Dr_Zen Reviews

Sunflower (II) (2023)

Could have been so much better...

[6/10 · 30 December 2024]

So disappointed with this movie!

This could have been a brilliant movie, but was ruined by a cliche script that felt like it was set in the 1980's, not 2024. Too many things happened and didn't happen, that were simply not believable and kept taking me out of the experience.

1. Are 17 & 18 year old males in Australia, still this homophobic in 2024? I don't think so.

2. Where are the teachers in this school? If someone was constantly & violently kicking another students chair in class, the teacher would have said something immediately in the real world. This did not happen.

3. What kind of father would yell/scream at their son if they came home covered in blood?

4. What happened to all the missing dialogue in this movie? "Best friend" outs best friend, but no words are spoken between class mates. Apparently everyone at this school is operating telepathically.

The only two things I liked about this movie, was the acting ability of lead character "Leo" and the ASMR vibes coming from Leo's deep voice and his new boyfriend's very deep voice. I could listen to them talk quietly to each other for hours!!

It's such a shame this movie was screwed up. It could have been great.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

Worst gay themed movie of all time?

[1/10 · 23 February 2024]

I have watched a huge amount of gay themed movies over 4 decades and this has got to be one the most boring movies of all time. I wish I had never watched it and could get my time back.

The reactions of the main character are always on some kind of 10 second delay. Reactions of the main character just don't feel real at all. Near the 20 minute mark, just before they are about to have sex for the first time, he says would you like a drink or smoke some weed? Adam (Andrew Scott) has a smoke and then Harry (Paul Mescal) just goes straight into wanting sex without having a smoke as well. This would never happen in real life if you enjoyed smoking weed, which Harry said he liked to do. At this point I was totally taken out of the movie and knew it wasn't going to improve whatsoever.

This movie feels like what would happen if you overdosed on Xanax each day for an entire year, and never came up for air. Why are so many people raving about this boring movie??? Dam well mystifying?

Sublime (2022)

Beautiful Coming of Age Film with Great Music!

[10/10 · 24 November 2022]

Sublime is one of my favourite independent films of 2022. All the elements of great movie making, magically come together in this very realistic coming of age film from Argentina.

The first thing I appreciated about this film (compared to similar North American films), is that the actors look like the age they are playing. All the young actors that make up the majority of the cast, were extremely believable and relatable. The lead actor Martin Miller who plays "Manu", was completely in the moment from beginning to end. He is a likeable character, that held the story together.

The script was perfect and the use of dreams to communicate the subconscious, was very well down.

I liked everything about this movie, but my absolute favourite part was the music. Most of the main characters were playing live music throughout the entire film. Whoever did the Audio for this film, did a masterful job.

The final thing I will say, is that this is a movie that anyone can watch. The lead character maybe gay, but it is not what I would call a typical "Gay" movie. I would say it is actually a film about discovering real love for another person, who you have been close to for a long time.

I hope this film gets released on Blu-ray disc and not only DVD. Such a high quality film deserves to get a Blu-ray disc release!!!

Close (I) (2022)

A Truly Exceptional Film, that will break your Heart

[10/10 · 15 November 2022]

Wow!. I'm glad I didn't know what this film was about, before watching it. The only thing I knew beforehand, is that it was about the close friendship between two young boys. I recommend watching this film with little to no knowledge of what happens, but make sure you have plenty of tissues ready to use. The acting performances of everyone in the movie is top shelf, but the two lead actors are truly exceptional, especially the lead actor "Eden Dambrine".

It's been a long time since a film has had such a BIG and profoundly deep impact on myself. It touched a part of my heart I had completely forgotten about, from my own childhood. I suspect many people will have a similar reaction. I'll be thinking about this movie for weeks to come and look forward to buying it on Blu-ray disc, when it is released. This brilliant movie has earnt a place in my top ten desert island collection of best movies ever. I can't recommend this movie enough - if you have a Heart, watch it. Highschool kids should watch this movie and discuss it afterwards.

