Abrupt Decision

Abrupt Decision is the latest film from Silly Bunny Pictures, an independent production company with writer/director/actor Paul Bright exercising creative control. The film features excellent performances from Steve Callahan, best known for his great work in East Side Story, David LaDuca and Cynthia Schiebel, both of who have been in other feature films for Bright, the lovely Jaquelyn Lies, and another pair of Silly Bunny regulars, Peggy Mae Binn, and Matthew Burnett. As is always the case, Bright directs with a deft hand, telling a story of very real characters with no contrivance nor heaviness. The script, written by Paul, tells a great tale of people in real life situations that reflect our society today, with economic struggles in abundance.





Denis (Callahan) not having a good time. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize it until it is too late. He is late for work, awakened by the neighbor and their morning gunshot. In a tough economy, he loses his job when he is fired by his boss (Bright). He comes home to discover his boyfriend Milosz (LaDuca) is far from happy, his mother (Schiebel) visiting, and a party full of impatient men waiting for mama to leave to get naked in the pool. He blurts out his jobless state, surprising all.



As Denis approaches middle-age, he is obviously in crisis. He is looking for a job, searching for a true purpose, and maybe how to rediscover love. While out looking for a job, he stumbles across a pet shelter, and thinks about getting a puppy, as his mother suggested. He goes home to think about it, and builds a dog house. Milosz is not impressed with the idea, yet Denis plods on. When he returns to the shelter, he finds out 'his' dog has been euthanized.



After several failed interviews, Denis decides to try working from the home. Soon the pressures of the situation take a toll on the relationship. The more time they spend together, the more Milosz and Denis seem to be at odds. Soon Denis' turmoil drives him back to the shelter, and saves the next two dogs. And then he must rush to the hospital. He gets arrives with the two dogs fresh from the shelter. This immediately cheers up his mother, the patient. The next day, she demands to see them again, watching her 'grandchildren.' As pressures continues to escalate, Denis must make his abrupt decision. But it is in perhaps his darkest hour that Denis must figure out a plan to rise again. And he does so with a growing family of dogs. It seem like the dogs offer a lifeline for Denis, a calming force in a rather tumultuous time. But can the pets, who Denis adopted to keep alive, save Denis? You'll have to watch to see how it all turns out. Here is a trailer for the movie.



Abrupt Decision reminds me that when the world is lets us down; be it family, loved ones or career, the love of a furry friend can save us. We might think of them as rescue animals, but in truth, it is they who save us. They rejuvenate our tired soul, and nourish our hearts. And very much like the shelter dogs in the film, Abrupt Decision lifted me up in a warm embrace.




I was particularly happy when I DVD arrived, for this marks the first time I have ever been featured as a reviewer on the cover! I had received from Silly Bunny Pictures sent me a screening copy to review. It is quite an honor, especially since it is a production company and director I respect highly, since seeing the premiere feature, Angora Ranch.




For more about Abrupt Decision, you can find the official website here. The DVD has several special features, including interviews with the cast, behind the scenes clips, chapter breakdowns, and some nice short films by Silly Bunny Pictures. You can purchase the film directly from Silly Bunny Pictures here for just $12 + shipping. You can also find it on Amazon here, for a cost of $17.99.

The Movies of Silly Bunny Pictures

I could hardly let the blogiversary weekend go by without giving a nod to Silly Bunny Pictures, whose quality feature films have graced the posts of this blog on more than one occasion. In fact, check out some of the shots from the movies here. They are exciting, steamy, sultry, sweet, and funny, just like the movies themselves.



It should shock no one when I admit to being a huge fan of Silly Bunny and writer/director Paul Bright. The latest feature, Abrupt Decision, is making the rounds at the film festivals, having kicked off that season with a successful run at the Berlin Film Festival and stars Steve Callahan and David LaDuca. I have yet to see the movie, but am really looking forward to it. This is the trailer for Abrupt Decision.



If anyone is looking to add some films to their collection or to their Netflix cue, you would be wise to consider any of Paul's other films. If you need a bit of a reminder, I have reviewed most of Bright's work here on the blog. The first was the absolutely adorable and charming Angora Ranch. It also stars Bright, and I just loved it.



There is also the movie Theft, a lovely movie with some great actors in it. Bright has a tiny role in the crowd, and did a great job with the direction. The story has all the trademark Silly Bunny charm, with lots of eye candy to entertain as well. Again, I loved it.



