"ANOTHER GAY MOVIE" — * — Michael Carbonaro, Jonah Blechman, Jonathan Chase; not rated, probable NC-17 (vulgarity, sex, nudity, profanity, drugs, slapstick violence).
"Another Gay Movie" aims to be gay cinema's equivalent of the naughty-but-nice "American Pie" films.
It also aims considerably lower than those films, at least in terms of humor. In fact, in many respects, this movie makes those look tame. Some of the more graphic material wouldn't be out of place in soft-core porn, and if it had been submitted to its ratings board, this unrated release likely would have gotten an NC-17 from the Motion Picture Association of America.
However, perhaps the film's biggest offense — of many — is that it's so strained, forced and unfunny.
Like the "American Pie" movies, this comedy follows a group of high school pals (Michael Carbonaro, Jonah Blechman, Jonathan Chase and Mitch Morris) who all vow to lose their virginity before they get to college. The twist being, they are all gay.
Unfortunately for co-screenwriter/director Todd Stephens (2001's "Gypsy 83"), his four leads aren't very likable or sympathetic, especially Carbonaro's libidinous Andy, who lusts after one of his much older high school instructors (Graham Norton, in a humiliating supporting role). To say that this particular subplot is in poor taste is putting it mildly.
Stephens and co-screenwriter Tim Kaltenecker are also apparently so clueless that they think the simple inclusion of "Survivor" reality star Richard Hatch in their movie is a funny idea. It isn't.
"Another Gay Movie" is not rated but would probably receive an NC-17 for crude sexual humor (references and graphic sex talk), as well as some scatological humor (including a prolonged toilet gag), full male nudity, simulated gay sex and other graphic sexual content, strong sexual profanity, some recreational drug use and comic violence, most of it slapstick. Running time: 92 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com