I wanted to like this film, and some of it is very good, but there are many flaws. The best thing about this is the performance by Eric Dean as "Adult Jake". James McCabe as "Adult Kyle" is very handsome to look at, but weak as an actor. There is also a lack of chemistry between the two lead actors. My main complaints are the repetitive lines in script, slow pace, awkward & long pauses, and inadequate photography. Several key scenes just drag. Too often, the camera seems too far back from the actors and gave the feel of a filmed play. There needed to be more medium shots and closeups. This film is just "OK" and pleasant for an LGBT romantic drama.
26 Reviews
A bit of a reach but it almost gets there.
ricktheis124 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
As someone who grew up hiding orientation I can definitely relate to how it can paralyze you and that was the main theme I got from this film. The dialogue...were they just trying to stretch it for length?? So many repeated unnecessary lines, ugh. But give it a chance I'll remember it for a long time.
revisiting your home town love, and where is he now?
ksf-212 February 2009
Arizona Sky opens with two teenagers going off on a camping trip, lamenting that they will soon be going their separate ways. They have a secret that they don't want getting out, even when Jake moves away. Then we flash forward to when hottie Jake (Eric Dean) is in the film industry, and needs to get away from it all. And, apparently, he has to take his housemate along... that relationship is a little weird ... he seems to be pretty involved in Jake's life for a housemate. So Jake heads back to his hometown to look up his old buddy Kyle ( Jayme McCabe). There are some holes in the plot, and issues with the script and the directing, but its a cute little story of homecoming. Worth the rental.
film making does not get much worse than this.
katchaya-127 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I watch a lot of independent films.I can be very very forgiving. But this is possibly the poorest product i have seen in a long time.
The script is soooooooo bad. The angst the teenagers feel is so badly manufactured. They are unhappy, we get hints about parental abuse and family problems. Oh and then there is that gay thing. They are going to be separated when one moves away. I could buy into that part.
But cut to years later and our character who has moved, has more angst now than ever. He is a miserable film producer. Maybe he was making this film, and knew how bad it was going to be so he had something to model on.The acting is atrocious but with a script like this i don't see how better acting could have helped it. Then there is the straight friend that seems to me to be a better option than the one he left behind in the little town in AZ. There is NO CHEMISTRY between the two actors who are supposed to be in love with one another. They have nothing in common. I would rather watch grass grow than this piece of drek. There is just no possible way that this could be believable. Try something else , there is so much better out there.
The script is soooooooo bad. The angst the teenagers feel is so badly manufactured. They are unhappy, we get hints about parental abuse and family problems. Oh and then there is that gay thing. They are going to be separated when one moves away. I could buy into that part.
But cut to years later and our character who has moved, has more angst now than ever. He is a miserable film producer. Maybe he was making this film, and knew how bad it was going to be so he had something to model on.The acting is atrocious but with a script like this i don't see how better acting could have helped it. Then there is the straight friend that seems to me to be a better option than the one he left behind in the little town in AZ. There is NO CHEMISTRY between the two actors who are supposed to be in love with one another. They have nothing in common. I would rather watch grass grow than this piece of drek. There is just no possible way that this could be believable. Try something else , there is so much better out there.
A nice but disappointing try
WebKinect25 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Jake and Kyle are two best friends living in a small town who have a gay experience as teenagers before Jake moves to NYC with his father. Jake grows up to be a gay and out young man while Kyle grows up to be a kinda cow boy who fixes cars.
Jake's best friend one day notices that he's unhappy and tells him to sort his life out so he decides to go back home to look up Kyle and see where his life has taken him. When he gets there he realises he's always loved Kyle and he's surprised to find out that Kyle feels the same way.
The movie itself really feels like it's trying to be Brokeback Mountain with it's settings and screen play but fails miserably. Eric Dean does a good job with the terrible script and the movie's only saving grace is that we get a little over an hour of looking at the lovely Eric Dean but everything else is just awful.
The love story itself is just terrible because of the writing, the score is just as bad and the movie every now and then starts to feel like another gay porn movie with its terrible script and screenplay.
If you are looking for a touching story about how two young lads fall in-love despite the adversity they face and live happy ever after then Don't watch this movie. If on the other hand you are looking for a movie that tries to portray a love story between two young lads but fails in every aspect then THIS is definitely the movie for you!
