Cleveland filmmaker slashes horror norms with queer cinema
The intrigue: Westlake native Roger Conners' new film, "Meat the Movie," premieres at Capitol Theatre on Thursday.
Conners describes it as an "LGBTQIA+-themed slasher film" that is an "unabashedly queer piece of cinema."
What they're saying: "If you're a fan of the horror genre and you're queer, you've felt underrepresented," Conners tells Axios.
"My goal from day one was to make a horror movie for queer fans of the genre and a movie reflecting the Cleveland queer scene."
Flashback: Conners' life in the arts began as a teenager at Cleveland's Near West Theatre. He went on to star in several independent horror films, earning the proud moniker of "Scream Queer" from his peers.
Conners directed his first film, "Rebirth," in 2020 before turning his attention to "Meat."
The plot: A friend circle lets one of its own take the fall after a night of debauchery that leaves one of them dead.
Years later, a killer named "The Stud" — whose look takes inspiration from fetish wear and queer culture — begins murdering the group members one by one.
Zoom in: Conners shot most of the movie with primarily local talent in downtown Cleveland and a mansion in Hocking Hills.
The big picture: The timing of the movie's release is important for Conners, given the obstacles currently facing the LGBTQ+ community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
11 hours ago
- Axios
Jim VandeHei: The "Tell Them" theory
After I wrote last week about Mel Robbins' "Let Them Theory," Mike Allen and I had a series of interactions that reminded us of a helpful twist: Call it the "Tell Them Theory." Why it matters: We agree 100% with Mel Robbins that you shouldn't worry about other people's defects and grievances. The way I always put it when giving career advice to up-and-comers: "You control you." But we don't do our friends, colleagues and loved ones a favor by coddling their smallest impulses, or enabling repeated behavior that's dumb or annoying, or letting silence foment mystery (and misunderstanding). Often, you can cut this off by a simple gesture: Tell them! The backstory: Mike was explaining a better way for a colleague to handle a specific situation. My instant retort: "Tell him!" Around the same time, I was thinking about how fantastically one of our Axios revenue team members was doing. Our chief revenue officer, Jacquelyn Cameron, offered the same nudge: Tell them! It's funny and strange (and dangerous) how often we leave important things unsaid that might keep bad situations from worsening — or good ones from getting even better. Bluntness has always been my instinct. But running two companies, first Politico and now Axios, and raising three great kids, I came to realize that you need to say things, good and bad, clearly and often to shape outcomes You do no favors by holding back what you really think, or shielding them from reality. It's impossible to see ourselves as others see us. So if we're truly invested in someone's success, Tell Them. Watch those pebbles: We have an expression around Axios, which bubbled up when we were a baby company, eight years ago, in a shared workspace in Arlington, Virginia. Mischievous young News Deskers had a riff taunting my nasally Wisconsin accent, including the phrase "pebble in your shoe." I think I stole the phrase from Politico co-founder John Harris. The "pebble in your shoe" is that thing you're pissed about that you can't let go of. Often the other person has forgotten why you're pissed — or never knew. But that pebble often goes from harmless irritation to painful wound if unremoved. This is the root of most workplace and relationship issues. The way I put it in " Just the Good Stuff," my book on life lessons: "Assume positive intent." It's different if the person has hurt your character or family. But most of the time, whatever you're stewing about isn't that big a deal in the scheme of things, anyway. And often they didn't intend it the way you thought. A few practical rules: If someone says or does something bothersome, tell them. Do it calmly and clearly — but go in assuming positive intent. Let them validate that they're awful before assuming so. If you're unclear what someone said or wants, tell them. Lots of people are foggy communicators. So give them a chance to explain with more precision, so confusion doesn't lead to something worse. If you want something that you feel someone is denying you, tell them. It's not fair to be pissed about promotions missed or needs unfilled if it's hidden from the person who you expect to make it happen. If you feel something good about someone, tell them. We've yet to meet the person who doesn't relish compliments. You can literally make someone's day, and avert future issues, if you share sincere praise with abandon.
