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

8230 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, Los Angeles. A bookstore aptly named "Book Circus" established its existence until '82 when the owner was experiencing financial difficulties. A entrepreneurial couple, Barry a former special effects engineer for Kubrick's masterpiece '2001: A Space Odyssey' and general inventor, and Karen a former journalist, seized the opportunity to expand their distribution rights for Flynt's 'Hustlers' by owning a shop. A magazine aimed towards capitalising on the adult entertainment industry. So, what did they stock in this store that they aptly renamed to "Circus of Books" that warranted a documentary? Well, hardcore gay pornography comprising of paperbacks (and barebacks *cough*),"used" DVDs and sexually explicit toys (hopefully not "used"...). But there are plenty of adult bookstores littered around the world, what makes this one so important? Well, imagine commencing your business venture in the 80s when the AIDS crisis occurred, Reagan's administration cracked down on materials of obscenity and religiously conservative communities ordered your store to close. All of this, in the heart of Los Angeles. The core of LGBT culture.

Rachel Mason's documentary, the daughter of store owners Barry and Karen, chronicles the history of "Circus of Books" whilst embedding tidbits of LGBT history throughout and how they affected the business. Essentially highlighting the cultural significance one book store has had on a city's subculture that manifested into a national widespread of love. The AIDS crisis regrettably inflicting its terminal afflictions upon employees, with both Barry and Karen melancholically reminiscing of their absence. The Reagan administration prosecuting the couple after an FBI sting operation that trapped them into transporting obscene material, challenging the First Amendment in the process. Culminating in a critique on the Internet era and how online gay pornography and cruising applications have since made reading materials obsolete, plummeting the shop's sales substantially.

Whilst these historical depictions were all too brief and shallow, despite their apparent inclusion to the store's significant legacy, the real bulk of the emotional connectivity that Rachel provides is through an earnest portrait of her parents. Her pertinacious devout Jewish mother coming to terms with her son's eventual coming out, notwithstanding the fact she owns a store primarily targeted towards the gay community. And her endearing father that has an incalculable amount of optimism and goodness within his heart. Both, deep down, were unfazed by the homosexuality that they gloriously brought to life. To them, it was just a business. And there is an honest endearment shrouding that notion that make them such wonderful human beings, with Rachel's focus being on their familial connections. To a point where their story often felt moving, more so due to my own sexuality.

As a documentary though, it's fairly predictable in terms of its structure. Interview with family members and past employees, including legendary drag queen Alaska, attempt to focus the attention on the shop itself. For the most part this is successful, until the third act which transitions into LGBT activism. No inherent issues, however Rachel broadens her scope to tackle everything LGBT history and culture has to offer, instead of narrowing the narrative down to a specific entity or event. Consequently, the documentary resembles a brief thin history lesson from the perspective of a controversial bookstore, as opposed to grasping the true significance this shop had on L.A. gay culture. Also her insincerity, obviously unintentional, peeped through when discussing adult actors whom had died from contracting AIDS. Her slouched body language and nonchalant interest irked me.

Still, if one can see pass the formulaic structure this documentary is built upon, then an emotionally involving offering will be showcased. Its strongest assets aimed towards its familial bonds, rather than tackling the modern history of LGBT. Plus, it's not everyday you see an old woman attempt to find a "non-penetrative white gay porno" in a stack of DVDs...

Have to agree with the review that says it's not enough about what it's supposed to be about, the bookstore, which is niche history and is interesting when shown, whether in the present or past. The rest of it's about a family that's rather dull, and of course there's the blaming President Reagan on everything anti-gay when democrats in-between NY and California aren't that nice to gays, and Bill Clinton is shown as an avenging angel for the rights of gay porn. He didn't exactly get elected in Middle America, where he thrived, on that topic, but this left wing propaganda piece makes it seem so.