Beauty and the Bee.
And just like that, November comes to an end! We checked in with Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter in Copycat, we got under your skin with Carter Smith’s 2008 pandemic creature feature The Ruins and we celebrated our big 1-0-0 with our most-requested film in William Friedkin’s Cruising. To close out the month, we’re diving into Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh! It might not be the most obvious pick, but when you throw in queer director Bill Condon (yes, that Bill Condon), you’ve got a recipe for, well, something.
The New Orleans-set film sees inner-city schoolteacher Annie Tarrant (Kelly Rowan, The O.C.) hearing rumors of the Candyman (Tony Todd, Final Destination), a murderous, hook-handed figure of urban legend, as her brother (William O’Leary) stands trial for the killing of an outspoken professor (Michael Culkin, Candyman). Skeptical of the Candyman’s existence, Annie follows the procedure for summoning him and suddenly finds herself celebrating the most horrifying Mardi Gras of her life. Meanwhile, Annie’s mother (Veronica Cartwright, Alien, The Witches of Eastwick) harbors a dark family secret.
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Episode 101 – Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)
Get your hand grenade cocktail ready because we’re heading to the glorious city of New Orleans to pick apart queer director Bill Condon’s(!) 1995 slasher sequel Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh! Joining us for the discussion is renowned professor and national speaker Doctor Jon Paul Higgins!
As we walk along the parade route, we’ll discuss the oft-used white savior trope (Seth Cohen’s mom really wants to save these black teens!), family secrets involving mixed race genealogy and the always welcome presence of Tony Todd.
Plus, lengthy shots of snow cones, atrocious mid-’90s CGI, magic mirrors and the film’s odd decision to double down on black pain. Oh, and why is this New Orleans school open on Mardi Gras?
Cross out Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh!
Coming up on Wednesday: What better way to enter the holiday season than with a rewatch of Michael Dougherty’s darkly comedic Krampus?
– Joe & Trace
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for tons of additional content! This month we have episodes on Run, The Witches, The Craft: Legacy and The New Mutants, plus an audio commentary on The Purge: Election Year to pair with this month’s stressful election!