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Enemies of Dorothy are Making the Queer Horror Parodies We Didn’t Know We Needed!

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This morning as I sat contemplating my day, a Facebook video from a page called Enemies of Dorothy popped up with a title that commanded my attention: Social Justice Strangers.

I haven’t been so happy to have watched a Facebook video in a long time and I was immediately on the hunt to track down the men behind the satire.

Their names are Christopher Smith Bryant and Ryan Leslie Fisher, a real life couple with a flare, if I do say so myself, for poking just the right amount of fun at the world around them. Not surprisingly, they had a story to tell and a real reason behind their video projects.

“After Trump [was elected] and all the political changes we were seeing,” Christopher says. “both of us felt like we had a lot to say, and we both deal with our emotions through humor and comedy which is why we started Enemies of Dorothy.”

For those who don’t know, Enemies of Dorothy is a play on “Friends of Dorothy” a mid-twentieth century code phrase for being gay that simultaneously paying tribute to gay icon, Judy Garland and her iconic role in The Wizard of Oz. It was a time when being gay was still punishable with jail time and worse, and “Are you a friend of Dorothy?” was just one of the many ways gay men could identify themselves without drawing unwanted attention.

One of the most hilarious and bumbling stories from our nation’s military history involved this very phrase. The leaders of the U.S. Navy were trying to crack down on the “gay problem” they were having, and upon hearing the phrase “friend of Dorothy” repeatedly, they assumed that a woman named Dorothy was at the center of a “massive homosexual conspiracy” in the Navy.

They spent months trying to track her down! But, I digress.

Christopher, a stand-up comedian in the Los Angeles area who has been listed on Pride.com as one of the top 10 LGBT comedians you need to know, and Ryan, an actor with credits on “The Mentalist” as well as his original series “Openly Jake,” dropped their first horror parody some time ago with a video in which Pennywise the Clown and the Babadook announced their engagement.

The video, directed by Michael Varrati, came in the wake of the Babadook grabbing queer iconic status after a mix-up over at Netflix. It was a viral hit and the couple never looked back.

Since then, there have been a host of new videos including Gay Hell and Gay Beast Friends, each with its own satirically funny flare with a dose of social commentary thrown in for good measure.

But where and how did Social Justice Strangers come to be?

“Our friend Zack Ogle came over for one of our monthly “Werewolf” (the board game) nights, and immediately spat out this idea,” Ryan says. “It just clicked. We sat down and wrote it together. Then we got Michael Varrati on board to direct and it was a recipe for success!”

In their version, the three terrifying killers from the popular film The Strangers show up to murder the two men only to be flummoxed when its discovered that the men are gay, and hilarious worry sets in that they might be committing a hate crime.

One thing is certain: we have not heard the last of these two.

The Enemies of Dorothy, or as I like to call them “The Ambitiously Gay Duo”, have a lot more tricks up their sleeves, and I for one can’t wait to see them come to fruition.

Check out Social Justice Strangers below, and if you like what you see subscribe to their Facebook Page and their YouTube channel!

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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