Book Review: Street Dreams

Title: Street Dreams
Author: Tama Wise
ISBN: 1602826501
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Gay YA Lit.
Theme: coming out, hip hop culture
Binding: paperback
Length: 264 pgs
Published: 13 March 2012; Bold Strokes Books
Buy: Amazon.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: Tyson Rua has more than his fair share of problems growing up in South Auckland. Working a night job to support his mother and helping bring up his two younger brothers is just the half of it. His best friend Rawiri is falling afoul of a broken home, and now Tyson's fallen in love at first sight.

Only thing is, it's another guy.

Living life on the sidelines of the local hip-hop scene, Tyson finds that to succeed in becoming a local graffiti artist or in getting the man of his dreams, he's going to have to get a whole lot more involved. And that means more problems. The least of which is the leader of the local rap crew he's found himself running with. Love, life, and hip-hop never do things by half.

My Review: I was really excited when I got the chance to read Street Dreams for a couple of reasons. One, because I enjoy reading LGBT literature, especially in the young adult category so that I can stay up to date on the issues some of these teens go through (all over the world as this book proves). Secondly, what better way to learn about another country and culture then to read a book set in a different place then my own?

Street Dreams takes place in a downtrodden area of Auckland, New Zealand. Tama Wise's description of the neighborhood where Tyson lives and has grown up sets the tone of the novel. I had no trouble envisioning this poverty stricken place, with its "creek overgrown and forgotten by Council" and the "overgrowth long since set up home in the old car tucked behind a tree." I deeply empathize with Tyson; to know the area you live in is the farthest place you want to be, yet you feel strangely comforted by it because it's the only place you've ever known. The only place you've called home.

Tyson finds comfort in the routine of his life--where most 18 year old young men are leaving home for the first time to experience the fruits of college, he was lucky to just get through high school. With younger twin brothers and only his mother to look after them, Tyson easily took on the role of "man of the house". Riding the train as transportation, working nights as a dishwasher at a busy restaurant, getting home in the wee hours of the morning, sleeping all day only to get up and repeat is Tyson's routine. It might not make him 100% content but it's what he knows and accepts, especially since it helps provide for his family.

Going back to my love for learning about different cultures and ways of life, Tama Wise challenged me with words and phrases I've never heard before. Some I figured out were in relation to the Maori/Samoan culture, such as the word "uso" which means "brother". "The dole" is another term used in the beginning but I haven't quite figured out the meaning yet. An other very interesting aspect of the novel that the author reveals is the importance of hip hop in the Maori community. I absolutely had no idea how big hip hop was in that area and was amazed at all the local artists Tama Wise mentions in the book. I also had no idea what consisted of a "hip hop crew" until reading this book. The way it's broken down in Street Dreams is, every crew has a rapper, a breaker (as in break dancer), and an artist (graffiti).

For Tyson, music and art is what keeps him sane, helps ease the loneliness on the train rides and walks to and from work. It's when he meets Marc that things begin to change. Not only does Tyson have to come to terms with the fact that he is gay and in love with this homeboy, but also must decide whether to believe his artwork is as good as Marc says it is. Can he afford to allow himself to dream? Can he take those dreams and make them a reality like Marc says?

Wise creates really distinct characters, all with their own set of issues or problems, even those that are minor. I've read so many books where characters are easily forgotten. I won't go through each one but the characters that really stood out for me were Rawiri, William, Robert & Jason, Siege, and Ihaia.

Rawiri is Tyson's best mate, friends and neighbors since they were little. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out that Rawiri has been and still is being abused, especially considering all the signs (that which you can figure out on your own :). But I must say, Rawiri's quiet rage broke my heart. Working with kids every day in a low income area school, I know kids like Rawiri, the ones that walk around with pain and anger all bottled up, ready to be set off and explode. At least he has his best mate to confide in, but is Ty too wrapped up in his own problems to see what's really going on with Rawiri before it's too late?

William, Robert, & Jason tie into Tyson's world in a very interesting way. When Tyson begins to confront his feelings of homosexuality, he has no idea who to talk to. Calling a number in the back of a magazine, Ty begins confiding in William, a GLBT counselor. Their few conversations over the phone finally results in Tyson meeting up with William and others like him. Only Tyson feels that Robert and Jason-- who are also gay-- are nothing like him. See, Tyson is Maori, with darker skin, dreds, and heavily into hip hop culture. Robert and Jason, on the other hand, are white, loud, and flamboyant, seeming comfortable and confident with their homosexuality.

