You know, it's kind of weird watching movies about stuff you remember on the news. This was the first time it has really happened to me...I mean, sure, there'll be clips from stuff I remember in other movies, but this is the first time I saw a serious film about events that I remember following as they happened, watching them on TV, and having read Randy Shilts' excellent biography, The Mayor of Castro Street.

So going into this movie, I knew pretty much what was going to happen.

They evoked the time and place, San Francisco in the late 70s, very well; it was fun to see the clothes and hairstyles again. The events in the case were not only well presented, but the context was explained for those who didn't remember it (like a European friend of mine who completely missed this, being out of the country at the time, and was interested to see it for that reason) without being intrusive in the narrative flow.

Of course, though, the best part was Sean Penn. Damn, that man is a fine actor and gets better all the time. Josh Brolin was also very good, and James Franco as Milk's lover as well. But the real reason to see this movie is to watch Penn. He is just amazing.

Oh, and don't forget your twinkies...