Going Down in LA-LA Land (2011) Poster

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7/10
You Ought To Be Pictures, Porno Pictures
bkoganbing30 June 2014
Young Matthew Ludwinski becomes the Dirk Diggler of 21st century in Going Down In LA LA Land. The obvious comparison for this film is with Boogie Nights. Unlike the other film Going Down In LA LA Land as a gay film gets up front an honest about the porn industry being a great gay industry. And we have up front gay characters.

Ludwinski after breaking up with his boyfriend in New York decides to try to make it in Los Angeles as an actor. Of course he soon realizes that Los Angeles is the only place other New York where every other attractive young person is trying to make in film and television and its worse here.

Ludwinski sort of slides and glides into the porn film industry first behind then up front of the camera. Then it's a bit of escorting and then he hooks up with Michael Medico, a most closeted star of a G rated situation comedy. As it turns out Medico is a lonely man looking to express his love which in his case still not dare speak its name to Middle America.

What was interesting here is during the course of the film, Ludwinski could have taken any number of different courses professionally and romantically and his life could have been tragic or nondescript or any number of other life places. Go back over the film and see what I'm talking about.

Allison Lane plays his best friend who gives Ludwinski room and board while he's in Los Angeles. She's interesting and even though she betrays him, she's likable in her own way. She's obsessed with fame which is the problem.

I was involved with someone many years ago, attractive, but obsessed with fame. He never got anywhere near that because he failed to realize that people in theater do it because they love it. If fame comes, it comes, most will never see it, but those who stay with it love theater for its own sake.

Her role is small, but Judy Tenuta puts some real bite into her couple of scenes as a washed up has been actress who also drugged out on fame and celebrity.

Going Down In LA-LA Land is one interesting take on gay life among the aspiring on the west coast.
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7/10
Not bad
preppy-37 October 2012
Young hunky Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) moves from New York to California to become an actor. He shares an apartment with a friend named Candy (Allison Lane) but can't find work. Finally, in desperation, he takes a job as a production assistant for gay porn movies. His good looks and muscular body catch the attention of executives in the company and he starts posing for nudes and eventually "graduates" into doing gay porn. Then he falls in love head over heels with a closeted TV performer (beautifully played by Michael Medico) but then tragedy strikes.

I think director Caper Andreas is very talented. I've seen most of his other movies and have (to varying degrees) liked them. This is very good. Not his best but still good. The script is tight and moves quickly. Ludwinski is an incredibly hot man and a pretty good actor. He has frequent shirtless scenes and there's quick flashes of nudity from him. Also Andreas plays Nick--a photographer--and him and Ludwinski have some very hot guy-on-guy kissing scenes. Also there's a small role by Andreas' regular Jesse Archer and Judy Tenuta and cameos by Bruce Vilanch and Perez Hilton. Despite the porn setting there's no full frontal nudity (except for once briefly) and no explicit sex. It all ends up in a big happy ending (which is totally unrealistic) and has good acting across the board. So it's worth catching.
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6/10
Sexy smart and going places
VikenMekhtarian16 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I'll say this first: this movie, despite all it's qualities may not make it outside of the queer festival circuit. That said, any Gay and Lesbian festival that gets this Going Down in La-La Land will be doing it's audience a huge favour. I'll let others review the plot and socio-significance of the characters and such, what I will tell you is how well it's made and how successful it is in telling a story - even if it is just a fairy tale. What you need to know before you choose this American made movie over the growing stable of gay themed titles, is that this film will not give you nausea or make you regret not renting porn instead. It's Hollywood quality filmmaking with some great characters in a story that moves at a nice click. One of my favourite things about this movie is Candy, played by Allison Lane, who plays our hero's struggling-actor-best-friend-mentor. She holds her own despite the fierce competition by the lead's porn actor good looks - and the rest of the cast. Rare are female roles in gay male dominated films that don't fall sharply into soapoperatics. So watch this and see what you think and how it makes you feel... this move is safe.
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Going to LA to find an acting career may lead in another direction
oaksong13 September 2011
This is Casper's best effort to date. The film is beautifully shot and directed. While there may be a misstep here or there, they are easily ignored given the level of acting.

