November Entertainment Reviews

Clay’s Way

Author: Blair Mastbaum

Review By: Leon Velasco

Rating: One Thumb Up

This is a very detailed book, set in

Hawaii. The author out does himself and actually gives you enough information of the surroundings that you actually feel that you are there. You can hear the sounds of the surf as it rushes in, the sounds of rain as it hit pavement and roofs. He also added a little something unique to a book I’ve ever read so far. This author is also a poet. He included Haikus written in his adolescent years. This coming-of-age story of a native Hawaiian boy is very moving and appealing to all generations, I would think. There hasn’t been a person who’s had their eye on someone who didn’t even know what feeling stirred within you as you stood in their presence. Giving this book a read through may surprise you.

A wanna-be punk rocker who writes bad haiku poetry, 15 year-old Sam is fed up with his middle-class parents, his geeky best friend, and his inability to do the raddest skate board tricks. Then he meets Clay. Mistaking lust for fate, Sam becomes obsessed with the 17-year-old surfer boy; who’s island cool masks an internal conflict even darker than Sam’s. Directing his furious energy toward winning Clay’s heart, Sam goes on a reckless odyssey to become everything Clay seems to be. Through hurricanes, car accidents, teenage parties, and monster waves, they ricochet off each other until one night on a remote beach, in the flickering light of torches and campfires, the violence and tumult of Clay and Sam’s dynamic propels them both through the hardest decisions and obstacles of their young lives.

“A gay Catcher in the

Rye. A terrific, auspicious debut by a writer we will surely be hearing much more from.”—John Rechy, author of  City of

Night       

“Thrilling, sexy, terrifying… I recommend this book to all adventurous readers.”—Susanna Moore, author of In the Cut

Click below for more reviews…

Were the World Mine

A musical dream come true

Director: Tom Gustafson

Starring: Tanner Cohen – Wendy Robie – Judy Mclane

Jill Larson – Zelda Williams – Ricky Goldman – Nathaniel D. Becker

Reviewed By: Leon Velasco

Rating: Two Thumbs Up (more if I had more thumbs)

I had a wonderful time watching it. I was not only drawn in to its magical plot but it was emotionally moving. I had to have it for my collection. That same night I saw it I went on Logo and bought it. This would be a great addition or gift. I was so captivated by it; the ending came too soon for me. A must see if you haven’t already. Made me wish I can do a few things the main character did to his heart throb desire and some of the people of his town.

When Timothy is cast as Puck in A midsummer’s Night Dream, the young gay man stumbles upon a secret love-potion recipe hidden within the script. He creates comic chaos as he turns much of his narrow-minded town gay, starting with the rugby jock of his dreams.

CRITIC’S PICK!—“ENCHANTING! ENDEARING! STRIKING!”

Stephen Holden The New York Times

“Inspired! Puts ‘High School Musical’ to shame.”

Village Voice

“A rousing, warm-hearted spectacle.”

– Stephen Farber,
Hollywood Reporter