leebutler Review

The Batman (2022) – It’s A Riddle

Released: 3rd March
Seen: 10th March

The Batman Info

When it comes to DC, they really seem to have a problem when it comes to this whole cinematic universe thing. Actors don’t want to stick around (in some cases, understandably considering how they’re treated), stories don’t line up and their big attempt to do “Marvel, but edgy” blew up so badly that it’s going to necessitate The Flash movie to effectively wipe the slate clean so they can try again.

Of course, that movie’s been delayed several times but they have decided to make a thing out of letting auteur directors do darker one-off stories with some of their characters. They did this previously with Joker, now they’re doing it with The Batman and of the two I have to say, this Batman does a lot better than his clown prince counterpart did.

Continue reading “The Batman (2022) – It’s A Riddle” →
leebutler Review

Cyrano (2022) – Cyra-Yes

Released: 24th February
Seen: 6th March

Cyrano Info

In 1897, playwright Edmond Rostand wrote Cyrano de Bergerac which would supposedly tell the life story of the real Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac. This play has been adapted several times since its creation, not only straight forward adaptations but even inspiring films such as The Ugly Truth or Sierra Burgess Is A Loser. Throughout the years there have also been several attempts to adapt this play into a stage musical, including one in 2019 that starred Peter Dinklage in the title role. It’s that adaptation that was turned into Cyrano, a film that was stunningly only nominated for one Oscar this year (but we’ll get to why that’s stunning in a little bit).

Continue reading “Cyrano (2022) – Cyra-Yes” →
leebutler Review

The Retreat (2022) – Bloody Interesting

Seen as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival

The Retreat Info

When it comes to queer horror stories, it’s sad to say there aren’t as many as there probably should be. What ones there are either have queer subtext without actual gay characters (Hi Nightmare on Elm Street 2), are problematic as hell (Hi Sleepaway Camp) or actually feature gay characters in a gay storyline (Hi Hellbent). That last one is a lot rarer but can be interesting if done right. Enter The Retreat, a film that uses the horrors of homophobia to tell a story that works on occasion, but also really fumbles the great idea it has.

Continue reading “The Retreat (2022) – Bloody Interesting” →
leebutler Review

Rebel Dykes (2022) – Queen’s Of My World

Seen as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival

Rebel Dykes Info

Britain in the 1980s was not exactly the best place to be openly gay, indeed it was one fraught with difficulty that would culminate in the introduction of Section 28 in 1988, a law that banned the “Promotion of homosexuality” which is basically legal jargon for “Get back in the closet, you queers!”. One group that was not about to take this lying down was a commune of leather-clad lesbians known as Rebel Dykes. They were already a group that was at the forefront of sexual liberation and self-expression but when the time came to fight for their rights, the Rebel Dykes got on their bikes and showed the world that they weren’t going to let something like Section 28 hold them back. This film is all about their gloriously hilarious and dramatic story.

Continue reading “Rebel Dykes (2022) – Queen’s Of My World” →
leebutler Review

No Straight Lines: The History of Queer Comics (2022) – Line Up

Seen as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival

no straight lines info

The history of Comic books is long and strange and full of fascinating stories. Sure most people think of comics and jump straight to the Superhero genre that has overtaken popular culture lately but there’s also the stories of Horror comics and how the industry tried to regulate them out of existence, or the stories of underground comics that embraced the weird and the drug-induced. Well, in the documentary No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics, the story being focused on is… well, the history of queer comics, it’s right there in the title.

Continue reading “No Straight Lines: The History of Queer Comics (2022) – Line Up” →
leebutler Review

Being Bebe (2022) – She Brings It To You Every Ball!

Seen as part of the Mardi Gras Film Festival

Being Bebe Info

The year was 2009 and on a barely watched network called Logo a TV series called RuPaul’s Drag Race aired. The first season was cheap, filmed just around the regular offices with a makeshift stage and a prize of $20,000 but it still captured serious attention, in particular, everyone couldn’t help but be fascinated by one particular queen. She was regal, she was powerful, she commanded the stage with a presence that oozed from the screen every time she was on it. That queen’s name was Bebe Zahara Benet and she was the first winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race and in her documentary Being Bebe, you get to learn just what made her into the absolute icon she truly is.

Continue reading “Being Bebe (2022) – She Brings It To You Every Ball!” →