Going Down in LA-LA Land

....."Brokeback Mountain." ......(*Alternate title for this review: "I Hear the Crabcakes are Excellent").

In its first near two-thirds running time, "Going Down in Blah-Blah Land," is the typical "Hollywood meat grinder" story about all those aspiring, young Newbies scrambling for a foothold, after arriving in the world's film capital. (WARNING: Beware those Gay video porn-mills!). ....Ah, BUT, then come the very best parts, where we start to see...(well, you'll find that out, below).

NOW TO OUR CAST: And saving the best for last, here's a glimpse at the major characters...beginning with:

• *Allison Lane, as the ditzy B(Girl)FF of the male Lead. Named "Candy", she is the supportive and often funny--yet sometimes tiresome--friend from back home. (Good for Allison...she gets more screen time than anyone other than our main star).

• Next, in a major (time-wise) supporting role, we have the Director, himself: Casper Andreas, playing a "User" of a guy, who we'll later see as the true scuzzball he becomes. (This viewer thinks Andreas would do well, in future, spending all his time BEHIND the camera....for I'm starting to picture him as he appears in his last scene---or is that just effective acting?).

• AND FINALLY: Let's speak to that "CHEMISTRY" mentioned above. RARELY, in an American produced Gay film, do we get to see such an emotionally deep relationship between two men. It was obviously developed by main actor, Matthew Ludwinski (as our gorgeous "Adam") and his co-lead, Michael Medico (as sweet, but closeted, "John") during their shooting time with one another. Their "few" scenes together will keep you RIVETED. We can a..l...most Touch what they burn off the screen at us. (And there's the shame of this movie: 56 and one-half minutes into it before we even see this couple together--except for a "prologue" of sorts). NEVERTHELESS, you tell me if the likes of this film relationship has been seen, in this country, since the days of "Brokeback Mountain"!

Oh, I had my doubts, well into this movie......but Matthew Ludwinski held me to it.

****

Young hunky Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) moves from New York to California to become an actor. He shares an apartment with a friend named Candy (Allison Lane) but can't find work. Finally, in desperation, he takes a job as a production assistant for gay porn movies. His good looks and muscular body catch the attention of executives in the company and he starts posing for nudes and eventually "graduates" into doing gay porn. Then he falls in love head over heels with a closeted TV performer (beautifully played by Michael Medico) but then tragedy strikes.

I think director Caper Andreas is very talented. I've seen most of his other movies and have (to varying degrees) liked them. This is very good. Not his best but still good. The script is tight and moves quickly. Ludwinski is an incredibly hot man and a pretty good actor. He has frequent shirtless scenes and there's quick flashes of nudity from him. Also Andreas plays Nick--a photographer--and him and Ludwinski have some very hot guy-on-guy kissing scenes. Also there's a small role by Andreas' regular Jesse Archer and Judy Tenuta and cameos by Bruce Vilanch and Perez Hilton. Despite the porn setting there's no full frontal nudity (except for once briefly) and no explicit sex. It all ends up in a big happy ending (which is totally unrealistic) and has good acting across the board. So it's worth catching.

I liked the movie for being mostly light-hearted, but still posing some serious issues (coming out, entourage, drugs).

The film has its share of gay stereotypes, all in good fun. You have the fag hag, the gossipers at the bar, and the not-so-common hag-of-the-other- fag (more or less) which obviously starts on the wrong foot with the protagonist.

Still, the movie is not entirely predictable and the acting, while slightly over the top at times, makes it worthwhile.

It's not ground-breaking, yet not cheesy. A really good movie to watch at home on that day when you feel tired and need something to lift up your spirits.

I'm not often kind to the genre and with good reason. Most gay themed movies are either over the top drama or or so poorly produced as to be unwatchable.

The storyline is a bit old with boy leaving New York believing he'll hit it big in LA but bites it big time. Porn is awfully enticing when you're broke and on the verge of starvation but nothing will ruin a career faster. The love interest here will tell you that.

Production values are pretty good here. The budget didn't break the bank but they did a great job with what they had. The acting is acceptable by most accounts. Lighting sound and direction are pretty solid.

Trust me. It takes a lot for me to be kind. I can count on one hand the number of quality American gay films and this just might qualify.

I have been watching gay cinema for about two years now and its really hard to find those decent movies. You have to go through tons to find those ones that really are good. This movie is absolutely one of them. Amazing acting and on screen chemistry between the actors make this a move you would want to see over and over again.

The director starring in this movie was daring and works really well as I can not imagine seeing that character portrayed by anyone else. Candy, Adam and John are all amazing characters as well and they just jump off screen and its as if your watching real life and not something on the television or computer screen.