 – Andy revealed that the answer was “I’m a Gold Star, I’ve never done it with a girl…”

    A confused Anderson, questioned Andy, saying, “but virginity isn’t…”

    We’ve not heard the expression “gold star” before, but we have heard of a “platinum gay”. 

    The pair were also asked if they had dated, to which they answered never and that it’d be too weird!

    What do you think? – are you still a virgin if you’ve never had sex with someone of the opposite sex?

     

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Rent Party – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

    THEATRE REVIEW | Rent Party – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

    ★★★★★ |  Rent Party – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

    You are invited by Stuart, the fiercest, pony-tail-wearing, weave flailing diva this side of the breadline, to his Rent Party, where you get to hear the stories of four young people and decide, in monetary value, what each of their stories deserve. The tales of being a single mother, a strong matriarch, a self-confessed geek and a statuesque, roller-skating voguing sensation are mixed with song, dance and vicious social commentary of what it is like to be young, gifted, black, gay and poor.

    Photo Credit – Sam Taylor

    Part party, part entertainment and part immersive theatre, this is one production which doesn’t hold back on its scathing attack on a society in times of austerity and hits home the harsh reality faced by young people in the community. Debts, social struggles and domestic abuse all feature amongst the stories, as does a host of talent from the five performers. But what makes it more poignant is the fact that these are not actors, but people each telling their own true story.

    Kamille is working in Asda, and struggles as a single mum but doesn’t let this stop her, whereas Lenai talks about her family, led by a strong and confident matriarchy, who put her through dance school; and piano playing AJ has a flair for all things science, and shares stories the love he has for his boyfriend who surprises him on a family holiday. But it is Jason sharing the tale of his escape from a controlling and abusive relationship with his boyfriend which hit the hardest and his recounting of the experience stunned the audience and garnered a genuine emotional response.

    Inspired by the rent parties of Harlem in the 1920’s, where people would host a shin dig to earn their rent money by entertaining their guests, each audience member is given some rent party money to pay the artists what they think their stories and performances are worth; and there are some party favours and a shot or two or liquor thrown in for good measure.

    But it is not all about the struggles. Kamille belts out Fabulous Baby from the Sister Act musical; Leani and AJ charleston and tap dance their way through a fun routine, Jason’s voguing would stand out in any club and Stuart’s bittersweet and enthusiastic party hosting binds the whole thing together.  Add a dance-off, a limbo competition and some party games with the audience, and you have an original and entertaining piece of theatre, with the whole thing having an overarching tinge of being in a gay club in the 80’s.

    Rent party is a fierce, unflinching and uncompromising look at life where race, poverty, sexuality, talent and ambition collide.

    Rent Party is at Sheffield Theatres until the 23rd December 2017. Visit their website for details and tickets.

  • Should the word “faggot” be removed from Fairytale of New York?

    Should the word “faggot” be removed from Fairytale of New York?

    And the bells are ringing out…

    Every year it becomes a talking point amongst some in the gay community, but are the lyrics to “Fairytale of New York” offensive? We asked our readers… It sparked a lively debate, to say the least.

    Most people who commented on our question, said no – and that they weren’t offended by the song. Here are some of our favourite comments to the question: “Should the lyric “faggot” be removed from Fairytale of New York?”

    No. People need to chill out before we have to remove half of the English dictionary as one person or another finds something offensive – Ben

    No, it’s attitudes that need to change not great Christmas songs, when did the idiots start running the asylum??? – Paul

    I’m sick of people getting offended over ridiculous things. If you offended by the lyrics to this song you need to have a serious word with yourself – Gary

    It should be changed. I also opt that the sky should be permanently replaced with a pink viscous gunge because that makes sense too – Dillion

    Anyone with a decent understanding of the English language knows that the word has two meanings: 1 A savoury dish made from pork and 2 A bundle of sticks or twigs, no I didn’t look it up! – Graham

    It was a phrase from the age. If we erase every offending word from songs, the world would be a very sanitised place. Somewhere I personally wouldn’t want to live. – Derek

    No, it shouldn’t. People need to stop being so touchy. If anything ita a reminder of how far equal rights have brought us. I love that line. – Angela

