AshUnow
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
Roy Hart
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
mark.waltz
I keep a list of films I've seen and give them my own personal rating (0-4 stars); In retrospect, I had to give this one an "N/A" because I didn't consider it one I'd expect to find in a film review book such as Leonard Maltin's, didn't want to "bomb" it, or give it a ** or **1/2 and make it seem as worthy to rate as mainstream films. However, it is easier to rate on a 1-10 scale, so I felt that 4 was appropriate.The reason I didn't bomb it was because that in spite of its shortcomings, I found it rather entertaining and had fun laughing AT it, and WITH it. The two young male leads (Jamey Schrick and J.R. Jones) are actually quite natural and don't force their lines or over-do the camp element. They are actually quite a lot better than actors I've seen in other low-budget gay-theme films that either spoke in monotone or soap opera-ish predictability. They were cute without being too "hunky" (that gets old very fast), and were both quite likable. Even Jones in drag is quite understated, not making his character so femme that you can't stand to watch him. There is a comfortable level about him that should make viewers want to see him find true love. I liked him/her more than many professional female impersonators I've seen and met over the years.Skye Aubrey could have stolen every scene she was in with her Elaine Stritch gruffness in the beginning that softens as I got to know her character. She switches from Stritch's dead-pan to more of a Janis Paige lovable Auntie Mame type. As annoyed as I would be with someone like her character, I couldn't help but admire Trish Dempsey's performance as the Tess Harper "Crimes of the Heart" type neighbor. At first, I thought it might even be Ms. Harper. She was aggravating but funny. I loved many of the old horror movie and TV references, particularly to Aubrey's referral of Demsey as her neighborhood Gladys Kravitz ("Bewitched"). There was more attention to detail in the development of the lead characters so it was easier to overlook some of the weak spots. I could have done without the hostage situation, which takes it into an early John Waters type of theme, and the final sequence was a bit too hurried. For a viewer who might overlook this type of film to watch, based upon its extremely low budget (although it seems to have been filmed in some beautiful sections of the Hollywood Hills, which I seemed to recognize), it deserves more consideration than other low-budget gay themed films that cropped their way onto video store shelves in the 80's and 90's.Lastly, this film does require some suspension of belief; If you can't go in with your heart open to a possible romance between the two leading male characters, then forget about it; Otherwise, just enjoy what these creators were simply trying to do-Playfully honor types of films that today have become cult classics, while hopefully opening a few eyes to what gay relationships really are all about.
Michiel Flowers (mcdsmia)
I have never been a particularly huge fan of independent films, but this move has definitely changed my opinion of the 'Independent Film'. This movie was thoughtfully written and very well performed by all of the actors. I was especially impressed by the performance put forward by Jamie Schrick. His performance in this epic was extremely believable and well executed. I was, however, very disappointed to find out that he hasn't been in more films. This young man was excellent in this film and I feel that he shows real promise and would be great in other films as well. We definitely need to see more of this man in future movie productions! Somebody out there needs to sign this guy up and sign him soon! See ya at the movies!
NJMoon
BOLLYWOOD AND VINE starts of lame and gets progressively lamer as it wears on. The characters are mostly witless cut-outs aping Hollywood stereotypes of Indians, film stars, and homosexuals. Star Skye Aubrey is surely meant for greater things. In fact, a ribbon-cutting at a Beverly Hills WalMart might be an improvement. The plot is inane and unbelievable, going from one farcical situation to another without regard for pace, tone or honest character development. There are a few in-jokes intended for inveterate movie-goers, but they are so buried in the leaden script that they garner merely smiles, not laughs. Just when you hope this satirical Sunset Boulevard will 'dead end' it goes on another ten minutes! Bollywood and Vine is one address you won't want to visit - just drive by and honk. Ganesha forgive them!
sacredmonk
This movie.. Well, there aren't very many words that can describe it. It's pretty much unique in it's own way. Basically it is about a young boy who encounters another male who is straight, and becomes attracted to him. The movie is something you'd see on a public access channel, and in that it is pretty much obviously independent. All in all though, I was able to see the movie the whole thing through without thinking "this is crap, I'm turning it off". If it's a Friday night, you're bored, alone, and a female or non heterosexual male, this might be a movie to keep you entertained. The actors in the film are fairly good, and there aren't many "cheesy" parts in the film. Indeed the movie was quite strange as the main character dresses as a female to entice the other male who is new to the world of script writing. He fully intended on having the male star as a female in his movie, not knowing that he was in fact not who he thought he/she was at all. It's a wacky, brainless movie that can be put on to pass time. Therefore my vote is pretty much neutral, giving this movie a see it if you want, or don't see it if you don't want to attitude.