If you think Eric Dean is hot and want to see him in his underwear then this is about all the film offers, sadly.
Jake's best friend one day notices that he's unhappy and tells him to sort his life out so he decides to go back home to look up Kyle and see where his life has taken him. When he gets there he realises he's always loved Kyle and he's surprised to find out that Kyle feels the same way.
The movie itself really feels like it's trying to be Brokeback Mountain with it's settings and screen play but fails miserably. Eric Dean does a good job with the terrible script and the movie's only saving grace is that we get a little over an hour of looking at the lovely Eric Dean but everything else is just awful.
The love story itself is just terrible because of the writing, the score is just as bad and the movie every now and then starts to feel like another gay porn movie with its terrible script and screenplay.
If you are looking for a touching story about how two young lads fall in-love despite the adversity they face and live happy ever after then Don't watch this movie. If on the other hand you are looking for a movie that tries to portray a love story between two young lads but fails in every aspect then THIS is definitely the movie for you!
If you think Eric Dean is hot and want to see him in his underwear then this is about all the film offers, sadly.
I love this film in spite of its quirks
coloradokid71915 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I bought this film without knowing anything other than the advertised description. It is a wonderful film and it evoked real emotions from me.
After my first viewing, admittedly, I felt that there were some missing storyline elements, and the way the scenes were cut together was somewhat annoying. The acting in this film, however, seems so much more realistic than others I've seen. I don't think that categorizing this film as a "Brokeback Mountain wannabe" is unfair, but taken for what it is, which is a love story between two unrequited lovers reuniting, it's very good.
Upon second viewing, it seemed to fit together better than the first time. The only scene that still seems unsettling to me is the confrontation between Kyle and his cousin, Heath, after he finds Jake and Kyle in bed together. It's the only scene that, to me, doesn't seem realistic. The pacing of the scene between Jake and Cora (Kyle's indigent friend) was also not great. It was well-acted, but the pace was too slow. I felt like I could have driven an 18-wheeler between their lines at times.
Jayme McCabe is sheer perfection as the closeted gay man who never left the little podunk town where he grew up. I've seen other work by Eric Dean, and he was much better in this film. His portrayal of a man who did leave the little podunk town, and forged a successful career in the film industry, but who still pines for his first love back home, to me seems very accurate. Just because someone lives in Hollywood doesn't mean they "become Hollywood," even if they work in the industry. I think Jeffery London has a clear stroke of genius in portraying Jake that way. Brent King, as Jake's best friend/housemate Steve, is a little different, admittedly, but having known men who act almost exactly like Steve, he was a pleasant surprise. Patricia Place, as Aunt Elaine, was absolutely wonderful. She's a very sweet, peaceful older woman, and when she gets up in Kyle's face and tells him he needs to own up to who he is and be happy, it is a great treat.
The fact that these two men, who have been separated for 15 years and a great distance, and dealt with everything life has thrown at them, can come together, admittedly awkwardly, and finally find a little happiness together, is absolutely wonderful. I would have given this film a "10" if I considered it flawless, but it isn't. However, the flaws merely make it quirky, and I still love it, and I will enjoy it again and again.
After my first viewing, admittedly, I felt that there were some missing storyline elements, and the way the scenes were cut together was somewhat annoying. The acting in this film, however, seems so much more realistic than others I've seen. I don't think that categorizing this film as a "Brokeback Mountain wannabe" is unfair, but taken for what it is, which is a love story between two unrequited lovers reuniting, it's very good.
Upon second viewing, it seemed to fit together better than the first time. The only scene that still seems unsettling to me is the confrontation between Kyle and his cousin, Heath, after he finds Jake and Kyle in bed together. It's the only scene that, to me, doesn't seem realistic. The pacing of the scene between Jake and Cora (Kyle's indigent friend) was also not great. It was well-acted, but the pace was too slow. I felt like I could have driven an 18-wheeler between their lines at times.
