2/5 Do NOT try this at home.
  by Glenn_from_CT (CT)
Hats off to the folks behind "Socket", who aim to create a whole new genre of film: gay-science fiction. In comparison to other gay-blenderized themes (such as gay-horror in "Hellbent") they succeed pretty admirably. The shoestring budget that this film was made on is obvious, but not painfully so for a change, and the premise is really intriguing.

The story goes like this: at some point before the opening credits, surgeon Bill Matthews (Derek Long) has been struck by lightning. While recuperating in the hospital where he also happens to work, he is tended to by hottie intern Craig Murphy (gay indie favorite Matthew Montgomery), who has the hots back for the Bill. Post-discharge (pun intended), Murphy introduces Bill to a secretive support group of lightning strike survivors, all of whom have found a physical - and sexual - attraction to electricity. Together they have twelve-step-style meetings which lead up to the group getting "juiced up" in unison. Bill quickly falls into the new lifestyle, but before too long a periodic jolt becomes insufficient; his thirst for each charge becomes more insatiable, leading him to a bizarre bit of self-mutilation... and worse.

Sure, the idea is kind of silly... but this isn't the first time something like this has been tried. In 1996, David Cronenberg tried to connect fetishism to automobile accidents in "Crash" (no, not the Best Picture winner of 2005.) It didn't really work there... "Socket" has better luck conveying the idea.

The film's biggest strength lies in the very clear allegory it creates in reference to drug abuse. What is first an incredible release for Bill - and a means to connect with others - quickly dissolves into something controlling and destructive. And although Derek Long's performance is obvious to the point that it's blunt, it doesn't keep this aspect of the film from succeeding nicely.

So why the two stars and no more? Because, after all the great set-up work, "Socket" completely fails to deliver the jolt (pun intended again) it promises. The last quarter of the film is disappointingly lackluster, and the ending is so flat it almost makes you wonder if they inadvertently chopped off a final scene. There was a great opportunity to take the electricity/drug analogy to a wild and transcendental ending... instead we get something bleak and boring. Downcast is one thing... unsatisfying is another.


2/5 Suckit
  by C. Keep (San Diego, Ca.)
This movie was so bad it was good...I loved it! I could not stop laughing at everything about it. The actors weren't so bad but the story was so lame. It's worth renting just to see exactly how bad gay movies can be. A major swing and miss. Should have been called SuckIt but then everyone would assume it was porn.

3/5 Enjoyable
  by Lasha (Planet Earth)
I have to admit after reading the reviews I waited until this movie went on sale to purchase it. I wasn't expecting much. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find I really enjoyed this movie. The two leads, Bill and Craig (Matthew Montgomery from "Gone, But Not Forgotten") had great chemistry together and the plot was extremely original.

Now I have seen better production values on a Sci-Fi channel Saturday night movie, but for a low-budget, sci-fi and gay-themed film this movie is far better than say "Boa vs. Python" or "Megasnake."

Take a chance on this film, I think you'll like it.

2/5 Turn on,tune in,drop out
  by Amaranth (Northern California)
"Socket" is a weird blend of Grey's Anatomy meeting David Cronenberg's "Dead Ringers",all the while lacking the excellence of both. Dr. Matthews (Matthew Montgomery) is electrocuted, only for his intern Craig (Derek Long) to lead him to the thrills of electricity. Talk about singing the body electric. They share a secret double life. "Socket" gives a whole new meaning to the term "circuit party."

"Socket" has some interesting concepts,and genuinely horrific moments, but fails epically in its execution. The leads are homely. This movie also boasts some of the least erotic homoeroticism ever. It's surprising NARTH and EXODUS haven't snapped this up,since this movie would straighten men out. It's not as if the directors cast any genuine male hotties like Jake Gyllenhaal, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood or John Barrowman. Then again,they probably couldn't afford it. The gay bar scenes are,sad to say,the few good ones,other than the banter between Dr. Matthews' lesbian friends.

"Socket" tries to turn you on, but it's a turn-off. Best to leave it unplugged.

1/5 Why do we waste the money
  by D. Pederson (Los Angeles)
This is a typical film that is more about getting something on tape than it is about telling a story well.

Perhaps if there were a local arts council to provide adequate funding this film could have hired the talent it needed to execute on the concept. The writer needed external folks to fill roles he filled himself.

It comes off as exactly what it was - a film produced on a budget reserved for a concept not an entire work. By stretching the funds this tight the film remains in the bin of "if only.... "

I think I'd like to see less desire for "celebrity at all costs" and more focus on "I will only do what I can afford - nothing more."