Double Feature • Anna & Birthday

About a year and a half ago, I had the idea about bringing 'Date Night' to the blog. After all, many seem to think Friday night is date night, either going out to find love, or just to satisfy more physical needs. The first short film I posted was 'You Can't Curry Love', and I can honestly tell you I just watched it again the other day, and still enjoyed it! I've offered up short films, and a few full length feature films. Either way, I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I has. I love helping people to find some of the great talent found in the LGBT community, and to get to hear the stories they are telling. Tonight I am bringing in a double feature with an international flavor, and I hope you will find both interesting.

First up, I have a film from Hungary, written by Anikó Astarte and directed by Petra Palotai. 'Anna' is a lovely story of finding yourself, no matter how you do it. Some might need depp reflection, while others might need a great prop, like a magical timepiece. The film stars Timi, Nóra, and Figura, and runs just under three and a half minutes. This is 'Anna'.

The second film tonight is from India, written and directed by Suresh Shelar. 'Birthday' runs about twelve and a half minutes, but says so much in that time. The film tells the story of Abhay, a handsome young man with a penchant for remembering birthdays. On this particular day, he go to visit his friend, Alex, to help him celebrate. It turns into something more, but not the same thing for Abhar and Alex. Shelar obviously helped his actors, as he got excellent performances from Sunil Kumar as Abhay and Bobby Vats as Alex. Please enjoy 'Birthday'.

Have a great weekend!

Date Night • Chalk Lines

Now that summer is here, I thought I might revive date night, when I try to share a short film from YouTube. Since that is as close as I am going to get to a date these days, I figured that might be the case for others as well. Tonight I offer you 'Chalk Lines', starring Callum McBain and Hugh Southall, Agosto and Hector respectively, as best friends at a boys school in Australia in the 1950s. Those teen years could be a confusing time, and it seems it is for Agosto and Hector. Like many teenagers, they seem to be trying to understand the feelings and hormones racing through their bodies, and suffer a bit when it comes to timing. When a handsome new schoolmaster, Mason Goodwill played by John Teague, comes to the school, it complicates matters the boys. The short was written and direct by Daniel Brophy, and it runs less than 10 minutes. Please enjoy 'Chalk Lines'.

Have a great weekend!

Date Night • Oranges

'Oranges' is an Australian short written and directed by Kristian Pithie. After hitting a parked car while riding his bicycle, Martin Sharpe wakes up in the room of another kid from his high school, Thomas Blackburne. The two boys talk about girlfriends and kissing, before taking a break on a playground. Both boys learn more than they thought they would, and proved to be more adventurous than they thought capable. This is 'Oranges'.

But what would happen when they went back to school? And what will they think of whenever they taste oranges? Enjoy your weekend!

Date Night • Once Upon a Crime Ep 5

Todrick Hall, Manila Luzan, and Willam Belli take on the Disney Princesses with the short 'Once Upon a Crime episode 5 - Cinderella vs Snow White'. It seems Snow White and Cinderella are not getting along, and take their problem to television court with Judge Ratchet. The roles are played by Luzan, Belli, and Hall, respectively. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

For more about Todrick Hall, you can find him on Twitter. To see and hear more, you can check out Todick on YouTube.

Date Night • Bugcrush

'Bugcrush' is a 2006 short film that touched me on so many levels. It was written by Scott Treleaven and Carter Smith, and directed by Smith. The dark and brooding film takes a look at boys in their teenage years, with the social pressures, relationships, the search for themselves, and how easily one can be distracted on the journey is all apparent. the film stars Josh Caras and Donald Cumming as Ben and Grant, two teens whose path will cross in unexpected ways. This is 'Bugcrush'.

I must admit, I thought Josh Caras was quite handsome and talented, and was glad to see on IMDB he had gotten plenty of work since this film. Have a great weekend!

Date Night • Shrine

Okay, so when I saw this movie described as the story of a witch, her husband, and his gay lover, I knew I couldn't resist watching it. In fact, I knew I'd have to post it. The film stars Justine Martin, Dan Fry, and Johan Venter as the aptly described characters, all living together in seeming dysfunction. The young twink is sleeping in, the witch is cranky as she prepares to go to an appointment, and the husband seems more interesting in whining than either partner. Can she sort out her problems speaking with a supernatural therapist, or by communing with nature? At just under 14 minutes, this is certainly a fun watch. The film was written, directed, and edited by leading man Dan Fry, while Venter handled the lights and cameras. This is "Shrine".

