In 1985, New Line rushed out a sequel to its breakout horror hit of the prior year. But while commercially successful enough, “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge” was initially disliked by mainstream horror fans, then later won cult status, for the same reason: It struck many as “the gayest horror film of all time,” with content that was either homoerotic or homophobic or both, depending on your view.
Breaking from slasher-genre norms, its protagonist wasn’t a “Final Girl” but a cute, blond, “sensitive” high school boy for whom Robert Englund’s murderous Freddy often seemed to be a metaphor: A flaming little secret Jesse doesn’t want to “come out,” and which only the love of the girl next door (Kim Myers) can save him from. Lead Mark Patton was a closeted gay actor who considered the film’s ambivalent sexual agenda publicly “outed” him. Documentary “Scream,...
Breaking from slasher-genre norms, its protagonist wasn’t a “Final Girl” but a cute, blond, “sensitive” high school boy for whom Robert Englund’s murderous Freddy often seemed to be a metaphor: A flaming little secret Jesse doesn’t want to “come out,” and which only the love of the girl next door (Kim Myers) can save him from. Lead Mark Patton was a closeted gay actor who considered the film’s ambivalent sexual agenda publicly “outed” him. Documentary “Scream,...
- 2/29/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Mark Patton was in his mid-twenties when he was cast as Jesse Walsh in “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” which was as financially successful as the first movie in that series. But the blond and beautiful and sensitive Patton, who was a closeted gay actor, took a career hit for being seen as a male scream queen. The new documentary “Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street” details how Patton disappeared and then re-emerged to take control of his image.
Directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen have packed the film with as much social context as possible, and they view as many sides of this story as they can in a fast-paced, engaging style. There are interviews with academics and drag queens and fans of the horror genre, and this gives the movie a wide-ranging perspective that helps us better understand the moving personal story at its core.
Directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen have packed the film with as much social context as possible, and they view as many sides of this story as they can in a fast-paced, engaging style. There are interviews with academics and drag queens and fans of the horror genre, and this gives the movie a wide-ranging perspective that helps us better understand the moving personal story at its core.
- 2/26/2020
- by Dan Callahan
- The Wrap
In 1985, Mark Patton was a 25-year-old aspiring actor about to enjoy his big break. He had been cast as the leading man in “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” the sequel to 1984’s blockbuster slasher hit written and directed by Wes Craven. For Patton, it was a dream come true. Little did he know, his career would be over just as quickly as it began. As he puts it: “I wake up in the middle of the first movie that I’m the lead actor in, and realize that there’s a gay subtext in it.” Patton’s wild ride provides the backbone of “Scream, Queen! My Nightmare On Elm Street,”
“Scream, Queen!” takes its double-meaning title from the classic horror trope of the scream queen or final girl, a term used to describe the last woman to survive long enough to confront the killer in a slasher film.
“Scream, Queen!” takes its double-meaning title from the classic horror trope of the scream queen or final girl, a term used to describe the last woman to survive long enough to confront the killer in a slasher film.
- 10/30/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st each year. It's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
- 12/1/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
“Taken 2” starring Liam Neeson opens in theaters today – and we can’t wait to see the super-dad back in action!In the sequel, CIA retiree Bryan Mills and his wife are held hostage by the father of one of the kidnappers Mills killed to save to his daughter. As were sure fans of the flick are gearing up to see Liam in all his badass glory – we’re celebrating the release of part two with a spoof from Funny or Die. In this hilarious parody of the blockbuster movie, life is back to normal for Bryan in "Taken 3"… but he still can’t let go of his legendary line and he is taking everything now -- from parking spaces to sodas (warning: pg-13 content inside). Taken 3 - Back to Normal from Timothy Murphy Also make sure to check out “Taken 2” this weekend! Read more...
- 10/6/2012
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
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