Unconventional 2024 holiday films mostly not for families

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to start looking forward to new holiday movies. There are some great movies coming out this year, but most of them seem to have little to do with the season itself. Unfortunately, after last year or so, when the number of queer-themed or queer-inclusive holiday films seemed to be on the rise, there’s a noticeable lack of queer representation in this year’s selection. Of course, seasonal produce is also severely lacking, with a few exceptions. Nevertheless, there are several promising masterpieces set to hit theaters next month, all of which should intrigue any movie fan, queer or not. Blade is ready to explain them for you.

Wicked (now in theaters) The first preview doubles as a mini-review since it jumped the early release holiday queue, but that’s okay. Because it turns out we need it more than we thought. The first installment of director Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited two-part film adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, based on the novel of the same name by queer author Gregory Maguire, stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as two icons. She plays a witch. Characters from Frank Baum’s classic “The Wizard of Oz” (Elphaba, the previously unknown “Wicked Witch of the West” named by Maguire in her novels, and Glinda, “The Good Witch of the North”), and exaggerations, respectively Truly exceeds all expectations without any hassle. Incorporating elements from Maguire’s novel expands on the Disney-esque whimsy of the stage version (enhanced by a catchy score by “Pocahontas” composer Stephen Schwartz) and adds added weight to the family-friendly fun ( and timely relevance) while introducing something surprising. -The cost-saving artistry of the film’s visual design. It is performed on elaborate real-life sets by a uniformly excellent cast. Gay Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan Bailey, Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, veteran movie maverick Jeff Goldblum, Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage and queers also star. I am. Among the many talented performers, including SNL stalwart Bowen Yang, the rare transition from stage to screen is what captures the film’s charm. It inspired the show, but its magic is further enhanced by its purely cinematic approach. Add in the gentle irony of the post-election success of a musical fantasy about an alienated woman who is persecuted for trying to speak truth to an authoritarian figure (who also happens to be an incompetent charlatan), and you get: A movie is completed. This is definitely the movie of the year and then some. It’s a testament to Bohm’s pride that his clever bit of satire on American “exceptionalism” still inspires more than a century later. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Jump on your broomstick and head straight to the next available screening at your local multiplex.

Gladiator II (now in theaters) Also arriving ahead of the holiday season is a sequel to Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning 2000 original “Gladiator,” which won Best Picture and Best Actor (Russell Crowe) at the Oscars. . The queer appeal here lies primarily in the stamina of the stars – allies and queer fan favorite heartthrobs Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal join Denzel Washington as the film’s leading trio. But that doesn’t mean it has queer appeal. There’s not much big-budget sword-and-sandal excitement to entertain anyone interested in that kind of thing. And let’s be honest, they’re cheesy, but who doesn’t love a movie about barely-clad muscled men brandishing swords at each other in the midst of Roman corruption? Respected queer British actor Derek Jacobi will reprise his role from the original film, along with a cast that includes Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz and Connie Nielsen.

Queer (now in theaters) Italian director Luca Guadagnino (creator of Call Me By Your Name and the triangular tennis romance Challengers, which premiered this year), directs queer Beat Generation icon William This is a long-awaited film adaptation of a semi-autobiographical novella by S. Set in 1950, Burroughs follows an American expatriate (Daniel Craig in a career-best performance) who raids local bars in search of connections and a new ex-soldier in town (Drew Starr). I’m obsessed with key). Already controversial (at least in some circles) for his explicitness and unapologetically raw perspective, Burroughs’ legendary status as a writer and personality is more than a counterpoint to his queerness. Perhaps this is the piece, an unsurprising element given its association with cultural radicalism. For LGBTQ viewers, or at least those who aren’t completely glued to “Wicked,” it’s a standout must-see title this season. And while Craig (he’s used to “playing gay”) said in a recent interview that his character’s sexuality was the “least interesting thing” to him, he’s not a fan of the millions of queer You can bet your fans won’t agree. Also starring is the incomparable Lesley Manville (recently MVP for Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquery), Jason Schwartzman, Enrique Zaga and Omar Apollo.

MARIA (Theatrical release 11/27, Netflix 12/11) For opera lovers, here comes this widely publicized biopic starring Angelina Jolie as legendary soprano Maria Callas. This biopic depicts the diva’s last days living in Paris. The third and final film in Chilean director Pablo Larraín’s trilogy of films depicting the lives of important women of the 20th century (following 2016’s Jackie and 2021’s Spencer). This film competed for the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Jolie gave a powerful performance as a symbol of opera, sparking Oscar buzz.

