November 16, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Patrick Ryder's 2017 British film Chimera starring Nadia Lamin, Rachel Warren, Angela Dixon, Andrew Lee Potts and Marc Zammit. What starts out as a group of people running from a violent conflict at a hospital, turns into something completely different. It's difficult to describe this film without spoiling the outcome, so I won't do that. Trust me, it's very well done and worth watching. The film is currently on Amazon Prime so definitely see it.
November 16, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Brandon Kirby's 2019 film Is This a Date starring Lee Doud, Christopher Charles Baker, Daniel Plotner, Francisco Chacin, Logan Anderson and Wolfie Trausch. Steven has a difficult time determining if the men he's with are dates or just friends. I think just about everyone on the planet can relate to that. Is This a Date is currently on Amazon Prime's Dekkoo channel. Check it out.
August 5, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Will DaRosa's 2016 film With Your Spikes Up starring Joseph Stromberg, Greg Lucey, Jessica Spangler and Richard Cohn. During the recession, a class A minor league baseball player in Los Angeles turns to organized crime to pay the bills and take care of his pregnant girlfriend. Very well done. The film is currently on Vimeo (HERE).
July 23, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Jim Cummings' 2016 dramedy Thunder Road written/directed/starring Jim Cummings. A police officer giving the eulogy at his mother's funeral has a bit of a breakdown that is awkward, sad and funny all at the same time. I read that this film was shot continuous in one shot and won the grand prize at Sundance among many other awards at film festivals all over. It led to the 2018 feature length film of the same name. It's currently on Vimeo (HERE). Definitely watch it!
July 11, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Cagan Kayi's 2013 student film Chaos Men starring Greg Lucey, Adam El Manawy, Jennifer Amorelli, Anna De Nicola, Adam Parker, A.J. Rivera and Gian Franco Rodriguez. A crime lord hires an actor, promising to make his dreams of working in the movies come true, if he helps him set up the guy he believes is a police informant. Along with other members of his "family", they lure him in and confront him... only things aren't really what they seem. Very well done!
July 7, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2017 British film Ouija Sex starring David Anderson. A man is in an Ouija session hoping to connect with his passed love... and apparently she's pretty horny on the other side. It's a funny little film I'm sure you'll enjoy.
June 28, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2015 British film The Stutterer starring Matthew Needham, Chloe Pirrie and Eric Richard. A young man is trying to function in the world with a debilitating stutter that prevents him from being able to communicate the simplest tasks like speaking to a customer service representative on the phone to dispute a bill making it necessary for his father to speak for him. He even teaches himself sign language and pretends to be deaf to avoid speaking to people. He's been carrying on an internet relationship with a woman for approximately 6 months when she informs him that she's going to be in London and wants to meet... which scares him. A lot more happens, but you'll have to watch it to find out what. This film won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and when you watch it, you'll see why.
June 24, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 1932 Laurel & Hardy film The Music Box starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. A woman buys a player piano as a surprise for her husband's birthday and Laurel & Hardy have to deliver it... in a most comical way. They learn the house is at the top of a hill and make numerous attempts to get it up a very long stairway and then get it inside the house where no one is home. Pure comedy and pure joy! They don't make this kind of slapstick physical comedy much anymore.
June 18, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 1999 film The Absolution of Anthony starring Joe Quintero, Victor Garber and Carlos Rafart. Anthony is a Hispanic closeted homosexual who lives with his Catholic grandfather, spends his time getting off on making obscene phone calls to anonymous men, pining for a cute (also closeted) boy in the neighborhood and his encounters with a questionable priest. This film can also be found on a DVD called Boys Briefs (the first one) along with 5 other short films. Just a general rule... you can never go wrong when Victor Garber is involved! Love him!
June 16, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Mat John's 2016 horror film A Father's Day starring Garth Maunders, Hazel Gibson, Christopher Jordan and Isobel Steele. Since today is Father's Day, I thought it most appropriate for today's spotlight. In the zombie apocalypse world, a father is reunited with his daughter and does what fathers do to protect her and make sure she has what she needs. Despite the extreme gore that's common in zombie films, this film is extremely sweet. Enjoy!
