In defense of Chiprecked on DVD

 I didn't see Chiprecked in theaters, I am seeing it on DVD, it is third of the trilogy. There has been bad reviews on this movie, that is just for the money and only kids will like. I know kids will definitely like this movie. I don't think ti is too bad, it is a bit like Finding Nemo, in which the father and children have a fight and then are split up and have surrogate parent and child. The Chipmunks, Chipettes and Dave are on a ship and when Alvin disobeys Dave, they end up on a kite-thing and float away to an island. Dave goes after them with Ian (David Cross)--who was the villain in the last movies and now works for the ship. Dave ends up with Ian and Ian isn't really a surrogate child, even though he acts like a child. The Chipmunks get a surrogate parent, in the wild and kind of irresponsible and jewel-crazy Zoe (Jenny Slate).

 

Jenny Slate has been a background character for SNL and Jimmy Fallon and VH1 and she has to act half the movie with invisible characters and she is really bad at it. When she has something to look at, she looks like she is looking at the object, not the invisible character. What helped Who Framed Roger Rabbit was Bob Hopskins, he sold it. She auctions it off on eBay. In defense of the movie, it has a common emotional thread in which Simon becomes responsible to more adventurous and brave; Alvin goes from irresponsible to responsible. The Chipmunks had the strict Dave and then the more free-willing parent. I like those parts. Zoe going crazy for treasure not so much. Nor the annoying Ian. I liked the first movie, hated the sequel (seeing them in high school wasn't fun and the chipettes were not developed).

 

The Chipettes had more personality in the 80's cartoon, here they seem to go with group mentality. In the cartoon, Britney was self-absorbed, fought with Alvin and was fame-hungry; Eleanor was shy but the sweet one and a cook; and Jeannette was the smart and shy one. Eleanor and Jeanette differed from Theodore and Simon because Simon was all smart but Jeanette was more shy and unsure of herself. Eleanor kept things to herself. Jason Lee actually does a great job as Dave, since he was mostly absent for the sequel, I feel like there was more closure with Dave. Hearing their voices a lot is kind of annoying mid-way through the movie. The Dave-Chipettes relationship is interesting but unexplored, when talking to Ian, he only mentions the Chipmunks and when he has to reprimand them, it comes a bit cold.

Jem and the Holograms Truly Outrageous Complete Series DVD Review

I have been waiting for this in a long time, I got it for Christmas. I have spoke about Jem before, the series based on the Hasbro toyline running from 1985-1987. The DVD set has all three seasons, the first season has 4 discs--26 episodes, second had 4 discs--27 episodes and third season has 3 discs--12 episodes. It is about Jerrica Benton who poses as Jem, lead singer of the all-girl band known as the Holograms thanks to her dad's super-tech computer Synergy. They have a rival group the Misfits who are competition and a thorn on their sides. Misfits are more beloved by fans other than the 'goody goodies' but these girls were mean-spirited, selfish, lazy and greedy. I have the first season on DVD thanks to Rhino back in 2003. They released season 2 but I didn't get it, it was too much money at the time. The original set has commentary from Christy Marx, these dvd sets don't have the commentary but some great featurettes, one including the male producers and Christy Marx. 

 (The Rhino DVD to left and the Shout! Factory to right)

Some great insights such as the opening sequence was rotorscoped, that the music videos were intentionally made to be animated better, the animation was done by Toei Animation (famous for Sailor Moon) and originally they did Anime eyes for the Holograms. Also, the music videos were inspired by music videos of an now-old Anime, whose name is said but i can't find the spelling for. Anyway, the quality isn't that great for the episodes. Some episodes of Season 2 have a darkness and weird tint that makes Kimber's red hair look hot pink. I personally believe that the Rhino Season 1 DVD had better quality. But anyway, I think it is the only time we will get this, so it is a good set. It also has the cool Jukebox option. As for the episodes, I hadn't seen Season 3 in a long time and it was pretty good, the new bumpers were amazing, it is a shame it is the shortest season but Sunbow/Marvel/Toei had a commitment only for 65 episodes and the toy line was already canceled (because the dolls were too tall--boxes didn't fit on shelves and barbie clothes didn't fit them and the prices were too high), plus they introduced lots of characters that were to be released but never were released like Riot, Minx, and Rapture the Stingers and also fashion designer Regine and magician Dazzle.

