Dom sure does, but only to make sure his best friend Benjamin has some extra money before leaving.Benjamin is off to L.A. to become the next big gay porn superstar and the producers are paying for everything.This is why Dom agrees to be a drug mule for his cousin Dee-Dee.
The first thing to go wrong is Dee-Dee is out of it, leaving her girlfriend Alice in charge. Dom tries to back out of the deal, but Alice convinces him, at gunpoint, to swallow several gelatinous spheres containing the drugs. Alice even forces Benjamin to swallow one. Their mission, which they are forced to accept, is to drive across the border to a specific rest stop and poop out the spheres.
The second thing to go wrong is a confrontation with a homophobic redneck, leaving them in a mess, literally. After getting punched in the gut, Dom expels some of the drug spheres, but one has broke open inside him. The side effects are simultaneously numbing and arousing. Freaking out, and not knowing what else to do, Benjamin calls the police. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Alice shows up first.
The third thing to go wrong is Alice drives Benjamin and a very high and hard Dom to a cabin in the woods, leaving them at the mercy of Rich. Rich is an aging drug kingpin with a flamboyant stylish flare and he wants his drugs out of the two young men. What will happen? Will Rich retrieve his gelatinous drug spheres and how? Will Benjamin poop out the one he swallowed? Will Dom and his erection come down? Will Alice help or hinder the whole situation? What exactly are the drugs anyway? I’ll keep my mouth shut and swallow the answers.
I ordered SWALLOWED from Vinegar Syndrome for 2 reasons: Jena Malone and Mark Patton. I first saw Jena Malone in the wickedly irreverent SAVED! (2004) and I’ve been a fan ever since. As Alice in SWALLOWED, Jena does not disappoint. She is somehow both scary and sympathetic. Mark Patton, of course, became horror’s first male scream queen in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (1985), which had an effect on my worldview. As Rich in SWALLOWED, Mark gives a tour de force performance. He manages to be humorous and disturbing, sometimes in the same breath. Even though I’m not as familiar withCooper Koch as Benjamin and José Colón as Dom, they both give strong performances as very complicated friends trapped in a waking nightmare.
Writer/Director Carter Smith keeps the story moving and creates a truly unsettling atmosphere.When researching SWALLOWED, I surprisingly discovered that I had seen another Carter Smith film.He directed THE RUINS (2008), which is about a jolly holiday gone horrifyingly wrong by some killer greenery.I recommend THE RUINS and not just because Jena Malone stars in it.
In conclusion… SWALLOWED might be one of the most disturbing films I’ve seen in a long time. However, what isn’t shown is the most unsettling and difficult to sit through. That being said, I enjoyed the complex characters and have watched it more than once. So, if you’re in the mood for some queer horror, you can’t go wrong with SWALLOWED. Just sit back, relax and unclinch your cheeks!
Freak Out, JLH
P.S. click the pic 👇 to read about a similarly titled film…
I was searching for a soundtrack to some other film when I noticed a soundtrack to a film with a long and unusual title. My first thought was, Is that a real movie?
After doing research, I realized it is a real film, obvi. The trailer hypnotized me! Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame stars! Jane Schoenbrun (I SAW THE TV GLOW) is the writer/director! I felt an overwhelming need (yes, need) to see TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA! I so badly wanted to grab my Mad Scientist Glasses and catch a showing in a theater, but I live in the center of Nebraska. The closest theater showing it was 2 and a half hours away. If I could drive, I would’ve been there in a heartbeat. I even checked public transportation, which is about an hour away, and departures were at 2 in the morning! It SUCKS to be visually impaired in the middle of nowhere!
Anyhoo…since a theater screening was not going to happen, I purchased a digital copy from Apple TV the moment I could. I convinced myself doing this was no different than purchasing an unknown Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome. Ultimately, purchasing the digital version was perhaps better for my half-blind eyes than seeing it in the theater because of the extraordinarily helpful Descriptive Audio language option.
You might be asking, “What is TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA about?”
Well…
Is it about rebooting a problematic film franchise from a queer perspective?
Is it about the stress of being a young filmmaker?
Is it about the emotional toll of being an actor?
Is it about how films can positively and negatively alter us?
Is it about the blurring of lines between reality and film?
Is it about the female orgasm?
I will just say Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder better receive acting nods as the two leads! As for Jane Schoenbrun, if they aren’t nominated for original screenplay and director, then the Academy Awards can sink to the bottom of Lake Miasma!
In conclusion… TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA was everything I expected, but also so much more. I actually can’t stop thinking about it. So if you’re a horror fan who enjoys a smart, unique take on the genre, grab some fried chicken, dipping sauce and loads of candy to better prepare yourself for meeting Little Death!
