I just saw a wonderful film starring BWW's Otis33!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 9:06pm

ABOVE PHOTO:
TOP: From “29th and Gay,” front row, writer/lead actor James Vasquez and director Carrie Preston; back, left to right, producer Sebastian Jobin, director of photography (and Vasquez’s boyfriend) Mark Holmes and line producer Melissa Martine after their Broward screening at Cinema Paradiso (Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) on April 29.
BOTTOM: Mike Doyle and James Vasquez in 29th and Gay


Some of you may think this should be on the off topic board, but since it's about BWW poster and talented San Diego stage actor James Vasquez, I'm putting it here on the main board, where I believe it belongs.

Otis33 (aka James) has become a PM-pal, thanks to this site, and I made the 90 minute trek down to Temecula this morning to see his writing/starring debut in his film 29th and Gay, which will have two more showings at the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival tomorrow (9-16 and 9-18 at 5:00 both days).

I loved the movie (my imdb.com review follows) and got to meet James, his partner Mark, and his lovely mother after the screening. We are so lucky at BWW.com to have talented actors in our midst, and James is one of them.

I'm looking forward to seeing James onstage in San Diego this winter. In the meantime, I'm glad I got a chance to see his bigscreen writing/acting debut this morning.

By the way, what's up with imbd.com's "weighted averages"? They currently give this movie a ridiculous 4.8, when the Arithmetic mean is 6.8 and the median an even higher 7.5. Insane!!!

Anyway, here's my review, which I hope will be on imdb.com within the next few days.

STEVEN/ESLGR8'S REVIEW OF 29TH AND GAY

Absolutely charming film!

Having heard good things about this small independent labor of love, I drove down from Los Angeles to see it at the Temecula International Film Festival. I'm glad to report that 29th and Gay absolutely lived up to my expectations. Writer/star James Vasquez has fashioned what must be at least a semi-autobiographical comedy about a gay Everyman (also named James) who can't seem to get either an acting job or a boyfriend.

Luckily James has two very loving and supportive best friends: straight female Roxy, winningly played by Nicole Marcks, and gayer than gay Brandon, portrayed by handsome and adorable David McBean. Both keep pushing James to get out more; unfortunately Brandon doesn't realize that while he may arrive at a club with buddy James, ditching him to go home with tonight's trick is not the kindest way to treat a best friend. (Luckily Brandon (and McBean) get to show a deeper and more sensitive side in one of the film's later scenes.) James also has very(a bit overly?) supportive parents, especially an uberPFLAG mom, brought to three dimensional life by the delightful Annie Hinton. (You have to be VERY gay supportive to buy your son a sling for his birthday!)

As he searches for an acting break and Mr. Right, James discovers the Internet and has a perfect first date with Michael, all the while longing for coffee bar server Andy (the oh so cute and talented Mike Doyle, whom I had never heard of before but turns out to be quite a deservingly busy actor with Hollywood leading man potential). James can't seem to avoid becoming a superklutz whenever he's around Andy, leading him to feel there is no hope for Mr. Average to win the heart of Mr. Perfect.

29th and Gay is filled with funny scenes and superb supporting performances. Gorgeous Adam Greer, who wasn't quite believable enough for me as a gay man in Straight Jacket, is spot on perfect in a funny/poignant scene as an old school friend of James who's been with Mr. Right for five years already, all the time James has been Mr. Eversingle. Another superlative Straight Jacket alum, Michael Emerson, once again steals scenes as an "acting" colleague of James. Finally, there's funny girl Kali Rocha, hilarious as the blood-drawing nurse from hell (with a heart).

Carrie Preston (the adorable star of the wonderful aforementioned Straight Jacket and one of the two slutty cousins in My Best Friend's Wedding) is 29th and Gay's director, and it's an auspicious debut for her. Out actor/singer Malcolm Gets sings the lovely end title song. Finally Vasquez' real life boyfriend Mark Holmes not only co-produced but assumed perhaps a dozen other hats behind the scenes, judging from the number of times his name popped up in the end titles.

There are those who will say we don't need yet another story about a gay man's dating woes. I'm not one of them. For me, there can never be enough ways to tell and retell our stories, and the uniqueness of James Vasquez' point of view and the talent of his cast and crew make this film an absolute winner for me.

As a writer, James Vasquez has fashioned a film for those who may not often see themselves represented in "queer cinema." As an actor, he has not a false moment, and like many a star, can look absolutely average in one scene and take home to mother handsome in another. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of Vasquez' work in the future.

I laughed. I cried. I loved it!


29th and Gay Official Website Updated On: 9/15/05 at 09:06 PM

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 9:10pm

Thanks for the review Eslgr8!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 9:15pm

Steven - we just watched STRAIGHT JACKET last night - and here you are with this news - and thanks for the in-depth look! We'll be looking for it somewhere. Did they happen to mention any distribution plans?

[eslgr8]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 9:18pm

They've shown it at both the NY and the Miami GL Festivals (maybe Outfest next year?). I'm sure James can answer your question when he visits this thread.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 9:22pm

We might actually be able to get down there on the 18th - was the venue a good size, so there wouldn't be problems with tickets?

[otis33]

Posted: 9/15/05 at 11:04pm

First of all, Steven, I can't thank you enough for making the trek to Temecula Valley! What a wonderful review. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and glad we got to meet in person.

This is actually our first "straight" festival, and we happen to be the only gay feature film being shown. We're thrilled to be there, but it'll be interesting to see how we play. The theatre is pretty large, maybe holding about 350 people. And with a couple of screenings scheduled, I can't imagine getting tickets the day of to be a problem.

As far as distribution, we're in discussions with one of the gay networks, and have had a few bites from DVD companies. We'll see.

If anyone happens to be able to make it, please be sure to say hello. I'd love to meet fellow BWWers.

[Popular]

Posted: 9/16/05 at 2:32pm

Congrats James!!! Sorry I didn't leave a response sooner. So proud :)

[meagan9848]

Posted: 9/16/05 at 3:23pm

I was just looking on the website...the north hampton isn't TOO far from me, and I have friends out at umass, so I could kill 2 birds with one stone...depends on my school work, but I'd really love to go.

:)

[otis33]

Posted: 9/17/05 at 1:32pm

Hey Meagan, it'd be great if you could make it to north hampton. I'll be in rehearsal for a show in San Diego, but our director Carrie Preston, and a few of the actors are planning on attending. I wish I could go. One of the lead actors has a vacation house nearby and says it's a fun getaway.
And, anyone in Dallas, we just got asked to be the opening night film for their OUT TAKES gay and lesbian festival! Very honored.