After countless failed attempts and outrage from the nerds and the geeks alike, a documentary about Comic-Con has finally been released. Documenting the yearly gathering of super fans in San Diego, Comic-Con Episode IV details what it means to be obsessive, what it means to be an enthusiast. Linda Lay takes a peek at this much-awaited film, complete with an exclusive Stan Lee quote.

Liza Johnson tackles a subject matter that is often ignored in the tabloids, the media, in pop culture -- a woman’s return from military service. In Return, Linda Cardellini (of Freaks and Geeks fame) depicts an Ohio native thrust back into reality after deployment abroad. What unravels is a seemingly accurate depiction of a mother attempting to maintain poise and dignity despite her trauma-filled predicament. A favorite at Cannes, Return is now playing in select cities.

ONE Archives presents Wink Wink, one third of a 3-part exhibition that coincides with the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time to reveal the disjointed queer history of Southern California. Curated by David Evans Frantz and Mia Locks, the West Hollywood display showcases known artisans, to forgotten gay prophets, to anonymous sculptures without a definite past.

Rafael Rosas, a dear and deliciously ravenous member of the FruitFlyLife family, premiered his short film Where Is It? Sunday night to his East Los Angeles family. Accompanied by many a Makers Mark, the soiree was an intimate gathering of his glamorous posse. The film was equally as glamorous -- a tale of voyeuristic action figures with a liking for gay sex. Here Julio Corea describes the Blockbuster sensation.

D’Arcy Drollinger might just be the most educated, well-informed, well-versed Drag star FruitFlyLife has ever interviewed. Having juggled a position at Moma NYC, onstage theatrical performances throughout the nation, and a cult following of Lindsay Lohan super fans, D’Arcy Drollinger is truly a Renaissance personality. FruitFlyLife dished with the Diva about camp in a fine art setting and infamous Pop princesses.

Cortes Alexander’s career has long been paved in fabulous. From being accepted into Juilliard at the tender age of 13, to maintaining both a professional and social friendship with gay icon Liza Minnelli, Cortes Alexander is living a (day)dream life. FruitFlyLife writer Jake Weingarten sat down with the ever-so-exuberant Cortes Alexander one Los Angeles afternoon. They talked about eating poultry with Liza, the difficulties with making money in show business, and maintaining individuality at whatever the cost. Be sure to catch Cortes Alexander at Barre Vermont in Los Angeles on November 14th.

Oftentimes, films with gay subject matter are confined to LGBT friendly festivals and rarely circulate outside of these confines. Thankfully, such is not the case with the Swedish film, With Every Heartbeat. For fifteen years Sweden has been devoid of lesbian-centric films (the last being Show Me Love), and director Alexandra-Therese Keining is determined to take Sweden out of these gay Dark Ages. Playing November 8th at the AFI Film Festival in Hollywood, FruitFlyLife sat down with the director and the producer prior to the movie’s November 8th screening to discuss cinematography, universality, and, of course, Robyn.

For the writers of FruitFlyLife, Leave It On The Floor has become more than an indie musical drenched in catchy tracks and ostentatious dance routines. In fact, Leave It On The Floor has trickled into writer Courtney Nichols’ life for many months -- from new friends now considered family, to integration into LA culture she feared would never occur, this movie was the starting point for a very successful Southern California experience. Finally, allow her to explain the bedazzled symphony that is Leave It On The Floor.

There is nothing more flamboyant, more inspirational, more joyful than Richard Simmons. For decades he has been the source of mind and body transformations -- and all in glitter and spandex. Linda Lay has recently become addicted to the Slimmon lifestyle. This is her tale of her newly revamped workout as dictated by the sequined god.

Jeffrey Augustine Songco, Scumbag #1, 2012, latex mounted on velvet, 8.25 x 7.25 x 1 in.

Unable to simple enjoy stillness, Jeffrey Augustine Songco often replaces moments of rest and relaxation with unnecessary yet ultimately fulfilling activities. This constant need to continually create causes him to think about celebrity clothing / perfume lines and the ways in which, mere days until his gallery opening, sometimes you can’t just “make it work.”

Jeffrey Augustine Songco, Scumbag #1, 2012, latex mounted on velvet, 8.25 x 7.25 x 1 in.

In the second journal entry by Jeffrey Augustine Songco leading up to his great gallery debut at Steven Wolf Fine Arts Gallery in San Francisco on January 7th, Jeffrey discusses his sobriety, his liking to gay applications, and his sleepless nights of stress. All seems normal for the life of an up-and-coming art star.