Buzz Feed
14 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Scarlett Johansson And Mahershala Ali Guide Young Jurassic World Cast
After its July 2025 release, Jurassic World Rebirth kicked off a run of phenomenal movies. The film's continued success in the box office thereafter is proof that the world still yearns for the return of dinosaurs — at least, in the fictional sense. Like its predecessors, Rebirth's cast was stacked with familiar faces — Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Rupert Friend — and gave way to new stars, Luna Blaise, David Iacono and Audrina Miranda. Filming Jurassic World Rebirth at just 12-years-old, Audrina's character, Isabel, and her dinosaur friend Dolores pave the way for the franchise's future for years to come. The cast didn't shy away from having a good time on set despite their age differences and the external pressure to deliver a bangin' dino sequel. The film's at-home release — which includes gag reels, a 'making-of' documentary and tonnes of bonus content — gives Jurassic lovers even more insight into the cast's bond behind the scenes. Between Jonathan's reign as "goofball supreme" and feeling like they were at "summer camp", Luna, David and Audrina picked up a few tricks of the trade working with Scarlett and Mahershala. "The conditions for the movie were pretty intense," David shared with BuzzFeed Australia, "I just very much wanted to get the shot no matter what. I learned from them that there's a way to be able to say, 'Yeah let's get the shot, but let's take care'." "I really appreciated seeing two people take up an amount of space on set that was still respectful to the crew and the cast, and also still making sure that as an actor, you're comfortable — and as a person, you're comfortable." Throughout Rebirth's theatrical press run, Luna gushed about Scarlett's mentorship and her heartfelt guidance. Just like her onscreen big sister, Audrina echoed similar thoughts about the Lucy actress' care and humour, "She's so humble, so nice and she's super funny. She was always like, 'Just speak up for yourself, that's all you have to do.' It was amazing." As for Mahershala? The thing that stuck out to the young trio was his technique and focus. "I really liked how Mahershala was always in it. He probably has no bloopers of him, because he was always in the zone. He made sure how the D-Rex would look and made sure he would get that scared. It was amazing to see everything he did to go into a scene," Audrina explained. Overall, their impact and professionalism was felt throughout the set as mentioned by Luna: "Acting can be very — I say this in the best way possible, because it's our job — dehumanising. You can definitely forget what's going on, and so, being around people that are so grounded and know their place on set is very important." Get lost in a world ruled by dinos and the unmatched vibes of the cast behind the scenes — watch Jurassic World Rebirth at-home on digital from August 19.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- New York Post
What do the cheapest tickets cost to see Robert Plant in concert?
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Robert Plant isn't just 'going to California' this year. This July, the former Led Zeppelin frontman announced he's striking out on a 15-concert nationwide tour with the four-person acoustic band Saving Grace at theaters, opera houses and music halls this fall. That includes a pair of shows in New York State. Early in the run, the roots-y Rock Hall of Famer is scheduled to hit Brooklyn's Paramount Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Port Chester's Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 8. If you'd like to be there to see Plant live, tickets are available for all upcoming concerts. At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets was $130 including fees on Vivid Seats. Other shows have seats starting anywhere from $200 to $900 including fees. Based on our findings at Set List FM, the iconic 76-year-old vocalist will likely perform cuts from his yet-to-be-released album featuring Saving Grace (due out Sept. 26) as well as cuts from his storied solo career, obscure covers and a few select Led Zeppelin tracks — but not the hits. 'Most people have missed some of the best Zeppelin stuff,' Plant told Mojo. ''For Your Life' on 'Presence.' 'Achilles Last Stand!' F—ing hell. Just extraordinary that three people and a singer [could] do that…[we'd] been shambolic at times, and great other times. That's how it should be if you're taking risks like that.' In the event the lack of 'Stairway to Heaven,' 'Rock and Roll,' and 'Black Dog' turns you off, be aware that the living legend still puts on a remarkable live show. '…what stands out most is how he doesn't just take centre stage as a frontman—he's a true part of the collective, sharing the spotlight with each band member and giving them the space to shine,' Backseat Mafia raved about a concert Plant and Saving Grace performed in Stockholm this past May. 