film & television reviews from Philip Bahr focusing on a gay male gaze | gay film | gay movies | gay television | LGBTQ perspective | classics | indie | television reviews
Thanks to my dear friend Mark for telling me about this wonderful short-lived series, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself. Should have been multiple seasons, but the powers that be – Netflix – nuked this one after just one. From Deadline,
Based on Sally Green’s YA novel Half Bad, the series tells the story of Nathan Byrne (Jay Lycergo), an illegitimate son of a dangerous witch, Marcus Edge (David Gyasi), struggling to overcome his odds of following the footsteps of his father as he discovers his true identity alongside his friends.
I really grew to love this show so much. Great characters. More sophisticated than a CW/Freeform series, but just as fun. It’s totally worth watching even though it’s only one season. Stand out actors include Jay Lycurgo as Nathan Byrne in the lead – he’s the bastard, Nadia Parkes as Annalise O’Brien – major female power, Emilien Vekemans as Gabriel – finally someone does an homage to Buffy’s Spike and makes him gay, and Karen Connell as Ceelia – a true amazon warrior. Not too much teenage angst, but lots and lots of gore and violence. But they’re witches so it’s ok. LOL. At least for me. 4 out of 5 for this gem.
Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself currently streams on Netflix.
The Oscar nominations were announced this morning. For the first time in a long time (ever?), my favorite film of the year, Everything Everywhere All at Once (EEAAO) was nominated for eleven awards, the most for any film. Yay!
I have a lot of catching up to do. Aside from EEAAO, I have only seen Elvis and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. I am shocked Nope received zero nominations. That’s just ridiculous. Meanwhile a beautiful moment from EEAAO. They so deserved the noms.
Finally got around to watching the 2018 television adaptation, A Discovery of Witches from the `All Souls’ trilogy written by Deborah Harkness. Was hoping for lots of fun. I have been a huge witch fan my entire life starting with The Wizard of Oz, Bewitched and Salem Witch Trial papers in grade school (what an odd little Catholic boy I was) to Rosemary’s Baby, Buffy‘s Willow and Tara, and Eve’s Bayou. Unfortunately this series just didn’t take me to where I wanted to go. It had all the makings of a great story, but fell short. 2 out of 5. Next.
A Discovery of Witches currently streams on Roku Channel, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Here we go. Summer’s blazing in the Northern Hemisphere. Time to crank up the a/c and watch some dreamy holiday movies and television episodes. In 2021, Reel Charlie added two new queer Christmas rom-coms to my list of favorites:
And don’t forget your favorite television episodes. Reel Charlie favorites include:
The Partridge Family: Don’t Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa. 17 December 1971. Season 2, Episode 13. Queer as Folk: Preponderance of Death. 30 May 2004. Season 4, Episode 7 Downton Abbey: Christmas at Downton Abbey. 19 February 2012. Season 2, Episode 9. The West Wing: Noël. 20 December 2000. Season 2, Episode 10
I cry over nearly every one. Especially The Partridge Family and Queer as Folk.
The Austin Chronicle and Bustle give you a full list of all the Downton Abbey and The West Wing holiday episodes.
Whatever you watch this season, have a little fun with your selections.
What a perfect idea… to pair the nature series genre with 2022 Jurassic technology. Voila, you’ve got Prehistoric Planet narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The series has exactly the same feel as Planet Earth or Blue Planet except the animals are dinosaurs with the rich detail we’ve come to expect from these incredible Hi-Def nature documentaries. I’ve only watched one of the episodes so far, but this is so much fun. I will save the rest for when I need a pick me up and to be in awe. 4 out of 5. Check out the photos below.
Prehistoric Planet currently streams on Apple TV+.
The time is now! Every year for 14 years, the public library I work for hosts a One Book One Town event. Each year we invite the author to come in-person for our signature event. This year, we are hosting The House in the Cerulean Sea author TJ Klune locally at our newly renovated theater across the street from where I work. We are also creating a YouTube live event, so all of you can join in the fun! TJ’s book is remarkable. It’s the perfect book for 2022 full of fantasy, found family, and a sweet, gentle slow burn of a queer love story. Click on the link below to register for the virtual event tonight! in order to get the link to YouTube.
And surprise, I will be interviewing TJ live on stage.
Come join us near or far. And happy reading to you all!
This is the signature event of Fairfield’s One Book One Town 2022 celebration! Join us for a wonderful evening with the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune. Registration is required.