Toy Story 3 Blu-Ray Review

The movie is great and the DVD is great too, with lots of information, ideas and explanations. The Blu-Ray/DVD combo comes with FOUR discs. One disc is the digital copy, one is the regular DVD (no director's commentary on that), the Blu-Ray is just the movie (with three small cute videos), and the extras on the second disc. The Extras Disc is the one that has two Director's Commentary and lots and lots of extras, jam pack. If you are not familiar with the past two Toy Story re-issues, that has this cute 3 to 5 minute stories (Studio Stories) with drawings that are more or less true story. Two of the feautrettes in the DVD disc and Blu-Ray disc are repeated in the Extras disc. The Directors' Commentary has Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson. The director Lee Unkrich expresses that he wished he had more hours to express more stuff. Darla is the producer, she mostly tells of inside info of little small things in the movie people should keep their eyes out.

In the commentary, Lee does confirm the cameo of Sid, the trash guy--who is wearing the same skull shirt. The Extras are split up by 'Family Fun' and stuff for extreme fans and other stuff. But check it out! Check them out because there ARE THESE AWESOME commercial videos. These are faux commercials for Lotso the bear, made by Pixar and they are to look like real 80's commercials. I do not know how they did it. They look like those commercials recorded off the VHS on YouTube. In the Behind-The -Scenes of the Lotso commercials, they don't reveal much on the technological aspect, but really just some stuff on the shooting with kids, with a small glimpse at use of a portable green screen. Actually the DVD extras has a lot about Lotso, on how they made toy bears to help animate the character for the animators.

Related: http://spanengrish.blogspot.com/2010/07/toy-story-trilogy-review.html

Piranha 3-D

Piranha 3D came out in theaters this summer, but on Blu-Ray and DVD today. I hadn't seen it, it is a remake. There is plenty of jump out of your face gimmicks that when not in theaters in 3D, it just looks ridiculous on regular TV. The plot to the movie is basically like a Syfy Channel Saturday movie. Prehistoric piranhas ruin Spring Break for porn director (Jerry O'Connell), a young teenager Jake (Vampire Diaries' Steven R McQueen), and his sheriff mother (Elizabeth Shue comeback). Elizabeth Shue should have done something better. While the movie started out like a SyFy movie but when the Piranhas come in and eat everyone up, it amps up, with really great graphics and extreme gore.

Buckets of blood were used in this movie. There are some good deaths, but unfortunately most of them are women. I like it when it is a decent ratio, when men get real good on-screen deaths, but most of theirs are off-screen. Nude women get the majority of the big deaths. Jerry O' Connell's character is just a big jerk like in all these horror movies and his bottom half is eaten out. His character's severed penis are all flung out of the screen. Adam Scott (Party Down and Parks and Recreation) gets a small part as a dude who helps the Sherriff but acts like an action star, swinging unto a speed boat and jumping into another boat. There is a cameo by Richard Dyrfus from Jaws fame in the beginning of the movie and a memorable cameo by Christopher Lloyd, which is just hilarious. Also in two instances where men go to women for help, they call them bitches or whores and then are then eaten.

The freights are what to be expected, just to startle you and the gore is just gore-a-licious. Some good moments. The movie is not horrible, it is really what you would expect out of these movies and even though the script isn't self-aware, the actors sure are, they take it lightly as they should. Jessica Szhor (Gossip Girl, above) is vibrant in her role as Jake's love interest. As for shirtless guys, we got Jerry O' Connell, Steven R McQueen, Adam Scott and other Spring Breakers. As for nude women, plenty of them, but not Jessica, sorry dudes. Oh yeah, and even though there are children in the movie, it doesn't mean the movie is for children, way too traumatizing even for the toughest kid. And the ending was ruined by a trailer, but pretty much leaves it open to a sequel. The Blu-Ray comes with deleted storyboards, deleted scenes and director's commentary. The commentary is interesting because the director is Alexandre Aja and French and his voice is very soothing.

Beauty and the Beast Comparison between Original and Extended Edition

The "Human Again" sequence was added to Beauty and the Beast for the 2002 DVD (after the duet "Something There"). It has been re-released once again on DVD this week and I say thank god because the 2002 DVD was impossible to find and out of print. The new one comes with new extras... only available on Blu Ray unfortunately. I don't have Blu Ray so I can't see it but luckily it came with regular DVD, so I can see it, it has the three versions--regular, the extended version and the unfinished one that showed in New York (which is a fun watch). Anyway, I have never seen anyone compare the scenes after "Human Again" because in that new sequence, the gang cleans the house---so the Beast's room has been spruced up, but up until Belle leaves, so logic tells us the Beast messed up his room again because she left.


