Easier With Practice: DVD Review

By Jeff Walsh

Easier With Practice is one of those movies that is impossible to review on a gay site, especially for someone as spoiler-adverse as me.

Because the distributor sent me this with another title, and I didn't even bother to read about it in advance, I just converted it so that I could watch it on my iPad and review it on the plane to or from Hawaii. And, for 90 percent of the movie, my thought was "Why did they send me an interesting, albeit seemingly heterosexual movie?"

In the back of my mind, of course, I thought, "The only way this would be a gay movie is if..." and, of course, that is what ends up being the case. So, we have a gay movie that is sort of a twist gay movie, except to review it on a gay website almost requires you to tell people the twist, so that it actually seems like a gay story.

The question I have, of course, is... if you watch this movie based on knowing it will eventually be a gay movie, even though it doesn't seem like it for most of the film and, because of that knowledge, figure things out in advance that you otherwise wouldn't or shouldn't, is it still a satisfying movie?

And I don't know the answer to that question.

Contest: Win a copy of Strings Attached

"Strings Attached" by Nick Nolan is a great story of how a closeted teen's life changes and he becomes a man (see review below).

We have three copies of this book to give away. One grand prize winner will get a signed copy, and two others will win copies of the book, as well.

To enter, send me a private message with a subject line of Strings, before July 6, and you're entered. Only one entry per member. And, of course, if you enter, you have to be Ok receiving a gay book in the mail, obviously.

Good luck!

Strings Attached: Book Review

By Jeff Walsh

Nick Nolan's "Strings Attached" is a fun beach read of a book. I can safely say that, as I read it on a beach all day today. But seriously, this novel starts out like your typical gay young adult novel, but then adds a lot of additional layers and metaphors to make it an even more compelling read.

When the book starts, Jeremy has to call 911 for his drunk mother, who almost died... again. He ends up living with his aunt, with whom his mother had a falling out after the death of Jeremy's father. This aunt is incredibly rich, with butlers and a huge mansion overlooking the ocean. In short order, Jeremy goes from poverty to posh.

As you know is a gay young adult novel, you start lining up all the things that will likely happen, and most of them don't. Or few things happen as you initially suspect. If anything, I'd go as far as to say Jeremy's awakening about being gay, while integral to the story, is less dramatic than the family drama around which it is set.

Latest journal entries.

agaypresidentin2085's picture

I have a dream!

The view zooms in onto me as I am now, vulnerable but bursting with potential. I am building an armada of accepting friends with whom I can take on the entie city. My gayness becomes less and less ignorable, but my confidence grows as I gain success in shows. Soon no-one can cut me down by spewing, "Fag!" because I am too strong. Too strong, too smart, too involved...and high school, the horror which everyone must crawl out from, instead launches me into fame and fortune. And meaningless sex...black-haired men and sculpted adonises weave in and out between my legs as I rise through my career...

amy's picture

Sunday morning routine

Sitting in rows thinking about womens bodies drifting in and out. Room is full of god fearing christians.

"We've got to save our youth. They are lost. That MTV has had a plan for their lives since they were born. WE have a plan for our childeren. To make them and army for the lord. Aquire the Fire. Your childeren will come back a new. There is hope. We will turn their lives arround from the sins the world presses on them"

Beryl's picture

People Are Ignorant, But Its Ok

Just remember that I don't mean to be offensive... but most gay people I know are jerkoffs who don't pull a fraction of their weight... not to mention pot-heads and real asses cuz they use the excuse that "I'm gay" to get out of petty things.
Also, if you are taking it offensively then you are taking the word out of context in the frist place, and essencially making yourself a hypocrate. The word "gay" means happy. It is taken to mean other things also, but those are not the true meaning of the word. you took it to mean stupid in refferance to homosexuality. Both contexts are commonly used, but not always simultaneously... I'm sure it wasn't meant that way here.

I am not a homophobic, but I have yet to meet a homosexual guy that doesn't piss me off. Also, if you take the term "gay" to be offensive, then you are one of the few homosexual people who do. Besides, hederosexual people don't mind being called "straight"... do you want us to call you curvy? Or do you wan't to call us sad?

about the poem... I loved it. as a song it doesn't flow... but it seems to tell the story of one's life... mine for one.

Spirit1313's picture

Yet another bad weekend for the books....

Alright. So I broke up with this chick I was seeing right? Cause she was violent and totally not good for my mental health (I know what mental health?). That was like oh a month ago and now she keeps calling me and "accidentally" bumping into me all the time at random places. So what the hell do I do??? A part of me wants to give in and say "Sure hun I would love to date you again. " and another part of me says "Screw that! You hurt me big time and you expect me to give in! I think NOT." I have no clue what I am going to do.

Corvus's picture

closet bi, out of closet gay

Ya, gotta say it's pretty annoying having dealt with my sexuality so much. I have to use the label of bi cuz it's the only thing that comes close. Trouble now is: I came out to my family as gay first. Now that I have a gf, it's becoming annoying. Though in reality, it's probably not big deal.

adbak's picture

Long Lost Friends and Spring

First things first. Spring. Yesterday was the most beautiful day ever in the Midwest. It was a pleasant 60

sneezing gurl's picture

Confining me.

I: Could you do me a favor?
She:What?
I: Kiss me! hahaha
She: No! You shouldn't even let such thoughts cross your mind.
------------------------------------------------------------I: Why don't you ever look me in the eye and speak.
She: Yes I do!
I: When I was talking to you in the airport you were a case of "shifty eyes".
She: I couldn't look at you, it made me sad in a cheesy way.
------------------------------------------------------------


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