eCupid (U.S. 2011)

The Gist:

In a fairy tale for a social media age, we have Marshall, a man about to turn 30 who is unfulfilled by his job, and uncertain about his seven year relationship that has settled into being comfortable. Bored one night, he downloads an app, "eCupid," which promises to find him true love. The apparently omnipotent app proceeds to give Marshall exactly what he desired, life as a single man, with a string of hot men vying for his attention. Given everything he wants, why can he only think of his now ex-boyfriend Gabe?

Comments (with unimportant spoilers):

The answer to why he can only think of his boyfriend Gabe is obvious of course. It's because this is a moral lesson teaching romantic comedy with fairy tale overtones and a mobile phone app in place of an ornery genie granting your every wish to disaster. 

It is a perfectly adequate, perfunctory, "gay flick," that does exactly what it promises to do, be cute. No more, no less.

Which oddly is the worst problem with it. This feels like it was aimed squarely for average and having achieved that, "they" have ended up up with a fast food meal of a movie. Neither good nor bad, not surprising, and oddly lacking. 

General comments aside and focusing on the story, It's a bit strange that when the boyfriend Gabe receives a text saying Marshall was bored with the relationship, instead of getting mad, or having a fight, or just talking about it, Gabe immediately breaks up with him ending their seven year relationship over momentary boredom. 

Issues of 'adequacy' aside, the movie is what is. A gay flick that is cute if you watch it, but is not a loss if you don't.

Women:

One. Morgan Fairchild as, well, a mysterious and possibly powerful someone who knows a thing or two about love. Actually, considering the movie's name is eCUPID, it may have made more sense if her role was cast with a man instead. Likely the first and last time I ever argue that a gay flick would had been better with fewer women, which in this case would mean no women. 

People of color:

None

Gratuitous nudity:

None

• Director: J.C. Calciano
• Writer: J.C. Calciano
• Houston Rhines, Noah Schuffman
• 95 min
• IMDB

Is It Just Me? (US 2010)

The Gist:

In a city filled to overflowing with hot gay men only interested in quick hook ups with other equally hot gay men, can Blain, an average looking gay man find a chance at true love? Of course he will, and his name is Xander. The actual question is when an online profile picture mix up leads to a case of mistaken identity between Blain and his sexy roommate Cameron, who will Xander choose?

Comments with spoilers:

I was prepared to be annoyed by the movie when the first couple of scenes set up the idea that Blain was the only good guy in Los Angeles, because he was interested in dating and romance, while everyone else in the city was a rude slut. I was also all set to be annoyed by the idea that despite being played by an attractive actor, Blain was supposed to be “average” looking.

Luckily, it did not turn out to be as bad as I feared. Though to elaborate on Blain not being handsome, the story makes it clear (by way of friends telling him repeatedly), that Blain really is a good looking guy (which in itself is kind of annoying, watching pretty people being told they are pretty). 

So what we have in the movie is a good looking guy with low self esteem acting like a pill while trying to start a relationship with another good looking guy. Which brings up the question of why anyone would want to be with such a self-deprecating negative stick in the mud.  

Worse, a self-deprecating negative stick in the mud who is a lying idiot. Then again, it is a mistaken identity romance comedy based on a Three’s Company worthy mix up. If our protagonist weren't a lying idiot and simply told his date the truth that he was not his go-go boy roommate, there wouldn't be a movie. Well, at least not this movie.

His lying idiot antics were amusing to me, not in and of themselves, but in the implications. The movie plays up the idea that lying Blain is a much better catch than his shallow vain roommate Cameron. The problem, for me at least, is that roommate Cameron (and nearly everyone else in the movie) is arguably a much better person than lying Blain. Cameron is vain and shallow yes, but also honest and loyal. By the end of the story he also ends up in a relationship, except that his path to romance is filled with not so much with hijinks and lies as much as lots and lots of sex. 

This sounds as if I hated the movie, but in truth, I didn’t. Flaws aside, this is a good enough movie with fair acting that does an ok job of telling a goofy story of two guys falling in love.

Women:

Two, a best friend and a secretary. 

People of color:

Best friend and occasional guy in background.

Gratuitous nudity:

While not technically naked, there is barely dressed male eye candy by way of go-go dancers which fulfills the gay movie stereotype of requiring bare skin. The actual gratuitous nudity comes by way of a quick flash of bare butt. 

• Director: J.C. Calciano
• Writer: J.C. Calciano
• Actors: Nicholas Downs, David Loren, Adam Huss
• 93 min
• IMDB