If there is one film you need to see this week, it’s FEMME.

I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this SXSW original short film go from accolade-to-accolade to not-surprisingly being turned into a feature film. Last week I got to review the film with my fellow Boys On Film critics Phil Marriott and Sean Vickers and here is what we unpacked, which so far, has been my favorite film review to wax poetic on.

From IMDB: FEMME follows Jules, who is targeted in a horrific homophobic attack, destroying his life and career. Some time after that event he encounters Preston, one of his attackers, in a gay sauna. He wants revenge.

I can’t stress how great FEMME is. LGBTQ+ storytelling has come a long way and it’s nice to witness this angle of storytelling being represented so flawlessly through the rising talent of co-directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping – a filmmaking duo who are ones to be reckoned with. The cast is anchored with solid and strong lead performances from emerging actors George Mackay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett whose chemistry on-screen is undeniable.

My sincerest hope is that considering the differences of the original short film and the feature length-film, a new queer universe in FEMME can be launched as FEMME could be the new Queer As Folk television event that we need right now.

Here’s the trailer…

FEMME is released tomorrow in theatres. Don’t wait for it to hit streaming, seek it out and get lost in this incredible story which will have you riveted until the credits roll.

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When it comes to great LGBTQ+ film, you know that Boys On Film has got you covered. Phil Marriott and Raj Rudolph had a chance to preview Golden Delicious recently and the verdict is in – it’s one to watch!

From IMDB: When basketball-obsessed Aleks moves across the street, Asian-Canadian teen Jake finds himself trying out for the basketball team to get his attention in this classic coming-of-age drama in the digital age.

In terms of Asian representation in gay film, Golden Delicious makes a lot of strides. Although a bit predictable in places when it comes to your classic boy coming out in high school storyline, this film has a lot of heart, captures a lovely sentiment and focuses on an entire family and friend group coming together to support young Jake in one of life’s most trying circumstances.

Bravo Peccadillo Pictures and director Jason Karman for championing another great gay film.

We highly recommend Golden Delicious and if you’re interested, you can check it out on first run digital media on Amazon Prime.

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Your trusty Boys On Film – Phil Marriott and Raj Rudolph (moi) did the BFI London Film Festival again this year and our first review is from one of our favorite directors Richard Linklater.

We simply couldn’t miss this one.

HIT MAN is an American action comedy film co-produced and directed by Linklater and starring Glen Powell, both of whom wrote the screenplay based on the 2001 Texas Monthly magazine article of the same name by Skip Hollandsworth.

When I tell you this “strange-but-kinda-true” film is unexpectedly funny – I mean it. I didn’t have much expectations going into this one, but by the time I left, I was smiling ear-to-ear.

So without further ado, here’s our in-depth review of HIT MAN.

Not sure when HIT MAN comes out, but go see it – streaming or in theatres, it’s a good time – especially if you like a bit of dark comedy.

From IMDB: Gary Johnson is the most sought-after professional killer in New Orleans. To his clients, he is like something out of a movie: the mysterious gun for hire. But if you pay him to rub out a cheating spouse or an abusive boss, you’d better watch your back he works for the cops. When he breaks protocol to help a desperate woman trying to flee an abusive husband, he finds himself becoming one of his false personas, falling for the woman and flirting with turning into a criminal himself.

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From IMBD:

A 21-year-old construction worker in New Mexico joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.

When that is the synopsis of the film, you know it immediately gets put to the top of my must-see list. So, very appropriately, National Anthem was the very first film I got to see at SXSW this year.

All I can say is that this magical little slice of cinema is a pure delight. Charlie Plummer can do no wrong in my book. I became an instant fan of his in Lean On Pete, so to see him lead this insanely talented troupe of queer and trans actors was a joyous thing to witness. Cowboy hats off to the director Luke Gilford on having his first feature debut at SXSW too. I see a bright future for this daring new director and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next.

Peep our Boys On Film review below…

But wait, there’s more!

Although I don’t quite know if there is an official trailer out for this film yet, there is this great cast interview from The Hollywood Reporter to tide you over until we get that first trailer drop.

Watch out for this one LGBTQ+ film fans, this movie is a compelling look at the importance of chosen family and how community ultimately plays a fundamental part in who and what we are as humans…

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If you thought Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were just some corporate snack creation, you my friend are wrong. Flamin’ Hot tells the true story of Frito Lay janitor Richard Montañez and is the directorial debut of Eva Longoria.

Flamin’ Hot by far was one of my favorite movies as SXSW this year and I can’t wait for you all to experience this feel-good, comedic fresh take by this mostly Latino cast and crew, heralded together by your favorite desperate housewife and mine, Eva Longoria.

Peep our Boys On Film review below…

I love this movie so much and can’t wait to see it again either in cinemas or on a streaming service. Bravo to SXSW and the Film & TV festival for programming such a delightful, inclusive and relevant film this year. To give you a better feel for what to expect with Flamin’ Hot, here’s a clip…

But wait, there’s more!