The "Human Again" sequence was added immediately before Beast takes his bath, as you can see, they fixed the torn sheets, fixed the mirror and cleaned up the floor.




And as you can see below, Lumiere's chair has been changed to some sort of footstool probably because the chair was at an angle and it would be too much to add a chair.




It seems Cogsworth's movements had been changed a bit, including one animation I loved and I have no idea to why they changed it.




Now here it is the part, it is to after Belle leaves...

Cogsworth asks Beast 'Why?' and he does it in a dramatic fashion. This animation has completely been redone and I have not seen anyone mention it online. It is not even mentioned in the Director's Commentary. As you can see, in the new one, he has barely any shadow and Beast's tail is barely in the shot. Cogsworth does a more subtle 'why' looking upwards. I loved the way he used to do it. I've been trying to make a video of it but having great difficulty in doing so.

Toy Story Trilogy Review

Toy Story

In 1995, the first computer-animated movie was released. I can see this movie over and over again, it is the most original movie to be related to Disney. Pixar, by no question, are better storytellers than the current Disney brood. We all know the story behind the scenes, of Black Friday where they had a badass Woody and the movie almost got canceled (partly because Katenzberg asked for 'more edge') and how it began with the short film "Tin Toy" and it was going to be a TV movie but then get upgraded to movie by Disney. Woody originally was a ventriloquist dummy and Buzz was to be red and more theatrical. In the final project, Woody indeed had some edge. The Plot: Woody is Andy's favorite toy and Buzz Lightyear becomes the new favorite toy. Andy is jealous of Buzz, who isn't aware he is a toy and thinks he is an actual hero. Andy gets Buzz knocked out the window, Andy has no choice to take Woody out with him and Buzz follows them. They end up getting lost and kidnapped by Sid, who threatens to blow them up.

At the point where Buzz is accidentally dropped out of the window, the movie felt a bit alienating but the movie did get pretty good with the emotional stuff where the toys end up in Sid's House. One of my favorite writers Joss Whedon helped with the structure of the movie, the only thing he can remember writing was "Wind the Frog." So they added the frog toy. One idea Joss had was to have Barbie, but Mattel didn't allow it. I liked their reason, that little girls have a vision for how Barbie should be and didn't want to give one solid vision. Joss wanted Barbie to be tough and hero and be like Sarah Connor. The humans do get kind of creepy looking and seeing it 15 years later, the movie does look old, the computer graphics are great but they do look outdated. But I still like the design and style. I saw the movie in the theaters, had the tape and recently got the DVD.

Toy Story 2
Released in 1999, I was already 17 and didn't see the movie in theaters. I did rent the movie and having no expectations, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought having Jesse was a bit too tacked on, like adding a female character that looks like the male protagonist but it was a clever story. Woody was from his own franchise, like the Buzz franchise, three toys from the franchise had different stories. Jesse had abandonment issues, Stinky Pete was a jerk--haven't be rejected and never been bought and the horse Bullseye, who is like a dog--loyal and caring. We also got the villain Al (Wayne Knight). Another stroke of genius was to have Kelsey Grammer as the voice of Stinky Pete. Andy had grown up a bit and Woody was convinced to be a collectible because he knew Andy would soon abandon him like Jesse was. I liked how Jesse had some edge, she wasn't easily pushed over. Buzz leads a group of our favorite characters: Potato Head, Hamm and Rex and have a heck of an adventure to get Woody.

I did like how they got to all be outside and far from their house for once, the movie was a bit like the first one where Woody saved Buzz and now Buzz saved Woody, but I think it was different conceptually and structurally. It does make me wonder if the creators had in purpose that the villains of the first two movies: Sid and Al, both male, abuse or do things to toys in different ways. Sid was creative with his toys, he abused some (blowing up a Commander Carl) and mutated some (the Spider Baby). Al was a collector, he left his toys on shelves to collect dust. The only character flaws they had was Sid didn't respect his toys and Al was just greedy (money). The other villain Stinky Pete was conniving, smart and vengeful. One flaw in the movie is how Buzz quickly scoffed at Woody wanting to be a collectible so quickly, it would have helpef to have more context or lines about it.

