Drag Race RuCap: "LalapaRuza Smackdown Reunited"

Let Bruno's behind bless you with its beauty.

CLÁUDIO ALVES: Like last year, the LalapaRuza Smackdown is a season highlight. The format is simple enough, but it works because it puts drag skills at the forefront while also allowing for a pseudo-reunion that’s more about celebrating artistry in a sisterly way rather than airing out insecurities and the same old mess as before. For season 17, the producers were extra smart, shooting this lip sync extravaganza after most episodes had aired, allowing for growth and the queens’ honest reactions to how they’ve been portrayed and received. If the battles weren’t as spectacular as what we got with Megami, Morphine, and company, the final result was enough to make up for whatever deficiencies the reality TV hour might have had. The right person won, and the entire thing was edited around her journey across three drag duels. So, by the end, you really felt a sense of closure, of victory, of the best that Drag Race can offer.

NICK TAYLOR: It was such a fun episode! You’re not wrong exactly about no one topping last season’s LaLaPaRuZa finale, and nobody brought the drama of a surprise narrative like Megami, but the sheer quality of performance from almost everyone was so delightful to watch. A few of these battles could have been double shantays, which I wouldn’t say about almost any of the season 16 matchups. And fuck, everyone looked great...

Click to read more ...

Who deserves Emmy nominations from The Pitt?

by Cláudio Alves

THE PITT | © Max

Have you been Pitt-pilled? I have fallen in love with the Max original series about a single extended shift at a Pittsburgh ER that spans fifteen hours of near-real-time storytelling. It's old-fashioned and not especially high-concept, a bit preachy but balanced with feeling, interspersed character studies within a professional setting that leans on bloody melodrama without ever toppling away from medical and labor realities. A critical and popular hit, the series is well poised to dominate the next Emmy Awards, prompting many questions about what honors it'll get and, perhaps more interestingly, what it deserves. When it comes to the cast, these matters are particularly tough since the show relies so heavily on its actors' ensemble dynamics, from The Pitt's main doctors to patients who only show up for a couple of episodes.

Following Nathaniel's example with The White Lotus, I propose a vote to see what the readership thinks. But, of course, I need to add some commentary of my own…

Click to read more ...

Now Available to Rent: "Paddington in Peru" and "Novocaine"

by Nathaniel R

Herewith belated reflections on a couple of titles from the first quarter that are now rentable. We meant to cover them at the time of theatrical release but we had writers block then. Oopsie. If you've seen them, do sound off.

NOVOCAINE
When I showed up at the critics screening of this action comedy, an old journalist acquaintance of mine said to me "I haven't seen you in forever! This is what brought you back out?" I may have been being called out for jumping off the hamster wheel of the tenuous writer's life but, also, it's a valid question...

Click to read more ...

Cannes 2025: Ducournau returns and Spike Lee plays Out of Competition

by Cláudio Alves

HIGHEST 2 LOWEST will bring Denzel Washington to Cannes for the first time since 1993.

Thierry Frémaux and company have announced the 78th Cannes Film Festival lineup, with many familiar faces returning to the Main Competition. Former Palme d'Or victors Julia Ducournau and the Dardenne brothers are back in the race, while Golden Bear champion Carla Simón will present her first feature since Alcarràs took Berlin by storm. Speaking of the German fest, Richard Linklater just directed Andrew Scott to an award there and will now bow his Nouvelle Vague at the Croisette. Juliette Binoche will preside over the jury to decide these filmmakers' fates, but we're still awaiting updates regarding the other jurors.

Our own Elisa Giudici will be on the ground covering the fest for The Film Experience as she's been doing for the past few years. I'll try to offer another edition of Cannes at Home for those battling cinephile FOMO. In any case, here's the full Main Competition slate Elisa will be considering in a month's time…

Click to read more ...

"Captain America: Brave New World" Or, When Will Marvel Turn Things Around?

by Nathaniel R

Benjamin Franklin famously quipped "in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." We might add "...and new installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" to that shortlist. Especially since Captain America Brave New World arrives for digital rental/purchase on tax day itself, Tuesday April 15th next week. Unfortunately the new film is taxing and not to die for. On Valentine's Weekend when the film opened, I was in Pittsburgh (long story). I never regret seeing movies but I most definitely regretted splurging for an uber to get to a suburban multiplex because it happened to be opening weekend. For this, really? What was the rush? 

Click to read more ...