This review of the recent DVD release of the 2013 gay-centric drama "Capital Games" represents another in a surprisingly large number of recent milestones for Unreal TV.
In this case, this offering further expands the scope of reviewed titles from humble beginnings focusing on titles from Shout! Factory to covering gay-themed productions. It is predicted that one such post will run roughly every 10 days.
Of actual importance to the folks at the awesomely independent Breaking Glass Pictures, which also brought us the previously reviewed documentary "Unhung Hero," is that "Games" also is noteworthy for being a refreshing change from the cliche of gay-oriented films featuring overly-emotive 20-something twinks whose eyes are as wide as those of anime characters and whose skin is freshly scrubbed to a degree that likely allows it to glow in the dark.
The following spoiler-laden clip, courtesy of YouTube, of the trailer for "Games" clearly show how this differs from the gay-oriented classic "Latter Days" and its ilk.
"Games" is based on an erotica (rather than erotic) G.A. Hauser novel that has rivalry turn to lust and then to love for 30-something hunky ad executives whose macho natures have them competing for related prestige at their agency and a lucrative account. Despite these elements, neither is willing to bend over backward or forward to get ahead.
Former police officer Steve Miller is a star who has worked his way up the ranks at the agency when newcomer Brit Mark Richfield comes on the scene; Mark aggressively stealing Steve's reserved parking space gets their relationship off to a rough start that the professional threat that this recent hire poses does not help.
The action soon shifts to a team-building retreat in New Mexico during which Steve and Mark both take it like a man on getting trapped in the desert.
Our macho macho boys then learn the hard way both that suppressing strong desires can be difficult and that sharing an intimate experience often bonds you no matter how much you try to deny those feelings.
Steve's twin related challenges involve getting Mark to express the love that he knows is mutual and to get this object of his affection to be more honest about his true nature.
The not-so-great acting among the predominantly male cast adds to the fun of the film; the largely deep voices and monotone delivers are the wonderful stuff of soap operas/hilariously awful buddy cop dramas, and adult-oriented gay fare.
Respective hypothetical examples of lines from the above are "I will crush Mark if it takes every ounce of my soul;" "you're the only partner who ever let me be me;" and "Hey, Buddy; you better take off those wet clothes."
It is hilarious that each line provided above is a perfect fit for "Games."
"Games" additionally retains enough elements of the films starring members of the Class of 2006 to provide the intended campy fun; anyone who is familiar with any of the genres that this review describes can predict both that a fully clad Steve will respond when invited to swim in a private and secluded pool that he does not have a bathing suit him and what reply that answer will prompt. The surprise regarding what subsequently occurs is part of what makes "Games" so good.
The same can be said regarding a scene in which Mark pulls Steve's police uniform, complete with handcuffs, out of the closet.
The dramatic confrontation between our heroes at the end of the film is an element of both gay and straight films of this nature.
In the interest of satisfying the curiosity of folks who are interested in the more salacious elements of "Games," Steve bare his arms enough to indicate that this ex-cop is very fond of gun shows; he is almost as fond of proving that he is not a cruiser and lacks junk in his trunk.
For his part, footage of Mark shows that this man who Steve has selected may also be one of the chosen people.
The biggest (but very understandable) shame is that the portion of the viewing public, who likely stopped reading this review no later than the reference to taking it like a man, whose anxiety regarding homosexuality preclude them from watching "Games" deprives them from enjoying an especially fun guilty pleasure. It is suggested that these folks please consider adopting the attitude that someone's sexuality is no big deal so long as they do not engage in any recruiting for their team.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Games" is welcome to email me; you can also connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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