Hot Guys with Guns

In his slick, semi-comedic, L.A.-based, bi-racial, gay film-noir, writer-director Doug Spearman has a lot of balls (metaphorical and literal) to keep in the air. Table-waiting actor Danny (Marc Anthony Samuel), doggedly researching a potential breakthrough role in a popular TV cop-show franchise, takes adult-ed courses in private-investigator tactics from an old-time gumshoe (Darryl Stephens). His "homework" in DIY crime-busting leads him back to an on-again/off-again boyfriend—promiscuous rich kid Patrick (Brian McCardle)—whose social circle of elite Hollywood gays has been recently victimized by bizarre burglaries in which all of the participants at sex parties are narcotized and robbed while unconscious and nude. Catty banter and observations about La-La Land lifestyles are actually more entertaining than the detective stuff. The sex scenes aren't graphic, but there are bare male butts, torsos, and revealing leather outfits—about as commonplace as cleavage was for Pam Anderson vehicles of yesteryear. Perhaps the most noteworthy achievement is that the material seldom capitulates to camp—the stereotypical touchstone of gay humor—and an undeniable high point is the cool CGI-animated opening credits presented in mock 007-fashion. Recommended. (C. Cassady)