Katy O'Brian's Pride Month Watchlist
Actress and martial artist Katy O'Brian shares her picks to watch for Pride Month.
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10 titles
- DirectorRupert JulianLon ChaneyErnst LaemmleStarsLon ChaneyMary PhilbinNorman KerryA mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer."Horror was my gateway into the love of filmmaking. As a kid, I was fascinated by the practical and special effects (often on crazy low budgets) used to create incredible moments of terror and iconic monsters; I was that little weirdo drawing sketches of nightmare fuel with the hopes of figuring out what exactly it was that made things frightening. I still remember how I felt when the 'Phantom' was revealed in this movie, and I was blown away by Lon Chaney’s commitment to the craft and the insane lengths he would go through to create movie magic, i.e. using fishhooks to pull his nose back to give the phantom that iconic skeletal look."
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims."I saw this way too young the first time, but was immediately stricken by the dichotomy of strength and insecurity that Jodie Foster brought to Clarice Starling as well as the still, elegant terror Anthony Hopkins embodied as Hannibal Lecter. To this day, I struggle to think of a more electrifying introduction between two characters."
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days."When I first started watching this, it felt reminiscent of one of my favorite books, 'The Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexandre Dumas, but then it took so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. It pushes all the limits, throws some of the most gruesome societal taboos in your face, and expands the range of modern storytelling. It also made me realize how incredibly rare it is to see actors have the courage to play characters who are thoroughly humbled, humiliated, and embarrassed. Choi Min-sik's performance inspired me to be more fearless in my character selection and performances."
- DirectorStephen ChowStarsStephen ChowWah YuenQiu YuenIn Shanghai, China in the 1940s, a wannabe gangster aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf."I probably watch this film at least once a year. I’ve trained martial arts and played instruments my entire life. This movie was the perfect integration of both in a way I’d never seen before on screen. I became obsessed with Qui Yuen's performance in particular, entranced by her ability to be simultaneously hilarious, terrifying, and (at times) compassionate. I forever admire that 'Kung Fu Hustle' doesn’t take itself too seriously, created iconic characters, and still told a compelling story about love, community, and growth."
- DirectorRose GlassStarsAnna BaryshnikovKristen StewartDave FrancoGym manager Lou falls for Jackie, a bodybuilder who is passing through town en route to a competition in Las Vegas."Okay, so I have to put this movie down as THE film that has most directly influenced my career, but it's also one of my favorite queer movies to date. It’s pulpy, thrilling, violent, steamy, and hilarious! Never in a million years could I have predicted a movie like this would be created and I’m so honored to have gotten to play in this fantastic world."
- DirectorAngela RobinsonStarsSara FosterJordana BrewsterDevon AokiPlaid-skirted schoolgirls are groomed by a secret government agency to become the newest members of the elite national-defense group, D.E.B.S."This is the first gay movie I saw where no one cared that anyone was gay. It’s a fun, chaotic, completely ridiculous action/rom-com where you can sit back and enjoy the ride."
- DirectorJulio TorresStarsJulio TorresTilda SwintonRZAAlejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in NY. As time runs out on his work visa, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country."This movie has queer-heavy cast and stems from the quirky mind of writer/director/lead Julio Torres. Every single frame tells its own story, the performances are out of this world, and it manages to balance being informative, inspiring, wholesome, and so so so so funny."
- DirectorJane SchoenbrunStarsJustice SmithBrigette Lundy-PaineIan ForemanTwo teenagers bond over their love of a supernatural TV show, but it is mysteriously cancelled."This film was absolutely devastating. It's a surrealist realization of the loss of childhood innocence and the tragic consequence of masking your truth. Justice Smith's performance was on another level and the set and sound design is stunning."
- DirectorEmma SeligmanStarsRachel SennottAyo EdebiriRuby CruzTwo unpopular queer high-school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation."Not sure how anyone could have missed this movie, but if you did, go watch it. It gives '90s romcom nostalgia with some bold punches that prove comedy isn't dead."
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsKim Min-heeHa Jung-wooCho Jin-woongA woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her."An interpretation of the Sarah Waters novel, 'Fingersmith' (also recommend), this is hot, sexy, steamy, and super twisted. It's a lesbian period drama with an edge!"