SXSW: Lily Gladstone in ‘The Unknown Country’

By Abe Friedtanzer

It’s a rare occasion when a film ends up being more interesting than it sounds. The official synopsis for The Unknown Country, which is screening in the Visions program at SXSW and includes “experimental” and “hybrid” in its list of genres, describes a “largely solitary journey with an unknown destination.” But that’s merely a comment on the geographical nature of the trip its protagonist, Tana (Lily Gladstone) is on, and this film does manage to successfully blend together a number of styles for an intoxicating and positively disorienting experience… 

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"Introducing" Best Supporting Actor debut roles

by Nathaniel R

Kodi Smit-McPhee in his film debut. Getting a foot rub from his first screen mother, Franka Potente

With just a little over a week until Oscar night, we thought it would be fun to look at the official debuts of all the acting nominees. We previously witnessed baby Kirsten Dunst and a 29 year-old Judi Dench as well as the actresses that haven't been working that long in movies but made quick splashes. Today's Best Supporting Actor honorees have all been in the movies for a good while now. Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit McPhee were professional child actors but Ciarán Hinds, Troy Kotsur, and JK Simmons all got their first movie roles well into adulthood. We'll take them in the chronological order of their debuts to see the very first time they appeared on the big screen...

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SXSW: Dreaming of Space in ‘Linoleum’

By Abe Friedtanzer

Not all comedians can excel at drama, and those who do it best tend to achieve a middle ground that allows them to maintain some elements of their typical routines but fold them into a compelling serious turn. There are many successful examples, including Robin Williams and Mary Tyler Moore. Jim Gaffigan has dabbled in drama before, with a particularly memorable performance in Light from Light opposite the underrated Marin Ireland. It turns out he’s just the right person to anchor Linoleum, a film that mixes science fiction, family issues, and outright oddities…

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Dorian Awards doubles up on its winners and 'Flee' takes four prizes

by Nathaniel R

The Society for LGBTQ Entertainment Journalists (a few of us at Team Experience are members) have voted. The society has chosen the following films, marked with a ★ as the best of 2021. Unfortunately, there was a LOT of doubling up on prizes rather than spreading the wealth: Ariana deBose, Jane Campion, and Pedro Almodóvar each won two awards and Flee won four times. Argh. You know how your host here feels about spreading the wealth. Anyway, can you feel the season wrapping up? Voting is underway and the last burst of awardage is over the next few days with the Oscars on the 27th. The winners are after the jump...

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Best Shot Choices & The Best Actress Race -- Romancing the Stone (1984)

Our film title this week on Hit Me With Your Best Shot was in response to the soon-to-open Sandra Bullock/Channing Tatum vehicle The Lost City. More on that one later but for now if you've never seen its kickoff inspiration, 80s classic Romancing the Stone, that's streaming on HBOMax. Here are the Best Shot choices from seven participants to celebrate this fabulous adventure romcom. Plus some thoughts on the 1984 Best Actress race since we always go to BEST ACTRESS... 

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