Happy December 2021. This year, the streaming services, networks, and cable channels are premiering 147 new holiday films. Yes, you read that right. 147. I couldn’t believe the number until I read it in several articles. I wonder if this gigantic amount is in direct proportion to the chaos and free-falling of American democracy? The worse things get with the far right, the more we need to forget our troubles? Whatever the reason, it sure is hard to stand out in this avalanche of entertainment. I am here to tell you however, there’s at least one which flies to the top of the list. A Boy Called Christmas comes to us adapted from the book by Matt Haig. It’s Santa’s origin story, a perfect vehicle for these superhero times. Young Nikolas has lost his mother. His father goes searching for magic to bring hope back to the King. After living with an evil aunt, Nikolas leaves his home with his trusty pet mouse Miika, and off they go to find his Dad and help rescue hope. The story is told by a very old aunt played by Maggie Smith. Her three niece and nephews, having lost their own mother are horrified at how bleak the story is. But of course there’s magic. And hope. And more magic. And a flying reindeer. A Boy Called Christmas turns out to be the surprise holiday themed hit of 2021. Not an easy feat with all the competition. 4 out of 5 for this new favorite.
A Boy Called Christmas currently streams on Netflix.
This year, I decorated early. We had great friends Nina & Joe, and David for dinner last Saturday. I normally decorate on Black Friday, but I decided to bump it up – since I was on staycation last week – and surprise my guests with a Winter Wonderland dinner party. This year I invited the French language to permeate my living room as I decorated the house to Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale). The next day, I put up the tree and decorated it to Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special, and White Christmas. Everything’s gorgeous, saturated red and green in the Blu-ray version of White Christmas. Gotta love these holiday traditions. What holiday films are you planning to enjoy this year?
And here are some pics of the finished decorating…
After over 8,000 Funko Pop’s produced, finally Bewitched gets her day. If you’re unfamiliar with this collector phenomenon,
Funko Inc. is an American company that manufactures licensed pop culture collectibles, best known for its licensed vinyl figurines and bobbleheads. In addition, the company produces licensed plush, action figures, and electronic items such as USB drives, lamps, and headphones.
Endora is not my first Funko Pop. Although coming very late to this game, I first purchased The Golden Girls’ Blanche a few years ago in Fort Lauderdale, then received Dorothy as a gift last year. I’ve kept those two in the box, displaying them at work. When I found out Funko was honoring Bewitched, I knew I had to buy two Endoras, one to keep boxed and one to display. I have a Samantha on order as well. Thanks to Deep Discount who saved my butt after I accidentally ordered from a U.K. company who placed the items on back order until months from now. Deep Discount which I buy Blu-rays from came through beautifully.
Pose dropped the first episode of their swan song this week. If you want to watch Pose: Season 3 – The Final Season, The Cinemaholic offers you some choices,
To watch ‘Pose’ season 3, you can turn to live TV streaming services such as Xfinity, DirecTV, Fubo TV, Youtube TV, and Apple TV. You may also choose to purchase the new episodes (and old ones) on VOD platforms such as Google Play, YouTube, iTunes, Microsoft Store, Spectrum, and Vudu. Additionally, you can watch the series on the FX Now website or the mobile app by logging in through your active cable subscription.
I opted to purchase the entire season – 7 episodes from Amazon Prime for $14.99 ($2/episode). It’s rare I want to see a cable series as soon as it drops, but Pose is that kind of series. I crave this story which takes place in NYC the same years I lived there.
Mother Electra demands your attention below. Live. Work. Stream.
Thanks to my dear friend Mark for telling me about this wonderful short-lived series, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself. Should have been multiple seasons, but the powers that be – Netflix – nuked this one after just one. From Deadline,
Finally got around to watching the 2018 television adaptation, A Discovery of Witches from the `All Souls’ trilogy written by Deborah Harkness. Was hoping for lots of fun. I have been a huge witch fan my entire life starting with 
Here we go. Summer’s blazing in the Northern Hemisphere. Time to crank up the a/c and watch some dreamy holiday movies and television episodes. In 2021, Reel Charlie added two new queer Christmas rom-coms to my list of favorites:
What a perfect idea… to pair the nature series genre with 2022 Jurassic technology. Voila, you’ve got Prehistoric Planet narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The series has exactly the same feel as Planet Earth or Blue Planet except the animals are dinosaurs with the rich detail we’ve come to expect from these incredible Hi-Def nature documentaries. I’ve only watched one of the episodes so far, but this is so much fun. I will save the rest for when I need a pick me up and to be in awe. 4 out of 5. Check out the photos below.
The time is now! Every year for 
Happy December 2021. This year, the streaming services, networks, and cable channels are premiering 147 
Reel Charlie 