Beverly Kills [Import]

Damion Dietz (Neverland, The Virgin Larry, Fag Hag, Respect My Ass) is a director and writer who obviously has a great time putting together his genre of films. What seems to be over the top, silly, absurdly ridiculous situational comedies have a singular bite. Take the time to listen to the lines and observe the parodies and there is a lot of social comment that deserves some attention.

The plot is loose: Beverly Jackson (Gary Kelley - a buff, masculine guy in obviously absurd drag) is a wannabe actor who is denied a role in an upcoming musical at the Pride Playhouse: this sets off the idea of revenge that is supposed to be the main line of the plot but gets sidetracked by all the other antics. We encounter broken relationships, lonely guys, new relationships, arrivals to Hollywood from all over the country who long to become stars and end up being 'stand-in celebrities' for the tourists along the Hollywood Boulevard. Beverly gathers the guys and gals who have auditioned and plans a terrorist, martyrdom attack at Hollywood and Highland as a means of making a statement about the unstable way of life and irony of the promised land of dreams. Of course it all goes awry, but it does so with some very pretty people and, given the tenor of the script, some impressive introductions of talent. The quality of acting must be judged on the requirements of the project and these folks play their roles very well indeed. There are some funny musical numbers, the requisite amount of bare skin to keep the eyes entertained, and in the short and long of it BEVERLY KILLS makes no pretense at being anything but what it is - a spoof, waaaaaay over the top independent edgy film, and actually quite a bit of fun. Relax folks, this is like a backyard summer charade. Watch it for what it is and enjoy the numerous quite fine talents, both male and female. Grady Harp, June 06

I am a huge fan of trashy cinema. Sordid Lives is probably my favorite gay movie. Beverly Kills is right up there with that. The two boys are adorable and in fact, all of the guys in the movie are gorgeous and either wear absolutely nothing or next to nothing throughout the whole movie which is a plus. Unlike most low-budget gay romantic comedies this doesn't take itself so seriously, is quite witty, and leaves you feeling great. If you are easily offended or don't have an absurd sense of humor then you should probably look elsewhere as this one is scathing and out there. I saw this at a film festival in Arizona and loved it but with the DVD I was able to listen to the director's commentary. It is enlightening and made me appreciate this movie even more. The musical numbers in the gay theater are absolutely hysterical.

This movie is sooooo gay. Considering that it is meant to be a gay oriented theme picture, that may not be a total bad thing... Yet, it plays against itself in the process.

Beverly is a wannabe-drag queen... merely a middle aged man in women spandex pant suit, ugly blond wig, and horrible makeup. If he was called a drag queen, it would come at great offence to those who are truly masters of the craft.

When Beverly is spurned for not having much talent, he sets out with a diabolical scheme... a scheme that is so wickedly lame. It is up to two heart throbs to stop the plan but they are up against a brainwashed army of wannnabe actors and actresses. In between the mayhem lies a love story. A love that develops in a day. And just in time to avoid disaster too... how wonderfully quick paced beverly's world is. This movie isn't bad... and several of the actors offered witty performances. But it is the premise that deflates this potential balloon of a film... and the scheme is just plain silly. This is a film I could see Charles Bush doing... because he is a master of the craft of creating kooky noir pics such as this. This one had the schlock... and a couple shocks of male nudity... but it seemed bland and Beverly was a little too over the top. Just a tad... Beverly Kills is average fare as it attempts to be bold but seems to simply flounder.