Enjoy your weekend!

Date Night • A Gay Christmas

I found this delightful short that is just perfect for the holiday season. 'A Gay Christmas' is a short by Cornfather Productions in association with Paignton Film Company. It was written and produced by Michael Cornacchia, and directed and edited by Jeff Payton. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of Sand & Mrs. Claus, specifically when son Hermy comes home from his first semester of college. The film stars Michael Cornacchia and Kristina Hayes as Mr. & Mrs. Claus: Kristina Hayes; Mickey Meyer and Jeffrey Schuetze as Hermy Claus and Zapatos Zeddmore; with Mark Kelly, Joseph Keane, Jake Miller, Matthew Shaffer and Jeff Payton. I hope you enjoy 'A Gay Christmas'.

Happy holidays!

Date Night • Anything Once

After having a bit of a scare for the last few weeks, I thought it might be nice to have a bit of romantic fun this week. About 15 years ago, writer/director Dan Aeberhard released 'Anything Once', a charming film about roommates. One is straight, and the other is gay, but in a rare moment of honesty, they both admit to harboring a bit of curiosity when it comes to sex. Well, at least the sex the other is having. So Mike, played by William Gregory Lee, admits to having a bit of curiosity about sex with a guy, while Joey, played by Michael D. Arenz, confesses his desire to at least try sex with a woman. Of course, this was the morning after a party, where copious amounts of beer and weed were consumed. What will become of it all?

Have a great weekend!

Date Night • Miles Apart

This evening, I bring you 'Miles Apart', a short film produced and directed by Jonathan M. Guttman for LCA Productions/Lights Camera Action Inc. The cast includes Brad Schmidt as Miles, Craig Burke as Jeffrey, Megan Hamaker as Kathryn, and Kathleen O'Neel Toleedo as Darleen. Jeffrey brings Miles home for his sister Darleen's wedding, and under the disapproving eyes of his mother. The boys made the trip to Long Island from their apartment in Manhattan, picked up by Kathryn, who clearly loves her son, at least the part she cares to acknowledge. Yes, it seems there is plenty of miles between Jeffrey and his mother, and not just those between the Island and the City. When Kathryn overhears the boys in a private conversation, will she and her son be able to get through the weekend without destroying the fragile relationship they have? At just under 20 minutes, I hope you find the time to watch and enjoy 'Miles Apart'.

Have a great weekend!

Date Night • 'Love Bite' & '33 Teeth'

This evening I have another delicious double feature for you, although watching both films will take less than eleven minutes of your time. And I will start with 'Love Bite', the 2008 short that runs just over three minutes, but leaves a much deeper impression. It was written and directed by Craig Boreham, and stars handsome actors Aidan Calabria and Will Field. While both are starting to deal with the munchies after smoking some weed, Noah, played by Field, feels the need to share an intimate secret with Gus, played by Calabria. However, things don't go exactly as planned...

The second short film was written and directed by Evan Roberts, and tells the singular story of a boy coming of age, with the assistance of his hunky jock neighbor. '33 Teeth' features Eddie, a boy just entering into puberty, who truly admires his jock neighbor. As Eddie, played by Spencer Siegel, watches Chad, played by James Ratliff, from his bedroom window, he watches the muscular boy in the bathroom. What happens next even surprises me! Enjoy '33 Teeth'.

33 Teeth ~ by cibox19

Have a great weekend!

Date Night • Coffee & Lie Detector

Tonight, I thought it might be time for a cute and funny double feature, starting with 'Coffee', a short film from Todd Bartoo. The cast features Christy Geslain as Polly, Alison Haislip as Jane, Cameron Northey as John, Tito Leon as Alex, Jeremy Lucas as Chris, and Andy Allen as Jim. It seems Polly, Jane and John show up at the coffeehouse for some relaxation and live Poetry reading, the same night as Alex, Jim, and Polly's ex Chris look for some off-campus fun. We learn that what the movie tag line is true, as "Some people take their coffee straight, others take it with a little cream and sugar."

'Lie Detector' was directed by Paul Emerson, and stars Danny Gutierrez as Danny, Dane Hanson as Dane, and Mike Heim as Mike. The script was written by Hanson and Heim. The film watches in as Dane is set to interview for a new job with Mike, who uses the Lie Detector 3000 to check the facts. As the interview goes on, both men reveal more than they had planned. Or did they?

Have a great weekend!