“You are mine.” These are the opening words of Sofia Coppola’s On The Rocks, delivered as a voiceover from a doting father who is speaking to his daughter (presumably in a flashback). Cut to that same daughter’s wedding reception, the bride and the groom disappearing for a midnight swim in a moonlit pool. The metaphor…
FILM + TV
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet was simply put, not the grand American “Return to the Movies” Hollywood was hoping for. With a staggering $200 million production budget, Nolan’s most expensive to date, the film has only made back a paltry $3.4 million in the states. Despite perfectly satisfactory reviews, Americans were just not motivated enough (or perhaps…
In spite of the tumultuous last half year, the current pandemic has done very little to derail the typical media storm leading up to the Primetime Emmy broadcast. Perhaps it’s the escapism we have been so desperate to cling onto in short bursts over the last six months, or maybe there really is nothing that…
Disney’s Mulan has had something of a tumultuous lead-up to release: multiple delays, a controversial lead actress, and most recently some questionable end credits. Of all the bumps in the road, the one with perhaps the most potential for lasting effects is its premium pricing mode. Before Mulan faced public scrutiny, it was in much…
It would be churlish to say that Hollywood’s diversity problem has made no progress since the golden age of Hollywood. TV shows like Pose sport the biggest transgender cast of any scripted show in history (with most actors being of color), box office smashes like Crazy Rich Asians highlight the lives of East Asians and…
A cursory Google search yields few resources attempting to accurately define what makes a queer icon, well, iconic. And there’s a good reason for that. Whats makes a queer icon is at the same time simple and incredibly difficult to define. One one hand, its is easy to use blanket terms like “glamorous” or “camp”…
Podcasts are great tools for pacifying a laundry list of ails these days. You can listen for the feeling of company when there is none, for background noise to cheer up mundane household tasks, or just to break up the day and have a laugh. They’re also a great way to be entertained and informed…
While the Primetime Emmy’s do not mean everything (often getting notoriously snubbed can actually be better for PR and viewership, just ask The Wire or Orphan Black), they certainly are a good indication of clout. This year’s Emmy nominations saw a slew of pleasant surprises among many major series and acting categories, from Zendaya’s well-deserved Outstanding Lead…
In spite of the global game of Disaster Bingo this year has been, the 2020 Emmys are a go to air as planned on September 20th on ABC. The ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, saw its list of nominees announced early Tuesday morning, with many categories reflecting the new nominee selection rule changes announced earlier in…
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia these days, even to a not-too-long-ago time. Y2K-era trends are back in a big way from butterfly clips to platform sandals, and the internet is full of aughts-appreciation, even for those who might have been too young to remember it. But beyond Paris Hilton and flip phones,…
Reality TV is the often the most compelling when it is just that: reality. In the world of dating shows, though, realness is often in short order. Popular shows like The Bachelor, Love Island, and the outrageous Too Hot To Handle seem to favor grandeur over substance, shock value over connection. Enter Dating Around, a…
The historic last couple months of racial equality protests and worldwide pushes for government reform have shone an uncomfortably bright light on the prejudice within the queer community, amongst other social groups. Queer culture is too often unconsciously defined as “white gay male” culture; from gay bars in major cities to homosexual representation on television. HBO…
Examples of trans representation, most often negative ones, are more common in mainstream media than one might first guess. Think of how many times you’ve seen a man dress up as a woman onscreen for comedic effect. Cross-dressing is a ubiquitous trope in American comedies, from Some Like it Hot to The Jeffersons to How…
This article is part of a new Untitled Magazine series called “Expectation vs. Reality,” where we examine the hype surrounding popular projects before and after release, and examine whether they ultimately meet the general public’s expectations. The first part, “Expectation,” was written prior to release, while the second part below, “Reality,” was written after release.…
CANADIAN ACTOR JAKE MANLEY GOES ALL-AMERICAN FOR HIS GRITTY ROLE IN “INFAMOUS” OPPOSITE BELLA THORNE
Actor Jake Manley’s filmography has ranged from the adorable likes of A Dog’s Journey, to comedy-horror Netflix gem The Order, to all-out war epic Midway. With his new film, Infamous, out on streaming services and select drive-ins now, he can cross “heist-thriller” off his list. Though he’ll tell you himself that the film is far…
In the 1860’s, abolitionists fought for thirteenth amendment, in the 1960s, leaders marched for the Civil Rights Act, but now, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, a specific, singular demand has yet to arise from the discourse. On Tuesday and Wednesday night, Oprah Winfrey brought together ten black leaders, politicians, and intellectuals to talk…
As the closing credits of Mrs. America’s first episode roll, you might find yourself wondering, “Is Phyllis going to switch sides?” In the TV world, it’s a logical prediction: Phyllis leads the movement against the ERA, realizes that she actually has a lot in common with the feminists she’s fighting, abandons her movement, and joins…
Shows like The Amazing Race and Top Chef are top notch competition shows that keep us on the edge of our seats. But in a time of global pandemic, heart-pounding high-stakes competition is certainly not what everyone wants. The best thing for the overstimulated brains of those fortunate enough to be able to safely isolate…
It seems that all everyone lucky enough to be able to safely quarantine needs right now is a distraction from the events of the world. What better way to escape the present than by reveling in the past? Everyone has their favorite old movie, and for many that favorite is connected to a younger, simpler…
In this scary time of global crisis, laughter may not be the best medicine, but it sure is a good distraction. For those who are fortunate enough to be able to work from home or otherwise self-isolate, boredom can set in quickly during off hours, and streaming is what most people turn to for comfort…