I can't believe that I've never written about the film Shelter. The film is easily in my top 10 list (would put it at 6 or 7) and is one of those movies that I have a very hard time getting too much of. If you want a synopsis of the film, click on the link above which does a good job at summarizing the film.
Plotwise, it is a fairly boiler plate film. As one critic put it, "Shelter is a gay movie like other American gay movies. Boy meets boy. Boy comes out. Boys fight opposition. Opposition caves. If there's life beyond the closet, too few movies know it exists." While this is harsh, it is also essentially true. Most LGBT movies that I have seen end with a dramatic scene where a homophobic person is confronted and backs down. But then again, a lot of romances and other movies end on a similar note, so this is not a conceit peculiar to the genre.
The reason I love this film is that you can really relate to the characters of Zach and Shaun. Zach is a pretty normal guy who realizes that he has feelings for Shaun after Shaun kisses him. In an interview, Trevor Wright (who plays Zach) said that Zach "didn’t know if he was gay or straight. He wasn’t 'born gay.' He had such a strong bond with this guy and was so intrigued by Shaun’s character that Zack just dove in for it and really wanted to explore the idea where he did find himself being truly attracted to this guy. That’s what I’m such a supporter in the community, doing the NOH8 campaigns, and talking to the fans." I found it a very nice take on the character and the genre. All too often, these sorts of films fall into major cliches and this movie managed to avoid a lot of those, so that was nice.
What I loved the most is that Zach really struggled with how he should handle the situation. His sister didn't want her son (Cody) hanging out with Shaun because Shaun would be a bad influence, and this had a major effect on Zach because he always put his family before himself. He declined an opportunity to go to art school (on a full scholarship!) to help his sister and nephew out. He also was rather obviously trying to reconcile the fact that he was falling in love with his best friend's older brother, which could be potentially awkward.
Shaun, on the other hand, was always sure that he wanted Zach and was invariably supportive of Zach and his endeavors. Unbeknownst to Zach, Shaun sent his portfolio to the art school again (and he was accepted again). He also cared deeply for Cody and did what he could to help him out. I also liked that he was not above using a verbal 2x4 on Zach when necessary. That is always a good thing.
It's really hard to explain more because so much of my love for the movie stems from my personal experiences which I have already written about extensively in various places. Overall, the movie is one with a big, thumping heart and a whole lot of charm. If you haven't seen it, give it a shot. If you like gay romances, I can practically guarantee that you'll love Shelter.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Some thoughts on Amazing Spider-Man 2
Unlike my look at the first Amazing Spider-Man movie, this one is going to examine the story, so I will put in some spoiler space. If you have not seen the movie and do not want to be spoiled, please do not read any further. Otherwise, please continue....
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Ok, that should be enough space. To put it simply, I was disappointed in this movie. The first one was so awesome that I had high hopes for this movie. Also, from the previews, I had certain expectations which were not really met at all. Don't get me wrong, I did not hate the movie, but it did leave me feeling like I was missing something or like the movie was incomplete.
First, what I liked. Andrew Garfield did another amazing job as Spider-Man. He has obviously been working out because he has lost some of the skinny twinkishness that he had in the last film in favor of a little more buff body. And, just like last time, his chemistry with Emma Stone (and with Dane DeHaan) is incredible. Everything seemed so effortless where he was concerned. Emma Stone played a bit more of a secondary role this time, but did a great job with what she had. Dane DeHaan did a wonderful job as Harry Osborn, very different from James Franco who had more idealism and innocence to his character, whereas DeHaan played him as more bitter at his father and life.
My main problem with the movie is that it lacked focus. There were 3 villains (Electro, Green Goblin, and Rhino) any of whom could have made wonderful villains on their own, but who suffered because there was too much going on to really develop any of them. In fact, they were almost incidental to showing how bad Oscorp was and how they were responsible for Parker's parents death. There seemed to be a lot of dangling plot threads that were just left hanging. Also, in most of the previews, there was a scene where Harry told Peter that Oscorp had a file on him. That was never in the movie. If it had been there, I think it would have really added to the main story.
I really think the movie should have focused on one, maybe two, villains and that would have made it much better. I did love both Jamie Foxx as Electro and Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin, but the Green Goblin was only in a very small portion of the movie and seemed to mainly serve to kill Gwen Stacy. Then there was the ending which ended in the middle of a fight. That was just a weird choice. Not awful, but definitely weird.
I suspect that they are setting things up for the next movie, and if that is so, I may change my mind about this one. But as the movie stands now, I can only give it 3 stars at best. Worth watching and fun, but definitely not making the most of the potential that they had. I really hope that the third movie (assuming they make one) is better, because this one was a disappointment.
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Ok, that should be enough space. To put it simply, I was disappointed in this movie. The first one was so awesome that I had high hopes for this movie. Also, from the previews, I had certain expectations which were not really met at all. Don't get me wrong, I did not hate the movie, but it did leave me feeling like I was missing something or like the movie was incomplete.
First, what I liked. Andrew Garfield did another amazing job as Spider-Man. He has obviously been working out because he has lost some of the skinny twinkishness that he had in the last film in favor of a little more buff body. And, just like last time, his chemistry with Emma Stone (and with Dane DeHaan) is incredible. Everything seemed so effortless where he was concerned. Emma Stone played a bit more of a secondary role this time, but did a great job with what she had. Dane DeHaan did a wonderful job as Harry Osborn, very different from James Franco who had more idealism and innocence to his character, whereas DeHaan played him as more bitter at his father and life.
My main problem with the movie is that it lacked focus. There were 3 villains (Electro, Green Goblin, and Rhino) any of whom could have made wonderful villains on their own, but who suffered because there was too much going on to really develop any of them. In fact, they were almost incidental to showing how bad Oscorp was and how they were responsible for Parker's parents death. There seemed to be a lot of dangling plot threads that were just left hanging. Also, in most of the previews, there was a scene where Harry told Peter that Oscorp had a file on him. That was never in the movie. If it had been there, I think it would have really added to the main story.
I really think the movie should have focused on one, maybe two, villains and that would have made it much better. I did love both Jamie Foxx as Electro and Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin, but the Green Goblin was only in a very small portion of the movie and seemed to mainly serve to kill Gwen Stacy. Then there was the ending which ended in the middle of a fight. That was just a weird choice. Not awful, but definitely weird.
I suspect that they are setting things up for the next movie, and if that is so, I may change my mind about this one. But as the movie stands now, I can only give it 3 stars at best. Worth watching and fun, but definitely not making the most of the potential that they had. I really hope that the third movie (assuming they make one) is better, because this one was a disappointment.
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