An Angel Named Billy (2007)

Loving father Mark Anderson (Richard Lewis Warren) has recently suffered a stroke and is frail and weak. His best friend Thomas (Buddy Daniels Friedman) is an old bald drag queen desperate for love and happiness. They plan to find Mark's gay photographer son James (Hank Fields) the love of his life and soon meet troubled teen Billy (Dustin Belt). He has just turned 18, but his abusive bible-thumping alcoholic father saw him kiss Billy's best friend Rick (Shawn Richardson) and threw him out of his house on their ranch. With no place to turn, no money and no contacts, Billy hitch hikes to Los Angeles. Confused, lost and running scared, Billy soon finds a help wanted ad posted in a gay café regarding a job as a live-in aide. It was Mark who placed the ad, and he introduces Billy to his lonely son. Billy's cheerful nature, honesty and willingness to help make a difference in both men's lives. The companionship that they provide for one another helps both to come to terms with their gay sexuality and finally understand what it means to know someone who is truly accepting.

Billy quickly learns about full responsibility, independence, not to mention real life lessons about being gay. He unexpectedly finds himself in love with James and builds a bond with Mark that is unbreakable. When Billy comes home from a night out at the gay clubs with a friend, and complains about how they picked on his simple nature and choice of jobs, he tells James that he fears he will never be loved. James is quick to reinforce that both he and his father love Billy like a member of the family, but he knows that isn't what Billy necessarily means. This moment brings to the surface the growing attraction between the two. But when an old boyfriend of James resurfaces, Billy fears he is being deceived. However, the film has a happy ending.

This is a sweet, enjoyable, original, and emotional film made by director Greg Osborne, better known for his gruesome horror movies. The largely inexperienced cast click well together and handle some tough scenes nicely. Although the film lasts two hours, with the first half fully fleshed out into minute detail, the second hour often seems rushed and lacking any significant plot development. The "tying up of loose ends" at the end seems a bit unrealistic. Viewers comments are mixed. One wrote, "The plot kinda resembles "Sum of Us" but without the good acting. And without the good production values. And without anything closely resembling a good movie." The screenplay was written by Eliezer J. Gregorio and Greg Osborne, who also directed.

3-Day Weekend (2008)

Long-term couple Simon (Derek Meeker) and Jason (Douglas Myers), along with their friend 45-year-old muscle bear Cooper (Derek Long) and his boy du jour Ace (Stephen Twardokus), meet annually for a three-day weekend at their luxurious hunting lodge, away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing tradition, they add a special twist to this year's retreat: each of them must invite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway.

Arriving are a frisky former college roommate, an often naked yoga instructor, an uptight co-worker, a closeted 25-year-old self proclaimed "geek" (Chris Carlisle), male model types of various ages, and high-priced rent boy Andre (Daniel Rhyder), who actually knows five of the others through his work. But this combination of new and old friends creates more tension than anyone ever anticipated. After 72 hours and multiple sexual couplings, new relationships form while others are lost. It's readily apparent that their plans to shake things up have succeeded. One couple becomes closer, one couple grows apart, and love blossoms for another. Wasn't that the plot for "Love! Valour! Compassion!"?

This drama is about gay relationships, borrowing and paying homage to both "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and "Boys In The Band". It does a good job tackling topics such as ageism, monogamy vs. "open" relationships, how the AIDS epidemic has affected gay baby boomers, self-image, and spirituality. The plot is somewhat light overall, although the acting is above average, and the production values and direction are very good for a low budget film. Viewers comments are mostly positive but unusually bland about this mixture of sexual intrigue, humor, and drama. The DVD includes extensive extras, including deleted and extended scenes, bloopers, a music video, a director commentary, and cast interviews. Austin Wintory composed the original music, and Rob Williams wrote the screenplay and directed.

R U Invited? (2006)

Five friends receive invitations to an underground sex party. However, to qualify for attendance each one must submit revealing photos as there is a "screening process". For the voyeurs among us, this affords the opportunity of having the quintet of hopefuls strip down, pose and titillate the camera and the crowd. As the party draws near issues of monogamy, weight, appearance, discrimination, drug use, and promiscuity arise. Friendships are tested and pushed to their boundaries, personalities collide, sexual histories are revealed, and relationship survival is in question.

