Film

Film review
“Let Me In”

Written by Gregg Shapiro Oct 6, 2010

The arty and visceral vampire movie “Let Me In,” an American remake of the Swedish film “Let The Right One In” directed by Matt Reeves (“Cloverfield”), couldn’t have swooped down at a better time. With the high number of suicides of bullied gay kids in the news, everyone could use a vampire gal-pal to save the day.

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Film review
“The American”

Written by Gregg Shapiro Sep 8, 2010

“The American”
(Focus)

It’s probably unfair to expect photographer-turned-filmmaker Anton Corbijn to repeat the visual magic he created with “Control,” his Joy Division biopic and feature film debut. But his latest, an awkward and stilted thriller called “The American,” is utterly the polar opposite. It’s the latest in a string of assassin flix (see “Salt,” better yet, don’t. See the forthcoming “Red” instead, at least it has a sense of humor).

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Queen of ‘the gays’

Written by Michael Mucklan,
Contributing writer Aug 25, 2010

Joan Rivers is the subject of a new documentary film. She appears at Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts on Oct. 23. – Photo: Courtesy

Comedian Joan Rivers knows her audiences and she knows who most appreciates her acerbic wit and free-form social commentary.

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Reel advice

Written by Gregg Shapiro Jun 30, 2010

“Cyrus”
(Fox Searchlight)

Mumblecore continues the quest for a mainstream audience with the dark romantic comedy “Cyrus,” co-written/co-directed by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass (who starred in 2009’s mumblequeer feature “Humpday”). Following, as it does, on the heels of “Greenberg” (starring Ben Stiller and mumblecore goddess Greta Gerwig), it looks like the crossover has officially begun and mumblecore mania is here to stay.

Socially awkward John (John C. Reilly), who compares himself to Shrek, has been divorced from Jamie (Catherine Keener) for seven years. But John but still relies on Jamie for advice, guidance and occasional companionship, in spite of her impending marriage to Tim (Matt Walsh). However, all of that changes when John meets the seemingly out of his league Molly (Marisa Tomei).

Film review
“Easy A”

Written by Gregg Shapiro Sep 22, 2010

“Easy A”
(Screen Gems)

“Easy A” is going to be this season’s movie you love to hate. An homage to John Hughes, with “Saved!,” Cameron Crowe and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” thrown in for good measure, the movie is as offensive as it is amusing. Not that amusement and offense are mutually exclusive, but this is proof that we haven’t come that far since “Sixteen Candles.”

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Film reviews

Written by Gregg Shapiro Aug 11, 2010

‘All About Evil’
(Backlash)

Part homage, part parody, the grisly slasher flick “All About Evil” is writer/director Joshua Grannell’s magnum opus. Grannell’s drag persona Peaches Christ also appears in this story about drab San Francisco librarian Deb’s transformation into gore-goddess Deborah. Mink Stole and Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira) co-star.

Determined to keep her devoted late father’s legacy alive, Deb (Natasha Lyonne) spends her days working at the library and her nights showing horror flicks at the family-owned Victoria Theater. Deb’s evil mother Tammy (Julie Caitlin Brown) has her own plans. She wants Deb to sign over her rights to the property so that she can make a killing in real estate. Instead, Deb kills Tammy with a pen to the jugular. The gruesome murder is captured on closed-circuit cameras. When projectionist Mr. Twigs (Jack Donner) fails to show up for work on time, Deb accidentally screens the videotape that could incriminate her.

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Film review
“The Tillman Story”

Written by Gregg Shapiro Aug 25, 2010

“The Tillman Story”
(The Weinstein Company)

There are countless infuriating stories connected to the war in Iraq, but few are as horrifying as the death of pro-football player turned soldier Pat Tillman.

