Frameline 49: 7 must-see movies capturing the LGBTQ+ experience
Drama, comedy, romance, documentary, even animation, all step into the festival spotlight. The 10-day event is bookended by star turns from John Lithgow and Olivia Colman in the opening night drama 'Jimpa' on Wednesday, June 18, and by Dylan O'Brien in the closing night comedy 'Twinless' on Pink Saturday, June 28.
'Playing with Fire: A Psychosexual Emergency'
When the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire forced artists and activists Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle to evacuate their Boulder Creek (Santa Cruz County) home, it inspired the couple to confront the realities of the wildfires that threaten communities while acknowledging fire's capacity to renew.
Partially narrated by Albert, a glorious white peacock personified by voiceover, this vivid documentary accompanies Stephens and Sprinkle on their journey to get to the heart of fire. Visiting with artists, a formerly incarcerated firefighter, Indigenous elders and others, the filmmakers concoct a heady brew of the mystical, the magical and the scientific.
Burlesque artist Lady Monster's fiery tassel dance, a flaming stunt from performance artist Cassils, and a ceremony binding Stephens and Sprinkle to a most unusual partner are among the arresting scenes in a film that blends art with a call to action.
11 a.m. Friday, June 20. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., S.F.
'The Librarians'
In her chilling documentary depicting the crisis modern-day librarians face, filmmaker Kim A. Snyder fittingly quotes Ray Bradbury classic dystopian novel 'Fahrenheit 451' about a fascist society where books aren't just banned, they're burned.
With politicians, school boards and Moms for Liberty waging a fierce campaign to limit what young people can read, United States' librarians are the heroes fighting for free expression and the right to read.
Snyder follows unfolding events at libraries, school board meetings, legislative sessions, and more in this illuminating, enraging documentary.
1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Vogue Theatre. Vogue Theatre, 3290 Sacramento St., S.F.
'By Design'
While her mother (Betty Buckley) and friends (Samantha Mathis, Robin Tunney) barely notice Camille's sudden vegetative state, the chair's owner, pianist Olivier (Mamoudou Athie), develops his own passionate obsession with the comely piece of furniture.
3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., S.F.
'Lesbian Space Princess'
Broken-hearted Princess Saira, future queen of Clitopolis, gets a second chance at love when Straight White Malians kidnap her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend Kiki and demand an unusual ransom only Saira can access.
The introverted royal undertakes a grand interstellar adventure to rescue her love, facing down her fears, lack of confidence, and misogynist spaceship. Through her escapades along the way to the Straight White Malians' lair, can she gain enough pluck to prevail?
First-time feature makers Emma Hughes Hobbs and Leela Varghese won the Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival for this Australian import, a hilarious, eye-popping animated caper.
8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., S.F.
'She's the He'
'Superbad' meets 'Bottoms' in writer-director Siobhan McCarthy's debut feature that views gender and identity through the lens of a raunchy teen comedy.
Obsessed with his dream girl Sasha, brash high school senior Alex decides the only way he can get close to her is if he can invade the girls' locker room. To achieve that goal, he and his best friend Ethan pretend to come out as trans girls, an act with profound consequences for shy, self-deprecating Ethan.
Misha Osherovich as Ethan is a standout in a sparkling ensemble of trans, queer and nonbinary actors in this raucous coming-of-age film with serious intent and a huge heart.
5:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 24. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., S.F.
'We Are Faheem & Karun'
Indian border guard Karun and Faheem, a college student living in the country's northern region of Kashmir, live deeply closeted lives. But when they meet at a border checkpoint, instant attraction flares. Reconnecting in Faheem's village, there is no denying their feelings.
The actors' erotic chemistry is white-hot even as their characters' situation is fraught. Karun's family expects him to marry. Faheem is Muslim. And the situation at the border is turning into a tinderbox.
Co-writer/director Onir based this sensual, sensitive drama on a real-life Indian soldier's story.
6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Vogue Theatre, 3290 Sacramento St., S.F.
