Rating: Summary: A pretty face is not enough Review: The storyline, the poor audio, the unbearable cliches... and below it all... the acting: you never believe for an instant that Griff was even trying to pretend to be straight and was such a frat guy...a most popular one - supposedly; the annoying mugging, facial exaggerations and over acting were pretty unbearable. This was such a bad movie - diappointing, mindless, and left me thinking I'd just wasted my money and time.Rent it if you have to.
Rating: Summary: Rent It First !!! Review: Based on the plot summary and customer reviews of this movie, I took a chance and bought it without seeing it first. It seemed like it was a gay ABC Afterschool Special. The actors didn't seem sincere and the relationship between Griff and Pete was never really developed... When Todd asks Griff if he really loves Jack, and his reply was "I've never been more sure about anything in my life", I had to ask WHY!!! I hadn't seen anything up to that point that would have lead me to believe it. This movie will make me think twice before buying another movie, sight unseen. Be warned!!!
Rating: Summary: Makes you think college could have been more bearable Review: College life where two frat guys get together, then one leaves because the other doesn't want to come out. One gets beaten up then the other becomes ready to recognize who he is and who he loves. Not very realistic but great myth making.
Rating: Summary: Good intentions, but ... Review: This movie has a nice set-up: a love story between two frat brothers. However, the plot crumbles and turns into a preachy little Gay After School Special. You can tell that this movie has cheap production values: the mouths don't move in sync with what you hear.
Rating: Summary: An excellent flick Review: I was enraptured by the character. The trauma of this incident sets off a very real and deep look into Griff's own identity. Was it merely sexual gratification or was Griff really gay... As his partner lies in the hospital struggling for life, Griff struggles with the same ferocity. As he comes to grips with his own self, he finds peace.
Rating: Summary: A STORY AS REAL AS LIFE Review: I bought this video and it made me cry then at the end I found myself rooting for John. It is so typical, denying one's self identity because of peer pressure. But as this story goes, if you truly love someone, that denial will eventually be erased. I really loved this video. I've watched it several times. It is more than just a good story, it is as real as life. I applaud the director, and the cast for they really did a good job. There are not many movies out today that can catch and hold my attention, this one did and has. For anyone thinking about viewing this video, be prepared to take a good look at yourself for what you see will sometimes be your own reflection.
Rating: Summary: Collosal disappointment, a struggle to watch. . . Review: Thank God I had nearly a month to watch this film. That's what it took. Just when you think it can't possibly get more mundane, another avalanche of bad sitcome lines and Acting 101 expressions are exchanged by the actors. The one positive thing about it is that it will inspire you to make your own film, if that is an aspiration. You couldn't possibly make anything worse. Low budget is no excuse for no story. Laden down with shallow views of homophobia and racism, all I can say is that the script was written by someone who has spent far too much time in Los Angeles. It was lit fairly well, though. A complete endurance test otherwise.
Rating: Summary: Pretty good movie Review: I watched this movie last night (three times) and each time I cam away with a little bit more understanding of the situation and the dynamics of the charactors. While this is a low budget film it comes real close to being one of my all time favorite films. I have been collecting independent gay films for several months now and this one was high on my list of "must haves". My only complaint is that I would have liked to have seen more of the relationshop between Griff and Pete so that it would have better established the bond and therefore the conflict that sets the movie's base. I would reccommend this film to anyone who is looking for a gentle feel good movie about coming to terms with your identiry and place in the world.
Rating: Summary: Great! Review: An amazing film. Even more amazing is to realize it was shot in 13 days on a total budget of $120,000. Acting and storyline are excellent, with a few exceptions (you'll know the scenes when you see them). Why writer/director John Keitel didn't reshoot these was a mystery to me, until I read about his seemingly insurmountable budgetary contraints. But on the whole, Defying Gravity should be required viewing for any aspiring filmmaker. And at least in my opinion, Daniel Chilton is one of the hottest actors to grace the big screen in the past several years.
Rating: Summary: Thoughtful, touching, wonderful! Review: This film was a pleasant surprise. It was made on a low budget (so you have to excuse the poor audio at times) but the acting and sheer honesty of the script make up for all that. Griff (Daniel Chilson) is a member of a rowdy group of frat boys who is secretly having an affair with another guy named Pete. Griff shuns any suggestions from Pete about having a true relationship until Pete is the victim of a brutal gay bashing. As Pete lies in a coma, Griff re-examines his feelings and slowly begins to come out. The film examines lots of issues including friendship and homophobia. But most of all, it is a touching gay love story. There are some extraordinary "quiet" moments in this film such as a night drive out into the wilderness between Griff and his best friend (who is not gay). These scenes convey strong emotions with very little dialog. Again, the audio does seem weak at times, but I found nothing wrong with the photography or the acting, and Daniel Chilson should have a bright acting future ahead of him.
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