June 12, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Alex Wroten's 2017 film Hell Bent starring Greg Lucey, Breanna Foister, Paul Kaufmann, Elisa Walsh and George Carruth. A sleazy "preacher" talks a good game and scams absentee parishioners into giving money to the "church" by using guilt and fear tactics due to them not showing up at church regularly. He gets caught by the town's Atheist Goth girl and you'll have to watch it to see how it goes from there. I love it!
June 11, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2014 film After Rachel starring Sol Landerman and William Stone Mahoney. A man, whose wife died suddenly from a blood clot, feels obligated to care for her father who has always hated him and is declining form Alzheimer's. This is a heart-wrenching story of loss and the patience & sacrifice it takes in being the primary caretaker of someone with Alzheimer's and you'll need plenty of Kleenex. This is an excellent film.
June 9, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2014 film Fruitcake starring Justin Hand, Zac Wilkinson and A. Michelle Harleston. The story is about a guy who is socially awkward and isn't able to make friends. As a child, his mother told him it would only get harder for him. In present day, she has passed away and is living on his own having to endure the pain of constantly being bullied and harassed; labeled as weird or strange when all he wants is human companionship. There's a very strong lesson in this film about being more compassionate and tolerant of people who are different from yourself. If you watch this film and it doesn't bother you, then you have no soul.
June 6, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Gil Freston's 2018 drama/action/comedy film The Big Break starring Gil Freston, David Shabtai, David Arquette, Jude B. Lanston and Michael Vlamis among others. The film is a parody of the Los Angeles acting scene... the phony promises, name dropping, self indulgence and cliche entitlement. Two out of work actors finally snap, as many others have during pilot season and go on the run after accidentally killing a man. The film is meant to be a silly exaggeration of the cut throat work of Hollywood. I really enjoyed it.
June 4, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2014 Australian film I'm You, Dickhead starring Anthony Gooley. The film takes place in an era when time travel is like a medical procedure. A man wants to go back to 1985 to tell his younger self to learn how to play guitar so he can get laid more often as an adult. It gets really silly and chaotic and it's a lot of fun to watch.
May 30, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2011 British film Always There starring Robert Feldman, Clive Woodward, Oliver Stark, Alex Ross, David R. Butler, Helen Hobson and Terry Bowen. A high school boy feels abandoned by God and questions his faith because of his parent's divorce and the relentless bullying he faces at school. Those of us who are new Oliver Stark fans, especially for his heroic good guy role on the TV show 9-1-1 on Fox, get to see a whole other side to his acting range as he plays the sociopathic school bully. This is a wonderful film and it leaves me a bit sad that it was made over 8 years ago but the bullying problem across the world has gotten worse instead of better. There are positive messages in this film if you're paying attention.
May 27, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2017 animated film In a Heartbeat about a closeted young boy who has a crush on a classmate and his heart wants to be with him so badly it jumps out of his chest and he has to chase it around and try and catch it before it gets to the other boy. I love this film and it's message to never be afraid of who and what you are. Those of us who are more sensitive will need a tissue handy.
May 25, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Phil Beastall's 2014 British film Love is a Gift starring Chris Ilston and Natalie Martins. This film is less than 3 minutes and was made for about $60 in U.S. dollars and it has me such a puddle of goo I'm having trouble typing this. The story is about a man eagerly waiting for Christmas morning with the focus on one package under his tree. When it's revealed what the gift is, I just lost it. Reading the YouTube comments, it appears I'm not the only one. Be sure you have your tissues in you hand before you start watching it.
May 23, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Josh Litman's 2014 student film A Case of Pyrophilia starring my friend Greg Lucey, Tamar Pelzig and Jan McGuire. A forensic psychologist, who is recently widowed and not quite in the right frame of mind to be working, must interview and evaluate a female pyropheliac who got sexual pleasure out of murdering her parents by setting their house on fire. As the story plays out, you'll see just how manipulative she is.
May 21, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Leo Burton's 2010 British comedy film The Duel at Blood Creek starring Dominic Allburn, Ben Brown, Benjamin Brown, Aidan Cook, Mark Jeffries, Fergus Johnston, Mark Phillimore, Martin Pirongs, Olly Rix, Lee Maxwell and Aubrey Wakeling. Blood Creek is historically a sacred place for duels. Hilarity ensues when a number of men, all expecting private duels, shows up at the same time and has to sort it out as to who has first dibs at dueling. There's even a sillier twist I'm not going to tell you about so you'll have to watch it.
