Wednesday night's opening night documentary was outstanding -- perhaps the best film I've seen at Reel Pride since I started attending in 2003. An excellent programming choice. The intro segment with Jon Carroll and Robin McGehee perhaps set a world record for movie festival announcements, clocking in at a whopping 50 minutes long. (I timed it.) But despite its length, I appreciated the important statements made.

Hi Jefferson:

thanks for your comments on the film. Yes- we were a little longer than we would have liked in the remarks section. We are always trying to tighten that up but once people take the mic, timing sometimes goes out the window despite the requests to be brief.

I do have to say that unfortunately I have sat through some opening nights at other festivals that have gone on for an hour or more beforehand! I guess we should consider it part of the price we pay for the gala with an open bar and food.

Glad you enjoyed the film and we'll keep shortening our pre-show!

Jefferson, that's a HUGE compliment coming from you.

Thanks so much, hope you can catch many of our other films. For you in particular, don't miss Sunday's 'Prodigal Sons,' a VERY interesting doc.

As for the pre-show...well. As a staff member of long-standing with Reel Pride, I'll just say 'No Comment.'

Just got back from Saturday's screening of "Shank" — and oh wow was it bad.

Beefcake (and twink cake) galore, but the movie was almost laughable. Where to start? How about the jaw-dropping final 10 minutes, filled with one melodramatic revelation after another, culminating with a rape scene that left this viewer speechless.

I won't reveal the moment here, but after the rape scene a character does something that's supposed to be tender and sweet, but made me laugh out loud, mainly because the audience — some people actually sighed! — fell for the blatant tug of emotion.

And there's the main female character, who comes off as a cross between Lady Macbeth and a Droogie from "A Clockwork Orange." Her character is so clearly unhinged — and unpleasant — it's hard to believe anyone would want to have anything to do with her.

I'd say "Shank" almost reached the level of "Showgirls" — so bad it's almost entertaining.

Films such as "Shank" is an example of the challenges of gay film festivals. As more gay-themed films hit the mainstream — "Hedwig," "Brokeback" and "Mysterious Skin" for example — it's not enough to just make a movie with gay themes.

Happily, I've seen a couple of other better films in the festival. "Patrik 1.5" was charming and heartfelt. "Fruitfly" was a bubbly delight. And "Outrage" is one of the best films I've seen this year — a film I wouldn't be surprised see get an Oscar nomination.

Shank's not for everyone. The graphic violence, gang themes and drug use made it a 10:15pm film. It's also not for everyone in the way that Larry Clark films aren't for everyone. People walked out of "Kids" with the same type of statements as yours, Mediahack. No one could believe there were kids like that alive, and Clark would answer 'but these aren't actors! These are actually the kids, the very ones!'

Films aren't always meant to reflect true life, and sometimes characters are used as icons, symbols, or with other intent. While the female character may not have been as fleshed-out as you might have liked, it's hard to argue the acting ability and depth of character of the main three boys.

I would also argue that 'Mysterious Skin' hit the mainstream.

But I'm thrilled you attended, obviously attended many films, and were moved enough to comment about 'Shank!' It is one of those films that makes you passionate about it, one way or another.