First is Ben (John de los Santos), the kept boy toy of Anderson (Phil Harrington), a wealthy businessman who is wise in the ways of the world. "All you can do is live yourself," he advises the group-sex newbie, Jason (David Matherly). Jason is at first reluctant to get naked for Ben's digital lens with Mondo (Gabriel Praddo), his boyfriend of 6 months looking on. Worse still, when finally nude his nervous pecker beats a retreat until Ben heroically acquiesces to Mondo’s suggestion to "make him a little more showy." That attention soon brings about the required rise, yet is the first of several character-muddying actions that prevent the film from being a great movie.

Charlie’s (Christopher Jones) jewels are already so widely known that he can skip the audition. The happy whore is married to makeup artist Helen Bedd (Chase Wade). She's a pent-up drag queen who gets wind of her "if you didn’t see it, it didn’t happen" mate then storms over to the pre-party staging ground where she thrashes her man with a sharp tongue before slashing his face with a hanger and kneeing him in the groin. The probable outcast of the buff boys is the naive and somewhat overweight Gordy (Oscar Contreras). He boldly bares his cleavage for his friends in a fit of revenge rage. As the lads wait for the results of their nude screening pics, there's ample opportunity to chat about drugs, communication strategies, and position preference. The actual party is brief with the screen flooded with red-tinted flesh and a few puzzled looks.

The first quarter of the film is a bit slow to start and each character seems stereotypical. But then as the story unfolds and their real selves come out, it is quite endearing. Dallas-based filmmaker Israel Luna tackles the subject matter with irreverent bite in this comedy about five gay friends who receive an invitation to an orgy and find themselves resorting to petty infighting while preparing for the rigorous "screening" process. Israel Luna composed the original music, edited the film, wrote the screenplay, and directed.

Pantasya (2007)

Five previously unconnected people find their lives intertwining in erotic ways in this gay-themed Filipino movie. It has five episodes that all deal with gay soft-core fantasies involving men in uniform. It starts with "Biyahe" about a jilted taxi driver and his jealous passenger who find comfort in each other's arms. (Arthur Estrella and Rov Roxas) The second episode is "Linya", about a lonely homeowner whose phone conks out. Two handsome repairmen arrive and they end up engaging in a sexy threesome. (Mark Dionisio, Harold Montano, and Kiko Montenegro)

Next is "Laro", about four basketball players who are taking a shower in the locker room after an intense game. A shy guy takes a peek at them and later joins in the fun. (Kervin Castillo, Dexter Castro, Brent Lorenzo, Nicco Taberna, and Kyle Zenorio) "Bilis" is about a hunky delivery boy in a hurry who delivers pizza to a bored yuppie who is working overtime in his office. They are instantly attracted to each other. (Justin De Leon and Trent Allan) The last episode is "Bantay", about a horny security guard on the graveyard shift. He sees two lovers quarrel and go their separate ways. Rhyme Rodriguez dumps Jon Eric, and Jon finds comfort in the arms of Kyro Baldemor, the easy going guard who allows Jon to cry on his shoulder.

Tasteful and erotic, this sexy Filipino film is filled with naked guys, hot scenes, and is lots of fun. Dreams come true in amazing reality and detail. We get a beautiful show of Asian male skin and a great deal of imagination. Viewers opinions are mixed. One wrote, "Somewhat disappointed in the movie. Stories were low key and not enough frontage showing which in my opinion makes a gay movie. Sorry I was not enthusiastic enough about the movie but the way the synopsis sounded it was really hot. More like tepid." Another wrote, "Very well done, was disappointed with the lack of nudity that was advertised but stories were well done." Marissa Cadiz composed the original music, Boots Agbayani Pastor wrote the screenplay, and Brillante Mendoza directed. In Tagalog with English subtitles.

Kiss Me Deadly (2008)

"Kiss Me Deadly" is the first installment of a planned spy franchise centered around gay former government agent Jacob Keane (Robert Gant) who can't seem to escape his former life. Keane is a photographer living the family life in Milan with his loving boyfriend Paolo (Nathan Whitaker) and Julia (Alessandra Muir), the daughter he shares with his lesbian friend Kyra (Katherine Kennard). Keane is pulled away from his boyfriend and daughter and back into the world of international espionage when his former partner Marta (Shannen Doherty) reappears after 17 years. With her memory erased, they now must elude a pair of ruthless assassins and a mysterious villain looking to gain classified information at any cost. What ensues is a fast paced game of cat and mouse as Keane must determine who wants them dead, and why.

