Scream, Queen! [Blu-ray]

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: FREDDY'S REVENGE is probably my second favorite of the Nightmare on Elm Street films. I am going to be honest in stating that I think 1-3 are probably the only ones worth watching as the series went steadily downhill as Freddy went from being a terrifying monster to more of a goofball. I also felt his gradual increase into an immortal invincible villain who killed all the likable characters from previous entries in the franchise. I make an exception for FREDDY VERSUS JASON and the FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH comics but that's it.There's a certain irony about Freddy's Revenge, though, that I assumed was deliberate but was actually a major issue of the movie back when it originally came out. Basically, Freddy's Revenge was full of homoerotic subtext. Jesse the protagonist is a pretty boy who struggles with Freddy trying to possess him, has a really close relationship with his friend, is afraid of his predatory homosexual coach, and is full of the same sort of sexy gaze scenes a typical Final Girl is shown. While he gets with a girl in the end, a lot of fans (myself included) just assumed that Jesse was deeply closeted and the movie was commenting on the horror of that fear.The thing was that in the 1980s, this was a very dangerous thing to comment on due to the AIDS crisis, rise of Reaganite conservatism, rampant homophobia all round, and the fact any actor who was gay could be blacklisted. In the case of Mark Patton, who was homosexual, the starring role of Jesse was a double-edged sword. He was deeply closeted and hoping to make it in Hollywood, only to find himself under a microscope due to the role being (for lack of a better term) gayer than what was permissable at the time.This is basically the story of Mark Patton and his complicated ambivalent relationship with the movie that made him famous as well as severely complicated (perhaps understating things) his life. Mark ended up losing his boyfriend to AIDS, his career, and was infected with HIV himself but has managed to survive thanks to the drugs available today. He has also discovered a massive LGBT fanbase that loves him because of the movie that he felt destroyed his career. It's an interesting story angle to follow and a fascinating storyline. It certainly has a lot more gut punches than the similarly themed I AM NANCY that starred Heather Langenkamp.A good chunk of the movie deals with very uncomfortable but true topics of prejudice at the time. It's also not about Freddy's Revenge (if you want to learn about that, watch NEVER SLEEP AGAIN the documentary). While we certainly get a good chunk of scenes from said film, it's really more about Mark Patton's life as well as homophobia in Hollywood during the 80s. It is touching to see Mark deal with his gay fans, though. We also get to see him confront the writer of Freddy's Revenge, who admits he wrote it as a homophobic story rather than a coming of age drama.I found it to be powerful stuff but viewers should be aware of what sort of documentary this is.9/10

Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019). This fantastic documentary explores the life and times of Mark Patton, star of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, and his struggles, particularly as a Queer actor. Buoyed from his increasingly growing status as a horror icon and THE male Scream Queen, Patton uses his platform to stump for the advancement of Queer issues, such as acceptance, health, and HIV/AIDS. He also seeks resolution form the people involved in ANOES 2, both to express his feelings over being "blamed" for the movie's (fabulous) gayness, being on the receiving end of horrid homophobic rantings, and taking the fall for, what he believes, was intended to be a homophobic polemic, before its' reclamation as essential Queer cinema. His cast mates are all awesome, from Kim Myers, Robert Russler, Clu Gulager, Robert Englund, Joanne Willette, and Marshall Bell. They all come across as supportive and willing to listen. Director Jack Sholder and writer David Chaskins, however, come across as lying, clueless D-bags. Anyway, Mark says what he needs to, and shares the peaks and valleys of his very difficult, but satisfying--and important--life. Good on you, Mark. The opening and closing credits are absolutely wonderful, as is the music, in this appropriately fabulous documentary.I think it speaks volumes about this franchise and the people involved in it, that this is the second documentary, following Heather Langenkamp's wonderful I Am Nancy, to be born of one of its wonderful actors and the amazing following their singular portrayals have engendered.

This documentary was a lovely surprise. Pop culture history, horror history, gay history, even a little Broadway history.

As a kid i was never taken it that way neither as an adult. and if he was trying not to look gay i guess he did a good job especially in the kissing scene w the girl was really believable. i liked the pool scene and i just remember it might not have been the scarriest Freddy Kruger. or surpass the first movie but it never knew he was gay . never knew his name either. He comes from a time that was very taboo subject. seems to me the stigma really bothers him to this day.. which is kinda sad. He should embrace that and be happy instead of very neurotic meaning very nervous. so i give him props and since when was it that the 80s were'nt gay.. New Wave ..etc i love that music idk whats the big deal he played it real if you jerks stop picking it apart.

Chronicling the gayest horror movie ever made, Nightmare on elm street 2 Freddy's Revenge. The documentary centers around Mark Patton who at the time was not an out gay actor and how the reputation stalled his career. But even more than that the film chronicles the outlook of Hollywood on it's gay artists and the effects of the industry people had to endure. Surprisingly the movie also investigates the Aids epidemic. Although it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I loved that the makers weren't afraid to go into the darker stuff. I wish it could have touched a little deeper with Patton himself. But the film does give me a new found appreciation for him and the struggle he went through. As a kid I never picked up on the in your face subtext. And if I'm being honest although I liked it I never counted this entry as one of my favorites. But over the past few years and understanding it more I definitely have a new love for it.4/5

There are so many good things to say about this movie; it's fun, funny, sad, sentimental, empowering, educating, and so much more.Following mark's personal story, which as so many archetypal story arcs to it (the young Hollywood promising actor, the closeted gay who beat the odds and the AIDS, the "frightened aging kid" who comes back to face his fears and get his reconciliation...), is a brave and empowering journey to go through.Brilliant!

Very deep and thought provoking documentary for the true nightmare on elm street fan i enjoyed it and im sure you will too!