It was fantastic! It was amazing! It was, dare I say, magical!
Those are some of the statements I exclaimed to those who asked how the poetry event went. It was a breath of fresh air to step into the creative atmosphere of Chadron Open Art.The proprietors, poets and people I met there were warm and inviting. Honestly, I felt a bit loud and artless among such thoughtful, artistic souls in such an artistic place.
Thankfully, the 2 Daniels of Chadron Open Art and the other poets, Jewel Rodgers, Stephanie E. Glass and Robert McEwen accepted me for whichever me was present that evening. I know I was feeling super excited and enthusiastic for the event, so I can only imagine how tactless and uncool I was being. Dork be dorking, but that’s ok.
Robert, John, Stephanie and Jewel!
I was a bundle of nerves as the event kicked off, but watching and listening to Jewel and Stephanie perform their moving, thought-provoking words helped me to relax. When Jewel introduced me, I was ready, but more about that later. After my moment, Bob transfixed the audience with his poetry and humor. I felt a distinct impression the majority of the room knew Bob in one way or another. I definitely won’t forget him now that I’ve met him. The incredible evening wrapped up perfectly with a few volunteers from the crowd sharing their poetry. One piece about loving yourself, by a poet named Bailey (spelling?), was beautiful and relatable.
As for my moment in the spotlight, I feel I did well. My sister claimed I did a great job. A few friends from home and elsewhere expressed similar opinions after watching the YouTube video my sister shot and I uploaded that very night. I’ll let you judge for yourself… I must give a shout-out to Jeanne and The Olde Main Street Inn! This historic hotel, located in downtown Chadron, Nebraska is like stepping back in time. Jeanne greeted my sister and I with a refresher drink and we all had a delightful chat for almost an hour. Our room, The Cowboy Room, was wonderfully unique. So much more atmosphere than a chain hotel. The next morning, over our choice of caffeine, we chatted with Jeanne about this, that and everything. She made us feel at home and we will definitely stay at The Olde Main Street Inn the next time we visit the city of Chadron!
Another shout-out goes to Chadron Public Library at its temporary location! My sister and I found its usual home, but it is being remodeled. Thankfully, the rather groovy temporary location is not too far away from The Olde Main Street Inn and was easy to find. I donated copies of Vision Bent, Dark Excursions and Sturgeons for possible inclusion into their collection. It would be awesome to see my books at a second Nebraska library, but we shall see if they are accepted.
Overall, the weekend of September 5 & 6 was fantastic, amazing and, yes, even magical. I got up in front of a crowd and performed my poetry and the audience seemed to enjoy and maybe related to my words. I feel a sense of pride for having done what I could’ve scarcely imagined a few years ago, but the sound of the applause still embarrasses me. So, even if nothing else comes from this event, at least I can say, “I did it!”
Freak Out, JLH
P.S. On the way home, we swung by Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska. Think Stonehenge made out of cars. It was interesting and thankfully free.
I was hungry for something different, so I searched eBay for “weird queer movies.” A few titles caught my half-blind eyes, but DINAH EAST intrigued me the most. No, I didn’t immediately order a copy. There was research to be done and when I learned DINAH EAST is considered an early trans film, the choice was a no-brainer. Out of the two versions on DVD, the one with the most spectacular cover ended up in my eBay cart.
The only weird thing about DINAH EAST, in my opinion, is the structure of the film. It all begins with famous film star Dinah East, after an odd exchange between her and her naked adult son, dying from a medical crisis in the back of her limousine. Then a pervy mortician, who is a little too eager as he undresses Dinah’s corpse, discovers the woman of his fantasies was biologically male. The press is called and soon Dinah’s death is overshadowed by her gender nonconforming secret.
It’s here where the life of Dinah East is told through flashbacks as the important people in her life hear of her passing. All the flashbacks are fascinating, but a few stand out for me. In one, we learn how Dinah, dressed in traditionally male attire, shows up at a film studio and is told there are no parts for men. The next day Dinah appears at the studio gate in traditionally female attire, explaining how she is herself now and the day before she was just foolin’. This feels like an extremely progressive view of identity for a decades old film.
Another of my favorite flashbacks is when Dinah meets Daniela, a lesbian fashion designer. It could have been a case of blackmail when Dinah accidentally walks in on Daniela being intimate with a model, but instead, these two women find allies in each other. Throughout the rest of Dinah’s career, Daniela is in charge of her wardrobe, even winning an Academy award. Finding friends and allies outside and within the LGBTQ+ community seems like a newer concept, but this film shows how it’s always been important to cultivate such relationships.
