TRASH IN MY EYE No. 245 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux
Another Gay Movie (2006)
Running time: 94 minutes; not rated by the MPAA
DIRECTOR: Todd Stephens
WRITERS: Todd Stephens, from a story by Tim Kaltenecker and Stephens
PRODUCERS: Jesse Adams, Karen Jaroneski, and Todd Stephens
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Carl Bartels
EDITOR: Jeremy Stulberg
COMEDY
Starring: Michael Carbonaro, Jonah Blechman, Jonathan Crane, Mitch Morris, Ashlie Atkinson, Scott Thompson, Graham Norton, Stephanie McVay, John Epperson, James Getzlaff, Darryl Stephens, and Richard Hatch
Innocent (but coy) Andy Wilson (Michael Carbonaro), flamboyant queen-in-training Nico (Jonah Blechman), jock Jarod (Jonathan Chase), and nerdy Griff (Mitch Morris) all want to lose their virginity, and they’re hoping to find the right guy for the job. Andy has a crush on his San Torum High School teacher, Mr. Puchov (Graham Norton), but he’s unsure of how to approach him. Jarod, Griff, and Nico aren’t getting anywhere, either. After numerous failed attempts, these gay teens decide to set a goal for themselves: lose their virginity before the Labor Day bash thrown by their bull dyke friend, Muffler (Ashlie Atkinson). They’ll take on the whole town if they have to in order to get laid, even if it means Nico might hop into bed with “Survivor” Season One winner, Richard Hatch (playing himself).
Todd Stephens’ Another Day Movie is a hilarious send-up of the teen comedy genre, but with a gay twist. However, the film isn’t solely a parody, nor is it a gay movie with a message or socially redeeming value. Another Gay Movie is rife with naughty gags, gross out scenes, gerbil jokes, and enough sloshing bodily fluids to make even the hardcore movie watcher blanch.
Stephens’ film takes as its template the late 90’s comedy hit, American Pie. However, as debauched as its filmmakers and fans would like to believe it to be, the American Pie franchise literally has nothing on Another Gay Movie when it comes to gross out humor. It’s queer and loudly so, and also comfortable with being queer. Raucous scenes of men humping and being humped are on display, as if nothing were wrong with gay sex (not that there’s anything wrong that). As a comedy, Another Gay Movie is also a proud gay in-joke filled with gags, sketches, and jokes involving S&M, sex in public restrooms, gerbils, masturbation, inserting objects in the rectum, etc.
Seeing this isn’t all that upsetting because of the soft pink haze that envelopes the film’s world. Stephens and his creative team present a world awash in shades of pink, with lavender and pastel chasers. Stephens has also set in his film in a kind of camp version of suburbia that recalls John Waters movies, and in spite of the dirty nature of the film’s comedy and low production budget, the neighborhoods of AGM seem surprisingly clean and upscale. In addition to the obvious Waters’ vibe, Another Gay Movie also references such teen comedy or teen-themed films as Bring It On, Carrie, Not Another Teen Movie, and Porky’s among others.
Still, to sell this movie, a filmmaker needs a willing cast, and he certainly has that. Everyone is gladly game for this outsider romp, whether it’s Jonah’s Bleckman’s Nico, the colorful club-kid or Ashlie Atkinson’s lesbian on steroids, Muffler. Scott Thompson of "Kids in the Hall" fame also makes a nice turn as Andy’s father, Mr. Wilson. Mitch Morris as the madly-in-love-with-his-friend Griff and Michael Carbonaro as the film’s central horn dog, Andy, are the standouts and would be good characters on their own.
Another Gay Movie was not rated by the MPAA, and with several scenes featuring genitals (both flaccid and engorged), nudity, and a host of sexual situations, there was no point submitting it to the august, but controversial ratings board. This is for movie lovers who aren’t offended by alternative lifestyles and methods of sexual pleasure. It’s outrageously funny, and the work of a director, cast, and crew who didn’t hold anything back. Another Gay Movie is the gay makeover for which the teen comedy has been waiting since Porky’s pretended to be entirely straight.
7 of 10
A-
Saturday, December 02, 2006
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