FEAR STREET PART 1: 1994 – (LR) JULIA REHWALD as KATE, FRED HECHINGER as SIMON and KIANA MADEIRA as DEENA. Creation: Netflix © 2021
Whatever your entertainment needs, we’ve got you (and hopefully your mind) back with Queerty’s weekly ‘Culture Club’ column featuring some of the highlights from new releases, streaming shows, classics to. review and what to drink while you watch.
The Catch: Fear Street Part 1 – 1994
Netflix kicks off a major horror event with this film, the first in a trilogy based on RL Stine’s popular horror novels. Fear street traces the history of Shadyside, a small, working-class American town with a long history of mass murder. Part 1 picks up in (you guessed it) 1994 when a new wave of murder breaks out. Lesbian couple Deena and Sam (Kiana Madeira and Olivia Welch) become the killer’s targets and stumble upon dark and supernatural forces that have long cursed the city.
As a movie, 1994 channels both nostalgia and traditional horror. Director Leigh Janiak and writer Phil Graziadei fill the film with plenty of ’90s rock hits and pop culture references to evoke the era. Janiak is also shooting the film in the style of the action slashers of the day, including Scream. Madeira and Welch have a strong chemistry together, by turns combative and passionate – these two teenagers are in love, but they are still teenagers. All of this would make us recommend the film to fans of all things weird and horror, however. 1994 ultimately just teases a much larger horror tale that centers around the sequels, 1978 and 1666. We will be returning to these films when they are released in the coming weeks. For now, suffice to say that Janiak and Graziadei reinvented Stine’s pulp cooler as a macabre. the Lord of the Rings-type saga. Fear street never reaches that epic level, although that doesn’t make it any less fun.
Aired on Netflix July 2.
The must: the legend of the metro
With pride month giving way to days of American patriotism, Metro legend will remind viewers that the fight for equality continues far beyond America’s borders, and with a sense of urgency. This new documentary film follows the life of the LGBTQ community in the African nation of Cameroon, a place where homosexuality remains illegal, punishable by imprisonment, torture or death. Directors Giselle Bailey and Nneka Onuorah follow a close-knit group of friends determined to support each other and fight the issue of escape to countries of asylum. This includes Mikael, a former Nigerian working to help gay Africans in the United States, and James Brown, a flamboyant Instagrammer and activist who faces death threats and harassment in Cameroon. As the U.S. immigration debate rages on, Metro legend will remind viewers that for LGBTQ people, whether they are from Africa, Eastern Europe or the Middle East, finding asylum in the United States is a matter of life and death. All American homosexuals should take this into account.
Streamed on HBO Max.
The Kiki: Truman & Tennessee: an intimate conversation
Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland explores the long-standing friendship between two queer American writing lions, Tennesee Williams and Truman Capote. With a voiceover from Zachary Quinto and Jim Parsons, Vreeland brings the two men’s private letters and writings to life, as well as their perspectives on gay liberation, literature and their struggle against the identity of the South. An intimate conversation also reveals the competitive spirit between the two – humor has gone a long way in strengthening their friendship, not to mention helping the two deal with their alcoholism. It’s a tender portrait of a pair of great gays, and a must-have for fans of Tennessee, Truman or queer history.
Now showing in select theaters and online theaters.
The Fetch: Burn Book
Anyone in need of a little snark at their 4th of July barbecue this weekend, look no further than Burn Book, the new board game based on the film. Bad girls. Burn Book, as the name suggests, is all about casting a little shade among friends. Each player answers a question about all the other players, for example, “branded collection line” or “first dating site screen name”. Each player must then correctly assign the sarcastic answers to all the other players, which brings out, shall we say, the frequent burns. It also causes frequent laughs in our experience, earning it a strong recommendation. Fans of Bad girls will revel in the bitch, while everyone will enjoy the mix of creativity, wit, and cheeky jibing.
Available at Big Potato and at Target.
The Glittering: Red Hot presents “Red, White + Free”
Speaking of patriotism and the fabulous, a group of LGBTQ artists have conspired to release this new two-disc anthology of dance music suitable for backyard, home or generalized dance parties. With contributions from Billy Porter, Gloria Gaynor, Ultra Naté, Allie X, Bright Light Bright Light & The Illustrious Blacks, Tituss Burgess & Imani Coppola, Vagabon & Pamcy and more, the album aims to ignite the ground, and for good cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album is donated to several queer charities, including the Ally Coalition, Trevor Project and SAGE. Our favorite track: “Caught in the Middle” by Billy Porter. The song imbues Porter’s soft voice with a 90s pesudo-gospel pop rhythm. It makes you want to put on some glitter, sunscreen and dance on the beach.
“Caught in the Middle” is now streaming on YouTube. The full album is released on July 2.
The Sip: Patriot Shooter
via YouTube
In commemoration of the American Revolution and the birth of the United States – warts and all – we bring this week’s sippage, a fast-paced shooter suitable for parties, social events, and game nights. Fruity and pretty to boot, we recommend pairing it up with a Burn Book game and watching the sarcastic answers pour in. As with all things: a little lubrication makes the game a lot more fun.
1⁄3 ounce of blue curacao
Pour the grenadine into a shot glass. Slowly add the curacao, layering it over. Pour vodka for the third layer. To serve.