My favorite flashback involves Dinah’s chauffeur Tank Swenson. Tank is a hunky boxing instructor for the film studio and he catches Dinah’s eye. She also catches Tank’s eye and soon they are involved in a wonderfully sweet courtship. Even when his boxing career ends and he becomes her chauffeur, their love for each other remains true. Honestly, this flashback brought a few happy tears to my eyes, especially when Tank tells Dinah it doesn’t matter if she’s a man or a woman as long as she loves him. This romance feels beyond progressive. Maybe groundbreaking would be the word if DINAH EAST had not become so seemingly obscure.
I was expecting DINAH EAST to be a wham-bam production like MYRA BRECKINRIDGE, but writer/director Gene Nash keeps the pacing and acting low-key. The most remarkable aspect is how the script is sympathetic to Dinah East. She is who she is, with no apologies, even when facing personal attacks. As for the acting, the range varies from person to person. In my opinion, there are three to watch. Jeremy Stockwell brings strength and sincerity to Dinah. Matt Bennett makes Tank a lovable goofball with surprising depth. With a name like Ultra Violet, you’d think Daniela would be bold and flashy, but UV gives the fashion designer a down-to-earth vulnerability.
When researching DINAH EAST, I stumbled upon some juicy Hollywood gossip and a star-studded urban legend! Legendary sex-positive icon Mae West allegedly filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers and tried to have all prints of DINAH EAST destroyed, supposedly explaining how the film fell into obscurity. If Mae West actually took such action, the question would be, “Why?” Well, according to one of several urban legends surrounding her, the fabulous Mae West was, allegedly, a man in female drag and she saw DINAH EAST as a personal attack. Honestly, if I hadn’t read this before watching the film, I wouldn’t have connected West with East. The only time Dinah reminded me of Mae was maybe in how she was dressed in one scene.
In conclusion… DINAH EAST may not have been what I expected, but it was just what I needed. A dramatically touching story of someone who, in today’s language, would be considered a trans woman. While her death in the film is tragic, the character of Dinah East is not. She lived her life on her terms, with strength and kindness. We could all learn a lesson from Dinah. So if you are in the mood for an obscure 1970’s LGBTQ+ film about the complexities of being human, then keep an eye out for DINAH EAST.
NOTE: According to IMDB, DINAH EAST is available to stream through IndiePix Unlimited and Fawesome, the latter being similar to Tubi.
Freak Out, JLH
P.S. click a pic for related posts… ⤵️
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stay Tuned for more about this upcoming event! ⤵️
I was loitering at the library, examining a few small stacks of books that had yet to be placed back on the shelves. A few mildly interested me as I sifted through the books, but then, at the bottom of one stack, a cover caught my attention. Even though I was not wearing my Mad Scientist Glasses, I could see the soft colors of a sunset and the transparent figure shimmering with the sun reflecting off the body of water. To add to the picture, a young person stood, gazing into the sunset, while appearing to hold hands with the transparent figure. I was already going to borrow the book, because the imagery made me feel a longing sadness, but the emotionally devastating title sealed the deal.
ERASE ME is about a young man with a lot of problems named Elias Pew. On top of having church furniture for a last name, Eli has ADHD, was in a car crash and has lost two months of memory, along with the ability to feel emotions. Through his morally debatable experiments to try to feel something again, Eli finds himself in Traumaland. This business, yes, business, is a place where people can watch traumatic events through Virtual Reality goggles, all supposedly performed by actors. Eli believes this until he recognizes a face or two in one of the many events to choose from. This startling realization sends Eli on a journey of identity and how our memories make us who we are. Eli also faces a forgotten love of a lost young man. Not knowing anything about the story going in, this made me wonder if I felt queer vibes echoing within the emotionally layered cover and title.
As much as I enjoyed ERASE ME by Josh Silver, I also found the story uncomfortably familiar in some parts. There are several scenes of Eli in a mental institute, which is not so different from me at the age of 15. Long story short, I was really messed up back then, mainly suffering from such low self-esteem that I should call it no self-esteem. This landed me in a mental institution. I’ll spare you the trauma of being committed for another day because I’d rather focus on a young man I connected with behind the sterile walls.
His name was Mark and he was a year or two older than me. I wish I had a photo of him, but I remember Mark looking like an American football player, and I think he was on his school’s team, but he wasn’t a stereotypical big sack of duh. He seemed intelligent and thoughtful. I recall one corner of his mouth raising as he spoke, which a group therapy therapist said the mannerism made Mark appear insincere. I found it endearing,
Mark and I were in different wards, but shared group therapy at least once a week. On one day, the therapist zeroed in on me. He explained how I should deepen my voice and cuss more to fit in. That quack was just one more in a long mixed line of adults and peers telling me nobody will like me if I am myself.
