Robert Mapplethorpe’s story is one that’s best told as a documentary as the narrative feature, Mapplethorpe, does not do him justice. It’s unfortunate because Mapplethorpe (Matt Smith) was such an iconic photographer. Nearly 30 years following his death from AIDS in 1989, his photos are still a big part of cultural history. The film starts just before Mapplethorpe moves into the Hotel Chelsea in the late 1960s, where he’s living with Patti Smith (Marianne Rendón)…
"Frameline 2018: Mapplethorpe"Month: June 2018
A wholly original film with a twist you never see coming, Damsel is a hysterical western from the minds of David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. Samuel Alabaster (Robert Pattinson) has tracked down the location of the woman he plans to marry, Penelope (Mia Wasikowska). As he sets through in his journey, he hires Parson Henry (David Zellner) to officiate the wedding when he finds his future bride in addition to a gift, a miniature horse called Butterscotch. Samuel…
"Damsel: A Wholly Original Western"
With the release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom this week, I decided to give Jurassic World a revisit. Fourteen years after the events of Jurassic Park 3, a new park has been up and running for ten years on Isla Nublar. This is the same island in which Jurassic Park was introduced in 1993. A lot has changed over the years since Jurassic Park graced the cinemas. It’s enough that the screenplay manages to serve as…
"Upon Further Review: Jurassic World"
With some of the biggest names in comedy behind its production, Caddyshack may very well be the funniest sports movie of all time. I first saw the film several years ago while on my mission to watch all 100 films chosen by the American Film Institute’s 100 Years, 100 Laughs in 2000. I decided to give the film a re-watch not just because it’s a classic sports film but also in light of the recently…
"Caddyshack Holds Up With New Perspective"
Wild Nights with Emily offers a look at poet Emily Dickinson with an approach that only writer/director Madeline Olnek can tell. Through her role in Other People and the Sundance-premiering Private Life, Saturday Night Live alumnus Molly Shannon has proven to have a wider range as an actress. Her role as Emily Dickinson proves to be no different in what may very well be one of the best lesbian comedies in years. Through Olnek’s script,…
"Frameline 2018: Wild Nights with Emily"
Comedy! Drama! Romance! Airplane! is a classic disaster spoof that has managed to survive the test of time. What is there to say about the disaster spoof that hasn’t already been said in almost 38 years since the film was released? It’s not only that there are so many zingers but so many of them have gone on to become oft-quoted classic lines! From “Surely, you can’t be serious!” to “I just want to tell…
"Airplane!: An All-Time Classic Spoof"
Upon revisiting the film for its 40th anniversary, Grease does manage to hold up to an extent. Watching the film through a contemporary lens does lead to seeing some some problematic flaws. The worldwide phenomenon was released in theaters in 1978, a few years before I was born. To date, I’ve only seen the musical a few times and decided to watch the classic in honor of the the 40th anniversary. I’m glad that I…
"Grease Celebrates 40 Years With New Box Set"
The Fabulous Allan Carr celebrates the life of the famed producer and helps cement his legacy once and for all. Allan Carr was described by those who knew him as being flamboyant. This was typically a code that he was a gay man but he never came out. While the film does discuss his sexuality and it being an open secret, it also celebrates his life. Credit to director Jeffrey Schwarz for tackling Carr’s sexuality…
"The Fabulous Allan Carr celebrates famed producer"
Filmed in black-and-white 16mm film, 1985 is an incredibly moving film from writer-director Yen Tan. After his boyfriend dies of AIDS, Adrian (Cory Michael Smith) leaves New York for his hometown in Texas during the holidays to visit with his family. He’s in the closet, which isn’t a surprise given the 1980s setting. At the time when the AIDS crisis was growing, anyone would be scared to come out to their family! By visiting with…
"Frameline 2018: 1985"
Set It Up may just be the film needed to get the romantic comedy genre going again with delightful performances from Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell that make the film so fun to watch. Aspiring sportswriter Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell) aren’t the typical assistants working in a New York City skyscraper. They don’t make enough money for the hours they work. It gets worse for the two because their bosses, investment banking executive…
"Set It Up: You’re Set Up For A Good Time"