Originally published in the San Antonio Current. If you grew up watching late Puerto Rican astrologer Walter Mercado entertain viewers on Univision, you’ll want to make sure you have a Netflix membership by Friday, July 10. The flamboyant, legendary TV personality will be featured in the new documentary Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter…
Revisionist ‘Lizzie’ a Memorable Effort but Fails to Reach Full Potential
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. While it has sustained a strong interest among American folk historians and true-crime enthusiasts for decades, the story of Lizzie Borden, a young woman suspected of murdering her father and stepmother with an ax in 1892, has never received the cinematic attention that a crime of its notoriety…
A Kid Like Jake: A Sensitive, But Safe Story About a Gender-Expansive Child and His Parents
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Alex and Greg Wheeler (Claire Danes and Jim Parsons) are like any other parents of a four-year-old child. They want their son Jake (Leo James Davis) to get a good education, have friends, be happy and express himself creatively in any way he sees fit. They come to…
Sexology Institute Screening ‘Love, Simon’ In Honor of Pride Month
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. With Pride month in full swing, it should come as no surprise that folks are already revisiting Love, Simon, a PG-13 film we dubbed “the most accessible gay teen romance since — well, ever.” In addition to popping up on listicles such as Variety’s recent “20 Movies and…
Documentary ‘Kiki’ Explores Issues LGBT Youth of Color Face, Screening in SA
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. It’s tough to find a review of Swedish filmmaker Sara Jordenö’s 2016 documentary Kiki that doesn’t reference Jennie Livingston’s iconic 1990 film Paris Is Burning. The New York Times went so far as to call Kiki “a spiritual descendant of Ms. Livingston’s film.” Co-written by Jordenö and Twiggy…
‘Disobedience’ is a Mature, Lesbian Narrative Exploring Conflict Between Free Will, Religious Obligation
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. After earning an Oscar this year for his compassionate foreign-language drama A Fantastic Woman (Una Mujer Fantástica), Chilean director Sebastián Lelio makes his American film debut with Disobedience, a seductive and mature love story between two women with ties to an Orthodox Jewish community in London. Esti Kuperman…
Luther’s Cafe to Screen ‘Transpose’ Documentary
Luther’s Cafe will host a screening of Transpose, a documentary that examines the challenges transgender people face as they go through their transition and seek to forge ahead with their new lives. The film is a project of Arttitude, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization which serves to unite the LGBT community “with the goal of inciting…
SA’s Armie Hammer Honored at Texas Film Awards
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Hollywood heartthrob and San Antonio business owner Armie Hammer may have missed an Oscar nomination this go-round, but he landed Variety‘s One to Acclaim Award which recognizes breakout film talents. The Austin Film Society presented Hammer with the accolade on March 8 at its 18th annual Texas Film…
In ‘A Fantastic Woman’ Trans Actress Daniela Vega Proves to Be Just That
Originally published in the Riverfront Times. There may be a double meaning in the title of Sebastián Lelio’s new drama, A Fantastic Woman. From one point of view, Lelio’s heroine, Marina (Daniela Vega), lives up to the title, displaying considerable courage under pressure. From another view, “fantastic” can mean unbelievable or even a bit unreal.…
Coming-of-Age Gay Romance ‘Call Me By Your Name’ Provides Cinematic Escape
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Nothing makes young love prettier than how much time has passed from it. Distance bestows rose-colored glasses that blot out all of the dumb awkwardness and leave nothing but the warm, squishy feelings we associate with fledgling romance. Throw in a sumptuous Italian countryside summer, and you’ve got…