Butch Camp

Despite the fact that this film was inexplicably trying to tell about five stories at once, it still had about 10-15 hysterically funny moments. It could have been so much better if the stories had connected, but because whoever wrote this had an agenda or joke to make or stereotype to capture, it just went boomeranging inside a crazy box.

Judy Tenuta, who played the Butch Camp leader (and the Butch Camp was only one of the story lines in this crazy quilt of insanity), was initially funny, but ultimately, she was a one-note joke and she never got beyond screaming and yelling. I never got a sense of character. Paul Denniston, who is frequently compared to Michael J. Fox in reviews, was, on the other hand, consistently funny and although he wasn't given a deep character to portray, his comic timing, his commitment to what the character was and his great personal appeal made me an instant fan.

Again, some gut-busting lines and I might watch it again if I were in the mood to laugh, but unfortunately the disparate story lines, which the screenwriter tried (unsuccessfully) to weave together, were so distracting and unsatisfactory that the movie just doesn't cut it.

For a one-time viewing, it works... but only if you're gay and/or are familiar with enough 90s trivia to recognize the too frequent attempts to be "contemporary."

Having been a big fan of the Giver-Goddess (Judy) for over a decade, I rented this flick the other day. True, the acting and the direction of the actors could've been a lot better. The film is loaded, purposefully, with innuendo, cliché and stereotype humor. I knew that when it all started! The characters are likeable and the writing is ripe with gay sarcasm and campiness. What I loved most of all is my being pleasantly surprised that this is actually, in the end, an adorable romantic comedy! Well worth viewing. A thoroughly enjoyable film. Some queens just want everything to be all wrapped up in one perfect movie: Get real.

I rented this movie from one of my local video stores and hunkered down to watch. I wanted to love it. I really, really did, but...

While I love Judy Tenuta and always will, but her performance was rather weak, and her scenes at the Butch Camp were horribly directed and boring. In fact, it didn't seem like much of a camp at all. Perhaps "camp" in the title was supposed to mean that this film was supposed to be campy (which it wasn't).

But overall, the acting was probably the best thing about this meager attempt to be funny (which it rarely was). I guess it probably broke ground as a gay film when it was originally released, but the plot was incredibly flimsy and rambled a bit. I didn't care about most of the characters. There seemed to be many good ideas, but none of the plot lines offered much of a payoff in the end.

An amateur production filmed in Chicago with with lots of stereotypes. From dykes with bikes, to cross dressers to bitchy queens, the fill is a complete guide to gay stereotypes. The film goes on way too long...you will find yourself looking at watch...A LOT. Bad script. Even worst editing. Lousy acting. The film half of the film is barely passable, the second half is terrible. Just turn off the DVD and go do other more important things...like ironing. Paul Denniston is a likable sort but cannot carry a film. So called comedian Judy Tenuta is embarrassing to watch. Her segments seem to have been filmed separately and inserted into the film randomly. The rest of the cast should look for a new line of work...acting is out.

Although "Butch Camp" was a weak film, it did have it's redeeming qualities. It gave light wings to a hard and over looked metal shell. When you open up that shell you find laughter and some good acting.

Paul Denniston is pretty funny as the sorry Matt who needs and learns to stand up for himself. His Michael J. Foxish performance is second to none along with his timing.

Judy Tenuda is classic Judy. What more can you say. It's her stand up on the big screen.

Jason Teresi is the "Serious and Straight" (forgive the pun), in an over the top movie. He provides a much needed "realism" that adds drama, love, tenderness, and heart to the film. He pulls the movie together from all of the crazy directions it's going and brings them into a well rounded ball with no jagged edges. His performance is outstanding, which simply means that he stands out. If you focus the plot more on Matt and Rod, This could have been a whole different story and film.