Customer Reviews

Sideline Secrets

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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

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.

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.

I am a staunch supporter of young film makers, and love a good "coming-out" story; however, trainwreck as another viewer called this, doesn't even begin to describe how bad this film is. I've seen better high school and community theater productions! The acting--particulary the mother and step-father sounded as though it was being read for the very first time.

With the right cast, the script might have had half a chance, but even that's questionable with same old tired gay cliches and predictable stereotypes.

Very fun movie from start to finish. Cute actors, great storyline, nice direction. There is some room for improvement, but overall I enjoyed it very much. Putting it on, I was quickly thinking it would be yet again the same coming of age story we have seen a dozen times. Boy was I wrong. It quickly turns into a mystery movie with a lot of plot twists. The film isnt award winning caliber by far, however it does nicely for a night in front of the tv with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn. Now, if only I had a boy of my own to watch it with!

This movie has eye-candy overload! If you like erotic movies with hot boys and a crazy twisted storyline, this is one to get! This movie easily gives a lot of other gay movies a run for their money. I loved every piece of it. There are a lot of campy little references that I found to be a lot of fun. For a low budget flick, this is awesome!

I am not sure what the filmmakers of this train wreck were striving for when they made this low budget movie. I think the film is nothing more than an excuse to film young male actors nude. The film wants to be something it is not--it wants to be a mystery film when in reality it is a no-class softcore porn flick. To call this movie cinema is an insult to filmmakers and to viewers fooled into watching it!

Needless to say I think this film has few, if any, redeeming features. Where to begin? The plot is weak asking us to believe in characters doing things that no one with one ounce of logic would do (for example, the mother leaves home for a few days to visit an aunt knowing her husband recently slugged her son in the face without provocation).

I did not believe for one single moment any of the situations that were happening. The acting? Hmmm. Okay, I'll give the two young male leads some credit here. They made the best of a bad situation. In fact, most of the the young actors were passable (just passable), however, the adults are another story entirely. I would venture the entire movie's dialogue, especially the well-intentioned actress playing "Devon's" mother, was looped. The voices don't sound right. The acting ability of the actor portraying the step-father was about as subtle as the smell of a fertilizer plant... i.e., he reeked!

This movie has cardboard characters possessing no real sense of believability. For those who claim this movie is camp is doing that genre a disservice. I read a few reviews that complained that the young male actors weren't hot enough-- what a ridiculous notion! Those comments miss the point of this film entirely. This was not supposed to be a story about hot men, but about teen exploitation. In effect, what this story tries to warn the viewer against is exactly what the film becomes. The actors were used and used badly by this film's production team.

I lay the blame entirely at the feet of the producer, the writer and director. This amatuer drivel is the worst kind of schlock available to buyers. I could go on and on about how bad this movie truly is. As a writer I can say this is one of the worst films I have ever seen. Save your money. There are pleny of other gay-themeed films that are worthy of your money and your time. It is not often a film makes me so angry. Stay away from this one!

"Sideline Secrets" is a great little indie film! I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the film. It is a lot of fun. What seems to start out as the all-too-familiar "coming out of the closet" story turns into much more than any of us would have expected. "Sideline Secrets" is a mystery film with a new surprise around every corner and a steamy romance story that can rival a lot of the competition. The film is low budget, but there is a lot of detail given, and all comes across very professional; especially when you take into consideration this is the first feature legnth film for In The Pink Productions!

The cast of young actors is really something special. They all carry their scenes very well. The two main characters, Devon and Brian, have a chemistry together that is perfect. I am sure both actors will easily go onto bigger films in the future. Supporting roles by Summer Smith and Sarah Kelly are great as well. Their characters are complete opposites and clash to much comic relief... In addition, the Drag Queen, played by Brandon Alexander is hilarious as well!

A lot of focus has been giving to the erotic content of the film. And, I must agree with the majority of reviews I have seen on the film-- these scenes are HOT!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!! Seriously HOT.

While so many gay-themed films coming out seem stale and a complete xerox of one another, "Sideline Secrets" stands out all on its own. This is a truly original film with hot actors, steamy romance, campy humor, dark and twisted mystery and more-- all a perfect combination for a playful movie night with the boys!!!

Loved it!

when i first saw this movie at blockbutster i thought no i would never

watch a movie like that but then one day i picked it up and i'm glad i

did because it's the best movie i ever seen. james townsend's not only a

great actor but he's also a wonderful writer as well. i've never seen any

thing he's done before (not that i know of) but i would like too. i really

liked this movie (even though it has very vivid sex senses with guys) and

i am a straight woman but other than that i loved it. i'm not one of those

people who hates gays i think every one has a right to love any one they

want and i loved this movie alot. way to go james.

I understand the low budget...stuff like that happens, but the voices didnt match. The mothers voice didnt seem real at all. It sounded like it was from a child. No way would an older woman's voice sounds like that. I like it how Devon's character has to understand his new and emerging feelings, and realize that he's not the only one that feels that way. It's nice to know that his soon to be ex-girlfriend is the understanding type. She's even involved in the end when it comes to uncovering the truth about Devon's step-dad. That's a true friend.

I felt so bad seeing Brian in such a bad shape when Devon rescued him after he was beaten up. I was gonna cry. He said that he was raped and that's just one topic that always gets me. My heart just goes out to the victim. I'm glad that earlier in the movie he becomes willing to share his feelings more with Devon, and actually calls him back after they get into their first fight. Brian cried once he hung up the phone and that always shows a more sensitive part of the man and that's such a turn on for me.

Good movie...I've seen better when it comes to acting, but it was still good. I'm glad that I bought it, but would've liked to have seen more of the Devon and Brian relationship. Oh well. Good job. B-