Candy (Allison Lane) and Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) make a warmly klutzy pair of friends who met in film school and have eventually landed in Hollywood. Candy has an apartment, paid for by her boy friend, with a room Adam can crash in until he's got a job.

While some the story is cliché, much of it is original, based on Andy Zeffer's semi-autobiographical novel. Again, while some of the plot points about getting involved in the porn industry aren't particularly new, the tale of a love affair gone awry, with the hope of redemption, rings true.

I found the connection between Adam and John quite convincing. Judy Tenuta as Zinnea, an old friend of John's with secrets of her own, is particularly comical, if over the top in Judy's trademarked manner.

This is not a heavily dramatic story, but is sufficiently entertaining that I heartily recommend it. Having Bruce Vilanch pop in for a cameo was an inspired bit of casting.
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7/10
Strange mix of light hearted romance and serious drama
codygdietrich24 May 2020
It is a mix of romantic comedy and serious drama. Which at points creates an interesting space of humor and tension that feels real and mimics true life. While at other points it's too funny to be serious while at the same point too serious to be funny, which creates a sense similar to look at modern abstract art and thinking either I am missing the point here or they failed to hit their target.

Overall it is a good movie that has a nice balance between sweet and tragic but it bothered me that some characters came into the story seeming to be important and then just kind of drop out of the story with little to no explanation as to why or what happens to them.
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7/10
Not so bad at all
nethy-nho17 May 2020
The movie show us the difficulty to get as an actor job on Hollywood, and how the people are be able to do, for to get some money, have a good story, but the actors are terrible, I didn't feel any emotion with them. The only character that save is John Vasteli , divided between show who he is or continue hidden the true from the other people and your audience. At least has a great end.
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3/10
Detuned wooden soft porn with pretensions
peru1-595-6301069 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
In a gay fantasy movie like this at least make the protagonist masculine. Queenie gay men often look distorted in some artificial way---Adam (Matthew Ludwinski) was no exception (what a hair piece!). His over sugary smiling slightly pouting innocent little boy persona somehow didn't erase his porn male model provenance. The drag dance while he tries to commit suicide didn't help either.

The acting was standard wooden porn. The actors deliver dialogue like they are reading a telephone directory out loud.

The plot a fantasy story where Adam arrives to live with a fag hag in LA meets his true love on an escort sex trick John (now John was rather good looking and normal). John is a famous TV star. The affair becomes public all is lost...man loses man but there is a happy ending.

I gave it a 3 only because it is a gay movie with a story other than a coming out or some tragedy. Many of the scenes were in fact typical of the gay community. Am afraid though that the making it in LA story is about 30 years out of date (at least). HIV and a deteriorating city squelched that. Fleeing LA would be more real today. Also who buys porno on DVDs any more when all you have to do is use Bing or Google to be drowned in free stuff?

This movie is touted as hot at the gay lesbian film festivals....they've got a ways to go I am afraid. I am waiting for the day when they insert normal masculine men who happen to be gay in main stream movies of all genres. I hope I am still alive when that happens

DO NOT RECOMMEND
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9/10
The Gay Cinderella Story
henryshanks2 July 2012
I liked the movie for being mostly light-hearted, but still posing some serious issues (coming out, entourage, drugs).

The film has its share of gay stereotypes, all in good fun. You have the fag hag, the gossipers at the bar, and the not-so-common hag-of-the-other- fag (more or less) which obviously starts on the wrong foot with the protagonist.

Still, the movie is not entirely predictable and the acting, while slightly over the top at times, makes it worthwhile.