Before I could respond, a female patient pointed out that I didn’t “talk like this” and proceeded to do a stereotypical effeminate male voice, including flamboyant hand gestures. The other patients laughed and so did I because in her own, possibly misguided way, she was defending me. Then, after the laughter died, Mark, who was sitting beside me, expressed admiration for my ability to be myself even when pressured to be someone else.
Looking back, I don’t know if he was talking in code, but it was the first time I had been seen and felt accepted by someone close to my age. I hope I did the same for Mark, but I’ll never know. Being in different wards, our interactions were few and far between. I did get to say goodbye to Mark the day before my release and I had hoped to acquire his address so I could write to him, but he said his parents wouldn’t approve. Over the years, I have conducted online searches for Mark, but he seems to be just a bright, shining moment in my memories during a most traumatic time.
In conclusion… I swear YA books are better than books for allegedly more mature readers. YA books tend to be more daring and author Josh Silver dares to send readers down a dark rabbit hole of mental illness, memories and pain. As I said, I enjoyed ERASE ME, but found aspects of the story hitting close to hone. So, if you want to celebrate 🏳️🌈Pride Month🏳️⚧️ in an emotionally challenging way, ERASE ME by Josh Silver may be the book for you!
Freak Out, JLH
P.S. ERASE ME was originally published as TRAUMALAND in the UK and Europe in 2025. I don’t think I would’ve been quite as drawn to its original cover or title.
~~~~~~~~~~~ Other queer books for Pride Month are available from an Amazon near you… 🏳️🌈 📚
My sister noticed this film listed on HBO and read the synopsis to me. Much like FLESHPOT ON 42ND STREET on TCM back in 2020, I knew I had to watch PILLION! It didn’t hurt that one of its stars is Alexander Skarsgård, and he might be at his sexiest here.
Colin is a young Englishman who lives with his father and cancer-ridden mother. On a blind date at a pub set up by his mother, Colin spots a tall drink of biker leather named Ray. After paying for Ray’s snacks while getting another round for his blind date, Colin suddenly has a date for Christmas Day, or night, rather. This first festive back-alley holiday date includes Colin being ordered to literally lick one of Ray’s boots and then to stay on his knees to satisfy the biker’s Christmas wish. Who says romance is dead?
This first date wakes up a submissive kink in Colin and he eventually begins living with Ray. This arrangement includes Colin fixing all the meals, sleeping on a rug on the floor at the end of Ray’s bed, having his head shaved and being one of the naked offerings at a biker potluck picnic. One reward for behaving like a good little submissive is a wrestling sex session, which is more about Ray’s physical pleasure than Colin’s. Is it now obvious why I had to watch this sometimes twisted film?
After a personal tragedy, Colin begins wanting an emotional connection. In an act of compassion or sympathy, Ray allows Colin to share his bed. This seeming softness is short-lived and soon it’s back to the rug. Disappointed, Colin works up the nerve to request a day off where they act like two people in an equal, loving relationship, but will Ray give-in or will Colin have to remain a 24/7 submissive?
Harry Melling, grandson of the 2nd Doctor Who Patrick Troughton, brings a sympathetic innocence to Colin even as he engages in very non-innocent activities. Alexander Skarsgård, brother of Pennywise Bill Skarsgård, infuses Ray with intense sexual magnetism and a believable demanding attitude. The rest of the cast is great, but top honors must go to Lesley Sharp as Colin’s mother Peggy. She is full on believable as a loving parent who is also understandably concerned about her son’s new relationship, even as she is dying. The scene where Ray joins Colin’s parents for a meal is priceless in its mixture of humor and pain.
Writer/directer Harry Lighton balances both pain and humor with brilliant results. There were times I found myself chuckling, but I wasn’t sure it was supposed to be funny. Then again, how could the wrestling scene not be funny with Tiffany’s cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now” playing front and center? I became so curious if the source material for PILLION, the book “Box Hill: A Story of Low Self-Esteem” by Adam Mars-Jones, is also equal parts humorous and painful that I ordered a copy. As if I don’t have enough to read!
I confess that I don’t fully understand this type of arrangement. I mean, I can wrap my head around paying someone for a weekend of being a dom or a sub, but a full-time relationship boggles my mind a bit. However, if the participants are willing adults who completely understand what is expected, then embrace your kink and go for it.
