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romantic comedy

“Happiest Season” queers the Christmas movie

Happiest Season
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The Hulu exclusive from writer/director Clea Duvall is a cute romantic comedy to put you in the holiday spirit.

Theo Estes Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

“The Princess Switch: Switched Again” sticks with the formula

The Princess Switch: Switched Again
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Netflix serves up more sugary sweet but harmless fluff to kick off the holiday movie season.

Megan Sunday Posted on November 19, 2020November 17, 2020

“Palm Springs” is a time loop movie that actually has something to say

Palm Springs
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Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti buoy Max Barbakow’s first scripted feature, mixing laughs and light philosophy in the process.

Matt Cipolla Posted on July 7, 2020September 29, 2020

“Love Life” is light fluff that doesn’t offer enough new material

Love Life
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HBO Max’s new series sees Anna Kendrick in a show that compounds quirky millennial clichés around her onscreen talents.

Beau North Posted on May 28, 2020May 28, 2020

“The Lovebirds” is a disappointing date night of foul play

The Lovebirds
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Michael Showalter’s latest comedy suffers from a hackneyed script that forces its otherwise-likable stars to do all the heavy lifting.

Matt Cipolla Posted on May 20, 2020July 2, 2020

“The Half of It” is a queer rom-com that works, more or less

The Half of It
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Alice Wu’s sophomore feature is a kind-hearted effort that balances a bevy of inspirations, even if it’s too on-the-nose for stretches.

Sean Price Posted on April 30, 2020April 30, 2020

Emma. Review: More Merry Than Wise

Emma.
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Autumn de Wilde’s straightforward adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel has its charming moments, but that doesn’t make up for its missed opportunities.

Matt Cipolla Posted on February 25, 2020July 2, 2020

Falling Inn Love Review: Love, New Zealand Style

Falling Inn Love
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There’s cheese aplenty in Netflix’s latest rom-com, but its Maori cast and Kiwi setting give it some unexpected charms.

Caroline Siede Posted on August 29, 2019August 29, 2019

Yesterday Review: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Dumb

Yesterday
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Richard Curtis envisions a world without The Beatles, then promptly ignores it in favor of yet another treacly love story.

Clint Worthington Posted on June 24, 2019June 25, 2019

Plus One Review: An Indie Millennial “When Harry Met Sally”

Plus One
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Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine break long-standing rom-com modes in this refreshing, personable love story.

Caroline Siede Posted on June 10, 2019August 11, 2020

Sixteen Candles at 35: A Bittersweet Birthday

Sixteen Candles
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Full of racist jokes & sexual assault subplots, John Hughes’ teen rom-com classic has aged like bad cheese. But is there anything worth saving about it?

Gena Radcliffe Posted on May 4, 2019August 7, 2020

Isn’t It Romantic Review: An Instant Postmodern Rom-Com Classic

Isn't It Romantic
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Rebel Wilson shines in a funny. insightful look at the rhythms of the rom-com.

Caroline Siede Posted on February 13, 2019August 4, 2020

TV Review: Sex Education is Equal Parts Horny and Heartfelt

Sex Education Season 1 Netflix
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Netflix’s sex-positive teen dramedy offers up raunch and affection in equal measure.

Taylor Beck Posted on January 10, 2019August 3, 2020

TV Review: The Orville Blasts Off With Second Season Premiere “Ja’loja”

The Orville Ja'loja
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Seth MacFarlane’s space opera/workplace comedy The Orville kicks off a second season with a sedate premiere about the characters’ dating lives.

Clint Worthington Posted on December 31, 2018August 2, 2020

CIFF Dispatch, Part 2: What They Had, Retablo, Maria By Callas, and More

Chicago International Film Festival 2018 Dispatch 2
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This piece was originally posted on Alcohollywood The Chicago International Film Festival keeps chugging along this week, and […]

Clint Worthington Posted on October 18, 2018January 29, 2019

Five LGBTQ+ Films We Can’t Wait to See at the 36th Reeling Film Festival

Reeling 36 Chicago LGBTQ+ Festival
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The 36th annual LGBTQ+ film fest starts up this week in Chicago, and we talk about some of […]

Clint Worthington Posted on September 18, 2018January 28, 2019

Film Review: Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Mistakes Frumpy for Failure

SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER
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Netflix updates Cyrano de Bergerac for the social media era in this clunky teen rom-com, which distastefully hinges […]

Gena Radcliffe Posted on September 5, 2018August 1, 2020

Film Review: Netflix Explores the Metaphysics of Love with The Laws of Thermodynamics

Laws of Thermodynamics Netflix
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Mateo Gil’s Spanish rom-com mockumentary tumbles toward entropy with beautiful visuals, but a scattered story and weak protagonist. […]

Jon Espino Posted on September 3, 2018August 1, 2020

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