It's not ground-breaking, yet not cheesy. A really good movie to watch at home on that day when you feel tired and need something to lift up your spirits.
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1/10
The Big Tease
jery-tillotson-15 December 2013
With just a few deletions, this predictable non-erotic movie could play on the Hallmark Hall of Fame or the Disney Channel. Both the title and the box-cover photo of our bare-chested hero convey the unmistakable message that we'll at least enjoy some beefcake and maybe other naughty business in this independent effort. Alas, you finish watching this snooze-fest and realize that you never saw or experienced anything sensual. I'm not saying that this should have been a Falcon Studio sexcapade. But when you see major male movie stars like Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, James Franco, etc. showing complete nudity, then you would think an independent movie--free of a big studio censorship--would at least give us a brief glimpse of our hero. Turn on True Blood and Sons of Anarchy on cable and male nudity is the norm. And this is why I keep harping on the lack of eroticism that killed this movie for me. Our storyline finds the hero moving to L.A. to start a new life. He finally wounds up as the number one gay porno idol in the world, on the magazine covers and box covers of his X-rated career. Yet, you're never given any reason to think this. For instance, when he auditions for a porno role, we see him in bathing trunks. Just when he begins to slip them off, the scene cuts to another one of him fully clothed. When he's filming his first porno scene in a shower, we see him filmed from the chest up. And that's it. So much more could have made this movie exciting, arousing, hot, charming, but instead we're treated to a vanilla opus that might appeal to viewers who don't want to have a hard-on.
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9/10
Great LA Serio-Comedy
johnphillip-chavez2 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Viewed at the Brussels Gay Film Festival

A very engaging story of lust, libido and love in LA.

The film was a very good take on LA - its quirky reliance on trendy remedies for modern woes, on drugs and on its special brand of eternally hopeful American aspiration as embodied in Candy and Adam - the one moving from opportunity to opportunity, the other sticking to some level of honesty, no matter how hard won.

The opening sequence of Adam driving through LA set the tone perfectly: brown skies, fabled landmarks, grungy strip malls and fabulous estates.

Candy and Adam - old film school friends - are each determined to make it big as actors, faced with the deadening reality of too many actors for too few roles. What they are really after, though, is family: they have their fraternal relationship, they long for a married one.

Matthew Ludwinski deserves a special mention for managing to be extremely sexy in a porn- fantasy way and at the same time extremely romantic in an honest way.

In this type of story it is often hard to see what the more successful character sees in the less successful character. But the film took the time to make Adam credible as an intelligent, interesting person and the chemistry between Adam and John was immediate and believable.

The film could have been a pat puff piece for the film industry, and the portrayal of the porn industry was a little soft-core: my one caveat. But the film it showed the downside of life in LA - drugs, hucksterism and sex - in a very real and sad way. The comment about not being able to come out of the closet because of the people whose livelihoods depended on a straight actor's persona, really touched a cord. The ending gained credibility from the gritty reality of the body of the film.

The audience - mostly European - roundly applauded the film.
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9/10
Really Enjoyable Movie, Highly Recommended
mgold-82 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this movie. Even to this day, it seems like it's so hard to find a gay-themed movie that doesn't end in some horrible tragedy. I love the way this one ended! I think the director would be better off staying behind the camera, but the other 3 stars of the film (Candy, Adam and John) were great. As others have pointed out, the chemistry between Adam and John was almost palpable. And Candy practically stole the show; she was simply awesome.

Besides the ending, the thing I like most about this movie was how it didn't take itself too seriously. It was genuinely funny in many places and I laughed out loud a bunch of times. It's the first movie I've seen in a really long time that just left me smiling at the end. I will definitely watch it again, too.
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10/10
Awesome movie
wrmellor22 September 2012
The cast grabbed me so fast, I was hooked from the opening few minutes. Very funny,heart warming,perfectly acted,great production values and the cast of characters were real. I couldn't sleep because of a broken heart and found this movie on cable. Had no idea what it was about and thought it might cheer me up. It did more than that. Made me take a look at me and make some decisions about how I wanted to live my life, with the integrity in which Adam lived his. Don't settle for anything other than what you want and deserve in life. Live with integrity and strength of character. The characters in this movie acted the parts so well that they really made me think about issues like this. Not many movies have the power to do that. That is what a great movie should do.
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No "Chemistry" like this, since.....
arizona-philm-phan11 August 2012
....."Brokeback Mountain." ......(*Alternate title for this review: "I Hear the Crabcakes are Excellent").