Jayme McCabe is sheer perfection as the closeted gay man who never left the little podunk town where he grew up. I've seen other work by Eric Dean, and he was much better in this film. His portrayal of a man who did leave the little podunk town, and forged a successful career in the film industry, but who still pines for his first love back home, to me seems very accurate. Just because someone lives in Hollywood doesn't mean they "become Hollywood," even if they work in the industry. I think Jeffery London has a clear stroke of genius in portraying Jake that way. Brent King, as Jake's best friend/housemate Steve, is a little different, admittedly, but having known men who act almost exactly like Steve, he was a pleasant surprise. Patricia Place, as Aunt Elaine, was absolutely wonderful. She's a very sweet, peaceful older woman, and when she gets up in Kyle's face and tells him he needs to own up to who he is and be happy, it is a great treat.
The fact that these two men, who have been separated for 15 years and a great distance, and dealt with everything life has thrown at them, can come together, admittedly awkwardly, and finally find a little happiness together, is absolutely wonderful. I would have given this film a "10" if I considered it flawless, but it isn't. However, the flaws merely make it quirky, and I still love it, and I will enjoy it again and again.
A waste of scenery
lworthy707 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Jayme McCabe is one sexy actor. I would do anything he asked except watch this film again. How can a film about a producer be so poorly produced, written and directed.The dialogs was so choppy, it almost seem like they were responding to voices in their head. There was not a sincere emotion in the entire film. I can watch a man cry but can't watch a man pretend to cry. The actor relied on a poorly written script for motivation and brought none of there own. I assumed at the end , the leads would find love in each others arms. However the two leads seem incapable of displaying any affection. It's just another really bad Brokeback Mountain rip-off.
Arizona Sky is a neglected treasure
claude-389 October 2009
Arizona Sky is a badly neglected treasure of a film which should be short listed with that small handful of gay themed films like My Beautiful Laundrette made in the UK and The Man I Love made in France. Particular kudos should go to the stars Eric Dean and Jayme McCabe for their convincing and visceral portraits of your average confused-conflicted non-gay identified man who loves another man. Far from being poorly scripted and poorly acted, Arizona Sky superbly portrays the confusion and pain of being caught in the terrible place of having to deny one's most tender feelings--and it does so with the actor's silences, hesitations, and awkward moves in hostile environs. Az isn't the land of Oz, but its where real men in real boots have to walk over and over if they are to win their personal honor and live lives of real integrity.
London = Bad
mrmalcolmu15 February 2009
I made the mistake of not screening for Jeffery London movies before adding this to my NetFlix queue. I'd rented "Before Darkness Falls" months ago. It's so bad it's not even listed in his filmography, but he just doesn't get any better with successive movies. The film concepts are all somewhat interesting, but the plots, dialogue, and acting are so bad that my husband made me fast forward through the rest of "Arizona Sky" after the first scene. How can these two 16 year old boys go camping without immediately falling on top of each other? No liquor, no pot, no sex!?! Are they Mormons?! How about putting some thought into how real people act in certain situations? At the very least they would have discussed their fears about being out alone together at the start of the scene instead of after fifteen minutes of pointless yakking. If we wanted to see "real" real life we could just listen to our families. That last statement probably gives London the excuse to say that this is what he's trying to achieve, but sorry: I don't want to see that on screen. At least my mother-in-law can act. There are worse gay movies than London's, however. Try "Windy City Incident" (better yet, don't: it's truly horrible).
They'd Tried...I'll Give Them That
kcrisenphoenix4 June 2019
Boy oh boy.... That was pretty bad. They tried. They tried. But they so missed it. Lots of long long long scenes of nothing but talking heads. Secondary characters that really had no place or depth. Shots looked as if it were being filmed on a stage instead of real places.
It was a romance and it wasn't romantic at all. The characters, primary and secondary, had no dimension at all. The pace never changed, never got every exciting. We didn't even get a love scene. A few awkward places where the two main guys took off their clothes and stood around in their underwear, but that was the extent of it. There wasn't any chemistry between the two stars. I guess they were both straight and only in the movie for the money. No growing passion between them. You could see both main actors were trying really hard, but it just mostly came across as if they were giving interviews on NPR. Same pacing.
And the country boy, Kyle (Jayme McCabe), spent the whole time acting like a big wounded puppy and we didn't know why. I can't recommend it. Sorry. And sorry to a crew who obviously tried. Maybe it was like a college project that somehow got to the screen in the GLBTQ hunger for movies?
