When Big Wednesday comes, a trio of former “hot dog” surfers re-unite for one last big wave. Matt Johnson (Jan-Michael Vincent) was the hottest surfer on the beach that all the rest looked up to. He and his responsible buddy, Jack Barlow (Willam Katt), and his not so responsible buddy Leroy Smith (Gary Busey) ruled the beach in their younger days. The film follows them in the 1960’s & 1970’s as they attempt to dodge the draft (except Barlow) and earn a living. Reb Brown is “The Enforcer” who runs around shirtless tossing out party crashers.
Shelter
In Shelter, Zach (Trevor Wright) is a young man struggling to help his nephew since his sister can’t get her act together to really take care of the boy. His best friend Gabe (Ross Thomas) has moved away to school and he’s got only on again off again feelings for his girlfriend. Then Gabe’s big brother Shaun (Brad Rowe) returns to town and the two strike up a friendship as surfing buddies which leads to more. Of course, this causes Zach no end of confusion, but all work’s out in the end.
Get Your Stuff
Eric (Anthony Meindl) and Phil (Cameron Watson) are a gay couple looking to adopt a baby. Then a social worker cons them into taking two troublesome boys for just one (more) day. Then the boy’s drunken mother shows up on the doorstep. Soft touch Phil (a family therapist by trade) tries to form one big happy family only to drive a wedge between himself and Eric.
Were the World Mine
Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is a student in a private school who’s cast as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by his eccentric drama teacher. Studying his lines, he discovers a recipe for a secret love potion hidden in the book. Soon, in Were the World Mine, Timothy creates a magical pansy for spritzing his potion and first accidentally makes his best friend (Ricky Goldman) fall in love with him. He then proceeds to bespell the rugby player he’s got a crush on (Nathaniel David Becker), then goes on to make the entire rugby team gay. Then as the chaos mounts, he spritzes most of his small town.
Hate Crime
This movie ended up being a pleasant surprise. Hate Crime was in the bargain bin and it had a first time director, so I wasn’t expecting much, but it turned out to be very well done with an interesting story.
Robbie (Seth Peterson) and Trey (Brian J. Smith) have a good life planning a commitment ceremony and thinking about adopting. That’s until the son (Chad Donella) of a fundementalist preacher (Bruce Davison) moves in next door. Trey is found beaten and dying after walking their dog in the park and Robbie soon finds the legal system isn’t on his side. He teams up with Trey’s grieving mother to find out who done it and get justice on his own.