'The chemistry between the musicians is undeniable. Together, they create a sound that is effortless, in sync, and engaging.' For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about Robert Plant's 2025 tour with Saving Grace below. All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation. Robert Plant tour schedule 2025 A complete calendar including all U.S. and Canada tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets below. Robert Plant tour dates Ticket prices start at Oct. 30 at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, WV $227 (including fees) Nov. 2 at The Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, VA $404 (including fees) Nov. 3 at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. $314 (including fees) Nov. 5 at the Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, NY $296 (including fees) Nov. 6 at the Shubert Theatre in Boston, MA $399 (including fees) Nov. 8 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY $397 (including fees) Nov. 10 at Massey Hall in Toronto, ON, CA $130 (including fees) Nov. 12 at The Vic in Chicago, IL $455 (including fees) Nov. 13 at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL $900 (including fees) Nov. 15 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, CO $302 (including fees) Nov. 18 at The Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA $244 (including fees) Nov. 19 at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC, CA $203 (including fees) Nov. 21 at The Fox in Oakland, CA $289 (including fees) Nov. 22 at the United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, CA $422 (including fees) Nov. 23 at Harrah's Resort in Valley Center, CA $200 (including fees) (Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and, if it isn't noted, will include additional fees at checkout.) Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. Still curious about Vivid Seats? You can find an article from their team about why the company is legit here. Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening On top of the Plant tour, Zeppelin fans can catch the second leg of Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the seminal 1975 album 'Physical Graffiti.' To see if there's a show near you, you can find Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening 2025 calendar here. Robert Plant set list While it's likely this tour will take a different direction — since Plant is playing with Saving Grace — we decided we'd dig into his Set List FM archives to see what he played at a solo 2019 show for an idea of what might make up the bones of this upcoming outing. And, yes, a couple timeless Zeppelin tracks made the cut. 01.) 'Gallows Pole' ([traditional] cover) 02.) 'Turn It Up' 03.) 'Black Dog' (Led Zeppelin song) 04.) 'In the Mood' 05.) 'Going to California' (Led Zeppelin song) 06.) 'Carry Fire' 07.) 'Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You' (Joan Baez cover) 08.) 'Little Maggie' ([traditional] cover) 09.) 'Fixin' to Die Blues' (Bukka White cover) 10.) 'What Is and What Should Never Be' (Led Zeppelin song) Encore 11.) 'Bluebirds Over the Mountain' (Ersel Hickey cover) 12.) 'Ramble On' (Led Zeppelin song) Robert Plant new music Ahead of the Sept. 26 release of Plant's 12th studio album 'Saving Grace,' he and the band Saving Grace have dropped two singles. Up first was a cover of Low's 'Everbody's Song.' Although the high-pitched yelp that made Plant famous has become a bit gruffer and raspier over the years, the indefatigable spirit is still deeply embedded within his voice that makes it unmistakably Robert Plant-ian. Over Zeppelin-esque 'Battle of Evermore'-like mandolins — that wouldn't sound out of place over a 'Game of Thrones' battle — the jolly collaborators deliver a truly foreboding track. It's sweeping, epic, intimate and much heavier than Plant's detour into bluegrass these past few years. Weeks later, the ensemble unveiled 'Gospel Plough,' which somehow sounds like it was plucked from a Tolkien-esque fantasy world and America's heartland. Plant duets with Saving Grace's Suzi Dian here to create an unnerving, spiritual listening experience. If you'd like to hear for yourself, you can find Robert Plant's both tracks here. And, as a bonus, here's the track list for 'Saving Grace' (his first album since 2021's 'Raise The Roof' with Alison Krauss and first solo effort since 2017's 'Carry Fire'): 01.) 'Chevrolet' 02.) 'As I Roved Out' (traditional folk song) 03.) 'It's A Beautiful Day Today' (Moby Grape cover) 04.) 'Soul Of A Man' (Blind Willie Johnson cover) 05.) 'Ticket Taker' (the Low Anthem cover) 06.) 'I Never Will Marry' (The Carter Family cover) 07.) 'Higher Rock' 08.) 'Too Far From You' 09.) 'Everybody's Song' (Low cover) 10.) 'Gospel Plough' Some tracks were previously performed by Memphis Minnie, Martha Scanlan and Sarah Siskind. Saving Grace In 2019, Plant formed the four-person group Saving Grace. For the past six years, Suzi Dian (vocals), Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone and acoustic guitar) and Matt Worley (banjo, cuatro and acoustic and baritone guitars) have been waiting for their moment in the sun. The handpicked group was originally supposed to perform live in 2020 — they announced their tour on March 3, 2020 (!) — but their trek was promptly canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After doing a bit of digging, we found their music is typically comprised of 'songs that span Plant's diverse tastes and influences, notably his lifelong passion for British and American folk, spirituals, and traditional blues.' Plant also referred to their sound as 'psychedelic soul.' Classic rockers on tour in 2025 Against all odds, many hard-partying, rule-defying rock Gods of the '60s and '70s are still going hard into their septuagenarian and octogenarian years. Here are just five of our favorite bucket list-worthy acts you won't want to miss live these next few months. • Paul McCartney • Neil Young • Stevie Nicks • Yusuf/Cat Stevens • Eric Clapton Who else is out and about this year? Take a look at our list of all the biggest classic rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show that makes the most sense for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
