Visiting Shane (2006)

 Directed by Varda Hardy

Starring Shane Lewis and Andrea Benson

Runtime 53min. - Not Rated

Star rating N/A

"Visiting Shane" is part of the IndieRights collection and is available on Amazon Instant for $1.99.

"Visiting Shane" contains powerful images that are permanently seared into my mind. It's not a great documentary on the technical level, but its content is so heavy that you tend to not notice. Shane Lewis is an astounding character and it's a shame that no one thought to document his life before his final days. I can't give you all the details on his medical condition, but I'll try to generalize. He has tumors in his brain. They are benign, but they are forcing fluid into his spine and brain stem. This is causing Shane to lose control over his muscles and putting him in unfathomable pain. The tumors are inoperable. Shane will not survive and he knows it.

Confessions Of A Superhero (2007)

Directed by Matthew Ogens

Starring Christopher Dennis, Maxwell Allen, and Jennifer Wenger

Runtime 92min. - Rated R

This review is brought to you by BubbaWheat, author of Flights, Tights, and Movie Nights and contributor to The Lamb. He wrote it specifically for my quirky documentary series. His website focuses on superhero movies, but his knowledge of cinema reaches far beyond one genre. Click his website above or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

You can watch the film on Netflix Streaming or Amazon Instant.

I had heard a little bit about this film, Confessions of a Superhero, but when Dusty asked me to review it, I thought it was a good change of pace. It’s presented by Morgan Spurlock, of Super Size Me fame, but he doesn’t really have anything to do with the documentary. The main focus is on four Hollywood street performers, although performers is kind of a strong word for what they do. They dress up as superheroes, pose for pictures, and take tips. The four heroes featured in this movie are Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Hulk. They all claim to be actors who just haven’t gotten a gig yet, and they’re all varying degrees of normal.

The Gift (2003)

Directed by Louise Hogarth
Starring Doug Hitzel
Runtime 62min. - For Adults
4 Stars (out of 4)

"The Gift" is free to watch on SnagFilms.
I couldn't find the film's poster or trailer. I've instead embedded the movie at the top of the page.
I would like to make clear that the views expressed here are based largely on the material in the film. If that material is inaccurate or misleading then many of my statements are as well. The only thing I'm sure of is that I support the health, happiness, and rights of all humans regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.

Pride parades are something I've always supported. It's awesome that a oft-discriminated minority group organizes events to keep the public aware of their presence. It's important that a community sees LGBT people as humans, and what better way to do that than a celebration? After seeing "The Gift", I wonder if the LGBT communities shouldn't promote a shame parade as well. It may sound offensive, but isn't saving lives worth it? To the LGBT, specifically gay men, it could be more important to acknowledge shame than pride. I'm not saying that gay men should be ashamed of their sexuality. I don't believe that at all. But if they have casual unprotected sex, they should be ashamed. They put themselves, their partners, and any partners they may have in the future in danger.

Updates on Cell Count and Hybrid Vigor

Big news on a couple of movies we've been following at DustyOnMovies.

First up is Cell Count. It's a sci-fi horror film with a mad-scientist theme. I was lucky enough to see the film recently (Thanks to director Todd E. Freeman) and reviewed it RIGHT HERE. Today the news was announced that Cell Count has gotten distribution. You'll be able to catch it on DVD as of 11/1/12. Getting distribution is a big thing for indie filmmakers. I'm very happy for them. Here's the press release.

Arizona Seaside (2007)

Directed by Jens Pilegaard
Starring Roy Werner and Alexandra Hunter
Runtime 94min. - Not Rated
2.5 Stars (out of 4)

"Arizona Seaside" is part of IndieRights' YouTube and is available on Amazon Instant video.

The DVD cover for "Arizona Seaside" features all of its main characters drawn as caricatures. The colorful portrayals make perfect sense after seeing the film. The characters are all cartoonish stereotypes with exaggerated voices and fashion sense. In a low-budget movie of this type there are generally some actors whose inexperience shows. There are also those actors who have a real shot at hitting it big and are using the film as a stepping stone. When a movie is full of loud and occasionally obscene characters the difference between these groups is magnified. Still, it's hard for me to fault someone who is trying their best when I know they're still learning. If I'm being honest, I'd rather have a mediocre performance in an indie film than a good performance on an amateur movie blog.

Billy T: Te Movie (2011)

Directed by Ian Mune
Starring Billy T. James
Runtime 89min. - Not Rated

3 Stars (out of 4)

Part of my Quirky Documentary series,
"Billy T: Te Movie" is available on PAL DVD and BluRay.

William James Te Wehi Taitoko was born on January 17th, 1948. He had more talent than me. He had more talent than you. Sadly, most Americans have probably never heard of him; not even by his stage name, Billy T James. In New Zealand though, Billy T James is a legend.

It wasn't just Billy T's diversity of talent that made him a special entertainer, it was his advanced skills in each area. When Billy played guitar or saxophone, he did so at a professional level. His voice was powerful enough to have been a successful singer. Billy had microphone skills that allowed him to own the stage as a comedian. When he decided to try acting, his TV show was a hit. It's likely that if he had lived a full life he would have mastered even more disciplines of entertainment.