Check out this interview from The Hollywood Reporter with Eva Longoria and the cast!

The post Boys On Film @ SXSW: Flamin’ Hot appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Who knew a movie about the addictive little video game Tetris would make such a smash hit of a film? Certainly not me! But I have to say, that when I first saw the trailer for Tetris on Apple TV+ I was intrigued.

Peep our Boys On Film review below…

Tetris proves that Apple TV is committed to high quality content that delivers on the level on HBO Originals. Taron Egerton gives the performance of his life as lead actor in this “stranger than fiction” true life story.

Stream this movie now. You won’t be disappointed. Here’s the trailer.

And because we love all things Tetris, make sure to check out the single from the film from K-pop girl group aespa called “Hold On Tight” which perfectly soundtracks the intensity of a thrill ride Tetris truly is.

But wait, there’s more!

Check out the red carpet footage from the Tetris premiere at SXSW below!

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If there was a theme to this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival, it definitely was the story of “products”.

From the story of the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, to the Blackberry and even the cloak and dagger escapades of the creation of Tetris – SXSW knows what is going to capture the zeitgeist in 2023.

I was lucky enough to get into Air, the closing night film of SXSW this year and let me tell you – it’s an absolute gem of a film. Being able to be in the room with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Jason Bateman and the rest of the insanely talented cast was such a treat – I’ll never forget it.

Peep my review below…

Directed by Ben Affleck, Air is probably the greatest product marketing story ever told about the greatest basketball shoes ever made by the legend, Michael Jordan.

Correction: And yes, I’m fully aware I made a mistake in saying that it’s being distributed by Apple TV, I had Tetris on the brain. But hey, you try seeing 20 movies in 10 days and then wake up at 9am to do reviews. The exhausted look on my face and my puffy eyes says it all.

Air is being distributed through Amazon, hitting cinemas first, but expect this drop on Amazon Prime Video sometime soon after it’s cinema run.

Need more convincing to go see this in the cinema? Here’s the trailer.

Peep the red carpet footage of the stars on premiere night. You might even catch a glimpse of me making my way into the cinema. LOL.

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OK EQ Music family, I think I’m finally ready to start reviewing films after spending three weeks away from home, catching as many SXSW and BFI Flare films as I could this year.

And I do have to say, SXSW 2023 certainly had a lot of surprises.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all (and probably my favorite SXSW moment of all time) was being rewarded with an advance screening of John Wick Chapter 4 with Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski introducing the movie and sticking around for a lively Q&A afterwards.

In this Boys On Film review, we discuss the process of getting into these SXSW “special presentations”, why watching Keanu Reeves kick-ass for almost 3 hours is great escape therapy and what the future might hold for the John Wick franchise. Is it the end of an era?

But wait, there’s more…

Here’s the complete Q&A from SXSW – if you’re a fan of John Wick or a mega-fan of Keanu Reeves, you’re gonna wanna watch this footage as it’s the perfect accompaniment to this amazing action film.

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Hello my fabulous Electroqueers. Donut judge me, but it’s been quite a few months since I’ve done some random rants, but fuck me – a lot has been going on! I bought a new (and might I say FABULOUS) 2-bed/2bath flat and moved back to London over New Years, I’ve had some medical issues (don’t worry, I’m A-OK and alive and kicking), I’ve had covid a few times (join the club right?), travelled all over the States and Spain (not for debauchery of course), produced an EQ Music Live show with Myylo and somehow fell in love again and found myself in a long-distance relationship.

The adventures never stop, but here goes another attempt to revive my random rants again…

Oh and BTW – is anyone else going bankrupt trying to buy all these concert tickets lately? ABBA, Pet Shop Boys, Greyson Chance, Harry Styles, a-ha…

She don’t want a big pill, she wants a Willow Pill

OMG wasn’t the finale of Rupaul’s Drag Race S14 spectacular?! It’s been the best finale I’ve seen in a long time. Big congrats to Willow Pill for snatching the crown. She was my favorite queen from the very beginning and deserved the win. Big up to Lady Camden as well who fought valiantly for her $50K first alternate prize. I’m just so happy that cuntesa Daya Betty didn’t win – I hope I never have to see her on my tv screen ever again.

“I Hate People” the Adam Joseph remix is on repeat.

Never a truer anthem for the ages has been produced.

I’m “A” fan of Charli XCX, not a “big” fan

Boys On Film watched Charli XCX’s documentary “Alone Together” at this year’s BFI Flare Film Festival. Needless to day, having worked with Charli XCX back in the day, I had some precise feelings around this documentary…

The big gay streaming binge…

Need something new to stream? Might I recommend “Minx” on HBO Max and “Heartstopper” on Netflix. Both delightful. One pushes the boundaries of how much (and how hard) everyday peen can be seen on the screen and the other one is just so sweet and innocent that it will melt your little gay heart – think of “Get Real” updated for the 20s.

