Silence Of The Lambs

Cast:  Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine

Director:  Jonathan Demme

1991


The critically acclaimed film that made Hannibal Lecter a household name.  This thriller blended elements of the crime films with horror to become a massive hit, earning over $272 Million and
winning the top five Academy Awards:  Best Picture, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Director (Jonathan Demme) and Best Adapted Screenplay.  The film is actually based on the second novel to feature the Hannibal character; the first novel would later be adapted as a prequel film, Red Dragon.  Hannibal was actually a secondary villain in this story, but clearly stole the show.

Story:  An FBI agent-in-training, Clarice Sterling, gets put on assignment to interview the detained cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, whom the FBI believes has knowledge of a new serial killer, "Buffalo Bill," who skins his female victims and then takes hostage the daughter of a U.S Senator.  Instead of giving outright clues, Hannibal teases Clarice with a game of quid pro quo, in which she must tell him personal details of her own life in exchange for clues to nailing Buffalo Bill. 

Gay Factors:  1 gay character - Jame Gumb aka "Buffalo Bill."  In the film he's portrayed as having been rejected for a sex change operation but is fascinated with the metamorphosis of moths, equating it to his own hopeful evolution to becoming a female.  Some articles try to deny the character's homosexuality, stating he wasn't gay but wanted to become a woman.  That is contrary to evidence shown in the original novel which states that Hannibal had known and killed Benjamin Raspail, Jame Gumb's former lover.

It became one of the infamous "freak out" moments of film, shocking to hetero audiences, when Buffalo Bill is shown nude with his penis tucked between his legs to appear as a woman.  This and the overall depiction of the Bill character left some gay activists to label this film as homophobic.

In addition, the sequel, Hannibal, implies that Hannibal Lecter may be homosexual or at least used it as a tool to become close to certain male victims, although this original film doesn't explore this possibility.

TRAILER

Hannibal

Cast:  Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta

Director:  Ridley Scott

2001


Sequel to the award winning film, Silence Of The Lambs, this film was hugely successful, earning $351 Million worldwide.  It was the third highest debuting film ever, at the time, but didn't attain the award winning acclaim of the original.  Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter but unfortunately Jodie Foster doesn't return to her award winning role; this time Julianne Moore takes the part of Clarice Starling.  Much more a psychological thriller than standard horror, but a modern classic worth viewing!


Story:  10 years after the events of Silence Of The Lambs, Hannibal Lector remains on the loose.  Mason Verger, a wealthy survivor of Hannibal, pulls some political strings to get Clarice reassigned to his case in an attempt to draw Hannibal out from hiding but Mason his own torturous revenge planned.

Gay Factors:  Minimal gayness and unfavorable to the gay community. 

A quick flashback depicts an interest of Mason Verger in Hannibal.  Mason says he wore his best "come hither outfit" to meet Hannibal and the flashback depicts the two dancing together. 

Clarice retells a story about Hannibal enticing a male victim and FBI agent, Paul, replies "I always figured him for a queer" further relating it as because of "all this artsy fartsy stuff.  Chamber food, tea party food."  Paul clearly shows signs of homophobia when discussing the topic.  Later in the film, in another meeting Paul says "Sounds like him." to which Clarice replies "You mean like a homosexual?"

It's never clearly stated if Hannibal is indeed gay or bisexual or has merely used it as means to get close to certain male victims.  Overall, the questionable gays in the film all appear unfavorably.  Mason Verger is now a monstrous looking man who tried to cut off his face at the urging or Lecter, and Hannibal Lecter (if gay) is obviously the estranged cannibalistic killer of the film.

Some people could use Hannibal's interest in Clarice as proof of his heterosexuality but the original novel does include contradictions to that theory:  in the end of the film when he kidnaps Clarice, he tries to make her over as a new version of his dead sister.  The film really doesn't delve into that angle.

TRAILER

Socket

Cast:  Derek Long, Matthew Montgomery, Alexandra Billings, Rasool J'Han, Allie Rivenbark

Director:  Sean Abley

2007

A unique sci-fi horror thriller but comes across as bland at times.  I enjoyed Matthew Montgomery as Craig but Derek Long comes off as stiff and unlikeable (not a great quality as the lead role).  If you do enjoy Derek Long or Allie Rivenbark, you should check them out in the more traditional horror slasher film Gay Bed & Breakfast Of Terror.  There is some full frontal nudity and sex but don't be mistaken into thinking that this is another softcore porn; the story carries itself and the sex falls into place like any regular movie.

Story:  After surviving a lightning strike, Doctor Bill Matthews becomes addicted to electricity and the addiction becomes the new drug for he and his lover, Craig.  The doctor's addiction grows stronger and uncontrolable, constantly looking for a bigger high.  The doctor implants electric circuits into he and Craig's wrists, but his desires evolve from quick electro shocks to electro sex and finally to a string of murders.

Gay Factors:  gay male characters, lesbian characters, male full frontal nudity & male/male sex.

A Siren In The Dark

Cast:  David Beutler, Orion Cross, James Townsend, Todd Tetreault, Rick Bolander, A.J. Domianus, Jason Dodds, Kyle Lankins, Donna Michelle, Christin Pertel, Laura Riley, Riley Sheridan, Madelyn Starr

Directors:  Steven Vasquez, Laura Reilly

2008


This is a mystery/suspense based softcore porn with a plot, involving murder and implied cannibalism.  Plenty of full frontal nudity and male/male sexual situations.  The acting is pretty awful and the story gets a bit confusing at times but if you're a fan of James Townsend or Orion Cross then you may enjoy this one.  If you're looking for hardcore horror then this probably isn't for you. 

Story:  A sexually repressed police investigator is called in to investigate a missing person's case.  Through interviews, the story is retold in flashback by the missing boy's boyfriend and sister.