THE SCREENING ROOM

ON DVD: Sherlock Holmes, GCB, Harold And Maude, House of Boys And More!

While this week might be light on queer DVD and Blu-ray releases, there are several other high-profile titles with homoerotic or campy overtones: Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law return as Holmes and Watson in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows; Ewan McGregor digs himself into trouble in Shallow Grave; Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon become bestest friends in the cult classic Harold and Maude; and southern girls go wild in the spicy TV series GCB (above).

Also, Wolfe Video, one of the world’s largest distributor of LGBT films, has introduced its new on-demand service, WolfeOnDemand.com. Now you can browse and stream dozens of titles—including recent releases Tomboy and Private Romeo and fanfaves Were the World Mine, Itty Bitty Titty Committee and By Hook or by Crook.

Photos: Breaking Glass Pictures, ABC

FIRST: Going overboard in House of Boys

http://youtu.be/0DY_beSdF-4

House of Boys
($19.99 DVD, Breaking Glass Pictures)

Set in 1984, German drama House of Boys tells the wild tale of Frank (Layken Anderson), a newly out 18-year-old who moves from his podunk town to exciting Amsterdam, where he’s befriended by drag star Madame (Udo Kier), the owner of the gay cabaret and brothel, The House of Boys. Frank’s newfound life of nonstop drugs and sex becomes overwhelming and he soon faces dire consequences. Filmed in English and directed by Jean-Claude Schlim, Boys is a lush epic of lust, love and innocence lost. The DVD includes interviews and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

NEXT: The game is afoot in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows


http://youtu.be/p3jVKDd3nAA

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
($35.99 Blu-ray + Digital Copy, $28.98 DVD, Warner Bros.)

In this epic sequel to the 2009 box-office hit Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and trusted sidekick Watson (Jude Law) do battle with arch nemesis Professor Moriarty (Mad Men‘s Jared Harris). Along the way they encounter a feisty fortune teller (Prometheus‘ Noomi Rapace) and Sherlock’s older and wiser brother, Mycroft (out actor Stephen Fry). Directed by former Mr. Madonna, Guy Ritchie, Shadows is pure popcorn fun and there’s no denying the dynamic and somewhat homoerotic chemistry between Downey and Law. The Blu-ray includes the Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.


NEXT: You’ll dig Shallow Grave

 

http://youtu.be/DF8h4trB70M

Shallow Grave
($39.95 Blu-ray, $29.95 DVD, Criterion)

Before he became an Oscar heavyweight with Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours, filmmaker Danny Boyle made his feature-film directorial debut in 1994 with this gruesome thriller that is finally getting a proper DVD release. Grave depicts a small group of rambunctious friends (including a baby-faced Ewan McGregor and future Dr. Who Christopher Eccleston) who discover the the dead body of their new roommate, along with a suitcase stuffed with cash. The less you know about the twisty plot the better as the film certainly doesn’t disappoint fans of suspense (or McGregor). This Criterion Collection edition offers a beautifully remastered version of the film loaded with extras, including a making-of documentary directed by Kevin Macdonald (State of Play), video diaries by producer Andrew Macdonald and a brand new commentary by screenwriter John Hodge.

NEXT: Harold and Maude gets the Criterion treatment

 

http://youtu.be/5mz3TkxJhPc

Harold and Maude
($39.95 Blu-ray, $29.95 DVD, Criterion)

As with Shallow Grave, Hal Ashby’s 1971 cult favorite Harold and Maude gets the Criterion treatment with a brand new digitally remastered print. Starring Ruth Gordon (Rosemary’s Baby) and Bud Cort (M.A.S.H.), Harold and Maude explores the unique friendship between a spoiled rich kid (Cort) and a life-affirming senior citizen (Gordon). The DVD offers a plethora of extras: interviews, commentary by Ashby, illustrated audio excerpts and and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Michael Wood.

 

NEXT: Gone-but-not-forgotten GCB comes to DVD


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6TvQeOWOl0

GCB: The Complete First Season
($39.99 DVD, ABC Studios)

Though recently axed from ABC’s lineup, GCB certainly had promise. And with the first (and only) season now on DVD, its a snap for completists to get the whole story: Former bad girl Amanda (Leslie Bibb) returns to her Dallas roots after her husband’s death and gets neck-deep in all sorts of gossip, scandals, and cat fights with her old “friends.” Executive produced by Sex and the City‘s Darren Star, GCB also starred Annie Potts (Designing Women), Miriam Shor (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), and hunky Mark Deklin as a married closet case. It’s like a southern-fried Desperate Housewives with a large dash of Dynasty. The 10-episode DVD includes audio commentary, bloopers, deleted scenes and a segment called “Bigger in Texas” about the process the cast went through in order to look and sound like authentic Longhorns.

ALSO OUT ON DVD

In Darkness

Thin Ice

Episodes: The First Season

Tosh.0: Hoodies

Spider-Man 1, 2, 3 (reissues)

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