Review: Horror comedy ‘SUMMONING SYLVIA’ has heart and hilarity to spare.

SUMMONING SYLVIA

Written and directed by Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse, the horror comedy SUMMONING SYLVIA is ridiculous and absolutely fabulous. Three friends kidnap their engaged bestie Larry for a bachelor weekend in a haunted house. The property’s history, and a witchy book of spells, call for a seance. Duh. The group summons the former owner and her son to find out what happened to them. Things get extra spooky when the groom-to-be’s future military brother-in-law shows up. It’s not just the spirits causing trouble. (pun intended)

Magnificent editing from Sara Corrigan keeps the audience on its toes. We jump through time in a single pan of the camera. Bravo to the choreography in these particular scenes. Makeup and costumes from both eras are fantastic. The dialogue is so quippy. It’s fun, heartfelt, and surprisingly deep.

The cast’s chemistry is spectacular. Michael Urie is Jamie, Larry’s fiance. He’s the most down-to-earth of the bunch, with the better part of his screen time in sequences over the phone. Urie can do no wrong in my book. Veanne Cox is Sylvia. Her performance is frightening and downright brilliant. I would watch a stand-alone film on her character.

Noah J. Ricketts is Kevin, the dimmest bulb in the group. His relentlessly horny energy is a fun addition. Opposites attract in this friend group. Troy Iwata is Reggie, the type A of the group. Reggie’s meticulously planned itinerary gets wrecked with the appearance of the very straight Harrison. Iwata’s annoyed bitchy attitude (and rightfully so) made me love him even more.

Nicholas Logan plays Harrison. His overtly masculine energy, physical discomfort, and aggressive nature are a perfect foil for our four friends. His aura forces the audience to take stock of microaggressions and outright bigotry. Logan handles the distasteful behavior like a champ, and Harrison’s arch is a nuanced breath of fresh air.

Frankie Grande as Nico and Travis Coles as Larry are hysterical. Grande’s every beat is delicious. I found my eye seeking him in each frame, and he did not disappoint. He fills every possible moment with specificity, I guffawed. Coles brings mother energy and fierceness like no other. I wanted to have drinks and karaoke with him immediately. I am requesting a Grande-Coles buddy comedy asap.

SUMMONING SYLVIA is one of the funniest queer films of the year. As a theatre girl, I was in my element. I knew these characters. The film’s climax has a dual purpose that beautifully mirrors life and the afterlife. The finale is celebratory. Do not miss this hell of a good time.


Summoning Sylvia Opens in Theaters March 31, 2023
Broadway Stalwarts Wesley Taylor & Alex Wyse
Make Feature Directorial Debut with LGBTQ Horror Comedy
Starring Michael Urie, Veanne Cox, and Frankie Grande
Opens in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Glendale
Also Opens in New York City and Other Major Markets
 
Available on Cable VOD and Digital HD
Starting April 7 from The Horror Collective

Review: ‘THE JINKX AND DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL’ is my newest holiday tradition.

THE JINKX AND DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Created by and starring drag superstars BenDeLaCreme & Jinkx Monsoon, “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special” is the story of two queens who set out to create a classic Christmas TV variety show, but just can’t agree on how.


If you like involuntary fits of maniacal laughter, look no further than The Jinkx and DeLa’s Holiday Special this December. Listen, Christmas and camp go together like eggnog and arguing with your crazy uncle over dinner. Ah, the holidays.

These two magnificent drag stars are the perfect pairing in personality and visual aesthetic. BenDelaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are two of my favorite performers. If you know the drag world, they are household names. DeLa is perky sunshine personified while Jinkx is more dark, tawdry, and sardonic. Their comic timing is a thing of the gods. The overall mid-century vibe that these two carry with their brand works in tandem with the classic holiday specials from Bing Crosby and friends. As someone who grew up in Connecticut, the regional-specific jokes are spot on. Everything just works in spectacular fashion.

The Jinkx and DeLa’s Holiday Special is a celebration of inclusivity, told through the destruction of the ridiculousness that is Christianity, and damnit, it is chef’s kiss. The musical numbers are friggin bops. These ladies have the pipes to back them up. The lyrics are snarky, innuendo-filled treats. And, my god, the decadent costumes are delicious. Does The Jinkx and DeLa’s Holiday Special make me want to host a booze-soaked watch party shindig? You bet your sweet ass it does. I found my new holiday tradition.


