in

What to watch: The male “Gaze” sucking on the enormous talent of “Candyman” and Keiynan Lonsdale

William Burke (Colman Domingo) in Candyman.

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 exit: Candyman

Clive Barker’s iconic bogeyman returns in this new movie, a sequel that gives the franchise the Halloween treatment by mostly ignoring the low-rent sequels to focus on the events of the original film. This new Candy follows Alexander (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an artist from Chicago who becomes obsessed with the legend of the Candyman, i.e. a different Candyman but similar to the killer depicted in the original film. As his research continues, he is haunted by visions of the Spectral Slayer and the bodies around him begin to pile up.

Were very happy to announce that this new entry in the series features identifiable queer characters and also features an outstanding performance from queer actor Colman Domingo. The script loads its character with long exposure passages, and in the hands of a lesser actor, these scenes could sink the entire movie. Thankfully, Domingo steps up to the task, delivering his dialogue with hoarse-voiced fanaticism. It dominates every moment it appears on the screen.

Candy turns up the volume on several elements of the original film, including concepts of racism and lynched mob brutality that are even more relevant today. On the flip side, the film excels in the original film’s most dangerous element: romance. Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen had a strange sexual tension between their characters in 1992; indeed, the original film’s Candyman had more in common with Phantom of the Opera than with Freddy Kruger. Screenwriters Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, and Nia DaCosta (who also directed) are ditching eroticism in favor of metaphors about artistic mania and police violence with mixed results. The climax of the film seems to contradict the story that came before it, resulting in a confusing ending. That said, we enjoyed the drive up to this point for the performance of the cast, the spooky atmosphere, and for the respectful tribute to the original film. This includes the participation of Madsen, Todd (no, we won’t say how) and OG star Vanessa Williams, who makes a beautiful cameo.

In theaters August 27.

The Quickies: Male Gaze – Three’s Company

The ongoing film series that brings together and anthology of short films into feature films is still going on and, as the title suggests, it is getting scorching. This new collection features stories from France, Canada, Germany and Belgium, which examine all same-sex relationships and attraction between men. From bi-curious road trips to prep school memories, from homophobic families to gay dads facing a toddler, each story represents a brief personal statement about masculinity, gender, and homoeroticism. Our selection of litter: Golden boys, a short film by director Jill Riley about three adult friends who revisit their high school together and face emotions they have long buried.

August 27 on Amazon and Vimeo.

The Spin: Jake Wesley Rogers “Weddings and Funerals”

Cult queer musician Jake Wesley Rogers returns this week with his new video, an ironic parody of heterosexual marriage excess, and how LGBTQ people often feel crippled with fear when it comes to similar territory. For Rogers, it comes across as a re-enactment of the Kennedy assassination, with the singer playing the role of Jackie, in a pink suit, all because he’s scared to ask a boy out. It’s an odd vanity, though we admit that Rogers’ high-rock tenor voice and pensive lyrics make him an undeniable talent. Considering he will be touring with Ben Platt next year, that’s a good thing.

Posted on Vimeo.

The Jam: Keiynan Lonsdale “Rhythm and Music”

The always underrated Keiynan Lonsdale has just released his new video which, at the very least, should remind viewers of his incredible talent. “Rhythm & Music” finds Lonsdale channeling her inner Jennifer Beals in video that recalls Lightning dance… Although, for our money, his dance moves are more reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s than anyone else. We don’t make this comparison lightly: Lonsdale, quite simply, dances better than any other pop star in recent memory. Besides, he also has a remarkable gift for pop music, as demonstrated by this sexy and catchy dance ballad. That the rest of the world didn’t seem to understand this is everyone’s loss. For the love of all that’s sacred, will anyone want to put this magnificent talent into a musical !?

Feed on YouTube.

Going back: the “Androgyny” garbage

Alternative rockers Garbage celebrate 20 years of their EP Beautiful trash can This year. As such, the group released a new version of the video for the album’s first single, “Androgyny”. Listening ears may remember the single – in all its eerie glory – when it landed on radio stations in August 2001. Garbage was coming out of the release of Version 2.0, one of the great pop-rock albums of the 90s, and hit a brick wall. The music video for “Androgyny” was released on September 10, just before the September 11 attacks embittered the nation because of the melancholy and Gothic modesty that made Garbage so big. 20 years later, we think it’s time to listen to “Androgyny” again. An air that relishes what was, at the time of release, confined to bathrooms in queer venues was perhaps a little too ahead of its time.

Feed on YouTube.

The sip: the Candyman

In honor of the return of one of our favorite and most underrated movie mittens, we bring you this tribute concocted from the events and flavors of the original film. Considering the new movie does the exact same thing, that seems like a fitting hook. See what we did there?

  • 1 1/2 ounce honey whiskey
  • 1/2 ounce Bacardi 151
  • 1/2 ounce grenadine
  • ginger ale

Combine the liqueur and grenadine in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass on ice. Add the ginger ale.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Does Michael Jordan have a cologne? (Celebrity Exclusive)

Does Michael Jordan have a cologne?

How rich is Jessica Simpson? (Celebrity Exclusive)

How rich is Jessica Simpson?