Bugcrush

This film was disturbing. Plain disturbing. The short starts clear- it centers around a gay teen who is fascinated and/or obsessed with the new kid at school. The beginning was comprehensible enough, and I was interested in it. But then it began to get weird. About 3/4 through, it began to get disgusting, and I mean disgusting. The film was continually inconsistent (an oxy moron, i know) it shifted from romance to drugs to sex to drugs again, and I began to lose track of what was going on. Another issue: There was barely any plot, any that was at least recognizable, and I was extremely confused by the end. pretty pointless.

Something positive about the film- although it was really confusing (which should have shattered my interest in the movie) it managed to keep my attention. The fact that it shifted from story to story continuously was not great in terms of what expectations a film should live up to, but it still managed to keep me (i suppose the correct term is) absorbed the entire time, with the exception of during pointless intervals filled with bad dialogue. Another good thing about the film was the acting. It wasn't excellent, but the actors were able to play the parts well even though they weren't written well.

Over all, I wouldn't exactly recommend it. It's a chore to understand it, though it was interesting. It was disturbing, and did have a couple WTF moments. It had no clear plot and the writing wasn't good, but I can't completely discourage anyone from watching it because it's not on that level of terrible.

I understand people finding it disturbing, but that is the point of a horror film, isn't it? Part of it being scary is that you can see where this could happen. I believe it's great that we can have a gay horror story. I've seen far more disturbing films, and it is easy to feel isolated in high school. We all want friends. We all want to feel attractive to someone we like. We all want to feel like we fit in. As for the negative reviews, if you do not like horror films, then do not watch them.

Dark. bitter. chilling. a film about dark side of an age. not surprising. only admirable precise. the characters are well known. the atmosphere - created in inspired manner. the loner guy - reflection of the viewer in many cases. because each of us is defined by questions. and expectations. short - a solide film. not a lesson. not a pledge. only a precise, honest portrait. about fascination and secrets, need to be accepted and the answer who is not exactly a reasonable one.

The short story that BUGCRUSH is based on was originally written by the artist/filmmaker Scott Treleaven (not Steve). The story, which is also entitled 'Bugcrush', originally appeared in the horror anthology 'QUEER FEAR 2', edited by horror writer/essayist Michael Rowe, and was published by Arsenal Pulp Press (2003). The film follows the story very accurately, creating the same kind of lingering threat of sexual violence/fulfillment, and using a lot of the stilted, crushed-out teen dialog that made the story so effective. Although he's mostly known as a visual artist, Treleaven also wrote, and directed, the cult films QUEERCORE (1996), and THE SALIVATION ARMY (2002), as well as a number of other scripts and stories.

I got a chance to see this at CineVegas this year and I have to say I was very impressed.

The performances all around were well executed with a standout job by Josh Barclay Caras as Ben. He delivered a subtle performance that embodies the uncertainty of youth, coupled with the desire to fit in and find connection.

Writer/Director Carter Smith creates such a wonderfully dark and heavy atmosphere throughout the film. He really does an excellent job of creating a sense of foreboding in unique and original ways.

This is definitely a film worth seeing if you get a chance to do so.