Amari-Sali Trigger Warning(s):Bullying (Homophobia) | Grotesque Imagery (Stage Makeup) | VomitNoted Actor(s)Oscar (Connor Jessup) | Peter (Aaron Abrams) | Buffy (Isabella Rossellini) | Wilder (Aliocha Schneider)Characters & StorylineOscar has primarily grown up with his father Peter. To say the least, Peter is homophobic. Not to the point he'd march against gay rights and what have you but, arguably, like many, he tolerates the existence of gay people but wouldn't necessarily want to accept them in his family. Especially his son. But the story isn't about Peter, nor really his relationship with Oscar. What this movie is about is Oscar trying to get away from his town for a new life in New York, the ability for new experiences, of which one includes falling in love with a boy. So when a young man named Wilder is hired at the same Home Depot-esque store, may dreams come true for this talented makeup artists?HighlightsThe Hamster (Buffy)Usually, pets are just accessories and not much more but for Oscar his pet Buffy he gives a voice to. She, technically he, is a long- term friend, a confidant, and also one of the few comical characters of a rather drab film.A Different Kind of Queer BoyTo me, diversity isn't just showing gay people, showing Black people, and etc, you have to also surpass the stereotypes. Which isn't to say I don't support or like the idea of femme men getting their story told on screen, but arguably they hold the flag, they are the ones you often see while it is like masculine men are still in the closet. So with Oscar being into monster makeup and good with his hands, I feel it helps bring a fuller mosaic in terms of what gay people look like and what their interest are. For while, yes, makeup is often associated with gay men, this dude was making these cool ass monsters and hanged out in a tree house and just made his sexuality perhaps the least interesting thing about him.On The FenceNo Real Romance or ConflictWhile Wilder flirts with Oscar, nothing really comes of it. While Peter is homophobic, there is no reconciliation or some big to do about it. The lack of romance and drama is different and I can't say if that is good or bad. I will say though that it did leave you feeling that perhaps the movie should have then made Oscar's fears of being hurt or murdered, for being gay a more central focus. That alongside perhaps a fear of anal sex, since one situation seemed to trigger some kind of PTSD.Overall: MixedA part of me wants to label this as Positive (Worth Seeing) but I'm struggling to come up with a way to justify that. For while I can praise the use of the hamster as a means of support and the media continuing to diversify the representation of gay men, I got nothing which justifies sitting and watching a 90-minute movie. No one's performance is awe-inspiring, every road the story could have gone done it just peers with binoculars, and it leaves me with nothing to really say you may get excited about. So, mixed seems like the best option.

Toe Cutter (toecutter0) Another coming of age film for the modern generation that leaves a million unanswered questions and at times is simply confusing. The transitions from the imaginary to real world interaction aren't very well-defined and the characters are simply boring. The 7+ score drew me into watching, but both the wife and I were left disappointed as so many questions were left unanswered. The gratuitous scene towards the end I assume was meant as a metaphor for something, but it failed to make any sense at all. I often wonder if movies like this reflect how America is changing or if filmmakers are simply to lazy to write a decent story. A generous 5 out of 10.

pensacolacomputer WOW...just got finished watching this movie, I actually clicked on it by accident...I didn't know what it was and almost turned on something else...I'm so glad I decided to watch it..This is one of the best movies, if not the best I have seen all year...I will be on the lookout for other movies from this director, VERY well done..and the lead actor did a tremendous job as well, and has a bright future ahead...I won't get into what the story is about...but I will say that growing up gay can be VERY tough...I know...You feel like you are alone... and no one understands you...So if any other gay person is reading this...Hold on...We all find ourselves...eventually

kthompson-72577 There are some great qualities of this film: The soundtrack is amazing, the cinematography is great, and there are some interesting and unique themes. However I was mostly disappointing with the film.The main character, Oscar, is not particularly likable. He retains the "angsty teen" stereotype without many redeeming qualities to combat it; lots of whining, complaining, etc. On top of this, the storyline is a bit all over the place. There are so many different subplots going on all at once, and they don't exactly mesh together very well. Lots of scenes happen metaphorically, but are displayed literally. In some ways this is very successful, but some it feels either confusing, or too obvious.Overall I wouldn't necessarily suggest this movie, but I did enjoy some moments (the party scene was great).