Blessed Yule
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Holidays
Happy Kwanzaa
Happy Solstice
Merry Christmas
Here we are as in olden days. Some of us are very young. Others are older, others in mid-life, others a bit later than that, and still others are late in life. This season can mean so much, or a little, or nothing at all. I know people who are celebrating new life, others celebrating new love, others celebrating old love, still others celebrating renewed health, others facing health crises, and others continuing to face war. It’s hard to reconcile all of that and still take a few moments to enjoy this season, whatever it means to you. There’s still war, there’s still famine, there’s still inequity, there’s still racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, transphobia. There’s some who want to take us backward into the past. Others want to catapult us into the future. Still others have amassed some kind of fiscal power and want to enslave us to their whims. But as Michelle Obama said a few years ago during her first book tour, “there are more of us than them.” We are the light. We are each of us a small light that together can brightly shine the way to a better future for generations to come. If we each take a tiny piece of this and join hands with others, we can move the planet forward in positive ways. I know we can. 40 years ago, I was this wide-eyed New Age gay boy who thought my meditation and affirmations could transform the planet. There have been times I have felt the darkness that exists. I have felt hopeless. I have stumbled and fell. But I believe Michelle Obama. I look out into the world, to the people I work with, the people who make up my biological family, the friends who make up my logical family, and the neighbors and citizens and leaders around the world. And I see goodness and caring, and kind hearts who can transform and save the people of this planet. Breaking news: the planet doesn’t need saving. It will survive. However humans won’t if we don’t radically change course. I believe in Gen Z, I believe in feminists, I believe in hippies, I believe in climate activists, I believe in Democrats, I believe in Independents, I believe in moderate Republicans who stand up against the insurrectionists. I believe we can rise up and stronghold the people who steal power, money and feed on ignorance and hate. I believe we can transform this world. I have to believe. This is all I have. This moment, this wondrous planet, and my connections with beautiful, evolved humans like you. So take a moment today, and this week before the new year, and just breathe. And smile. And reach out. And know I love you.
And if all else fails, watch a movie or television series that gives you hope.
Here are some inspirational (loose interpretations included) films from Reel Charlie’s 100 Favorite Films list:
9 to 5 – classic female-focused comedy. Tomlin, Fonda, & Parton. Enough said.
120 battements par minute [BPM (Beats Per Minute)] – French feature film about ACT UP (AIDS activism) Paris during the 90’s.
Beautiful Thing – my favorite coming out film. Sweet, sensitive, innocent, and hilarious with a Mama Cass soundtrack.
The Best Years of Our Lives – Hollywood digs deep with 3 men returning from WWII.
But I’m a Cheerleader – conversion therapy skewered for the nightmare it is.
Carol – Todd Haynes adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Price of Salt. 1950’s: two women in love and all its complications and romance.
Contact – Jodie Foster is “okay to go” in this Hollywood sci-fi classic.
Day After Tomorrow – Hollywood takes on climate change.
Drôle de Félix (Adventures of Felix) – the first HIV+ character in cinema who is not dying, depressed, or left behind.
Edge of Seventeen (1998) – another joyous gay male coming out film taking place in the early 80’s. Authentic. Lea Delaria.
Far from Heaven – Todd Haynes homage to Douglas Sirk’s melodramas. A masterpiece.
God’s Own Country – Rural Yorkshire indie film exploring the burgeoning love story between two young men.
Hairspray – John Waters goes mainstream but retains his perverse take on suburban America. This is the original film.
I Do – pre marriage equality romantic film about a guy trying to figure out how not to get deported as he meets the love of his life.
Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) – based on the WWI truce between the Scots, French, and Americans.
Making Love – right before AIDS hit, Hollywood dared to produce a story about a closeted gay man married to a woman trying to find his way.
Maurice – Merchant Ivory adapts E.M. Foster’s novel of Edwardian gay male love. Perfection.
Metrosexuality – Rikki Beadle Blair’s amazing patchwork of style, passion, family, love and inclusivity. Major feel-good event.
Monsoon Wedding – Mira Nair’s gorgeous tale of two weddings from different classes in Delhi.
Moonlight – Swept the Oscars and deservedly so. Quiet, introspective film about a young black gay man at 3 stages in his life.
Muriel’s Wedding – “you’re terrible, Muriel!” Must see Toni Collette Rachel Griffiths origin acting comedy genius. ABBA soundtrack galore.
My Beautiful Laundrette – Stephen Frears tale of a young white punk and smart Paki young man who fall in love in 1980’s Britain.
Pariah – Dee Rees created a fascinating look at a high school girl in the Bronx who is figuring out how to fit in with her family and her lesbian friends.
Parting Glances – 1980’s indie film about a gay male couple facing a separation while a friend is dying of AIDS.
Rafiki – Kenyan lesbian love story. Gorgeous.
A Room with a View – Merchant Ivory costume drama gorgeousness.
Victor Victoria – a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. Preposterous. Julie Andrews and Robert Preston strike gold.
The Watermelon Woman – Cheryl Dunye’s brilliant debut film about a video store clerk researching a minor black female actress in film history.
White Christmas – the classic. Rosemary Clooney swoon.
The Wizard of Oz – the classic of all classics. Love, love, love.
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Reel Charlie’s Top 13 favorite Criterion releases:
Each month I host our library podcast, 
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame had a great year of inductees in 2022. I watched first and foremost for The Eurythmics. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart continue to be one of my favorite bands of all-time. Annie’s solo career blew me away, in particular her first two albums. 
Reel Charlie 