“Queer”
The second collaboration between director Luca Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes after “Challengers,” this adaption of William S. Burroughs‘ seminal novel is reportedly the Italian filmmaker’s most artistic endeavor since “I Am Love” (although you could argue his 2018 remake of “Suspiria” is right there). Daniel Craig portrays Lee, an ex-pat writer living in early 1950s Mexico City who becomes enamored with Allerton, a recently discharged member of the American Navy played by Drew Starkey. The story is inspired by the real relationship between Burroughs and serviceman Adelbert Lewis Marker during that period in the author’s life. The cast also includes Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, and Henrique Zaga and the movie will also screen at TIFF and the New York Film Festival. Like a number of Venice titles, “Queer” has been seen by most distributors but hasn’t made a deal as of yet. Will rave reviews make a significant player bite? – GE
“Joker: Folie a Deux”
Following Todd Phillips’ flashpoint “Joker” film, which seemed to capture a dangerous moment of disenfranchised rage in America, the filmmaker returns with Joaquin Phoenix (who won an Oscar for his original performance). This installment features Arthur Fleck, institutionalized at Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for his Joker crimes. Within it, he finds a new love in Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) and music. While it was once touted as a musical, the truth seems to be a drama that expands the narrative of disillusionment and the Joker’s story but uses music and fantasy musical sequences to explore Arthur’s identity, psyche, and need to escape. -RP
“Disclaimer”
Alfonso Cuarón’s first foray into television (or are we still calling it episodic?) since his shortlived NBC 2014 series “Believe,” this adaptation of Renée Knight’s 2015 novel has been waiting for the spotlight since production finished filming over a year and a half ago. The seven-episode series follows Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett), a celebrated documentary journalist who is surprised to discover she’s a major character in a novel. A novel that reveals a secret she has tried to keep hidden for years. The cast includes Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Louis Partridge, and Lesley Manville. Notably, both Emmanuel Lubezki and Bruno Delbonnel are credited cinematographers, with Cuarón directing all seven chapters. The first two episodes will debut on Apple TV+ on Oct. 11, with new episodes every week thereafter. – GE
“Pavements”
Alex Ross Perry’s latest endeavor is an experimental hybrid documentary and narrative that explores the cult indie band Pavements. It pulls from Perry’s jukebox musical “Slanted! Enchanted! A Pavement Musical” and incorporates historical footage of the ’90s band. Ross has recruited an intriguing cast to play the band, including Joe Kerry, Nat Wolff, Fred Hechinger, and Logan Miller. The cast is rounded out by Jason Schwartzman, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Tim Heidecker, among others. “Pavements” is also set to screen at the New York Film Festival as it hopes for significant U.S. distribution. – GE
“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2”
Well, this was certainly a surprise. Or should it have been? After Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” underwhelmed critics at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and bombed in theaters six weeks later, the second chapter of the reportedly four-part exercise was pulled from theaters (read our review). Now, perhaps in a favor to the “Dances with Wolves” Oscar winner, Venice has decided to screen the three-hour-plus “Chapter 2” out of competition. It’s a peculiar choice, but perhaps better notices for this installment will convince Warner Bros to release it in theaters or another distributor to come to Costner’s rescue. At worst, at least we’ll find out what Giovanni Ribisi’s role is in all this. Assuming anyone still cares. – GE
Also To See:
Joe Wright’s upcoming “M. Il Figlio del Secolo” series, Thomas Vinterberg’s limited series, “Families Like Ours,” Kevin MacDonald’s doc “One To One: John and Yoko,” “King Ivory” with Ben Foster and James Badge Dale, Errol Morris’ “Separated,” Petra Costa‘s “Apocalypse In The Tropics, “Cloud” by Kurosawa Kiyoshi, “September 5” with Peter Sarsgaard and John Magaro, Nicolas Winding Refn’s short, “Beauty Is Not A Sin,” Asif Kapadia’s “2073” starring Samantha Morton, and Alice Rohrwacher Jr.’s “Allégorie Citadine.”
