Arts & Culture :: Movies

'Fly Me to the Moon' - Space Age shenanigans run amuck

'Fly Me to the Moon' - Space Age shenanigans run amuck

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 22, 2024

"Fly Me to the Moon," could have conveyed more of the excitement, adventure, and idealism of the Apollo era and less of the cynicism and conspiracy that seems more indicative of our time. Despite fun moments, the landing doesn't stick.

SF Jewish Film Festival - Faves amidst the Gaza War

SF Jewish Film Festival - Faves amidst the Gaza War

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 16, 2024

As the Israeli-Hamas war continues without any ceasefire, the 44th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (July 18-August 4) finds itself "at a time of devastating international conflict and humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza."

'Light Light Light' - Inari Niemi's Finnish queer film

'Light Light Light' - Inari Niemi's Finnish queer film

  • by Joshua Polanski
  • Jul 16, 2024

In 1986, Eastern Europe changed forever with the explosion of Chernobyl. In the Finnish film "Light Light Light" ("Valoa Valoa Valoa"), so does the life of fifteen-year-old girl Mariia (Rebekka Baer) when a new girl, Mimi (Anni Iikkanen) arrives.

'National Anthem' - Queer patriotism flies its own flag

'National Anthem' - Queer patriotism flies its own flag

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jul 9, 2024

Luke Gilford's 'National Anthem' comes at an opportune moment, bringing much needed fresh air in a story about sexual outsiders finding sanctuary among themselves in rural America's LGBTQ rodeo subculture.

'A Quiet Place: Day One' - Silence is golden in the scary prequel

'A Quiet Place: Day One' - Silence is golden in the scary prequel

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 2, 2024

The first thing you're going to want to know about "A Quiet Place: Day One" (Paramount) is that the cat survives. You know it's been on your mind since you saw the first of several trailers months ago.

'Queen of the Deuce' - Biopic of yesteryear porn theater mogul

'Queen of the Deuce' - Biopic of yesteryear porn theater mogul

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 1, 2024

If you loved Rachel Mason's 2019 documentary, "Circus of Books," then Valerie Kontakos's "Queen of the Deuce" (Greenwich Entertainment) will be right up your alley.

'Janet Planet' - Mother/daughter angst in Annie Baker's indie film

'Janet Planet' - Mother/daughter angst in Annie Baker's indie film

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jul 1, 2024

Julianne Nicholson plays the single mother character in "Janet Planet," but the star turn belongs to Zoe Ziegler, who plays her daughter in her big screen debut.

Richard Hunt, the gay Muppeteer: 'Funny Boy,' Jessica Max Stein's biography, reveals his vibrant brief life

Richard Hunt, the gay Muppeteer: 'Funny Boy,' Jessica Max Stein's biography, reveals his vibrant brief life

  • Jun 25, 2024

In "Funny Boy: The Richard Hunt Biography," Jessica Max Stein intimately covers the professional career and private life of the affable, talented, and friendly man who was quick to make friends in his Muppets career.

'The AIDS Show' - Documentary about historic play

'The AIDS Show' - Documentary about historic play

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 25, 2024

When it premiered 40 years ago in September 1984, few realized how groundbreaking "The AIDS Show: Artists Involved with Death and Survival," a theatrical production produced by Theatre Rhinoceros, would be. A new documentary proves its relevance today.

'Gay USA' - Arthur Bressan, Jr.'s films of 1970s Pride parades

'Gay USA' - Arthur Bressan, Jr.'s films of 1970s Pride parades

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 24, 2024

The landmark documentary "Gay USA" by the gay director Arthur Bressan, Jr. ("Buddies"), captures the 1977 Gay Freedom Day march in San Francisco, but also parades in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and Philadelphia.

Frameline48: Final faves at the filmfest

Frameline48: Final faves at the filmfest

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 23, 2024

As Frameline48 concludes on June 29, we are struck that with all the problems facing Hollywood and streaming platforms, the importance of queer film festivals has only grown.

'Let the Canary Sing' - Cyndi Lauper's life and career in new documentary

'Let the Canary Sing' - Cyndi Lauper's life and career in new documentary

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 18, 2024

When one recalls 1980s musical culture, the name Cyndi Lauper almost comes immediately to mind. But her music continues to today. The documentary "Let the Canary Sing" offers a nostalgic look at her life and career.

'Big Boys,' big feelings

'Big Boys,' big feelings

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Jun 18, 2024

Corey Sherman's feature-length directorial debut, "Big Boys," is a raw and visceral depiction of being a teenage outsider. There is no pretension here, and the subject matter is handled with a grace and sensitivity

Frameline48: Families, friends and foes in film

Frameline48: Families, friends and foes in film

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Jun 17, 2024

"We are going to change the world through the power of queer cinema," said Frameline's new Executive Director Allegra Madsen. Here are a dozen more viewing choices at the annual festival, screening at some new venues.