Entertainment Reviews by Leon



 







ImageOut of Sync / A Memoir

Author: Lance Bass / Introduction by: Marc Eliot

I read this book with an open mind and intrigue. I was most ecstatic when the news finally made Headlines on all forms of media; “Lance Bass Comes Out”, were most of the headlines words. I never picked up a magazine up so fast to read it in 15-20 minutes tops.  Although it (the media) never went into detail of when he felt he was feeling things differently and all the emotional combats he had to endure to keep his secret, this book does. It is clear and more in depth of explanations and scenarios that not only tell his story of his struggle between being a star and being his true self. He tells a story of his climbing the ladder of the music business, the betrayal of the manager they (the group) first had. The conflict of telling the others in the group or not about his “secret”. The fear of being discovered and outted before his time. I do wish more people in the entertainment industry would follow in the footsteps of the entire gay entertainer’s that have been honest to the public.

 




At sixteen, Lance Bass received a phone call from Justin Timberlake that would change his life forever. Soon after, he left his small-town home in Clinton,
Mississippi
, to join an emerging musical group called *NSYNC. Two years later*NSYNC was inspiring Beatles-esque mania around the world, becoming the face of the new MTV generation, and earning the all time record for most album sales in a single day (more than one million) and in a single week for No Strings attached.

He’s remained in the spotlight ever since, and here he talks in depth for the first time about his childhood, his astonishing experiences as a young man and a Christian growing up in one of the biggest bands in the world, his shock and frustration at the band’s eventual dissolution, and his subsequent career, including his four months in Russia, training to become a cosmonaut.

He also frankly discusses life as a gay man—his first same-sex relationship at twenty-one, his struggle to keep his sexuality hidden from *NSYNC’s fans in case it jeopardized the bands’ success, and the true circumstances that led to his decision to publicly come out at the age of twenty-seven.

Full of fascinating behind-the-scenes lore and revealing insights from a pop star who, until now, has been notoriously private, OUT of SYNC is the book that millions of fans have been waiting for.

 



Image

Lilies

Rated: R

Director: John Greyson

Based on the play by: Michel-Marc Bouichard

Starring: Brent Carver – Marcel Sabourn – Aubert Pellascio – Jason Cadieux

Mathew Ferguson – Danny Gilmore – Alexander Chapman 

Review By: Leon Velasco

Rating:

Two Thumbs WAY

Up.

This movie is one of my first collected stories out of the hundreds I own. It is one of the stories that you can really get involved in. Set in the early 1900’s it is remarkably written and outstandingly performed. A stunning piece of work for anyone who loves the era. Anyone who appreciates the ambiance of the traditional dress, and way of speech are in for a treat with this movie.  I had shared this movie with a friend of mine and was not at all surprised when He asked for a copy. Emotionally moving, you may not want to watch this without a box of tissue next to you.

Lilies, is an emotionally intense, suspense-laden tale of love, betrayal and revenge between men. In 1952, a Catholic bishop makes an exceptional visit to a prison to hear a dying inmate’s confession. Once inside the chapel, the bishop is taken hostage by Simon, a childhood friend. With the aid of his fellow inmates, Simon’s version of the events that took place forty years earlier are reenacted. The action moves seamlessly through time between the crude prison and the actual events of 1912. The drama culminates on the tragic night when both men’s fates were decided. 

“… flawlessly executed tragedy, hypnotic & moving, Lilies leaves you feeling high; it’s the buzz you get from seeing a great film.”

LA Weekly, Film pick of the week

“Great passion and tragic betrayal” – Toronto International Film Festival

WINNER of 4 GENIE AWARDS including Best motion Picture

OFFICIAL SELECTION – Sundance Film Festival

 

 

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