    I’m gay and not offended. As much as I’m glad attitudes towards a lot of things are changing it’s going to get to the stage where you can’t say anything in case of offending someone. – Robbie

    Why remove a word calling someone a spicy meatball?
    In seriousness though, a word is only as powerful as the meaning you give it. If you motion to get it removed, you’re part of the problem, because you are the one giving it negative connotations. We need to take words back, you’ll never change attitudes by doing things like this – it just alienates people and makes the words even more negative. Like telling a toddler not to say “fuck”. – Evelyn

    I think it should be removed. Just as every song or rap that uses the n-word should be removed. Also fuck, arsehole and every other swear word or slur.  Oh, we can’t do that because songs everywhere would lose meaning and expression? – Sam

    I don’t think so I don’t like the word but it’s re-writing history which is more offensive. It’s a song and reflects reality just as with any creative medium. People saying it’s past tense to be insulted by the word live in a different world. I live opposite a school and I don’t know which is worse the homophobia coming from the kids or the parents hanging about the gates. – Jamie

    I’m gay, and a dj…. and when I play it in a gay bar… I turn the sound off for that line and the WHOLE room sings it with glee at the top of their voices… point proved lol… so it’s not us moaning! – Matt

    Leave it alone! If you had to start erasing things that upset people half the 20th Century would have to go! It was a sign of the times and something for people to look back and learn from. – Andrew

    No. I still giggle hysterically when I hear the song played uncensored in shops at Christmas. It was a song of its time, we cannot rewrite or delete history. – Jamie

    • some comments were edited for clarity or grammar.

     

  • Indonesia court jails men for two years over ‘gay sex party’

    An Indonesian court has sentenced ten men to two years in prison for taking part in a gay sex party at a sauna, court documents show. The group were among at least 141 men detained during a raid on a building that houses a sauna and a gym in the capital Jakarta in May. (more…)

  • Are gay saunas legal in the UK?

    Are gay saunas legal in the UK?

    There are many Gay Saunas or to use the Americanism, gay bathhouses, in the UK – but are they legal?

    The short answer is yes, gay saunas are legal in England and Wales. They are also legal in Scotland, however, sexual activity is not permitted by the license that these venues must have.

    In 2013 Police in Scotland called for a ban on the availability of condoms in all saunas in a crackdown on sex workers in Edinburgh. They also called on the licensing committee that “no items of a sexual nature will be permitted on the premises” should be included when reconsidering licenses.

    Police in Scotland also raided two saunas who found during their inspection, “officers found evidence to indicate that the premises were used for activities other than those permitted by the licence, specifically sexual activity”.

    All saunas have to be licensed.

    Are gay saunas legal to use in the UK?
    © ugarin Depositphotos

    So is it legal to use a gay sauna?

    As long as you are just paying for entry to the club to have consensual sex with other members who are also in the club, for no financial reward, then that is legal. As long as the club has no control over others who are having sex in the club that is also lawful.

    Many closures

    Over the years, like many gay bars, saunas used by the gay community have been suffering a fall in custom and usage. Many saunas have shuttered across the country.

    What’s it like going to a gay sauna for the first time?

    Writing for THEGAYUK.com columnist Stuart said the experience was quite “liberating”. You can read all about his experience here.

  • THEATRE REVIEW | La Bohéme – Trafalgar Studios, London

    ★★★★★ | La Bohéme

    La Bohéme, an opera in four acts, had its world premiere in 1896 in Turin, Italy. Since then, it’s been copied and re-interpreted in so many different ways that each version is unique in its own way. Another reincarnation of this very famous opera has just recently opened up at Trafalgar Square Studios, and it’s definitely one Londoners can identify with.

    This version of La Bohéme, written by Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Becca Marriott, had its debut at the King’s Head Theatre last year. And luckily for us, it’s making a return in a central London venue. Set in present-day East London, the show presents to us broke and down and out young men and women who can barely scrape together money for the rent, or in one case, to buy drugs.

    Ralph and Mark (Roger Paterson and Thomas Isherwood) are roommates in a flat on Christmas Eve in Dalston, and when someone knocks on their door, they instinctively hide because they suspect it’s their landlord collecting rent – they even have a window that acts as a backdoor to escape. Then there is Mimi (Marriott), broke and very thin, and always cold, who finds her way into the boys’ flat and meets Ralph – they have an instant connection and take a liking to each other.

