Arts & Culture :: DVD

Todd Stephens' 'Swan Song' of joy

Todd Stephens' 'Swan Song' of joy

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 28, 2021

Todd Stephens, the writer-director of the acclaimed new film 'Swan Song,' discusses the culmination of his 'Sandusky trilogy,' working with actor Udo Kier, and returning to his hometown to film the unique gay "comeback" tale of a retired hairdresser.

Swan Song: remembrance of things past

Swan Song: remembrance of things past

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 27, 2021

Inspired by a true icon, 'Swan Song' stars Udo Kier as Mr. Pat, the formerly famous hairdresser known for the magic he worked with a brush, a comb, and hairspray on the heads of Sandusky socialites.

Guilt vibration: Mark Wahlberg in 'Joe Bell,' a well-intentioned but unsteady melodrama

Guilt vibration: Mark Wahlberg in 'Joe Bell,' a well-intentioned but unsteady melodrama

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 20, 2021

In many ways, the new film 'Joe Bell' is Hollywood do-goodism at its worst. We're to view homophobia through the angst of a guilt-ridden parent in a shallow lopsided perspective that winds up becoming an elongated PSA.

Protests and produce: The Lavender Tube on sports, 'Gossip Girls,' 'Unforgotten' and 'Banana' & Emmy noms

Protests and produce: The Lavender Tube on sports, 'Gossip Girls,' 'Unforgotten' and 'Banana' & Emmy noms

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Jul 13, 2021

Our erudite TV columnist covers Olympic controversies, Valerie Bertinelli's slap-back to fat-shamers, the 'Gossip Girls' reboot, and Russell T. Davie's oh-so-gay 'Cucumber' etc. series refreshed for U.S. audiences.

Jewish Filmfest includes compelling LGBTQ stories

Jewish Filmfest includes compelling LGBTQ stories

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 13, 2021

San Francisco's Jewish Film Festival will present more than 50 films from over 20 countries. Now in its 41st year, 2021's program has "something for everyone," including six films addressing LGBTQ stories.

New lease on life: Eytan Fox's 'Sublet' moves in

New lease on life: Eytan Fox's 'Sublet' moves in

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 6, 2021

Newly released on home video, 'Sublet,' Eytan Fox's latest film breaks new ground for the writer/director by featuring an American actor, John Benjamin Hickey, in the lead role. His Tel Aviv sublet introduces us to Tomer (Niv Nissim).

Frameline45 awards faves and filmmakers

Frameline45 awards faves and filmmakers

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 2, 2021

With both online and in-person screenings, Frameline's 45th annual LGBTQ International Film Festival welcomed 89,000 attendees, and shared its audience and critics' favorites.

Finish lines: The Lavender Tube on Motherland: Fort Salem, Britney and sporty comings out

Finish lines: The Lavender Tube on Motherland: Fort Salem, Britney and sporty comings out

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Jun 29, 2021

Our veteran TV columnist focuses on the Britney Spears documentary, 'Motherland: Fort Salem' and its powerful women, and various celebrity comings-out.

Carry on, my wayward son: Heidi Ewing's gay immigration drama

Carry on, my wayward son: Heidi Ewing's gay immigration drama

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 29, 2021

'I Carry You With Me' (Te Llevo Conmigo) is a tender, frustrating, sporadically agonizing, and heartbreaking film that has wisdom to impart on a dire and bitterly divisive subject.

Frameline45, part 2: folks, fun and fate

Frameline45, part 2: folks, fun and fate

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 22, 2021

One idiosyncrasy of Frameline45 is that the international films are superior to the US/English language movies, especially because of their daring content. Check out our second batch of notable narrative films, including a few cinematic jewels.

Friedman/Epstein films on TCM

Friedman/Epstein films on TCM

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 22, 2021

Turner Classic Movies will celebrate Pride Month with a special night of films by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein on Monday, June 28, including 'The Times of Harvey Milk' and 'Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt.'

Frameline45 documentaries: cinematic stories shine, sometimes stall

Frameline45 documentaries: cinematic stories shine, sometimes stall

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 22, 2021

While most of the documentaries in Frameline45 are very good, none are great. In a rare occurrence, the narrative features this year are stronger entries than the documentaries. But there are some standouts.

Pride programs: The Lavender Tube on TV news, chat shows and documentaries

Pride programs: The Lavender Tube on TV news, chat shows and documentaries

  • by Victoria A. Brownworth
  • Jun 15, 2021

June is such an exciting month on TV. Everybody remember that LGBTQ people exist. Ad campaigns include us... until June 30, at midnight, when we are shunted into the background again. Catch the LGBTQ programs while they're viewable.

Frameline45 : homos, where the heart is

Frameline45 : homos, where the heart is

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 15, 2021

Whether consciously or not, the theme of Frameline45, in its programming of narrative films, is traditional values, mainly home and family.