Rating: 
Summary: The Best of the Olympia Series, So Far
Review: "Traveling to Olympia" interweaves two separate, gay-positive stories.The larger one shows Johnny, a slight 19-year old (played by Justin McFarlane), leaving a reform school in Chehalis, Washington, hitchhiking north to Olympia and eventually moving in with a hunky lawyer-lover, Joel (played by Michael Harboush), in Seattle. Assisting are the popcorn king's young son, Chip (played by Donald Allen), and his new lover, Washington State Senator Matthew Bradley (played by Dennis T. Kleinsmith). This is a story of how gay people can help one-another come out and overcome obstacles on the way to true love and social justice. The smaller story is told almost completely in pantomime and music. An unnamed actor (possibly Michael S. Parker) comforts and cleans up a fellow caught up in a hate bombing of a gay youth center. The fellow runs off later with another one, leaving the actor alone. In the next installment, he is able to find someone else and make a successful go of it in an emotionally satifying way. One can criticize the lack of extras on the DVD and the script's demand that so many characters provide their personal and family histories. The characters are more psychological profiles than real people. I would have liked the Jeff character (who was not linked to an actor's name) to have had a bigger role since he had the looks and the ability to deliver lines well. The movie is low budget, the acting is fair, but the movie's heart is in an unusually positive and constructive place, showing people's resiliance well. The movie depicts a variety of normal, but nice-looking people, not just the denizens of the local gym. The many skin shots are well done. Uplifting but not deep.
Rating: 
Summary: LOTS OF GOOD GAY HISTORY AND SCENES
Review: All three of RAF's films take place in Olympia, WA. I watched "Murder" first and then, in a single afternoon, the first two as well. Their formula varies little, and includes: unusually cute young men (at least one of whom is troubled, new in town, and/or needs help); a sex scene or two (in the context of loving partners); a variety of characters of all ages and persuasions (their apparent use of street people is reminiscent of Gus Van Sant); a healthy dose of sex-ed and gay politics; good music. It works. The stories are interesting (even touching), the characters are winning (often beautiful), and the endings are positive. "Murder" centers around a young and extraordinarily handsome 'straight' cop (not credited by role so I don't know his name, malheureusement), who is recruited to investigate the killing of two gay men. To say he learns MUCH about the gay community he infiltrates would be rather a zenith in understatement. Suffice it to say, he is dedicated to his work and goes 'under cover' in more ways than one to solve the crime. All the RAF films have plenty to offer if you just look beyond their low-budget parameters and drink in the actors, characters, stories, and message. I can't wait for the next one, along with the pleasure of a sweet, funny, character-driven movie in this age of macho, jingoistic nonsense.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing Film.
Review: I am amazed by some of the positive reviews of this movie. First, the production value of this film is extremely poor. The sound is awful, and the soundtrack which never seems to end gets to be so loud at times that it drowns out the dialogue. Second, the acting is, for the most part, atrocious. I have seen junior high school productions which had better acting than this movie. Third, the plot made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Aside from the inexplicable relationship between the old man and the wealthy young guy, two people appear in the middle of the movie, hang out, make out, and then disappear--they are never tied into the movie's plot whatsoever! There are many, many excellent low budget gay films out there. I highly recommend "I Think I Do" instead of this movie. In addition, I also highly recommend "Urbania" and "The Broken Heart's Club." I also highly recommend that you save your money and avoid this pathetic attempt at film-making at all costs!!!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THIS MOVIE
Review: I hate people who dish other peoples work. They do nothing themselves but take the time to cut someone else down. I LOVED THIS MOVIE. You could tell it was about the gay community and not how straights in Hollywood want top portray us. The actors were good, I had no problem with the sound (i have a [cheap] dvd), i liked the music and the story was great. To the person who did not like it, GET A LIFE.
Rating:
Summary: Traveling to Olympia
Review: I have seen "Traveling to Olympia" on DVD. It was one of the best movies I have ever seen. It was wonderful and I am looking forward to more from this company. Please let everyone know I do not agree with the other two bad reviews.
Thank You,
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE- BUY IT
Review: I liked this movie, it is that simple.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story and Cast
Review: I totally disagree with the review from Illinois. This was a wonderful story. With hope for gays and lesbians. The actors were young and very talented. I thought the sound was fine. I understood every word. It must be a Hootterville Illinois thing with the last reviewer. If you are going to buy or rent a video this year this one should be on your list. The only thing i did not like was some of the young men were nude. But they are also nude in straight movies.