    Then there is Musetta (Honey Rouhani), who, with her beautiful looks and luscious lips and curves that go on for miles, is the troublemaker and ingénue who sweeps in and out and leaves her mark. If these characters sound familiar, they also make up some of the cast of the characters of Rent – that classic 1990’s musical rock opera that won a slew of awards, with very memorable songs such as “Seasons of Love” and “Take Me (For What I Am)”. Rent has withstood the test of time as one of the greatest musicals ever made.

    La Bohéme is also very good – it’s an opera for this generation, a generation that seems to live life through their mobile phones 24/7. And this La Bohéme involves a bit of audience participation – Musetta gets cosy with some uncomfortable-looking male members of the audience, while Mimi asks for spare change – it’s surreal and hard-hitting but even more so when those who get asked all shake their heads and say no, with a look of guilt on their faces. Trafalgar Studios is quite a cosy place to put on a show this big, but it works. The cast is all amazing, and by the end, I almost really believed what I saw was real. The cast (some of the actors rotate with other actors on various nights) are accompanied by the Musical Director, Panaretos Kyriatzidis, on piano and Alison Holford on cello. It’s a must see!

    La Bohéme is now playing at Trafalgar Studios until January 6, 2018

  • CAR REVIEW | Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

    CAR REVIEW | Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

    Snap-Happy Alfa Romeo

    Alfa Romeo review
    (C) Alfa Romeo

    Alfa Romeo has been missing from the compact executive car market since the axe fell on the 159 in 2011. You’d hope then that over the last six years the Italian manufacturer might have got its new car right. If you have read the hype elsewhere, believe it!

    Thankfully the Giulia isn’t perfect, and there are still some questionable bits here and there. It’s the sort of things you’d not accept from an Audi. If Alfa Romeo had made it perfect, then it wouldn’t be an Alfa Romeo at all. The world would have stopped spinning on its axes and we would all be engulfed by a burning sun.

    Okay so that might be a little dramatic. I for one however do like a bit of drama from my car. In an Alfa Romeo with its rich history of successes and failures you still expect it to be good and bad with a bucket load of enthusiasm. It makes you feel alive when behind the wheel of the new Giulia Veloce.

    I’ll start with the enthusiasm side of the car. It’s a great car to drive. The Veloce model is second to end in a five model line up. Only the ferocious Quadrifoglio (Green Cloverleaf) beats it on all levels of driving dynamics. That said the Veloce, at £22,000 less, is by no means less of a car as a commuter saloon/play thing that will make you happy.

    You will be happy.

    (C) Alfa Romeo

    Before you even get into the Giulia, you’re confronted by a classic design in the making. From the front at least. Its tall grill and side vents add a purposeful look which is then given some Alfa flair with the licence plate mounted to the side. What isn’t so successful is the rear. It’s not like Alfa Romeo don’t have any in-house designs from the past that they can work from. The rear is a bit too BMW for my liking.

    The first thing you notice when you get inside the Giulia is the steering. It’s phenomenally direct. The smallest inputs translate to so much on the tarmac. You’ll notice this within about 200 meters of driving in a car park. It sets up the DNA of the cars sporting character.

    Speaking of DNA (this is the smoothest transition I have come up with yet!) there is the standard DNA switch on the centre console. On the model tested it was the basic switch for Dynamic, Natural and Advance efficiency. You can spec the car for Alfa’s adaptive suspension set up too. As it is, I found it very engaging to use in motion. In basic terminology it alters the parameter workings of the throttle, steering and gearbox responses. In A it is supposed to make it a little more fuel efficient. I’ll put my hand up and say I didn’t notice any difference on the readout because I didn’t try to get green credentials from my week with the Giulia. There simply wasn’t enough time and I was having far too much fun.

    D and N are where you will mostly keep it selected. In D it really does make the throttle responses snap-happy. This will frustrate you in its behaviour while pondering life while stuck in city traffic. Switch the N and normality will ensue. The magic in this switch is that you can select its position when on the move and its responses are pretty much instant. See the opportunity, select it and grasp the enjoyment.