The story begins on the eve of the fall of the Berlin Wall, as Keane and his partners Marta and Jared (Fraser Brown) are attempting to either get a man out of the country or learn something important from him. But before the assignment is completed there's an explosion and Marta is sent flying, with the mystery man lost in the flames. A few days later Keane learns that the Cold War has ended and he has lost his job. We fast-forward to the present with a montage of major political events moving through Bush, Clinton, another Bush, the World Trade Center attacks and the attacks on the Pentagon.

Keane is now living a comfortable life in Milan as a photographer specializing in rather tacky underwear campaigns. He kisses his assistant and has two of the male models pose together, so we realize rather quickly that Keane is gay. Marta reappears and leaves an urgent message on his answering machine that she is coming to Milan and must see him. He drops the kid off at Kyra’s house and heads to the train station to meet Marta. When he gets there he learns that she has amnesia and is being pursued by an evil thug. From here on the movie is all about learning why Marta can't remember anything and figuring out what Frosty the Hitman and his thug henchman Fredrick (Ian Roberts) are after. Keane has some pieces of the puzzle and must reconnect with his old agency after 20 years of retirement. As he does, he begins to wonder if they may be in on the scheme. He's also not telling Marta everything he knows, which leads her to become suspicious of him--especially when she regains memories of sleeping with him.

Keane kisses his lover goodbye and hits the road with Marta. The action moves to St. Albans, then to London, Zurich, and finally back again to Milan, keeping up a fast pace to make the viewer lose track of the story and overlook some holes in the plot. Along the way there's some gratuitous full-frontal male nudity which is frequently more distracting than anything else. After Keane and Marta leave town, they unearth some secrets and get a few more innocent people killed. It's strange that these super operatives are not very good at deducing the obvious solution to their situation. The climactic fist-fight between Keane and a beefy goon is the most satisfying action of the film, and not just because of the added joy of knowing that these are two strapping gay men wrestling one another to the ground.

"Kiss Me Deadly" is an action-packed spy thriller that has mixed reviews. The action is uneven, and a few of the scenes are so badly shot and edited that they're funny. There's a car chase where neither vehicle looks like it’s going over 15 miles per hour and a car crash where the vehicle suddenly flips over--off-screen. It's almost completely humorless and the characters don't have much electricity or chemistry with one another. But there are a few clever twists and unexpected shocks that keep things from getting too dour. Claude Foisy composed the original music, George Schenck and Frank Cardea wrote the screenplay, and Ron Oliver directed.

Clandestinos (2007)

Gay, cute and charismatic Xabi (Israel Rodríguez) has been living in reformatories, detention centers, and prisons since he was abandoned as a child. His feral life led to a life behind bars. He seldom manages to escape, but does on one occasion and meets Iñaki (Luis Hostalot), a middle-aged ETA terrorist who becomes his friend, teacher and lover--a Basque separatist who instructs him about the nature of revolution. However, Xabi is sent to a high security correctional facility after throwing a gasoline bottle at a policeman in a street raid, nearly killing him. Xabi, with friend Joel (Hugo Catalán), a young Mexican, and a Moroccan named Driss (Mehroz Arif) who is going to be deported, manage to escape and arrive in Madrid. They are the "clandestinos" of the title.

Xabi looks for Iñaki because he wants to join the ETA, but cannot find him. Joel and Driss are more interested in hooking up with two girls they meet on the bus. Desperate to prove himself to the terrorist, Xabi plants bombs and robs unsuspecting johns. As Xabi tries to prove himself to Iñaki, he gets in over his head, especially when a john he picks up to rob turns out to be a police chief (Juan Luis Galiardo), and his plans begin to crumble. Finding Iñaki turns out to be difficult, because Iñaki doesn't want to be found. A far more serious terrorist, he's driving around with a trunk full of C-4 and doesn't want to reunite with his young acquaintance. Surprisingly, Xabi and Driss have some success with their homemade bomb, but their situation is doomed not only because the anti-terror squads are on their tail, but also because the comically slutty girls with whom Driss and Joel have shacked up start to have suspicions. They realize what is going on with Xabi and call the police. The ending is done poorly and is a disappointment

Politics and gay love come together in this melodrama, and as we go inside the heads of the three boys we end up with a pleasurable viewing experience. The film provides some wonderful eye candy (the shower scene in the prison, for example) but it tells us about the desire for acceptance and how to achieve it. The cast is very good and Israel Rodríguez as Xabi is excellent. But while the action here is exciting, the tone is quite wrong for the movie. Since when is terrorism a lark? Sergio De La Puente composed the original music. The screenplay was written by Gabriel Olivares and Antonio Hens, who also directed. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Taiikukan Baby (2008)

