Socket
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Movie Reviews of Socket
Movie Review: Circuit party
Summary: 3 Stars
An interesting allegorical film on addiction, "Socket" is a sexy, dark, and perversely funny gay science fiction flick. After a lightning accident, Dr. Bill Matthews (Derek Long) receives an invitation from an intern, Craig (Matthew Montgomery, Gone But Not Forgotten). Turns out that Craig, like Dr. Matthews, is a survivor of a lightning bolt and he has friends with similar stories. What they also share, in a weird reversal of 12-step support groups, is a secret addiction. After that first taste, they all want more, and group leader Mike (writer/director Sean Abbey) has the generator to provide it.
Soon, Dr Matthews finds that he not only feels community with the juicers, but he needs more to function in his daily life. He brings the group new methods of more direct "connections," so to speak, and falls into a relationship with his intern. But like all too many addicts, Dr Matthews soon discovers that he needs even more than the group can give him, and tragically discovers the only way he can get the full dose he needs. The spiral of addiction fuels "Socket," and Dr Matthews' new double life adds to the tension.
The premise is interesting and the actors do a pretty good job of conveying the confusing world of professional level addicts. Dr. Matthews battles with the reality of his addiction and the facade he needs to maintain at work, sneaking off to "plug in" and hoping nobody discovers how deep he's gone. Long does a good job at this split personality, and Montgomery's turn as at first the guide and then the spurned to the group is "Socket's" best performance. If seeing a gay film that doesn't follow a typical path piques your interest, then the suspenseful "Socket" will turn you on.
Movie Review: Interesting concept and actor, so-so movie
Summary: 3 Stars
The best part of this movie is actor Derek Long. He is way too good for this low budget film. He has a wonderfully expressive face and he has the talent to fully and authentically inhabit his character rather than rely on a few superficial acting class tricks. He is so good that I am going to look for him in other films. This guy can play anyone.
The film itself is about a small perverse group that gets its kicks from electrocuting itself. Doesn't sound like fun to me but then I don't care for sushi either. Once you get over the initial surprise of the premise, the film loses interest fairly quickly. Derek long, however, is interesting to watch throughout. So, you will probably buy this movie for its gay or odd theme. You will remember it for Long.
Movie Review: Enjoyable
Summary: 3 Stars
I have to admit after reading the reviews I waited until this movie went on sale to purchase it. I wasn't expecting much. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoyed this movie. The two leads, Bill and Craig (Matthew Montgomery from "Gone, But Not Forgotten") had great chemistry together and the plot was extremely original.
Now I have seen better production values on a Sci-Fi channel Saturday night movie, but for a low-budget, sci-fi and gay-themed film this movie is far better than say "Boa vs. Python" or "Megasnake."
Take a chance on this film, I think you'll like it.
Movie Review: Do NOT try this at home.
Summary: 2 Stars
Hats off to the folks behind "Socket", who aim to create a whole new genre of film: gay-science fiction. In comparison to other gay-blenderized themes (such as gay-horror in "Hellbent") they succeed pretty admirably. The shoestring budget that this film was made on is obvious, but not painfully so for a change, and the premise is really intriguing.
The story goes like this: at some point before the opening credits, surgeon Bill Matthews (Derek Long) has been struck by lightning. While recuperating in the hospital where he also happens to work, he is tended to by hottie intern Craig Murphy (gay indie favorite Matthew Montgomery), who has the hots back for the Bill. Post-discharge (pun intended), Murphy introduces Bill to a secretive support group of lightning strike survivors, all of whom have found a physical - and sexual - attraction to electricity. Together they have twelve-step-style meetings which lead up to the group getting "juiced up" in unison. Bill quickly falls into the new lifestyle, but before too long a periodic jolt becomes insufficient; his thirst for each charge becomes more insatiable, leading him to a bizarre bit of self-mutilation... and worse.
Sure, the idea is kind of silly... but this isn't the first time something like this has been tried. In 1996, David Cronenberg tried to connect fetishism to automobile accidents in "Crash" (no, not the Best Picture winner of 2005.) It didn't really work there... "Socket" has better luck conveying the idea.
The film's biggest strength lies in the very clear allegory it creates in reference to drug abuse. What is first an incredible release for Bill - and a means to connect with others - quickly dissolves into something controlling and destructive. And although Derek Long's performance is obvious to the point that it's blunt, it doesn't keep this aspect of the film from succeeding nicely.
So why the two stars and no more? Because, after all the great set-up work, "Socket" completely fails to deliver the jolt (pun intended again) it promises. The last quarter of the film is disappointingly lackluster, and the ending is so flat it almost makes you wonder if they inadvertently chopped off a final scene. There was a great opportunity to take the electricity/drug analogy to a wild and transcendental ending... instead we get something bleak and boring. Downcast is one thing... unsatisfying is another.
Movie Review: Turn on,tune in,drop out
Summary: 2 Stars
"Socket" is a weird blend of Grey's Anatomy meeting David Cronenberg's "Dead Ringers",all the while lacking the excellence of both. Dr. Matthews (Matthew Montgomery) is electrocuted, only for his intern Craig (Derek Long) to lead him to the thrills of electricity. Talk about singing the body electric. They share a secret double life. "Socket" gives a whole new meaning to the term "circuit party."
"Socket" has some interesting concepts,and genuinely horrific moments, but fails epically in its execution. The leads are homely. This movie also boasts some of the least erotic homoeroticism ever. It's surprising NARTH and EXODUS haven't snapped this up,since this movie would straighten men out. It's not as if the directors cast any genuine male hotties like Jake Gyllenhaal, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood or John Barrowman. Then again,they probably couldn't afford it. The gay bar scenes are,sad to say,the few good ones,other than the banter between Dr. Matthews' lesbian friends.
"Socket" tries to turn you on, but it's a turn-off. Best to leave it unplugged.