Arts & Culture :: Movies

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.

Dekkoo sponsors short film competition

Dekkoo sponsors short film competition

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 18, 2021

Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or an accomplished professional, Dekkoo, the LGBTQ movie streaming website, seeks short films, ten minutes or less, with the theme of 'Happy Endings.'

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.

Fred Halsted art-porn classics at Embarcadero, Shattuck cinemas

Fred Halsted art-porn classics at Embarcadero, Shattuck cinemas

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jul 8, 2021

What are the cinematic boundaries between art and pornography? Two gay porn classics by Fred Halsted blend both in a strange mix, and will screen at Embarcadero and Shattuck cinemas July 9-15.

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.

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.

Halston: the Saint of Seventh Avenue

Halston: the Saint of Seventh Avenue

  • by Cornelius Washington
  • Jun 22, 2021

If you watched the new Netflix dramatized limited series, or the Amazon Prime documentary on fashion icon Halston, consider this rumination on those heady days when glamour created by a gay man ruled.

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.

50 Years in 50 Weeks: 1981: Cinema, Skinema

50 Years in 50 Weeks: 1981: Cinema, Skinema

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Jun 17, 2021

As Frameline celebrates its 45th anniversary, let's look back at coverage of their fifth anniversary in late June 1981, and the adult film advertised on the next page.

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.

Best Side Story: an interview with Rita Moreno

Best Side Story: an interview with Rita Moreno

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 15, 2021

An award-winning actress, writer, activist, dancer, mother, singer, feminist, Latina and EGOT, Rita Moreno discusses her recent memoir and the new documentary about her amazing life.