This brings me to the next thing that I liked about Street Dreams. I deeply respect the author for addressing gay stereotypes and homosexuality vs. cultural identity. Let me set the stage. Tyson reluctantly decides to go with Robert and Jason to a gay club in which William sternly warns Robert to keep an eye on him. By going to the club, Tyson hopes to prove to himself that there are others like him out there. Instead of feeling relieved at being surrounded by other young gay people, he feels completely out of place and uncomfortable. Some of you may ask why? How could Tyson feel even more of an outcast when he is receiving hot looks from across the dance floor? The answer is simple. There are so many gay stereotypes out there. Many people believe that a homeosexual male is either:

a) Effeminate/Feminine gay male-- if they fit in this category, people assume they are attracted to strong, masculine guys

b) Butch/masculine gay male-- and if they fit in this category, people assume they like feminine type men.

This is a HUGE misconception. I'm not saying that there are no gay men that fit these descriptions, I'm just saying those characteristics do not define ALL homosexual men. Tyson is a perfect example of this. Tyson is what I would consider a strong, silent type. He is masculine, likes his hip hop, wears baggy pants, etc. It just so happens that those are the same qualities he is attracted to. Just because he is masculine doesn't mean he automatically likes feminine gay guys. That's why the hot stares across the room bother him, that and because out of a club full of gay men, he doesn't see anyone that looks like him, that he can identify with. This is wear the homosexuality vs. cultural identity comes in. Other then one Islander he sees sitting at the bar, everyone else in the club appears to be white. Tyson even finds himself thinking, maybe there is something wrong with him, maybe brown people like him aren't supposed to be gay.

What Tyson doesn't understand is that he is one of the very few in his culture (I'm talking about ethnicity and the hip hop world) that had enough COURAGE to come out. It's not that there are no gay people in the Maori culture or the hip hop world; it's that those who ARE are afraid to come out. Sadly, hip hop culture has a reputation for being "hardcore", painting rappers with images of being thugs, gang bangers, having baby mommas or women half clothed, in bikinis, etc. No wonder why Tyson and others like him are not only reluctant to come out, but have a hard time finding others they identify with.

Now to my few complaints I had with Street Dreams. I'm not against love at first sight. In fact, the people that really know me would say I am a hopeless romantic, a dreamer. I was fine with Tyson's strong, instant feelings he had for Marc. For spoiler purposes, I can't get into too much detail, but let's just say his sudden feelings for another potential love interest towards the end felt very rushed. It almost felt like as soon as this other person revealed their feelings for him, he suddenly latched on. Maybe if Tyson had showed more romantic interest in this other person earlier on, it would have made more sense. I'm not saying I have a problem with the end result, I just think the "sudden" way it happened was a bit awkward and unrealistic for me.

My second issue is actually with Tyson, Robert, and Jason during the club scene. As I stated above, William puts Robert in charge of keeping an eye on Tyson. It's actually Jason who sort of comes to his rescue. We already get a sense early on that Robert is a bit flaky. Before they go to the club, they go to Jason's apartment to get ready and while Robert is doing this and that, Jason is the one who sticks by Tyson's side. Ty even comes to realize that they have art in common as he sees some of his paintings. Once they are at the club, Robert kind of takes off. The reason I am pointing this out is because even though he has Jason there to watch over him, Tyson seems to harp on the fact that Robert is M.I.A. Ty never struck me as the kind of character that felt the need to be babysat. Plus, he never got along with Robert. Plus, he has Jason. So why is he harping so much about Robert? Check this out:

On page 172, he asks Jason, "Where's Robert?" Jason shrugs.
On the next page Ty thinks he sees Robert in a throng of people on the dance floor in which he thinks to himself, "so much for looking after him."
On page 176, "Tyson wondered where Robert had got to. He wanted to kick Robert's ass too. Fuck him for not looking out for him."

WHO cares?? He had Jason there to watch his back! Jason never left his side, so I have no idea why the author felt the need to make Ty sound whiny or like a little kid pissed off at his babysitter. That didn't feel believable at all.