JINX AND DELA HOLIDAY SPECIAL is available :

In theaters from December 13 (North America): Showing in Alamo Drafthouse theaters across the country. Click here for participating cities.

On Digital Globally: Amazon Prime, iTunes, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu

On DVD and Blu-ray: Available from the official site


 

Review: ‘You Don’t Nomi’ documentary takes a good, hard look at the phenomenon that is Showgirls.

Paul Verhoeven‘s Showgirls (1995) was met by critics and audiences with near universal derision. You Don’t Nomi traces the film’s redemptive journey from notorious flop to cult classic, and maybe even masterpiece.

Peaches Christ plays Cristal Connors in the stage production of “Showgirls! The Musical!” as featured in the documentary YOU DON’T NOMI, an RLJE Films release. Photo courtesy of RLJE Films.

Paul Verhoeven directed RoboCop, Total Recall, and Basic Instinct, three incredibly influential films of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Then he directed Showgirls. Oftentimes known as the rise and fall of Elizabeth Berkley‘s career, it is a film that gets s visceral reaction no matter what. You Don’t Nomi is a documentary about the ins and outs of the film’s effect on critics and audiences alike.

The film is edited to show his other films “reacting” to whatever scene we’re discussing. Which eventually becomes massively cathartic in juxtaposing sexual violence in Verhoeven’s films. Author Adam Nayman uses his book’s structure; Piece of Shit, Masterpiece, and Masterpiece of Shit. You can see how many of his films are wrapped into Showgirls. There is fascinating filmmaking happening once it’s broken down for you. You also meet April Kidwell, the star of I, Nomi, the Off-Broadway tribute to Showgirls. She discusses her parallel past and how performing a musical comedy based on the film has been her therapeutic outlet. Peaches Christ uses drag to, in a sense, improv shadow cast the film for sold-out crowds. The audience still loves this movie, no matter where that love comes from is a total phenomenon.

Audience at Showgirls at Midnight Mass in San Francisco in the documentary YOU DON’T NOMI, an RLJE Films release. Photo courtesy of RLJE Films.

The opposing opinions all make weird sense. I walked away feeling like I had just had a cinematic lobotomy. I still don’t know how I feel about Showgirls, but I know I want to gather friends and colleagues when this pandemic is all over and watch the hell out of it again. Same thing with this doc. You Don’t Nomi is brilliant in all the ways it challenges viewers and fellow critics to rethink Showgirls so many years later. It may just upend your brain, too.

YOU DON’T NOMI On Demand and Digital June 9, 2020

Review: ‘The Drag Roast of Heklina’ brings the shade.

Synopsis

Revry presents THE DRAG ROAST OF HEKLINA featuring a talented dais of roasters including noted LGBTQ celebrities, Alaska Thunderfuck, Jackie Beat, Jinkx Monsoon, Bob the Drag Queen, Sister Roma, Julie Brown, and Peaches Christ.  Watch as a panel of iconic drag superstars and comedians grill drag legend Heklina.
These queens bring some serious funny to a legendary roast. With stand out performances from Jinkx Monsoon, weird and wonderful moments from Julie Brown, and the shadiest of ladies, Alaska Thunderfuck, drag legend Heklina gets her ass handed to her. But this show isn’t just beautiful drag queens making fun of each other in the most brutal of ways, it’s also a perfect reminder of how incredible the drag community is. While they do joke, they also care deeply. Drag is a brilliant cultural phenomenon. It allows openminded people to share love, life, fashion, performance and everything in between. Ru Paul’s Drag Race, in particular, has given so many of these ladies the exposure and platform they need to advance their careers and to teach every generation what it means to be sickening. It’s important to honor this art and there’s certainly nothing wrong with laughing along the way. The Roast Of Heklina is now available on Revry.tv .

About Revry

Revry is the first queer global streaming network, available in 35 million homes in over 100 countries, with a uniquely curated selection of LGBTQ+ film, series, and originals along with the world’s largest queer libraries of groundbreaking podcasts, albums and music videos. Revry is available worldwide on seven OTT, mobile, and online platforms, and hosts the exclusive LGBTQ+ channels on Pluto TV and XUMO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Revry is led by an inclusive team of queer, multi-ethnic and allied partners who bring decades of experience in the fields of tech, digital media, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.  Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @REVRYTV. Go Online to: https://revry.tv.