Darker Secrets: Sideline Secrets II (2008 Video) User Reviews

I wanted more...

[sublimemediaman · 5/10 · 17 March 2008]

I liked the first "Sideline Secrets" quite a bit. It did have its obvious flaws. But, for being so low budget, it was quite enjoyable and had a solid storyline. So, I was excited when I saw "Sideline Secrets 2" online and was able to order a copy. Well, in the end, after having viewed it twice, I am not sure what to think. This film has very little, if nothing, to do with the first film. The entire cast is made up of new characters with a few returning faces from people who had non-speaking roles in the first film. I do like that connection -- the Frisbee player now being the main focus... but, I wanted the original cast back! This film is much darker than the first one. And being only about an hour long, it is a much tighter plot line... but there is just way too much sex. I was well aware that this was an erotic thriller, like the first one, but this one was nothing but sex, sex and more sex. Plenty of cute guys, but it got very tedious at times. I don't feel that this one was put together as tastefully as the first one. Not a bad movie, but be warned-- it is a lot different than the first. Overall, on its own basis, it is one of the much better "erotic" gay films that I have seen. However, on basis of being a sequel to the first film, I am just clouded in my thought process of how to actually grade it. Acting ranges from good to horrible. Camera work is well done as is editing... just wish for less sex... more storyline and some returning characters. Bring back Devon and Brian!!!

Promises little but gives a lot.

[xxray_77 · 8/10 · 14 March 2008]

When ever I rent a DVD of this type, in this case purchased, I always know what to expect. No name actors with no name directors going from one sex adventure to another with very little plot or plan. Pretty much the box covers say it all But every once in a while you find one that mixes the sex, (and hey isn't that the only reason you would watch such a film anyway!), with a good plot. I found this in Darker Secrets II, a very entertaining little movie.

Short at about 65 minuets, This movie had me pretty much lost most of the time but very entertainingly comes together nicely , if sinisterly, in the end. One thing that's always irks me about low budget gay films are the often long and drawn out scenes. You won't find any of those here. The imagery is flashy and at times so much is going on that you forget you're watching a low budget soft core film. The editing is what made this film for me. It was very well done and it gave the film a more main stream feel. I was never board and the story was intriguing enough for me to keep my hands off the fast forward button.

I have not had the opportunity to watch the first film SIDELINE SECRETS so I can't compare the two but if its anything like Darker Secrets then I look forward to watching it in the future. The lead Rick Bolander did a fine job playing a cop given the job of looking though video tapes of nude boys trying to find a missing person. This is a far stretch from some of his gay porn work he did for Miami Studios as Bobby Wilson! In the end you never find out what happened to the missing boy but by then you don't really care. You just sit back and enjoy looking through the cops eyes as he turns his attentions elsewhere and commits blackmail for sex. Darker Secrets hits its mark

ADDITION- In response to Gordon from Hong Kong. I was confused a little too, but that's what made this obvious no budget film much more interesting to me and anyway it all tied up nicely in the end. I also was a bit confused by the man stopping another guy from killing himself and then having sex with him. Especially since we already knew the man was dead! In the end it was just a nightmare dream sequence. Nothing wrong about that!

The most interesting thing Mr Gordon said was that "The whole film is just made up of unconvincing excesses to get the actors naked" Did he happen to see the DVD cover or bother to flip it over. What would one expect? That remark is like renting a musical and then complaining that the the producers just found excuses for the actors to start singing! I still like Darker Secrets if for no other reason that it knows what kind of film it is and then goes the limit.

A very disappointing sequel

[Gordon-11 · 10 March 2008]

This film is about a young policeman assigned to investigate the video tapes that Dr Tyler made. He becomes captivated by the tapes, and sets out to satisfy his dark desires.

I was very disappointed by "Darker Secrets: Sideline Secrets II". The plot is very weak, bordering on non existent. The characters are very poorly introduced. After 40 minutes into the 65 minute film, I still had little idea of what was going on. The plot jumps around in a typical porn film like manner. For example a man stops another guy from killing himself, and then start to have sex. The whole film is just made up of unconvincing excuses to get the actors naked.

I enjoyed "Sideline Secrets", but "Darker Secrets: Sideline Secrets II" is unfortunately very disappointing.

A good little movie

[prettyinpinkmf · 7/10 · 22 March 2008]

Just got done watching Darker Secrets - Sideline Secrets II. This odd little film is short but enjoyable. I think if it were any longer it might start to get tedious. Lets see, it has an ambitious story line for its 65 minute length. I found the performances decent to believable, the directing good and the camera work very good. The editing was also very good. There is so much going on that it was sometimes hard to keep up. I thought the opening sequence was a nice touch. It made me think, if for a moment, that the rental store gave me the wrong DVD. I also love the opening credits or false opening credits. As a big Disney enthusiast I recognized all the names as some of my fav characters from several of their films in the 60's and 70's.. I have never seen Sideline Secrets so I can't compare the two. Judging from what I've read they are two very different movies. I rate Darker Secrets as a good little movie. WARNING if gratuitous sex and nudity isn't your thing then stay away. They've packed enough in this 65 minute film to fill at least two much longer ones. I give this movie 7 stars.

Not bad at all but nothing like the first one.

[thirtysomethingever71 · 9/10 · 12 March 2008]

I was at first disappointed with the sequel to Sideline Secrets which I enjoyed very much. I was disappointed because I thought it would have the same feel and style as the original. It did not! Then as I watched it again I started to like this film Darker Secrets on its own merit. It is a much darker film, nicely paced, good direction and in some respects better acted. What is missing is the romantic undertone which is what I loved about the first film. This one just starts out on the seedy side of the spectrum and just keeps going from there. Lots of nudity and I found the cast very attractive and pleasant to watch as they went through their paces. I would have to say about Darker Secrets is that it is, at best, good low budget exploitation and one of the better soft core films in it's class. I'm a fan of this film. For those wanting the feel of the original stay away. Darker Secrets, as suggested by it's title, is a film you watch and enjoy in private.

I give it a 9 in its class. Sexy, twisted, some good dialog, some not, exploitive, nice plot twists and lots and lots of nudity!

Interesting

[casting-66 · 10/10 · 22 March 2008]

Very interesting film for a quick watch. Not anything like I expected, after having seen the first film. But, it was still enjoyable. There is some nice work put into the film. The opening credits and various story lines that seem to race past each other throughout the film are all interesting and well done. Some of the acting could have been better. Some of the boys just can't act if their life depending on it. But, I realize that this film is actually about the erotica aspect rather than the actual story this time. So, I must forgive. Overall good try. I am ready to see what other films the studio comes up with. They are definitely more interesting than most of the gay movies that come out.