'Drive Back Home'
Alan Cumming turns on his ebullient charm to play Perley, an adman arrested for public indecency in 1970 Toronto, in this drama inspired by writer/director Michael Clowater's family history.
Reluctantly coming to his estranged brother's rescue is terse plumber Weldon (Charlie Creed-Miles), who insists Perley come back with him to their small New Brunswick hometown.
5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.
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Geek Girl Authority
05-08-2025
- Geek Girl Authority
THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Season Finale Recap: (S01E12) And the Unfinished Business
The first season of The Librarians: The Next Chapter has been an exhilarating, fantastical ride, culminating with its most ambitious adventure yet in its season finale, 'And the Unfinished Business.' As foreshadowed in the previous episode, Gregor (Adnan Haskovic) is back and more dangerous than ever. RELATED: Catch up with our recap of the penultimate The Librarians: The Next Chapter episode of the season, 'And the Graffiti of the Gods' Finales are held to a higher standard than regular episodes. They must provide a satisfying conclusion to the season's long arc narrative, demonstrate characters' growth, highlight how relationships have deepened, and provide a tantalizing lure for future hijinks. On every point, The Librarians: The Next Chapter 'And the Unfinished Business' delivers. Gold star, friends. The goldest. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic/TNT The Librarians: The Next Chapter, 'And the Unfinished Business' Vikram runs through Belgrade to the rock-covered entry of the tomb, where he prevented Gregor from acquiring The Sword of Mars in 1847. With a crystal and a tuning fork, he magically opens the entryway. Inside, he finds the tomb empty and the sword gone. On the ground, he finds a guitar pick with the logo of Gregor's Hammer. In the Annex, Connor and Lysa prepare to leave. The six months Jacob Stone gave them to help Vikram contain the magic he released into the world are over. Mrs. A. explains that the Main Library will absorb the Belgrade Annex. Charlie brings her equipment in to pack for the barracks. Connor shares that he got a teaching job, but he's not allowed to mention magic on the job. RELATED: TV Review: The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 Jacob Stone (Christian Kane) arrives via magic door. He congratulates them on a job well done. He thanks them and gives them each a first-class plane ticket. Vikram bursts in to tell them there's some unfinished business. Before he can explain, the pendulum goes nuts, then explodes. They all rush to the table, identifying the map as Caucasylvia and the location of the magical event as the Capitol Building. Despite Jacob's protests, the team activates the magic door and leaves. He follows. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic/TNT Gregor the Conqueror In the Caucasylvian Capitol Building, the President addresses the government and announces that he is stepping down. He presents the new leader, General Bogdan Gregor. Gregor enters, wearing the Sword of Mars at his waist. When he turns to face the room, he grips the hilt, magic swirls around him, and his eyes glow with it. Jacob glares at Vikram. Vikram admits that this is the unfinished business he mentioned. Back at the Annex, they debrief the situation. The Sword of Mars makes the wielder unbeatable in battle. Mrs. A. cuts through the squabbling to point out that Gregor's got the sword, making him incredibly dangerous. In Caucasylvia, Gregor, escorted by his heavy metal band/sorcerers brigade, returns to his chambers where he stores the sword in a magical safe. He turns to his top minions and directs them to organize a meeting where he can address the world's leaders. RELATED: Dean Devlin Dishes on The Librarians: The Next Chapter 's Magical Homecoming At the Annex, Lysa wonders why Attila the Hun's tomb was empty. Jacob explains that when the sword's wielder is defeated, they are assimilated, body and soul, into the sword, increasing its power. As the team tries to puzzle out why Caucasylvia is so important to Gregor's plan, Jacob's phone rings. DOSA (The Department of Statistical Anomalies) requests that he report to the U.N. immediately. The team argues that he should let them help on this mission. He agrees to let Vikram and Charlie come with him and directs Lysa and Connor to start researching anything that might help beat Gregor. New York City When Jacob, Vikram, and Charlie arrive at the UN, Janis Copeland (Monica Lacy) immediately briefs them. Defence systems around the world have stopped working. In the main room, Gregor