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Stop! That! Train!

By Golu
Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
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Plan B (Argentina - Spanish)

By Golu
Plan B is one of those films which is not everyone's cup of tea. The heart is in the right place but the pace at which the film is shot is lethargic specially in this day and age. The film is raw, the acting is raw, none of the lead characters are buffed up or anything; they are every real like you would see someone in everyday life; so in totality it either works or doesn't work. Personally for me, it worked to an extent but could have been improved drastically.

Tall, confident wild-haired Bruno is pissed that he’s been dumped by his girlfriend and upset that she’s seeing another guy, Pablo, a sweet metrosexual charmer. Although she has dumped him, she still sees Bruno occasionally for sex. Determined to get even and get back his girl, Bruno devises a plan that involves befriending Pablo, making him fall in love with him, and then dumping him in the hopes that his ex will run into his arms again. But have things ever remained same the way you plan it. Bruno starts hanging out with Pablo trying to entice him to make him fall in love with him. They start spending a lot of time together but never get physical or anything. A gradual mutual affection starts developing. Bruno gives him final blow when he gives Pablo a letter expressing his love. Pablo confused about everything finds out by a mutual friend that Bruno is actually ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend and probably he has done all this to get back at Pablo. Pablo is sad because at some end he was falling for Bruno. He breaks up with his girlfriend because now he is confused. On the other hand, Bruno now is really falling for Pablo and wants to get back with Pablo.

So the story has its heart in the right place but there are scenes (and a lot of them) where nothing happens. The camera just captures various moments in the 2 men's lives and their hanging out scenes. There is no background music or anything. The director actually focuses a lot on the two actors' faces, as they ponder, decide, ponder some more, dream, think some more, decide, and ponder. The film can definitely use some serious editing and some background music. In my opinion, this would have ended up a really good 30 minute short film but as a full length feature, it fails in keeping the audience captured.

You have to be really patient to understand and appreciate director's vision for this film. For me it worked only partially. (4/10)
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Anonymous said…
I just finished watching this one... I enjoyed it I thought half way threw it was gonna end with Bruno going back with the girl and that just made me sorta feel like I had wasted my money on this one but in the end things worked out for the best. I see how you feel this film could have been a short LOL! Lots of scenes in bed sleeping no talking at all LOL! Plus scenes of just the crotchs (Dont worry people they were still dressed!) It was fun and my first new gay themed movie of 2011 YAY!!! I enjoyed it and think my friends at work might even like to see this one.
February 2, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Unknown said…
Yep, I agree with your about the terribly slow pace and would-be Antonionni long "takes" of buildings and bedroom scenes. The script has no real momentum and the main characters seem rather dated--from a era before cell phones and internet dating. I can't believe that two guys who meet at the gym wouldn't notice things a bit sooner. How can a guy sleep over that much and not end up fooling around? The lost wallet trick is over-worked. With a stronger script, this film could work but it needs the female characters portrayed more strongly.
February 5, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Grah said…
My view of this the PLAN B is very different from the other two reviews here. I thought it a brilliant film. The slow pace mirrored the gradual development of the confusing love.
Not everything has to be said with words, nor does there always have to be background music to make meaning clear. For me the actors were perfect...just ordinary guys grappling with something very new to them. I suggest people read some of the thoughtful and positive reviews in IMDB
June 30, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Pitbullshark said…
I didn't see this film, but would like to point out that this film was made by the same man who made "Absence" that you loved so much.
July 17, 2011 at 8:30 AM
Golu said…
Yeah I realized that after watching Absent. I might have to give this film another shot and watch with more open mind
July 17, 2011 at 9:49 PM
Doug said…
I really like this movie. I've watched it twice now. It is slow and subtle. The quiet and the slow pace tells the story. There was a lot I picked up the second time that I didn't see the first time. An earlier comment from Doc McKinney said he didn't know how it would end. I didn't either and I really liked that it wasn't predictable.
July 18, 2011 at 10:00 PM
Golu said…
wow!! Now I feel I really have to watch this one again
July 18, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Feri said…
I also think this movie was quite good, especially because of the lack of music and very slow pace.
I'm actually very happy to see that some people still make gay-themed films that are not corky comedies, or propaganda for the most superfacial kind of lifestyle and promiscuity, or where gay people are pictured as martyrs. This movie (much like The Sex of the Angels) had believable characters and a touching atmosphere.
December 6, 2014 at 5:07 AM
Golu said…
I can't agree more. I wish there were more realistic films out there
December 7, 2014 at 2:48 PM
ILHiker said…
Got back last night from my overnight with my sister--it was a lovely getaway. Now for a productive Sunday to be ready for the week. Of course, first order of business last night and this morning was a rewatch of Plan B. I think I'm even a little more fond of it than I was. One issue was I didn't have great subtitles. Now that I'm learning a little Spanish I got a little more flavor of the dialogue, which helped. I loved the development of attraction between Bruno and Pablo. The slow scenes between the two of them and the long shots of them lying together really appealed to me this time through. I loved the one musical interlude--it starts sounding just like a clock ticking, which I think was a reference to Berger's short El Reloj and hit me just the right way. I still found the city shots and the shots of the two when they were alone in the frame too slow for my taste though. It still isn't clear to me the meaning of Pablo having taken the photo of Bruno in the first scene at the park before they'd met and having it in his walled at the end. Was Pablo already attracted to Bruno? Seems too coincidental an interpretation, though Pablo's scenes with the girlfriend are clearly much less sexually charged than Bruno's.
September 25, 2022 at 9:39 AM
Golu said…
thats some pretty deep observations and interesting questions to ponder over.. And I have to hand it to you of your commitment to rewatch the film.
Maybe one day, I will too.
September 25, 2022 at 10:12 AM
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