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reviews_and_ramblings ([personal profile] reviews_and_ramblings) wrote2010-11-07 11:22 am

Is it Just Me? (2010) directed by J.C. Calciano

Frustrated by his ongoing failure to meet Mr. Right, Blaine stumbles upon what might be his perfect match in an online chat room-Xander, a sweet, hunky guy who's recently moved to LA. Smitten, Blaine then finds that he's been chatting to Xander under his go-go dancer roommate's profile, setting in motion a convoluted comedy of errors with romance as the ultimate objective.

Director: J.C. Calciano

Writer: J.C. Calciano

Release Date: World premiere screening, Palm Springs International Film Festival, January 15, 2010

Genres: Romance

Storyline: One of the funniest and sweetest gay romantic comedies in years, Is It Just Me? delivers a refreshingly witty take on one gay boy's search for Mr. Right. Cute, but unaware of his adorableness, Blaine (Nicholas Downs), a newspaper columnist can't seem to meet guys, let alone form a relationship. His beefy go-go boy roommate Cameron— who has no shortage of willing partners —can't understand why he doesn't pounce and enjoy some one-nighters. Instead, Blaine hides in his room and searches Internet chat rooms for a kindred spirit. He may have found one in the form of Zander, a shy recently relocated Texan. But when the time comes to exchange photos, Blaine accidentally sends an image of his hunky roomie, and things go from romantically promising to just confusing. This case of mistaken identity escalates when Blaine begs his roommate to go out with the charming, sandy-haired Zander. When it seems they hit it off, our lonely hero feels love has passed him by again... or did it? Think Cyrano de Bergerac by way of Eating Out, writer/director J.C. Calciano's first feature film is a hilarious, captivating winner. And the guys aren't bad either!

@IMDb
@Amazon: Is It Just Me? (2010)
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video













Cast (in credits order)
Nicholas Downs ... Blaine
David Loren ... Xander
Adam Huss ... Cameron
Michelle Laurent ... Michelle
Bob Rumnock ... Bob
Bruce Gray ... Ernie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Paul A. Becker ... GoGo Dancer #1
Jed Bernard ... Drunk Guy
Bryce Blais ... Drew
Alisa J. Campbell ... Bartender #2
Lynne Chaille ... Ronnie
Gabriel Coble ... Neighbor #1
Michael Donahue ... Antonio
Jeremiah Dupre ... Bartender #3
Michael Elepterakis ... GoGo Dancer #2
Michael Hennessy ... Bartender #1
Christopher King ... Frontier Model
Brody Kramer ... Man in bed
Beau Nelson ... Guy
Oscar Rodriguez ... GoGo Dancer #3
Keith Roenke ... Barista
Brian Schulze ... Cameron's Friend
Derek Soldenski ... Neighbor #2
Chris Tisa ... Coffee Patron
Brandon Wright ... GoGo Dancer #4

     
Blaine & Xander

 
Cameron & Ernie

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
Finally, finally, finally (I said enough finally?) a ROMANCE. I'm not saying that lately gay themed movie didn't try the romance card, but often there was a bit too much angst, a bit too much drama, a bit too much fun, not so often there was the happily ever after. The movies were good, but I wanted a nice romance, boy meets boy, maybe some trouble between them, but in the end, boy gets boy.

In this movie everything was almost perfect. I will leave the almost, since, all right, it's a low budget movie, and so for sure there was the feeling of "home-made" movie, but it was really irrilevant. The characters were nice and in the role; Blaine was just enough nerd without being unbelievable and Xander had the good boy next door attraction that was perfect for his role. Cameron was a surprise, I really like that, yes, he was enticed by the idea to prove to Blaine that he was able to get every man he wanted, but in the end, he was a good friend, and he was the first to say to Blaine, look, you are a cute guy, you can have who you want, just try.

This was a good movie even if (or maybe since) there was almost no smushing effects: just one or two kiss, some naked torso here and there, absolutely no full front nakedness. I'm not saying that it's not nice to see a cute guy parading around, and the kiss scenes are really important in a romance movie, they have to be smooth and at the right moment and of the right length and with the right intensity, but Is it Just Me? plays other aces, and it was a right move.

Very good movie, highly recommended, above all if you want a boy on boy date movie.

[identity profile] josephine-myles.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 01:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds like one to add to my wish list for Christmas! A sweetly romantic and comic movie, but with guys rather than a het couple sounds like something I could really enjoy.

Thanks for the rec!

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
yes, it's sweet and romantic, and it was a pleasure to see it.

[identity profile] starsinshapes.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I met Adam Huss because he came to the screening for the Rochester ImageOut film fest I told you about. The movie doesnt do him justice. The man is FINE in person. Got his autograph too.

Also, this is definitely one of the better contemporary gay films I'm seen in a long while. Actually good acting. Can't wait for the sequel.

[identity profile] elisa-rolle.livejournal.com 2010-11-07 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, Adam Huss is very fine in the movie, so if you told me he is even better in person, he has to be stunning. Yes, definitely one of the best romantic gay comedy I have seen lately.