OK, I followed the tutorial on the fuel filter replacement at http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/EFI/fuelfilter.html. My results were somewhat different.
1 - I could loosen the nuts relatively easily
2 - At this point, gas comes gushing out and shows no sigh of ever stopping even after 45 minutes
3 - I have disconnected the fuel pump and opened the gas cap prior to loosening the filter
4 - After assuming that I will just have to brave the stream of gas, I try to free the fuel lines but they only loosen so far and they bind.
5 - This is a stock fuel filter
6 - Pinching the fuel line closed does not appear to be an option as the fuel lines are hard material.
7 - with the fuel pump disconnected, the car will not run as it is not getting enough gas to the engine.

Any ideas on what I should do differently to get the gas to stop flowing and get the filter disconnected?

 

If you can;t crimp the rubber line because it's aged too much let all the gas drain into a jerry can replace the filter and then fill the car back up with gas

 

I'm not sure if it will work in this case, but when I've replaced FP's in my previous cars, I would remove the fuel pump relay, start the car and let it die on its own to use up any fuel that may be in the lines past the pump.