    Another return to form for the Giulia is being rear wheel drive. Perhaps it has something to do with Ferrari technical director Philippe Krief coming to Alfa Romeo’s rescue has made the Giulia a true driver’s car in almost every sense. The driving is where the pleasure is.

    After years of lacklustre attempts at making a fast car with the wheels pulling it forward, Alfa Romeo has put power back to the rear and set the chassis up with a near 50:50 weight transfer balance. Sounds great on paper and on the road it is even better. Where the previous model would scrabble and understeer when pushed, the Giulia will pilot its way around handsomely. Push it and the traction system kicks in sometimes thwarting the fun but not excessively.

    Handling when pushed hard is safe. Having gone pleasure bound for four hours along my favourite road full of all sorts of situations, the A259 from Folkestone to Bognor, and in a mixture of weather, it proved itself to be sure-footed. Push it in the right situation and you could get it into a gentle four-wheeled drift. It doesn’t last long because the grip is phenomenal.

    You would expect a car set for the sportier driver to ride have a harsh ride and sometimes become unpleasant. It’s not the worst I have tried. Not being adaptive means it stays in that sports set up all the time. The only problem with this is it’s too engaging and encourages you to be a tad more naughty whenever you can get away with it.

    With all the goings on in how it rides I almost forgot to talk about the engine. It’s not a lusty Alfa Romeo V6 (that you’ll find in the Quadrifoglio) It’s a 1995cc four-cylinder turbo unit. It makes 280hp and will throw the Giulia down the road from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. The way it does it is with little fuss and no turbo lag anywhere within the rev range. The eight-speed automatic gearbox steeps up and down with minimal intrusion. It also has a subdued growl that is more vocal when switched to Dynamic.

    In a time when gearshift paddles are getting smaller, Alfa Romeo has bucked the trend and given you two big cold metal shifters to play with. It all boils down to giving you more places to position your hands on the steering wheel to select the gears. The coldness of their metal construction is quite provocative in a way. Their shaped contours felt pleasant to the touch. It’s just another sensual input that makes it feel like a driver’s car.

    There are a few problems. Remember this is an Alfa Romeo. For a car with aggressive yet civilised credentials in being all things on the road to man and beast it has a slightly fluffy feeling brake pedal. It doesn’t feel as responsive or as sharp as the rest of the car’s snap-happy weighted inputs and temperament. Thankfully they are more than capable of stopping the car quickly on all surfaces. It’s not often you get to try a car on snow-covered tracks. The ABS stops you with minimal fuss.

    The fuel gauge in relation to how much is left never made any sense at all. I lost 140 miles in one 30 mile trip. The battery cover in the boot was poorly fitted and Alfa has decided to redesign the wiper switch with a butterfly design on the stalk. Let’s just say these are the eccentricities of Alfa Romeo and leave it there.

    What I am sad to see missing are the three round gauges pointed towards the driver for oil and water temperature and a clock. With this return to form this good I really would have liked to have seen this little nod to the Alfa Romeo’s I was brought up with.

    There is absolutely no doubting Alfa Romeo’s commitment to return where they should be in the sporty saloon segment. Sadly it is in a market that is packed full of German machines that continued to evolve with each model change getting better and better year after year. Alfa Romeo has a big job ahead of them if they are to entice the saloon driver away from the German marques. For my money I’d take a chance on the Alfa Romeo. The motoring press is not wrong in what has been said about the new cars driving appeal so repeat after me; I own an Alfa Romeo.

    Now doesn’t that make you feel great!

    Loves

    Handling and road manners
    Large gear paddles on the steering wheel
    Engine response

    Loathes

    Some trim fit was poor
    No traction off switch
    Fuel range less than accurate

    Lowdown
    Car – Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
    Price – £39,205 (as tested)
    MPG – 46.3 (combined)
    Power – 280 bhp
    0-62mph – 5.7 seconds
    Top Speed – 149mph
    Co2 – 141 (g/km)

  • Trump Bans CDC From Using These Seven Words

    Donald Trump’s administration has reportedly banned the Center for Disease Control from using seven words and phrases, including “science-based” and “transgender,” in documents it is working on for next year’s budget. (more…)

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