Customer Reviews

Live For Sex Die For Love

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

 

 

LIVE FOR SEX, DIE FOR LOVE marks Toby Ross' divergence from the lighter comedies he's been producing over the past few years into much darker and arthouse-esque territory. Ostensibly an erotically charged melodrama about two pseudo-homeless hustlers, directors Toby Ross and Joe Rubin seem to be trying for something more complex and intelligent than standard "erotica." Of course, some explicit sex scenes and amply nudity from porn-star Ricky Sinz certainly add to the viewing experience, but the movie holds its own and is actually rather clever in its cinema-verite stylings.
Clearly shot on a very low budget, directors Ross and Rubin make the most of their resources and lead actor Thorne Brandt is both talented and very cute (in a scruffy and homeless sort of way). However, the reason I ordered this movies is because I knew, after seeing a couple of Ross' other films, that his work is designed to, as he so eleqnetly states on the commentary track, "give your brain a hard on" and I was curious to how it worked in a non-comedic vehicle. It works better than ever before; from the naked very hard shots of Ricky Sinz performing in front of the cock hungry perverts in seedy sex club, to the incredible fast inter-cuts between protagonist Thorne eating a spam sandwich and a gluttonous oral scene between two desperate men.
Additionally, this proto-porn noir has one of the largest penises I've ever seen on film, in a subplot which involves a presumably married man who cruises a trashy booksore looking for sleazy hook-ups. This footage (which makes up a mere 10% of the movie, and is actually worked in via a rather clever "film within a film" type device with security monitors), originates from the long unavailable and acclaimed Toby Ross feature, I LIVE FOR SEX, and it's a treat to see some of the most interesting and erotic moments of that hard to find film present here.
There's also something very genuine about the actors, almost as if they were playing themselves. Especially powerful is a scene between Thorne and a lonely middle aged man, who is willing to be robbed and humiliated for the pretense of affection. Ross and Rubin seem to be driving home the point that we live in an unforgivingly cold and alienating world, where human contact is reduced to a commodity and one bad decision can destroy you forever. Despite some technical flaws, LIVE FOR SEX, DIE FOR LOVE is easily of the most unique and offbeat recent gay themed films to be released on DVD, and definitely one of the most erotic.

Easily one of the worst films I've ever seen, this essentially plotless vanity project causes you to ponder all of the synonyms for "bad". I'm somewhat an aficionado of cult and offbeat films because I'm interested in diverse points of view, but the question I couldn't answer during or after viewing "Live For Sex Die For Love" was, "what the hell is the point?". A "bonus" interview with the teenaged director (and lead "actor") included on the DVD gives a bit of insight: this film is basically a combination of a failed Toby Ross 1995 porn short married with recently-videotaped "filler" (the director's word, not mine). Poorly lit, the video footage is frequently off-frame, out-of-focus, and weirdly angled, in what I charitably imagine was an attempt at cinema verité but which quickly becomes tiresome, distracting and annoying. Add silly "performances" and a noticeable (and not in a good way) soundtrack, and this is the result. And as bad a result as it is, watch the deleted scenes "bonus" included on the video and you'll quickly understand just how much worse it could have been. Truly mind-boggling.

Advice to those involved in this project: if you have any real aspirations for a future in filmmaking, remove this turkey from your C.V.

took me a minute to get into this one, it's dark and edgy, but the story is great

I relied on the first review of this video [in favor] when deciding to buy it. I didn't receive what it described, because it's no relation to the avant garde and underground arthouse that give to you visually with skill and imagination. Those prove low budget is no excuse to produce crap.

This whole bile-producing disappointment suffers from the Pathetic Fallacy. You don't show that something is gritty by making a viewer sit through frames full of bad sound, ugly acting, and grainy scenes. Think of the film Sin City. It's gritty but it's beautiful, interesting, and memorable, too.

Sometimes you get skill without imagination; sometimes imagination without skill. When you're lucky you get both, you get art. This is what you get without either.

I understand that it is a low budget flick, but the story could've been better and the acting was way off the mark. Ricky Sinz really didn't have too much to do for the first 1/2 to 3/4 of the movie and then all of a sudden he figures prominately?!?! And he only flashed his junk once or twice...If you can find a really cheap copy, and it's a boring day check it out. Otherwise rent any porno with Ricky Sinz if he is yoiur main draw...

I've been a Toby Ross fan for many years, This film is not pure Ross as there is a new director on this film, but none the less this film captured me from the start and kept me focused throughout the entire movie.

I particularly enjoyed the "oral obsession" scene with the eating of the sandwiches and the love song one teenage hustler serenades to the other while eating there Chinese take-out. Ross captured a moment that I wish I had lived in my own life... I especially enjoyed how the film ended with the protagonist escaping the mess he created without recourse.

One weak part of the film is that it was not made clear, although I got it, that Ricky Sinz was the father of the protagonist in the film, this could have been expanded on more, but did not detract from my enjoyment of the film.

