For too long, writer/director Carl Franklin’s neo-noir “Devil in a Blue Dress” existed as a little-known gem. Then two Blu-ray releases through Twilight Time and Kino brought the film to a new generation of cinephiles. Now, it’s finally been added to Criterion Collection as a Blu-ray and 4K release replete with illuminating supplementals. 

Why did a film starring a peak level of hotness, Denzel Washington, initially struggle to gain an audience?

Continue reading ‘Devil In A Blue Dress’: Carl Franklin On His Classic, Denzel Washington-Starring Noir Now On Criterion [Interview] at The Playlist.

There is a truth we all must accept: “The L Word” is not, in the classical sense, good. It is not prestige television, nor was it ever meant to be. Since 2004, “The L Word” universe has been one to which we have escaped seeing a cast of Sapphics talking, laughing, loving, breathing, fighting, fucking, etc. Even after 17 years, it is still the only ensemble lesbian drama on TV.

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Though “The L Word: Generation Q” is more understated than its foremother — where you are as likely to see a prestigious guest star as you are to see, say, a jilted ex committing arson — it is still essentially a high-production soap opera.

Continue reading ‘The L Word: Generation Q’ Season 2 Is A Soap Trying To Play It Straight [Review] at The Playlist.

“The L Word: Generation Q” cuts right to the chase, opening on a half-naked woman as she enjoys some pre-work cunnilingus with her girlfriend. The lovebirds, Sophie (Rosanny Zayas) and Dani (Arienne Mandi), make up half of the show’s titular Generation Q (as in queer), accompanied by their roommate Micah (Leo Sheng) and friend Finley (Jacqueline Toboni).

Continue reading ‘The L Word: Generation Q’ Is As Melodramatic & Manic As The Original, Thank Goddess [Review] at The Playlist.

PARK CITY — There are a lot of good things about Ry Russo-Young’s “Before I Fall,” which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday. Let’s quickly review them, shall we?

As a director, Russo-Young has a distinct vision and an impressive visual aesthetic. The cinematography is gorgeous and the production design is the height of Pacific Northwest white privilege. The soundtrack is on point.

Continue reading ‘Before I Fall’ Is A Stylish ‘Groundhog Day’ With YA Movie Life Lessons [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.

“Groundhog Day” remains the shining cinematic example of the (comedic) horror of living the same day over and over and over again. But for teenagers, where each twenty-four hours can play out like dramatic epic, the idea of reliving a heightened twenty-fours might seem terrifying, but that’s what “Before I Fall” dives into.

Based on the book by Lauren Oliver, this is a YA movie bringing a slightly different flavor, with indie director Ry Russo-Young (“You Won’t Miss Me,” “Nobody Walks”) behind the camera for the story that follows Sam who relives the day she dies, over and over.

Continue reading It’s YA ‘Groundhog Day’ In New Trailer For Ry Russo-Young’s ‘Before I Fall’ Starring Zoey Deutch & Halston Sage at The Playlist.

'A Monster Calls' For Liam Neeson, Evan Rachel Wood Is 'Facing The Wind' With Joe Berlinger & More

Continue reading ‘A Monster Calls’ For Liam Neeson, Evan Rachel Wood Is ‘Facing The Wind’ With Joe Berlinger & More at The Playlist.

Daniel Craig Wants 'The Whole Truth,' Felicity Jones Falls For 'Rosaline,' Adrien Brody Hears 'Manhattan Nocture' & More

Continue reading Daniel Craig Wants ‘The Whole Truth,’ Felicity Jones Falls For ‘Rosaline,’ Adrien Brody Hears ‘Manhattan Nocture’ & More at The Playlist.

Continue reading Genesis Rodriguez To Star Opposite Paul Walker In ‘Hours’; Jennifer Beals To Produce & Topline ‘Lord Of Vinyl’ at The Playlist.