The 24th Day

I have never seen a film at The Tribeca Film Festival. There are like a million films and who knows what sucks and what doesn't. Plus, I can't figure Tribeca (the neighborhood) out and always get lost. And the lines are so insane and since it's New Yorkers, people get really pissed off, really fast. So when I read through the films, I had no intention of checking any out. Then I read this blurb about The 24th Day:

What starts as a one-night stand between Tom (Scott Speedman) and Dan (James Marsden) escalates into an intense psychological thriller in which the balance of power between captor and captive is never cut-and-dried. Piccirillo infuses this adaptation of his award-winning play with truths, lies, and assumptions that leave the audience struggling to decide whom to believe.

I really wanted to see this movie for one reason: to watch James Marsden and Scott Speedman make out. Alas, I was and (still am) disppointed. Not about the film but the lack of Scott and James make-out time. Still, I was really surprised! The film is really good and well acted. Scott Speedman is really hot (and was at the Q and A afterwards and is so hot that films don't even do him justice) and gives a really great performance. James Marsden steals it though but I do always have a soft spot for the chiseled, cocky, ass-hole performances. Sure, the film is shitty dv but it just gets so many things right about HIV and relationships and blame and ... I don't want to give anything away. It will be playing at Village East next week (opening May 14th) so please check it out because this film needs a better publicist and you'll be hard pressed to find any info on the internet about it.

Comments

[Morgan]

I'm with you: 24th Day, great stuff, thought-provoking material, swell performances, and a sorry lack of Marsden/Speedman boy/boy action. Stumbled across your site when I was searching for the Village East showtimes so I can nag my NY friends into seeing it (I saw it in LA in March). Anyway, I'm trying to spread the word about it; glad to see you're doing the same. Hot boys who can act are a rare breed.

[zach]

bravo to you both. this has to be one of the best acted, best structured, and certainly the best screenplay in years. the new york critics who found this film to be homophobic should be crucified along side of mel gibson,LOL.for anyone reading these comments please do your self a huge favor and run to see this little masterpiece before it disapears.you will be so angry with the critics for their misunderstanding this brave and courageous film.the performances and writing will blow you away. it seems the truth is still difficult for some.THE 24th DAY deals with truths and personal responsibilities that never been explored in a film before.

[len]

i also attended the tribeca screening and am still in shock as to the responce of the NY critics. this film is without doubt , concidering its low budget, the best film ever , which deals with this subject. you would
need to be an idiot or someone so PC to not get the brutal honesty and personal denial these two men are consumed with. i cannot understand these critics. they certainly did not see the same film as you and i.
truth is that they came,with their own PC beliefs and watched this film with both their minds and eyes wide shut. its a sad day when a small masterpiece as is THE 24th DAY can be so horribly misunderstood.
it is with my sincere hope that this film despite the idiot critics will find its audience.
example as to how utterly stupid these so called professional critics are, one even wrote to prove his point that the film makers ARE indeed homophobic, reaso being, that these two men never even held hands. now anyone who sees this film , please tell me why and for what possible reason would tom want to hold dans hand when his mindset is the possibilty of having to murder him.the
last shot of this film is truly masterful.it will send chills up your spine as you are blinded by the light. a light that these two young unfortunate men come to terms with. a true masterpiece.

[Dan Deevy]

I'm so glad to see that people did make it out to the theater to see this film while it was at Tribeca, and am even more gratified to see that most of you agree with me that it was one of the best films we've seen in years. I also have to agree that there is very little about the film on the internet, so I wanted to let everyone know that you can check out a full review, an interview with Scott Speedman and also some still photography and the official movie poster for The 24th Day at www.TheCinemaSource.com And be sure to tell your friends to go check out this movie. (I saw it twice for free at critics’ screenings and just paid to take a friend to see it this weekend :-)

[pollack]

dear dan deevy
your review is what film critique use to look like and still should. has nothing to do with your agreeing with my opinion or not. it's for one the best written review regarding THE 24th DAY that has yet to appear.after reading rex reeds review i wrote to him with your review attached asking him , "what HAS happened to you. you have it seems, lost skill and integrity as a writer." i wrote, "check out the review below,you use to write like this in your hey day, if you can remember that far back, i certainly can and i miss the old Rex Reed."wish you could do more for this film i feel so very close to.it is indeed mind boggleing you these critics saw or did not see. i think it was too close , and not too many people wish to be forced to look into a mirror and see something they are not ready to confront.
wish i were able to discuss this with you.i worked on this jem, and am so proud to have been involved.thank you so much for understanding what these jerks could not.