Shelter

After living in a dorm with 400 other people, I’ve really come to appreciate the quiet and solitude that spending time alone late at night provides. I’m free from the distractions of life and bustle of work and can let my mind wander wherever it will. I really enjoy having quiet movie nights by myself especially; the ability to turn off the lights, light a candle and have a bowl of grapes by my side as I gaze at my laptop screen really makes me content with life, even if things around me aren't quite as beautiful.

I’ve been trying to avoid the everyday blockbuster type film and focus more on independent features. I’ve expressed my love for well made gay themed flicks like Were the World Mine and Latter Days, but I think I’ve found one more film that ranks right up there with these and my all time favorites of Pan’s Labyrinth and 12 Angry Men. Shelter (2007) is a movie that never got full theatrical release as many gay themed movies I’ve watched haven’t either. Starring Trevor Wright as Zach and Brad Rowe as Shaun, the movie follows the life of Zach, a 22 y/o aspiring artist as he tries to figure out his plans for the future while taking care of his nephew Cody and sister all while coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Wright does a superb job of portraying his character as both believable and dynamic with a very good performance. His ability to convey the deep emotions and inner struggles his character faces is done so deftly one could feel as if this wasn’t a movie but stock footage shot in an actual home. Complementing Wright is Rowe’s excellent job of being a guiding figure in such a turbulent period in Zach’s life.

The movie itself runs very smoothly, mixing the two stories of Zach’s aspirations to become an artist and his own search for love and who he really is. At only 88 minutes long, it’s a great movie to watch if you have an evening to spare or just need a break; plus, the story moves along relatively quickly so you’ll never be caught waiting for the next exciting part or mini-climax. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but I’m sure there are parts where you could easily identify with one or more of the characters like I did when I watched.

Here’s the trailer:


On the home front things are going pretty well,

I’ve turned in my papers and I’m officially on winter break. Today I took Ms. X and her friend along M St. and later got cupcakes with M in RTC. Tomorrow I’m getting breakfast with C and afterwards visiting my high school to say “hi” to some teachers and some seniors who I’m close friends with. After that I need to do some Christmas shopping and maybe some clothes shopping while I’m at it. That's a lot on my plate so we’ll see how that pans out.

J'ai trouvé des joies dans les trucs simples en vie, et ca me sourie.

All the best,

JP