Shelter
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Movie Reviews of Shelter
Movie Review: A gay love story that makes you feel good for a change!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sure "Shelter" had its moments of conflict and drama, but this is one of a very few gay love stories I have seen that doesn't dwell too much on the dark side of gay life in the 21st century.
Zach is a talented artist from the wrong side of the tracks who has to take care of his "family": A neglectful and self-centered sister, her 5 year old son, and his disabled father. Zach often dreams of leaving it all behind and pushes away his best friend and girlfriend, brooding and resigning himself to a life supporting all those around him while neglecting himself. He finds "shelter" so to speak in his art, surfing and skating, spending time with his young nephew who calls him "daddy", and eventually in the arms of an older wiser man named Shaun.
Shaun is a struggling writer visiting the beach to recover from a breakup. He is Zach's best friend's brother, and the two hit it off when they bump into one another on the beach. What follows is a touching, sexy trip as Zach realizes who he is and finds a way to break out of the rut he is in with the help of his lover and two best friends.
"Shelter" isn't perfect, but it is a huge step forward as far as gay love stories go in my opinion. Zach and Shaun are believable characters. Self-loathing, panicking parents, and stereotypes are washed out to sea in this gay film that focuses mainly on the drama and struggles of everyday life. Zach especially is a great character, trying to hold it together and do what is best for everyone he loves. The film also features a great soundtrack, which grows on you every time you hear it.
"Shelter" pulls at your heartstrings and makes you smile, something I wish more gay-themed movies would do.
Movie Review: Just Right
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is tone perfect. What amazes me is how authentic it feels, whether we are watching surfers, "dudes" around the campfire and their girlfriends, the life of a short-order cook and devoted uncle, or two young men falling in love. It made my heart ache, just like real life sometimes.
Beyond the romantic love story, the film is a testimonial to family love: kindness, loyalty, tolerance and solidarity. Without making a too-obvious statement, it delivers the highly political message that gay men have a place in family life and, in some cases, are the anchor for everyone else. The main character, Zach, never questions the rightness or inevitability of his commitment to his nephew and his sister, and although several other characters talk about his making a "choice," we see (and he tells us) that it is a given, not a choice. In view of the circumstances he faces -- nowhere job, collapsing home environment, impossible future -- he is truly heroic just to carry on. It is inspiring to see him struggling to find love for himself while meeting all of the standards he has set for himself with respect to others.
Trevor Wright's performance is extraordinary. He seems so completely natural that it doesn't feel as if he is acting at all. Since this is the only time I've ever seen him, I can only wonder whether he could bring the same conviction to another role, but he totally inhabits this one. The subtle ways that his character expresses his affection for the little boy are credible and affecting. He is very likeable and lovable.
The other performers, particularly Brad Rowe and Tina Holmes, are also excellent. The happy ending is satisfying and persuasive.
Movie Review: Beautiful, powerful, poignant love/life story - See it & read it now!
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't even begin to praise the writer/director for this film enough. This movie is beautifully directed. The actors are phenomenal, and several scenes and the scenery can take your breath away. The montages should have editing awards and the sound track is so wonderful if you are any thing like me you will start looking for Shane Mack's CDs.
Love is a powerful emotion and in this movie, Jonah Markowitz (writer/director) takes you to all the corners of it. From the young man who has loved his family so unconditionally that his wants and needs are never thought about. To the friends he has loved, cherished and respected. And especially to the man he comes to love who teaches him what it's like to be on the receiving end and valued for the person he is first.
I'm a 47 year old woman who has been reading romance books for almost 30 of those years. It's rare for any movie to capture so many sides love. I see praises for this movie as the best gay romance. That is almost an insult to this movie, to limit it as such. This is one of the best romance (happy ending) movies I have seen in a very, very long time. If you're looking for a romance that will bring many emotions to the surface look no more.
BUY WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL WATCH THIS OVER AND OVER, I HAVE!!!
Oh and thanks Jonah for the book! To those who don't know this movie has been put in book form. Comes out in June (2010) and I've already pre-order several copies and can not wait to read it.
Movie Review: Sensible shoes :)
Summary: 5 Stars
Shelter is an incredible love story. But it is also much more than that.
The acting is good, the story is incredible. The love story is sweet and simple and unexpected--finding love with your best friend's brother.
But what I find most exceptional about this film is a basic underlying theme that sometimes gay people are the ones with the common sense. Obviously, in Zach's family, only Zach and Cody have any common sense. Zach feels an extreme sense of obligation to Cody while it is painfully obvious that Cody's mother is lacking in maternal instinct.
I think at first many will find Jeanne, Cody's mother, to be a somewhat shocking character in her nearly total disregard for her son's well being. Sadly, it is all too common.
In the end, Shelter is a beautiful love story where pure and simple love is found among a sad and complicated situation and it is pure magic that a family is born out of all the turmoil.
There are moments of absolute magic in this film...scenes that should melt your heart...and yet they are actually quite simple. When Shaun is looking at Zach's book of drawings and expresses the fact that he "get's it" and understands the meaning in the drawings and Zach just looks at Shaun in stunned silence. The other scene is where Shaun tries to convince Zach to come over for steaks and tells Zach to bring Cody along. Shaun again proves he "get's it" in understanding Zach's total commitment to his family. Men and situations like that are rare.
Movie Review: Most impressive and memorable gay movie I have ever seen!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just recently started renting gay movies online. I never have before because so many of them are just campy, soft porn or just about the same thing (guys trying to get laid). Shelter is one movie which has made me very glad I did start renting this genre. The first thing that made me interested was, of course, the main characters. (Shaun is my ideal dream man.) But, after I started watching the movie, I realized there was so much more to it than the usual hot actors. I'm usually not too impressed with the storyline in a lot of the movies I watch because so many of them are the same thing over and over. Shelter immediately drew me in and made me want to watch more. So seldom do you see any romantic movies that show such compassion, challenge, sacrifice and realistic day-to-day struggles. I couldn't help but want everything to start going well for Zach, especially after he ran into Shaun. Zach had such responsibilities and character for someone so young. His sacrificing his dream of being an artist so he could take care of his nephew really touched my heart. I could definitely relate to the difficulties he had coming out to his friends and family. The movie was well written. The chemistry was off the charts. The character development was very well done. This is a movie I would truly want my friends and family (both gay and straight) to watch. It was a movie that left me with that happy lumpy feeling in my chest and the sparkle of happy tears in my eyes. It will definitely be in my "Favorites" section of my movies.