Reviews (12)

The Lesbian "Big Chill" with attitude
This movie allows the viewer to step into a "fantasy" reality where girl gets girl, but in doing so, shows the construction and deconstruction of the characters' lives, memories and dreams. The eb and flow of the movie allows you to look at your own life and the choices you have made. EVERYTHING RELATIVE delivers a happy ending that allows viewers to hope they can also find the same through their chaos.

a flat cliche of lesbian lives
Rather than breaking cliches, this movie seems to embrace them: the principle characters appear to be incorrigable partner swappers and there is even a scene where a U-haul joke is told. The dialogue is terrible; the relationships between the characters seem superficial and shallow. The film improves a bit toward the very end, when new love interests develop, but you may not make it that far without first hitting the 'eject' button on your VCR.

Warm, Funny and Wonderful
Sherry from Outlook Press has already hit the high points of plot and characters (see her thorough, capable review here on this site), so I will spare a rehash and instead talk about themes.

What I liked best about this movie was the sense of history that the characters had with one another. They've been friends a long time, and they display toward one another that sometimes cautious balance and sometimes reckless running-off-at-the-mouth that good friends so often do. None of them want to hurt the others, and yet with so much history, sometimes even the most innocuous observation can cut to the quick. At the same time, it is just those sorts of observations or comments that are the impetus for the small changes the characters make in this one weekend they spend together.

So often, lesbians have had to create their own Chosen Family in the face of pressure and lack of acceptance from birth families. This is an issue for some of these characters. They do find respite with one another, as well as tension and misunderstanding. But the theme of learning and growing by interaction with others runs strong in this story. For anyone who has ever wished for a "Big Chill" type of group to hang around, this movie is a chance to live vicariously. These are seven women who, if they really existed, I would enjoy knowing.

Finally, like so many movies with lesbian themes, this one has been shorted in the area of production values. Despite a bit of choppiness and the sound being tinny in a few spots, the acting is good, the plot flows well, and in less than 100 minutes, viewers will find themselves caring about these characters and what happens to them.

Twenty years from now (when I hope lesbian films are well-financed and plentiful!), we'll look back at this movie as an early pioneer. I have owned it since it was released on VHS in 1997, and it holds up well under repeat viewings. I have very much enjoyed introducing others to it who have not seen it, and I would highly recommend it as warm, funny, and wonderful.

"Everything Relative"¿ A Lesbian Big Chill
Films targeted for lesbian audiences are seldom able to meet more mainstream standards, but Everything Relative is a well-written, provocative story of seven women coming together for a weekend to celebrate the birth of a child. One can't put this much chemistry together in one place, though, and not expect some amazing things to happen.

Friends in college, all have a shared history, at least in part, much of which is unresolved. An old relationship must be confronted when Josie and Maria become painfully aware of a conversation they should have had many years ago, and they must now find a way to put misunderstandings to rest. We watch as they struggle with a past neither of them could control, and question what the future might hold if they could somehow reach out to each other.

Victoria and Katie, mothers of the child bringing the group together, deal with relationship issues brought on by external pressures including a child, financial inequality, and career vs. family pride. When Victoria drops her lover's hand as a colleague approaches them in public, a debate begins within the group that covers very real issues facing all lesbians in today's society. How much is our pride worth, and how much power is actually lost by letting the Far Right draw their own conclusions?

All will be intrigued by Luce, the sexual dynamo with rock-hard abs and a sexy voice to boot, who must come to terms with herself and her past, and with the ghost she harbors in both places. Luce is partly what we all want in a lover and partly what we all want to be -- serious yet wild, desired yet strong, beautiful yet vulnerable. But if Luce is ever to break the endless stream of casual affairs she seems both able to start and end with a fair amount of apathy she must let go of Sonja, the perfect lover, who died many years ago, and who keeps Luce's heart from taking chances and losing the game.

Gena could be the one to bring Luce back among the living. With her sarcastic wit and movie-star looks, she is the songstress who sings life back into the hallowed place reserved for Sonja, and brings a less serious pace to the film. She looks like fluff but, in the end, it is Gena who reveals more of life's truths than we deemed her capable.

