"Weapons" Starts the School Year Right

by Nick Taylor

     Have y’all seen Zach Creggar’s new film Weapons, the breakout hit of this past weekend and the most recent evidence this year that Horror Is Back? You and I know both know horror has been back, and arguably never left to begin with. But in a very real, almost metaphysical sense, just because something has always been here doesn’t mean it can’t also be Back. Weapons proves this, not always a fresh or streamlined experience but an endlessly compelling one, especially in a crowded movie theater.

     Weapons begins with the narration of an unnamed, unseen young girl (Scarlett Sher), telling the audience we’re about to be told a story so weird and disturbing it was kept out of the news by the police. You can probably imagine the tone in which the girl says this, like she’s telling you a really crazy secret you gotta promise you’re cool enough to hear about before she gets started. Spoilers follow after the jump, so if you’re a cool cat, come with me into this basement . . . .

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Drag Race RuCap: “Drag Baby Mamas”

GET OUT 2 will star Onya Nurve. Start polishing the Oscar.

CLÁUDIO ALVES: It’s no secret that I don’t tend to like makeover challenges on RuPaul’s Drag Race and that the last few episodes of season 17 have led to a crescendo of grumpiness on my part. So, everything was stacked against “Drag Baby Mamas,” as far as I’m concerned. But surprise surprise, this was a rather lovely hour of reality TV, so sweet as to give you a cavity yet assembled with enough brio to develop the competition’s main characters in interesting ways. It felt raw and earnest in a way we rarely get on this program, whose manicured sentimentality usually trumps much-desired authenticity. And we even got to see Law Roach thirst over Onya’s dad which was the most relatable he’s ever been. Agree or disagree? 

NICK TAYLOR: I really liked it! Compared to how good the episode was at the level of pure characterization and emotional honesty between the queens and their parents, the actual challenge was kind of a letdown. I am reminded of one of Dawn’s many tweets from a few weeks ago saying how although season 16 had better drag, season 17 has been an even bigger serve as reality television, and she’s right on the money...

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Streaming: "Grace and Frankie" Walk Off Into The Sunset

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin say goodbye to "Grace and Frankie" after seven seasons on Netflix.By: Christopher James

Grace and Frankie was designed in a lab to be perfect comfort TV before bed. Living legends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have delivered elevated TV-Land-without-censors gold for 94 episodes over seven seasons. Unfortunately, the time has come for our titular odd couple to say goodbye, making Grace and Frankie the longest running Netflix show of all time. 

Even after all this time, our favorite ladies have kept it fresh and fun until the very end. Grace and Frankie never set out to reinvent the wheel. However, they earn points for consistency as they keep things funny and emotional all the way to the bitter (and star studded) end. We’ll miss seeing Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on our screens regularly. However, the show is charming and lighthearted enough to be the perfect rewatchable comfort food...

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Interview: Grace & Frankie's Emmy-nominated costume designers

by Nathaniel R

One of the most satisfying moments of Emmy nomination morning was the contemporary costume nomination for Grace & Frankie. The Netflix sitcom starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin is hot off its third and best season. The writers and creative team seem to know the characters and their interpersonal dynamics, in and out at this point. That intimacy is abundanctly evidence in the terrific costuming. Until the television Academy split off their costume design category into period and contemporary, their was little opportunity for designers who specialize in contemporary clothing to be honored no matter how strong their work - exceptions like Sex and the City were all too rare.

I had the opportunity to discuss Grace & Frankie's worthy and vibrant work with its three nominees Allyson B Fanger the costume designer, Heather Pain, her assistant costume designer, and Lori DeLapp the costume supervisor. Their overlapping answers, despite their separate duties, and light ribbing over the abundance of statement piece jewelry worn by Frankie were ample evidence that they're totally in synch.

That's true whether or not their subjects Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) are seeing eye to eye in any given episode...

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