Customer Reviews

24 Nights [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This film is a gem! I saw it two years ago at the Dallas Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and wondered if it would ever be available on DVD. It took awhile, but here it is. Kieran Turner (director) works wonders with a tiny budget, and the acting is first-rate. The film is set at Christmastime, so add this one to your collection for the holidays.

This sweet and clever little film is a cinematic advent calendar, ticking off the days till Christmas. Jonathan (perfectly played by Kevin Isola) is a quirky young gay man who still believes Santa Claus can bring him a perfect man, with a southern accent. His sister (also perfectly, and hilariously, played by Aida Turturro) has always been into bursting his bubble, but has raised him since their parents' untimely deaths. When Toby, a young southerner, comes looking for a job in the gay bookstore where Jonathan works, Jonathan thinks Santa has delivered his gift, and blindly pursues him. But the road to happiness is not necessarily smooth, and therein lies the loveliness, and fun, of this little gem. Jonathan's family -- including his brother-in-law, Stan (an underwear model, but "not for any of the good brands"), and Stan's mother (a sharp-tongued drinker) -- is combative but, as Keith (Toby's erstwhile boyfriend, lovingly played by Stephen Mailer) says, "They kind of grow on you." This film proves what a wonderful, heart-warming, and intelligent story can be produced on a very low budget. It is accompanied by a fun group of Christmas tunes in the background. Merry Christmas.

The Movie:

Kieran Turner has written and directed a wonderful gay holiday film with "24 Nights". Not only is it cute, refreshing, touching and endearing it has also won numerous awards on the independent circuit.

The story revolves around Jonathan (Kevin Isola-How the Grinch Stole Christmas), a twenty-something who works by day at a gay bookstore and harbors childhood memories of his lost parents and Santa Claus. In a cute opening sequence Jonathan reminisces about when he was younger and his mom telling him all about Santa and that if he is good Santa will bring him whatever he wants. Well, it's no the present and Jonathan writes dear ol' St. Nick and asks for the man of his dreams. His present arrives when an adorable young man named Toby (David Burtka) walks into the store and as the days of Christmas unfold so do Jonathan's trials and tribulations begin.

The only fault I had with the film is the cinematography which has a slight "homemade" and cheap feel to it but I soon got engrossed with the story and the characters and that was quickly left by the wayside. Aida Turturro (Janice from the Sopranos) steals the scenes she is in and has some of the best comedic lines as she bickers with her mother-in-law (Mary-Louise Wilson). There are other funny moments, a poker card game played with old 45 records, an analogy of love with Pepe Le Pew and even some touching, heartfelt moments that got me a bit teary-eyed.

Overall this is a charming, sweet movie that would make a perfect gift no matter what the holiday was!

The DVD includes a director's commentary, cast and crew bios, four trailers, and the rules to "45 Poker". It is presented in dolby digital widescreen 16:9. and runs 97 minutes.

I disagree with ANYONE that the film is shot quote "Amateurish"...that's pure rubish! THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS SOOOO APPEALING! NO high tech nonsense! BRIALLANTLY done and well acted by all the characters. Everyone has something that adds a delightful charming appeal to this fun, feel good movie. (Like a nice hot cup of cocoa). I loved it... PERIOD! Makes you really believe that there is a Santa Claus! :) Check it out and you decide!

I picked this title up at a San Francisco Video Rental Store not knowing what to expect. I read the synopsis on the box taking a chance 50/50 if its going to be good or not. Im glad that I did take it. Jonathan played by Kevin Isola just wants one thing for christmas, the perfect boyfriend. Jonathan in his early nearing mid 20's lives at home with his older sister played perfectly by Aida Tururro (The Sopranos). Jonathan does come off bitter and acts childish at home and finding the ulltimate BF will remedy his existence in life. Jonathan works at a popular gay bookstore and talking with fellow co-worker James played by Mark Bateman, Mr. Right(Toby played by David Burtka) or what Jonathan thinks is waltzes right in asking for an application for employment at the bookstore. But here's the dent in Jonathan's perfect BF,he's already taken. Toby introduces to the gang at the bookstore his BF Keith played by Steven Mailer. Jonathan wants to end it all at this sudden discovery but he hatches plan B and tries to steal Toby away every which way he can. Along the way, Jonathan's deceit leads him into a whole new direction on what to do cause someone else has fallen for Jonathan. Should he go with Mr. Right (Toby) or Mr. Perfect who has suddenly fallen into his lap?

I'm usually relectant to buy gay-themed movies becaue the production and acting is often so amateurish. This film is definitely an exception. Although the budget is obviously sparse, it doesn't make a difference to this charming film. The acting is first rate - Kevin Isola as Jonathon and Aida Turtorro as his sister are among the standouts in an admirable cast. The story is very sweet and revolves around Jonathon who still believes in Santa. He asks for the perfect boyfriend and he gets - well you have to see the movie

This is a lovely and very romantic film to be enjoyed at any time of year.

This odd and quirky little film will bring a smile and some laughs to your holiday season, but I recommend that you don't wait that long. At first this story appears to be just about a petulant young man (who refuses to grow up and still believes in Santa Claus) and his quest to break up the new couple in town from Alabama. You might think that Jonathan is just being selfish and mean, but he really does have a heart, and someone more than Jonathan (Santa Claus?) is the driving force behind what happens in this pleasant little comedy. Get ready for some fun and a few surprises as well as some pretty decent acting. It doesn't have to be Christmas to enjoy this early present!

Lovely little Christmas film with a gay theme: which I thought was quite different.

It definitely goes in directions you don't think it will and the performances are great. The drunk step mother and the over possesive sister are both amazing and give the film such heart!

Toby from the South aint so special in my eyes, but you really want the main character to end up with him, which rarely happens in films these days. The fact that it got me wanting something to happen, and actually anticipating things "I bet he does this!.." earns it more points.

Not a masterpiece, and it's quite well made (not a flippy camera view in sight) so I would recommend this one. Good to watch with some friends, or cuddled on the couch with your beau.

Merry Christmas!

Thanks To This Movie Christmas Came A Little Early This Year!! A Wonderfully Acted, Funny And Touching Romantic Comedy! I Laughed So Hard At Some Scenes I Had To Rewatch Them! The Cast & Characters Are Appealing & Effective!! I For One Am Very Glad I Own This DVD!! It Is Not A Big Buget Film, But Rather A Loving Little Gem!!

To be honest, the film does have an amateurish feel about it, as other reviewers have stated. But the story is cute, and the actors, for the most part, are quite good. I must say that David Burtka, who plays Toby, is the most interesting performer in the cast. He simply has "it." And it's not just his good looks that are so appealing; it's the energy and the interesting choices he makes with line readings and facial expressions. And as a true Southerner myself, I greatly appreciated his not going overboard with a fake hick accent. Nor does he 'flame' in a gay role. He is simply real. He makes so much of this "I am pretty" Southern boy that you just believe he IS Toby -- once again, there is much to be said for that theatre training. Good acting is in simple moments of brilliance. I predict he will be a big star one day, playing many kinds of roles. In addition, you will laugh your [tail] off at Mary-Louise Wilson's hilarious one-liners, some of the funniest moments in the story. I think this film could have been much more successful if the writer/producer had turned the reigns over to a more creative camera savvy director. His choices sometimes did not make the most of the scenes: he was wide when he should have been tight, and what was up with the family sitting only on three sides of the dining table? It seems he was shooting those scenes as if they were performed on the stage. But overall, it's a film that certainly grows on you, grainy film and all.