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…
FILM + TV
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, “Expectations,” 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…
Many of us going through quarantine could probably use a little pick-me-up right now. For those lucky enough to work from home or otherwise self isolate, we want something to fill the void of the many life events that have come to a halt throughout the world. Sometimes it’s the little things that can help,…
The revered Cannes Film Festival 2020 is on its second postponement, the first one announced for June and July. The Coronavirus pandemic has halted a concrete scheduling decision and the second set of dates remain uncertain. "Following the French President’ statement, on Monday, April 13th, we acknowledged that the postponement of the 73rd International Cannes…
Let’s skip to the end for a second: “The Tiger King & I,” Netflix’s rush-job bonus episode of overnight mega-sensation Tiger King, is uncomfortable to watch. At face value that may sound like a glowing review, considering the docuseries’ first seven episodes churned stomachs with everything from trucks of expired Walmart meat to a Tiger-amputated…
If you are watching this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, just consider yourself a casual fan, or are even tangentially interested in the drag zeitgeist, chances are you are up to date with the situation surrounding contestant Sherry Pie. For the sake of covering the bases however, the story so far is as follows. On…
Television is often the ultimate “sign of the times.” With Millennials and now Gen-Z a significant chunk of the audience to grasp, showrunners and studios have rapidly begun to diversify not only casting choices, but also content to address topics that the current youth generations truly care about. However, many shows in recent memory have…
With movie theaters closing worldwide in order to curb the spread of coronavirus, studios have had little choice but to delay or cancel the theatrical releases of their most highly anticipated films. Pop culture junkies can be grateful that COVID-19 came along just late enough to enjoy awards season, but the reality of this distressing…
The 2020 Tribeca Film Festival has unveiled its 'feature film' lineup. Continuing its tradition of championing the discovery of emerging voices and celebrating new work from established talent, the 19th edition of the Festival foregrounds comedic, music-centered, political and socially-conscious films from diverse storytellers who use art to inspire positive change and community restoration. The…
The nineteenth annual Tribeca Film Festival will open April 15 with the world premiere of Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President from award-winning director Mary Wharton. The film catalogues the role of popular music in helping to propel a peanut farmer from Georgia all the way to the White House and features rare archival footage…
Parasite made history at the 2020 Oscars by not only receiving the first (and second, third and fourth) award for a South Korean film, but also for becoming the first film in a non-English language to take home the coveted Best Picture. Leading up to Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, everyone loved Parasite.…
The takedown of Hollywood superpower Harvey Weinstein began in 2017, with a New York Times investigation that rattled his position in the industry, his fortune and his marriage. The influential producer had once been known for creating iconic films like Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love. However, decades of sexual abuse inflicted by Weinstein were…
A sociopathic hit-woman, a rebellious 19th century poet, a ferocious supervillain, a group of female wrestlers and a modern outlaw are just some of the characters we have been able to experience in the past year because of Hollywood’s rising number of women in front of and behind the camera. Women have made great strides in…
The Cannes Film Festival was founded in 1946 but it’s only just catching up with the 21st century. They announced this week that the jury will be presided over by veteran filmmaker and director Spike Lee in 2020 - making him the first African-American to step into those polished shoes. Known for exploring human connection…