UPDATE: No. No college project. This is standard Jeff London's faire. And that means fair is the best we're going to get. I saw "Best Day Ever," and it was so bad I gave up halfway through. Jeff? Maybe you need a writing partner. You've got decent ideas but they all fall as flat as flat as can be. How do you get the money to make your movies? I'd like to know because I'd love to get some of my novels made into movies. Or are you just wealthy?
It was a romance and it wasn't romantic at all. The characters, primary and secondary, had no dimension at all. The pace never changed, never got every exciting. We didn't even get a love scene. A few awkward places where the two main guys took off their clothes and stood around in their underwear, but that was the extent of it. There wasn't any chemistry between the two stars. I guess they were both straight and only in the movie for the money. No growing passion between them. You could see both main actors were trying really hard, but it just mostly came across as if they were giving interviews on NPR. Same pacing.
And the country boy, Kyle (Jayme McCabe), spent the whole time acting like a big wounded puppy and we didn't know why. I can't recommend it. Sorry. And sorry to a crew who obviously tried. Maybe it was like a college project that somehow got to the screen in the GLBTQ hunger for movies?
UPDATE: No. No college project. This is standard Jeff London's faire. And that means fair is the best we're going to get. I saw "Best Day Ever," and it was so bad I gave up halfway through. Jeff? Maybe you need a writing partner. You've got decent ideas but they all fall as flat as flat as can be. How do you get the money to make your movies? I'd like to know because I'd love to get some of my novels made into movies. Or are you just wealthy?
Dreadful Script, Awful Acting, VERY Poor Plot Development...
Pawpcorn13 April 2017
ah beyond the title summary... POOR casting choice for the goateed adult lead actor; NOTHING realistic in the scenes, ZERO chemistry between the supposed lead actors, both the younger and older versions... OVERACTED scenes...
I literally cringed every time they kissed... and I'm a huge gay kiss enthusiast, but between THESE guys??? Something quite unnatural about it all...
The closing scenes... just unbelievable and unrealistic.
I have to be honest, it was PAINFUL to sit through this movie, and the ONLY reason I persisted was... I HAD to see if there was ANY way... that it could get WORSE, as it progressed.
And... I wasn't disappointed; it actually managed... to get worse.
Basic story premise COULD have been decent, for a great gay film... but with all the above mentioned SEVERE flaws... it was a terrific example in just HOW to make a REALLY dreadful, awful, unwatchable movie.
I literally cringed every time they kissed... and I'm a huge gay kiss enthusiast, but between THESE guys??? Something quite unnatural about it all...
The closing scenes... just unbelievable and unrealistic.
I have to be honest, it was PAINFUL to sit through this movie, and the ONLY reason I persisted was... I HAD to see if there was ANY way... that it could get WORSE, as it progressed.
And... I wasn't disappointed; it actually managed... to get worse.
Basic story premise COULD have been decent, for a great gay film... but with all the above mentioned SEVERE flaws... it was a terrific example in just HOW to make a REALLY dreadful, awful, unwatchable movie.
Hallmark Style Gay Movie
cowboylove-7744430 March 2020
It's a cute story, not great acting. It was nice watching. Gay film not about aids, cheating, drugs, or sex. It was a story about love. Your childhood friend you might have experimented with, but grew apart.
Definitely worth watching for a feel good film. Don't expect a lot from the acting or cinematography.
Forget this movie
calslick6 January 2019
There are so many bad things about this movie. Terrible acting, for starters, but when you're handed a poorly written script to follow, even the most experienced actor would have difficulty. This was supposed to be a gay romance movie, but at no time did I feel there was any love and emotional connection between the two main characters, Jake and Kyle. If there was chemistry between these two, it wasn't very obvious or genuine. It seemed neither of them knew how to show intimacy toward each other. Even complete strangers show more physical reciprocation! There were many awkward moments of silence in this movie. Jake's cousin (Heath) had some sex appeal but he killed that as soon as he spewed homophobic remarks toward Kyle. Kyle's aunt seemed the most believable and realistic actor in this film . I kept watching this movie expecting a magical, binding and rewarding rekindling of Jake and Kyle's love for each other. Instead it was a complete dud. To sum it up, this was a very boring, low budget-like movie that never got off the ground. I think a 90 minute infomercial would've been more interesting to watch.