My last complaint is completely my opinion. I know people handle things differently, not all handle things rationally when they are under pressure. I get that. Another reviewer wrote that the realism of the novel was taken down a notch because the author was following the "everything and the kitchen sink" formula, which basically is when an author keeps throwing problem after problem after problem at their character(s). I've read books like that before, but I don't believe this is one of them. The issues that start piling up on Tyson towards the end of the novel felt realistic to me. I've been homeless. I've been teased and bullied because of my mixed ethnicity. I've had health problems that have put me in the hospital for weeks. I've had days where I've thought, "this can't get any worse" and then something else comes up. Days and weeks like those have made me feel like I was going insane, like I was being tested to see how much I could take before I just snap, so I sympathize with Tyson. What I didn't quite find believable-- and this is without giving away too many spoilers so bare with me-- is when things come to a head, why didn't he call his grandparents? It's mentioned in the book that his twin brothers often go over to visit or stay over there when their mom is working since Tyson works night shift. Why didn't Tyson ask his grandparents for advice or help? I can't really get into it more without giving away a major spoiler but I just thought it was a bit odd that he never considered talking with them.

I give Street Dreams a solid 4 out of 5 star rating for its distinctive, colorful characters, its controversial subject matter, and also showing us a slice of life most people would never know about. If you like hip hop, break dancing, and graffiti art, then you will fall under Tama Wise's spell and want to know more about Siege, Ihaia, and Loot, characters I haven't even had the chance to talk about, but will bring this Auckland hip hop world to life before your very own eyes. Street Dreams is not one of those books that makes your heart race; its one of those novels that is powerful in its subtlety. It makes you think long after the last page has been read. It can be an influential tool in the right hands, a great source that addresses the ever controversial topics of gay stereotypes and homosexuality vs. cultural identity. Street Dreams is not a perfect book, and even Wise's style of writing may take some time getting used to. However, it's these imperfections that gives it heart. After all, sometimes it is the quietest book that can teach you the greatest lesson.

Prayers For Bobby: A Book/Movie Analysis by Guest Blogger Brian Warriner

Title: Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms With the Suicide of Her Gay Son
Author: Leroy Aarons
ISBN: 0062511238
Genre: True Story
Theme: Gay Bashing, Suicide, Homophobia, Religion vs. Homosexuality
Length: 288
Binding: paperback
Published: 9 August 1996
Buy: Amazon.com
Brian's Rating:


Synopsis: Bobby Griffith, at the age of 15, realized that he was gay and in conflict with his religious upbringing. Through Bobby's journal entries and his mother's reminiscences we learn of the emotional torment that led Bobby to take his own life. Prayers for Bobby takes readers through his mother's anguish and disbelief to her transformation from biblical literalist to enlightened parent.




Title: Prayers for Bobby
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Actor(s): Sigourney Weaver, Ryan Kelley
Rated: N/A
Genre: True Story
Theme: Homophobia, Gay Bashing, Teen Suicide, Religion vs. Homosexuality
Runtime: 91 mins
DVD Release Date: 14 December 2010
Buy: Amazon.com
Brian's Rating:


Synopsis: Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver stars in this emotional true story about a deeply religious suburban housewife and mother who struggles to accept her son’s homosexuality. Mary Griffith (Weaver) is a devout Christian who has raised her children with a conservative religious perspective. When her son, Bobby (Ryan Kelley), reveals that he is gay to his older brother, the entire family dynamic is forever shifted. While Bobby’s father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary turns to her steadfast beliefs in an attempt to “cure” her son. Alienated and quickly becoming more detached from the safety of his close-knit family, Bobby’s depression drives him to take drastic – and tragic – actions. PRAYERS FOR BOBBY is the multiple Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominated true story of a mother torn between her loyalties, challenged by her faith, and moved by a tragedy that would change her life, and the lives of others, forever. Based on the book Prayers for Bobby by Leroy Aarons.

Brian's Comparison & Analysis: Prayers for Bobby is based on a true story. The lives of mother and son cross. After finding out that her teenage son Bobby is gay, his mother, Mary Griffith, sets out on a course to “cure” her son of his homosexuality. Her faith and religious upbringing has taught her that being gay is an abomination. Adding to her worry is the constant fear of her family not being together in the afterlife. She not only posted index cards all around the house with Bible saying on them but also made Bobby go to therapy to get "fixed". Bobby, being raised in such a God-fearing environment, was also afraid of being sent to hell for being gay. He didn’t want to be gay for fear of God’s wrath for “choosing” to live this lifestyle. In truth, Bobby couldn’t come to terms with who he was.

