Seed Money is the story of Chuck Holmes, a San Francisco pornographer turned philanthropist. Holmes helped create and shape gay identity in the years after Stonewall, and later became a major contributor to gay advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBT Victory Fund, only to find later in life that while his money was welcome in philanthropic circles, he sometimes wasn't. BONUS FEATURES (OVER 90 MINUTES OF INCREDIBLE EXTRAS!) - DELETED SCENES - EXTENDED INTERVIEWS WITH JIM BENTLEY, TOM CHASE, CHI CHI LARUE, JEFF STRYKER, JOHN WATERS AND MORE!
M**N
Excellent and Informative History of Chuck Homes and Falcon Video
This is a very well done and informative documentary about the founder of Falcon gay porn movies. I had no idea about the Chuck Holmes story and his influence in gay history, liberation and politics. This documentary thoroughly honors his life and gives a respectful picture of an industry that hasn't always received respect.
W**R
Something Missing...
This documentary is a perfectly good, interesting profile of Chuck Holmes, the co-founder of Falcon. It covers his biography before and during the Falcon years, and there is plenty of discussion of his aesthetic and motivation, as well as the background on the history of gay porn and information about Holmes' political activities. What is missing in a film subtitiled "The Legend of Falcon Studios" is any real, specific coverage of the models, who were emblematic of the Falcon aesthetic, groomed, publicized and essentially created by Holmes and his collaborators. (In the trailer, the subtitle is "The Chuck Holmes Story," which is more accurate but less likely to see DVDs.)Starting with the video cover-- Leo Ford and Tim Kramer (ironically not really Falcon stars, but in the photo remade to conform to the Falcon ideal), the true story of the influence of Falcon was the idolization of their models. Given that a great many of them are either dead or have disappeared, still, who were they? Among the interviews, the only performers are Jim Bentley and Tom Chase, and, for some reason, Jeff Stryker, who never made a Falcon movie. Well, we know the reason, he's infamous and was created by some of the same men behind Falcon, but why not at least talk more about the iconic models?Of course, they were products, and that is the point. If you want a biography of Chuck Holmes and an overview of the gay porn industry, this is a perfectly adequate video. As a true investigation of "The Legend," it comes up short. Something Falcon would never have allowed.
R**3
CHUCK HOLMES LIFE AND DEATH
A documentary about the founder of Falcon that spans the 60s to his death in as real a style I've ever seen. From the time when it was illegal to take so much as a suggestive photo to the Aids epidemic and into the political enlightenment of activism. It is what it is...Well Done.
M**.
Great, but short movie. Recommend.
Great but short movie. Silly title for such a respectable legend in the industry. Producers should have pulled in more interviews, footage, etc to make this a longer more in depth movie. Chuck Holmes literally changed the industry quality standards that other numerous other studios followed to this day. And changed how millions of viewers could watch enjoyable film and not be embarrassed by it.
A**R
GREAT MOVIE
AS A MAN WHO LIKES FALCON STUDIOS AND RAGING STALLION STUDIOS MOVIES I LOVED THE MOVIE. I DID NOT KNOW OF ITS BEGINNINGS AND HOW THE FOUNDER MADE HISTORY FOR GAY MEN WHO LOVE GAY PORN.
C**S
This turned out to be a documentary.
I didn't like this video at all. It turned out to be a documentary.
C**N
Don't miss the interviews
This is a very good documentary of Chuck Holmes and the Falcon studio he created. But, just as interesting as the film are the extensive interviews included in the extras.
B**N
... half or so of Seed Money is kind of fun, showing many clips from gay adult movies from ...
The first half or so of Seed Money is kind of fun, showing many clips from gay adult movies from the 70's and 80's that look better than the porn coming out today. However, the second half of the movie isn't so fun, and is sad in that it talks about AIDS and shows some of the porn stars who lost their lives because of it. It's worth watching, but I would have liked to have seen more scenes from the classic Falcon movies. I know you can't make a movie about the history of gay porn without mentioning AIDS, but I don't think it should have gotten so much screen time, because I enjoyed the first half so much and wanted to see the movie continue with that much lighter tone.
G**N
Five Stars
Interesting history of a very influential man and a very influential industry in gay male culture.
B**T
... a camera at that time Mandate made films more like a movie with actors & stories & makeup & ...
Seed Money is a very informative documentary about the Gay Porn Industry in the 70/80s evolving from the smutty stuff sold & made cheaply by anyone with a camera at that time Mandate made films more like a movie with actors & stories & makeup & lighting etc & more in line with what is actually done in the real world Anyone with an open mind will enjoy
S**N
Three Stars
a Rather dull documentary I would not bother buying it if I was you
T**N
Five Stars
Outstanding research and great archive material. Exactly what I was hoping for in a documentary
J**S
Not work
Not run ....probleme whit the disc