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Independent Film with Imperfections
Review: Like one review I read that was quite simple, I agree: "I liked this film". It was filled with good qualities, and yes, some flaws. I purchased this film out of curiosity - how could it be rated a 1 and a 5? I had to see for myself.
The Good: I liked the story line, and the valid attempt at making a point (almost documentary style) about speaking out about the gay rights of youth in America. I was around when "ACT UP" first made waves in our country, and this film tries in it's own way to weave a good story line, and sexual excitement.
The Story: Follows the plight of a young lad (Johnny) after his release from several years in a correctional facility. He gets a job, and a small place to live, makes an honest living and will not hustle for sex - Cheers on this point! He actually has great qualities, and soon finds himself in a relationship with a somewhat older guy named Joel. The second story line follows 2 friends of Joel's, one a young wealthy college student, the other a 40-something politician. The 2 forge a relationship (quickly I might add) which includes the movies first intense sexual scene (some might say soft porn - we never see the act, but you'll see more then in an R-rated film). The relationship changes viewpoints and makes our politician come "out" while supporting gay rights. A third story line (sub-plot) is odd, and would likely have been cut from any major studio release. You might call it a filler plot to add some more beauty and sex to the film. Clearly the idea behind the film is to keep the viewer waiting for more (sex that is). The ending is wrapped up nicely...no more details here.
The Bad: The audio is bad. But deal with it. They clearly didn't have a lot of money here. I'm not making excuses, but let's be fair - this is not a Warner Brothers release - because they would never release such an artsy in your face film. The acting and direction are on par for a film with a small budget, and yes, some of it is bad - but could I do better? It often reminded me of a community theater performance. There are no DVD extras, and I wasn't expecting any. It's clearly an original film, and some simply won't like the flaws in acting, direction and sound. The royalty-free background (and often the foreground) music got to be a bit overbearing.
Bottom Line: This would be a great film for a party with friends - you will laugh, either at some of the campy lines, or the film flaws that are in your face! And you'll like it if you want to see some sexual scenes - without the sex actually on camera. Parts of the movie are hot! Definitely not a 5, and definitely not a one. I give it a solid 3 (so close to 4) - and I will likely check out other films from Richard Anthony Films. And if you want the true independents to survive, support films like this one.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved It!!!
Review: Possibly the movie wasn't as technically flawless as some that I've seen, give the guys a break, we're not talking a 2 million dollar budget. The actors brought a wonderful honesty to the characters, they didn't shy away from the sexuality and as a matter of fact used their passion as much to develop the characters as the dialogue. Cast and crew alike, were willing to take chances. The story was more honest and less sugar coated then many out there. Kudos to all involed in this production. I eagerly await future productions, as I'm sure they will continue to get better and better.
Rating:
Summary: A ANTHROPOLOGIST LOOK AT RAF FILMS
Review: Review of the Richard Anthony Film releases from start to now. The production company has released four films. The first in 2001 with "Traveling to Olympia". They followed with Murder in Portland", Gods of Olympia and the last one Revenge in Olympia. All of these movies take place in the Pacific Northwest with three of four in the state capital of Washington. Four films in three years is quite a feat from a independent production company. Are they of Hollywood quality, no but they are as good as any straight or gay low budget independent film company. And make no mistake these are low budget films. What make the concept work is that they are made for the DVD release. There is no pretense that these are going to a theatrical release. They release these productions on both the internet and lesbian and gay books stores. With the thousands of films released for distribution and after checking web sites, I only found a few bad reviews. And all of these reviews sounded the same. It seemed that the same person wrote all the comments. It also seemed that they all were the same type of person. Someone who with the power of the review can make a unfair statement in the community. I am guessing this is a person who never gets cruised at the bar and has had a hard time getting a date. So he goes back to his small apartment and takes it out on RAF. Everyone has the right to speak, it is some who speak with authority and others from picayune. I would expect that the first film was a learning experience for RAF. I thought the films got better and all had great stories. I learned something from each movie, the stories were original and historically correct. Remember no one made you spend the first 29.95, and if you did not like it why spend more for the other three. It seems you are not admitting you buy the movies not for the story but for the cute sex scenes. That is fine, I am sure the producers have that as part of their markenting plan. I understand Richard Anthony Films is starting a new project, by providing venture capital for new young film makers. These first films will be a works in progress and should get better with time. I am old enough to remember the only gay movie at the time was "Boy's in the Band". Now we have gay movies on TV, gay plays at the local community theater, and for better or worse. To all of those people who want to put down RAF put up your own $50,000 make a movie then you will have the right to criticize those who have. These are very small people in our community and do not represent the gay and lesbians I know.
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