This story is set in the late 1970’s early 1980’s where the AIDS Epidemic started. Also, you had Harvey Milk being elected to the Board of Supervisors and the Stonewall Riots. Being gay was slowly making its way into the media. Most of the attention was on the negative side, painting gays as sex crazed perverts who are a danger to our children. This is what Bobby heard and saw, so he most likely personalized it. After all, he was a young gay man, trying to find himself in the world he lived in.

In the book by Leroy Aarons, Bobby seemed to slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, but his small progress would be cut short after hearing his mother's voice say, “You are going to burn in Hell if you don’t change.” His struggle would start all over again. What is not covered in the movie, is Bobby starting to embrace his homosexuality. But from the excerpts from his journals, Bobby Griffith was full of self-hatred. Now when I read Prayers for Bobby, I often asked myself, How is it possible that one person could fight against and have so much self-hatred for who they are?

As you read the excerpts from his journals, you soon realize that Bobby couldn’t accept himself because it brought him away from his family and what he believed in. He strongly believed that no one loved him, not even his family. It was the fighting, the struggling, the trying to “cure himself” and the feeling of being unloved that brought Bobby to the end of his life. Bobby completed suicide by jumping off a freeway overpass directly into the path of an 18 wheel truck which killed him instantly. He suffered severe internal injuries, that couldn’t have been repaired. Bobby was finally free from his hell.

Now for his mother Mary, whose journey begins after her son Bobby’s ends so tragically. She constantly questioned whether Bobby made it to heaven or ended up in hell. Both the movie and the book make it clear on how his death rocked Mary. Not only did she question where Bobby's soul ended up, but after meeting Rev. Larry Whitsell of the Metropolitan Community Church, she started to question everything she believed in and was taught throughout her life.

Prayers for Bobby, the movie, was directed by Russell Mulcany and starred Sigourney Weaver as Mary Griffith. In the film, Rev. Whitsell introduced Mary to PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians And Gays). As Mary listened to the other parents discussing when they knew their child was different, it started to cause the wheels in her head to turn. It finally came to her when she realized that Bobby was different. “My son was always different, his difference began at conception, I knew it I felt it...I now know why God didn’t heal Bobby, because there was nothing wrong with him.” From there, Mary became enlightened to the fact that her son is in heaven and that there was nothing wrong with Bobby.

From then on Mary started speaking and soon she became a fighting force for LGBT Youth through California and the country. In 1996, she spoke in front of the U.S Congress. The truth is, you can’t mention Human Rights without mentioning Mary Griffith, who has made it her life’s purpose to help Gay and Lesbian youth. So in conclusion, I want to dedicate this article to Mary Griffith for her work in bringing change. And also to the memory of Bobby Griffith and Leroy Aarons, may you both rest in peace. Much love to you both.

Comparison and Analysis Written By:

Do you like Brian Warriner's comparison/analysis of Prayers for Bobby and want to know more about him? Check out his Guest Blogger Introduction HERE. Also, Brian can be contacted at otherside_connections@yahoo.com .

Movie Review: ROMEOS

Movie Title: Romeos
Director: Sabine Bernardi
Actor(s): Rick Okon, Liv Lisa Fries, Maximilan Befort
Studio: Strand Releasing
Language: English/German (with English subtitles where needed)
Rated: N/A (strong nudity, mature audience)
Genre: Foreign, Gay & Lesbian, Drama, Romance
Theme: Pre-op Transgender
Run Time: 94 mins
DVD Release Date: 17 January 2012
Buy: amazon.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: A twist on trans stories – a 19-year-old pre-op FTM falls for an openly gay man in Romeos , a tautly told and sexily romantic drama. Lukas is a handsome young man but was born a woman, is on hormone replacement therapy, and still has breasts that he keeps bound and hidden. His new male life is complicated when he is frustratingly assigned to a female dorm while doing community service. Stressed by the unfamiliar surroundings and insecure with his new body, Lukas is aided his lesbian friend, Ine, who keeps his secret when he reenters the world as a man. Lured by Ine and his new friends, Lukas ventures into Cologne’s gay nightlife where he meets Fabio, a cocky, dark haired gay hunk who beds whom he pleases. The two opposites strike up a friendship, but when Fabio begins to make romantic moves, Lukas is forced into making a decision: end contact or tell him and face the consequences. Lukas’s courage to live his life as he desires makes this a great film for trans audiences but it is also is a revelatory one for gay men. It is in essence a sexy, entertaining, if unconventional, story of two young men who fall in love. (English and German with English subtitles)