"Everything Relative" features outstanding performances by the entire cast, and addresses many lesbian issues while providing great storylines and interesting characters. Those looking for racy love scenes will not be disappointed, as the film is not to be outdone in this area either. This group can heat up a Northampton night better than most, without compromising the integrity of the film or our expectations of the characters. They play, laugh, and love the way we would if we were them, and in a way that truly depicts many lesbian lifestyles.

-OutLook Press

The best movie I own!
Everything Relative is the best lesbian movie I have seen to date. The acting is poor in the beginning but as the story develops, the acting gets better and the story pulls you in. The main thing to say about this movie is, it has a STORY. It's not just about sex. I recommend this movie to any lesbian! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

love, lies, and murder
To my memory the movie was not an accurate portrayal. But then again I was only 17 years old. I played video games with David and his brother in law and Cinnamon when she was just a kid. Linda was pregnant the last time I saw them at Garden Square Bowl. I have been looking for this movie since it came on T.V. I'm glad I found it, but from what I remember, it was different in real life.

Excellent Performance by Clancy Brown
If you like movies based on true stories, this movie is very well done! The story is gripping and the acting is excellent. I have seen this movie twice on Lifetime. I would love to purchase the video, but the price remains prohibitive! What gives?--it's 10 years old!

Love, Lies, and Murder
This 1991 miniseries surrounds the rather twisted family of a very manipulative, selfish, and evil man, David Brown. It begins on a late night in March 1985. David is shown pulling out of his driveway. Soon after, the sound of gunshots awaken this sleepy neighborhood. The other occupants of this house are his wife, Linda, their baby, Amber, Linda's 17 year old sister, Patti Bailey, and David's 14 year old daughter, Cinnamon, from a previous marriage. Linda, his wife, has been shot in the stomach while asleep in bed. From here is the beginning of an investigation that seems to become tangled in its own storyline. Who killed Linda Brown? Why was she wanted dead? Who was behind this gruesome murder? Secrets are revealed, trust is betrayed, and someone is going to pay.

This is a rather serious movie with some compelling performances. Justice does prevail in the end, but Linda Brown still can't be brought back.

I thought it was a good movie.
I thought it was a good movie,but I wouldn't pay that much for it.I thought the actors did a good job in portraying the people in the movie,Brown who plays the dad did a very good job,he gave me the creeps. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Serial Killing that is not serious at all
A thriller that is fascinating from the very start. A serial killer is handcuffing his victims and then killing them ruthlessly. But a girl has a sixth sense and she sees the killings, the murders, the victims in their ordeals. The murderer is the final surprise of course, especially since the police goes the wrong way and covers him for us. The problems touched in this film are simple. the role of the media and particularly TV as a discloser of investigation details, and then the development of a debate about such serial killings with only one objective : to make a lot of audience and hence a lot of money. To be famous first of all and above all. The second question is that of prescience : is it possible, acceptable, believable, etc ? It is convincing in the film, but not much more. The third problem is the motivation of a serial killer and the famous profiling of the FBI. It is both rejected by the older cop who is responsible for the investigation, and by the film because the motivation of the killer is totally antagonistic with the profiling technique. All the victims have handcuffs but apart from that there is no other connection between the various victims or murders and the motivation has nothing to do with standard and even substandard serial killing motivations. It is something completely different. I can't reveal it here of course. But this very « plot » makes the film very trite. It is dynamic, entertaining but it is not very enlightening on the subject it deals with. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Paris Universities II and IX.

Murder Mystery at its Best
Once called "The Clairvoyant", The Killing Hour is a suspense/thriller/murder mystery rolled into one. Personally, I prefer the original title, since it better captures a key element of the story. Our protagonist (played by Elizabeth Kemp) has two unique gifts. She is an artist and has a sixth sense. But she doesn't see dead people, instead she can foresee who will be the next victim in a series of seemingly unrelated murders. Unrelated that is, except for the handcuffs found on each victim. Her clairvoyance strikes her when she is drawing and usually, she draws the next victim. She begins to panic, when during one of her episodes, she draws herself.

When she finally goes to the police, she manages to convince the skeptical officers assigned to the murders that their may be some validity to her story. More willing to believe her, a TV talk show host/reporter (played by Perry King) tries to befriend her and interview her on his show.