In its first near two-thirds running time, "Going Down in Blah-Blah Land," is the typical "Hollywood meat grinder" story about all those aspiring, young Newbies scrambling for a foothold, after arriving in the world's film capital. (WARNING: Beware those Gay video porn-mills!). ....Ah, BUT, then come the very best parts, where we start to see...(well, you'll find that out, below).

NOW TO OUR CAST: And saving the best for last, here's a glimpse at the major characters...beginning with:

  • *Allison Lane, as the ditzy B(Girl)FF of the male Lead. Named "Candy", she is the supportive and often funny--yet sometimes tiresome--friend from back home. (Good for Allison...she gets more screen time than anyone other than our main star).


  • Next, in a major (time-wise) supporting role, we have the Director, himself: Casper Andreas, playing a "User" of a guy, who we'll later see as the true scuzzball he becomes. (This viewer thinks Andreas would do well, in future, spending all his time BEHIND the camera....for I'm starting to picture him as he appears in his last scene---or is that just effective acting?).


  • AND FINALLY: Let's speak to that "CHEMISTRY" mentioned above. RARELY, in an American produced Gay film, do we get to see such an emotionally deep relationship between two men. It was obviously developed by main actor, Matthew Ludwinski (as our gorgeous "Adam") and his co-lead, Michael Medico (as sweet, but closeted, "John") during their shooting time with one another. Their "few" scenes together will keep you RIVETED. We can a..l...most Touch what they burn off the screen at us. (And there's the shame of this movie: 56 and one-half minutes into it before we even see this couple together--except for a "prologue" of sorts). NEVERTHELESS, you tell me if the likes of this film relationship has been seen, in this country, since the days of "Brokeback Mountain"!


Oh, I had my doubts, well into this movie......but Matthew Ludwinski held me to it.

****
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10/10
One of the 10 best
stvnlrmn-242-37767929 December 2012
I have been watching gay cinema for about two years now and its really hard to find those decent movies. You have to go through tons to find those ones that really are good. This movie is absolutely one of them. Amazing acting and on screen chemistry between the actors make this a move you would want to see over and over again.

The director starring in this movie was daring and works really well as I can not imagine seeing that character portrayed by anyone else. Candy, Adam and John are all amazing characters as well and they just jump off screen and its as if your watching real life and not something on the television or computer screen.
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10/10
Why have we not heard about this movie!
bgoo-1989027 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
There is not enough I can say about this movie! Mathew Ludwinki was amazingly real and touchable. The qualities the vulnerability ahe brought to the character, packaged in a European runway model. The acting was real and frank and at times poignant. The re was no glossing over of the reality of the situation his character Adam finds himself in. The support the story got from the fine character portrayals by Allison Lane,Michael Medico and Casper Andreas all complete the cast . Despite the grittiness of the reality the movie touches on. There is a happy ending. One that makes you actually happy for the characters.
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8/10
A Love Hollywood Gay Story. Well done!
javierubio21 April 2020
At the beginning, I thought this movie was like any other from West Hollywood, but it ended nicely done a with a very romantic ending side (With Adam and John) and mixed with the witty personality of Adam's best friend Candy. The actors made good job and the connection among them was believable and made sense in that entertainment industry where economical power, lust, sexual desires and even drugs are present to end in a romantic relationship and even some scenes were not of my cup of tea, i continued watching it and the more i was getting to the end, this film became more interesting! Music background was right, direction and set up locations were good also and Acting was memorable. Very hard to find in these American Hollywood stories!
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9/10
An incredible movie surpassing my expectations
matthewlee198516 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
When I first stumbled across this film, the poster left me thinking it would be light on substance. It was an assumption I am glad did not deter me from watching. And now, having watched the film, the poster makes a lot more sense.

