Circus of Books

"Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans" John Lennon This is a fascinating documentary about a Jewish family "The Masons" and their business Circle of Books "Gay Adult Bookstore." The director (Rachel Mason) did a fine job in contrasting the evolution of her family with the world. What I love most about this documentary are the Masons, they are so sweet and kind. The director travels back to the eighties and explore the social political climate of that decade which permitted this business to thrive but also the challenges it faced during the Reagan presidentship. I would love to meet Rachel and her family to give them a hug and a huge thank you. The Masons are the very example of what people should strive to be, smart, open minded and kind. I was moved by them and it is not about gay * but rather about the freedom to be your own true self in a world that often forces individuals to conform to unhealthy beliefs and outdated self righteous morals.

This documentary is both a family history and a history of gay culture and society in the USA. The couple in this story are both looking for a break, when they answer an advertisement to distribute Hustler magazine. This leads to them taking over a bookstore, which they soon discover is also a gay and sexual aid store. Rather than be discouraged, they roll up their sleeves and dive into the business, running it successfully and soon becoming large players in gay movie distribution. There are moments both serious and humorous, including the mother's challenge to accept her own son's sexuality, which is a bit ironic considering what her business is. An easy going watch with a lot of heart.

A documentary about a store. But not just any store of course. And to be frank, a store that with its special clientele might not be something that you'd go to. I know I probably would not have gone in there. Not with the intent to buy or rent that is. Nothing that would have been of interest to me. Yet the documentary about trials, tribulations and struggles is one that is more than "interesting" to watch. A very well made documentary, with in depth interviews. But as I said, if you are squeamish (quite explicit sexual pictures), you may want to stir away from this. And I would suggest not to cancel people who don't watch this. If someone does not want to watch and is not a mean individual about it, respect their decision. Same goes for when you watch this and didn't like it, not because of the quality of film, but your religious or other believes. Don't judge it based on that. Be respectful of it and the people involved. We have different tastes and that is a good thing. Not liking something is a given. How we work with that and how others perceive that, is what is important. And while that may sound like tip toeing, you can imagine how it is, to be gay and be judged by others then. That's why I was stressing that point. Live and let others live - maybe this will give you an idea what and how "others" are

The mother was in desperate need of therapy, not because of the son thing, but in general she is a control freak. Living with someone like that it's not easy.