My Interview With Rowan Haber and Julia Sweeney for 'We Are Pat'

Perhaps you remember "It's Pat," a series of popular Saturday Night Live sketches Julia Sweeney did back in the early 1990s, in which she played the androgynous, awkward Pat, who constantly provoked confusion: Was Pat a he or a she?  

We Are Pat is a new documentary that examines the character's legacy, and how Pat has impacted the LGBTQ+ community. For Cracked, I had a long conversation with We Are Pat director Rowan Haber (as well as Sweeney) as we discussed "problematic" comedy, trans humor, and Sweeney's SNL memories. We got into a lot of topics: Hope you enjoy.

Tribeca 2022: 'The Cave of Adullam' Review

Laura Checkoway's documentary about a Detroit dojo that caters to troubled Black boys was a prizewinner at the recent Tribeca Festival. I reviewed The Cave of Adullam for Screen International.

Tribeca 2022: 'McEnroe' Review

John McEnroe is a fascinating figure, the subject of several recent films. The latest is a documentary with access to him and his inner circle. For Screen International, I reviewed McEnroe.

Tribeca 2022: 'Somewhere in Queens' Review

Funny enough, Adam Sandler isn't the only veteran comic out with a drama about basketball. Ray Romano's feature directorial debut just premiered at Tribeca, focusing on a father who's trying to ensure that his teenage son can pursue his hoop dreams. For Screen International, I reviewed Somewhere in Queens.

Tribeca 2021: 'The Novice' Review

A college student is determined to be picked for her school's rowing team. But why? The Novice was one of the big winners at this year's Tribeca, and it's an interesting subversion of sports-movies tropes. (For example, who says that the underdog main character even needs to like the sport she's training to master?) My review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2021: 'No Sudden Move' Review

Steven Soderbergh's latest is rich in atmosphere, which is good because I'm not convinced its plot entirely makes sense. But, then again, that's kind of the point with these kinds of moody crime dramas. My review of No Sudden Move is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2021: 'Werewolves Within' Review

I'd like to see Veep's Sam Richardson in more stuff. But I'd rather it not be Werewolves Within, which I didn't think was very funny or scary. I get into why over here.

Tribeca 2021: 'Fathom' Review

The documentary Fathom follows two separate scientists studying humpback whales. But this isn't one of those nature films that's full of glossy photography and inspiring insights. Instead, it's an examination of just how arduous the pursuit of knowledge can be. (The film features as many setbacks as aha discoveries.) My review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2021: 'Ferguson Rises' Review

It's been seven years since the murder of Michael Brown. Ferguson Rises returns to his hometown to examines what's changed (and what hasn't) in that Missouri community. My review is here.

Tribeca 2021: 'Queen of Glory' Review

Nana Mensah makes her feature directorial debut with Queen of Glory, where she stars as a woman who's just lost her mother -- and just learned she's inherited her mom's Christian bookstore. Good stuff -- my review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2021: 'No Future' Review

A young man's best friend overdoses. He reaches out to the friend's mother to offer his condolences. A romantic affair begins. I liked Catherine Keener and Charlie Heaton in No Future, which I reviewed for Screen International.

Tribeca 2021: 'God's Waiting Room' Review

There have been several high-profile indies in the last few years set in Florida, including Moonlight and The Florida Project. Now comes God's Waiting Room, which also makes good use of the locales to tell a story of disconnection and uncertainty. The film crafts a spell, even if the plotting starts to fall apart. My review is up at Screen International. 

Tribeca 2021: 'No Man of God' Review

Thank god, another movie about Ted Bundy. To be fair, I appreciated director Amber Sealey's approach, which was to totally strip away any romanticism around the serial killer's dark allure. (And there's one visual technique she incorporates that I think is actually great.) Still, No Man of God didn't work for me. My review is up at Screen International. 

Tribeca 2021: 'Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain' Review

I have to confess that I was never a big Anthony Bourdain guy. Nothing against him, I just never watched his show. (I think my obstacle was that I'm just not a big foodie.) Nonetheless, I was pretty engaged by Morgan Neville's look back at his life and death. For Screen International, I reviewed Roadrunner.

Tribeca 2018: 'O.G.' Review

Jeffrey Wright is great in O.G., a prison drama that was filmed in an actual prison and stars real-life prisoners. The behind-the-scenes story proves more interesting than the one in front of the camera, though. My review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2018: 'Jellyfish' Review

It would have been easier to love Jellyfish, a spare British drama, if it had been just a tad bit more original. Alas, this well-acted and thoughtful film about a young woman fighting to keep her family financially afloat was just too familiar for my taste. My review is up at Screen International.

Tribeca 2017: 'Bobbi Jene' Review

No, this isn't a movie about the Bruce Springsteen song. Bobbi Jene is a very affecting documentary about Bobbi Jene Smith, an American dancer who decides to come home after making her name as part of an acclaimed Israeli dance troupe. But will the move hurt her career? And what about her romantic relationship with a younger dancer in the company who stays behind? Lots to really savor here, as I explain in my Screen International review.

Tribeca 2017: 'The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson' Review

Marsha P. Johnson died around Fourth of July 1992. The police ruled it a suicide, but her friends suspected she was murdered. Decades later, an advocate tries to get the case reopened. That's the setup for The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, a documentary that doesn't necessarily uncover the truth but does have much to say about the transgender community and the many hardships it faces. This is sobering stuff nicely rendered, as I say in my Screen International review.