appears on the screen and tells them that while they are all defenceless, Caucasylvia has long-range nuclear missiles. He gives them 12 hours to surrender and swear fealty to him. If they don't, he'll hit their major cities with the missiles. The team breaks into the Caucasylvia Palace using the magic door, with Jacob in the lead. They have under 11 hours to get the sword away from Gregor and into the Library. In a nearby hall, Gregor berates the event organizers, insisting on black roses with lots of thorns as decor. He's not wearing the sword. Lysa whips out her magic detector app. Jacob's impressed with how she scienced the magic, commenting how Cassandra would love that. He sends Lysa, Connor, and Vikram to find the sword. He and Charlie will keep an eye on Gregor. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic/TNT Vikram distracts two staff members while Lysa and Connor sneak up behind them and knock them out with chloroform. They steal the uniforms. In the event hall, Jacob and Charlie watch as Gregor demands his new flag be unfurled and to begin the wine tasting. RELATED: 5 Great Books About Libraries and Librarians Lysa's app leads her, Connor, and Vikram to the guarded doors to Gregor's chambers. Lysa tricks the guard into going in. When he opens the door, they glimpse the safe inside. The staff they stole the uniforms from raise an alarm, and they must run. Meanwhile, Jacob and Charlie overhear Gregor's plan to fire his nuclear weapons after that evening's ball, even if the countries surrender. Before they can go, a security guard challenges them. Jacob's Librarian intro doesn't work on him, and Charlie throat-punches him so they can escape. Things Get Worse Jacob gets another call from Copeland when the team returns to the Annex. He has to meet her alone. Charlie reminds him he has to tell her what Gregor plans to do. Jacob directs the team to find a solution. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic/TNT Connor and Mrs. A. find some information on how wielders of The Sword of Mars were defeated. In each instance, the wielder was 'defeated by love.' Vikram realizes they need Lysa to masquerade as Anya and convince Gregor so the sword won't recognize her as an attack. While Charlie works making Lysa look like Anya, Vikram insists she adopt a cultured accent and tone to impersonate Anya. When he sees her, he's dumbstruck by the resemblance. Lysa has second thoughts, and Vikram reassures her that the plan will work. He reviews Anya's personality traits in detail. RELATED: On Location: The Belgrade Fortress on The Librarians: The Next Chapter When Jacob finds Copeland, she tells him he needs to shut down the Library before Gregor can get in and take all the magical items he wants. Jacob protests that they don't give up like that. Copeland insists they're out of time, and he should protect the Library while he can. Anya Besson Lysa arrives at Gregor's ball. Connor and Charlie are planted in the crowd while Vikram watches from overhead. Using in-ear communication devices, he plans to coach her through her subterfuge. She approaches Gregor, who can't believe she's real. They dance. Gregor interrogates her. When she claims Vikram brought her through time using magic, he calls her bluff, stating he saw her weeks ago through the scrying glass and she wasn't Anya then. Vikram tells her to tell Gregor that she was bewitched into believing she was someone else. As she spins the tale, Gregor pulls her close, and she picks his pocket for the key to the safe. Connor breezes by and takes it from her. Connor, Charlie, and Vikram break into Gregor's chambers through an air vent (à la Leverage: Redemption 's Parker). When they try to use the key, the lock sparks. They realize the sword's defences are only down for the object of the wielder's love. Vikram lets Lysa know. RELATED: Read our Leverage: Redemption recaps In the hall, Gregor leaves Lysa on the dance floor. Charlie gives her back the key and tells her she needs to get Gregor to open the safe. Lysa's terrified, but Charlie reminds her that she's Lysa's Guardian as well. Gregor returns and hands Lysa a glass, declaring it Anya's favorite drink. He waits for her to identify it. Vikram panics. He has no idea what Anya's favorite drink was. Lysa takes a sip and identifies sugar, bitters, cognac, and absinthe. It's a Sazerac. Gregor is ecstatic and truly believes she is Anya now. When Vikram asks how she knew over the coms, Lysa says it's a family recipe that her grandmother used to make at Christmas. Gregor sweeps her up in his embrace. As they stroll away, she gets him to brag about having The Sword of Mars. She refuses to believe him, accusing him of teasing her. When he insists