The Brotherhood IV: The Complex

After Brotherhood III, there was only one way DeCoteau could go with the series, and that was up. And he did. Just not far enough. The Pros: 1) outstanding cast; 2) good performances by the actors (very RARE in a DeCoteau film); 3) high production value; 4) good location; 5) technically adept. The Cons: 1) script is talky, talky, talky; 2) special effects are cheesy; 3) NOTHING actually happens in this film. And I will soldier on to part 5......

When I see a movie has an IV in its title and I've never heard of the other three, I have a pretty good idea what I'm in for. Mmmmmmmm cheese, a huge heaping pile of Canadian cheese in fact.

Firstly I was attracted by its supposed genre, horror. Since I haven't had a good scare in a while I figured it should at least give me a jolt. No jolt was had. Okay, it wasn't at all scary, maybe an explosion or two, it does after all take place on a military base. No explosions to be seen. Alright, maybe it will be saved by a strong script and good acting. Oh no my friends, horrible script, and the most over the top acting I've seen to date and Michael Ironside wasn't even in it. So what does it have? What cinematic fruits does it bare? Naked moonlight walks to the showers, and hilariously bad lightning effects.

This is the most homo erotic movie to come out of Canada since Strange Brew. Long extended shower scenes with close ups on abs, naked finger painting of fellow cadets, and nary a woman to be seen. Oh, and Greco roman wrestling. Seriously this one shower scene made no sense. One of the cadets hears a disturbance and goes to check it out, takes a slow walk to the shower in just his tightly issue whiteys, like a very very slow walk for some reason, like John Wayne styles. Anyway, he goes to check it out, nothing of course. So, he decides well, I'm a little ripe, shower time for me. Okay longest, gayest shower scene ever. He hears the noise again, gets out of the shower, does same "Duke" Saunter back to his room, and finds nothing. So, since his shower was cut short, he returns to it, and begins to wash his abs once again, by this time I was quite flustered but enough about that, back to the movie. So, after he finishes showering he gets out and the scary lightning gets him. Oh, the horror (no exclamation point.)

Look, if you're a closet homosexual, which of coarse is okay by all means, and you want to stay in that nice safe closet and never let on but you need some cinematic accompaniment to your release then Brotherhood IV is the movie for you. If you want to watch a good old fashion scary movie, then my friend stay away and save yourself the confusing life shattering erections, I mean plot horrible plot.

David Decotau is a competent director. He has directed numerous Full Moon pictures like Puppet Master and Shrieker under pseudonyms. Those were both good films. However, his homosexuality seems to be his main motive for directing these days, and young buff guys in their boxer briefs seem to be his major visual reference. This is all fine and well, but he disguises these films as teen horror movies, not unlike Scream, and packages them the same. A typical straight male is not going to enjoy this type of movie, unless he is hiding something! I am getting sick of Mr. Decotau's films. They are polluting movie shelves and, quite frankly...gay or not, are really bad movies. This man ran out of steam long before Full Moon ran out of business. He must be stopped!

But that's because they're not the market David is trying to reach. He's trying to reach me and my friends. Slow walks in white boxer briefs across a gym in blue lighting. Boys at an academy. I think Mr. DeCoteau must have a good experience in his teens at a boys school. Midnight hot tub fun in wet dripping white boxer briefs.

Yum.

These films are for men who like men in danger and who are half dressed. Cool. Straight boys have T & A and we have David DeCoteau. The gentleman is getting better and better at making these types of films. His style continues to get risker, and risquer. The story lines are also more interesting, but I think style is what attractions, young gay men who want to giggle at the pseudo horror angle.

And what the hell is wrong with young, hot men in white boxer briefs. Nothing! I loved it when the bad dude, Victor, thrusts his pus into the "new kid's" face. It's all fun and provocative. Near the end of the film -- all the boys are on the bed (with the token fat chick) and Victor slowly undresses the good guy -- the music, the camera work - it's all very hot. What with the bad guys in their black boxer briefs and the good guys are in their -- well, you know.

Enjoy!