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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Examining a First Attempt, January 22, 2007
This review is from: Sideline Secrets (DVD)
Steven Vasquez directed and co-wrote with James Townsend, the star, this strange little drama cum horror flick with evidently very good ideas and intentions: make a gay film that takes a different storyline than the usual fare and make a drama that wants to be judged on its merits as a thriller. So why doesn't it work? For starters the film loses direction from the opening frame and wanders rather aimlessly throughout the film, dead set on making a suspense thriller but getting sidetracked into satisfying an audience who wants to see nude encounters. Not that that is a bad thing: it can certainly enhance some films that have been Hollywood successes. The film also tries to talk about coming out experiences in young men and women, relationships, disturbed parenting, the club scene with all the wild antics that accompany such events - and murder. It is all a bit much to cram into a 96-minute film. Devon (James Townsend) by all appearances is a successful kid with a kind girlfriend Jenna (Sarah Kelly) but he has an eye for boys and visits a bar where he meets Brian (Alex Wilson) who has been down the same path and can offer Devon assistance on every level. They bond, Devon comes out, and the mysteries begin: boys are missing in the neighborhood, Devon's stepfather psychologist Dr. Kirk Tyler (Dan Swett) is not at all what he appears to be and despite Devon's consoling mother Donna (Sonja Fisher) Devon is cast into the streets because of his new relationship. It seems Dr Tyler is in a dark business with hunky Detective Cunningham (Earl McDougle) who apparently is investigating the missing boys... Devon gathers his resources from his understanding girlfriend Jenna and her cronies and together the group unveils the dark doings of Dr. Tyler and his detective sidekick. And through it all Donna radiates warmth and understanding as the perfect mother of a gay boy, etc. Some of the actors are pleasing to the eye (and there is very little the eye doesn't examine frequently!) but the degree of acting is at an all time low. The only thing that makes us forgive that (and in some cases it is just too poor to forgive) is the feeling of commitment on the part of everyone involved. Yes, this is a low budget movie and yes, the director needs time to learn his trade. But in the end there is something to be said for the involved people to try to take a gay film to a different level. Maybe their next one will be more polished. Grady Harp, January 07
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loads of Fun, June 28, 2006
This review is from: Sideline Secrets (DVD)
This movie is loads of fun! It is truly a "little engine that could"! It is easy to point finger and knock down points for a film because it is low budget and stuff, but there really isn't much room to do so with this one. Sideline Secrets takes a few seeds and manages to plant an entire orchard. What I am saying is the fact that this film does best with what it has and in the end it comes out as a true winner. The actors are great. I think we will be seeing some of them in bigger projects in the near future as they clearly have a passion and comfort for what they do. The story is very dark. It touches upon a lot of controversial subject matter involving molestation, rape, physical abuse, alcoholism, and more. But, dont get too frightened, although much of the subject matter is serious, the movie knows how to tie it all into a somewhat complicated yet very entertaining story. The romantic story at the core in nice to see. I am glad to see movies like this climbing the charts. It has reached the #2 bestseller spot on another popular online retail store. For me it is no wonder why. Sideline Secrets truly is a gem to be found for many.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cute and well done, July 13, 2006
This review is from: Sideline Secrets (DVD)
I think a lot of people might say this is a bad movie, but knowing this is a low budget film and having limited resources, this movie is pretty good. I got this video a few days ago, and I have watched it 4 or 5 times in 2 days a;ready. Obviously something in this movie got my attention, and no, it was not the sex scenes or nudity although they were pretty well done. The film definitely has a good story, so I am totally recommending seeing it at least once. You just have to take into account that this movie doesn't have the budget or resources of a blockbuster movie. A lot of people are pretty incompetant when it comes to watching smaller low-budget films. They dont see some huge explosions or special effects and they automatically label a film as being boring, or terrible. Don't fall for that. This is a nice endeavor with a lot of potential. See if you can find the hidden references to several pop culture itesm-- madonna, twin peaks, cher, gilmore girls, and more. Very cute and well done.
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