Monster Pies (2013) Reviews

• Absolutely loving this low budget indie Australian film

  david-31652013-12-24

  I agree with many of the comments left so far and none of them prevent me from absolutely loving this low budget indie Australian film. The story is not new, but these are stories that should be told and told again. Especially as there are so few from an Australian perspective. As others have mentioned, in parts the production can be a little messy. However you quickly get used to this, and in the end (unintentionally) it makes the whole film feel more real. Imagine finding a slightly tattered rug, but once wrapped around you it was the warmest most comfortable rug you could find. That's how I felt about this film. The two leads are great young actors. Considering this was Lucas Linehams first feature film, he has done an outstanding job and I look forward to seeing him in any upcoming roles. I could imagine this movie being put on a school curriculum for students anywhere in the world to discuss the concepts of same sex attracted students, bullying and domestic violence. As a result of these themes, it does get upsetting at times. But please don't let that put you off seeing this very moving movie.

• What a wonderful film!

  teabag_mike2013-06-22

  I saw this film for the first time at MQFF (Melbourne Queer Film Festival) and it blew me away with it's sensitive characterizations, elegant cinematography and beautiful use of music. This film was made on a micro budget and should be used as a yard stick for other indie film makers to live up to. This movie shows what can be accomplished with determination, drive and vision. The plot is a straight forward coming of age story and whilst we have seen this type of thing before, we've never seen it told in quiet the same way with sparse beauty and compassion. The two main leads are destined for future success if this is any indication of what they are capable of. They are both charismatic and charming. They anchor the film and give it a gravity, sense of humor and emotional core. All the support actors are outstanding as well - they range from heavy and down right nasty to quirky, off beat and genuinely funny. The location filming in Melbourne's western suburbs gives the film a real slice of life feel that every Australian growing up in the burbs will relate to. The local area portrayed in the film becomes almost a character unto itself. Both the score and songs are well used and add huge production value to this little film. The editing is slightly rough around the edges but it actually adds to the character of the film. I found it worked even better on a repeated viewing. We do tend to be so used to seeing bigger budget films that are slickly cut together whereas Monster Pies is a personal vision and works on a purely personal, one on one level. That is all part of the films magic. The direction and writing from Lee Galea show a maturity and depth of understanding of both film and the subject matter. For a second feature with a tiny budget this film rocks. Lee is obviously a child of the 90's and pays loving homage to them with great attention to detail. From local video libraries to phones with cords. I for one cannot wait to see what he makes next! Try watching this film with an open mind and heart and I think you'll walk away from it slightly changed forever. I know I have.

• An unrefined, but very touching film that packs a punch.

  bennyjayruss2013-11-30

  Monster Pies isn't a very well made film, but it's terribly moving. Once it gets more exposure, there's no doubt in my mind that it will be seen as an LGBT cinematic treasure. It's an important film for Australia too, a country that has only had brief exposure to gay themes on television and in film (Priscilla being the most notable film). It took me a while to get into the movie, because it was hard to get past the shabby production value. As the leading actors took their stride and developed an infectious chemistry, the romance took off and led me on yet another incredibly moving experience. Isn't it weird though, that a film like this (which is far from great) is one that I'll never forget. It does pack a punch, and it will stay with you. We follow the life of Mike (Tristan Barr), who is an awkward teenager that works in a video store, and also gets teased about his sexuality. In his English class, Mike gets paired with an attractive new student, Will (Lucas Linehan), who has a manly exterior, but hidden sensitivity. They have to create a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, which forces them to spend lots of time together. As they work on their project, they start having loads of fun and establish a unique connection. It's a coming of age story (which is prevalent in LGBT films), but it's more realistic and moving than most. From the get-go, it's obvious that this is an extremely low-budget film. The font of the opening credits, and the horrendously performed opening exchange by Mike and his teacher just left me nervous about how the rest of the film would unfold. In the first 5 minutes alone, we're exposed to some of the most frequent romance movie clichés in the movie business. The long first glance, helping each other pick up dropped papers, having to share a book in class, being unintentionally over-enthusiastic about seeing him… trust me, this list goes on. There are some really off-putting things in this movie. One of them being that Mike works in a Video-tape renting store. No, not DVDs, but videos. I haven't seen a DVD store sell VHS tapes since I was in 5th Grade, so it's a curious sight to behold. Another thing that put me off was the unoriginal comedy clichés, such as the classic "see anything you like" gag. I don't know what director Lee Galea was going for, but this film is so aware of itself. Many of the actors don't know the meaning of the word 'subtle,' the script is filled with moments straight out of other movies, and the choppy and amateur style bugged me. I want to have mercy on this film, but then I just wouldn't be honest to myself and my readers. While this grained on me in the beginning, I really got into the film as it focused more on Will. On this sea of bad acting and shabby film craftsmanship, floated the revelation that is Lucas Linehan. His performance is the sunshine that turned the film into a really enjoyable one. There are some pretty great moments in the film, and they ALL include him. One of my favourites being when he looks back at Mike in the side-view mirror of the car. It was quick and subtle, but it showed us that Mike is on his mind. All of the moments where they rehearsed their Romeo and Juliet assignment were… extremely heart-warming. I just felt overjoyed at the 'wolfman kiss' scene. They did that really well, and Tristan Barr's facial expression afterwards was his greatest moment in the film. As time goes on and the story progresses, everything feels so much smoother and more entertaining. The romance develops nicely, due to the chemistry the leads share out of the blue. After the 'wolfman kiss' scene, I really started to get into the character's and their story. The swimming pool scene, which was also cliché to the max, was done exquisitely. I really liked the metaphor they used to describe the two, and the LGBT community. Mike is Frankenstein, who is feared and misunderstood. Will is the Wolfman, who is trying to cope with his change into a monster. The monsters are the LGBT community, who are hunted by the villagers (ignorant and stubborn people: the real monsters). They used this metaphor as a way to recreate Romeo and Juliet, and I just loved it. I'd give it an 'A' if I was an English teacher. The music really impressed me too, ranging from classical scores like Fur Elise to beautiful love ballads by the school dance band. The second half just took flight and became a really solid film. Well, up until the mother exploded at Mike. When it comes to melodrama, it either has to be done perfectly, or not at all. I felt really moved by the end of the film because of a lot of things. I absolutely adore the message this film sends to LGBT teens, which is to not be afraid any more. It's so important that kids know to come out and be who they are, because this world will never change unless people are honest with themselves. There was a really touching song that played too, which almost moved me to tears. Most importantly, it was because of the moving performance by Lucas Linehan, who was the heart and soul of the film. This isn't a refined film, but its message and emotional impact managed to make me like it a lot. I'd give it a 7/10, but I'd like to boost its rating up. It deserves far better than a 5.1/10.

