 
|
|
DVD
PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Publisher: Showtime Networks
Format: Box set, Collector's Edition, Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC
Actors: Gale Harold, Hal Sparks, Randy Harrison, Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill
QUEER AS FOLK Season 5 continues to follow the journey of a group of gay friends and lovers living in Pittsburgh. This critically acclaimed series brings with it mature stories about facing the challenges of same-sex parenting, discrimination, AIDS/HIV, cancer and morality.
Gay has rarely been so glamorous as in the American version of Queer as Folk. But the show's success rests on more than hard bodies and glossy, picture-perfect sex (though there's an abundance of that); this series gave its characters a multidimensional richness that rivals more high-profile programs like Six Feet Under or The Sopranos, while tackling an impressive breadth of social and political issues without ever (well, almost never) feeling preachy. The fifth and final season lays out its themes with authority: Alpha-gay Brian (Gale Howard) buys and revamps the sex club Babylon, declaring promiscuity and independence as a gay birthright, while Brian's oldest friend Michael (Hal Sparks, Talk Soup) embraces domesticity with his partner Ben (Robert Gant); the flamboyant Emmett (Peter Paige) finds success as a tv personality, only to find his persona may trap him in a stereotype; and Ted (Scott Lowell) grapples with body prejudices within the gay community. Meanwhile, the crumbling relationship of Mel (Michelle Clunie) and Lindsay (Thea Gill) takes a more troubling turn when Michael demands more rights as the father of their daughter. Most tv series would take a topic like this last legal wrangle and stretch it over an entire season, but Queer as Folk is more ambitious; the writers recognize that the resolution of one problem is rarely the end of the story, that muddy consequences can be as dramatically compelling as head-to-head conflict. This aggressive and effective plotting, combined with the show's willingness to explore the complexities of every issue--be it assimilation or the coming out of a celebrity--results in an increasing emotional power as the series steamrolls towards its final episode. Some subplots can be silly (Brian has a ridiculous stud-off with a new hot guy in town), the dialogue can sometimes veer from wit to camp cliches, and the omnipresence of sculpted, muscular physiques is absurd and even a little alienating for some viewers, but Queer as Folk's strengths--the compassion and intelligence of the writers, the commitment and nuance of the acting--make this show a true television landmark and a pleasure to watch. And then, of course, there's all that graphic and lovingly photographed sex. Rosie O'Donnell and Cyndi Lauper make guest appearances, and Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey) continues her much-loved performance as Michael's mother, Debbie. --Bret Fetzer
| Customer Reviews: |
|
| |
| QAF the final season |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
 |
|
Product, including shipping was under $31, new. My friend was going to buy it used for $50 at a used game store. Shipping was reasonable, and it came quickly. THX
|
| Sad end of a wonderful series... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
I have written my opinion of each season, and can only say I'm saddened by the demise of this series. One thing I didn't mention before is that, though there were no real credits, I didn't really know who the characters/actors were. Now I know them very well, such wonderfully fleshed out characters. Gale Harold is to be commended for playing Brian, with so many layers of intrigue. He is an enigma, which no gay man I know could relate to...though I have known some who though like that. I always liked Ted (Scott Lowell), making his wrong decisions and dealing with them as sadly as only those in his situation can. Emmett (Peter Paige) was the flaming queen with more honest wisdom than any of the others. He was among the most intriguing, and positive. Melanie and Lindsay were the token Lesbians, and had an intense involvement throughout. Randy Harrison (as Justin) grew as his character did; a kid who found the gay community and ran with it, following his own natural direction. He held his own and was endearing. The most sensual moment in the show was when he seduced the school bully (in Season 1). Michael is the most upsetting character, always referred to as uneducated, he over-reacts all the time; as played by Hal Sparks, he's frustrating to watch, but also adorable. His mother, Debbie, played by veteran Sharon Gless, has a fire and power that no one can mess with; proud of her gay son. I still don't know the name of some other wonderful performers: Justin's mother, Ted's lover/therapist, Ted's drug-dealer, Debbie's cop boyfriend, Justin's activist crazy friend; and other remarkable supporting characters. Robert Gant is also quite fine as Michael's HIV lover, though he didn't appear til Season 3. A strong character. I'll miss these people a lot. Maybe the series had run its course, and maybe it ended a little too abruptly, or conveniently (as happens). Showtime is to be commended for giving those who chose to see this side of life. Maybe unrealistic (Pittsburgh?). Here in Milwaukee and Chicago there were lots of places like Babylon, but with the advent of the AIDS epidemic, in the late 80's, those places were all shut down. Ain't the same, and just as well. I'll miss these people, and I hope the actors can be seen in future projects. I especially hope they're not stigmatized by their roles in QAF. These are talented actors who were courageous, and most of them were actually heterosexual. As the series clearly explained, it'll be a long time coming before people will be respected for whom they are...Trying to live together and expecting a bit of consideration, if not respect.
|
| Queer goes out with a bang.. |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
Season five had to be the political centered season of Queer as Folk.
All the characters (of course minus Brian), are trying to stop Proposition 14.
This is the season where Babylon is bombed. It was just an amazing season.
The finale will make you cry and laugh.
And the thumpa thumpa continues.
"We Will Survive"
|
| "The End Of A Television Era" |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
Well, here it is; the final season ever of my favorite tv series of all-time. "Queer as Folk" says goobye after 5 seasons and 83 episodes. There was never a program like "Queer as Folk" and there never will be. The final season features the least number of shows, 13. There was suppose to be a 6th season, but the writer's were running out of ideas, and a number of cast members, most notably Randy Harrison, were leaving at the end of the 5th season. Also, I suspect the high cost of production was the main reason the show got axed. The 5th season has some wonderful stories as Hunter battles problems at school when his classmates discover his HIV status, Ted continues searching for Mr. Right and there is a nasty custody battle for Melanie's baby where no one wins. In the middle of the season a bomb goes off at Babylon and we see who survives this terrible tragedy. This incident changes everyone, most notably Brian and Justin's relationship. Cyndy Lauper has an apperance this year and Rosie O'Donnell plays a lesbian who is battered by her husband who ultimately falls in love with Debbie. The final show is a must so I won't give anything away. Also watch the bonus features as it shows scenes cut from the final broadcast episode that are interesting. On a sad note some cast members, like Hal Sparks, have gone on record as saying there won't be a "Queer as Folk" reunion movie as a few of the cast members, one gay and one straight, were very hard to work with. The producers also had a problem with these actors as well.
My only problem with this collection is I wish they would have included the 30 minute interview they did with the cast prior to the airing of the finale that was shown on Showtime as it was informative, and we get everyone's impression on this being the final year. There is also a complete boxset featuring all 5 seasons, but if you already have the entire series I would pass on buying it, but if you don't have all the boxsets purchase it; it's a great deal. The only bonus they have is a disc featuring members of the cast and crew at a breakfast meeting talking about the show. Both Randy Harrison and Gale Harold are absent from the interview. We will miss you "Queer as Folk", but thank God for DVD as we can watch these shows over and over. Like "Gloria Gaynor says, "We will survive!".
|
| enlightening |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
The entire series 1 Thru 5 was a must see in my household. At the time a not so enlightened pit of testosterone. The word queer was a word not often said without a derogatory meaning. After a couple of forced watchings with my girl friend, it became a ritual. I even became involved w the life style I knew nothing about(as anan observer only) it is /was that addicting. I enjoyed all the episodes. In my opinion By far the best writers ,producers.not forget the best actors, Throughout the whole series I became more understanding of the gay lifestyle I even understood the need for BABELON as a a place to feel free from persecution
|
|
