Reviews of films
Chicago’s 42nd International LGBTQ+ Film Festival screened over 40 features this month. I focused on mlm narratives and noticed some recurring themes. Struggling Artists The privileged protagonists despair that modern life hasn’t handed them their dreams. Remember when people turned … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Reeling Festival 2024
Judas Kiss tells a queer sci fi tale. A failed film maker travels back in time to mentor (and bang) his younger self. Only he’s vaguely still in the present day. Sadly, J.T. Tepnapa’s movie wastes the premise with endless … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Judas Kiss (2011)
It feels far too simplistic to describe Jacques Audiard’s audacious, genre-bending Emilia Pérez as “simply” a gender-affirming narco-thriller musical. It is definitely all of those things, but it also defies being put in any box, no matter how capacious. Emilia Pérez is … Continue reading Toronto International Film Festival 2024, Part 2: Days 6-8
The 49th Toronto International Film Festival kicked off with a whimper on September 5th with the world premiere of David Gordon Green’s latest (apparent) misfire, the Ben Stiller-starring Nutcrackers. Amidst the tumult of significant sponsors dropping (long-time year-round sponsor Bell … Continue reading Toronto International Film Festival 2024, Part 1: Days 1-5
In 1992 Dirk Shafer was voted Playgirl magazine’s Man of the Year. He struggled to promote the company while hiding his homosexuality. Afterwards he produced a mockumentary about the experience, combining archival footage with comic re-enactments. We get insight into … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Man of the Year (1995)
A look back at Tom Breihan’s AV Club series covering the history of action movies. Continue reading AV Club Classic – Tom Breihan’s History of Violence
I’ve often cited 1995’s Jeffrey as the first gay romcom. Queer men have long been comic figures on film, but Jeffrey fit the classic “boy meets boy” template. This weekend Letterboxd steered me towards Summer Kiss; an obscure short film … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Summer Kiss (1987)
I watched Abigail based on its premise alone. It’s a fairly straightforward heist movie where a crew of strangers have to contend with a job gone wrong, and a victim who proves to be more than the crew bargained for. … Continue reading Movie Reviews: Abigail (2024)
Warning: this review contains light spoilers for this movie. No specific events are revealed here, but certain elements of the movie are discussed, as I feel that the overall experience may benefit from being qualified. Please take this into consideration … Continue reading Movie Reviews: Kinds of Kindness
Note: the review itself will be spoiler free and will only discuss a very general plot outline. It will also mention who appears in the movie so if you wish to be surprised by that, don’t read the review. In … Continue reading Movie Review: Longlegs
Fathers get a bad rap in queer cinema. Fictional dads tend to antagonize, reject or straight up abuse their queer sons. Good dads are rare enough that a moment of compassion can bring an audience to tears. David Stevens’ 1990 … Continue reading LGBT Movies: The Sum of Us (1994)
A glamorous con woman (Ayako Wakao) manipulates a wealthy housewife (Kyôko Kishida). The affair is intense and surprisingly frank for the era. Then the con artist turns her attention to men and the film grows less interesting. Manji was adapted … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Manji (1964)
Ned Roche (Fionn O’Shea) hates the rugby obsessed bullies at his Irish boarding school. When he’s forced to room with rugby champ Conor Masters (Nicholas Galitzine) he readies himself for war. Their eccentric teacher (Andrew Scott) forces them to work … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Handsome Devil (2016)
I hate every ape I see, from chimpan-A to chimpan-Z… Continue reading Late to the Party: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
In Staircase Rex Harrison and Richard Burton play Charles and Harry, a squabbling gay couple. They run a barber shop in East London and care for Harry’s ailing mother. Charles is summoned to court for performing in drag, putting their … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Staircase (1969)
A gawky teen pursues the angsty director of his terrible high school musical. Lead actor Jeremy Hollingworth gives a droll, deadpan performance. Julie Kavner (aka the voice of Marge Simpson) is allowed more nuance as the boys’ savvy mother. Story … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Story of a Bad Boy (1999)
Sebastian does not want to be a homosexual. The 16-year-old has developed a crush on his best friend. The realization of his queerness has sent him into a rage. Sebastian: When Everybody Knows explores the anger stage of the coming … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Sebastian: When Everybody Knows (1995)
In which we pose the question: why is the first Indiana Jones movie so damn good? Continue reading Movie Review: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Jules, a black drag queen, is assaulted by Preston, a white bigot. When he finds Preston cruising in a gay sauna he plots revenge. Femme was written and directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping. They introduced the … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Femme (2023)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded in the 1820’s by Joseph Smith. When a follower turns 18 they are allowed to serve on a two-year mission to convert new members. If a member breaks one … Continue reading LGBT Movies: Latter Days (2003)
Three generations of Ghostbusters battle an ice demon. The trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire featured a wave of ice hitting New York City. It looked like a promising way to open a movie. Unfortunately, it’s not till the third act. … Continue reading Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – Spoiler Space