How to Be a Man (2013)

Refreshing slice of reality

[10/10 · 12 November 2021]

Wow. I totally loved this film!

I guess it depends which side of the tracks you were born on, as to whether you will appreciate and truly understand the meaning of this film. I can only guess that all the negative reviewers are woke snowflakes, who live in their intellectual and superior minds all day, but have never experienced the rough and tumble of real life. The main character is experiencing an existential crisis, which is why his behaviour may seem weird and not funny at all. If you like watching shows like South Park, you will probably like and understand this film. I highly recommend it.

Abel, Your Brother (1970)

A wonderful film that is just as relevant today!

[10/10 · 13 October 2021]

This movie had me crying a river of tears at the end. An absolutely wonderful film with a very important message, all about the consequences of continual bullying. I will never forget this movie - it has touched me deeply. I highly recommend "Abel, Your Brother".

Ronan's Escape (2010)

Doesn't get more real than this... Absolutely heartbreaking

[10/10 · 27 September 2021]

I wasn't ready for the emotional impact this short film had on me. Like another reviewer has said, this 15 minute short film is more powerful than many 2 hour movies with similar tragic plots. I will never forget "Ronan's Escape". It is one of the very best short films I have ever experienced. All high school aged teenagers should watch this film and learn from it. Simply brilliant.

Red! (2015)

Brilliant short film!!!

[10/10 · 26 September 2021]

A masterpiece in minimalism. So little frames, but it communicates so much in a short period of time.

Coming Out (III) (2011)

Brilliant "coming out" short film!

[10/10 · 14 September 2021]

Another short film masterpiece. Very well done.

That brings back a lot of memories of the day I told Mum and Dad I'm gay.

Brink (2016)

Brilliant and sad

[10/10 · 14 September 2021]

Incredible that such a "short" short film, can create such an emotional and deeply moving response. 10/10 !!!

The Man with the Answers (2021)

Very enjoyable gay themed road trip movie

[9/10 · 9 April 2021]

Not many new movies score an 8+ star rating, but after viewing "The Man with the Answers", I can concur that this is a terrific gay themed road trip movie. The two main actors, Vasilis Magouliotis and Anton Weil have great on screen chemistry and are perfectly cast in their roles. Both characters have depth and feel very true to life.

The movie takes us through a tour of European country roads, while the characters slowly reveal themselves. It is a perfectly edited film and moves along at just the right pace. I feel like this is one of those movies I will want to watch over and over again, especially when I feel melancholia coming on. I really loved this movie and it's great to see a gay themed movie that doesn't end in tragedy, but instead leaves you feeling satisfied. Well done to the writer and director Stelios Kammitsis - I'm looking forward to what you will make next!!!

Warwick (2016)

Possibly the worst movie I have ever endured

[1/10 · 23 December 2020]

I'm so angry I wasted time watching this movie. In fact it's not a movie at all. It's a 30 minute short film with 40 minutes of the most boring B-roll you will ever have to endure! If it was edited down to a 30 minute short film, it would have been interesting. Don't waste your time with this, unless watching paint dry is your cup of tea. I want my 70 minutes back!!!

Sequin in a Blue Room (2019)

Best gay film I've seen in a long time!

[10/10 · 5 December 2020]

This is a really refreshing Australian made gay film, with a well written script, plot and great acting. I was pleasantly surprised with this film, since we don't see many Australian made gay films of this calibre. This film explores the theme of fantasy/projection/desire vs reality. The reviewer eelen-seth has already posted an excellent review of "Sequin in a Blue Room", so there's no need to repeat - I concur with what they said!

I highly recommend all young gay men watch this film, because there is a life lesson to be learnt in "Sequin in a Blue Room", in the age of digital sex. It's OK to have fun and explore new things in life, but remember to stay grounded at the end of the day, so you don't end up in the mess that Sequin did.

I'm looking forward to buying a copy of this movie for me collection, because I'll definitely be wanting to watch it again and again. Well done to the makers and actors in this film.