he does, she tells him she must see it with her own eyes. He agrees. Sword in Hand In his chambers, Gregor opens the safe and presents Lysa with The Sword of Mars. She convinces him to let her hold it and then asks him to close his eyes for a surprise. Expecting a kiss, he closes his eyes. She slips out of the room where Charlie and Connor knock out the guards and jam the door. Lysa runs for the magic door. Inside, Gregor realizes the sword is gone, and he's trapped. The team is blocked from the magic door by a group of Gregor's security. Gregor's guards unblock the door. He comes out and calls for the sword, which flies into his hand. He sees Vikram and gloats, ordering the team arrested with plans to hang them for treason. Vikram challenges him, calling Gregor a coward. RELATED: Olivia Morris Shares How The Librarians: The Next Chapter Hooked Her From Page One Gregor waves off the men holding Vikram and accepts Vikram's challenge. Vikram approaches him, unsheathing the sword in his walking stick. They duel. The Sword of Mars snaps Vikram's blade. Vikram continues to battle, but Gregor destroys his weapon completely. Before he can strike a final blow, Jacob steps out of the magic door and interrupts, stating it doesn't seem like a fair fight. He calls for Cal and tells Vikram to whistle to call the sword to him. Gregor realizes Cal is Excalibur with shock. A Fair Fight Armed with Excalibur, Vikram prepares to face Gregor again. The duel begins again in earnest. As Vikram draws Gregor down a stairwell, Mrs. A. arrives, and the team dispatches the guards. The duel moves into the ballroom, scattering guests. Gregor's still feeling triumphant until Vikram reveals that he and the real Anya were in love. Gregor loses his focus as Vikram describes the power of their love for each other, and Vikram disarms him. With Vikram's blade at his throat, Gregor asks if he'll strike the killing blow. Vikram puts his sword down and reminds Gregor that The Sword of Mars consumes its wielder once they're defeated. Magic emerges from the sword on the ground and pulls Gregor in. RELATED: TV Review: Leverage: Redemption Season 3 The team rushes forward to see if Vikram's okay. He hands Cal to Connor. With his hand wrapped in a cloth, Jacob picks up The Sword of Mars to transport it to the Library. The Next Chapter Back at the Annex, Vikram's disappointed when Jacob insists on sending Cal back to the Library. Jacob explains that Cal's more than an artifact, he's a Guardian. Lysa thanks Jacob for letting them help with one last mission. Jacob commends them for their work. Vikram asks if Jacob would let them stay a team if it were up to him. Jacob reminds him it's up to the Library. Just then, the Annex lights surge. Jacob, Mrs. A., and Vikram all realize that something's changed. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic/TNT Jacob tells the others they should probably check their plane tickets. Lysa, Connor, and Charlie open the folders to find invitations to join the Library. Jacob offers them a life of mystery and misery, a life of loneliness and adventure, but most importantly, a chance to make a difference, a chance to save the world, every day of the week and twice before Friday. They all accept. RELATED: Read our recaps of The Librarians: The Next Chapter Vikram double-checks that this means he can stay, too. Jacob welcomes him back as an active Librarian… as long as he's not hiding any more artifacts in the Annex. Vikram promises and immediately pulls out the scrying glass from his pocket. He uses it on the portrait of Anya. It opens a portal to her, and they share a final farewell. He apologizes for leaving her alone. She shows him their son to prove he didn't leave her alone. Lysa steps up next to him. He introduces her to Anya as their great-great-great-great-granddaughter. The rest of the team fan out behind them. Anya is pleased that he is not alone either. The portal closes, and the portrait disintegrates. Behind them, the pendulum reforms, and the team gathers round to see where they're needed next. Epilogue Out in the woods, a wisp of magic finds its way to a tree as a voiceover states, 'This is not the end of the story. Does a story ever truly end? Old characters leave the stage. New characters step into the light. Sometimes, old characters return. You may not recognize us at first, but you know my name. I am Merlin.' The magic breaks open the tree, and Merlin (Dominic Monaghan) emerges. All The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 episodes stream on TNT . Season 2 premieres in 2026. THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Stacks Season 2 With Guest Stars Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.
