10. MUSIC: "Balloon," That Girl With the Dark Eyes
Barcelona-based artist That Girl With the Dark Eyes delivers some savory ear candy with the dreamy, melodic track "Balloon." She described her music as "a dinner party where Daft Punk sips Blood Orange champagne with Prince and Chromeo" during a recent chat with Interview, where she also revealed she wanted the song to sound "like an extension of the Drive soundtrack." Channeling the spirit of synth-laden songs from the '80s, "Balloon" is a nostalgic kick with a twist. -- Jase Peeples
9. TV: The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell StoryWhether you were crushing on A.C. Slater or Lisa Turtle, we have a feeling you're going to love Lifetime's telling of what really happened at Bayside High. It's unauthorized, so we're anticipating the story of six young actors thrown together and thrust into the spotlight is going to get pretty juicy. Lifetime, Monday, 9 p.m.
-- Michelle Garcia8. EVENT: Comedy, Conversation, and Controversy We know that comedy and controversial topics like politics and religion are quite a good mix (when we're being entertained, of course). Watch Kate Clinton, Lizz Winstead, and Lewis Black, some of the nation's most insightful political comedians, dish it out at New York City's 92nd Street Y September 8 at 7 p.m. in a benefit for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. More info at
92y.org.
-- Michelle Garcia7. FILM: Jamie Marks Is DeadJamie Marks Is Dead is a ghost story that also serves as an allegorical tale of LGBT youth in small-town America. When the body of high school outcast Jamie Marks is discovered near a river, the life of Adam (Cameron Monaghan,
Shameless) changes forever, particularly when he spies Jamie's ghost (Noah Silver,
The Borgias) shivering and nearly naked in the distance. Despite warnings from his love interest Gracie (Morgan Saylor,
Homeland), Adam closes this corporeal divide, bridging a relationship between the living and the dead that is filled with longing and a love that dare not speak its name. Under Carter Smith's direction, the film's dramatic grip is tightened by its bleak and beautiful cinematography and a paper-moon performance by Liv Tyler, who, as Adam's emotionally and physically crippled mother, embarks on her own curious relationship with a woman who almost kills her, played by Judy Greer.
Jamie Marks Is Dead opens today. Watch the trailer below.
-- Daniel Reynolds6. MUSIC: "Break the Rules," Charli XCX With slow-motion hallway walks, out-of-control bus rides, and prom night shenanigans, Charli XCX serves up classic high school cult movie realness in her new music video "Break the Rules," the lead single from her upcoming sophomore album,
Sucker, due October 21
. Drawing inspiration from films like
Jawbreaker and
Carrie, the pop powerhouse from across the pond is joined by the iconic bad girl herself, Rose McGowan, for this love letter to the teen flicks of yesterday.
-- Jase Peeples5. THEATER: Ruthless! The MusicalAll About Eve meets
The Bad Seed in this outrageous comedy centering on Tina Denmark, a demented child actress who'll do anything -- anything -- to get the part she wants.
Ruthless! has already had several hit productions, with Tina played by performers including before-they-were-famous Britney Spears, Natalie Portman, and Laura Bell Bundy, but it returns to New York City for a limited engagement benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Sophia Anne Caruso, who appeared in the TV series
Smash, stars as Tina, but at select performances writer-director Joel Paley will step into the diabolical preteen's shoes. His partner, composer Marvin Laird, will portray theatrical woman of mystery Sylvia St. Croix. Nine performances only, beginning September 5 at Stage 72;
click here for tickets.
-- Trudy Ring4. WEB: The New Adventures of Peter and WendyGrowing up was only the beginning for Peter Pan and Wendy in this entertaining Web series that's currently seeking support to launch its second season through a crowdfunding initiative on Indiegogo. Described as "
New Girl with fairies," this fun reimagining of the beloved characters from Neverland includes Jim Beaver of
Supernatural fame as Mr. Darling and plans to expand its cast with the inclusion of out and proud pirate Smee in the upcoming season. Binge-watch the entire first season at
TheNewPeterAndWendy.com and find out how you can help save Neverland in the video below.
-- Jase Peeples3. THEATER: A Mauckingbird MixPhiladelphia's LGBT-focused Mauckingbird Theatre Company presents a festival kicking off tonight with
Miss Cast 5: College Edition, a gender-bending cabaret show hosted by popular Philly actress Jennie Eisenhower, who promises a "wild evening of wonderful songs sung by wonderfully inappropriate people." The rest of the fest consists of staged readings of classic queer plays: this Saturday and Sunday, Lillian Hellman's
The Children's Hour, and next weekend, Mart Crowley's
The Boys in the Band. It all happens at the Randall Theatre at Temple University; get more
info and order tickets here.
-- Trudy Ring2. MUSIC: "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," Tony Bennett and Lady GagaLady Gaga and Tony Bennett may seem like an unlikely pairing, but Mother Monster proves she's got pipes to match her hype in a newly released video of a recording session of the jazz standard "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." The duet, which will be released September 23 on a full-length collaborative album,
Cheek to Cheek, proves the bewigged pop diva and the classic crooner are a match made in marketing heaven. The chemistry is simply sizzling. Watch the video below.
-- Daniel Reynolds1. FILM: Last WeekendDirected by Tom Dolby,
Last Weekend features Patricia Clarkson as a well-to-do matriarch who arranges a family reunion at her lake house in Northern California. The family is dysfunctional, to say the least, and the meeting causes a few ripples in the deceptively tranquil pond. Her 30-something sons, including a gay screenwriter played by Zachary Booth, both bring their significant others, and there are a few other house guests who bear witness to and at times participate in this wine-fueled comedy of manners. Judith Light also makes an appearance as a nosy neighbor. Meet the director and cast members at a special Q&A moderated by filmmaker Ira Sachs, set to take place tonight before the opening night screening at the IFC Center in New York.
Buy tickets here, and watch the trailer below.
-- Daniel Reynolds