South Beach Heat

Online Rental: 24 hrs $8.99 Director: Phil St. John Studio: Tribal Pulse Productions Starring: Tony Reno, Alec Powers, Tony Cummings, Dino DiMarco, J.T. Sloan, Tyler Gray, Tony Brandon, Michael Chads, Antonio DeMarco, Dax Kelly, Paul Morgan, Michael Rivera, Hunter Ash, Scott York Rating:

The most misguided porno movie I've ever seen! At first glance it appears to be a fun-filled romp about the sexual escapades of a group of South Beach muscle jocks, but it turns into an ill-advised biopic about famed Versace killer Andrew Cunanan. Even though most of the cast is incredibly sexy--including two of my all-time favorites, Paul Morgan and Dino DiMarco--and even though it features several highly erotic moments, I have trouble recommending this movie because it has an inappropriately disturbing vibe that sinks the whole story.
    Tony Reno plays Andy, an aloof and enigmatic figure. It seems like all the gay men of South Beach are lining up to get into his pants, but, frankly, I don't know what they see in him. Reno's vacant expression left me cold. Halfway through the movie it becomes clear that "Andy" is modeled after real life serial killer Andrew Cunanan. This is the moment that completely ruined the movie for me. Dax Kelly's narration implies that Andy was involved in a fatal shooting. Then we're treated to a bizarre masturbation scene that takes place on a houseboat. Andy masturbates while aiming a loaded .44 Magnum at his dick, then he sucks his jism out of the barrel of the loaded gun, shooting himself in the process.
    The scene that follows is just as unsettling, featuring a voodoo ritual with implied necrophilia and one laugh out loud special effects shot. (A flaming asshole.) Who needs this stuff in a porno movie?! What a downer! The movie closes with a shot of the actual Versace murder scene, and that didn't sit well with me either.
    I know there have been plenty of other successful porno movies in recent years that mix sex and violence--including Naked Highway, in which Dino DiMarco plays a murder victim. It helps that those other movies deal with wholly fictional characters, and the violence usually exists apart from the sex scenes. But in this movie, sex and death are just a little too close for comfort in what should be an escapist experience.
    I should also mention the bareback scene between Michael Chads and Tony Brandon. I know that's bound to ruffle a few feathers even though it didn't bother me personally. The two actors use the excuse of being monogamous lovers in real life. In other words, "Kids, don't try this at home!"
    I suppose South Beach Heat could be a good buy if you plan on skipping the Cunanan material. But for me, the "ick!" factor overpowered everything else.