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Stop! That! Train!

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...

A Closer Walk With Thee

This was a very unusual queer film. A random mix of religion, questioning sexuality and exorcism. And at many places it was unexpected comical (not in a funny way).

4 bible thumping young people are trying to bring the Lord into the lives of people in the ghetto. The lead is Eli with Jordan and 2 girls. Jordan is totally fixated with Eli and we see how he is constantly aroused by his physical presence as well. One of the girls catches Jordan masturbating watching Eli and this creates weirdness in the group, with everyone calling hime a 'pervert'. But things start getting worse when their home gets attacked by the goons. Now, in addition to a local woman, Jordan slowly starts showing signs of demonic possession. Luckily, Eli is a self proclaimed exorcist and he’s ready to do battle with the sinister entity residing inside his friend… but not even faith can protect him from the true evil found within.

I am not sure what I was really expecting from the film. I thought it would be another one of those 'Latter Days' kinda film but the plot was definitely not what I had imagined. There was a lot of t alking and at quite a few places it got very preachy and religion focussed. I feel the film could have gone a notch up if there were some more surprise elements added or something else done. When the film ends, I felt a missed opportunity. The is filled with pining and lusting and fantasizing that it slightly arouses us in anticipation and hope that the Eli & Jordan would get physical but sadly that never happens. The film is shot in a single home at a super low budget. The handsome Eli and wel acted Jordan make up for the low marks.

This film will not be everyone's cup of tea given its a weird mix genre about gay urges, christianity, exorcism, baptism and street gangs. It is all over the place. (3/10)

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