In conclusion…
I enjoyed PILLION because the characters felt realistically written and performed. Plus, it is truly a unique kind of love story. So, if you’re looking for a different way to celebrate 🏳️🌈Pride Month🏳️⚧️, grab a lock or a key and get kinky with PILLION!
SIDE NOTE: According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of pillion is “a motorcycle or bicycle saddle for a passenger.”
Freak Out, JLH
P.S. The character of Ray gave off a vibe that reminded me of the Wendy’s man I blogged about earlier this year. Click the pic for more about him…👇
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celebrate 🏳️🌈Pride Month🏳️⚧️ with my queer books available in various formats from Amazon… 📚
I love horror films, from classic to modern and everything in between. So, when I stumbled upon IT CAME FROM THE CLOSET on Audible, I knew I was going to listen. I didn’t check out the synopsis, so I assumed it was about the rare horror films with LGBTQ+ characters. I was pleasantly surprised to be mostly wrong.
IT CAME FROM THE CLOSET is a collection of essays from LGBTQ+ writers on how they found connections and even themselves in horror films. It’s refreshing to hear a variety of queer voices telling their stories in conjunction with a genre that has a history of either demonizing or outright ignoring the LGBTQ+ community. Each writer weaves a personal story, relating his/her/their life experiences with a favorite horror film. One truly surprising aspect is the wide array of horror films mentioned. Sure, FRIDAY THE 13TH and HALLOWEEN are there, but never in my wildest imagination would I’ve expected to hear people personally relating to the original GODZILLA or the 1980’s remake of THE BLOB. All of these essays got me thinking about my connection with a horror film from my youth and a real life experience.
Even when others stated it was the worst in the film series or complained the male protagonist screamed like a girl, I enjoyed the 1985 sequel A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE. I was around 13 years old when I first saw this much maligned entry in the Elm Street franchise on HBO. While I didn’t love it as much as the first film, I was drawn to Part 2 for reasons I may not have fully understood at the time.
In the opening scene, we see Jesse Walsh surrounded by peers in a school bus, but still he seems isolated, alone. I knew that feeling all too well. The relating increased as we see Jesse being tormented by his gym teacher and dealing with something inside of himself. Much like Jesse struggling with nightmares of Freddy Krueger trying to take over his body, I knew I had to stay silent about the queer thoughts inside me. Jesse is ultimately saved from Freddy by the love of a woman. Though, in the end, Freddy is still there, clawing his way out.
The most memorable scene for me in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE is when Jesse, who may or may not be having a nightmare, visits what is referred to as a queer S&M joint in the film. Once inside, Jesse is confronted by his leather-clad gym teacher. Nothing sexual happens between the two, but the scene intrigued my 13-year-old self. It felt dangerous and alluring. Dangerous in the sense that my ultra-conservative, ultra-religious hometown would implode at the idea of such a place. Alluring in the sense that it looked like a place for outsiders like me.
Maybe that scene is why, at around 13, when I was washing my hands in the restroom at a Wendy’s Restaurant, I stared at the man using the urinal near the sink. There was a small privacy wall, but I could see he was wearing black jeans, a black leather jacket and a pair of dark sunglasses. His dark blond hair was slicked back and he looked dangerous and alluring, like he could’ve stepped out of that queer S&M joint. He must’ve sensed my eyes fixated on him because he looked at me and then asked, “Do you like girls?”
I recall his voice sounding deep, but neither gruff nor accusing. Even at 13, I understood what he was really asking, but I didn’t feel threatened. I just felt overwhelmingly nervous at being seen. So, I answered, “Yes,” and quickly finished washing my hands. Nothing more was said and I didn’t look at him as I left the restroom to rejoin my family in the dining area. However, once seated, I watched the bathroom door and the man had an amused smile on his face as he left the restaurant.
I never told anyone about this Wendy’s Restaurant encounter, probably because I knew people would freak out, even though nothing happened. It was just an intense moment where my love of horror films and my queer life intersected. At least, unlike Jesse and his gym teacher, my experience didn’t end in bloodshed. Though it might have if I had answered his question differently.
In conclusion… Just like any collection, there are stories you’ll like better than others, but all are fascinating and powerful in their own ways. The final essay about SLEEPAWAY CAMP is one of my favorites. So, if you love horror and you’re on the LGBTQ+ 🌈 spectrum, or you’re an ally, then IT CAME FROM THE CLOSET might be the book for you!
Dom sure does, but only to make sure his best friend Benjamin has some extra money before leaving. Benjamin is off to L.A. to become the next big gay porn superstar and the producers are paying for everything. This is why Dom agrees to be a drug mule for his cousin Dee-Dee. 
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