May 20, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Joe Penna's 2015 film Beyond starring Ray Trickitt, Circus-Szalewski and Jade Harlow among others. This film is a little difficult to describe. It's about time travel, immortality, curses, love, sorrow, technology, loneliness, enlightenment... too difficult to put it all into one box, and that's what makes this an excellent film. The film is a little over 40 minutes, which is a bit longer than most short films, but every moment is worth watching.
May 19, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2019 animated film Anna. A toddler is the sole survivor of a plane crash in the 1940s where a puma takes care of her until help arrives. This film had me in tears and after you watch it, you'll see why. I can't find a lot of details on this film other than what is printed below the YouTube video. Looks like it's won many awards.
May 18, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2001 Dutch film Gridlock starring Tom Van Dyck, Ellen Van Cutsem, Aza Declercq and Kris Swinnen. The story takes place in Antwerp Belgium during a bad snowstorm with cars at a standstill on the freeway. A man had just purchased a new cell phone so he takes it out of the packaging and decides to call his wife. A young girl answers the phone and tells her "daddy" that mommy is in bed with "uncle" Wim. He's enraged at the thought of his wife cheating on him, so he has the girl play a little joke on them. I'm going to stop there. This film is tragic, yet for some reason, funny as hell too once you see how it plays out. Oh, and there are subtitles for those of us who don't speak Dutch. Enjoy.
May 16, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2011 comedy Lie Detector starring Mike Heim, Dane Hanson and Danny Gutierrez. A man is interviewing for a job where a lie detector test is mandatory using the latest state of the art technology where nobody can lie without getting busted. It's only a few minutes, but it's a silly and fun one to watch.
May 12, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 1987 comedy short Dorf on Golf starring Tim Conway, Vincent Schiavelli and Michele Smith. Back in the 80's Tim Conway made a whole series of silly sketch comedy shorts as the dwarf character Dirk Dorf and this one is my favorite among those. He tries... and fails... to teach the viewer how to play golf with his not so bright caddy Leonard and his other not so bright assistant Boom Boom. Tim Conway is a national treasure and always makes us laugh.
May 11, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2017 Australian film Locker Room starring Bridie Noonan, Max Stephens, Charlie Hannaford and Isaac Anderson. A teenage tomboy who hangs out with the boys sees a chatroom on one of her friend's computer where the guys all rate the girls, make sexist and sexual remarks about them and sees a very disturbing video. She struggles with herself at first I think about why the boys don't find her attractive like the other girls they were chatting about, then about keeping quiet or blowing the whistle on them. As sad as it is, this is common in schools everywhere these days with social media and films like this raise awareness to the issue. Very well done.
May 10, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2013 British film Stolen Light starring Andrew Lee Potts and Lucia Giannecchini. A woman has sunk into a deep depression after a pandemic has taken the lives of almost all of the children, including her daughter. Her husband fights as hard as he can to pull her out of the depression by reminding her they were once happy when it was just the two of them. You may need some tissue when watching this one. This film is currently available to see on Vimeo (click HERE).
May 9, 2019
Tonight's spotlight are two shorts: Jordan Firstman's 2014 film The Disgustings and the 2016 film The Disgustings: Save the Date starring Drew Droege and Jordan Firstman. Two guys, who are miserably unhappy with their own lives do nothing but put others down and bitch about everything. In Save the Date, they take it upon themselves to dish out nasty, unsolicited relationship advice to total strangers. And... they do it hilariously!! I mean, c'mon... admit it... we all know people who have absolutely nothing nice or positive to say about anyone or anything so I'm sure this will make you laugh.
May 6, 2019
This spotlight is the 2017 film Insurance starring David Namminga and Kevin Scott Allen. A con man cons a con man to pull off the ultimate con. A con man hires a con man to steal diamonds so he can collect the insurance. When the transaction is complete, the diamonds were to be returned... only they've been stolen... or were they? Watch it and see. I know Kevin, he's a great actor, a great person and I just adore him to pieces.
