Frank J. Avella

2 days ago | thecontending.com | Frank J. Avella

New on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD. Sabrina — 4K-UHD/Blu-ray — Kino LorberToday, the word ‘iconic’ is tossed around like a Frisbee at the beach in all writings and media pieces that it’s lost much of its meaning. A true icon is not born overnight. And a truly iconic film, or moment in a film, needs time to appreciate. The manner in which Billy Wilder photographs Audrey Hepburn in his 1954 award-winning classic, Sabrina, is, indeed iconic as is the star and the cinematic classic.

3 days ago | thecontending.com | Frank J. Avella

There’s a (nearly) hidden, gay-themed gem playing this Pride season in Greenwich Village. A musical, seven-years in the making, that is rousing, disturbing and, ultimately, empowering. Beau the Musical, which is an unfortunate title because it tells the audience nothing about the show, is set in Nashville and centers on songwriter Ace Baker (Matt Rodin, a bonafide star). The production bounces back and forth in time from Ace’s pre-teen angst to his coming-of-age concert catharsis in 2013.

6 days ago | thecontending.com | Frank J. Avella

Ivona Juka’s second narrative feature, Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day, is a powerful and audacious depiction of queer persecution. It’s honestly one of the most daring films I have seen in a while — simultaneously exquisitely shot and harrowing to watch. Juka’s a gifted filmmaker who has crafted a bold and brave love story told amidst the turbulent backdrop of 1950’s communist Yugoslavia. Four close friends join the partisans to fight against the Ustashas (Fascists) and Nazis during World War II.

1 week ago | thecontending.com | Frank J. Avella

Nicholas Barasch is currently wowing audiences as young Frederic in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s splendid reworking of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, now titled, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, running through July 27, 2025. This winning adaptation is directed by Scott Ellis and stars David Hyde Pierce and Ramin Karimloo. Frederic is bound by duty to remain a pirate apprentice until his 21st birthday–his hard-of-hearing nurse mistakenly heard “pirate” instead of “pilot,” ten years earlier.

1 week ago | thecontending.com | Frank J. Avella

Frameline, the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, now in its 49th year, is the world’s largest and longest running LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The 2025 queer film celebration is currently underway and running through June 28, 2025This year’s program features close to 150 films from 40 countries, with 17 World Premieres, 2 International Premieres, 12 North American Premieres, and 11 US Premieres, and numerous West Coast, California, and Bay Area Premieres.