**The Following Review May Contain SPOILERS**

My Review: Wow. Romeos moved me in so many ways that I feel...speechless. It's been a long time since I watched something that made the tiny hairs on my arms stand on edge. Moved to tears not only because of the performances (although they were extremely good) but because...finally someone has come along and made a movie so brutally honest, without apologies, on a topic that so many people are ignorant about. And we all know what happens when people are ignorant. Ignorance leads to fear and fear leads to blind hatred. That ignorance, fear, and hatred is what kills our youth, whether its from suicide or bashing.

Romeos was one of the movies I actually paid to see at last years 2011 Philadelphia Q-Fest. And guess what? When my mom and I got to the theater and were standing in line, we found out that something was wrong with the film equipment, therefore, we could either get a refund or come back tomorrow. Well, I had work the next day and I live about a good 40 mins from Philadelphia, so I ended up taking the refund. Since then, I have been patiently awaiting the movie's release on dvd and worried that I would be disappointed after waiting so long. Normally, that's what happens, but I was tickled pink that Romeos far exceeded my expectations.

As the synopsis states above, the movie is about a 20 something pre-op transgender FTM (female to male) named Lukas. He gets accepted into some sort of Nursing program and must live in a dorm while completing the course work. Even though Lukas has been taking hormone treatments that have changed his voice, hair growth, and general appearance, he is technically still a female. Because of this, he is forced to stay in the female dorms. The head of housing keeps Lukas's secret, telling the girls that there is no room left in the men's dorms, therefore, Lukas would be staying with them until further notice. Lukas is upset at his housing situation, but perks up when he sees Ine, a friend that knew him when he was known as "Miri" and learns she will be staying at the dorm as well.

As Lukas gets settled in, the first part of the film reveals his daily routine as a transgendered person: hormone injections, lifting weights, measuring different areas of his body, etc. He also keeps a live journal online where he connects with other transgendered people in all stages of their transition. When Ine invites him out with her to a party, you really get to see how awkward it is for Lukas. Even though the hormone treatments have done wonders with his outward appearance-- facial hair, muscles, deep voice etc., the one thing they haven't helped him get rid of are his breasts. Lukas wears some sort of chest binding vest, but it still does not keep his bosom completely flat. This is why he layers his clothes, crosses his arms over his chest, never getting too close to anyone--another words, Lukas is always in a state of anxiety or paranoia, afraid that someone will notice.

The hunky, charismatic Fabio is the one person Lukas wants to notice him, but not for his upper appendages. Fabio is the epitome of a gay alpha male, appearing to be confident in mind and body. He attracts the attention of both males and females and in some scenes in the movie, you wonder if he is bi or if he dates women to make Lukas jealous (you will see what I mean if you watch the film). Lukas is fascinated by Fabio; a part of it could be first love, a crush, but I got the sense that Lukas views Fabio as the perfect male specimen. He is everything that Lukas wants to be-- perfect body and the confidence to go with it.

But all is not as it seems. The more time Lukas spends with Fabio, the more he tries to convince himself that it's his manly attributes that attracts him. But one of the hardest lessons Lukas must learn is how can he expect someone to love and see the real him if he can't even tolerate his own self? And although Fabio may be good at making people believe he is confident and an out and proud gay man, in reality he is closeted in many ways (again, I don't want to give too much away).

