Everything, Everywhere, All at once.

 *

- Everything, Everywhere, All at once. (2022. Dirs. Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert)

The Wangs are a struggling Chinese-American family, currently dealing with several issues —overwork, family conflict, IRS audits, and a treat from the Multiverse itself. 

Skeptical at first, then darkly amused, horrified, and finally determined, family matriarch Evelyn must journey through the multiverse to find what she needs to confront the ultimate evil that has taken ahold of Joy —her own daughter. They must learn to experience —everything, everywhere, all at once. 

Excellent movie that does not fit neatly into a single genre, taking a bit of everything. Family drama, Sci-fantasy, Adventure, Comedy… bit of philosophy, of meta-cinema, of over-the-top humor and understated tragedies… In sort, an Experience!!

A rare high-concept film that managed to win the sympathy of both critics and audiences, not to be missed. 

*

Sound of music.

 *

- The sound of music. (1965. Dir. Robert Wise)

In 1938, young postulant Maria is hired as a governess for the troubled von Trapp family. Using music lessons to reconcile children and father, she is able to whip them into a singing family ensemble —just in time to organize well enough to flee the impending menace of the nazis... Based on both the musical by Howard Linsday and Russel Crouse and on the autobiography of the real Maria von Trapp. 

Ultra-famous musical super-production whose influence is deeper and seemingly more invisible than people realize. Almost everyone has seen at least a reference to the infamous opening sequence in the Austrian hills —and many who watch the movie in full are surprised at how dramatic it can be at times. Its reputation as a sugary story can be —imprecise. And then many of the songs and fashion on display can be heard and seen in plenty of latter stories, in so many ways. 

In short, something of a pop cultural artifact, still more than worth a look. 

*

Pride 5: Rent.

 *

- Rent. (2005. Dir. Chris Columbus)

The highs and lows of a tightly-knit group of friends from the winter of 1989 to that of 1990. A celebration of life through evictions, AIDS, riots and the end of the 80’s. All told as a heartfelt musical!

The screen adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s stage musical proved as controversial as the original —hated on one side for daring to show queer characters who defend their dignity and right to do as they please, and hated on the other for not being ‘deep’ enough. 

Neither argument is interesting once you actually watch the film. Also like the stage musical, it remains part of queer history. Perhaps that is the true reason for the supposed controversy. Anything that becomes part of a specific history is often met with contempt and with people frustrated for it not going as far as they want in one direction or in the other. We always seek who did it better, or at least closer to what we personally want. 

The actual movie in any case, is also an energetic musical, by turns funny and moving, with several memorable performances (most through not all of the cast is from the stage version in fact) and locations. The characters remain memorable and the story quick-paced, even with the necessary inclusion of new scenes and the snipping of a few details here and there.

The best course of action, then, is to watch and decide by oneself, unencumbered the opinions of others. 

*

Pride 4: Heavenly Peace.

 *

- Heavenly Peace. (2015. Dir. Andreas Wessel-Therhorn). Animated Short. 

John and Jason got into a fight and broke up —just before Christmas. But a visiting cherub is not satisfied with merely delivering their intended gifts. With a little trickery, he just might be able to help this couple remember how they truly feel about each other…

Charming short that packs both genuine tenderness and subtle bite, from its drag rendition of “Silent Night” for the opening, to a sardonic stinger after the end credits. It’s also an extremely rare animated adaptation of Ralf König, a fundamental part of gay comics worldwide. 

Quite recommended, and curiously suitable for all ages. 

And in comparison to “Out”, now here is a genuinely queer story made *for* queer people. 

*

Pride 3: Out.

 *

- Out. (2020. Dir. Steven Clay Hunter). Animated Short. 

Greg, a gay man in the closet, is about to move to the city with his boyfriend. When his parents drop in for a surprise visit, he struggles to keep his secret. 

And then a magical cat and dog emerge from a rainbow, make Greg and his dog switch bodies and complicate matters further. 

