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Boys Life

Boys Life

List Price: $24.99
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Synopsis
Review: "A collection of well-known short films with gay themes, including "Pool Days," "A Friend of Dorothy," and "The Disco Years.""Boys Life" consists of three shorts about coming out. In the first, "Pool Days," a teenager who works as a lifeguard finds himself attracted to and frightened of a beautiful man paying extra attention to him. In the second, "A Friend of Dorothy," a college freshman passionately falls in love with his straight roommate, and "The Disco Years" explores how peer pressure can lead someone to homophobic behavior -- even if he may be gay himself.The video includes three short films: "Pool Days" (Dir. Brian Sloan) "A Friend of Dorothy" (Dir. Raoul O'Connel) "The Disco Years" (Dir. Robert Lee King)" 90 minutes - From Bigstar

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Calling card for talented directors
Review: "Boys Life Three Stories of Love, Lust, and Liberation" is a compilation of short gay films on the theme of 'coming out'. Though directed by three different people, these three episodes share the same budgetary limitations and basic point-and-shoot style, all of which serves to roughen their edges a little.

Brian Sloan's "Pool Days" (1993) follows the exploits of a young pool attendant who tries to suppress the feelings generated by the semi-clad beefcake which surrounds him in his otherwise dull job, before finally coming to terms with his sexuality with the help of a regular visitor to the pool (gorgeous, naturally) who takes a shine to him. It's a likable, sexy film, but it seems to end abruptly, leaving a couple of unresolved situations in its wake.

Raoul O'Connell directs "A Friend of Dorothy" (1994) and casts himself as a nerdy college freshman who's seeking Mr. Right, whilst secretly pining for his apparently straight roommate. Sadly, O'Connell affects a range of tics and mannerisms which translate as geeky rather than appealing, though his film is competently constructed.

And finally, Robert Lee King's "The Disco Years" (1991) depicts the trials of a seriously cute high school student who longs to be accepted by his homophobic peers until their cruelty eventually forces him to confront his true sexual identity.

Many of the situations depicted in all three films have a ring of truth about them, and each story offers its own heartfelt commentary on the lives of young gay men in America. despite the penny-pinching production values.

Each film is presented fullscreen at 1.33:1 (presumably the original theatrical ratio), and the DVD format makes the best of the grainy low-budget film stock. Sound is Dolby Digital mono.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Synopsis
Review: "A collection of well-known short films with gay themes, including "Pool Days," "A Friend of Dorothy," and "The Disco Years.""Boys Life" consists of three shorts about coming out. In the first, "Pool Days," a teenager who works as a lifeguard finds himself attracted to and frightened of a beautiful man paying extra attention to him. In the second, "A Friend of Dorothy," a college freshman passionately falls in love with his straight roommate, and "The Disco Years" explores how peer pressure can lead someone to homophobic behavior -- even if he may be gay himself.The video includes three short films: "Pool Days" (Dir. Brian Sloan) "A Friend of Dorothy" (Dir. Raoul O'Connel) "The Disco Years" (Dir. Robert Lee King)" 90 minutes - From Bigstar

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Calling card for talented directors
Review: "Boys Life Three Stories of Love, Lust, and Liberation" is a compilation of short gay films on the theme of 'coming out'. Though directed by three different people, these three episodes share the same budgetary limitations and basic point-and-shoot style, all of which serves to roughen their edges a little.

Brian Sloan's "Pool Days" (1993) follows the exploits of a young pool attendant who tries to suppress the feelings generated by the semi-clad beefcake which surrounds him in his otherwise dull job, before finally coming to terms with his sexuality with the help of a regular visitor to the pool (gorgeous, naturally) who takes a shine to him. It's a likable, sexy film, but it seems to end abruptly, leaving a couple of unresolved situations in its wake.

Raoul O'Connell directs "A Friend of Dorothy" (1994) and casts himself as a nerdy college freshman who's seeking Mr. Right, whilst secretly pining for his apparently straight roommate. Sadly, O'Connell affects a range of tics and mannerisms which translate as geeky rather than appealing, though his film is competently constructed.

And finally, Robert Lee King's "The Disco Years" (1991) depicts the trials of a seriously cute high school student who longs to be accepted by his homophobic peers until their cruelty eventually forces him to confront his true sexual identity.

Many of the situations depicted in all three films have a ring of truth about them, and each story offers its own heartfelt commentary on the lives of young gay men in America. despite the penny-pinching production values.

Each film is presented fullscreen at 1.33:1 (presumably the original theatrical ratio), and the DVD format makes the best of the grainy low-budget film stock. Sound is Dolby Digital mono.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great
Review: A comming of age story hat is GREAT! Finnanly a book I didnt want to put down and it kept me guessing till the end END

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: ... what's next ?! ...
Review: great three short story/film that leave it's viewers crave for more

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Boys Life
Review: Heartwarming, funny at times, but honestly true even in todays so called liberal thinking society. The last story being the one that shows times haven't really changed from the 60's and 70's people are still cruel and narrow minded. All in all the ninety minutes of the film passed by quickly. the acting wasn't oscar caliber but it was well done. The movie shows that gays are human beings with feelings, and those feelings get hurt, we find it awkward to ask for that first date, in fact we are just like every one else.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Disco Years is a Winner
Review: I couldn't get into the first two shorts here, finding the lead protagonists either boring and uninspired (Pool Days) or just plain weird (A Friend of Dorothy). But I was very impressed with the third short, The Disco Years. The film is simple and direct in its depiction of the trials and traumas of a teenager coming to terms with his sexuality, and hats of to Matt Nolan, who plays the lead protagonist Tom. He turns in such a sweet and emotionally honest performance, its hard not to be moved by him, and his experience.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Don't be afraid to by this charming DVD.
Review: I don't really like "shorts". I like to get to know my characters a little more thoroughly than "shorts" allow. Consequently I'm really pleased to recommend "Boys Life" to you. They're some problems. As a previous reviewer noted "Pool Days" ends way too abruptly. "A friend of Dorothy's" star, director, and writer (Raoul O'Connell) may have over-extended himself a bit. And I couldn't buy the Mom in "Disco Years". But the over-arching themes of not being able to get away from your true self really stuck with me. Overall, I felt my money was well spent.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Don't be afraid to by this charming DVD.
Review: I don't really like "shorts". I like to get to know my characters a little more thoroughly than "shorts" allow. Consequently I'm really pleased to recommend "Boys Life" to you. They're some problems. As a previous reviewer noted "Pool Days" ends way too abruptly. "A friend of Dorothy's" star, director, and writer (Raoul O'Connell) may have over-extended himself a bit. And I couldn't buy the Mom in "Disco Years". But the over-arching themes of not being able to get away from your true self really stuck with me. Overall, I felt my money was well spent.


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