Commentary Archives

The Great ‘Here Lies Love’ Divide: Filipino-Fronted Broadway Show Causes Mirrorball Rift In Culture

When it was announced that Here Lies Love was making its Broadway debut, I went from celebratory to awkward to questioning to "Now wait a goddamn minute here..." all within 60 seconds. Part of me wanted to go to the premiere of Here Lies Love in New York to celebrate...

‘Oppenheimer’ Cements “Troubled Woman Hanging Laundry On Clothesline” Trope Into Cinematic History

After watching Oppenheimer, I asked some friends, "Did we need that movie?" and it was a resounding "No" from the chorus. I agreed. I appreciate what Christopher Nolan's film did as a completed piece of cinematic work. It was remarkable to tell such a dense story and...

Five Days At The Tribeca Film Festival And All I Did Was Watch Documentaries

Film festivals are fun. They are also a lot of work and wildly exhausting (listen to the episode of Problematic Fave with Valerie Complex to hear us talk all about film festival life). Surprisingly, I have never been to the Tribeca Film Festival. It was my first time....

Feb 2023 3

Sundance Film Festival’s Great Return Included Queer Films, Non-Identity Focused Asian Films, Tons Of Good Docus And… Actual Fun

By Dino-Ray Ramos | Commentary, Featured, Film | 0 Comments

The last time I went to the Sundance, Film Festival we all returned to Los Angeles and three months later there was a global pandemic. After going virtual in 2021, Park City was about to open its doors for a 2022 in-person fest but COVID's edgier cousin Omicron...

Dec 2022 9

Relax, Relate, Release: After These Messages, We’ll Be Right Back

By Dino-Ray Ramos | Commentary, Culture | 1 Comment

I recently watched the classic episode of A Different World titled “Ex-Communication (a.k.a. Fiancée What?)” where the bad and boujee pioneer Whitley Gilbert (played by the iconic Jasmine Guy) goes to a therapist (the legendary Debbie Allen) to help navigate her...