Well-meaning short film, part of the infamous Spark Shorts collection from Pixar and meant to celebrate LGBT folks. Unfortunately, it’s the kind of story that is about queer people but not actually intended for them. Yet another story made under the impression that queer people *ought* to come out to their straight relatives and friends and that not doing so is lying —as opposed to often being a necessary survival strategy in an extremely hostile world. 

Then there is the entire matter of Greg and his dog switching bodies, which feels like it was added mostly to integrate bits of comedy to entertain children —whom, the filmmakers seem to assume, would otherwise be bored. A story that cannot conceive of queer children existing. 

In short, the opposite of genuinely queer, all-audiences animated shorts like “In a heartbeat”. 

*

Pride 2: My fake boyfriend.

- My Fake Boyfriend. (2022, dir. Rose Troche)

Andrew, a successful stunt coordinator, has been dating a famous soap opera star for years —and has repeatedly attempted to break up with him, only to inevitably bounce back. This time his friends have an unusual suggestion: Inventing a boyfriend through the use of Deepfake technology. The consequences of this little farce will reach much, much higher than anyone could have guessed…

Sweet gay romantic comedy that, like so many rom-coms, often touches on more complicated subjects than its interested in exploring. The notion of a fiction that becomes an object of adoration across the world is a common archetype seen in a lot of tales (and frankly, in real life too). In this case, there is a theme of the excesses of technology and social media that sometimes appear to have become the true religion and drug choice of the current times. But in this movie, that is only the background to present an initially sad story of a man repeatedly trying to get out of a toxic relationship while not entirely noticing the way other people in his life are themselves trying to control him. 

Because it is a rom-com, it is ultimately optimistic —in the end, true love solves most problems and the rest become almost non-important. Other hints of a more complicated story lurking beneath the surface (such as the intimation that Andrew’s best friend himself desires Andrew and has since childhood) are somewhat glossed over. 

Yet on the whole it’s a very entertaining affair, and certainly delivers what it promises. 

*

Pride 1: Cheat(er) Code.

- Cheat(er) Code. S. A. Foxe, et al

Kennedy has just been dumped by boyfriend of many years —and is not entirely accepting it. Seeking solace he first turns to dating apps, then to Video Games. Until a freak storm transports him to the actual world of VGs! Peopled with many of his favorite characters, who seem quite interested in him. But there is another layer to this world, a layer in which Kennedy will have to face a few things he kept refusing to see…

Extraordinary fantasy for adults, running several recognizable VG franchises and porn parodies through a blender, and adding a good deal of self-exploration, care and healing. By turns naughty and poignant, this comic is more than worth a few looks. 

In many ways it’s an updating of common Fantasy archetypes, from the quest for personal identity to the use of familiar character types. Herein, presented for gay 21st century sensibilities, aiming at late twenty somethings and older. A delight from start to finish. 

*

June 2022 TV

 *

Concluded recently: 

TV SHOWS

LIVE ACTION

- The wilds, Season 2. 

The survival thriller returns, this time presenting an island full of boys, contrasted with the original island full of girls. Remains entertaining, if increasing far-fetched. Still worth a look. 

- Midnight Asia.  

Documentary about the nightlife in assorted major Asian cities. Pure entertainment, with a nice emphasis on queer culture, food delights and the occasional rarity. 

ANIMATED

- Wotakoi: Love is hard for an Otaku. 

Nerd pandering at its most deplorable: With fetishization of gay people presented as a quirky, charming trait. 

- He-man & the masters of the universe. 

Delightful remake of the classical 80’s cartoon —that by now has seen both an even better remake (She-ra) and a surprisingly effective sequel (Revelation), plus several previous sequels, reboots, adaptations… Not bad for a franchise designed to sell toys!

OTHERS

- Housamo: Chapter 8. 

Overlong to the point of exhaustion, but saved by the usual charming character interactions. Still, as it’s the end of volume one and the enormous build-up only leads to more buildup it is hard to keep interest in the story per se. 

BOOKS

MOVIES

- Clear and present danger. 

- The hunt for Red October.

Two adaptations of famous Tom Clancy bestsellers —not bad thrillers, deliver pretty much what they promise and little more. 

*