New U.S. Release

Eating Out: All You Can Eat

By DENNIS HARVEY

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An Ariztical Entertainment release of an EOSS production. Produced by Kirk Cruz, Michael Jack Shoel. Executive producer, Shoel. Co-producer, Phillip J. Bartell. Directed by Glenn Gaylord. Screenplay, Phillip J. Bartell, based on characters created by Q. Allan Brocka.
 
With: Rebekah Kochan, Daniel Skelton, Chris Salvatore, Michael E.R. Walker, Julia Cho, John Stallings, Maximiliano Torandell, Cristina Balmores, Mink Stole, Leslie Jordan.
 

"Eating Out: All You Can Eat" somewhat departs from the series' gay spin on the raunchy teen sex comedy in favor of semi-sincere romantic comedy -- after a crass and abysmal first stretch, that is. The theatrical blip made by this could-be-worse low-budgeter, opening in San Francisco and New York on Oct. 9, will be followed by more suitable/profitable ancillary biz.

The main attraction is "Eating" mainstay Rebekah Kochan as blonde, buxom L.A. "fag hag" and (hetero-)sexual carnivore Tiffani, who comes across more as an old-school drag queen than a biological female. (The thesp's comedic timing deserves a better showcase.) Viewers who make it past the dreadful opening funeral-parlor scenes get to see Tiffani's initially disastrous attempts to match new-kid-in-town Casey (Daniel Skelton) and local hunk Zack (Chris Salvatore). They're eventually righted in a decent equivalent to the first "Eating Out's" standout phone-sex setpiece. Scattered quotable quips aside, the script panders to its target aud via zero-body-fat casting and routine campy sensibility. But thesps and first-time feature helmer Glenn Gaylord modestly elevate matters when the material allows. Brief full-frontal views suggest MPAA rating isn't a goal.

Camera (color, DV), Tom Camarda; editor, Phillip J. Bartel; production designer, Justin Lieb. Reviewed on DVD, San Francisco, Aug. 19, 2009. Running time: 83 MIN.