Customer Reviews

On the Bus

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first heard about a reality show about six ... men traveling to Burning Man on a bus, I was very excited to see it. I am happy to report that it was even better than I imagined it could be.
What sets this film apart from other reality shows is the director's obvious love for his fellow travel companions (and the love they have for each other) despite the trepidation expressed by all at the beginning of the road trip. It is completely opposite from, say, an MTV reality show which purposefully creates antagonism in order to boost its ratings.
This was a clear opportunity for the director to use this film as some kind of vehicle for his own self-promotion, but instead he does the exact opposite, giving his new friends most of the screen time while he took a modest back seat. It isn't until the end that we find out exactly how much love and respect the rest of the cast have for him. And I got the feeling that this praise for the director (Lance) is only there because he couldn't figure out how to cut it out. And I'm really glad it's there.
The shots of Burning Man are great. Anyone who has been to this radical free expression arts festival in the desert will immediately experience nostalgia. And the style of film-making is fantastic. The use of split screen, the placement of still photos and the style of the subtitles makes this movie great fun to watch.
I found myself instantly caring for all six men: Jason, the beautiful, insecure and insightful 19-year-old ... model; Billy, the really hot and funny mother hen; Jimmy, the fey and fun Swedish diver; Charlie, the beautiful, masculine and sweet free spirit; Damon, the witty, caring and repressed composer; and Lance, the sensitive, sweet, lonely, adorable director.

Three words ... Save your money! Any similarity to MTV's Real World is purely coincidental! One the Bus is more like Blair Witch without the laughs. This effort at a documentary was apparently put together by it's original director when the now defunct production company went on the auction block. Dustin is the only character with any depth. He is a slightly over-weight, but cute and introspective character who elicits some sympathy for his longing to find a soul mate. Pretty boy Charles is all but invisible in the film. Jason Webb, a former Freshmen model is the other cutie. Unfortunately, he has very little of interest to say and don't expect to see him in the "all together"- it never happens. In fact, if all you are looking for is some gratuitous sex, you will be equally disappointed. There are maybe a half dozen brief "butt shots" in the film and about 20 seconds of full frontal nudity, but don't expect anything exciting. The characters mention briefly that they have had sex, but don't expect to see any of it! While the premise of the film is interesting, it fails miserably to achieve it's goal. The conversation is shallow and none of the characters really develops fully. I am one who is able to recognize when a film has some redeeming qualities, but just doesn't appeal to "me". That's not the case with On the Bus. If you really must buy this film, click on Used and buy my copy!

When I first heard about a reality show about six gay men traveling to Burning Man on a bus, I was very excited to see it. I am happy to report that it was even better than I imagined it could be.
What sets this film apart from other reality shows is the director's obvious love for his fellow travel companions (and the love they have for each other) despite the trepidation expressed by all at the beginning of the road trip. It is completely opposite from, say, an MTV reality show which purposefully creates antagonism in order to boost its ratings.
This was a clear opportunity for the director to use this film as some kind of vehicle for his own self-promotion, but instead he does the exact opposite, giving his new friends most of the screen time while he took a modest back seat. It isn't until the end that we find out exactly how much love and respect the rest of the cast have for him. And I got the feeling that this praise for the director (Lance) is only there because he couldn't figure out how to cut it out. And I'm really glad it's there.
The shots of Burning Man are great. Anyone who has been to this radical free expression arts festival in the desert will immediately experience nostalgia. And the style of film-making is fantastic. The use of split screen, the placement of still photos and the style of the subtitles makes this movie great fun to watch.
I found myself instantly caring for all six men: Jason, the beautiful, insecure and insightful 19-year-old porn model; Billy, the really hot and funny mother hen; Jimmy, the fey and fun Swedish diver; Charlie, the beautiful, masculine and sweet free spirit; Damon, the witty, caring and repressed composer; and Lance, the sensitive, sweet, lonely, adorable director.

Any time I see that Lance {I'm not being familar with him, that is what they called him} directs a movie, I know it is going to be something special, and this one did not let me down. He has a soft way of directing, real, direct, but is an actors director, he lets his gifted people present themselves, in a real life plot. His characters in this were all good being themselves, Lance himself was proving himself as a critic and observer, the time went by so fast, I could have seen lots more and would not have been bored. The guys were cute and funny, and almost sad as their lives were stripped down to the intimate aspect. I loved it! It is a shame they did not get enough following and financial support to do a follow up. I think that would have answered some questions left at the end. They did some, just not enough. Another excellent effort by DLB, I liked it so much I bought it and have watched it over and over.

It scared me to watch this cause it reminded me of my friends. Wow they really showed everything good with the bad. And, I LOVED IT :) lots of sexual tension and cute guys.

This is exactly how my friends would act on a trip. I scared me almost to watch these guys cause I just saw people I knew in everyone! It's pretty freakin funny at times and wow that Jason is a hottie hottie hottie!