The Worst Film Ever

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Coming-out themed movies have always been difficult to write and this one doesn't even come close to that! This quickly turned into a screaming match between the "in the closet" gay and lesbian characters of the movie - which sadly takes you on a journey to dulls-ville USA! The child in this movie has some funny background action when it comes to having a "dead" corpse in the house - even while her drunk step mother is making a frail attempt at caring for the child.the step mother - should have been a male role - that would have made "his" drunken come-on to the lead gay boy awkward and hysterical.Necrophelia alert as well - we know the boy is obsessed with the town jock - but did he have to have anal sex with him when he knew the guy was dead? Didn't need that scene! And at the end - when the little girl raises the dead make jock - no explanation is given as to his resurrection and what he meant by the line "welcome to the party - about time!" As usual - the writer of this show didn't ask a gay audience first about where to end the movie - so naked into the street the jock goes - into the arms of the drunk mother who almost runs him down...they make out, and then over breakfast the next morning he asks "what happened to my truck?" Again - the little girl takes center stage - a sequel is needed just to tie up the very loose ends of this so-so coming out movie! The lead is cute, but the jock has the nice butt - even after he gets it in the end (bad pun laughter inserted here please)

Gee, I'm awfully disappointed with all the pedestrian, goodie-two-shoed users trashing the hilarious treat that is PLAY DEAD!This was easily the most exciting film I saw in Park City last winter. It's original, fun, campy, clever, tangy and bright. It simultaneously indulges and undermines deep fantasies of desire in an insightful-however exaggerated-way. It's harmless joy! The characters are vibrant and new. The little girl ROCKS! The boys are cute. The dialogue is whimsical and clever. The acting is genuine, and taps well into the universal emotions beating through the script. The friendship between the kids and the hijinks with the mother character are a jungle gym of fun! Just because the good guy sodomizes what he thinks is a corpse doesn't make this experience any less delightful. Can't you people take a joke? Wouldn't you have given anything to nail the captain of the wrestling team in your high school? The negative reviews are mostly coming from gay men who watched PLAY DEAD at various Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals around the U.S. It's too bad they're doing their part to make gay culture just as boring, uninspired, challengless and mediocre as the mainstream. What a sorry sack of saccharin prudes! Yes, it's a low-budget production. There are a couple of shoddy jump-cuts that expose areas where the filmmakers needed more footage. Zappa is not a particularly skilled actress, either. But these are mere nits! PLAY DEAD is carrying the baton for a fabulous legacy of proud and spirited comedies that champion unconventional relationships such as HAROLD AND MAUDE, HAIRSPRAY, or even SHREK. Nathan Bexton is my hero, and you should all watch PLAY DEAD!

This is the kind of film that is so bad, so tasteless, so disturbing, you're embarassed when you laugh out loud at it--as the crowd at the 2001 DC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival did last night. The acting is somewhat amateurish, and the writing leaves a lot to be desired, but the situations, instead of stopping short as in most black comedies, keep going right past the border of good taste. And the audience was dragged along in spite of itself. As the lights went up, there was a lot of sheepish looking around as if everyone wanted to reassure themselves that they weren't the only ones who enjoyed it. Worth seeing, if only to see how depraved you really are.

This is the kind of movie you rent for your overnight slumber party. It will make you laugh but it will also make you squirm. Jessica Stone steals the movie as the precocious 8 year old. Diva Zappa reminds me of a young Liza Minelli ala Sterile Cukoo era. The musical soundtrack is off beat and the direction is efficient and gutsy. Superior editing job.