Slowly, the killer moves in on her. The clairvoyant knows he (or she) is near, but her power doesn't reveal the face to her. Nor does the director give this one away. We have to wait until he is ready to reveal the killer, but once he does, it all makes perfect sense.

Overall, I found this movie to be a pleasant surprise. Suspenseful, cleverly written, well acted, it will keep you guessing until the end, when the killer finally and unexpectedly, is revealed.

SURPRISINGLY GOOD MOVIE
At first glance, you might think this is an exploitation movie that thrives on T and A and extreme violence, but the Killing Hour, aka the Clairvoyant, is a surprisingly well produced, well directed, and well acted movie. Good perfomances by Elizabeth Kemp (especially Liz Kemp) and Perry King. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The Lesbian "Big Chill" with attitude
This movie allows the viewer to step into a "fantasy" reality where girl gets girl, but in doing so, shows the construction and deconstruction of the characters' lives, memories and dreams. The eb and flow of the movie allows you to look at your own life and the choices you have made. EVERYTHING RELATIVE delivers a happy ending that allows viewers to hope they can also find the same through their chaos.

a flat cliche of lesbian lives
Rather than breaking cliches, this movie seems to embrace them: the principle characters appear to be incorrigable partner swappers and there is even a scene where a U-haul joke is told. The dialogue is terrible; the relationships between the characters seem superficial and shallow. The film improves a bit toward the very end, when new love interests develop, but you may not make it that far without first hitting the 'eject' button on your VCR.

Warm, Funny and Wonderful
Sherry from Outlook Press has already hit the high points of plot and characters (see her thorough, capable review here on this site), so I will spare a rehash and instead talk about themes.

What I liked best about this movie was the sense of history that the characters had with one another. They've been friends a long time, and they display toward one another that sometimes cautious balance and sometimes reckless running-off-at-the-mouth that good friends so often do. None of them want to hurt the others, and yet with so much history, sometimes even the most innocuous observation can cut to the quick. At the same time, it is just those sorts of observations or comments that are the impetus for the small changes the characters make in this one weekend they spend together.

So often, lesbians have had to create their own Chosen Family in the face of pressure and lack of acceptance from birth families. This is an issue for some of these characters. They do find respite with one another, as well as tension and misunderstanding. But the theme of learning and growing by interaction with others runs strong in this story. For anyone who has ever wished for a "Big Chill" type of group to hang around, this movie is a chance to live vicariously. These are seven women who, if they really existed, I would enjoy knowing.

Finally, like so many movies with lesbian themes, this one has been shorted in the area of production values. Despite a bit of choppiness and the sound being tinny in a few spots, the acting is good, the plot flows well, and in less than 100 minutes, viewers will find themselves caring about these characters and what happens to them.

Twenty years from now (when I hope lesbian films are well-financed and plentiful!), we'll look back at this movie as an early pioneer. I have owned it since it was released on VHS in 1997, and it holds up well under repeat viewings. I have very much enjoyed introducing others to it who have not seen it, and I would highly recommend it as warm, funny, and wonderful.

"Everything Relative"¿ A Lesbian Big Chill
Films targeted for lesbian audiences are seldom able to meet more mainstream standards, but Everything Relative is a well-written, provocative story of seven women coming together for a weekend to celebrate the birth of a child. One can't put this much chemistry together in one place, though, and not expect some amazing things to happen.

Friends in college, all have a shared history, at least in part, much of which is unresolved. An old relationship must be confronted when Josie and Maria become painfully aware of a conversation they should have had many years ago, and they must now find a way to put misunderstandings to rest. We watch as they struggle with a past neither of them could control, and question what the future might hold if they could somehow reach out to each other.

Victoria and Katie, mothers of the child bringing the group together, deal with relationship issues brought on by external pressures including a child, financial inequality, and career vs. family pride. When Victoria drops her lover's hand as a colleague approaches them in public, a debate begins within the group that covers very real issues facing all lesbians in today's society. How much is our pride worth, and how much power is actually lost by letting the Far Right draw their own conclusions?

