★★★★ Evading me since Sundance, finally Plainclothes has arrived in a landscape in desperate need of more LGBT films. Putting the lineup up against last year, there were a hell of a lot more titles to choose from. But as they say, quality trumps quantity every time. Twinless, On Swift Horses, A Nice Indian Boy, … Continue reading Film Review: Plainclothes
Blu-Ray Film Review: The Life of Chuck
★★★★★ At this point in time, the names Stephen King and Mike Flanagan are synonymous with quality. At the very minimal, King's name attached to a property denotes a fascinating concept; at an even bolder extreme, King on cinema has delivered some of the best movies of all time. The Life of Chuck brings together … Continue reading Blu-Ray Film Review: The Life of Chuck
Film Review: The Threesome
★★★★ Expecting simplicity from the classic rom-com formula and getting surprising depth instead is a rare occurrence, even as a lover of cheesy romance. The Threesome somehow accomplishes exactly that, handling the consequences of such a sexually-charged encounter with an unparalleled level of maturity and character growth. This is the second time this year that … Continue reading Film Review: The Threesome
Film Review: The Map That Leads to You
★★★★ As someone who loves a good tearjerker, director Lasse Hallström comes with serious street cred. Between What's Eating Gilbert Grape, A Dog's Purpose, Dear John, and many more, Hallström certainly knows how to manipulate an audience into full-on weep mode. Enter: The Map That Leads to You, Hallström's newest romantic drama, starring heartthrob KJ … Continue reading Film Review: The Map That Leads to You
Fantasia 2025: Lurker
★★★★★ The line between love and obsession is a thin one, especially in the psychological thriller genre. In writer/director Alex Russel's Lurker, a lonely retail clerk encounters a mega-star musician by chance, launching an unexpected connection. This bond threatens to destroy both their lives as the two become intrinsically linked to one another. The lifestyle … Continue reading Fantasia 2025: Lurker
Fantasia 2025: Blazing Fists
★★★ A meet-cute at a urinal stall at juvie may sound like the setup for a quirky Japanese Boys Love flick. A closer examination noting that the film is in the hands of auteur Takashi Miike may tell a different story. Miike, one of the most prolific filmmakers working today, comes out with a one-two … Continue reading Fantasia 2025: Blazing Fists
Blu-Ray Film Review: Grave of the Fireflies
★★★★★ For decades now, I have heard nothing but praise—and warning—about a devastating little masterpiece called Grave of the Fireflies. Now, it comes to gorgeous steelbook format from GKids and Shout! Studios. Directed by Studio Ghibli co-creator Isao Takahata, nothing could have prepared me for the total devastation that awaits. Mere minutes into the runtime, … Continue reading Blu-Ray Film Review: Grave of the Fireflies
Film Review: Something Casual
★★★★ They say that the act of falling in love is like a dance between two people. What if this was more than just a figure of speech? Something Casual takes a literal translation of the concept, weaving stunning choreography from JA Collective into a tender connection between two people. Anchoring the story are Nico … Continue reading Film Review: Something Casual
Film Review: Ponyboi
★★★★ Always on the lookout for an under-the-radar queer indie, Ponyboi first caught my attention when it premiered at 2024’s Sundance Film Festival. The presence of enthralling internet boyfriend Dylan O’Brien and You breakout star Victoria Pedretti promised a burst of starpower to go with it. Finally, just over a year after debuting to critical … Continue reading Film Review: Ponyboi
Blu-Ray Review: Dexter: Original Sin – Season 1
Welcome to Miami, circa 1991. In Dexter: Original Sin, the second spin-off continuation of Showtime's flagship series, showrunner Clyde Phillips shifts to prequel mode. Dexter: New Blood concluded with Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) shot and left for dead by his son, Harrison (Jack Alcott). We pick up as Dexter's life flashes before his eyes. … Continue reading Blu-Ray Review: Dexter: Original Sin – Season 1