Saim Sadiq’s debut feature has that creeping sense of profundity that is usually the mark of an experienced artist. Never rushed, living in each scene until the proper moment. One can gather that Joyland is…
LGBTQ
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Adapting a beloved novel for the screen or the stage is not as easy as it appears to be. Though the characters and narrative are already set, it is up to the writers to transport…
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Streaming HorrorStreaming Reviews
‘They/Them’: A Harmless Slasher Movie that Will Nonetheless Trigger a Large Populace
A horror film with a political, or progressive bias, isn’t anything new, though according to many manbabies, this rigorous messaging is destroying modern horror cinema. So whenever a new Jordan Peele movie comes out, you’ll…
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In an era where we’re overwhelmed with features made during quarantine, it’s hard to find a film that strays from the rest and is actually worthwhile watching. While Language Lessons doesn’t necessarily go above and…
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With 2021’s Cannes Grand Prix win on its back, Compartment No. 6 brings to life a self-reflective, alcohol-filled drama. Establishing an unlikely friendship between a Finnish student and a Russian miner, Laura (Seidi Haarla) and…
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HorrorReviews
Fantasia Film Festival 2021 Review: ‘The Last Thing Mary Saw’
by Bethany Lolaby Bethany LolaThe Last Thing Mary Saw is a 19th-century folk story, centered around sin and suspicion. We are introduced to Mary (Stefanie Scott) as she is blindfolded in a dark, candle-lit room. This is at the…
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DramaReviews
Melbourne International Film Festival 2021 Review: ‘Days’
by James Y. Leeby James Y. LeeFew snippets of on-screen text in modern foreign cinema have been as intriguing as the opening blurb of Tsai Ming-liang’s latest film, Days — “This film is intentionally unsubtitled.” — not just because it points to a…
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Streaming DocumentariesStreaming Reviews
‘Pray Away’ Is Gut-Wrenching, Fatiguing, and Absolutely Necessary
Powered by JustWatch How many LGBTQ lives have been completely shattered and irrevocably hurt in the name of God? What is the state of mind of the individuals who level that destruction upon those lives?…
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Some of Mark Wahlberg’s most fascinating films have found him in strange roles. In every one of them, however, he always manages to make his character into some overly macho badass who never grows as…
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Streaming AnimationStreaming Reviews
‘Luca’ Is Low-Stakes, Luscious, and Loving
by Nick Kushby Nick KushCrystal blue water, golden hour sunshine, delicious pasta, and plenty more lovely vibes. While watching Luca, you may come to forget it comes from the same company that made three Cars movies. It probably won’t…
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Streaming AnimationStreaming Reviews
‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Is Another Resounding Win for Sony Pictures Animation
by Nick Kushby Nick KushAll hail Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, purveyors of all things deliriously unhinged, meta, and yet still somehow deeply thoughtful. I still contend one of the biggest mistakes in blockbuster moviemaking the last decade was…
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I love a good walk-and-talk movie. Especially in a time when the most popular films are often heavy on plot, their relatively formless presentation can act as a nice palate cleanser while still showcasing plenty…
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DocumentaryReviews
‘Wojnarowicz: F**k You F*ggot F**ker’ – The Tragic Lives of David, Peter, and Tom
by Ingridjeby IngridjeBefore I saw this movie, I had no idea who David Wojnarowicz was. Its title was also a complete mystery to me. But then I saw the documentary, and I decided to do some background…
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While watching Todd Stephens’ Swan Song, I couldn’t help but think of The Old Man & the Gun. David Lowery’s film is a solid and surprisingly layered throwback, somehow managing to feel low in stakes while…
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I’m a sucker for a good Robin Williams flick. The Birdcage is one of my favorites because of the departure it takes from his normal roles. Of course, the rest of the cast really makes the movie, particularly Nathan Lane and Gene…
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ComedyDramaReviews
Jewish International Film Festival 2021 Review: ‘Shiva Baby’
by George Clarkby George ClarkEmma Seligman’s feature directorial debut Shiva Baby, based on her short of the same name, is an awkward comedy with one of the best, most outlandish premises I’ve seen in a long time. Danielle attends…
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If you, reader, are anything like me, you are hip to any and all entries into the sapphic film canon. From Desert Hearts to Booksmart, every time there are two ladies kissing, my corner of Twitter…
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Streaming MusicalsStreaming Reviews
‘The Prom’ Is Imperfect, But Full of Feel-good Extravagance
by Ingridjeby IngridjeWhen it comes to musicals (and comedies, for that matter) things are very simple for me. Either I hate them with a passion, or I really like them. Indeed, there are some great classics (even…
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I’m back, folks, with another review of a lesbian period romance. The most recent film to enter this illustrious canon is Ammonite, written and directed by Francis Lee. Ammonite stars Kate Winslet as Mary Anning,…
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HorrorReviews
Vince Vaughn Channels His Inner Teenage Girl to Remarkable Effect in Christopher Landon’s ‘Freaky’
by George Clarkby George ClarkChristopher Landon’s latest horror-comedy Freaky is an utter delight. Starring Kathryn Newton, Uriah Shelton, Celeste O’Connor, Misha Osherovich, and the one and only Vince Vaughn, the film follows Kathryn Newton’s Millie who, after swapping bodies…
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As a new show is introduced at an erotic dance theater in Lahore, a sacrificial goat goes missing, a dreamy trans girl desperately tries to become a star, and a naive young boy falls in…
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An elderly gay couple living off the grid in the Rocky Mountains finds a deeper love together when dementia threatens their independence. Nick Kush: I adore Bob & Dale’s sparing use of dialogue. The titular couple…
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The most important relationships in any teenager’s life, no matter where they are in the world, are their friendships with other teenagers. It’s the crux of socialization, of discovering one’s own identity, of creating a…
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You’d think that after Portrait of a Lady on Fire, we wouldn’t need romances, or even narrative films, anymore. I mean, Céline Sciamma has kinda been there and conquered that. Be that as it may,…
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Streaming DramaStreaming Reviews
‘The Boys in the Band’ Is a Remake That Stands on Its Own
by George Clarkby George ClarkThe Boys in the Band is a 2020 American comedy/drama film directed by Joe Mantello, and stars Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Robin de Jesús, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington,…
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HorrorReviews
‘Spiral’ is Excellent Queer Commentary Through a Horror Lens
by Lisa Geurtsby Lisa GeurtsIn Spiral, we follow Malik (Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman) as he moves to a small town with his partner Aaron (Ari Cohen) and Aaron’s sixteen-year-old daughter Kayla (Jennifer Laporte). They instantly notice the town is not accustomed to…
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Beau Travail is the 1999 cult classic from renowned director, Claire Denis. It tells the story of Galoup, an ex-Foreign Legion officer who recalls his time leading troops in the country of Djibouti; and thanks…
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Call Me By Your Name, a gay coming-of-age romance, blew people away in 2017. I had not seen a film that touched me with a gay male protagonist so much until I watched No Hard…
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Streaming DocumentariesStreaming Reviews
‘Disclosure’ is a Vital Look into Transgender Representation in Media
by Nick Kushby Nick KushEarly on, Disclosure states an eye-opening statistic: 80% of people don’t personally know someone who is transgender, meaning an overwhelming majority of us get our information on trans people from some form of media. I,…