Shelter
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Movie Reviews of Shelter
Movie Review: SHELTER
Summary: 5 Stars
SHELTER is a sweet film about a 20-something guy struggling with his family, his future, and his sexuality. Supposedly straight Zach lives in a poor neighborhood with his deadbeat dad and his needy sister who'd rather party than care for her son Cody. Zach is an artist, but he's missing out on going to art school because he's working to support his family, and he's Cody's unofficial primary caretaker. Zach's wealthy (straight) best friend Gabe is off at school and Zach's off-and-on girlfriend doesn't have much time for him, so Zach spends most of his free time surfing. When Zach discovers that Gabe's older (gay) brother Shaun has come back home for a while after a bad breakup, the two start hanging out. Their surfing sessions together lead to a deeper friendship, and a kiss leads to confusion, which only adds to Zach's struggles.
A film with this storyline has the potential to come off sounding like an after-school special about homosexuality, but SHELTER is so much more than that. It's a sweet story about love, family, duty, and acceptance. Sure, there's angst and conflict, but it's realistic and, more importantly, it's appropriate. Zach's hesitation to begin a permanent relationship with Shaun stems more from Zach's obligations to his family than from his fear of being labeled as gay. Zach is understandably conflicted, but Shaun is patient and kind and never pushes or makes accusations.
The supporting cast in this movie is wonderful. The on-off girlfriend is a very strong character, and best friend Gabe's scenes with Zach and with Shaun are great. The "confrontation" scene between Gabe and Zach is beautiful and touching, and is different from so many of the "coming out" scenes we're used to.
The actors that play Zach and Shaun have amazing chemistry, which really impressed me since I believe both are straight, and I know at least one of the men is married IRL. The scenes between Zach and Shaun are sensual and romantic, and the sexual tension is thick. There's nothing explicit in this movie. The very few love scenes in the movie are surprisingly tame as far as content, but at the same time that palpable tension and sizzling chemistry make them incredibly hot and sensual. The first real love scene is a scene of total surrender, and it's absolutely beautiful, both artistically and emotionally.
I recommend this movie to any fan of beautiful romance between men. It's sweet, sexy, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable. It's one of the best movies I've seen this year.
Movie Review: Gimme Shelter...
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes, rarely, after having watched dozens upon dozens of disappointing films, you get lucky and come across one that not only lives up to, but surpasses all the praise that more often than not was just hype anyways. And... also sometimes, you go back to watch it a second time just to see if your first impression was correct, and you are horrified to see that you were mistaken and that this is just a lousy film and you don't know what you were thinking. Have I sufficiently confused you? Then let me just say that this film, "Shelter", was one of the most beautiful, surprising, well acted, noble films I've ever seen. These actors, most of whom are either unknown or not "stars", are so, so much better than the small but undying, rotating, irritating crop of so called superstars that monopolize every churned out piece of Hollywood garbage. The performances here are so seamless, modest, and real, that you feel that you are watching just that, real life. Of course, watching real life can be boring, and what most actors and films of today completely fail at is to not only make the story interesting, but enables it to go beyond being entertainment to give it that intangible element of realism that truly moves you. In this film you feel their pain, joy, loneliness, frustration, and liberation in your very gut, and that is rare for films today, especially a "small' film that does not bang you over the head with special effects or try and bring a tear to your eye with overacting and ear splitting sweeping music. Though this film has a gay story line, it is relevant to anyone who is alive, and it's message about love, loyalty, and being true to yourself is for everyone. I will not go on and i will not tell you the story line as plenty of other reviewers have already done this, and some of them very well. I will only say that as a person who grew up loving the movies and having been disappointed in 95% of all the films made in the last 25 years, it is so refreshing, enjoyable, and heartening to come across a film as beautiful as this one. It is poetry. It is perfect. It hopefully makes some people aware that there are different and positive qualities that define a "family." It is the best film of it's kind that I have ever seen. And the actors, director, writer, etc..should all be extremely proud of their accomplishment, and, as a disheartened, quality- starved filmgoer, i thank them all.Movie Review: Best romance and character development for gay themed film
Summary: 5 Stars
Jonah Markovitz gets an A+ for this project. Lead actors Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe also get an A+ for creating amazing yet believable chemistry between two gay men rarely seen before on the American silver screen. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal did so with Brokeback but they also had a powerhouse director Ang Lee in an epically long film. Trevor and Brad deserve extra credit points on their permanent record cards. These men know how to express themselves with their eyes when words are pointless. Trevor Wright is a young Kathy Bates in the making.
Others have been critical of Brad's character Shaun saying that he was too patient. I disagree. This guy was rebounding from a split up in L.A. but as a writer he had the awareness to see the potential in Zach as a keeper. He saw the young man's selflessness and his freedom from the typical gay baggage.