During the summer high school preliminary swimming trials, senior ace swimmer Shibahara Jun (Nakamura Yuichi) loses to his rival Murai Naoki (Takahashi Yuta). Jun's father (Watanabe Ikkei), who is the team coach, says that rather than swim, he should concentrate on studying for his college entrance exams instead. Naoki asks Jun to coach him in preparation for the Inter High, and Jun accepts the assignment. Though feeling disappointed and uncertain, Jun puts his heart into helping train swimming rival and teammate Naoki. They are attracted to each other. Spending countless hours together at the pool, the two form a close relationship. But their time together is soon cut short when Jun decides to quit the team, and Naoki plans to move to the United States. That night, at the swimming pool, Naoki suddenly kisses Jun.

This drama of forbidden love between two young men is an interesting coming of age film. Teenage love or infatuation is a strange, wonderful, frustrating experience, full of hope and despair, and we see it all in this movie. It has a nice ending. Based on the novel awarded the first prize at "The First Junon Love Novel Grand Prix", a Japanese magazine novel contest, youth romance films "Doukyusei" and "Taiikukan Baby" were released in Japan as a double bill. Set in the same world with the same cast and characters, the two films begin at the same point and spin into two different stories of young love. D-BOYS member Nakamura Yuichi of Princess Princess D and Kamen Rider Den-O leads both films as high school swimmer Shibahara Jun. Co-starring Prince of Tennis Musical star Takahashi Yuta and Kubo Sho. The boys love film "Taiikukan Baby" follows the confused and romantic triangle that develops between Jun and his two friends. The DVD includes a "making of", deleted scenes, outtakes, an interview, a press conference, and the trailer. Keiko Kanome and Yoshihiro Fukagawa wrote the screenplay, and Yoshihiro Fukagawa directed. In Japanese with English subtitles. The alternate titles are "Gymnasium Babies" and "Tai Iku Kan Baby".

Bob and Jack's 52-Year Adventure (2006)

In this 41 minute documentary, Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley, two men in their late 70's, tell the story of their life long relationship. In 1952 Army Sergeant Bob Claunch was cornered and then courted by his commanding officer Lieutenant Jack Reavley. Their romance grew and soon became too obvious. Rumors became anonymous tips to headquarters. They avoided court-martial by confronting the entire unit and have been together ever since. That moment cemented Bob and Jack together for the rest of their lives. 52 years later they share how they remained a couple: how one left his wife and children, and how both survived in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Beginning a new life and starting a radio station in Raymond, Washington, they later moved to Los Angeles to work as extras in movies. Today they battle the stigmas of being gay, a successful gay couple, and an active gay elderly couple. Bob and Jack recount the challenges they faced keeping their relationship intact, the issues they face growing old in a gay relationship, and their need for equal rights. It's a true, self-told story about lifelong love.

With the help of old footage and recordings they take us back to when they met, in the US Army in Munich, and they then guide us through their whole lives, through sickness and health, the good times and the bad times. The interviewer mostly lets Bob and Jack talk, but when he intervenes, he asks daring and relevant questions. It's cute, it's beautiful, but most of all it's important. The story of Bob and Jack is more than just a tribute to Bob and Jack themselves, it's more than a film about homosexuality. It's also a film about sticking together, about making it through the rough times, and it teaches us the most important thing of all: that love can keep us together if we are willing to work for it, and if we are nothing is impossible.

This charming, compelling, and inspiring film charts the course of their love affair over a half-century and beyond. Despite the rather unimaginative title, the film weaves together archival photos, audio recordings and present-day interviews to tell a remarkably conventional love story that, because it involves two men, makes it all the more remarkable. Director Stu Maddux filmed the interviews with one man closer to the camera, allowing us to see each man’s facial expressions when reacting to the other’s comments. Just like all old married couples, these guys finish each other’s sentences--that is, when they’re not interrupting each other. With all the debate over whether gay marriage should be allowed, it’s great to see that it has really existed all along. The DVD includes a Photo Gallery, the theatrical trailer, and a 1961 anti-gay educational film, "Boys Beware". Filmed in California, produced and directed by Stu Maddux.