It's Still Your Bed (2019)

Brilliant and perfectly made short film by Tyler Reeves

[10/10 · 23 September 2020]

I don't understand the negative reviews that other people have written for this terrific gay themed short film. This is a perfect short film - everything is in balance and it works beautifully. I have literally watched 1000's of short films and 80% are always let down by something. "It's Still Your Bed" is the perfect short film and that's why I give it a 10/10!!! I loved this short film and would love to see what writer and director Tyler Reeves could do with a full length feature film. All the actors did a great job as well. Well done. Thanks Tyler - I really appreciate this film. Cheers :)

Cousins (2019)

Wonderful movie !

[10/10 · 11 October 2019]

What a wonderful movie ! It was such a joy to watch a lighthearted gay themed movie with a happy ending. I would love to see more movies like this being made. There is a great chemistry between the two lead actors Paulo Sousa (Lucas) and Thiago Cazado (Mario) which was incredibly believable. The Aunt (Juliana Zancanaro) was really funny and topped off a perfect film. I highly recommend Primos (Cousins) if you want to watch a perfect, gay themed feel good movie.

I watched this on Vimeo's On Demand service and it was great to see so many positive comments.

Where Are You Going, Habibi? (2015)

Great German gay themed movie with a positive ending!

[9/10 · 21 March 2019]

Where are you going, Habibi? is a terrific gay themed movie with a beautiful positive ending. I watched this on Vimeo's On Demand service. The two main characters have been cast perfectly. The lead roll of Ibo, played by Cem Alkan, has one of those faces that lights up a room. He has a magnetic presence on screen and it is a delight to finally see a gay character that is not one dimensional and knows how to stick up for himself. His partner in crime "Ali" is played by Martin Walde and is the polar opposite to Ibo. Ali is a diamond in the rough, who is not scared to show his emotions and forms a special friendship with Ibo. I guess you could call this a "coming out" film, but it is much more than that. The movie is really about male friendship and what happens when that friendship becomes much deeper. If you're in the mood for an easy to watch movie, I highly recommend "Where are you going, Habibi?" It left me feeling uplifted and I wish more gay themed movies would take a leaf out of this book!

UFO (2018)

UFO is a fantastic little movie and it exceeded my expectations!

[10/10 · 27 January 2019]

UFO is a fantastic little movie and it exceeded my expectations! If you are tired of Hollywood blockbusters that are completely over the top with too much violence and themes that are always based on fear, you should appreciate this movie. UFO is a cerebral style film and treats the audience with intelligence for a change. I could actually imagine this movie being turned into a TV series. Very well done. Alex Sharp does a great job in the lead roll. I'm going to add this movie to my "stoners collection".

The OA (2016–2019)

One of the best TV series for 2016

[10/10 · 18 December 2016]

I don't know exactly what is going on right now, but something is definitely going on! I am completely stunned in the most positive way, with how many unique and incredible TV series have been released in 2016. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, "The OA" arrives and puts a big fat surreal cherry on top.

I won't talk about the actual story line, because they would destroy your experience. It is best to know absolutely nothing about the story and just let it unfold. I'm glad I knew nothing about the show before I started watching and enjoyed been taken to an unexpected place.

My guess is that "The OA" will polarize some viewers, who simply will not get it and think it is a pile of crap. It will definitely not be every person's cup of tea and requires some degree of patience to get from the beginning to the end. If you are firmly a scientific type with a closed mind, don't even bother watching the first 5 minutes. If you have an open mind and are tired of the normal vanilla crap that mainstream TV produces, you will definitely love "The OA". If you have had some trippy experiences and synchronicities in your own life and are starting to realize that not everything is as it seems, you will surely love this show.

I need a few days to digest what I just watched and will most likely watch it again soon. There are three outstanding acting performances in this series, especially the lead Brit Marling, followed by Emory Cohen and Patrick Gibson. I would love to know if any of these actors had any dance experience before taking on these roles? Star Trek fans who remember The Borg queen, will see a much older Alice Krige playing the distraught mother beautifully. I highly recommend "The OA" and give it a solid 10/10.