Toy Story 3
11 years after the sequel and 15 years after the first one, we all know the story how Disney threatened to make their own 3rd movie without Pixar. Pixar blew them out of the water with their concept. A fully realized concept that fits right in with the other two movies with plenty of references to the movies. The beginning dream sequence is a more bloated and elaborate opening where Andy played with his toys in the first movie, with the additions of Buzz, Jesse, Bullseye, Mrs. Potato Head, and three Aliens. Andy has grown up and is plenty cute, he is off to college and hasn't played with his toys for years. He has only kept 11 toys: Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Bullseye, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, Hamm, and the three aliens (for some reason). I am sure lots of people have seen the movie, and you haven't, you should see because it's great, so I'm going spoil anyway.

Andy is told to put garbage in black garbage bags and stuff to go to college in college box. He puts Woody in his college box and the others in a garbage bag, planning to put it in the attic. He goes to help his little sister and leaves the bag. The attic ladder is closed by accident. The toys are insulted and disappointed they are in the garbage and have no idea he meant to put them in the attic. Mom finds the bag and puts it on the curb. Sid makes a cameo as a garbageman. The toys escape the garbage and go in a box that will go to Sunnyside daycare, Woody tries to deter them but ends up going with them. The daycare seems like paradise, Woody escapes but ends up being taken by a cute little creative girl by the name of Bonnie. The toys soon find out that the daycare is no heaven, they are trashed and abused by pre-school babies and it was all engineered by the Care Bear-like Lotso, who was originally supposed to be in the Tin Toy TV Movie. Lotso has an interesting backstory and is much like Stinky Pete as they are evil toys. Ken doll is a interesting character, as he initially is Lotso's soldier but slowly becomes one of the good guys.

Barbie, even though being Andy's sister Molly's old toy, does stick with the other toys and come through for them. Ken's initial outfit is based on Safari Ken, the producers had found him in Keeping Ken but have not credited the webmaster for it. The webmaster was hoping for tickets to the premiere but who knows if it happened. The movie gets pretty dark and I like it, it is deliciously dark. There is a creepy symbol monkey, which I covered before that I was scared of. The eyes are the freakiest part. Anyway, my 23-year-old nephew told me the movie would make me cry as he did. I started crying at the part where after the toys escape the daycare, end up in a garbage dump and are about to be incinerated in big fire. They all have been through so much and I see these toys, that we have grown to love for 15 years, as a set, inseparable. Lots of people identify with Andy and toys because when the first movie came out, those kids that saw it, are now college age, much like the real life voice actor, John Morris, was 8 when the first movie was recorded and is now 25, he has provided the voice for all 3 movies. The ending is very touching as Andy says goodbye to his toys and there is a happy ending, albeit bittersweet.

Shelter (2007) Movie Review

This movie came out in 2007 and I just recently discovered it because I was looking up actor Ross Thomas. This movie is one indie movie that is one in a new (awesome) trend in gay uncles or big brothers that have to take care of their little nephew or brother and fall in love. It follows Zach (Trevor Wright), a young man who lives in the ghetto of San Pedro, who says he didn't get accepted in Art school. He surfs and graffiti in some places, as he is an artist. His nephew calls him his 'daddy' as his father is no longer in the picture.

He has an off-again, on-again childhood girlfriend Tori he neglects. Ross Thomas ("Breaking the Edge") plays his best friend Gabe, who goes off to college. Zach goes to the backyard of his house and bumps into Gabe's step-brother Shaun played by Brad Rowe. Anyhoo, Zach and Shaun know each other since they were kids and they re-connect. Even though Brad Rowe (Billy's First Hollywood Screen Kiss), who was 37 at the time and Trevor Wright was 25 at the time, they don't look that much of a mis-match. Zach and Shaun get drunk one night and Shaun kisses Zach. The next day, Zach throws his tongue down Tori's throat. His sister Jeanne warns him about Shaun and doesn't want Shaun near her son Cody because Shaun is gay. Shaun tries to deny who he is but ultimately, after breaking up with Tori for good, he seals the deal with Shaun. But the honeymoon is quickly over when Gabe returns. The night Gabe throws a party at the house, Zach breaks down and breaks up with Shaun.

Like any of these gay indie movies, this one rings true. Even though it has no major camera moves, it is an intimate look at the relationships. Zach's angst and turmoil is understandable and relatable. But there is a lot between the lines. Zach never out says he is gay nor does he let anyone say it. Zach has never had a same-sex relationship or encounter before, but basically he was trying not to be true to feelings or confusion. He wanted to be everything for Tori but couldn't, just didn't know why. He gave up everything (his own sexual identity and happiness) for his family. His sister is not that encouraging, by saying if he was rejected once by the school to not try again. He reveals near the end, when he is accepted by the university once again that he was not rejected the first time but declined to attend.