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon (2008)

"Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon" is a straightforward documentary about Jack Wrangler, a spoiled Beverly Hills brat, an insecure homosexual, and an unsuccessful actor who became a self-made icon of gay porn films. Born Jack Stillman, his father was a producer of TV show "Bonanza" and Jack realized his sexual nature with his attraction to Michael Landon. When he reached the peak of the gay porn-star profession, he then made a big a name in straight porn, married a famous woman, and started several new careers. This detailed documentary takes you through Jack's mind and life with much footage of him, his work, his times, and many people who were around him.

Wrangler is the emcee of this event, sharing his story with interviews and a horde of stills and footage documenting his rise to a formidable object of lust. He becomes the face of the gay porn scene, changing feminine stereotypes with his "everyday man" image and aggressive marketing angles, revealing Wrangler to be a puzzling, intelligent human being. Gay men saw him as a hero and role model. He seems shocked at how much he accomplished, discussing the branding of his name on sex toys and poppers, and his personal appearances, where he would work out stand-up routines to throngs of gay men. Wrangler crossed over to straight porn and although he admitted to be gay, he was able to participate in very hot heterosexual sex scenes. His testimony is backed by a slew of cult icons, including Bruce Vilanch, Chi Chi LaRue, Sharon Mitchell, Marc Shaiman, and Jamie Gillis.

The last part is devoted to Wrangler's relationship with Margaret Whiting, the famous singer who fell in love with the young star, ignoring his career and his sexual activities. The pairing is given adequate screentime to appreciate, allowing a comfortable transition to explore Wrangler's declining years in the adult industry, and his eventual career as a legitimate musical theater presence. The end of this documentary feels like a roller coaster slowing to a halt, concluding a ride of amazing experiences and revelations, showcasing a man who in his own words, "wanted to take a bite out of life."

In this fascinating documentary, Wrangler looks back over his life, and his wild, unpredictable career and life is recounted in this funny, smart and sexy film. He had invented himself and had great determination. Even though the porn industry is part of his past, people will always refer to him as a former porn star. It is easy on the drama and tells us a lot of the obvious. Interesting though, is to hear him finally explain his marriage to Margaret Whiting and how that has worked all these years. Some of the comments he makes in interviews in the DVD "extras" section are more interestesing than those included in the film. Jeffrey Schwarz directed.

Sun Kissed (2007)

The movie opens with a very good-looking man driving a truck along a desert highway. It is Teddy Rappaport (John Ort), a young aspiring writer on his way to his professor's isolated house to complete his first novel. He stops to pick up Leo Spaulding (Gregory Marcel), a handsome man waiting at a bus stop and the the mysterious caretaker of the house. When Leo and Teddy first meet they have sex after a beautiful interlude in the sun. Thus begins a romance which is filmed as soft core porn. Layers of memory and hallucination unfold that intertwine the two men. This is is the only part of the film that seems real.

Suddenly the plot switches both locations and chronologies and no explanation is given why. What could have been a beautiful love story becomes nonsense and questions are left unanswered, and even if we knew the answers I don't think we would care. When Teddy attempts a drunken seduction, Leo reveals a murky, mysterious and possibly dangerous past. What is the true nature of Leo’s relationship with Crispin (George Stoll), the older gay gentleman who owns the desert house where the two young men are staying? We witness Leo's slow sexual awakening, in painful conflict with his prejudices, obsessed with the idea "I am not homosexual." It is the supposed heterosexual who appears inwardly divided, in contrast to Teddy who knows that he is "completely" gay and draws an inner balance from this consciousness, in spite of his moments of despair. The loneliness of this couple in the middle of the loneliness of nature creates lots of atmosphere.

Intrigue and surrealist imagery dominate this gay-themed drama. Contemporary issues of sexuality, identity and creativity are explored through the young men's quests for love and intimacy. However, a plot with possibilities has poor and clumsy editing, horrible close-ups, and the overuse of the word "amazing". "Sun Kissed" is not a good movie. Typical viewer comments are "This is a nothing movie with a nothing story that feels and looks like a bad high school play" and "The quality of the film was horrible, sections of the movie must have been filmed with an 8 mm camera." It does have redeeming features though: good looking men, nudity and great music. Rockers "The Sea and the Cake" supply the music and if the songs were not there the plot would have been a disaster and the underlying bisexual theme would have suffered. Yet the music alone cannot make a good movie. It seems to be an Irish stew that would be a fine short, but as a full length film it falls flat. Of course, it does have some admirers. Patrick McGuinn wrote the screenplay and directed. He is the son of former "Byrds" rock band member Roger McGuinn.