Surviving 2020: Watching “Lovecraft Country”

By Joan Amenn If there was any cinematic solace to be had for me in 2020, it was Misha Green’s “Lovecraft Country.” COVID-19 became symbolized in the supernatural horror of the series while the injustices of this year were echoed in the experiences of the characters in the 1950’s. As producer, writer and director (of the episode, “Jig-a-Bobo”) Green brought the issues that were flashing … Continue reading Surviving 2020: Watching “Lovecraft Country”

The top 5 (ish) female Muppets

The Muppets are beloved all over the world for their love, friendship, loyalty, mayhem, and can-do attitude. They’ve proven to be capable of adapting their offering to changing times and trends, adding new characters frequently. So as Muppets Now progresses I hope they introduce more female Muppets into the upper tier of recurring characters. Maybe we can fill this fifth slot. Continue reading The top 5 (ish) female Muppets

The Second Season of “Harley Quinn” Establishes and Celebrates the Anti-Heroine’s Sexuality

he’s a badass with a vocabulary full of vulgarities. Her favorite colors are black and red, but also pink and blue. Some people call her crazy, but she only wants to be graciously considered the most dangerous villain of the New New Gotham. Is it too much to ask? What else does Harley Quinn have to do?

The most notorious anti-heroine is back in the second season of the “Harley Quinn” series. Justin Halpern, Dean Lorey, and Patrick Schumacker bring even more carnage, more limbs flying around, and more blood splattering. Continue reading The Second Season of “Harley Quinn” Establishes and Celebrates the Anti-Heroine’s Sexuality

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

Spotlight for Pride Month: Rickie Vasquez From “My So-Called Life”

By Morgan Roberts When “My So-Called Life” first premiered in 1994, it came across as a standard teen drama. However, the series, which introduced the world to the likes of Claire Danes and Jared Leto.  And while the series was groundbreaking in many ways, the character of Rickie Vasquez played by Wilson Cruz. Even being introduced to the show a decade after its original airdate, … Continue reading Spotlight for Pride Month: Rickie Vasquez From “My So-Called Life”

Review: “Love Life” and the Human Connection

HBO Max launched at the end of May, and while some aspects of the new streaming service may have been too ambitious, the anchoring series, “Love Life” was perfectly timed.

Sam Boyd’s “Love Life” centers on Darby (Anna Kendrick) as she finds and loses love over the course of a decade of her life. We see her fall in love with future Bernie Bro Augie (Jin Ha), have brief encounters with the likes of Danny Two Phones (Gus Halper), and date an older man Bradley (Scoot McNairy). Continue reading Review: “Love Life” and the Human Connection

ITOL’s Cinematic Dads: Alfred Pennyworth

Not all important male figures in a child’s life are their biological parent. Often a Step-Father or father figure is equally valuable, especially in situations where a child has lost their parent or their father is not present in their life. A prime film example is Alfred Pennyworth from various Batman adaptations. My two favorite versions of this character are in “Batman Begins” (2005) played by Michael Caine and in the TV show “Gotham” (2014-2019) portrayed by Sean Pertwee. Continue reading ITOL’s Cinematic Dads: Alfred Pennyworth

Lana Winters of “American Horror Story” and The Issues of the 60s’ Homosexuality, Abortion, and Adoption

In pop culture, especially in film and television discourse, we meet characters that mean a lot to us. They have an immense power to shape and shift our minds and, often, change our views. We look up to them and cheer them on in their struggles presented in a film or a series.

That character for me is Lana Winters portrayed by outstanding Sarah Paulson. The character is many things – a famous journalist, a lesbian, and a fearless woman introduced in the second season of “American Horror Story: Asylum.” Continue reading Lana Winters of “American Horror Story” and The Issues of the 60s’ Homosexuality, Abortion, and Adoption