In 2016, we visited Filmoteca Española (Spanish Cinematheque) in search of information for a research project on the documentary film Rocío, which had been censored in the early 1980s. Among the materials deposited in its warehouses 260 rolls of 16mm negative film were kept. They were the outtakes from the editing, footage that was left out of the final version. The forgotten images of a banned film come to life on the screen after 40 years.
The “gay best friend”, an age-old trope, has been done in countless films and television series. Ranging from one-note (Sex and the City's Stanford and Mario) to nuanced (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Tituss), the gay best friend exists to support and advise the main protagonist, with their conflicts swept to the side.
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.
Intergenerational friendships and community can be so powerful, and this was a great example.
Disney has long since had a reputation for creating underwhelming sequels. Is Zootopia 2 any different?
All in all, “Event Horizon” is a cinematic misfire, begging to be perfected in the future. While it possesses an array of admirable visuals, the film leaves much to be desired. If only we could see Anderson’s preferred cut, which featured more character development and tortuous imagery. In the meantime, I have a catchphrase for this film: In space no one can hear you snore.
Hawkeye episode 3 has arrived and it feels like we’re finally getting started! This episode features the debut of Maya Lopez aka Echo, a Deaf Indigenous hero with a prosthetic!
