No ordinary man
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 trap: no ordinary man
We fell in love with this fascinating documentary when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year. No ordinary man tells the story of Billy Tipton, a respected jazz musician and family man whose death in 1989 sparked a national scandal. The reason: Billy turned out to be a transgender man. New film from directors Aisling Chin-Yee & Chase Joynt aims to shed light on Billy’s story: how he lived, his love of music and how transphobia has affected his life and the lives of his children. With interviews with Billy’s son, Billy Jr., No ordinary man tells of a life almost lost to history. It’s a fascinating character portrayal and a subtle reminder that, yes, LGBTQ people have existed throughout history.
In theaters July 16.
The highlight: the street of fear, part 3 – 1666
The oh-so-gay trilogy that aims to convert RL Stine’s work into the Lord of the Rings ends this week, coming full circle in the Shadyside saga. 1666—our favorite entry in the trilogy – goes back in time almost 5,000 years to the origin of the city and brings the rework of the performers of 1994 and 1978 like the first townspeople to american horror story. As with the first two installments, 1666 emulates the contemporary horror of the time. In this case, it involves witches, pacts with the devil, and religious persecution. Of course, the film covers the beginnings of the Shadyside Curse before reaching an epic conclusion that sees characters from all three films team up for a final battle.
Director Leigh Janiak and writer Phil Graziadei are doing their best to elevate RL Stine’s pulp schlock to art. They never quite get there, but the resulting trilogy, taken as a whole, is a lot of pleasure. It is also an unexpected gay love story, spanning centuries and proving essential in defeating the demonic forces plaguing Shadyside. We recommend the trilogy as an entertaining horror game with a weird and daring streak. Hoping that if it works well, it can open the door to a full-fledged homosexual the Lord of the Rings– epic type.
Airs on Netflix July 16.
Snacks: the circuit
We covered this digital series when it debuted just before the COVID-19 pandemic. This week it arrives for free on the streaming service TubiTV, bringing with it all of its glitz, sex and drama. To recap: The circuit follows a group of self-proclaimed “circuit queens” living the party life in New York City. The COVID-19 outbreak gives the series a hell of a twist, especially after a few characters got caught up in the infamous Rona Rave. Fans of circuit parties and those who find them morally objectionable should find some fun here (not to mention a lot to bolster their existing arguments). Made with technical varnish and sex load, The circuit presents as much drama as any other reality TV show and a parcel no more homosexuality. This is not a bad thing.
Broadcast on TubiTV.
The Story Maker: Can You Bring It
This new documentary from directors Rosalynde LeBlanc and Tom Hurwitz focuses on the life of legendary dancer (and Queerty Pride50 winner) Bill T. Jones, and his legacy of dancing as a political protest. For the uninitiated, Jones and her then-boyfriend Arnie Zane flourished in the 1970s and 80s after founding the Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane dance company which used same-sex couples in shameless, erotic and romantic dance numbers. Zane’s HIV diagnosis led the couple to choreograph the amazing D-Man in the waters, an ultra-athletic dance piece intended to portray the pain and despair of the AIDS epidemic. Can you bring it follows an aging Jones as he strives to reinterpret the dance with a new generation of performers and use it as a protest against the current injustices of gun violence, racism and sexual exploitation that occupy the cultural center of the zeitgeist. Ultimately, the film paints a portrait of a brilliant innovator and underappreciated artist, who isn’t afraid to incorporate politics and just anger into his work. The film also underscores Jones’s status as a living queer hero, whose artistic will and human compassion throb in every move he makes.
In theaters July 16.
La Festive: Dance in front of the camera
Speaking of dancing, this weekend sees the Dance in front of the camera the festival returns to Lincoln Center in New York with a special retrospective of the festival’s 49-year history. This includes showing a litany of short films that recorded some of the best dances in festival history, as well as other innovations from around the world. The best part: Viewers can participate in the festival from home via streaming links that will feature both the archival shorts as well as the latest dances from the festival. It’s a must-have for fans of dance, New York culture and self-expression.
Taking place July 16-18 at Lincoln Center. Fans who wish to attend virtually can register on Dancefilms.org.
The Spin: “Stranger to Savior (acoustic)” by X. ARI
Queer singer X. ARI is releasing her new single this week, an acoustic piano tribute to his first (and current) girlfriend. X. ARI’s lyrical style recalls the delicate poetry of Sarah McLachlan. Besides, his piano styles too, which have a firm but mellow sound similar to them. “Stranger to Savior” plays on feelings of betrayal, enlightenment and healing from trauma, and how finding someone to love and trust can bring some peace. We recommend it to anyone who has ever recovered from heartache or experienced the joy of true love.
Feed on YouTube.
The Sip: Vampire Punch
via Shutterstock
In honor of the very satisfying conclusion to the Fear Street Trilogy, we bring you this sweet and strong favorite normally reserved for the Halloween season. Blending fruity flavors with a bit of sparkling, tropical goodness, it’ll set you up to fight old curses, ex-boyfriends, or even dreaded family vacations.
- 8 cups chilled berry punch (like Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red)
- 1 refrigerated 25.4 oz. bottle of sparkling apple cider
- 1 liter of chilled sparkling water
- 1 1/2 cup light rum
Combine ingredients in a large pitcher over ice. Mix well and serve.