May 5, 2019
This spotlight is Fred Olen Ray's 2014 film Spidora starring Megan Sheehan, Jerry Lacy, Bobby Rice, Go Go Amy, Crystal Marie and Krystal Pohaku. At first glance you may think this is a horror film, but it's really a very beautiful love story. Spidora is a carnival side-show performer who has been receiving Shakespeare-esque love notes from a secret admirer and finally agrees to meet him in person. Fantasy masks self esteem, reality crumbles fantasy and love conquers all. Jerry Lacy, whom we all know from the Dark Shadows serial is perfect as the Master of Ceremonies along with real-life side show performers. I contributed to the Kickstarter crowd funding campaign for this film and the first time I saw it was at a small Los Feliz theater in Los Angels with the Ray family in attendance... then of course I interviewed Fred for The Lair's 10th Anniversary feature article I wrote for the Gay Essential website so this film is extra special to me. As of this writing, this film is available for DVD purchase on Amazon.
May 4, 2019
This spotlight is Andreas Wessel-Therhorn's 2015 animated film Heavenly Peace starring Jonathan Brett, David Zimmerman, Daamen J. Krall and Steven Brinberg. A little cherub angel goes way above and beyond to trick a broken up gay couple into reuniting at Christmas time. This is a really cute story with some Barbra Streisand-esque music as a bonus. I saw this, I believe 4 years ago, at the HollyWeb Film Festival with David Zimmerman, Greg Lucey, Carole Ita White, David Stark and Laura Harden from our Child of the '70s web series and absolutely love it!
May 3, 2019
This spotlight is the 2009 satirical comedy Cost of Living starring Terry Ray, Jim J. Bullock and Molly Hagan. The film takes place in the not-so-distant future where global warming is in full effect and the cost of living has gone sky high and everyone works multiple jobs just to pay for the basics of life like housing, food and water. I've had the honor and privilege of working with Terry Ray and call him my friend. One thing for sure, if he's involved in something, it's going to be great so I know you'll enjoy this film.
May 2, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Jacqui Holland's 2011 film Jillian Sometimes starring Jacqui Holland and Jason Lockhart. Based on a true story, a woman with a family history of mental illness has a psychotic breakdown after the death of her beloved grandmother. Her boyfriend tries, but is powerless to help her. Stories like this need to be told and seen, especially since mental illness still has a negative stigma attached to it.
April 30, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Mark Bessenger's 2012 psychological horror film Candy starring Mike Justice, Peter Stickles and Ari Silvio with music by Tom Goss. Handy and Vic connect on a telephone sex service. Handy wants Vic to come to his place but Vic is barely out of high school, inexperienced and very nervous and declines so Handy finds other means of satisfaction. Vic changes his mind and they agree to meet up... possibly not a good idea. This film is currently streaming on the Amazon Prime Dekkoo channel.
April 29, 2019
This spotlight is the 2017 Australian film Kill Off starring Jamie Brewer, Abby Earl and Mandela Mathia. A young woman with Down Syndrome challenges a man at her place of employment to a Krump battle and they bond as he's the only person who understands her love of it. She also has to deal with her overbearing uptight sister and their mother in the hospital being treated for cancer. This is one of those films that just warms your heart and I just adore Jamie to pieces. She's a very talented lady and an extremely sweet person. This film is currently on Vimeo (click HERE).
April 28, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2015 film Frieda's Turn starring Leslie Simms, Carolyn Hennesy, Chuck Saculla, Jenna Heffernan and Nathan Paul. Frieda is a sassy sex obsessed senior citizen and it's her birthday. Her daughter, who barley tolerates her, her son-in-law, her granddaughter and her boyfriend all take Frieda out to dinner. During the dinner conversation, things are revealed that make Frieda's family understand her a lot more. The story is sickeningly heartbreaking, yet endearing at the same time. I've had the honor and privilege of working with Carolyn and Chuck before on other projects and both are wonderful people. Definitely watch this. It's currently on Vimeo (click HERE).
April 27, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the HILARIOUS 2014 film The Gunfighter starring Shawn Parsons, Scott Beehner, Brace Harris, Eileen O'Connell, Jordan Black and Nick Offerman as The Voice among others. A gunfighter walks into an old Western saloon for a shot of whiskey as the Narrator describes his every move... only everybody in the saloon can hear the Narrator... and the Narrator knows everything and tells everything they don't want known or told. This is seriously one of the funniest short films I've seen in a long time. I'm still laughing.
