The release of Mad Max: Fury Road, The Avengers: Age of Ultron and San Andreas within a couple of weeks of each other can only mean one thing: Summer is here and the latest crop of gut-busting action flicks is about to roar into theaters. Happily, there's plenty of queer stuff ( some within those mega-blockbusters, some playing at our local indie houses ), to satisfy LGBT film enthusiasts as well.
JUNE
54: The Director's Cut—This is Mark Christopher's portrait of Studio 54, the glittery, heady disco palace that epitomized the hedonistic party scene, which was a flop when it was released in 1998. Although Christopher's film certainly had its strong points ( such as Mike Meyers' performance as gay club gay owner Steve Rubell ), it also had many flaws—including a soft-pedaling of the bisexuality of its leading character ( portrayed by hunky Ryan Phillippe ). Now, Christopher has had the opportunity to recut the film, adding back in 36 minutes of excised footage and deleting other scenes forced on him. I'll be writing more about the film ( which has been screening on the LGBT film-fest circuit ) just after the film is available on HD digital. June 2
Entourage—The HBO series centered on the antics of a rising young movie star and his three best friends ( including his brother ) makes the leap to the big screen. Adrian Grenier plays the movie star ( based on the life of Mark Wahlberg, who produced and makes a cameo ), Jeremy Piven plays caustic agent Ari Gold ( based on Rahm Emanuel's brother ) and out actor Rex Lee returns as Lloyd, Gold's one-time gay, flustered assistant. June 3
Spy—Melissa McCarthy's latest comedy finds her as a nebbish CIA analyst who volunteers to infiltrate the organization of a nefarious arms dealer and thwart a plot to create a global disaster. Rose Byrne and Jason Statham co-star. June 3
The Farewell Party—A drama with comedic overtones, the movie follows a group of senior citizens in a nursing home in Israel ( including a gay couple ) who help end the life of a terminally ill friend and who suddenly find themselves asked for similar help by others. It opens at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., and the Renaissance Place Cinema in Highland Park. www.landmarktheatres.com/chicago/film-info/the-farewell-party June 12
Jurassic World—Decades after the tragic and hair-raising events chronicled in the first three movies, Jurassic Park has become the renowned tourist attraction founder John Hammond envisioned. But with visitors and profits declining, a new attraction is brought back to life and, naturally, new tragic and hair-raising events are about to occur. Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simpkins and Bryce Dallas Howard star. June 12
The Yes Men Are Revolting—The Yes Men ( Mike and Andy ) are political pranksters—activists who have spent their careers impersonating corporate officials in their quest to expose greed run amok, of which this is their latest. Andy Bichlbaum, one half of the duo ( as known as Jacques Servin ) is also openly gay. It plays exclusively at Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. www.facets.org/cinematheque/films/june2015/yes-men-are-revolting.php June 19
The Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name film series—The Queer Film Society ( of which I'm president ) and the Chicago Public Library are presenting a quartet of movies the first four Mondays in June at the Bezazian branch, 1226 W. Argyle Ave., at 6 p.m. as a celebration of Pride month. The screenings include 1945's classic The Picture of Dorian Gray, the 2009 Italian lesbian romance Purple Sea, 1995's Total Eclipse with Leonardo DiCaprio and David Thewlis as lovers, and 1997's Wilde with Stephen Fry as author ( and gay icon ) Oscar Wilde and Jude Law as his petulant lover. The screenings are free. www.queerfilmsociety.org; June 1, 8, 15, 22
Larry Kramer In Love and Anger—Out filmmaker Jean Carlomusto helms this documentary portrait of the renowned, feisty gay activist and author who co-founded ACT-UP and whose personal experiences on the frontlines of AIDS activism formed the basis of his biographical play and film The Normal Heart. Available on HBO beginning June 29
JULY
Magic Mike XXL—Channing Tatum and the rest of the hunky naked strippers ( including out actor Matt Bomer ) who helped elevate Magic Mike to box-office glory with their sexy moves are back in this sequel that promises to shake the bon bons of audience members once more. The homoerotic undertone is a given, but here's hoping that the sequel has more than a hint of queer content. July 1
Terminator: Genisys—After the less-than-spectacular reception to the last Terminator installment ( Christian Bale's on-set tantrums must've had something to do with the movie's bland script ), here comes another attempt at rebooting the apocalyptic franchise for the big screen. ( A TV version didn't catch on either. ) The Kyle Reese character is back as well as Sarah Connor and, best of all, so is Ah-nuld. Arnold Scharzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke star. July 1
Self/less—Ben Kingsley, Ryan Reynolds and Matthew Goode ( The Imitation Game, Stoker, A Single Man ) co-star in this quasi-remake of Seconds ( the 1966 Rock Hudson sci-fi drama ) about a dying man reborn in the body of a younger one who subsequently uncovers the unsavory and criminal truth behind the organization responsible for his rebirth. July 10
Amy—The meteoritic rise and tragic death of singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse ( whose fractious life and career mirrors that of Janis Joplin ) is the subject of this reportedly searing documentary. July 10
Do I Sound Gay?—Currently making the rounds of LGBT film festivals, David Thorpe's documentary delves into its title question with humorous and thoughtful approaches. Margaret Cho, Tim Gunn, Don Lemon, Dan Savage, David Sedaris and George Takei are among the prominent queer folks who ruminate on whether there is such a thing as having a gay voice and perhaps more interestingly, why are gay voices such a huge part of mainstream culture and a trigger for homophobia at the same time. www.doisoundgay.com Available VOD July 10
Marvel's Ant Man—Gentle funny man Paul Rudd steps into comic-book hero territory in this big-budget action flick that focuses on a heist that will save the world. Evangeline Lily, Hayley Atwell and Michael Pena co-star. July 17
Boulevard—In his final film, Robin Williams plays a married man whose sexuality slowly comes to the surface after he picks up a gay hustler ( Roberto Aguire ), paying him for companionship rather than sex. Kathy Baker and Bob Odenkirk co-star. July 17
Mr. Holmes—Sir Ian McKellen and director Bill Condon reteam for the first time since the award-winning Gods & Monsters in 1998. McKellen plays a retired Sherlock Holmes who reflects on his life and refocuses on his one unsolved case. Laura Linney and Hiroyuki Sanada co-star. July 17
Southpaw—Jake Gyllenhaal bulked up for this portrait of a boxer whose personal life falls apart as his career gains momentum. July 24
AUGUST
Fantastic Four—Yup, it's another reboot of yet another comic-book superhero franchise. Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell co-star. Aug. 7
Ricki and the Flash—Opening movies in late summer has become a good-luck charm for Meryl Streep ( think Mamma Mia!, Julie and Julia, Hope Springs ). This time out, she plays a rock 'n' roll star wanting to reclaim her family. Sebastian Stan, Ben Platt and Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer co-star. Aug. 7
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.—Guy Ritchie's big-screen adaptation of the 1960s spy TV hit has hunks Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer taking on the iconic roles of CIA agent Napoleon solo and his KGB counterpart, Illya Kuryakin. Hugh Grant and Alicia Vikander co-star. Aug. 14
Hitman: Agent 47—Out actor Zachary Quinto stars as an assassin who helps a woman find her father and uncover mysteries from her past. Rupert Friend, Ciaran Hinds and Thomas Kretschmann co-star. Aug. 21
Grandma—Lily Tomlin finally gets to play a lesbian ( yay! ) in this road comedy in which she portrays the title character, a cranky pants whose life is shaken up by the surprise appearance of her pregnant 18-year-old granddaughter. Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden and Judy Greer co-star. Aug. 21
