Gary K
The story is an old one: our love is forbidden and judged. This one comes from ten years or so ago. Homophobia, fear of coming out, and first love. Love rules the young heart in this one. I simply did not expect the twist near the end. It cut right to the heart.
There are some random leaps in this film. But what it lacks in continuity it makes up in depth. I enjoyed the ride.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/21/24
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Audience Member
Good LGBT movie, recomend to anyone out there that is looking for a solid storyline!
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/26/23
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Audience Member
Monster Pies isn't a very well made film, but it's terribly moving
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/25/23
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Audience Member
I did not expcet this heartbreak and heartache!This was sweet,beautiful and actually a very well made indie movie.It's a common plot,but still it has a very fresh feeling about it.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/19/23
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Audience Member
Monster Pies is very melodramatic. It is very awkward. It is very clichéd. It is very much these things... for all the right reasons.
I'm not sure what audiences who were disappointed by this indie film expected, because the aforementioned elements + excellent writing are what helped make Monster Pies (punintentional of course) a genuinely moving story about a developing romance between two high school guys.
Lucas Linehan delivers a praise-worthy performance as he successfully captures the utterly troubling background of his sensitive character, Will, demonstrating realistic moments of affection, frustration and sadness. And Tristan Barr especially shapes his character, Mike, as the socially awkward teenager who is also caring and just as sensitive, and while at first glance Barr's acting may not seem like that great, the oddball qualities of the character and maybe even the actor himself make Mike exactly what he was supposed to be, therefore being subtly and consistently heartwarming. Mike and Will make a lovely on-screen couple, without using graphic sexual representation to prove it. This could have however gone either way, really, as the film's drama eventually leaves the safe zone, which is to be expected or there would be little plot. What happens is for you to see, but the way the drama is handled until the very end is truly remarkable and even surprisingly clever, with help from some of the supporting characters.
The film seems to take place in the late-90s, being only implied with the use of VHS tapes and old landline and pay phones in a small town, with Will's camera being the leading clue as it shows support for SD cards (which if you research them you will find they were first introduced in 1999). It may seem like an odd choice, as the film doesn't focus so much on the taboo of sexuality of the time, but it actually makes the plot more relevant, with film itself being a recurring theme, and allowing for numerous old pop culture references for humor. The older technology thus influences more instances of direct communication between characters, making Mike and Will's love for each other even more genuine. The only downside of this idea, however, is the slight disillusionment of this retrograde era when 21st century cars can be seen driving by. Easy to forgive though, especially since this is an indie film with a small budget. Plus given the small crew and the director who also wrote and edited the film, the end product turned out rather well, with beautiful cinematography and quick cuts that symbolize the awkward moments felt by the characters, which reminded me of a similar editing style in the adaptation of A Single Man (2009). The soundtrack for the film isn't quite original, but the compilation of classical songs and contemporary pop music serve their purposes respectfully.
While perhaps not breaking new ground in queer cinema, Monster Pies nonetheless lives up to its title thanks to assured direction and screenwriting by Lee Galea, while the exposure of Linehan and Barr as new actors are justified with great performances, making the film a worthy addition to queer-themed romance drama.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/14/23
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Audience Member
This was a good little film. The two young lead actors prtrayed their parts well, especially Linehan who had to play a character with deeply conflicting factors in his life.
Yes, the ending wasn't a great surprice, but that is more to do with this being a film in a genre where such endings are common. The film didn't telegraph the ending and the film taken as a whole was cohesive and made sense.
This was a good drama, with well-played characters and a cast that will hopefully have more silver screen time in the near future.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/26/23
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