Jeffrey Augustine Songco, Scumbag #1, 2012, latex mounted on velvet, 8.25 x 7.25 x 1 in.

FruitFlyLife is proud to present a series of original journal entries from contributing writer, distinctive artist and longtime inspiration, Jeffrey Augustine Songco. With his first solo art show only a few weeks away, Jeffrey will take us on a written journey through his artistic process leading to his show, Public Displays Of Affection, which debuts at Steven Wolf Fine Arts Gallery in San Francisco on January 7th.

Shame has an NC-17 rating. In FruitFlyLife’s opinion, this is reason enough to ooh and aww over the film, which opens December 2nd. Directed by indie favorite Steve McQueen, and starring the likeable baby-faced Carey Mulligan and the ripped ass of Michael Fassbender, Shame might just be the straight response to Shortbus.

On November 9th, The Costume Council of Los Angeles hosted a curator presentation by Andrew Bolton -- creative force behind The Met’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. A uniquely New York event, the LA sunlight shined brightly onto the fashion icons of Southern California, each dressed in dark tones, asymmetrical lines, and heavy, dominating necklaces. FruitFlyLife attended the event and briefly entered the world of such a tortured genius.

For many, Sesame Street was a morning ritual -- a teacher whose vocal chords were one decibel too high, whose coloring bordered on blinding, and whose manic mood shifts induced hectic laughter. There is no better example of such a teacher than Elmo. Though a younger generation has connected with the red Muppet, the older generation has had difficulty deciphering Elmo’s intention. Thankfully Being Elmo has placed Elmo (and his puppeteer) into context so that even the most hesitant now can understand the iconic character.

Last Thursday night, FruitFlyLife covered the (BELVEDERE) Red Grammy party at The Avalon Hollywood. Celebrating the vodka with charitable purpose, the star-studded event was the ideal party to kick off a very blurry, very messy musical weekend. Featuring the likes of Mary J. Blige, Skrillex, and Paris Hilton, the night was all Hollywood.

Photos by Megan Mantia

In an era drowning in shallow, presumptive, clean cut children’s programming, Whoop Dee Doo is adding necessary grime and ostentation to kid’s entertainment. Based out of Kansas City, MO, this artistic collective travels the world performing a uniquely colorful variety show appropriate from the youngest baby to the oldest adult. By incorporating regional acts and talent, Whoop Dee Doo’s shows are unique to the city and space. FruitFlyLife chatted with hosts Jamie Warren and Matt Roche, along with various other members of the traveling team, to chat about Pee Wee’s playhouse, John Waters’ drag queens, and engaging the local community.

Armed with two tallboys, the Welsh trio hovered behind a big rig as their set at Outside Lands came to a buzzworthy end. FruitFlyLife was there as the San Francisco fog shook the lead singer and jolted the two men, causing each to head for the wine tent upon the conclusion of the interview. Having already opened at Madison Square Garden, it seems The Joy Formidable has nowhere to go but up, proving the female vocalists don’t always have to rely on faint whispers or pathetic cries.

Treasure Island Music Festival is rapidly approaching, and though tastes of 2010’s LCD Soundsystem performance still linger, this year’s lineup proves to be more progressive and alluring than the last. William Brennan has taken the time to map out each day of the festival -- from those acts that are must-sees, to those acts that are see if-you-must. Local talent to oversees sensations, electronic to folk, the diversity of the October 15th and 16th weekend will surely be a Fall highlight.

Formerly of Port O’Brien, Van Pierszalowski’s has reentered the music scene with Waters, a grimy yet catchy act whose live performance and shockingly rich visuals have already attracted fan attention. FruitFlyLife chatted with the front man at 5353 Festival in Marina Del Rey. He dished about his hometown of Cambria and his lifelong dream of being pitcher for the Dodgers.

Photo by Dave Vann

We can ignore it no longer: summer has come to an end. Though Indian summer may be on the horizon, the festival season has disappeared into memory, allowing the stagnant taste of dirt and drugs to fade. Before we look toward next year’s lineups, let’s take a peak back at four festivals FruitFlyLife covered this year: Coachella, Hard Festival, Outside Lands and Pitchfork Music Festival.

Being political, feminist, Jews never hindered the four-piece, Brooklyn collective of The Shondes. In fact, they thrive on their diversity, cohesively combining the worlds of religion, politics and gender into a tightly woven package. This Tuesday The Shondes released their latest album, Searchlights, which once again elevates contemporary riotgrrrl aesthetic into a freshly modern musical experience. FruitFlyLife chatted with drummer Temim about identity labels and the DIY comeback.