Judas Kiss (2011)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Boring

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I liked this movie because it's fresh, insightful and mostly deep. It gets you thinking what would happen if the easy or even opportunist but wrong choices that I make today take me towards the path downhill and what if only I am only to blame for if all goes wrong! This film is not unique for it's 'bending the time continuum' theme but the message or conclusion that we receive out of the story is something I never found before in any film. There are a lot of perks of the central character being gay, like you can sleep with younger you if you go back in time, or you can have 'being somebody's sexual property' as an option on your life choices list(and what's up with that anyway?). Other characters are sufficiently developed. The character of Abbey Park (The co - producer at school, co - judge when grown up & Mrs. Blossom aged) could have had been developed even more. What I like the most about this films is however, the fact that even though the story happens in alternate realism the conflicts in the life of the central character do not magically vanish, certain choices and their consequences remain the same, which is great because showing Zach's life turned around completely was possible but the story somehow manages to keep it somewhat real, and yet at the end of the film we feel good about the central character. A good movie to watch at least once.

JUDAS KISS is a polished little film that successfully mixes gay issues with science fiction. Written (with Carlos Pedraza) and directed by young J.T. Tepnapa it manages to take a dream idea and by incorporating the use of sci-fi create a story with which almost everyone can relate. It introduces some fresh talent and allows some seasoned actors to keep the quality of the film on keel.Zachary Well (Charlie David) is a failed filmmaker who despite a promising career in college left school to respond to the magnet of Hollywood: fifteen years later his life now is in and out of rehab and waiting tables because his dream of fame in la-la-land didn't happen. Zach's friend Topher (Troy Fischnaller) is successful and when an emergency trip arises he asks Zach to replace him as a judge for the filmmaking class at Zach's old college. With great trepidation Zach goes back to his alma mater, is housed in the freshman dorm, visits the local gay bar and has an encounter with a student - one Danny Reyes (Richard Harmon). The next day as Zach is preparing for the judging he discovers the name of his previous night's encounter and cannot believe that Danny Reyes not only has Zach's previous name but also is a contestant in the film contest with a film by the same name that Zach had written and made 15 years ago. Other characters enter the scene - Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart) who is Danny's paramour but who Danny is rejecting in favor of Shane (Timo Descamps) whose parents are wealthy and are supporting the film contest; Abbey (Julia Morizawa) who is Danny's assistant; and Danny's father (Vince Valensuela). The bizarre aspect of this is that Danny Reyes not only possess Zach's name but also Danny's life and associations mirror Zach's when he was in college. Characters form the past and imaginary situations occur and Zach sees in Danny the opportunity to make the result of the film contest different and thus alter the destiny of Danny Reyes.The story makes sense as a campus story but the interesting aspect of the film is the clever way in which elements of science fiction (via camera work and music and Trompe l'oeil) bring the story to a level of reconsidering the past and seeing where different actions could have possibly resulted in a more successful present. It works and bodes well for the career of JT Tepnada. Grady Harp

I hope everyone has a chance to see this "fresh" movie. It is so refreshing to see a movie that infers no sexual labeling. While Judas Kiss has a "gay" edge to it, the movie does not wear it's sexual orientation on it's sleeve. It represents life as it should be, this story just happens to have gay characters in it. Real life should be so represented. Judas Kiss has it all, drama, humor, emotion, special effects, and most of all it makes you think. The different aspects of the movie are tied together by parentage. By that I mean each one of the scenes that are acted and portrayed very well, needed a parental hand to bring them together. Zachary/Danny are constantly challenged through out, but are always kept in line by the parental figures such as Old Man Welds, and the incomparable Mrs. Blossom, played by Laura Kinney, my favorite character by the way. I am not sure the main characters would have made the necessary transitions needed in the script, without the parentage. This movie has some very "hot" young stars as well. The entire cast was well thought out and portrayed, and I give major kudos to Director J.T. Tepnapa, Producer Carlos Pedraza, and Cinematographer Dave Berry, for their attention to details. I mean how can you go wrong with the University of Washington (Keystone University) as a backdrop! All in all, this movie pulls it all together at the right time and in the right spots, while still driving home it's message. It was entertaining, visually a home run, and I believe it has the potential to become a classic in it's own right and time. For me it was a must see, and it should be on your immediate "Bucket List" as well. Great Job everyone!

This stunning film catches the audience's attention, and the message of the film has everyone contemplating their own lives well after the movie is over. A compelling, yet controversial, story-plot with a charismatic cast. An instant classic.I have personally seen this film at two major film festivals around the nation. It was well worth seeing more than once because you understand more of the subtle messages the more times you watch it. I've also seen that the director has a series of short films available on DVD. I look forward to the DVD release of 'Judas Kiss' to share with other friends and fans. I'm anticipating sharing it on campus for other film students to watch.