★★★★★ Queer dark comedies are few and far between, but if all of them were as batshit crazy as Down Low, we would truly be in the best timeline. Out actors Zachary Quinto (American Horror Story, He Went That Way) and Lukas Gage (Wyrm, Midnight Kiss) headline this wacky feature directorial debut from Rightor Doyle. … Continue reading OutFest 2023: Down Low
Tribeca 2023 Wrap-Up
Maybe it's always more fun to cover a film festival in person! Thanks to an erratic schedule and a wide variety of films, 2023's Tribeca Film Festival was one of the most fun for us to cover to date. Check out our full coverage of the lineup after the jump, including our personal top ten … Continue reading Tribeca 2023 Wrap-Up
PIFF 2023: Egoist
★★★★ A deeply affecting drama with a surprising amount of heart and character depth, Japanese feature Egoist tells a decidedly different type of queer love story. LGBT content is always on my radar, and when I spotted Egoist on the Providence International Film Festival lineup, something told me it would be a special kind of … Continue reading PIFF 2023: Egoist
Tribeca 2023: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
★★★★★ A searing, devastating, all-inclusive peak behind the curtain of closeted Hollywood matinee idol Rock Hudson, Tribeca doc Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed tells a timely story while exploring every angle of the actor’s hidden lifestyle. I have never seen a single Rock Hudson film, yet I felt compelled to review this documentary based … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
NewFest Pride 2023: Fairyland
★★★ For my final film of the excellent early summer surprise that was NewFest Pride, Andrew Durham’s depressing AIDS-era drama Fairyland fit the bill. This queer movie features two harrowing lead performances from Scoot McNairy and Emilia Jones, and enough tragedy and melodrama to comply with any generic LGBT+ criteria. Written and directed by Andrew … Continue reading NewFest Pride 2023: Fairyland
NewFest Pride 2023: Bottoms
★★★★ Existing in some kind of warped, super satirical version of our own reality, Bottoms serves up the ultimate version of high school ridiculousness. What makes this film such a brilliant exploration of friendship, horniness, and female empowerment? How does writer/director Emma Seligman manage to hit the cringe comedy sweet spot? By creating a twisted … Continue reading NewFest Pride 2023: Bottoms
NewFest Pride 2023: Problemista
★★★★★ A colorful explosion of dark comedy perfection, A24 gem Problemista is 2023’s queer masterpiece. Written, directed, produced by, and starring SNL wunderkind Julio Torres, Problemista isn’t afraid to ask the important questions. What’s with those pesky bank overdraft fees? Why do expensive restaurants always have walnuts in their salads? Most importantly: why is the … Continue reading NewFest Pride 2023: Problemista
SIFF 2023: The Mattachine Family
★★★★ Chosen family is the name of the game here, a term that queer people the world over have claimed as their own. In The Mattachine Family, writer Danny Vallentine and director/husband Andy Vallentine explore modern love, the strangeness of queer identity, fatherhood, and the true meaning of family with this charming little dramedy. As … Continue reading SIFF 2023: The Mattachine Family
BFI Flare 2023: Lie With Me
★★★★ Based on the novel by Philippe Besson, Lie with Me is a passionate, delectable queer drama that blends coming-of-age romance with poignant messaging about adulthood. Paramount at the center of its two converging timelines are themes of love and longing. A rich script penned by writer/director Olivier Peyon weaves a poignant longing and rich … Continue reading BFI Flare 2023: Lie With Me
Retro Review: Sparkler
★★★★ At long last, Jawbreaker writer/director Darren Stein’s debut feature Sparkler is finally available after fading to time! Look no further than the stunning cast roster (which includes 90s favorites like Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jamie Kennedy, as well as seasoned gems such as Veronica Cartwright and Glenn Shadix) with Stein behind the camera to … Continue reading Retro Review: Sparkler