A Gem
cioraj18 November 2018
I found this to be a very enjoyable film, and quite touching as well. I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet Kyle's character is later on in the story. I appreciate that they picked good ACTORS and not eye candy like many gay films seem to do. This is a very good "feel good" movie, which can be hard to find when it comes to gay films.
I wanted to love this
tommy56775 August 2018
Alas, I hated it. Well, not entirely but mostly. I blame a lot of it's shortcomings on direction and acting. One of the ways I gauge an actors ability is by how well they cry. Eric Dean actually pulled it off quite well so I'll be watching for him . He is the most talented of the entire lot. I found this movie long and boring. James McCabe, though sizzlingly hot in a Ken Berry sort of way,," failed to convince me of anything. Also, there is not enough intimacy here. I would have appreciated a lot more kissing, touching, holding, cuddling, and maybe a tasteful sex scene. None of it happened. Don't waste your time.
What drama queen came up with this script?
toonus-9485111 August 2018
The leads are cute but the script is terrible. Couldn't get past the flashback scenes.
This is some guy's fantasy or if he remember this from his youth, he's got cognitive dissonance. No closeted guy would behave that way.
The direction is terrible. Sometime why is left unsaid has more power that spelling things out.
I tried.
molli-barnes23 June 2019
A heartwarming romance
etslee18 July 2018
Not everyone will appreciate Jeff London's film making style but I've actually found it refreshing in its straight forward (some would say simplistic) style and earnestness. The actors make the most of what they are given.
So bad, but a couple of honest moments.
scottinhawaii-119 August 2018
This is a terrible movie with a bad script and horrible acting. And still there are two or three honest moments. I think just about anyone with a bachelor's degree in film could improve this dialog in the script. Awkward seems to be the theme. I don't know why I watch all these bad gay movies. I guess I can't resist.
Sensitive and touching
jcollett-3685618 August 2018
I am very picky with my independant movie viewing but after getting past the low budget feel, allowing the characters to develop was fulfilling. Very good movie and takes you to a broke back mountain movie feel but, instead, one more of us can really relate to. Loved it!
Save yourself 90 minutes
robtyrrell-9860710 November 2019
It's hard to believe this movie got made AFTER Brokeback Mountain. What it doesn't rip off from that movie is just a discombobulated mess. The cast can be partially forgiven their bad acting because of the god-awful writing; I'm sure they all were all confused by bizarre lapses in the script.
Not Worth Your Time
tlutzy11 November 2021
I really, really tried to like it. I am game for any LGBTQ story. But it's just so hard to like a film that is this poorly done. The dialogue is hackneyed and the acting ranges from decent (Patricia Place) to just horrible. It is organized in chapters that don't hold together. All-in-all, a disappointed 90 minutes.
Sweet loving and bashful
ljmcfarland10 May 2021
I really enjoyed this. The complaints in other reviews about stilted conversations seemed natural for two guys who aren't sure if what they're saying is too much or not enough. I could easily see myself having the same conversation with the one I left behind 40 years ago. There's no sex or real nudity, just a couple of kisses.
Gay harlequin movie
pugpro30 November 2021
My partner has gotten into gay harlequin and Jeff London has become his favorite. The DVD Jeff says they "forgot" those bare chest scenes. I see the disenchanted are giving it negative because of this. It's a good heart felt movie that touches the heart. So Jeff did his job. He did okay.
The Arizona Sky is a treasure kept in hand
raffycoraleslopez22 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I was watching some programs in the internet when my friend told me to watch Arizona Sky its about two best friends keeping mutual understanding for each other within their own self. I watched it and it made me teared for some scenes specially during the conversations. I love the way Eric portrayed the anxiety cases and how seeing James McCabe change everything. I was really touched with that. I immediately searched for the characters in Facebook but cant find James McCabe., but still the film is so touching. With the locations (setting), the characters emotional connections. Ilove the scene where Kyle's aunt voiced out what she knows about Kyle. I wanted it cause real people who knows us means they really love us., :) a million thumbs up to this Arizona Sky., How I wish this could be premiered on big screens in the Philippines., This will be a block baster to LGBT in the country.
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