After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Such an unpretentious gem, this belongs in the collection of anyone with a sophisticated sense of humour (do I really mean it? YES!) who is well loved for successful movie parties. I'm afraid friendless bores might not get the point.Many people these days rate a movie by how "slick" it is without really stopping to consider how difficult it is to write crisp, witty dialogue that doesn't loiter about taking itself too seriously. CFTPL is well written, well paced and sports a pretty decent cast of actors - there are weak moments, but the strong ones in which riotous lines are delivered with uncanny timing far outweigh them. The original songs are hilarious, and the novelty of the unique take on an old form allows a certain knee-slapping unpredictability to the familiar formula's. The "monster movieness" is self-consciously derived from the cultish success of what we now consider the bad special effects of 50s horror, as another reviewer has said, but it is done so smilingly, and with such a nod to what makes those movies fun for us now that one needs only a rudimentary understanding of the genre to appreciate what the filmmakers are doing here.There are many swell things about this movie, not the least of which is how much fun it obviously was to make. These people love life, and we need more movies from people who manage to convey a love of life in their art. Yes, this is Art! Each of the characters is a believable stereotype, all the actors take center stage in some manner at some point, constantly setting each other up for memorable moments. With such an ensemble, a movie that causes its audience to come away with a clear sympathy for each of character as the lead (most people will choose one or two favorites, I couldn't!) is no simple task - there are so many fantastic, quotable lines to go around that the director was able to dole them out generously, and the actors didn't disappoint him by leaving any of the dialogue limp. By the same token, each character has a distinct & round enough voice that none of his lines could imaginably have been delivered by any of the others. Okay, you sucked it out of me: my favorite by a very slim margin has got to be the Paul Lind channelling Philip Clarke. No stank you Randall!!!Bottom line, it's relatively short, never beats its shtick into the ground and maintains an undeadly pace through multiple viewings. Get it in you!

In the beginning, a giant mosquito attacks a guy. One can see the wires attached to the insect. With this cheesiness the tone is set: 'Pink Lagoon' is written and directed with all the panache of an Ed Wood movie...music included. Additionally, one can see the Romero low budget black and white style including the black male lead. Lines and scenes are shamelessly stolen from Mart Crowleys "Boys in the Band." And despite all this, I enjoyed the wit and the wonder of what can be done with gay zombies. I was not disappointed and hope for a sequel. Perhaps there could be gay zombie dating. Or perhaps there could be a great dance sequence where all zombies wear a top hat and become Rockets while Judy Garland sings. Zing goes the strings in my heart!

I just saw this as a late show recently, and thought it would be a campy,low budgeted satire on campy low budgeted midnight movies. It did start out promising big fun, but ran out of gas fairly early in the proceedings. The film (although it was shot on black & white video) seems to be something of a homage to George A. Romero's 'Living Dead' series, only with a gay theme,which always works with a midnight movie audience (The Rocky Horror Picture Show,or perhaps Pink Flamingos, anyone?). The story concerns a weekend gathering of gay friends for a birthday party for one of the men,which turns horribly wrong as men are turned into flesh eating zombies. The film's gore effects look like something from a Nick Zedd,or perhaps an R.Kern production (ultra low budget make up effects,and looks it). It's obvious this film will appeal to a (mostly)gay audience,and will probably find most of it's screenings at film festivals that gear toward a gay theme (it does feature some cheesy simulated sex scenes that are more funny than erotic). Probably worth a rental for a screening at a video party (depending on the party guests in attendance)

CREATURES FROM THE PINK LAGOON, is a goofy send up of 50's monster movies, that gloriously and at times hilariously sends up every gay stereotype abound. Judy Garland, sex toys, butch/femme dynamics, etc. This film embraces those stereotypes, in a loving and sly way, and its those things, plus a variety of stock character types, and Ed Wood nods (giant monster mosquitoes, gloriously low key set pieces) that keep this piece at a high click. Where CREATURES suffers is when it decides to incorporate its gory violent moments. I love gory movies, but the films tone shifts so dramatically, that you forget at times you're watching a parody and send up, and it just turns into a painfully bad gore zombie movie. Luckily for us, the able cast of theatre veterans go for the gusto, and manage to chew the necessary scenery required to save the film from falling into this pit. The final issue will be the video format, a good run through a film look process could only enhance the film's above average lensing, and give it a much needed authentic feel.For fans of 50's queer satire, this will provide more laughs than disappointing fare like Straight Jacket, and signals an interesting new voice amongst queer filmmakers.