Customer Reviews

The Brotherhood [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Finally a horror movie that shows something besides girls' cleavage -- guys' cleavage. Hunky college freshman Chris (Samuel Page), who evidently forgot to pack any shirts, becomes entangled with a secret society of guys who hang around in their underwear gazing lustfully at each other -- oh, and drink blood so they can stay forever hunky. One might consider this a homophobic association of gay people with vampires, except that Chris has a doting roommate who sits awfully close to him on the bed and also forgot to pack any shirts. Roomate struggles to unravel the mystery, getting himself into all sorts of dangerous spots and finally mounting a daring rescue. At the end of the movie, they walk off together, no doubt to transfer to West Hollywood Tech.

It's been done before, obviously -- Corey Haim plays a gay boy trying to de-vampirize his brother in "The Lost Boys." But never with so much eye-candy and homoerotic sizzle, and a quiet boy-next-door romance on top of it. If only somebody had the nerve to use the "g" word, just once, it would get 5 stars.

Producer/Director David DeCoteau is trying to create a new genre of movie. I'm not sure what it is. "The Brotherhood" has elements of a horror movie, yet is not scary; it has elements of suspense, but does not raise any tension; it has elements of homoeroticism, but the one sexual scene is pretty darn straight (or bi, at best, featuring two guys and one girl, although the guys are focused on the girl and not each other). The genre seems to be built around young man in various states of undress (but never seen completely undressed) and is being marketed to gay audiences. Feh. Gay men would be better served by renting or buying any number of softcore movies out there from the likes of Bel Ami than pay for this lame bait and switch.

The plot is your relatively standard T&A (in this case, P&A--and I'm thinking pecs) horror movie, but without the sex or any significant amounts of blood. It takes place at a college where one frat is high above the others. What is it about the frat and its members that make it so special? (Read the other reviews, and you'll know. I won't spoil the plot, such as it is.) The college seems to exist in a time and place of its own with no real town nearby.

Into this setting come two freshmen roommates, Chris (Nathan Watkins) and Dan (Josh Hammond). Chris is your standard issue jock and Dan is your standard issue geek. If you've seen any horror movies from the 80s or 90s, you know the pair. There is an air of sexual tension in the filmmaking, but the movie takes great care to establish that the boys are straight and both interested (kinda) in Megan (Elizabeth Bruderman), one of the few girls on campus. Dan desperately wants to belong, Chris has no interest in being part of the crowd. Chris becomes seduced by Devon, the charismatic president of the top frat. (I base the assessment of the character solely on the mechanics of the plot and not on Bradley Stryker's self-conscious acting.) It is up to Dan to save his friend/roommate. It's a by-the-numbers affair with nothing to make to stand out.

Nathan Watkins is attractive (DeCoteau's camera lingers on his scantily-clad body many times) and his acting is adequate. Josh Hammond gives an animated performance, perhaps too lively. His eyes dart about constantly and his head always seems to be in motion. At least he looks alive, which is more than can be said of some of the other performers. Of the lot, his is the most appealing and interesting performances. He could have a solid future in sitcoms and light comedies if he keeps working.

The script is perfunctory at best. The filmmaking matches the script step-for-step. (That's not a compliment.) There were many cases where I wanted DeCoteau to pull his camera back. He seems to favor close ups, not giving his actor much room within the frame to move. It becomes very claustrophobic, and when combined with some choppy editing, there are times when it becomes very difficult to follow the action.

The DVD offers no extras and the film is presented in 1.33:1 screen aspect ratio. As this was probably shot for direct-to-video, I don't know if there was a version with a wider screen aspect ratio.

All-in-all, if you are considering purchasing this DVD because you are looking for a thriller with gay elements or a cheesy guilty pleasure, look elsewhere. The gay audience should put there money into movies with true gay content rather than settle for this weak tease.

(c)2001 Joe Edkin

David DeCoteau breaks the traditional mold for low budget horror films in the The BrotherHood. Finally, a cast of beautiful boys become the centerpiece in a genre that stereotypically has "big on the breasts and small on the grey matter" teenage girls as victims.

Decidedly homoerotic (as is the sequel, Brotherhood II), but never crossing the line where one could say that this is a "gay horror film", The Brotherhood is unique in that while being highly erotic (lots of scenes in "whitie tighties" for the male leads), and definately an homage to the male form, the film never becomes gratuitously sexist, nor does it contain nudity.

Even more remarkable, the acting is superb! Nathan Watkins, as the male lead, Chris, is not only extremely handsome, and a delight to watch on screen, but he has talent as an actor.

Refreshing to see this new genre, which DeCoteau refers to as "horror films for girls" (though admits freely the homoeroticism is intentional), newcomers to DeCoteau will find that it *is* quite possible to have stunningly visual actors, great acting talent, decent plot and dialogue in a genre of films that often times just stoops to mindless "sexploitation" and formula.

