Eating Out: All You Can Eat

I was in the audience for Eating Out (Part One) at the LGBT Frameline film festival and, frankly, would have walked out if I hadn't been trapped in the middle of the row. That having been said, I really enjoyed this sequel to a sequel of a sequel. The downside is that either the acting is still facile and sophomoric (the fatal flaw in the earlier film) or the direction was lacking. The upside is that the snappy one-liners are now really zingy one-liners, which may indicate that the problem was with the direction and not the cast. Confessionally, the nudity was a huge(okay, pun intended) plus. Michael E.R. Walker, in a supporting role,does double duty. If you want a deep,thought-provoking film that probes the gay psyche, this is not your film. If you would like to laugh (a lot) and, yes, be titillated, you won't go wrong.

The story was not new at all and the dialogue was not executed perfectly (some jokes could have been funnier if executed better, some of the story more believable...), but this movie has other qualities that redeem it. Ryan (Michael) did quite well in this movie. He shows promise as an actor (and isn't hard on the eyes). Zack (Chris Salvatore) is not only (REALLY) attractive and likable, that's him signing over the credits and he's got some talent. I really hope to see both of them go further. And... without spoiling... the, let's call it "couch" scene is pretty hot.

Tiffani gave a good contribution. I feel like Tandy was under-utilized. The lead was a little too... low-key. But likable.

As a quality story... this movie does not make it. Predictable and it was not executed well enough. I also hate speeches (not to imply there was one at any point in the movie, that is just a random comment, perhaps). But this wasn't an attempt at art and it was enjoyable.

As a place for new talent to emerge... that may be where this movies finds its success. I think the best thing to come out of this movie would be more work for Michael (Ryan) and Chris (Zack).

Young, cute, thin and gay Casey (Daniel Skelton) lusts after hunky Zack (Chris Salvatore). With the help of friend Tiffani (Rebekah Kochan) he makes a profile online and uses the pics of her str8 stripper ex-boyfriend Ryan (Michael E.R. Walker) to lure Zach. Zach falls for "Ryan"...but the REAL Ryan show up.

The plot is completely predictable and the events like this would never happen in real life. Also most of the comedy falls flat. But, I liked this! It's quick (only 80 minutes including the credits), it has a friendly "feel" to it and the cast is rearing to go. Kochan has been in all three of these "Eating Out" movies and she's fun...if a little over the top. Skelton isn't TOO nerdy as Casey (I mean that in a good way). Salvatore is incredibly handsome. He's not all pumped up but he's so good-looking you won't notice! His acting is just OK. Walker IS all pumped up and incredibly good-looking as Ryan...but his acting seems a little unsure. Also there's impressive full frontals of Salvatore AND Walker! So it isn't good but I liked it. I give it an 8.

This movie is a hilarious soft core porn romp and Rebekah is a hoot. She's incapable of deadpan anything and always has the tiniest little smirk on her face. Chris Salvatore is probably one of the most gorgeous specimens of men, gay or straight, I've ever seen. He is so extraordinarily universally handsome that it should be a crime. The eating out series is well done with good production values and better than mediocre acting. We need more fun in gay themed movies like this rather than the BS dramas with all the tragedy everyone believes typifies the gay experience. Ok. So they believe This one does too. Who cares?

A woman helps a gay friend find love with his crush on a dating website by posting his profile with a pic of her hot ex. But problems arise when her ex arrives and they have to keep the charade up. Although it's really more of the same this is the best entry yet. The two leads have good chemistry, although all of the performances leave something to be desired. There's lots more eye candy this time around and the movies even more raunchy. Hunky Chris Salvatore is a welcome edition and underneath all the whoriness is a heart.

7/10