October Moon

October Moon was seen by myself and several friends at the North 94 Club Kenosha, WI-- showing this past Sunday Oct 2, 2005. Many of the cast members, including the producer, and go-between were present. These folks were as down to earth as it gets. Many times when people think of a gay film, thoughts of 'queeny princesses' pop into mind. This movie was directed and acted out by some of the most loving, wonderful, down-to-earth folks that there are in the Midwest. Everyone should see this awesome film. Since it was only done in one week......I have to say it receives a 10 from me on plot, story-line, actors, costumes, scenes, sound, visual, etc. God blesses the gay folks that really put their heart, soul, and mind into meaningful projects like October Moon! I also wanted to add that the illustrative Christ scene compared to the mothers' ignorance (in the movie) was a delightful touch. Who lies to who?, who destroys peoples lives?...many ignorant and narrow-minded straight people--that's who! Also, the passion (and reality) of gay life between the two lovers was spectacular, and I must state that because we live in a day and age where social constructs push us gay folks toward failure....we must stand up and be counted for as human beings! We too deserve a chance at long lasting relationships like the straight world! Praise is due this most delightful work my brothers and sisters regarding this most magnificent gay film project!!! I wish you the best...and know that it will go far. Good luck at the Gay-Film Festival Milwaukee! Everyone should vote in favor of this most wonderful cast! God Bless!

Jason Paul Collum both wrote and directed this little film that resembles a gay 'Fatal Attraction' without the benefit of a tight script, good actors, suspense, or sophisticated effects and camera work. Sadly it boils down to a fifteen-minute story spread out over an almost interminable 2 hours.

The story involves on Corin (Sean Michael Lambrecht), a 30-year old ad exec in a five-year bumpy relationship with 23-year old party boy Jake (Jeff Dylan Graham). Corin's boss and friend Nancy (Brinke Stevens) understands Corin all too well, appreciates his relationship, but in attempting to relieve his work duties hires an assistant Elliot (Jerod Howard), a gender confused nerdy lad who is engaged to his lifelong chum Marti (Tina Ona Paukstelis) in a push from his mother (Judith O'Dea) to make things 'right'. Elliot is befriended by Corin, brought into Corin's and Jake's friendship, and Elliot and Marti and Corin and Jake begin socializing. Elliot falls for Corin, comes out of the closet to the extreme dismay of Marti and his mother, and despite Elliot's friendship with Corin and Jake, he begins to stalk Corin. Corin's rebuff of his advances leads to disaster and the film tumbles downhill from there.

Yes, some may view this weak little foray as being full of statements about love, obsession, relationships, and friendships, but all of that has been said far better before and without the seemingly tacked on genre of a horror film. The acting from the women in the film is good, but the men are blunted stereotypes. Everything about the film screams low budget. One annoying factor - a music score that sounds like lessons on electronic keyboards and obscures a lot of the dialogue - turns out to be a blessing in that the weak script is covered frequently. Most viewers will utilize the fast forward button to get through the repetitious dialogue and race for the end, a predictable, stagy tableaux that really doesn't resolve anything. Not worth two hours of your viewing time.

This is the worst piece of garbage I've ever seen. The acting by the two main guys isn't bad but the guy playing the crazy straight guy who becomes obsessed is over-the-top and cringe-inducing to behold. And as an extra layer of smelly crap within crap, the scene where the gay guys teach the straight guys how to have fun is offensive to gays everywhere. Way to reinforce stereotypes. Was this movie made by the Republican party? If you were a gay filmmaker, why would you put in a scene to show that straights are "squares" and need to be taught how to have a good time? AND that said time would be a (warning! shocking twist ahead!)...a DANCE PAR-TAY!

I did like the scene where the janitor in the background sneaks a swig from his mop bucket, that's the only reason I'm giving this mop-bucket-of-a-film one star instead of none? Haven't seen the sequel, maybe next time I want to botch a date I'll put it on as she goes running for the hills. Or maybe I'll just stick with the original to do the job.

After 40 minutes we called it quits. Poor acting and boring story line. Gay characters were dull and the supposed straight man was a joke. I didn't recognize Elliot's mother but I remembered her name from a horror movie back in the 60's...Night of the Living Dead. Her acting was bad back then and she never improved. Don't waste your time on this TURKEY! And, unbelievably, they made a sequel of this trach 2 years later!

This movie started out slow and it seemed like it was going to be another stupid low budget movie. But it got better and better until my friend and I were clutching pillows from the suspense.

I liked Sean Michael Lambrecht best as an actor in this movie. He played his character with a surprising amount of depth, and became eminently likable because of it. He's cute to look at, and he endears himself to you.

Yes, there was lots that could have been better. But the characters grow on you, the acting gets better as it goes on, and you end up on the edge of your seat.

The ending stayed with me for days, and I have been analyzing everything the characters did and didn't do. Rare that this happens to me with a movie, so say what you will about the budget, but this was a surprisingly fun movie to watch.