Oh yes, also got to mention that when Gabe finds out about his step-brother and best friend, he is okay about it and open-minded, but he does bug Zach--asking if he finds a guy hot and if guys give better blowjobs. But Zach isn't having it. Gabe does hug him in the end, saying they are still 'bros.' Thank god this movie has no sad ending, lots of these gay indie movies have sad endings. Well, it is worth the watch. If you wanna show this to your parents, skip one sex scene in the middle. The sex scene is not much, just an alluded to fellatio, and some shirtless kissing. Zach and Jeanne's father is only seen one scene and barely mentioned afterwards. I love this subject (gay uncles taking care of their family) being touched on, the sacrifices young gay people have to do for their families.

Defending Alvin and the Chipmunks the movie

I know I am late but I thought I'd review and defend Alvin and the Chipmunks, the critically panned and 80's fan despised movie. I admit I was one of those playerhaters and didn't have high-expectations but that turned around after watching the movie. It actually is quite good. The main premise is Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is a struggling songwriter and discovers three talking and singine orphan chipmunk children. The three are voiced by 3 uber-hotties but you can barely tell: Alvin is Justin Long (Mac commercials, Accepted, Waiting, etc.), Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds) as Simon, and Jesse McCartney as Theodore. It doesn't make sense to me that a heartthrob would play the chubby hungry one but whatever. The characters are more fleshed out, Theodore is the heart and gentle one of the group and more absent-minded than in previous incarnations. Alvin is not as annoying as he is in the commercials. The subtle things before getting clothes, the chipmunks have colored eye pupils, Alvin has brown while the others--Theodore has green and Simon has blue. My mom lvoes the movie and was confused about their size but I explained to them that because they are suppose to reflect the real world in some way--that is why they are small and chipmunk height. The puppetry is good (to emulate the CGI characters moving the chairs, planes, door, cups, etc.), some is show-off-y but the best is when you don't notice. I like how Alvin sucks in helium from a baloon and his voice gets deeper.

When Dave goes to show off the Chipmunks to big record producer Ian (David Cross), who doesn't become a big villain until the end, the trio's stage freight faces are hilarious and priceless. David Cross is very funny, sometimes annoying but doesn't ham it up. Jane Lynch makes a cameo but doesn't contribute much. The movie is subtle and genuinely funny, the fart and poo jokes are to a minimum. But yes Alvin steals the show (most of what he says is kid pleasers), but he isn't invincible to be in a butt in jokes--like being sucked by a vacuum. As for Dave's 'ex-mate' Claire doesn't add anything--she is the flat actress. I love the animation in their faces, like when Theodore tells Dave that he had garlic breath, his face looks so concerned. It is also great where there is no big explanation to why they can sing or talk. As for their parents, they say their parents were hippies and went early to commune which is not believable at all sicne it is the late 2000's and they are children. That would be a funny joke in the 80's. Most of the movie is predictable (the cofee scene was awesome!) but I love how the note he writes to get rid of them when he is tense and then they discover it later. I love how the movie is about Dave getting accustomed to the idea of being a family and becoming a father for the trio.

Favorite Quotes:
(Once discovering Dave knocked out thinking he is dead.)
Alvin: "Wipe everything down! I'll need three garbage bags, a shovel, some disinfectant, some latex gloves, and oregano. Go!"

David: "They're savings bonds. In seven years you will get enough money from them to buy something nice."
Alvin: "Do you have any that you bought seven years ago?"

The cast returns for the sequel--I don't like the name 'Squeakuel' but they have confirmed that the Chipettes (Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor) will be in it. I love them and I hope it is as good as the first one and they are treated with the same respect for storytelling as their male counterparts. The story: "The Chipmunks are fish out of water in school where Dave sends them. Meanwhile, Ian (after the Chipmunks dealt him a serious blow) is freed from jail and searches the world for animals who can sing and dance. He finds the Chipettes and can't wait to make them famous and get back at the Chipmunks." It will be bit hard with the Chipettes since they were first and only seen in the cartoon and were tied with the characters from the cartoon. So I guess they will have their own new storyline. Although [Janice] Karman has provided the voices of the female chipmunks in the past, she said that she'll happily pass the torch to new actresses. "I think we'll probably get famous actresses," she explained. -MTV

[The Chipettes] represented equality for little girls; to others, they were the lame equivalent of Star Wars’ Ewoks or Cousin Oliver from “The Brady Bunch.” The stars of the new film, however, insisted that they’re eager to get their characters some chipmunk lovin’. “I have a big crush on all of them,” insisted Gubler. “I want to see them naked…I’d pay to see that.” Long says, “I’ve got a great tagline, by the way, for the Chipettes movie if they do come out in the sequel,” he grinned. “It’s ‘This spring, the Chipmunks get vaginas." -Another MTV blog post

Related Topic: Live-Action Alvin & the Chipmunks: Ick Factor 500%

Eating Out Movie Reviews

I am reviewing both Eating Out movies, mostly Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds.