Well done! Teenage girls and gay men who like the horror genre will find this DVD well worth it... and, news is that DeCoteau has heard loud and clear from his fans how much we appreciate it. The Brotherhood III and IV are already in production, and for those who find this film an enjoyable one (for whatever reason) will like the sequel as well, and should also check out DeCoteau's "Voodo Academy" (be warned though... make sure you get the DIRECTORS CUT of Voodo Academy as Full Moon initially released the film with a full 20+ mins. cut out, because of the homoerotic nature of the film.)

Don't waste any time thinking where is the horror in that flick, fellas.
The story of that low, 'low' budget movie is an excuse for delivering underwear homoerotic scenes of some of the most hot young males that the director could find when it shooted the movie.
So, if you like any of this like i do, apart from expend a very entertaining corny one and a half hour of your life, there's a great chance that you really enjoy it.
Personally, as an horror movies fan, i think that it's time to center the erotic interest of that movies in the males, after passing more than twenty years worshiping the body of women.
Apparently, there's a lot of people agreeing with me. As an example, take a look at THE COVENANT, one major studio horror flick that is nothing more that a David Decoteau movie, but with a real 'budget' attached to it
After all, yes; the movie is cheap. But the dvd's also.
If you like it, don't miss from the same director: THE BROTHERHOOD: YOUNG WARLOCKS, SPEED DEMON, LEECHES, VOODOO ACADEMY AND BEASTLY BOYZ.

Loved it, terrible movie at it's core, but very appealing visually. Shot well, funny, and slick. As a fan of the horror genre (I'm of the Halloween and Friday the 13th generation) I'm used to seeing the girls in bikini/underwear/nothing for eyecandy. This one finally gives the boys a turn, with the male lead jogging shirtless, bending and stretching in long camera shots, and showing off his nice assets. The head vampire, who obviously adores him, is a hottie as well, and loves to hang out in his underwear with all his friends. Recommended for a lonely Friday night.

I rented this movie thinking it was about vampires, I come to find out that its not but a play off vampires and how vampires are a myth they are the reality. Very beautiful guys actors along with one really annoying girl actress makes this movie worthwhile i recommend it to anyone looking for a short thrill you will be very pleased.

I am a vampire freak, but this movie is not cool. And if somebody doesnt find this review helpful, lets make a real movie. Contact DeathWishStar at hotmail.com

I kind of like how the story revolves on the main character getting into this secret society. Although at first he's not feeling the whole idea at first. But given some coersion from his roommate and another person. He decides to attend and the story basically goes from there. I would like to know though why they couldnt afford a real axe. Because i couldnt help but laugh at the dude carrying it the first. It was shown in the movie (i know its not a big deal). But if i notice it, i'm sure others did as well. Overall the characters were decent and it kept me interested for most of the movie. It's not too long around an hour and 20 minutes (give or take a few). I would rent/borrow it first before putting down the cash just so you can know what your getting into. Hopefully the next movie ramps it up a notch.

I love this movie. It centers around one of my favorite subjects...the dark side. Here, some blood suckers have a fraternity where unsuspecting college freshman, Chris, is their next recruit. But he doesn't expect what's coming up. It is a great movie and I've watched it many times. I love it and I greatly recommend it. If u like vampires and things of that sort you will like this movie. And another thing...Devon is hottt!!!!!(and in case u didn't know he's the "head honcho" of the blood brothers)

They were probably trying to make a genuinely scary film, but
it turns out to have some pretty ridiculous moments.

Lots of absurd dialogue between the two College Freshman, the " jock "
and the " nerd ". COLLEGE KIDS DO NOT TALK LIKE THIS!

This college is mostly men, apparently, but the female lead delivers
her lines in a flat, whiny, fake voice.

The villian also has a strange flat delivery of his lines, but at least
he has more charisma.

The best way to watch this film is to look for the absurd moments, like
the fact that this fraternity only has 4 members (due to the low budget!)

The jock gets flaming drunk on one small drink during the party....one
frat boy walks around in a shiny yellow disco shirt...the nerd never
stops darting his eyes and jerking around....it just goes on!

The biggest joke is the way the nerd pulls away an ax from the girl
without even a fight! Something you would see in a high school play.

So no scary frightening moments, and a strange sex scene that's not
erotic, but still four stars for all the campy moments. It's a classic!

Almost the entire cast disappeared after this film. No future stars here
except the jock who appears on Shark now. He shows some potential
here, and has leading man looks.

One strange last note, the vampire with the shiny disco shirt is the
only cast member to " survive " and go on to star in Brotherhood II.
This is never explained in either movie...