Ganymede

Still the premise and basic story and concept aren't awful.

One could almost simply go down the cast list and realize just how this movie was doomed to rate.

Its a long list of D list or one hit wonders and so on or never were's.

It even has cliched obligatory shots for some reason that are purely cinematic but anything but realistic in the least.

There are even fairly obvious technical details that id pick at if i had any prior expectations of such detail being addressed well.

Frankly im amazed at how not awful tv movie it managed to be while still rating overall in the same field.

Still there are some good bits. Frankly this could have been cut into a short form short film and be amazing cutting all the padding and dead weight out to make it reach feature length if not feature worth.

Still don't let me mislead you from not seeing if it might be for you at the right time and place because i watched more than my share of 4's and 5's in my own youth for anything but reasons like taste or sophistication.

Often quite the opposite i was more engaged by simple or low brow entertainment action violence and of course every teen boys favorite accessible nudity to some degree in the distant days before free internet access to such things was so pervasive and mainstream.

The great thing about bad movies and bad times is sometimes you need them if only for the contrast to appreciate similar content done to a much better overall quality.

How would we know a far superior version of the gay sexual awakening trope versus family complications traditions or sometimes strict religious fundamentalism if we didn't have something terrible thrown into the average of such genres?

Ganymede seems somehow necessarily bad. When you are content to invest less and make less as long as you can line up profits overall.

I almost think the worst part about it is the unfortunate name choice.

To me it doesn't make a lot of sense despite a minimal attempt to explain it in the film. After trying to understand the choice there are so many seemingly superior options of other mythical characters that would surely fit so much better than this story.

When you don't have all day and endless resources this is what you get when you just have a job to get done.

Colby Holt and Sam Probst's compelling motion picture is a true queer horror story. About a handsome kindhearted high school wrestling champion named Lee Fletcher, impressively played by Jordan Doww, who is a closeted gay teenage and constantly battles with his own sexuality to such a degree that he is emotionally and physically tormenting by visions of a grotesque demonic creature menacing him. Lee's sexual urges are completely unacceptable to his deeply religious homophobic parents, Big Lee and Floy, superbly played by Joe Chrest and Robyn and Lively, who do nothing to help him. Things become worse when Lee meets and develops a crush on an openly gay student, Kyle Culper, wonderfully played by Pablo Castelbanco in an endearing performance, who soon falls in love with him. Once Lee's parents catch wind of the attraction he has towards Kyle, they turn towards the church for help and remedies to cure their's son homosexuality which are horrific and brutal. Lee is near the breaking point as he struggles with his strong feelings towards Kyle, and the monstrous demonic creature that keeps haunting him. Solid direction by Holt and Probst, and marvelously acted by the entire cast, with an engrossing script by Colby Holt. This fine film is a mixture of Gothic horror and coming of age story that is extremely well made.

I did not expect much when selecting this movie on Amazon prime but it really surprised me! "Ganymede" presents a compelling fusion of coming-of-age narrative with elements of mystery/horror. Jordan Doww delivers a powerful performance, effectively conveying the protagonist's internal conflict, complemented by a strong supporting role from Pablo Castelblanco. The directors demonstrate adept skill by using elements of horror to explore relevant social issues which are not widely known, notably motivated by religious extremism, next to the journey toward self-acceptance of the adolescences. Even though the movie is obviously fictional, I really liked that they explain at the end of the movie that gay conversion therapy is in fact a massive issue we face in today's society.

I wished see it , the main source of interest being, off course, the title. And I was not exatlz desapointed by it . Only, in some measure, surprised by the appetit of director to collect themes, subjects in pure chaotic manner , against an order who use, in fair, wise manner, the generous material.

Because all remains in mist at final, a so fake final than you have chances to feel some embarassment.

Sure,Jordan Doww shirless , the psychosis of his Lee Fletcher ( relative of admirable Jessica Fletcher ? ), religion art wall , with the hypocrisy as stigma, a Kyle Culper having all virtues of annozing character ( sure, a teenager in love, so, some reasonable excuses ) and a principal pure unrealistic scene by scene.

The problem is the wasted potential of story and good premises in desorder. In short, a lot of sketches drawn on the run. And obsession of monsters who are so bad defined . The use of ECT by a pastor and the confrontation between Floy and her brother are the worst scenes. The good point - the wrestling contest and the show of Kyle. Is it enough ? I do not know .

This film feels like something shot in the early 1980s, then put on a shelf and forgotten about until now.

Back then it might have been sort of edgy, but today it just feels dated and melodramatic. The characters are either creepy or corny (with the notable exception of Kyle's mother), and the relationship between Lee and Kyle feels very rushed. Letting the audience know that the now high school seniors met as freshmen was a very ineffective shortcut.

Overall, the subject matter was quite relevant, but the writing and execution lacked any real substance. Lastly, the laughable "horror" effects (costumes by Spirit Halloween?) should have been nixed completely. If you don't have the budget for effects, don't do them.