April 26, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2012 British film The Truth About Stanley starring Oliver Litondo, Raif Clarke and Andrew Lee Potts. A young boy is homeless due to his negligent drug addict father. He meets and befriends a homeless elderly man named Stanley who loves to share his stories. I probably don't have to say this is a tragic film. It was made with the sole intention to raise awareness to the increasing homeless population in England... but it certainly is relatable to most cities around the world these day. Everybody should watch it and really think hard afterwards about what is really important in life.
April 25, 2019
This spotlight is the 2016 film The Escort starring Doris Roberts and Nick Echols. A sassy, horny elderly woman hires a young gigolo (escort) via the internet. He's uncomfortable with her age and as the story unfolds, we find out why. This is one of the last films Doris Roberts appeared in before she passed away. She was always so great in everything she did. I've had the honor and privilege of working with Nick and know just how wonderfully talented he is as well. Trust me, this film will make you smile!
April 24, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is Gregory Blair's 2018 film noir spook It Ain't All Black and White... Unless It Is starring Mikhail Blokh, Gregory Blair and Valerie Ross. This is a silly fun parody of those old 50's style detective movies narrated sarcastically by The Dick with appearances by Scripty and The Girl. This is a good one to give you a laugh.
April 23, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2012 film Sabbatical starring Ross Marquand and Michael Carbonaro. A couple decides to take a break in their relationship... a sabbatical. One seems to want the separation more than the other, but they mutually agree to it in the hopes that they will resume their relationship when the sabbatical is over. They have to decide if their relationship is strong enough to do that and each learns something about themselves in the process. Definitely check it out, it's on YouTube at the moment.
April 22, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2013 film Strong. This film is quite personal to me because it's about a man I first met around 46 or 47 years ago at Virginia Court Elementary School in Aurora Colorado and grew up with, Roger Strong. Roger is a very well-known skier, rock and ice climber. On April 6, 2011, Roger was skiing Snoqualmie Pass in Washington with a group of friends when they triggered an avalanche. No one was killed, but they were very badly injured. I didn't know about it until I saw somebody tag him on Facebook in a post about it... then I worried. In time his progress was updated on Facebook and he and I eventually had private messages about what happened. Knowing the extent of his injuries, I never thought he'd be back on skis again, but I was way wrong. In 2012, Fitz Cahall made this short film about Roger re-visiting the site one year later to the day, which he skied to, and about his rehabilitation. He wasn't about to let anything stop him from doing what he loves. But then... that's just how Roj is... an inspiration.
April 21, 2019
Tonight's spotlight is the 2016 film Curmudgeons starring David Margulies, Danny DeVito, Lucy DeVito, Sarah Nina Hayon and Kett Turton. An elderly man is in an assisted living facility and visited by his granddaughter. They talk some as she asks some very personal questions. A young man stops to visit and brings his grandfather with him, who is in a wheelchair because of hip surgery. It turns out these two men have been lovers for some time and both hate the fact they can't live together. You're going to love how this ends... and if you don't cry, you don't have a soul.
I saw Danny DeVito when he was talking about this film on The Graham Norton Show. David Margulies was one of his best friends in real life and very ill during the production of this film. He did get to see the final cut of this film and passed away shortly after that. That alone makes this film extra special. The film is on Vimeo which you can see HERE.
I saw Danny DeVito when he was talking about this film on The Graham Norton Show. David Margulies was one of his best friends in real life and very ill during the production of this film. He did get to see the final cut of this film and passed away shortly after that. That alone makes this film extra special. The film is on Vimeo which you can see HERE.
April 20, 2019
I'm going to kick off this Short Film Spotlight page with Jonathan M. Dillon's 2014 film Celluloid Dreams starring my dear friend Greg Lucey, Crystal Montecon and Stephen Colletti. An elderly man fixes a broken movie projector and discovers he can relive his old home movies, then tries to change the outcome. Greg is an amazing actor, this small ensemble is fantastic, this story is wonderfully haunting and the music is perfect. The film is approximately 11 minutes and is currently on Vimeo (click HERE).
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