Manuel Betancourt, Author at That Shelf - Page 2 of 2

Manuel Betancourt

Featured Critic

Manuel Betancourt is a queer Colombian writer who believes everything you need to know about life you can learn from Pedro Almodóvar's All About My Mother. He's a contributing editor to Film Quarterly and a film columnist at Electric Literature. He's a contributor to the award-winning graphic novel The Cardboard Kingdom (2018) and its sequel, The Cardboard Kingdom: Roar of the Beast (2021) as well as the author of the 33 1/3 book on Judy at Carnegie Hall (2020). His work has appeared in The New York Times, Film Comment, Vulture, The Atlantic, and BuzzFeed Reader among others.

Articles by Manuel Betancourt:

November 10, 2020
Hillbilly Elegy Review: Toothless Melodrama Fails to Live Up to Its Elegiac Title
Based on J.D. Vance’s memoir by the same name, Ron Howard’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ stars Glenn Close and Amy Adams.

September 28, 2020
The Boys in the Band Review: A Gay Classic is Revived Once More
Mart Crawley’s 1968 play gets a slick makeover courtesy of director Joe Mantello and a who’s who of queer Hollywood.

September 25, 2020
NYFF Dispatch II: The Human Voice Review
A new Pedro Almodóvar film is always cause for celebration. Even a short one, especially one that so carefully harkens back and deepens, in turn, the Spanish director’s longstanding fascinations. The Human Voice, starring Tilda Swinton and “freely based” on Jean Cocteau’s 1928 play by the same name, is pure Almodóvar. It’s both a potent […]

September 24, 2020
NYFF Dispatch I: The Inheritance & Lovers Rock Review
Eprhaim Asili and Steve McQueen’s respective films are tender portraits of the power of community-run spaces.

September 14, 2020
TIFF 2020: The Boy From Medellin Review
Who is Matthew Heineman’s sleek and intimate documentary about Colombian superstar J. Balvin for?

September 13, 2020
TIFF 2020: The Father Review
Florian Zeller’s feature film debut is an emotional and intellectual thrill ride.

September 11, 2020
TIFF 2020: Shiva Baby Review
Emma Seligman’s feature film debut Shiva Baby is a spry queer Jewish comedy with a star making turn from Rachel Sennott.

September 8, 2020
Outfest Los Angeles 2020: Highlights From This Year’s Virtual Fest
Read reviews on dreamy erotic tales from Brazil and queer history docs from the U.S.

September 1, 2020
The Mole Agent Review: This Real-Life Spy Farce Is a Surprisingly Melancholy Meditation on Aging
Maite Alberdi finds the humor and pathos in her doc following an octogenarian spy at a retirement community.

August 26, 2020
The Garden Left Behind Review: A Timely Character Portrait
Flavio Alves’s tender drama The Garden Left Behind follows a young undocumented trans woman living in New York City.

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With just 34 days before reporting to federal prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim into her home for an unrestricted look at her life. What begins as an offer of complete access becomes an unsettling exploration of truth, performance, and the difficulty of knowing who someone really is. Balancing uncomfortable humour with a fascinating sense of ambiguity, the documentary refuses to offer easy answers about Holmes or her carefully constructed public image. Through intimate cinematography, intricate editing, and Fielder’s signature awkwardness, it challenges audiences to question what they’re seeing, making for an ambitious, thought-provoking film that lingers long after it ends. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 days ago
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1/9

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Rest in peace, Tom Skerritt (1933–2026). A familiar and commanding presence on screen for more than six decades, Skerritt built a remarkable career across film and television, bringing a quiet authority and understated humanity to every role. From Captain Dallas in Alien and Viper in Top Gun to his performances in MASH*, The Turning Point, Steel Magnolias, and A River Runs Through It, he became part of some of cinema’s most enduring stories. On television, he earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Jimmy Brock in Picket Fences, a role that showcased his ability to balance strength, warmth, and humour. Whether playing a military commander, a father, or a small-town sheriff, Skerritt had a way of making his characters feel grounded and real. With a career spanning generations and more than 170 film and television credits, he leaves behind a body of work that will continue to find new audiences. Thank you for the performances and the lasting mark you left on cinema.
3 days ago
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2/9