Next came Aaron...Albeit a Sex Hero. This movie was so hot and steamy, it brought a bead of sweat on my brow. The action story flies by at breakneck speed, and I was sorry when it ended, cause I could have gone on watching it longer. I bet this would be a fantastic date-night movie. There is plenty of excitement while watching, tons of time when a little snuggle might be in order, and plenty to discuss afterward!



And, finally, there is Altitude Falling, another strong film. Part science fiction, futuristic drama, but it ultimately focuses on on the people at the heart of the drama, and their love. Another great movie I would highly recommend.



For more about Silly Bunny Pictures, check out the official website here. You can also see about purchasing them from Water Bearer Films. They have plenty of great movies for you to check out. You can find them here. You might have seen the Public Service Announcements I have run that were created by Bright and Silly Bunny Pictures. You can find them here, here, here, and here. I ran them because I believe in what they say - that we need to support the artists like Paul Bright, one of many out there creating wonderful LGBT films. Like the LGBT musicians I feature on a regular basis, we need to support them all so they can continue to make their art. Just because you might be able to download on the internet doesn't mean you should. How about getting a sneak peak, and then purchasing it once you know it is a great thing? Or how about just ordering them, cause you know they are gonna be outta this world!

Silly Bunnies In Berlin

As writer/director Paul Bright wraps up work on his latest film, Abrupt Decision, all in preparation for the debut at the Berlin Film Festival. The movie stars Steve Callahan, David LaDuca, Cynthia Schiebel, Jacquelyn Lies, Peggy Mae Binn, Paul Bright and Matthew Charles Burnett. What is the story? Denis went into the office Friday morning. Ten minutes later he was fired and his entire world changed. After twenty years of dedicated service to an indifferent company he knew there has to be more to life than this. A stray dog in the park opened his eyes.

Silly Bunny Pictures was kind enough to make a clip of a dream sequence available, and all I can say is at least one dream of mine would be waking up and finding out star Steve Callahan with his shirt off. I had such a crush on him after watching East Side Story!



Silly Bunny Pictures is an independent production company making films about men from the heartland. I have enjoyed all the films they have produced, and look forward to my chance to see Abrupt Decision. Paul has already started on the story for the next movie, but before that can happen, Abrupt Decision must be promoted. The appearance at the Berlin Film Festival will help that. But they could use some help to fun the trip to Berlin. As Paul says, "Everything is in place for the trip to Berlin in February, EXCEPT a way to pay for it." Well, Silly Bunny has set up a way for people to show their support, and have the donation tax deductible, and help Abrupt Decision be a success so the next film can be made sooner!



And, as a bonus point, you can send Paul to Berlin in February. "I checked the weather today and it’s 14 degrees in Berlin. I’m gonna freeze my ass off. Fourteen degrees. They must be nuts. My warm-blooded Texas soul cringes at the idea of spending two weeks in temperatures so cold everything stops. I gotta wonder how these people go forth and multiply in weather like that. When I get there I’ll let you know what I find out." Well, Paul, I can't wait to read all about it!

To offer your support to send Abrupt Decision to the Berlin Film Festival, click here to check out the Indie-GoGo page. The budget has been figured, and there are many levels of support you can offer, from $20 on up. Make the donation by January 31, and you get to take it off of this year's taxes! Need more convincing? Check out Paul's blog, From The Second Floor Penthouse, and get to know the man behind the movie. The be ready to combine your Christmas Spirit with your financial planning, and make sure Paul freezes his Silly Bunny off in Berlin!

Visit Paul Bright for the Holidays

The pictures above show you filmmaker Paul Bright, the director/producer/actor of such fine independent films as Aaron...Albeit A Sex Hero, Angora Ranch, Theft (of the Drag Queen's Wig) and Altitude Falling, as well as the soon to be released Abrupt Decision, hard at work. The films made by Silly Bunny Pictures are about the average men and women of the American Heartland, especially the hot gay ones.

So, as I was planning this holiday series, I knew I wanted to include Paul, but had to change up my questions just a bit. And, even as Paul is still working on his latest, Abrupt Decision, which is set to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February and, by the way, seems to continue the trend of making hot, sexy films, at least if the stills are any indication.