Geek Girl Authority
31-07-2025
- Geek Girl Authority
THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Stacks Season 2 With Guest Stars
Before The Librarians: The Next Chapter 's first season concludes on August 4, TNT dropped a Season 2 teaser promo you can watch below, showcasing its many high-profile guest stars. The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 2 will see well-known actors like Dominic Monaghan, Josh Gates, Jeremy Swift, and Flulu Borg join Vikram Chamberlain's (Callum McGowan) team in Belgrade. In addition, Christian Kane will return as Jacob Booth, and original The Librarians cast member Lindy Booth joins him, reprising her role as Cassandra Cillian. Image Credit: TNT When TNT brought Dean Devlin's sequel series to The Librarians back to its home network, Season 1 had already completed production. They loved the new series, titled The Librarians: The Next Chapter , so much that they immediately greenlit a second season. RELATED: TV Review: The Librarians: The Next Chapter Season 1 By the time The Librarians: The Next Chapter premiered on May 25, 2025, Season 2 production in Belgrade had already begun. Before the Season 1 finale next week, TNT dropped the promotional Season 2 teaser below, revealing some of the guest stars who will appear on the show in 2026. Most prominent in the teaser is Dominic Monaghan, whose character asserts that Vikram's team will need his help if they want to save the world. Whether that's to combat the mummy we see Charlie (Jessica Green) fighting, prevent a vial from exploding, a flying door from … well, flying, or some yet unknown catastrophic magical shenanigan, that will come with time. Image Credit: TNT Even More Star Power Other talented guest stars include Ted Lasso 's Jeremy Swift, House of the Dragon 's Ty Tennant, Andor 's Malcolm Sinclair, and Loki 's Jack Cunningham-Nuttall. No word as to whether they'll play friends, foes, or victims of magical mishaps. Keep in mind, those categories are never mutually exclusive. RELATED: Dean Devlin Dishes on The Librarians: The Next Chapter 's Magical Homecoming The return of another original Librarian, Cassandra Cillian (Lindy Booth), is sure to stoke fan fervor for the sophomore season. Cassandra's genius intellect could form a coy counterpoint to Lysa's (Olivia Morris) resident science-y know-how. Christian Kane's Jacob Stone appeared in the series premiere of The Librarians: The Next Chapter and will return in Season 2 as well. Image Credit: Aleksandar Letic With the second season slated to air sometime in 2026, there's plenty of time to revisit the O.G. film trilogy and 40 series episodes. Seriously, what are you waiting for? RELATED: Read our recaps of The Librarians: The Next Chapter The Season 1 finale of The Librarians: The Next Chapter airs on TNT on Monday, August 4, at 9 pm ET. Olivia Morris Shares How THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Hooked Her From Page One Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.
Geek Tyrant
31-07-2025
- Geek Tyrant
Captivating Trailer for Indie Drama TWINLESS Starring Dylan O'Brien and James Sweeney — GeekTyrant
A truly captivating trailer has been released for the indie drama Twinless , starring Dylan O'Brien and James Sweeney in the lead roles. They are joined in the small cast by Aisling Franciosi and Lauren Graham. Aside from co-starring in the film, Sweeney also wrote and directed the film. The synopsis reads: 'In Twinless , two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman (Dylan O'Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) both are searching for solace and an identity without their other halves, becoming inseparable outside of the group. 'But when Roman meets Dennis' ebullient co-worker, Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), all is revealed to be not what it seems, as each man harbors secrets that could unravel everything about their connection.' This looks like it will be an interesting film with a story that continues to unravel and surprise its audience. Check out the trailer below, and watch Twinless in select US theaters on September 5th.
