Articles

Despite its glaring flaws, First Girl I Loved is not entirely undeserving of a watch. For people who can handle the more difficult aspects of the story and graphic scenes, it is worth looking into. It’s not a film worthy of rewatch, but it may still resonate somewhat with those who need a story like this. It is a genuine, if flimsy attempt at a coming-of-age tale. Were the film to be directed by someone with experiences more similar to Anne, it would likely be more powerful–as it is, it feels like a man’s perspective of what it means to come to terms with your identity as a lesbian. 

(Disclaimer: Harmful Language) In celebration of Father’s Day and father figures (and whoever supports you), I revisit Moonlight’s brief but spectacular character, Juan. With overarching themes tied to masculinity, I reexamine his intimacy with Little.

Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse has everything a movie director from the 80’s could wish.

In Ritendra Datta’s ghostly short, The Dark Circle, geometry ends up being more than sacred — but rather an explanation on how to fix your life. The film hides a compelling mystery deep within the external struggle for balance that can drive a person to the brink of madness. The psychological thriller is carefully detailed, […]

Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is over, but that doesn’t mean discussion about it has stopped. One of the most controversial characters on the show that’s still stirring up discourse is John Walker. Many have debated his morality online: Is he a hero, a villain, an anti-hero?

Two Distant Strangers (2020) centers around Carter James (Joey Bada$$) as he tries to get back home to his pitbull, Jeter, after spending a night at the apartment of his date Perri (Zaria Simone). What gets in the way of Carter reuniting with his dog is that every time he tries to leave Perri’s apartment,  he is killed by police and wakes up back in her bed in a never-ending cycle. It addresses the issue of police brutality which rightly has been in the public eye more and more with the unjust deaths caused at the hands of law enforcement.

Let’s dive into a hot new series that has already been confirmed for a second season! Netflix’s Bridgerton, adapted by Shonda Rhimes, was a hit as soon as it was released. Julia Quinn was the original author of the eight book series. Season two of Bridgerton will be centered around Anthony’s love life and how […]

When science, Bruce Banner is exposed to gamma radiation from his experiment, he transforms into a gigantic green monster when he gets angry and wreaks havoc wherever he goes.

In case you were running a little low on optimism this week, In the Heights starring Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace and Corey Hawkins will lift your spirits so sky-high, you’ll be dancing as you walk down the street.  Inciting goosebumps from its opening number onward, this electrifying film follows a cast of young […]

In Saudi Arabia, a little girl (Wadjda) is told she can’t have a bike because she’s a girl. Wadjda struggles to obtain a bicycle to race her friend, Abdullah, due to the gender inequality and cultural norms of Saudi Arabia.

After the 2018 surprising hit “A Quiet Place” brought something fresh to the horror genre, the announcement of a sequel may have been disappointing to some. A lot of the time, a sequel to an already successful movie is no where near as good as the original. Yet, John Krasinski once again shows that he’s much more than Jim from The Office.

If you mix religious rituals with dark mythology, the result will be effective, and the story powerful in 90% of the cases. That is exactly what happens at the beginning of The Vigil.

Disney+ recently released six short films entitled the “Launchpad” collection in which diverse directors tell diverse stories. These shorts are exactly the kind of films we here at Incluvie want to see more of. These are stories of intersectionality, inclusion, and diversity. And every short stars a cluvie!

“Up” features one of Pixar’s few Asian-American heroes and explores the institutionalized hardships elderly people face. Also, Dug is a good boy.

It’s easy to dismiss Joel and Ethan Coen for writing from the world they build from outside the box of overarching Hollywood stereotypes, but their inability to compromise their collective vision is precisely what makes the simplistic nature of their world-building and characters so brilliant. It’s also what led Fargo to collect seven Oscar nominations and two wins for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Frances McDormand’s brilliant portrayal of the sincere, motherly detective whose wholesome demeanor seizes the day over the selfishness, corruption and evil of the men who don’t comprehend that there’s more to life than a little money.

The social issues The Half of it takes on are handled well, between the antagonization brought on to Ellie for her race and the conflict that arises from her being gay. Both aspects of her character are built up over the course of the film and don’t seem abrupt or rushed. The film shows racism towards Ellie and her and father in varying levels, from having her schoolmates specifically address her as “Chinese girl” to the fore mentioned way her Dad is treated due to language barriers. The same can be said about Ellie being a lesbian. While she never truly “comes out” in the narrative, that does not undermine her journey of self-discovery from being meaningful. These ideas aren’t thrust upon the viewer in a preachy manor, the scenarios that occur feel believable given the rural setting. The film presents watchers with problems whom those like Ellie may face, and leaves us to sit with them and reflect.

On top of the phenomenal acting, and great dialogue between the two characters, the cinematography was ravishing! The sound was outstanding! The production design was simple, yet intrinsic. The minimalistic approach in the Malibu beach house represented how little they really have going on in their relationship. The storyline may have been much simpler than “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf,”  but all the more insightful, and much more animalistic at its core.

A complex, realistic, and loving mother-daughter relationship is at the heart of this story about Black pageants and the fight for a better future.

We have a long way to go with LGBT representation in film, especially when it comes to LGBT characters of color and trans characters.

The gentle, emotional nuances of Evan’s coming-of-age story would have been so beneficial to have incorporated into the life of a POC character. Showing a Black, Asian or Latino young man that is afforded the space to be vulnerable, flawed and sensitive while driving a compelling and widely-loved narrative would have been a game changer.

World-famous drag queen Trixie Mattel shares a year of her life with the world in this vulnerable and uplifting documentary.