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Street Fighter brings the iconic video game franchise back to the big screen, following estranged brothers Ryu and Ken as they reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. But with M. Bison plotting to harness the fighters’ power for his own sinister purposes, the competition soon becomes a battle for the fate of the world. Packed with spectacular fight sequences, nostalgic references, and a soundtrack that takes audiences straight back to the ’90s, the film delivers a major upgrade over its predecessor. With a perfectly matched cast, genuinely funny dialogue, and faithful recreations of the game’s signature moves, it balances fan service with entertaining action that newcomers can enjoy, too. 📝 Full review by Sarah Gopaul now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
5 days ago
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3/9

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Whalefall follows Jay Gardiner, a young scuba diver who finds himself trapped inside a sperm whale and facing an increasingly desperate fight for survival. But as he struggles to escape before his oxygen runs out, the experience also forces him to confront unresolved grief and his complicated relationship with his late father. Led by Austin Abrams, the film delivers an intense underwater survival thriller with impressive technical work and a convincing sense of claustrophobia. However, its exploration of grief and family trauma struggles to match the tension of its central premise, relying on familiar character arcs and heavy-handed emotional beats that leave its themes feeling muddled. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
6 days ago
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4/9

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What does it mean to see and hear yourself represented on screen? In his feature directorial debut, California Schemin’, James McAvoy tells the true story of Scottish rappers Silibil N’ Brains, who found success by pretending to be American. In this interview with That Shelf, McAvoy discusses the importance of staying true to the Scottish identity at the heart of the film, bringing the duo’s story to life, and why everyone deserves to see their own experiences reflected in cinema. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
1 week ago
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5/9

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The Social Reckoning revisits the world of Facebook, following data scientist Frances Haugen and Wall Street Journal journalist Jeff Horwitz as they investigate the company’s role in spreading harmful content and radicalizing users. Set between 2019 and 2021, the film examines the consequences of prioritizing profit over people in the social media industry. Despite tackling an urgent and relevant subject, Aaron Sorkin’s follow-up struggles to offer fresh insights into the damage caused by social media. While the story raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the power of technology, underdeveloped characters, an awkward central relationship, and uninspired direction prevent the film from reaching its full potential. 📝 Full review by Mel Valentin now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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Six seasons into Slow Horses, Gary Oldman continues to find new layers in Jackson Lamb, the sharp-tongued, dishevelled spy at the centre of the series. In conversation with That Shelf at TIFF, Oldman reflects on playing Lamb over multiple seasons, the character’s history and hidden vulnerabilities, and the parallels between Lamb and another of his iconic spies, George Smiley. He also shares how adapting Mick Herron’s novels allows him to keep discovering new details about a character who carries years of history and baggage. 📝 Full interview by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows Latif, a devout Muslim and hitman whose life takes a turn after his wife’s death leaves him caring for their three children. With his infant refusing formula and their supply of breast milk running out, Latif must navigate a dangerous world of crime and violence while trying to provide for his family. Mahershala Ali delivers an extraordinary performance in this striking blend of crime thriller, dark comedy, and religious parable. Bassam Tariq explores faith, fatherhood, hypocrisy, and forgiveness without losing sight of the tenderness at the film’s heart. Despite some uneven pacing near the end, it’s a bold, moving, and unforgettable film that stands apart from anything else this year. 📝 Full review by Lyle Kruger now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Eva Marie Saint, one of the last silver-screen icons, has passed away at 102. She burst onto the scene with a magnificent supporting role opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront — a role that earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. She went on to memorable parts in North by Northwest, Raintree Country, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Summer and Smoke, Exodus, and The Rainmaker. Her more recent roles included parts in Winter's Tale, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Superman Returns. Originally from Newark, she auditioned for Elia Kazan and was accepted into the Actors Studio, becoming one of a new generation of strong, method actors. One of the last of her Hollywood generation, she leaves us with an impressive career and legacy of over 6 decades! RIP.
3 weeks ago
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9/9

film

Your Invite to the Year of Penélope Cruz

An interview with Penélope Cruz on The Invite and an extraordinary performance that could help make Oscar history in her incredible year.
TV

Gary Oldman Follows His Nose with Slow Horses

An interview with Gary Oldman about diving into his dishevelled spy Jackson Lamb on season six of Slow Horses and learning the character as the series evolves.
music

La Bola Negra Review: A Swoon-Worthy Masterpiece

La Bola Negra is a sweeping epic pays tribute to lost lives and loves by connecting the stories of gay men across generations.
podcasts

Contra Zoom Pod Episode 346: 2026 VIFF Wrap Up

The Vancouver International Film Festival just finished, and Contra Zoom Pod talks about some of their favourite films that were screened.