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Defying Gravity

Defying Gravity

List Price: $24.95
Your Price: $22.46
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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: gritty and wise
Review: Violence is an unfortunate hallmark of American life, and it is reflected in this interesting and touching little film. The action centers around a fraternity house full of the usual high-testosterone roudiness -- some of it good-natured, some not. One brother, Griff (Daniel Chilson), is troubled because he is sleeping with another brother, Pete (Don Handfield), and must hide the fact. Griff is adamently opposed to being open about their relationship and describes it as no more than a convenient release. Pete wants more. Griff tries gamely to alter his attitude, but is defensive and they argue. He watches his friend walk away. The next morning he learns that Pete was attacked and severely beaten. Griff is disturbed and feels responsible, but hasn't the nerve to talk to police. He must do some soul-searching, and here is the heart of this story. He finds some comfort in Denetra (Linna Carter), a lovely black student who is also having trouble coming out. He finds real solace in another brother, Todd (Niklaus Lange), the heart-warming surprise of the film. Amid the general homophobia of the house, he is understanding, insightful, loving, and courageous. He helps Griff confront not only his own homophobia, but those responsible for Pete's injuries. There is a nice crazy-quilt of story lines which add up to a lovely, satisfying, unified whole. After all the strife, when Pete and Griff finally kiss it is a welcome breath of fresh air. Not perfect, but a very good story with dimension, nicely told.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Need to see
Review: For all those wanting to see a touching love story, this is a must see. It deals with those feelings that a lot of us guys (and ladies) have had that you don't feel "gay", you don't fit that stereotype you always heard, but that doesn't change the feelings you have for that first boyfriend. See it. You won't regret it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Gay Film That Even Straight Audiences Will Love!
Review: WOW! This is one of the Best Gay Films That I have ever seen. Very thougthful and subtle film that doesnt beat you over the head like alot of Gay Themed Movies! Doesnt have any of the Stereotypical "Swishy" characters that you usually see in gay films! Story is about two guys from a college frat who fall for each other! When the one is gay bashed, the other doesnt want to come forward with information for fear of being outed! The Lead Actors in this film all all unknowns but that wont last for long because the acting is top notch and you can really feel the various emotions that the characters are going through! This Film really sets itself apart from other gay films in so many ways but the most surpising way is that there is only one brief tastefully done sex scene and even that scene doesnt show anything. Dont let that description turn you off though because this one scene proves that you dont have to show various body parts in order to get an eroticly charged scene! This is such a well made film that after I viewed the video, I went straight(no pun intended)to amazon and order the DVD. This is a film that I believe cna actually cross over to the straight audience being that all the characters act straight! Very Touching Film about Love, Friendship, Acceptance and most of all, getting ones priorities in order! Do yourself a favor and watch this Gem!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: When worlds collide...
Review: It takes a lot to press a man into action. In this case, it takes the brutal beating of your secret boyfriend as young college frat guy Grif finds out. What's a guy to do? He's at the risk of ruining his lifestyle and losing his friends yet, the most important person in his life is lying in a coma and his attackers are still at large. The only clue is the black vehicle with the blasting tunes he saw cruising up the same alley Pete was walking. Still, as new friend Denetra persuades him, he gradually gets the courage to face the police, Pete's parents and his friends by giving the cops some vital info on who nearly killed Pete. This terrific independent film has a lot going for it: attractive cast, good acting from the leads (Don Handfield, in particular, is smart and confident as Pete and Daniel Chilson - kind of like a cross between Richard Gere and Maxwell Caulfield - has a believable innocence), good music score - in fact, it's got more than most Hollywood romantic offerings (Here on Earth, for example). What struck me most, however, were the quiet moments in the film - There's a feeling of content between Pete and Grif as they sit in a tree staring into each others' eyes...out of sight from the maddening college crowds. Last year, this was one of a handful of films (like Edge of Seventeen, Get Real, Trick, Broadway Damage) aimed toward gay audiences that really had a positive impact. Let's hope there's more to come and, meanwhile, enjoy Defying Gravity.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD MOVIE
Review: Really enjoyed the movie and well written and acted. Need more GAy movies like this! Now if I can only find the Soundtrack!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Movie, Good Story & Cute Guys
Review: This was a good movie. Good story, well written, acting was ok. The guys were cute. Its seemed to be a true to life story.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A great story with some so-so acting
Review: 3.4 stars - Overall, this is a great movie that I recommend and that I think you will enjoy if you don't expect it to be as polished as the last who knows how many million-dollar Hollywood flick.

The DVD itself is great and has a very clear picture and, while I'm no audio expert, I thought the soundtrack and voices were above average. The soundtrack is actually included right on the DVD and has a "slideshow" that goes along with it showing scenes where the song was featured. I haven't seen another DVD that did this, and it's really cool and just one more reason to add it to your collection. The only draw back that I have noticed is that there is no Closed Captioning at all.

Although the dialog isn't always believable in some of the more dramatic scenes and some of the acting comes across as too forced, I think you'd be disappointed to miss this movie. The story is a good one and shows friendships in situations that aren't always seen in gay films. There are no sex scenes or nudity, and no violence is shown on screen. If it weren't for some graphic language and epithets, it could easily pass as PG-13 and would be suitable for nearly any audience.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: wow
Review: an amazing coming out / love story....
very good acting too.....a thoughtful film :-)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: excellent, high quality movie
Review: I thought this was a very good movie. The acting was good and it had a decent storyline. This is not an AIDS/HIV story. I thought it mimicked real life very well. The actors were cute. There wasn't any nudity, and there didn't need to be. It's about two guys who have a relationship; one guy is more out than the other. They are trying to figure things out. One gets beat-up real bad and the other deals with it. It helps to bring them together. The movie has a good ending too. I'm glad I bought it. Enjoy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Love is Never Having to Say I'm Sorry I Watched This Movie
Review: Sometimes you just have to forgive all the faults and glitches and go with the flow. I liked this film in spite of its low-budget feel and empty moments, because there is a difference between profound emotion and cheap sentiment, and the script of Defying Gravity reflects the former. In spades.

Another pitfall avoided by this writer and director is that of going over the top in caricaturing his leads or allowing the story to become preposterous. The parts dealing with college fraternity life are spot on, including subtexts. (I know this for a fact.) If anything, the more extreme moments of drama are underplayed rather than the opposite.

So there is a little political correctness involved -- so what? The moment that Griff turns to Todd on that mountaintop and confesses his feelings for Pete, everything of lesser import in this story vanishes. What remains a mystery is how an actor like Daniel Chilson who shows such promise in this role did not go on to much greater accomplishment.

The heart and soul of any straightforward love story is its reflection of the highest and best motivation humanly possible as regards one person's feelings for another. Everything base and immoral is swept aside in a tide of total devotion and deep introspection, hence the notion of defying gravity.

I do not know whether this film was made for television or general release. I wish I had stumbled across it sooner. It is a simple, unsophisticated, unpretentious gem.



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