The acting was good to great, with the exception of the role of the "Mom" who can make Anna Nicole Smith look like Betty Davis, oh those Betty Davis eyes!!!

This film is not for everyone, but,I enjoyed it on a very weird level.

Why this film fell under the radar or slipped through the cracks somewhere in 2008 is, quite frankly, beyond me. Perhaps even more sad are the movie standards that filmgoers everywhere wish to uphold. Irregardless of how great a film can be, people seem to avoid indie films like the plague unless Hollywood has given it's blessing. Thus, films like Live For Sex Die For Love are the unsung heroes for film festivals perhaps & DVD. Although I think the same treatment that Hollywood films have always received should be administered to the great indies, I am glad that we have the digital world of film readily available at our finger tips.

Filmed on an estimated budget of about $6k, one wouldn't expect a whole lot initially & might even forego purchasing the movie altogether. Whereas something like Blair Witch Project or Paranormal Activity may have had slighly bigger budgets, Live For Sex exhibits a more natural feeling of the human parallels without feeling contrived. In fact, we grow to love the lead characters despite their flaws or shortcomings. We cry when they cry as it's quite easy to understand their basic human needs although all we can do is basically sit back & watch. At the end of the day, one can't help but feel they've lived a day or two in the shoes of John (Joe Rubin) or Vinnie (Ricky Sinz) even though the vast majority of viewers will never experience anything remotely similar.

The films opens up with a young gay male (Joe Rubin)cruising the video shops & back alleys while his mother sleeps. At this point it's somewhat unclear as to whether our lead just enjoys sex with strangers on the fly or if he does this for a living. Within a matter of hours, John will confront his mother after finding his birth certificate & dare to venture out on his own when he can no longer take living at home.

Unfortunately, John is now homeless & unemployed with very few options save working the streets. With nowhere to go, he turns to the unscrupulous Rocco who is able to offer him work in their three story hotel & an alley in the back of the building. Within these walls, John meets Vinnie whom we automatically assume could be the young man's father although their interactions are strictly business related deals. Mind you, this is not the kind of lifestyle you'd want for your son by any means & we almost feel a bit of resentment towards Vinnie in the beggining. Yet what makes the film so painstakingly human is the sadness we see in Vinnie's eyes each time he interracts with the young male.

Over the course of the hour, we watch the seedy happenings taking place throughout the building & our eyes are opened to a lifestyle that has, seemingly, always been kept kept in shrouded secret. Here we have a world were married men can find other men to gratify them as the encounters are being videotaped by a security camera in the background. Although the so-called closeted man or married man is oblivious to everyone or everything around save him save the pleasure he has been receiving, we also see a juxtaposition with the lonely middle-aged man who seeks the companionship & intimacy of a young junkie who may also be infected with Hiv. It's dark world in which our gentleman are encapsulated & one doesn't always have a great deal of hope for the future.

John quickly makes friends with Thorne, who has had his addictions to drugs & may have even had difficulty in procuring food or health care. In a few rather touching scenes, we are shown the extent of Thorne's extreme hunger which viwers will safely assume has been an ongoing issue. Although it's hard to be certain as to whether or not John & Thorne are gradually falling for each other, it's a fact that they rely on one another & need the companionship which each other offers. Their relationship is not only heartfelt but genuine although it could possibly be short-lived.

Prior to having seen Live For Sex, I knew very little about Joe Rubin. Other than the vague descriptions you find through Wiki or IMDB which state his age & speculate that he may have a large porn collection, there is little information to be found about the man who doesn't see himself as an actor but seems quite sincere about his infinite passion regarding film-making outside of Hollywood. I can honestly say that I could see a future in acting for Joe Rubin as he looks rather natural in his portrayal of John. Only time will tell as to whether or not Joe will be found in front or behind the camera but his work thus far has been solidified with Live For Sex Die For Love.


As with Payton Collins Serial Rapist, Live For Sex Die For Love may not be an easy film to digest at first but it's a rewarding view nonetheless. Be forewarned that the material presented here is rather dark & edgy which may be off-putting to those who prefer the light-hearted side of Toby Ross. However, this is quintessential viewing for those with open hearts & minds that wish to acquire something a bit different in the annals of independent cinema. Do not miss this film!


Not unlike Payton Collins, there are several options for those ready to make a purchase. You can grab the inexpensive Darkotica box set for a little under $50 if you wish to see this film as well as Payton Collins Serial Rapist & Like A Moth To A Flame. As an added bonus, you will get the very informative documentary The Night At The End of The Tunnel which makes the deal even sweeter. However, it is not necessary for you to purchase the box if you're main interest is Live For Sex Die For Love. This title alone sells for under $25 & readily available for purchase. Don't miss out!

Ricky Sinz shines in this movie. The story is thought provoking and really brings to life a side of life many will never see.