September 16, 2022
What to Watch: From 'Bros' to Styles to 'Heathers' to Marilyn
Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 12 MIN.
Fall means the start of awards season, with numerous exciting offerings that are coming to theaters and streaming platforms. Three major film releases are highly anticipated for very different reasons. So, if you're a Sinead O'Connor fan or curious about whether Harry Styles has solid acting chops, or want to delve into the history of queer horror films, take a look at our recommendations below.
"Peter von Kant"
French filmmaker François Ozon has fashioned an homage to iconic German auteur Rainer Werner Fassbinder, "Peter von Kant," a bold reimagining of the riveting 1972 all-female film, "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant." Ozon reverses key genders but remains faithful to the original script, which allows for an examination of Fassbinder's own tumultuous life and career. Peter (embodied by Denis Ménochet) falls for hot young Amir (impressive newcomer Khalil Ben Gharbia) and attempts to possess him. The notable supporting cast boasts Isabelle Adjani, Hanna Schygulla (the original object of Petra's desire), and Stéfan Crépon, who is the film's conscience. In French with English subtitles.
"Peter von Kant" is currently playing in theaters.
"Private Desert (Deserto Particular)"
Brasilian director Aly Muritiba's captivating film "Private Desert" at first seems concerned with the travails of a distressed 40-year-old policeman (an excellent Antonio Saboia). Midway through, the film takes on a more complex narrative, pivoting to another character (equally potent Pedro Fasanaro) struggling with his queerness in a town where that begets alienation. Muritiba shows how oppressive and suffocating religious and patriarchal small-town communities can be when it comes to how men learn to live and love. The movie's final reel is a surprising delight. In Portuguese with English subtitles.
"Private Desert" is currently playing in theaters.
"See How They Run"
For an entertaining throwback whodunit (inside a whodunit), BAFTA-winner Tom George has admirably helmed his first feature, written by Mark Chappell ("A Young Doctor's Notebook"), which takes place in the 1950s West End, where a film version of Agatha Christie's long-running play "The Mousetrap" is being prepped. Mixing real-life and fictional characters, the creatives have designed their own murder mystery with a stellar cast including Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, and David Oyelowo, who plays the closeted (not THAT closeted) gay playwright Mervyn Cocker-Norris caught in a tempestuous relationship with Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as the very jealous, very Italian (even if the actor isn't) Giovanni Bigotti.
"See How They Run" is currently playing in theaters.
"Monarch"
For a countrified camp good time, tune into the new Fox series "Monarch," a show that feels like Fox's own "Empire" meets "Dynasty" meets the ABC series "Nashville." You've got the arrogant Queen of Country Music, Dottie Cantrell Roman (Susan Sarandon), her gruff and perpetually pissed-off husband Albie (Trace Adkins), and their trio of traumatized children: Ambitious Nicky (Anna Friel), secretive Luke (Joshua Sasse), and woe-is-me-overlooked Gigi (Beth Ditto). Gigi is married to Kayla (Meagan Holder), who has her own secrets. They all have mommy/daddy issues. Gigi was sent to conversion camp for her sexual orientation and her weight. It's fun watching the deceptions and reveals. And a host of great country music stars make guest appearances. Look for an "impressive" comedic turn by a certain queen of country in Episode Two!
"Monarch" is currently on Fox.
"Heathers: The Musical"
The 2014 off-Broadway musical, "Heathers: The Musical," has been filmed for posterity via The Roku Channel. Based on Michael Lehmann's 1988 searing black comedy, with book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, the plot centers on a group of popular high school bullies and the young lovers who exact revenge on them. The show boasts some hummable pop tunes and a truly likable cast. Even in its sanitized form, the show is sure to offend the precious sensibilities of some, but it's that bite, however dissipated, that makes the production soar. Two standout performances are by Liam Doyle and Rory Phelan as dumb jocks who are mistaken for gay (but is it really a mistake?) and their respective fathers, who reveal a less than het past during the show's most hilarious number, "My Dead Gay Son."
"Heathers: The Musical" will exclusively premiere on The Roku Channel on September 16, 2022.
"Nothing Compares"
Kathryn Ferguson's "Nothing Compares" is one of the most important documentaries made in years, and it serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of censorship, which is spreading more rapidly today than it was three decades ago when the universe turned against Sinead O'Connor. It was then, in a daring moment on "Saturday Night Live" in October of 1992, that she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II in protest of his covering up the sexual abuse of minors. No one believed her. The Catholic Church would never do such things. 30 years later we know the truth. We knew it then, too. O'Connor is a hero and should be seen as such. Statues should be erected in her honor. More importantly, people should learn to listen and think before they speak (or tweet).
"Nothing Compares" opens in theaters on September 23, 2022, and premieres on Showtime on September 30, 2022.
"Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror"
The Shudder network brings us the landmark four-part series "Queer for Fear," which traces LGBTQ+ themes in films beginning in the silent era. This series is a must for any queer cinephile or anyone wanting a voyage through queer cinema. Episode 1 focuses on the adaptations of Queer gothic writers Mary Shelley, Oscar Wilde, and Bram Stoker, as well as genius gay filmmaker, F.W. Murnau ("Sunrise"), while Episode 2 delves into the work of James Whale ("Frankenstein") and does a deep dive into the oeuvre of Alfred Hitchcock with special focus on "Psycho." I cannot recommend this insightful and fascinating series enough.
"Queer for Fear" premieres on Shudder on September 30, 2022.
And three films we couldn't screen in time, but we are looking forward to:
"Bros"
Billy Eichner's "Bros" is groundbreaking on several levels. Eichner is the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film – and "Bros" features an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast. The rom-com co-stars Luke Macfarlane, Ts Madison, Monica Raymund, Guillermo Díaz, Guy Branum and Amanda Bearse, and is directed by Nicholas Stoller from his screenplay with Eichner. It sure feels like a must-see.
"Bros" will bow in theaters on September 30, 2020.
"Blonde"
Andrew Dominik's "Blonde" wowed crowds at the Venice Film Festival, and star Ana de Armas has been universally praised by critics who have seen the near-three-hour Netflix film. There has been controversy over the NC-17 rating, as well as Dominik's approach to the icon's story, but we are excited to see de Armas, as well as an impressive cast that includes Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and the always-amazing Julianne Nicholson.
"Blonde" premieres on Netflix on September 28, 2022
"Don't Worry, Darling"
The notoriety surrounding this film is off the charts, and you can google yourself silly reading countless articles covering "Spitgate" and the salacious, tempestuous Wilde reports. But is the 1950s-set film any good? We shall see. Harry Styles, wowing festivals, stars with Florence Pugh in what is being billed as a psychological thriller. Important to note, this not the Harry Styles film where he gets hot and heavy with David Dawson. That's "My Policeman," coming next month.
"Don't Worry, Darling" opens in theaters on September 23, 2022
Frank J. Avella is a proud EDGE and Awards Daily contributor. He serves as the GALECA Industry Liaison and is a Member of the New York Film Critics Online. His award-winning short film, FIG JAM, has shown in Festivals worldwide (figjamfilm.com). Frank's screenplays have won numerous awards in 17 countries. Recently produced plays include LURED & VATICAL FALLS, both O'Neill semifinalists. He is currently working on a highly personal project, FROCI, about the queer Italian/Italian-American experience. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. https://filmfreeway.com/FrankAvella https://muckrack.com/fjaklute