In the first movie, for those who don't know... After getting dumped by his slutty girlfriend Tiffani (Rebekah Kochan--who openly admits looking like Jennifer Coolidge), Caleb (Scott Lunsford) falls in love with Gwen (Emily Stiles). Because Kyle (Jim Verraros) has a thing for Gwen's roommate Marc (Ryan Carnes), so she makes Gwen believes Caleb is gay. Marc's last girlfriend was Gwen and Gwen has been dating gay men since then and can't find her guy. Caleb dates Marc and Marc starts falling for Caleb but Caleb feels conflicted. And in dating movie fashion, it all ends in a dinner that embarrasses Caleb in front of his parents ('coming out' to him).

The movie is obviously low-quality and low budget. A lot of people love the first movie but while the script and story was great, the production was horrible and the tempo and rhythm didn't jell well. Gwen is the lead girl but she is just all over the place. She is just comes off was a whacked-off weirdo. The first movie comes up like a porn, it all just feels like a porn. Tiffani as a character comes out like a sluttty and unpleasant villianess. The chicks even had horrible costumes and Gwen had so many hairdos, I thought she was two different characters at once point--many she had different personalities. The audio commentary is horrendous and you can't understand a lot of it. It sounds like it is tunneled through a speaker.

Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds plot is most around a Ex-Gay group, which has an attractive name called "Coming In." It is headed Jacob (Scott Vickaryous from "Breaker High"), the typical conflicted hypocritical guy. Jacob annoying says "Stop the spread of faggotry" which sounds very faggy anyway. Caleb is mentioned but there is no explanation to his absence---only that he no longer is with Gwen but it is not explained why they broke up. Gwen has a new guy Shane (Andrew Ley) but she breaks up with him because he is not willing to make out with another guy to turn her on. She has found herself that what she wants to satisfy her is two guys to make out. Meanwhile with Kyle and Marc (now played by Brett Chukerman)--they break up because Kyle still has issues about Marc being 'too hot for him' and Marc flirting too much.

This time around Brett Chukerman plays Kyle, instead of fan favorite Ryan Carnes. Many wanted to hate him, but he is a bit likable in this movie. Chukerman has played many gay guys before, but like Sean Hayes, he wants his sexuality to remain a mystery. He has this slime-y-ness and seductiveness he has used before and is present in this movie. In this movie, Kyle, Gwen and Tiffani are in an art class together and meet Illinois country boy Troy (Marco Dapper)--a confused nude model. Gwen makes up the lie this time around---instead of Caleb playing gay, now Kyle is forced to play straight and Tiffani is his beard. Kyle takes Troy 'under his wing' into the Ex-gay group and tries to seduce him with Tiffani's help. When Marc gets his eyes on Troy, Gwen switches sides and tries to sabotage Kyle. After some sexual altercations, the quartet's plan is discovered by Troy, they join forces to stop the anti-gay group and out Jacob.

The sequel leaves behind the off-putting-ness and awkward of the original in favor of a more familiar and warmer version. The two female characters, who were very annoying the first time, are much more appealing. The sequel is much better paced and Q. Allan Brocka wrote and directed the first one, but Phillip J. Bartell, wrote, directed, and edited this one. The sauciness and out-there-ness is still in tact, but thank god the awkward lines have been diminished.

Mink Stole (Cecil B. Demented) plays Kyle's mother in this one, a super open mother who changes gears when she spots Kyle with Tiffani and is thrilled he is straight. But then after mulling it over, she misses her little gay boy and is thrilled he is gay. The star of the sequel really is Marco Dapper, this movie's 'confused' guy who gets very emotional and draws you in way more than Lunsford. While the first movie, you know who is going to end up with each other--the sequel leaves everyone questioning who will end up together. There are so many players, that it could lead anyway. I like that Tiffani joins forces with Kyle in this one, the acting is much more tolerable in this one.