It is one of the hardest things most people have to do deciding between putting others first and neglecting your own dreams, or choosing to put yourself first and fighting for what you truly want. For some it's easy, for others its hard, and for some people they will spending their lives struggling to do just that.
That's what this month's OMG movie club movie Shelter is about, putting yourself first and having what you really want or putting the needs of others ahead of your own. And at the same time is a journey about finding out who you are, what you need, and taking the chances to have the life you are meant to have.
"Forced to give up his dreams of art school in order to take care of his family, Zach (Trevor Wright) has become accustomed to a life where he neglects his own needs in favor of taking care of his older sister, Jeanne (Tina Holmes) and his nephew, Cody. When his best friend’s older brother, Shaun (Brad Rowe), returns home to cure a case of writer’s block, Shaun and Zach develop a friendship that develops into a true, intimate relationship. Shaun presses Zach to take control of his life, and to take ownership of his artwork. He also develops a strong bond with Cody, and Zach happily notices the positive effect Shaun’s attention has on him. As time progresses, however, a host of new issues come up. Zach struggles with his identity, his family, and friends, while trying to understand the new emotions Shaun has brought into his life. When the cat is let out of the bag, Jeanne threatens to take Cody away. Wanting nothing but the best for him, Zach is forced to decide between his pattern of always putting others’ desires first or fighting for what is really most important and appropriate for both his and Cody’s future."
Despite all the struggles, there was kind of a fairy tale quality to it, with Shaun as a kind of white knight coming in to sweep him off his feet and give him a better life.
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact that in the end coming out was not that big of a deal. Even with Zach's sister the real issue was having someone to care for Cody.
And I loved the scene on the stairs when they're pulling off clothes as they went up, funny, romantic and hot at the same time.
I realize now i haven`t seen many gay-themed movies or series. I also realize now, i think i loved JFC mainly because of Austin.
ReplyDeleteI mean, it was an ok serie. It had it`s mysterie, i love that!...but the whole point for me is to know the anwere in the end.!
That kind of failed for me in JFC.
I have to admit, : even though the serie had a great sense of humour, i just couln`t get the rest of the main-plot. Most of it, yeah, but not enough to make me care about the people involved and they`re stories.
Maybe i`m not the one to listen to, but that`s just my opinion.
It was a GREAT serie when it comes to Ausin, absolutely.(He really was great, i think).BUT, for me, even though i had some good times wathing JFC, i will remember it as "the weird serie with Austin and no end"(probably because i was too slow to understaand)
Just my opinion!
I was a bit disappointed in Shelter, having read several very positive reviews for it. I did not enjoy it as much as I expected. Mainly because I found the sister to be such an unpleasant character. Yes, I know that she was supposed to be, but she was so callous about her son, it broke my heart. Also, it's hard for me to understand people who let their own lives wither for someone else. Makes me want to shake them and call them foolish. Still, I can see he had to do it for the boys sake, not his sisters.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, it depicted his conflict about being gay realistically. And I thought the part where his girlfriend knew all along was good. Like Lureen, how could she not know.
I thought it was okay, not great. I'm surprised I was not more bothered by the things you mentioned M, because I usually hate those same things.
ReplyDeleteShelter is what I think of as a "gay quad" movie--there's a movie theater in the Village called the
Quad, and they almost always have a gay movie on one of the screens, and they never last more than a week or two--I'm sure that's where it played originally. Most of those movies are pretty mediocre, and this one is definitely a lot better than most. The acting in particular was pretty good, something that is not usually the case. I think that may be one reason why i got good reviews.
I also liked the beach and surfing scenes--there was one in particular when they were on a pathway from the beach that reminded me of JFC.
Could the rumors that Rabbie are expecting have led Reese to make this slip in this interview?
ReplyDeleteP. S. Reese will be in the UK for Thanksgiving. She is scheduled to be on the Graham Norton show. Jake will probably still be in the UK doing PoP.
Slip? I bet she did that on purpose.
ReplyDeleteOne thing about Shelter was it wasn't preachy. Zach had to figure it out, and it wasn't some grandiose epiphany, they didn't try to build into some huge scene. I like the quietness of a lot of the scenes. They used restraint and let the visual speak.