All will be intrigued by Luce, the sexual dynamo with rock-hard abs and a sexy voice to boot, who must come to terms with herself and her past, and with the ghost she harbors in both places. Luce is partly what we all want in a lover and partly what we all want to be -- serious yet wild, desired yet strong, beautiful yet vulnerable. But if Luce is ever to break the endless stream of casual affairs she seems both able to start and end with a fair amount of apathy she must let go of Sonja, the perfect lover, who died many years ago, and who keeps Luce's heart from taking chances and losing the game.

Gena could be the one to bring Luce back among the living. With her sarcastic wit and movie-star looks, she is the songstress who sings life back into the hallowed place reserved for Sonja, and brings a less serious pace to the film. She looks like fluff but, in the end, it is Gena who reveals more of life's truths than we deemed her capable.

"Everything Relative" features outstanding performances by the entire cast, and addresses many lesbian issues while providing great storylines and interesting characters. Those looking for racy love scenes will not be disappointed, as the film is not to be outdone in this area either. This group can heat up a Northampton night better than most, without compromising the integrity of the film or our expectations of the characters. They play, laugh, and love the way we would if we were them, and in a way that truly depicts many lesbian lifestyles.

-OutLook Press

The best movie I own!
Everything Relative is the best lesbian movie I have seen to date. The acting is poor in the beginning but as the story develops, the acting gets better and the story pulls you in. The main thing to say about this movie is, it has a STORY. It's not just about sex. I recommend this movie to any lesbian! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Serial Killing that is not serious at all
A thriller that is fascinating from the very start. A serial killer is handcuffing his victims and then killing them ruthlessly. But a girl has a sixth sense and she sees the killings, the murders, the victims in their ordeals. The murderer is the final surprise of course, especially since the police goes the wrong way and covers him for us. The problems touched in this film are simple. the role of the media and particularly TV as a discloser of investigation details, and then the development of a debate about such serial killings with only one objective : to make a lot of audience and hence a lot of money. To be famous first of all and above all. The second question is that of prescience : is it possible, acceptable, believable, etc ? It is convincing in the film, but not much more. The third problem is the motivation of a serial killer and the famous profiling of the FBI. It is both rejected by the older cop who is responsible for the investigation, and by the film because the motivation of the killer is totally antagonistic with the profiling technique. All the victims have handcuffs but apart from that there is no other connection between the various victims or murders and the motivation has nothing to do with standard and even substandard serial killing motivations. It is something completely different. I can't reveal it here of course. But this very « plot » makes the film very trite. It is dynamic, entertaining but it is not very enlightening on the subject it deals with. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Paris Universities II and IX.

Murder Mystery at its Best
Once called "The Clairvoyant", The Killing Hour is a suspense/thriller/murder mystery rolled into one. Personally, I prefer the original title, since it better captures a key element of the story. Our protagonist (played by Elizabeth Kemp) has two unique gifts. She is an artist and has a sixth sense. But she doesn't see dead people, instead she can foresee who will be the next victim in a series of seemingly unrelated murders. Unrelated that is, except for the handcuffs found on each victim. Her clairvoyance strikes her when she is drawing and usually, she draws the next victim. She begins to panic, when during one of her episodes, she draws herself.

When she finally goes to the police, she manages to convince the skeptical officers assigned to the murders that their may be some validity to her story. More willing to believe her, a TV talk show host/reporter (played by Perry King) tries to befriend her and interview her on his show.

Slowly, the killer moves in on her. The clairvoyant knows he (or she) is near, but her power doesn't reveal the face to her. Nor does the director give this one away. We have to wait until he is ready to reveal the killer, but once he does, it all makes perfect sense.

Overall, I found this movie to be a pleasant surprise. Suspenseful, cleverly written, well acted, it will keep you guessing until the end, when the killer finally and unexpectedly, is revealed.

SURPRISINGLY GOOD MOVIE
At first glance, you might think this is an exploitation movie that thrives on T and A and extreme violence, but the Killing Hour, aka the Clairvoyant, is a surprisingly well produced, well directed, and well acted movie. Good perfomances by Elizabeth Kemp (especially Liz Kemp) and Perry King. ... Read more