The cast is strong and the storyline a great tale of celebrity and how despite all the trappings of success, stripped away we just all want to be loved.

The characters are engaging and believable. Even the minor castings are strong - an example of how every detail was given a thorough once-over before the final cut.

There's humour and a touching love story of courage and being true to yourself.

In fact, the ending when Adam and John decide to go public with their relationship, despite the threat to John's television career, just lifted my spirits and it is a feeling that is staying with me. There's much to be said for being true to ourselves and embracing love.

The only negative I can find after much trawling is the film felt a little slow in the beginning, although it quickly started to build momentum. This momentum was subsequently never lost, leading to a very poignant conclusion. It may have felt predictable, but what love story isn't?

Candy is a great central character. She is shallow in some ways and career driven to the point where her obsession with celebrity is unhealthy. However, beneath this veneer is a good heart as she genuinely cares for Adam and his welfare. The hospital scene after Adam's wayward encounter with prescription drugs reinforces this.

A lot of films with gay themes can focus heavily on stereotypes to try and generate humour. This film is better than that - more clever. The humour is genuinely funny and well-written.

Overall, I am giving the movie a resounding nine stars because it's refreshing to see a diverse representation of gay people and a positive portrayal of gay relationships.

In a world still besieged by negative connotations when it comes to homosexuality, a movie like this makes a bold statement and sends an uplifting message to gay youth.

I started watching with some doubts and finished watching feeling impressed and uplifted by a truly well-told story.

Definitely worth watching.
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9/10
One in a handful
tommy567725 January 2022
I'm not often kind to the genre and with good reason. Most gay themed movies are either over the top drama or or so poorly produced as to be unwatchable.

The storyline is a bit old with boy leaving New York believing he'll hit it big in LA but bites it big time. Porn is awfully enticing when you're broke and on the verge of starvation but nothing will ruin a career faster. The love interest here will tell you that.

Production values are pretty good here. The budget didn't break the bank but they did a great job with what they had. The acting is acceptable by most accounts. Lighting sound and direction are pretty solid.

Trust me. It takes a lot for me to be kind. I can count on one hand the number of quality American gay films and this just might qualify.
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9/10
It's no Brokeback Mountain
steeleronaldr27 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
With a budget of $100.000 you can't expect a gem nor can you expect real actors. Here the chemistry is low but the subject is high. We get a fair dose of stereotypes, drugs, carefully filmed sex scenes, the movers and the shaker's, blackmail and the hopefuls. A young niave New York guy relocated to Los Angeles to break in the movies and ends up with the underground of pornography. It's a good coming of age movie with a strong gay theme.

It's hard to say who's the protagonist as everyone is out to hurt everyone. Our reluctant heroes here are two Hollywood hopefuls who lean's on each other. A has-been actress who blackmails and deals drug's, a up and coming photographer who gets caught up in the business and a backstabbing agent.

Issues this movie does have is the female lead is too whinny, the young male lead is too niave (being from NY he should have some knowledge about the ins and outs.) The situation we have is I think too unbelievable for this type of movie. In all its a decent gay coming of age in a town that's known to eat hopefuls up. I personally like the movie with all its pros and cons.

I won't highly recommend it but would say to consider it a good Friday night flick.
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10/10
Fun & Funny
donwc199624 June 2014
This film is a hoot - an absolute laugh riot. Allison Lane, the female lead, just about runs away with the film her scenes are so hilarious and she is so absolutely delightful. She is everyone's favorite fag hag. The two male leads are perfect for each other and their chemistry really lights up the film. The entire cast is perfect in fact including some famous Hollywood celebrities who make the most of their brief appearances. The film really captures the LA scene for those of us who know it and the photography and locations are great. Very, very funny with some bits that are not just campy but have you laughing your head off.
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