Author: Jason Wright

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Edge of Seventeen (1998)

I just finished rewatching one of my all-time-favorite LGBTQ films: 1998’s “Edge of Seventeen”, directed by David Moreton, written by Moreton and Todd Stephens, starring Chris Stafford, and co-starring Tina Holmes and Andersen Gabrych. I hesitated on watching this one as I felt I maybe knew this one too well and I’ve been mostly viewing movies in my inclusive collection which I’ve either never seen or I’ve only seen once or twice…but I’d actually forgotten a lot of it, which just means I’m getting old.

The movie is set in 1984 / 1985 and is partially set at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio (though the name of the park is changed for legal reasons and long shots of the park are clearly from the 90’s as the Raptor can be seen). My family spent a lot of time at that park and the first time I went was 1984 / 1985. The soundtrack is a love letter to the 1980’s and the movie manages to capture that era in a way that many others fail to do.

For example, I watched another movie from the collection on Friday which I’d never seen before called “The Curiosity of Chance”, which came out in 2006, is set in the 1980’s in Europe and features some of the same songs…but it just feels unreal; and it’s not helped by some less successful acting choices and a muddled script. I didn’t hate watching it though I’d never put it on a top 10 list. “Edge of Seventeen” though is TOPS for sure. Take it from a bottom who knows! ❤ 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧

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“My Own Private Idaho” (1991)

The LGBTQ movie pandemic lock down marathon continues…with Gus Van Sant’s 1991 masterpiece, “My Own Private Idaho”, which I’d seen many times before, but again, not in several years. And just like today’s other entry (“Edge of Seventeen”), I was surprised how much I’d forgotten of this film and I feel I noticed things that I never had before…perhaps because I’m seeing it so far removed from previous viewings? It probably doesn’t hurt that I watched it on a huge TV.

“My Own Private Idaho” was the first gay themed movie that I actively sought out. It was the first movie that I rented once I had a drivers licence and could get an account at a video store (Blockbuster). At the time I was incensed that any movie with LGBTQ material was flagged by Blockbuster as something that could only be rented by people 17 and older regardless of content…and yet I was also grateful as it made such properties easier for me to find, and I rented many other such films which had a lasting impression, even if they didn’t join the collection I’m enjoying now. Years later, I was hired at Hollywood Video and during my interview I mentioned my disdain for Blockbuster for this very reason, which impressed my new manager (DJ).

As for the film itself it was (and remains) for me a haunting, eccentric collage of tones and quirks which exhilarated me as a film fan, even as it sometimes frustrated me as someone yearning to see representations of my own experiences; something that’s faded with time and more satisfying portrayals. Having said that, the campfire scene in which River Phoenix’s sympathetic, narcoleptic street hustler Mike Waters confesses that he loves Keanu Reeves’ gay for pay Scott Favor – and that he wants to kiss him, was a breakthrough moment for me as a gay film fan, and for the actors as well – it’s cited in nearly every review I’ve read of the film…and I watched that part repeatedly.

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“The Curiosity of Chance” (2006)

I hadn’t seen this one before, and sadly I was bit disappointed. I’ll talk about this a little more after I watch the next movie, which it reminded me of, but if I remember correctly, I liked the other film, “Edge of Seventeen” far more.

I should write a real review of this. Maybe I’ll revisit it someday and do that. But see the next entry and I’ll talk about it more.

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“Bear Cub” / “Cachorro” (2004)


On April 14, 2020 I wrote:

“I watched this movie yesterday, which I’d owned for about 16 years and had never seen. It was great! I loved it. My only minor quibble with it was that they sometimes spoke very quickly so the subtitles were flashing so quickly across the screen that I could barely look at what was happening…but I suppose that’s my own fault for not knowing Spanish! I’m happy that I’m finally seeing these movies from my collection as I revisit others I’ve mostly not seen in years. ❤ 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧”

Lookin gback now, in April of 2026, I remember loving this movie but at the time I wasn’t writing in depth reviews. This is one that plan to revisit at some point and give it a proper review.