Oh, yeah, there are the holiday questions. Sorry, was a bit distracted... So, it only makes sense I ask Paul what his favorite holiday movies are. "My absolute favorite Christmas movie," he tells me, "is Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale. The remake White Christmas is a sappy attempt by Hollywood to make more money in my opinion. I love Holiday Inn not only because of the film, but when I was a teenager our family car broke down in a tiny town in the high desert of California and we spent five days in a motel before the suburban was fixed and we could home to Albuquerque for Christmas. Holiday Inn was on TV. It was a fantastic escape."



Are there any holiday tunes he'd like to use in a movie? "I satirized The First Noel in Theft (of the Drag Queen's Wig)," he told me. "Silent Night would be useful during a bomb sequence in a war film. I hum the theme song for The Grinch Who Stole Christmas all season long." Well, I typed in "The First Noel drag queens" and YouTube gave me *NSYNC near the top, so I just had to do it...



What would Paul like to see in 2011? "I have so many hopes for the year ahead," he replied earnestly, "but my biggest hope is for us as Americans to step back a moment and begin talking through disagreements and working toward understanding conflicting points of view instead of just yelling at each other and fortifying our defenses."

Since I had my opportunity to ask the multi-faceted cinema talent any question, I would be remiss if I didn't ask him his favorite films of 2010. "If I said my favorite movie was Burlesque you'd never speak to me again." he answered as only Paul would. "You know there were some really good movies this year that I enjoyed a lot, though none of them blew me away."

In honor of Abrupt Decision opening in Berlin, I thought I would offer up a delightful version of the German carol O, Tannenbaum as sung by the Vienna Boys Choir.



What does 2011 have in store for Paul and Silly Bunny Pictures? "I'm looking forward to making two feature films this coming year and sharing with everybody Abrupt Decision, the movie we shot in August."

"It's interesting to think about Dan Savage's video campaign for It Gets Better which inspired a lot of us to tell our stories of triumph and hope. I think the media and viral surge of interest in these videos is more than about gays being harassed, or teenage bullying, but is really about all of us yearning to stop the vitriolic discourse between adversaries. I think we're getting tired of fighting. We hoped Obama would be the peacemaker, and his assault by allies simply shows our frustration with the world as it is."

Here is a little behind-the-scenes peak at Abrupt Decision.



For more about Paul's movies, check out the Silly Bunny Pictures website here, which only recently has been updated. You might also want to check out the website for Water Bearer Films here, who distribute Paul's work. They have tons of great movies, and they are incredibly supportive of LGBT filmmakers.

Indie Movie Support - Abrupt Decision

It should shock no one when I admit to being a huge fan of Silly Bunny Pictures and writer/director Paul Bright. He is currently putting together financing on his next feature, Abrupt Decision. As you would have just gotten your paychecks deposited, I thought now might be the right time to mention you can help with that, as SBP has set up a way for your donations to the production to be tax deductible. The movie stars Steve Callahan and David LaDuca. The story behind the movie is, to make a movie story short, 'after losing his career job in midlife, Denis must figure out what to do next. He never dreamed his life would go to the dogs.' Advocating both spay/neuter programs for pets and adopting animals from overcrowded shelters, this film will be seen around the globe. The filmmaker hopes this film will influence communities to reduce unwanted pet breeding and take greater responsibility for the animals living in our streets.



For those that might need a bit of reminding, I have reviewed most of Bright's work here on the blog. The first was the absolutely adorable and charming Angora Ranch. It also stars Bright, and I just loved it.



There is also the movie Theft, a lovely movie with some great actors in it. Bright has a tiny role in the crowd, and did a great job with the direction.



Next came Aaron...Albeit a Sex Hero. This movie was so hot and steamy, it brought a bead of sweat on my brow. The action story wizzes buy at great speed, and I was sorry when it ended, cause I could have gone on watching it longer.



And, finally, there is Altitude Falling, which I just received in the mail, and hope to review very soon. I haven't had the chance to watch it, but know the work from Bright has been so good, I can't imagine it being anything less than a success!



I know I will support the fundraising effort, because I am just self-centered enough to want Paul Bright and Silly Bunny Pictures to continue to make movies I enjoy. They represent a part of the American fabric often unseen, the non-urban LGBT community. These movies will not be made by the studios, and if you, like me, enjoy seeing films you can relate to, you'll think about giving what money you can to the project. You can do it by clicking here, or on the widget under the opening paragraph of this post.