Tag: LGBT+

Directors, Documentaries, Female Filmmaker, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews

Tribeca Film Festival 2021 Review: No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics

Year: 2021 Runtime: 79 minutes Director: Vivien Kleiman By Joan Amenn There is something very poignant behind the generally light, amusing tone of “No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics” (2021). Beyond the funny drawings and zany situations they illustrate is real pain, as the LGBTQ+ artists tell their stories for the camera in this sometimes heartbreaking documentary by Vivien Kleiman. It is also … Continue reading Tribeca Film Festival 2021 Review: No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics

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LGBTQ Cinema, Television

Review: We’re Here -Taking Pride Down The Drag Road

Found this gem almost by accident on HBO and immediately fell head over heels for it. “We’re Here” is about real-life stories with 3 drag queens – Eureka (David Huggard), Shangela (D.J. Pierce) and Bob the Drag Queen (Caldwell Tidicue) who traverse small-town America where they have residents from each town participate in a one night only drag show. Continue reading Review: We’re Here -Taking Pride Down The Drag Road

Peggy MarieLeave a comment
Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, LGBTQ Cinema, Retrospect Reviews, Reviews

Pride Month, Restrospective Review: Love, Simon

“Love, Simon” is not only an adorable high school rom-com but also made history as the first major Hollywood studio film about a gay teenage romance. The 2018 film was directed by Greg Berlanti and largely centres around the main character Simon coming out as gay. Many films about the LGBT+ experience are tragic or focus on the discrimination that they face, but this movie is more your typical teen film with angst rather than tragedy.  Continue reading Pride Month, Restrospective Review: Love, Simon

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Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Feminism, Film Reviews, LGBTQ Cinema, Netflix, Streaming, Women in Film

Review: Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas” Comedy Special

Following her groundbreaking comedy special “Nanette” (2018), Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby became a household name. Praised for her honesty and blend of drama and comedy, Gadsby garnered a lot of attention with “Nanette,” leaving audiences eagerly awaiting her next special. Her second Netflix special, “Douglas” (2020), named for her beloved dog, does not disappoint. Continue reading Review: Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas” Comedy Special

Jenni HoltzLeave a comment
LGBTQ Cinema, Retrospect Reviews

Pride Month, Retrospective Review: Brokeback Mountain

Sometimes the notion of a “forbidden romance” in films seems tantalizing, but other times… it’s just heartbreaking. It’s really dependent on the forces keeping these two people apart. With “Brokeback Mountain,” (2005) a beautifully heart-wrenching film, it’s tragic. It’s only “forbidden” because the two don’t think they can or sometimes, should, be together. Which is what makes it so inherently effective. No matter how many times I see this movie, it always finds its mark: right through the heart. Continue reading Pride Month, Retrospective Review: Brokeback Mountain

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Documentaries, Film Reviews, History, LGBTQ Cinema, Netflix, Reviews, Streaming, Uncategorized, Women in Film

Review: A Secret Love

“Are you still holding out?” a man asks, seated across from his husband. Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel sit opposite the men and laugh in response. Despite being together for over sixty-five years, Pat has some hesitations about getting married. Those hesitations along with the couples’ life story are the subject of “A Secret Love” (2020).  Continue reading Review: A Secret Love

Jenni HoltzLeave a comment
LGBTQ Filmmakers, Netflix, Streaming, Television Review

Social Isolation Review: “Bonding”

Sex is a little taboo.  I mean, for some, it is a lot of taboo. Coming to terms with understanding sex and sexuality is tackled in Rightor Doyle’s short-form comedy series “Bonding.”  Pete (Brendan Scannell) reconnects with his hometown friend Tiff (Zoe Levin) after they both move out to NYC.  Pete is gay and coming to terms with what his version of love, relationships, and sex all mean.  But he won’t be able to do any of that if he can’t pay his rent. That is where Tiff comes in. Continue reading Social Isolation Review: “Bonding”

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Directors, Female Characters, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, History, Interviews, LGBTQ Cinema, LGBTQ Filmmakers, Reviews, Valentines, Women in Film

Review: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and Q&A with Céline Sciamma

“It’s done,” Céline Sciamma said through laughter, “I don’t need your approval!” Ten minutes earlier, a lengthy applause break punctuated the film screening and Sciamma was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation. Sitting in a folding director’s chair on-stage in the sold-out Music Box Theater in Chicago, IL, Sciamma shared insights on the filmmaking process during a question and answer session with the audience. The early pre-screening of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) was part of a press tour preceding the films wide release in the United States. Continue reading Review: “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and Q&A with Céline Sciamma

Jenni Holtz2 Comments
Acting, Best Actresses of The Decade, Female Characters, Feminism, LGBTQ Cinema, Women in Film

Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No.19: Cate Blanchett

To celebrate the last decade 2010-2019, we are counting down the best actresses and discussing some of their most notable and memorable performances of the decade. With the help of Film Twitter, the ITOL team has selected 30 actresses. Today, we write about Cate Blanchett – a winner of two Academy Awards, for Best Actress in “Blue Jasmine” and Best Supporting Actress in “Aviator.” The actress was additionally nominated in Best Actress category for her phenomenal roles in “Carol” and “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.” Continue reading Best Actress of the Decade, Entry No.19: Cate Blanchett

Zofia WijaszkaLeave a comment
Activism, Film Industry, LGBTQ Cinema

Booksmart Censorship Controversy: The Prejudiced Censorship of the Human Experience

It was disheartening to read that a butchered version of one of this year’s best films, “Booksmart”, was shown on Delta’s aeroplanes. It was reported that “A version of the coming-of-age comedy that is being shown on Delta doesn’t include a hookup scene between two teenage girls and eliminates references to female sexuality.” Thankfully, Delta has recognized the problem and is now making the film available in its entirety. This whole story must be discussed as it says some telling things about prejudices and biases that, sadly, are still present today. Continue reading Booksmart Censorship Controversy: The Prejudiced Censorship of the Human Experience

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