Saturday, January 21, 2012

Judas Kiss - dvd review



To begin with American gay cinema has needed a movie like this. There is a buzz about it. For one thing, you have a gay porn star who has gone mainstream..or at least..gay cinema. Charlie David, who stars, directed, wrote and produced the movie.



Possibly, this not quite doppelganger of Zachary Quinto(he does sound like him), Charlie David was taken seriously when he made Mulligans. Recently, He's become more of an advocate for mainstreaming gay and lesbian movies in the industry. Saying that, please don't be put off about watching this movie. Its not a gay porn movie.

To say the least, the film is intriguing with real issues, yet at the same time, its a fantasy. Sort of. Still, I have a few mixed feelings about it.



I'm happy he gave Sean Paul Lockhart (aka Brent Corrigan) a chance in this film, who might as well be the Zach Efron of gay porn, to have a valuable part in the film. But of course, who stole the film and made each scene his own is Richard Harmon.



This is a movie about a man who can see himself differently now. He sees his past before him when he goes to a college to be a judge at a film contest. Things get more and more complicated when he finds out this up and coming film maker is using his real name. And the twist, he's had a one night stand with this fellow, as well. So basically, he had sex with himself.

Of course, I might have enjoyed it more if they would have left out the entire movie plot and not even had Charlie David in the movie. What the movie did have going for it was being openly gay at college. And a certain drama that everyone possibly faces at college. Hormonal opportunities that doesn't mean it might turn into anything else.



There is also a very blond Timo Descamps who I think could have created even a more infamous role if given a chance.

As we know, more and more soaps are turning to gay and lesbian storylines. Possibly, not as good as those in the UK, but almost. There are definitely some amazing characters waiting to burgeon on the horizon. And if one film can get through so another can be made for an audience, who can hardly wait for such a movie.. then I think we are on the right road.



Now when it comes right down to the story of the "Judas Kiss" (See the movie is about a movie called Judas Kiss that is in the film contest.), I'm not sure I really liked the idea of it. Very controversial subject. And I'm not so sure the son would have reacted that way to his father. Personally, I think I'd be pretty pissed and put out with everyone and quite depressed and possibly a psycho, if I were that character or if I'd had a chance to develop THAT CHARACTER.

But one of my favorite parts of the movie was when the younger self asked his present self "Will I fall in love?" I liked that question, because it is the heart of everyone, no matter what your sexual preference might be. No, Charlie David isn't just a gay porn star. There is a lot more for him to do in gay cinema, and I hope he's ready for it.



Down side? Well, lot of the acting isn't that good of the supporting players. Not sure the writing was as good as it could have been. And its true, Americans just don't take their time in the make-out scenes. Its fast, furious and over with before it ever got started. As one viewer put it, "After watching Judas Kiss at 3am last night/this morning, I’ve begun to lose faith in modern gay cinema… Sure there’s no lack of eye-candy, but the plot was ridiculous, the acting poor and it only contained one actor for his history. Now I’m no pessimist, but this isn’t a good start to the gay films of 2012… " So yes, there is a lot to be done in gay cinema. But I think film makers feel they need to make a political statement, as well. Still, I want to see a story about someone who overcomes, endures and lives in our world as a real person ..who just so happens to be gay. Even more awesome, someone having to contend with injustices and obstacles in small towns, across our country. Hopefully, some day we'll get an American version of Rainbow High. I would love to see some of Alex Sanchez's work in movies. And don't get me started on a dreamcast for Edmund White's Jack Holmes & his friend.

STORYLINE: Failed filmmaker Zachary Wells is convinced by his best friend and hotshot director Topher into replacing him as a judge in their film school's annual festival. Zach's one-night stand with a student backfires when that student walks into an interview the next morning calling himself Danny Reyes, the name Zach went by when he attended the school. And Danny's film, "Judas Kiss," is a finalist in the competition Zach is judging. Zach's film, also "Judas Kiss," won the festival years before. As Zach scrambles for answers, a mysterious, chain-smoking campus tour guide, counsels him: "Change the kid's past, change your future." But how? Zach comes to believe he can mend his life by disqualifying Danny from competition, putting him on a different path than Zach followed. But will Zach's plan work?

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2 comments:

  1. I'm glad it wasn't all bad. That was interesting about Charlie David reminding you of Zach Q.

    But I do like Richard Harmon and I'd watch him in just about anything.

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  2. What an interesting new genre to bring to the big screen. :)

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