In my case it makes my cold black heart turn just that little bit bluer…

The post Raj’s Random Rants: Willow Pill, Charli XCX, Minx and Heartstopper appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

You might have noticed our Boys On Film picks at SXSW this year in our previous post. Well, consider this a bonus post! There is so much good film content at SXSW that it’s hard to collectively agree on films, so I’ve put together a list of extra films from SXSW that I personally recommend in addition to our Boys On Film picks.

Please seek these films out when they make their way to you via on-demand or theatrical. I got quite a bit of joy from these features which consist of a short-to-feature film, a heartfelt indie crowd pleaser, a riveting documentary about a girl obsessed with dominos, the joyous biography of indie film legend Kevin Smith, a gripping drama about the aftermath of a school shooting and a bonus hot doc about donuts from last year’s festival which didn’t quite get the attention it deserved at the beginning of the pandemic.

Potato Dreams Of America

Hands down this is by far my favourite film at SXSW this year. Adapted from the critically-acclaimed short film Little Potato, which you can watch below, Potato Dreams Of America tells the true story of an American-obsessed gay Russian boy who dreams of going to America and living his best gay life. This film is adorably cute and funny and it’s so outrageous that this is is the true story of the director. Truth is stranger than fiction as they say. With great performances all-round including appearances from Lea DeLaria and Jonathan Bennett who plays Jesus Christ, Potato Dreams Of America is one film you won’t want to miss. Please give director Wes Hurley a huge round of applause here.

This film is so fresh, it doesn’t even have a trailer yet, but visit the website to learn more about it and watch Little Potato below as a pre-cursor to the feature film.

I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking)

Homeless Danny is skating through life – quite literally. However she’s a mom that will do whatever it takes to take care of her daughter and get her the apartment they deserve. Living in a tent off the highway, Danny spends the day doing delivery orders to make ends meet. Needless to say, she meets a cast of characters that try to stand in her way of achieving the goals she desires. This film is full of heart and I loved it. It’s sad and happy all at the same time and I hope I’m Fine (Thanks For Asking) gets some attention this year as it’s one of best selections from SXSW this year.

Lily Topples The World

Lily Hevesh is the domino toppling queen – no question about it. I literally knew nothing about her until I curiously watched this documentary. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this film. The film tells the story of Asian-American Lily who is as smart as a whip and throws away her advanced college ambitions to pursue being the face of domino toppling. She builds a brand empire online and now makes a living doing corporate events and YouTube videos all centered around her insane domino creations. She even has her own brand of dominos that she designed and developed with a toy company.

Lily Topples The World is an impressive documentary and right after watching it, you’ll want to buy a set of Havesh5 dominos and subscribe to her YouTube channel to see what she builds next…

Clerk

Make no mistake, I’m a big Kevin Smith fan, so to have a full documentary at SXSW about the indie film legend himself…let’s just say I was more than thrilled and was bursting with fruit flavor before I hit the play button. You might have thought that Kevin Smith led a charmed life after breakout indie hit Clerks established him as a name. Well, Clerks is just part of the story and this film delves into the hits and misses that Kevin Smith has had along the way in becoming a pop culture icon. It’s not always been a bed of roses. From his headline making recent heart attack to interviews with his closest friends and family, Clerk is a must-see if you are as fascinated by the jort-wearing mogul as I am.

The Fallout 

Wow – what a film! What can we say here other than The Fallout way exceeded our expectations. Telling the story of the aftermath of a school shooting and it’s effects on the survivors, The Fallout is one of the year’s best films in my opinion. With wonderful performances by Jenna Ortega and rising star Maddie Ziegler, this character piece film really delves deep behind the emotions that our young people feel after surviving trauma that often goes unnoticed to the rest of us after the CNN and Fox headlines fade away. To be honest, I was expecting a teen angst film here mostly, but what The Fallout delivers is a tour de force examination into the psyche of today’s teenagers who are taking the hits for one of the biggest systematic problems in America right now. Gun control needs to be on the forefront of everyone’s mind after watching this fantastic film. Bravo to the director Megan Park for making such a bold film.

The Donut King (SXSW 2020)

And a bonus film! Although The Donut King was not included in the 2021 SXSW Film lineup, it was in the 2020 set of films that many did not get to see due to the pandemic ruining a lot of the 2020 festival screenings. Janet Pearson and her team did the best they could to make some screenings available online in March 2020 and I was lucky enough to get to view The Donut King as part of that diverted plan. This wonderful documentary tells the story of an unassuming immigrant named Ted Ngoy who built a donut empire that rivals the biggest donut chains including Dunkin Donuts, Winchells and Krispy Creme. You’ve seen all those independent donut shops in strip malls right? But have you ever considered that most all of them have one thing in common in Ted Ngoy? Yeah, me neither. The Donut King is available to stream on-demand now and I highly suggest you watch this joyous rags-to-riches to rock bottom story. The Donut King is one of my favorite docs of the past few years and proves that if you have the ambition to achieve the American dream, you can do it and lose it.

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