ReplyDeleteGuys been so exhausted evenings that I've been mainly just lurking when I can, but wanted to say how much I've appreciated reading all the incredibly posts and comments - from Jewish New Year, to recipes and personal stories, to Obama and the Prop 8 protests and commentary. Thanks everyone so much. I know there are many out there reading like me who appreciate it being kept up to date on all these issues.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Shelter, I adored this movie, particularly the character of Zach. I liked seeing his struggle and the happy ending he found for himself. Obviously this didn't have a huge budget but I thought they did well with what they had. The other characters were pretty good, although I agree with M about Zach's sister. I wasn't as fond of Shaun, for some reason, although it was clear he gave Zach the stability he needed, and that was cool. My only issue with the film and others like it is that it suggest coming out to everybody is always the key to a happy ending when this isn't always right for everyone - sometimes you have to be selective about who you tell and when, and this is a subtlety not found in most coming out films. Otherwise loved it though, especially the mixture of shame then exhiliration Zach feels after his first few experiences. The morning after in the car when his blank face turns to a grin is my fav scene.
Reese's little slip of accidentally using Jake's name is especially intriguing after reading M's post from yesterday:
ReplyDeleteGood catch that Reese never mentions Jake's name. We've all been in love. What happens? You write your loved ones name over and over while doodling. You drop their name in conversation. Hell, I realized that a married friend of mine was having an affair when she repeatedly brought a gentlemans name into the conversation. She could not help but coo when she said it aloud.
Just a coincidence? Or more confirmation we are being watched!
I think of films like Shelter as kind of gay romcoms, so I think that is why they always have happy endings.
ReplyDeleteFor being a low budget film, Shelter looked better than most. I think the director did a good job of elevating this film above the form.
I think of films like Shelter as kind of gay romcoms, so I think that is why they always have happy endings.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Destiny. Its probably not the genre to get into all the aspects of coming out.
I had real issues with Zach's sister - but realize why they wrote her that way. She was always putting herself first - which would leave a impression on Zach, and make him trying to put himself first even harder.
ReplyDeleteOrchid that is a great scene in the car with his expression. Also like when he was on the roof top and he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go - to go over to Shaun's and what he wanted to do when he got there. The look that came over his face, you could see him saying, I'm going, in his head.
Forgot to say hi Orchid. Glad to know you're still around.
ReplyDeleteHi Orchid :)
ReplyDeleteReese interviews always make me go ewww a bit.
It'll be fascinating to see her on Graham Norton, outest of out gay guys.
I thought the art was really cool in Shelter because it was outsider art (tagging) not the mainstream for art school and it was another symbol of Zach's current situation.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone :) Good to see you all too!
ReplyDeleteIt will definitely be interesting to see Reese on the Graham Norton show. Hopefully we'll see a few unscripted moments ;)
Orchid that is a great scene in the car with his expression. Also like when he was on the roof top and he knew what he wanted to do and where he wanted to go - to go over to Shaun's and what he wanted to do when he got there. The look that came over his face, you could see him saying, I'm going, in his head.
ReplyDeleteI loved that part too, Special. And also the musical sequence showing a bunch of scenes of Zach and Shaun together as well as scenes of Zach out with Cody shopping. I love how the song and scenes go together. I can watch that part over and over :) Great soundtrack too for the film.
I already seen Shelter once and it was enough. The best part was finding someone to love and leaving to be with them. I learned its risky out there. Its hard at first sometimes you make mistakes and they have to clean up your shit and when they make mistakes you always be their best friend. But if you trust the other that he won't give you up and if you make yourself stay even though you want sometimes to run away its worth it. Its love and best friends forever.
ReplyDeleteI love Graham Norton show. I wonder how Reese will handle him:)
ReplyDeleteI really liked this movie overall although I did find some scenes to be a bit disjointed so I wasn’t able to feel as much for the two main characters as I would have liked. I felt by not showing more of Zach and his ex girlfriends relationship as well as the events leading up to everybody finding out about Zach and Sean were a major blow to the storyline. I found myself more involved in the back story of Cody and his mom. Maybe that’s what the director wanted, I don’t know. I did like the scenes leading up to them getting together though. I thought it was totally realistic. I agree with you guys about Jeanne - I cant imagine how a mother could abandon her child that way. Now that I think of it, it did play like a typical romcom, but the scenery and eye candy was nice. The music was good as well.
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