The first season of “Love, Victor” offered a family-friendly journey out of the closet. Season 2 picks up right where Season 1 left off, as the protagonist, Victor (Michael Cimino), finally tells his family he’s gay. Life in the high school closet defined both the start of “Love, Victor” and “Love, Simon,” the cinematic inspiration for the show. So, without the fear of coming out hanging over its plot, where does “Love, Victor” go next?

Continue reading ‘Love, Victor’ Season 2 Is Ballsier And Better Than Ever [Review] at The Playlist.

When “Love, Simon,” Greg Berlanti’s rom-com about a closeted kid in Atlanta, debuted in 2018, it did so as the first-ever gay teen film from a major studio. As such, it had roughly 150 years of straight cinema (and centuries of LGBT existence) to measure up to, and many queer viewers found it lacking. For some, the titular Simon (Nick Robinson) felt like too mainstream a representation of gay life: too white, too middle-class, too mild-mannered.

Continue reading Hulu’s ‘Love, Victor’ Is A ‘Love, Simon’ Spin-off Brimming With Care And Charm [Review] at The Playlist.

It’s not often that a film gets the kind of renaissance that the late Michael Cimino‘s “Heaven’s Gate” had. The director, who passed away earlier this month, found late career appreciation for the film that bankrupted a studio, spent decades as the ultimate example directorial hubris gone awry, and more or less tarnished Cimino’s reputation for the rest of his years in the business. However, when the decision was made to finally give his director’s cut a proper polish and a new run on the big screen, the critical consensus on the movie shifted.

Continue reading Michael Cimino Says He Resisted Criterion Restoration Of ‘Heaven’s Gate’ For 10 Years & More In 32-Minute Talk From 2012 at The Playlist.

With the news of Michael Cimino’s passing, many people are going to revisit the award-winning director’s films. Best known for directing the classic “The Deer Hunter,” Michael Cimino also is responsible for one of the most controversial films in Hollywood history, “Heaven’s Gate.” The 1980 Western had one of the most tumultuous productions in modern times, and fortunately for movie fans, there’s a great documentary available to watch now that documents the production and its effect on the film industry that’s still felt to this day.

Continue reading 80-Minute ‘Final Cut: The Making And Unmaking of Heaven’s Gate’ Explores Michael Cimino’s Misunderstood Masterpiece at The Playlist.

KARLOVY VARY – Often when an actor wins a lifetime achievement honor, they can be somewhat prickly in discussing their career — especially for an actor where the insecurities over landing major roles never fade away. Speaking at a press conference celebrating his receiving the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival’s Crystal Globe for his contributions to world cinema, Willem Dafoe seemed overjoyed with the attention. And, frankly, can you blame him?

Continue reading Willem Dafoe Reflects On A Legendary Career: ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Justice League,’ Lars Von Trier And More at The Playlist.

This weekend, Hollywood lost a director who experienced the both the staggering highs and tremendous lows the industry can offer: “The Deer Hunter” and “Heaven’s Gate” director Michael Cimino has passed away.

Like many filmmakers, Cimino first cut his teeth in the world of commercials following his graduation from Yale. It was in that realm that he first started forging the exacting standards and strong visual approach that would mark his film work.

Continue reading R.I.P. ‘The Deer Hunter’ & ‘Heaven’s Gate’ Director Michael Cimino at The Playlist.