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.

The post Boys On Film Recommends: FEMME appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

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.

The post Boys On Film Recommends: Golden Delicious appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

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…

The post Boys On Film @ SXSW: National Anthem appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

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!

The post Boys On Film @ SXSW: Tetris appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

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.

The post Boys On Film @ SXSW: Air appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

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.

The post Boys On Film @ SXSW: John Wick Chapter 4 appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

In this Boys On Film review, Phil, Raj and Sean take on one of BFI Flare’s important documentary film selections with Mama Gloria.

From IMDB: Chicago’s Black transgender icon Gloria Allen blazed a trail for trans people like few others before her. Born in 1945, she grew up amid the celebrated Black “sissy” balls on Chicago’s South Side and transitioned after high school with the love and support of the women in her family.

Know your herstory children. Mama Gloria was there before RuPaul’s Drag Race and not even Mama Ru can hold a match to Gloria.

If you love a good talking head documentary like we do, Mama Gloria will deliver indeed. I hope in my older age, I can be even a quarter as charming and put together as Mama Gloria. 

Mama Gloria is still on the festival circuit, so check out the official website to find out the next online screening is taking place. Seek this film out kids – its worth your time.

New episodes of Boys on Film are released every week, so make sure to subscribe to Phil Marriott’s YouTube channel for updates.

For more EQ Music film and television reviews, check out our Film/TV channel right here on the site.

The post Boys On Film on BFI Flare: Mama Gloria appeared first on EQ Music Blog.