There are so many interesting topics that are addressed in this movie, but there were 2 that really fascinated me. One is during a scene where Lukas reluctantly goes with Ine to the beach because he finds out that Fabio is going. While everyone is stripped down to their swimming shorts or bikinis, you feel Lukas's awkwardness as he sits fully clothed with his layered shirts. As he watches Fabio and some of the guys swimming, Ine, his best friend, takes her bikini top off (remember, nude beaches are common in some other countries). Lukas points to Ine's breasts and starts explaining the breast removal process that he will eventually go through and Ine pushes his hand away and tells him to stop.
She asks, "If you like boys, why don't you just stay a woman?"
Lukas responds, "One has nothing to do with the other."
Lukas is completely right. But Ine's question is one that confuses so many people in the world. There is a BIG difference between someone's gender and someone's sexuality but oftentimes they are thought to be one and the same. Gender is whether you are a male, female, or transgender (born with parts you don't identify with and wish to change such as in Lukas's case). Sexuality is your sexual preference, what you are attracted to, such as being straight, gay, bi-sexual, etc. So even though Lukas was born female, he identifies himself as male. He is in the process of physically becoming a male. Since he is attracted to men, that would make him gay. His best friend is being hypocritical. Ine openly admits she is a lesbian. So for her to tell Lukas that he might as well stay female if he likes guys sort of makes no sense. I could see that being more of a comment that someone homophobic would say. Lukas could have turned her words back on her and say, "since you like women, why don't you grow a penis?"

This leads me to the last point I want to make that the movie addresses. Once Lukas's secret is revealed (I won't say how and why), prejudice starts to rear its ugly head. Fabio turns into one of his greatest tormentors, calling him a "tranny", flaunting other men and women around him as if to say he would date anyone other then him. Straight people are not the only ones that can be ignorant and prejudice towards transgendered people. The homosexual community can be a transgendered person's greatest nightmare. Why? Because ignorance breeds fear, and fear breeds hate. Fabio really does care for Lukas. What holds him back is his lack of knowledge about transgendered issues and the pressure of what others would think of him liking someone like Lukas. There is no denying Fabio's curiosity and once he lets go of worrying about what others may or may not think about him and Lukas, he is then more willing to let go of his prejudices and learn more. And let me be clear, Fabio is not as confident as Lukas thought he was. There are many reasons why, but that is for you to find out!

If you think that is all that's covered in Romeos, you are in for a surprise. For a 94 minute movie, it touches on so many more issues, themes, etc. But I don't want to give everything away. It sounds like I did, but I'm telling you, I really didn't scratch the surface. So if you are up for a good drama, some romance, a little comedy, mixed in with real, true life issues that transgendered people go through in today's society, then you really are in for a treat!


Other Thoughts: I just wanted to quickly mention that the acting was top notch, especially Rick Okon who played Lukas. It may sound easy to play a female transitioning to become a male since Rick is already a male, but it isn't.

Oh, and may I also add that the make-up/special effects were AMAZING?? This movie does get graphic and there are some scenes where you see Lukas with his shirt off, so...yeah, that means you are seeing...got the picture?? It looked SO real. I wonder if they got a real transgendered person to model for those scenes? If you like movies or stories like this, then I would like to recommend a movie called Different For Girls, a 1996 film way ahead of its time. For more info about that movie, go HERE.

Perry Moore: R.I.P.

So yesterday I found out some disheartening news. Perry Moore--the openly gay author of HERO and executive producer of the Chronicles of Narnia films--was found dead from an accidental drug overdose on February 17th. He was only 39 years old. His death was not just a shock to my system but struck me as odd since I literally was just talking about him a few days ago and gave an extra copy of his book HERO I had on my bookshelf to a friend.

Many people probably have never heard of Perry Moore or wonder what's the big deal. While he was more known for his dedication as a producer of the Chronicles of Narnia films, I will always remember him as an author, even though he only had 1 or 2 books published. HERO is a young adult novel about a teenager named Thom who is trying to come to terms with his sexuality and superpowers. Yes, I said superpowers. Moore was an openly gay man who felt that it was important to create positive gay characters for anyone out there-- young and old--who may stumble across his book(s) (he planned to write more obviously) that might be struggling with their own sexuality. Even though I had read many stories with gay characters, they were mainly stories that were in ebook format and of the adult variety. Perry Moore's HERO was the first young adult novel I had read with a main character that was gay.

Moore's short life is not only tragic for his family and life partner, but also his fans. He had apparently just secured funding for the next Chronicles of Narnia film which was not an easy task since the last Narnia film did not do as well as expected. Moore was also in negotations with STARZ to adapt HERO into a possible tv series. I think that will hurt fans the most, including myself.

I send my love and support to his loved ones during this devastating time. I can only hope that someone close to him, perhaps his life partner, Hunter Hill, will keep negotiating with STARZ so that HERO gets adapted to film. What a great way to honor his memory.

~~Mia~~