Reeling 2008, Chicago's annual gay and lesbian film festival, is into its second week and wraps up on Sunday, Nov. 16.After a first week that showcased movies that ranged from coming out comedies and dramas, a slew of documentaries, films pointing out the lunacy ( yes, that would be my word for it ) of the military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, a film about dead gay zombies, lots of hunky men and luscious ladies—all of the queer persuasion, what else does Reeling have to offer?
Star wattage.
Eighties brat pack star Ally Sheedy, who won raves for her performance in High Art, is set to appear in person at the fest for the screening of the relationship drama Steam, in which Sheedy co-stars with Oscar nominee Ruby Dee. Sheedy will sign autographs and participate in a Q&A with audience members after the movie screens on Friday, Nov. 14 at Columbia College's Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, at 7 p.m. Friends & Lovers: The Ski Trip 2, a romantic comedy sequel to The Ski Trip, focusing on a group of gay African-American men is scheduled for 9:15 that same evening, also at Film Row Cinema. Director Maurice Jamal is set to appear.
A 'Steamy Friends & Lovers' after party with live music, karaoke and a selection of queer-centric music videos from the fest's new Rock Reeling series will take place following the screenings at The Velvet Rope, 728 W. Lake, Oak Park. The event kicks off at 11 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at Piper's Alley, 1608 N. Wells, Reeling will showcase episodes of 3Way, a lesbian webisode sitcom that has included cameos from The L Word's Elizabeth Keener and Jenny Shimizu ( a recent arrival at Dante's Cove ) . Keener and another L Word alumni, Maeve Quinlan, along with other 3Way cast members will attend an after-party at Evil Olive, 1551 W. Division, that starts at 9:30 p.m.
The gala closing night of Reeling will feature a screening of Eleven Minutes, a fast-paced documentary that follows the attempt by Project Runway first-season winner Jay McCarroll to complete a design collection. McCarroll will also be at the fest Nov. 16. An after-party at Salon 1800, 157 W. North, begins at 9 p.m., and partygoers will see McCarroll's unique designs.
These are just a few highlights from a jam-packed second week of GLBT-themed movies scheduled at Reeling 2008. Screenings for the festival will be held primarily at three locations: Landmark's Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark; Columbia College's Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash, third floor; and Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark. Find out complete festival information ( tickets, theaters and locations ) by calling 773-293-1447 or visiting www.reelingfilmfestival.org .
Bond, in the spectacular form of Daniel Craig, is back, and if there was little chance of restraining the hothead secret agent in his first go-round in Casino Royale, this time there's none at all. Quantum of Solace opens with a 20-minute action chase that is happening literally just after the previous film ended. Agent 007 is out to find the killer of his paramour, Vesper ( even though she turned out to be a rogue agent ) , who was drowned in Venice at the conclusion of the previous edition. And nothing—especially Judi Dench, as his severe schoolmarm of a boss—is going to stand in his way.
Unlike the lengthy card-playing sequence that hobbled the previous effort, which introduced Craig as the sexiest spy on earth, Quantum of Solace, like its star, hasn't got so much as an ounce of fat on it—it starts out of the gate and pretty much spins around the globe until its slam-bang finish ( with sequences in Haiti, Austria, Italy and Bolivia ) . But the action sequences are driven by the cool, barely contained rage that Craig expertly plays, and are very convincing ( and one, set against the backdrop of a gorgeous production of Tosca, is mesmerizing ) . Quantum harkens back to the earlier films by giving Bond a terrifically rotten nemesis—a really evil villain ( played by Mathieu Amalric, the dead ringer for Roman Polanski who starred in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly ) who has a young lady dipped in oil, in a nod to Goldfinger, at one point. There are also a bevy of beautiful Bond girls on hand ( with one called Strawberry Fields ) —all the better for Craig to bed them ( though, disappointingly, we don't get to see him walk out of the sea in a bikini this time around ) .
The whole thing revolves around an evil cartel's attempt to gain control over one of earth's most precious natural resources, but that's beside the point. Quantum of Solace is in the vein of classic Bond movies—plenty of action, just enough bedroom action and a smattering of witty retorts to keep things crackling. Perhaps the only incomprehensible thing about this smartly directed action picture ( helmed by Marc Forster ) is that head-scratcher of a title.
Check out my archived reviews and Knight at Home at the Movies column for DVD recommendations at www.windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemovies.com . Readers can leave feedback at the latter Web site.
Read an interview with Project Runway's Jay McCarroll ( pictured ) about his Reeling film, Eleven Minutes, at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Eleven-Minutes-to-change-the-world/19813.html