Night Bitch (released in theaters 12/6) Queer viewers will notice the artist’s (Amy Adams) role as wife and mother (to a head toddler), resulting in a dog-like transformation with an enhanced sense of smell and an unexpected body. Dive into feminist allyship in this horror-filled drama that inspires. Hair and extra nipples on the abdomen. A metaphorical exploration of discovering personal power and transcending cultural expectations that define femininity around the traditional roles of housewife and mother, the work undoubtedly drew dissatisfaction from the anti-“woke” crowd. But it’s obviously costing us points every time.

THE ORDER (released in theaters 12/6) There’s nothing particularly strange about this film, starring Jude Law as a veteran FBI agent facing off against a fanatical white supremacist rebel leader (Nicholas Hoult) in a “war for the soul of America.” However, there is an obvious connection between fictionalized “content”. -if” is a fantasia based on 1980s headlines about the Aryan Nation spin-off group “The Order” and its campaign of robbery, bombing, and murder. If you’re not a fan of the Nazis (because they’re still Nazis, no matter what they call themselves), this is probably for you.

Nickel Boys (released in theaters on 12/13) The Alley Ship is also the centerpiece of the feature film adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, in which Aoun Janew Ellis-Taylor follows her grandson (Ethan Herissey) during the Jim Crow era. She plays a hotel housekeeper who is unfairly imprisoned in a correctional facility. Directed by Peabody Award winner (Emmy and Oscar nominee) Ramel Ross, this anti-racist drama is based on a true story.

The Room Next Door (released in theaters on 12/20) If there’s any upcoming movie that deserves attention, it’s this one. The first English-language feature from iconic queer Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, the film reunites two former New York Magazine colleagues (Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore) for the first time in years. She is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis and asks her partner to help her die with dignity. With three transcendent artists working together, our confidence level has grown enough to suggest that this could be the highlight of the season for movie purists.

Better Man (released in theaters on 12/25) If you’ve never heard of Robbie Williams (and you’re American), you’d be forgiven. That’s because this phenomenally successful British pop singer-songwriter is relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic. But this unconventional musical, a biopic from The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, is likely to be one you’ll never forget. The film depicts the ups and downs of Williams’ personal life, tracing his rise to fame and beyond, but also depicts him as a chimpanzee (voiced by Williams himself, with CG animation by Johnno Davies). (Drawn using Capture). Star says, “I’ve always felt less evolved than other people.” It may certainly sound strange, but the film debuted at the Telluride Film Festival in September to enthusiastic critical acclaim, and whether or not it works for you, the film is definitely one of the best of the year. It boasts the most unusual premise of any movie. It was I understand.

Baby Girl (released in theaters on 12/25) Another unusual choice for the Christmas period is writer-director Halina Lane’s provocative erotic thriller, in which Nicole Kidman is sexually bored with her husband (Antonio Banderas) and is forced to marry a much younger man. She plays a CEO who pursues an affair with a male intern (a glowing beauty). (Harris Dickinson) weaves a searing cautionary tale about the dangerous dynamics of power and sexuality in the professional world. Another Golden Lion nominee in Venice, it has received high praise for both Lane’s direction and Kidman’s performance. So while this movie may not be the kind of family holiday movie you’d want to watch with mom and dad, it’s definitely worth sneaking out on a solo jaunt while the family eats their holiday meal and sleeps. It’s definitely a movie.

Nosferatu (released in theaters on 12/25) Even less appropriate for the holiday season (at least this 1) But the eagerly awaited film is nonetheless a great addition to F.W. Murnau’s venerable silent classic (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, widely regarded as the “grandfather” of all vampire films). This is a remake of the 1922 German Expressionist masterpiece (based on the 1922 German Expressionist masterpiece) by the ever-talked-about film director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, etc.), which is probably 1 It’s the perfect refreshment after months of merriment, revelry, sweetness and light. Starring Bill Sarsgard as the evil Count Orlok, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp as the married couple he infiltrates, and Willem Dafoe as his nemesis, the professor, the gothic story is brought to life in the 21st century. (Eggers says) and emphasizes the twisted obsessions and infatuations that bind the characters together. The long-delayed and highly anticipated production is already guaranteed to be a must-see for anyone who loves the genre. So, if you need something related to the season, you can always consider it as a holiday gift for horror fans.