More surfing going on in Tan Lines. The basic plot idea is the same as Shelter: young Midget Hollows (Jack Baxter) falls for his best friend Dan’s (Jed Clark) older brother Cass (Daniel O’Leary) and they hang around the beach and surf. But in Australia. That’s where the similarities end. Shelter is by far a better film. Tan Lines is in places unbearably slow, so if you watch, a remote with fast forward kept handy is a good idea. I just couldn’t develop any liking for the characters, although the talking religious icons in Cass’ bedroom were kinda funny.
Big Wednesday
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.
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.
Playroom
Playroom (aka Consequences) – a group of mostly jock buddies (Chris Cannon, Nicholas Kattar, Paul Marron, Adam Ratcliffe & Michael Tranzilli) from high school reunite for their annual “football weekend” away from thier wives and families. This time, two of them are out looking to get laid and find themselves seduced by a couple of hookers and then chained up in the “playroom” of a mad porno producer out to use them in his films. Their buddies try to rescue them while keeping things a secret from the wives back home. As an attempt at a horror movie, it had it’s moments, but was basically just an excuse to get hot guys stripped and tied up. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. . . .
Whirlwind
A group of five gay friends (Brad Anderson, Desmond Dutcher, Mark Ford, Alexis Suarez,Bryan West) find their lives turned upside down as a Whirlwind enters their group in the form of an attractive but vindictive young man (David Rudd) enters their world determined to prove that relationships don’t last.