Frameline Preview: Revolutionary lesbians, the right to marry, and the subject of divorce

~ Lincoln Spector

I've managed to review three films that will screen at the upcoming Frameline LGBTQ film festival. Here's what I thought about them, in order of quality. A- Summertime New love overwhelms with joy and energy, but keeping that love in the closet sickens and distorts the romance. In 1971, Paris bursts with revolution--sexual and otherwise--but … Continue reading Frameline Preview: Revolutionary lesbians, the right to marry, and the subject of divorce

Strangers become family in the strangely warm yet violent Dheepan

~ Lincoln Spector

A- Refugee drama and crime thriller Written by Noe Debre, Thomas Bidegain, and Jacques Audiard Directed by Jacques Audiard A family escapes from war-torn Sri Lanka to make a better, safer life in France. Except it's not safe, and they're not really a family. The smugglers who brought this man, woman, and child out of … Continue reading Strangers become family in the strangely warm yet violent Dheepan

The New Buster Keaton Shorts Collection on Blu-ray

~ Lincoln Spector

How can anyone describe the beauty, grace, and breathtaking hilarity of Buster Keaton in his silent film prime? An actor, an acrobat, and a brilliant filmmaker, he spent the 1920s making some of the funniest and technically sophisticated comedies ever preserved on film. Since I can't describe him, here's a highlight reel of some of … Continue reading The New Buster Keaton Shorts Collection on Blu-ray

Friday at the PFA

~ Lincoln Spector

I caught two very different films, from two very different series, at the Pacific Film Archive Friday night. Both films were shown without an introduction. Bachelor's Affairs This was the second screening of the UCLA Festival of Preservation 2016 series, and the first in that series that I was able to attend. Before the feature, … Continue reading Friday at the PFA

Disability, sexual preferences complicate growing up in remarkable Margarita with a Straw

~ Lincoln Spector

A Coming of age drama Written and director by Shonali Bose Laila (Kalki Koechlin) has issues that few college students have to deal with. She was born with cerebral palsy, and is confined to a wheelchair. Even writing and talking takes some effort. But in many ways, she's doing surprisingly well. She has friends at … Continue reading Disability, sexual preferences complicate growing up in remarkable Margarita with a Straw