Search - October Moon on DVD

Coming Out Into Obsession

interested_observer | San Francisco, CA USA | 02/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thirty-year old Corin (newcomer Sean Michael Lambrecht) works in an ad agency in south-east Wisconsin and is working on his five year relationship with 23-year old Jake (Jeff Dylan Graham). Corin's boss, Nancy (Brinke Stevens), helps out by hiring him an assistant, Elliot (Jerod Howard). Elliot, an awkward fellow, is engaged to marry his long-time only-friend Marti (Tina Ona Paukstelis). Corin's gaydar picks up a vibe from Elliot that triggers invitations for Elliot and Marti to spend some time with Corin and Jake. Elliot's mother, Emily (Judith O'dea) disapproves strongly. Nevertheless, rather rapidly, Elliot finds his real attraction is to Corin.

Not having learned how to make friends, Elliot presses in, gathering souvenirs and taking secret photographs. Eventually Nancy, Jake, and Corin do something about it, but not in time to prevent Elliot from making his sudden move. The film moves to its violent climax, including Christian symbolism and decorated with the words of twisted journalism.

This inexpensive independent film does manage to do a good job telling the story of Elliot's reorientation and decline into obsession, showing a gay couple negotiating their relationship, and having the supporting cast framing the action well. There are scenes showing how straight bars, gay bars, and traditional religion reflect and shape values.

The acting was fairly good, with Brinke, Howard, and O'Dea doing the best.

The four knifing scenes all have makeup and effects that are reasonable. The film is not centered on showing violence per se.

Attractive Corin has substantial skin shots. Jake has a background one. There is a hunky farmer and a gay club dancer for extra eye-candy.

As extras, there is an audio commentary by the director (Jason Paul Collum) and Jerod Howard, there is a small making-of featurette, some spicy photogalleries, and two trailers.

"October Moon" fills a unique niche. Both straight and gay viewers should find it worthwhile.




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The obsession.... intense. The result? Fatal.

Lorre Roster | Hollywood, Ca, USA | 04/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

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October Moon is a film that was made with a modest budget, yet still manages to tell a story from a unique (and seemingly untapped) genre: Gay Horror.

The charming Judith O' Dea (Night of the Living Dead) has a great supporting role as a nagging mother while Scream Queen Brinke Stevens lends her talents to the production as well.

Special Features include a commentary from the director and one of the leads. There's also a featurette where Jason Paul Collum discusses the film, and some of his own personal issues. I felt that by him opening up and talking about his own struggles it pulled me in even more as an audience member. Photo galleries and a few trailers round out the extras on the DVD.

Despite the cost of the film, there was some fantastic locations used. Racine and Kenosha have never looked so beautiful. The area used for the camping trip was gorgeous, and it was the perfect backdrop as the lead character reveals the explanation of an October Moon.

October Moon is a story about love. Love of different kinds and on different levels. Gay love, straight love, obsessive love. Some characters are likeable while others are more villainish, but whatever their conflicts, whatever their problems, they deal with them underneath an October Moon.


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Pass on this Takeoff on Horror Films

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 08/18/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Jason Paul Collum both wrote and directed this little film that resembles a gay 'Fatal Attraction' without the benefit of a tight script, good actors, suspense, or sophisticated effects and camera work. Sadly it boils down to a fifteen-minute story spread out over an almost interminable 2 hours.

The story involves on Corin (Sean Michael Lambrecht), a 30-year old ad exec in a five-year bumpy relationship with 23-year old party boy Jake (Jeff Dylan Graham). Corin's boss and friend Nancy (Brinke Stevens) understands Corin all too well, appreciates his relationship, but in attempting to relieve his work duties hires an assistant Elliot (Jerod Howard), a gender confused nerdy lad who is engaged to his lifelong chum Marti (Tina Ona Paukstelis) in a push from his mother (Judith O'Dea) to make things 'right'. Elliot is befriended by Corin, brought into Corin's and Jake's friendship, and Elliot and Marti and Corin and Jake begin socializing. Elliot falls for Corin, comes out of the closet to the extreme dismay of Marti and his mother, and despite Elliot's friendship with Corin and Jake, he begins to stalk Corin. Corin's rebuff of his advances leads to disaster and the film tumbles downhill from there.

Yes, some may view this weak little foray as being full of statements about love, obsession, relationships, and friendships, but all of that has been said far better before and without the seemingly tacked on genre of a horror film. The acting from the women in the film is good, but the men are blunted stereotypes. Everything about the film screams low budget. One annoying factor - a music score that sounds like lessons on electronic keyboards and obscures a lot of the dialogue - turns out to be a blessing in that the weak script is covered frequently. Most viewers will utilize the fast forward button to get through the repetitious dialogue and race for the end, a predictable, stagy tableaux that really doesn't resolve anything. Not worth two hours of your viewing time. Grady Harp, August 06



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