Movies

I was thrilled to see a famous gay male porn star break through to a mainstream gay film. Frankie Valenti/Johnny Hazzard brought more than his killer looks and ink to this film. I think he saved it. His masculine and unshakable character rang truer than most portrayals of sexual gay men in small gay films. He was hot and natural.The other lead character, Chet, played by writer Mark Strano, was well written. I think Strano did his best to translate his script but the character came across as clinically depressed rather than likable and conflicted. Nothing that a little anti-depressant might have cured probably. Not to say that the character was unrepresentative of closeted gay men in the hinterlands. Just that depression isn't that interesting to watch.A good Netflix addition. Not too badly gay-genre typical. Still not "A Single Man" or "Stranger by the Lake".

Indie gem (crowd-funded). Taut small-town drama in which the unfavoured son/brother returns and disturbs the tranquility his older brother has established in his life. Finely acted by all. Perfectly paced and totally successful in what it aims to achieve. (viewed 9/16)

Ugh. There are elements I appreciate in this story, but in general it fails to get airborne. The black sheep brother needed an actor with strong chops - as much as I wanted this role to work for this movie it never comes to life, gains much dimension.In fact none of the acting in the story is very strong. I like the lead character very much and he's fighting to rise to the occasion, but his work feels uneven and never fully engaged. Ugh again! Great story idea, great setting, like the premise of the brothers who have parted ways - but it ultimately doesn't work.(It is almost certainly unfair to push this all off on the actors! The directing seems uneven and unfocused as well.) This is a story I'd love someone to try and do again - with a much stronger cast and better direction.