• Heart=Wrenching

  larkpraise2014-03-19

  I got this movie on DVD in January. I have watched it almost every night since then so I feel I can give an adequate review. I have never been affected by a gay film as much as this film has impacted me. Maybe because the two main characters are so easy to identify with and because you long for the happy ending that does not come. Certainly the film is low-budget and there are some creaks in the plot. But what makes this film work is endearing charm of Tristan Barr and Lucas Linehan in the lead roles. I have never seen a gay film where the two leads had such chemistry with one another as this film (and I own quite a lot of gay films with the coming out theme). Everyone comments on Lucas Linehan's brilliant performance as the tragic Will. Linehan succeeds on all counts certainly and this can make it easy to overlook Tristan Barr's amazing and equally brilliant performance as the lonely, nerdy, misfit who has to endure the endless bullying and taunting of his schoolmates even though he is not "out of the closet". Seeing that many reviewers have commented on Linehan's performance, I want to say something about Tristan Barr. He, too, has many, many haunting moments in the film. In the beginning when the teacher is passing out the handouts for the project and Will passes Mike the papers and Mike drops them the expression on his face says, "Boy, he's going to think I'm a clumsy oaf". His awkwardness is evident simply by the look on his face...even before he meets Will. The next great "Mike" moment is when the teacher asks Will to read an excerpt from "Romeo and Juliet" and Mike is completely mesmerized by Will's sensitivity in reading. The camera at first focuses on Will reading then captures Mike's expression.....he can't take his eyes off him. What Barr seems to be thinking (and what he is telling the audience) is "can this guy be like me??? Is he gay"?? A good actor will convey with his face and eyes what dialogue cannot express. The director wisely muffles the sound as Will continues reading and the camera focuses on Mike's "thoughts" revealed only through his face. My favorite "Mike" moment is the scene in the garage where he has set up a small film projector and fixed a big screen to show Will, who has never been to a drive-in, what its like to see a movie there. Will is unquestionably happy and thrilled at what Mike has done for him and Mike's face shows delight in Will's happiness. This is probably my favorite scene in the whole film because it shows the caring, compassion and love between these two lonely misfits. Mike's face as he looks at Will enjoying himself has a poignant pathos and one has to have a heart of stone not to be moved by such a showing of love in such a simple, understated way. Other Great "Mike Moments": When Will pushes him unexpectedly into the pool and Mike reacts with "hurt" because it brings the bullying he has known throughout his life into reality. When Mike shyly asks Will if they are "together". Mike's longing to take Will to the dance and Will rejects him because he is "scared". One's heart aches for Mike because we feel his pain just as we feel Will's pain with his abusive father. WARNING: BIG SPOILER ALERT: Mike running down the street because he fears for Will's life and comforting Will when Will breaks down after the confrontation with his father. The last 17 minutes of the film all belong to Barr who never loses his audience. His broken heart is revealed for all to see, even the bully. His running out to the grassy field and digging his hands in the dirt and letting out his grief because he last lost his "great love" makes you want to reach out and say....its all just a bad dream Mike. You're going to wake up just as the teacher puts the film in the VCR and Will is going to be right next to you telling you to "calm down" ...you were just having a horrible nightmare. At least that is how I choose to look at the ending. This is one movie I will never tire of seeing and let's give credit where credit is due....Linehan AND Barr's touching and brilliant performances brought out by director, Lee Galea!

• Disappointing at Best

  mgold-82014-01-19

  Did we really need another gay-themed film where the gay kid kills himself? What kind of message does this send to actual real-life teenagers who are suicidal? If they'd just ended the movie at about 69 minutes in, with Will and Mike falling asleep next to each other under the tree, I'd have given it a 9. As it is, this movie is at best a huge disappointment. At worst, what's to stop a very depressed gay boy in Miami or Melbourne or Manchester from watching this movie and coming away from it with the perception that it validates what he'd already been contemplating, i.e. that suicide is, indeed, the only way out? This is a very possible real-world consequence that the people responsible for making this film apparently didn't consider.