The supporting actors also contribute greatly and are almost equally developed for their smaller roles. Tina Holmes' portrayal of the alcoholic sister is well played in her desperation not to be abandoned by another man. The role was dark and non-glamerous for the actress but she, along with the direction of Markovitz, create empathy and understanding for the character. Tina Holmes's character Tori shows emotional intelligence beyond her age and beauty. Ross Thomas as Gabe is adorable and comedic yet he too is developed to show admirable depth in his care for his best friend Zach.
The production quality is a standout for a low-budget indie thanks to the dollars invested by here! Films. The soundtrack is perfect and plays a key role in the film. Shane Mack's tracks define the tone of the film.
My only quibble is that the film could have been 15 minutes longer giving us a few more dialogue scenes with Zach and Shaun.
The story is perfectly set up for a sequel. I truly hope that Jonah will pitch the idea to here! Films and we as viewers can see how the characters lives evolve near CalArts.
I bought 3 copies of the DVD for family and friends who didn't see it in its short theatrical run. I also downloaded the soundtrack from iTunes.
PS: Producer J.D. Disalvatore is a hoot with her fun blogsite The Smoking Cocktail. Her dogs are in the film in the beach scenes in San Pedro and Malibu.
Movie Review: "Breaking Waves Beach?"
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm so jealous of young gay men today! They get to go to the movies and see gay characters that are three dimensional and well-developed; homosexuality is just one aspect of their personalities and not necessarily their defining characteristics. Gone are the campy clowns, ubiquitous drag queens, and tragic AIDS victims that were required in the movies I grew up watching. In movies like "Brokeback Mountain" and "Shelter", the story is about two people falling in love who happen to be gay, which results in a much more realistic movie, and one which a wider audience can, I think, appreciate.
The photography in "Shelter" is absolutely top-notch. I used to live in L.A., and I have never seen so many beautiful sunsets in my life! The surf photography makes you want to run out and buy a board immediately and the footage while the actors are driving makes you feel like you are in the car with them. I think there is enough creative camera-work to keep any fan of independent films happy. Watch for how the shots of "Zach's" art transition smoothly into shots of buildings in the film, underlining the the title.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the quality of acting in this film. Whenever I see a movie in which the gay characters are portrayed by straight actors, I must admit I watch with a critical eye, but Brad Rowe and especially Trevor Wright, do an excellent job here. They really portray the intimacy between their characters, not just the lust. My favorite scene is when they are just lying in bed talking, and you can see in Zach's eyes how this relationship has become "shelter" from the stress of his life. I also love how Trevor Wright appears 16 when he is happily looking at Brad Rowe's character, but looks like he's pushing thirty when burdened by the weight of expectations from others. Tina Holmes also does a terrific job; somehow you feel sympathy for her character despite the terrible choices she makes.
I guess I'm biased, because this film is now one of my all-time favorites! I could, and will, watch it over and over again. A critic quoted on the DVD package calls this film an "instant classic", and I am in complete agreement because I believe gay men 10 years from now will be able to appreciate it just as much as we can today.
Movie Review: Honest, realistic, heart-tugging and bravely different
Summary: 5 Stars
The plot synopses of other reviewers will have to do for those who want to know more about the movie's storyline. A couple of weeks ago, I found myself in a bookshop where the movie was being rented by someone, and told them "You will LOVE this movie. It's agonizingly slow and sometimes painful, yet the ending is WELL worth sitting through the painful parts [painful as we see Zach's character going through his own changes in the way he sees the world and himself]." I have since purchased the movie through Amazon.com, and am waiting on its delivery, and have bought the music soundtrack. All of the laudatory comments in favor of this movie here may be a bit much, yeah [especially so if you read as many of them as I just did] but I believe "Shelter" deserves it. The story could not be more realistic, I believe, as it is portrayed through the two male leads, and - the other reviewers are right when they say it - the eyes say more and better than words ever could, in real life OR on the silver screen.
A now ages-old phrase - "Truth is stranger than fiction" - can be honestly paraphrased for this movie, "Truth is far more endearing than fiction," as "Shelter" portrays something we see hardly anywhere from Hollywood, and that is characters that are not caricatures, and portrayed by people who are not being picked for star-power, rather, people who are talented, assisting in bringing us a story worth watching, and caring about. By the way, if you are prone to tears, I would suggest watching it with some tissues at hand, as it has a tendency to evoke some "wet" moments.
Five stars for "Shelter," and definitely a "heads-up!!!" for the music from the film!!! The music alone brings tears to my eyes, but the movie?!?!? All I can say is "WOW!!!" I have listened to the CD repeatedly for a solid week now, and only have the 1 CD in my car. Shane Mack's voice - especially so on "Lie to Me" - may honestly "haunt" you, as it has me. It is WELL worth the investment for any serious collector, for both the DVD and CD!!!