Narrated by Josh Brolin, filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev’s exceptional doc “The Tillman Story” is bound to stir up emotions and debate. Model-handsome Tillman excelled academically at Arizona State, where he was also a football star. He graduated to a multi-million dollar career in the National Football League. But the events of September 11, 2001, had a profound impact on him. Shortly after he married childhood sweetheart Marie (Ugenti) in 2002, he and younger brother Kevin enlisted in the Army for a three-year stint.

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Film reviews

Written by Gregg Shapiro Jun 3, 2010

“Sex and the City 2”
(New Line)

The most anticipated sequel of the summer (sorry “Iron Man” and “Shrek”), “Sex and the City 2” is also the gayest straight movie of the season. But at more than 2 hours and 20 minutes, it’s much too long.

“SATC2” attempts to trump its predecessor on a variety of levels, beginning with the gay wedding, followed by the exotic locale, the nice mix of comedy and drama and the hard-won resolution. Of course, it doesn’t have to try very hard to be better than the first. And yet, it still comes up shorter than some of the skirts worn by the film’s leading characters.

Allen Ginsberg: portrait of the gay poet as superstar

Written by Jody Hirsh,
Contributing writer Sep 8, 2010

James Franco (right) stars as Allen Ginsberg. – Photo: Courtesy

Name a poet, any poet. Now name a rock star. Picture the thousands of people who wait in line to buy tickets to Lady Gaga, Dave Matthews Band or U2. But no one imagines a poet as a superstar with the crowd-drawing power of today’s celebrity musicians.

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Reel advice

Written by Gregg Shapiro,
Contributing writer Jul 28, 2010

“Salt” – Photo: Courtesy

“Salt”(Columbia)

As if to remind us that Russia and its citizens remain a threat to the well-being of the planet (see also: “The Girl Who Played With Fire”), obvious sequel-setup “Salt” sets teeth chattering with its Cold War revival mentality.

After spending two years in captivity in North Korea, CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is back at work in Washington, D.C. She’s living in the U Street corridor with German national husband Mike (August Diehl) and dog Burt. She gets on well with co-worker Ted (Liev Schreiber). Everything seems to be fine.

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Film reviews

Written by Gregg Shapiro Jul 14, 2010

“The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”
(Summit Entertainment)

Still obsessed with brooding vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson), graduating high school senior Bella (a slightly less sullen Kristen Stewart), accepts her true love’s marriage proposal in exchange for his promise to “change” (read: “kill”) her so that they can be together eternally. In other words, Mormon author Stephenie Meyer thinks it’s fine for teenagers to marry vampires, but LGBT folks should be deprived of the same expression of love and commitment.

It’s probably an easy shot to take, but the third installment of the vampires, wolves and humans of Forks, Wash., eclipses its predecessors. It’s got plenty of skin, courtesy of stud (wolf) cub Taylor Lautner (who does most of his acting with his abs and pecs) as Jacob. It’s got a fair amount of special effects, although the wolves’ pelts are wearing thin. There’s an increase in the Native American folklore aspect. The scary factor is also ratcheted up with the lingering presence of the ruthless Jane (Dakota Fanning) and her creepy crew, as well as bent-on-revenge Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard), her boy Riley (Xavier Samuel) and his army of ruthless newborn vamps.

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Reel advice

Written by Gregg Shapiro,
Staff writer May 24, 2010

Shrek Forever After: The Final Chapter
(DreamWorks)

The Shrek series (or franchise, if you will) goes out with a bang in this fun-filled fourth and final installment. While it’s not as good (or as gay) as “Shrek 2,” it is a vast improvement on “Shrek the Third.” And the 3D aspect of the production avoids technology overkill.

Married life and fatherhood is taking its toll on Shrek (Mike Myers) the ogre, who feels like his power to terrify has dwindled and been replaced by a talent for changing his triplets’ diapers and amusing the villagers. He is increasingly bored by the routine route his life has taken, which includes regular dinner parties with BFF Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and his brood. Everything comes to a head at Shrek’s kids’ first birthday party where his misplaced rage causes a rift in his marriage to princess/ogre Fiona (Cameron Diaz).