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Sex At Sixteen

At sixteen years old
the sex was degrading.

At sixteen years cold
my sex life was blazing.

At sixteen years gold
my next life: amazing.

At sixteen years bold
the sex was emblazing.

It colored my outlook
and flattered highlights.

It numbered black book
and lacquered my nights.

It painted my soul
with shades unimagined.

It tainted my whole
for decades and fashioned
me into myself
which was separate from others:
apart from my family, their God
and my lovers.

Sex was between
myself and desire.

Sex at sixteen
was a trial by fire.

Written by Jason Wright
February 23, 2020

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Smoke & Abuse

The sky lights the fair
with the screams of potential,

The dry nights are rare
but the dreams are torrential,

Those infinite days
so meaningfully spread
in cigarette haze
in dreams of bloodshed,

Thus christened by squalls
killed there by heartbreak,

The crimson stained walls
are still there when I wake,

The beauty, the faerie,
the stud and the surgeon;
the ruby, the cherry,
the blood of the virgin…

I slake the abused;
I nurse and I wet…

I wake up confused;
I thirst and forget…

But the blood is still there
and my cock needs a stroking…

The flash flood despair
of a non-smoker smoking.

Written by Jason Wright
February 11, 2020

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surficial

Knives on the slate
and discussion of death.

My lives of late
are now months bereft.

The veiled lure of cash –
(recitation complex)

A failure to crash –
(cessation of sex)

And all of it: meaningless –
(meaning too much?)

Is there any redeeming us
there where we touch?

Written by Jason Wright
February 6, 2020

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The King is Dead

In cold ninety-four
he stood as an emblem.

An old belle de jour
in young woman’s harem.

Collision of truths
with deception to spare.

Division of youths
with exceptional flair.

His eyes captivated (as eyes often do).

But lies separated (as lies often do).

And the words and the drugs…
they drowned out our laughter…
Though he still exists in the shrugs of disaster.

He certainly hates
the women he loved.

He treats them like shit.

He hates them because…
because they are women
who don’t hate themselves
so he can’t relate…
so he can’t compel them
to stay as confused as he was on his drugs.

He paints himself victim
and that is not love.

Written by Jason Wright
November 11, 2019

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When Benjamin Blushes

When Benjamin blushes
my grind starts to ponder
and that we are rimless is strange.

When Benjamin blushes
my mind starts to wander
and all that was sinless is changed.

When Benjamin blushes
the youth provides shivers
the ardor of which is infecting.

When Benjamin blushes
the truth behind zippers
is harder than one was expecting.

His blush
is worth a hundred thrusts,
His smile
worth a million.

His words may wax poetic
(prophetic?)
but is that wax a Brazilian?

When Benjamin blushes
my mind is forbidding
and my thoughts are wrought (led astray).

When Benjamin blushes
but who am I kidding –
I always have viewed him this way.

Though mostly in jest
and not at my best
this scribble provided amusement.

I’m mostly just joking
and being provoking
One must excuse my bemusement.

For we do as we’re bidden
when we can’t be ridden
when there in the gentleman’s clutches…

We are given permission
and all is forgiven;
ensnared when Benjamin blushes.

Written by Jason Wright
October 31, 2019

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The Powers of Charlie Bottom

The look in his eyes
of innocence wise;
hardly has this blaze been stopped.

The cleft in his chin
makes us all want to sin
yet Charlie has always been tops.

But deep in the past
there’s a question that’s asked
and a standard comprising a prism.

Openly yearning
from hope he is learning
the answer is: “Lies are a prison.”

When left in the sun
and bereft of his fun
his toys melted into each other.

Left there in the heat;
deft care (incomplete),
his boys belted there to teach others.

His potency proven
is cogently human;
from Charlie the cowards took shelter.

Embracing his power;
his plaything deflowered;
young Charlie devoured his elders.

Written by Jason Wright
October 31, 2019

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