Limited runs and special events:
— Adler Planetarium – (312) 322-0548: SonicVision – open-ended run
— Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark, (773) 293-1447: Speaking Of...: Recent Video by Jacqueline Goss (Jacqueline Goss in person) – Mar. 27
— Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State Street, (312) 846-2800: Seventh Annual European Union Film Festival – highlights include: Dogville: Mar. 24; The Galindez File: Mar. 25; Song For A Raggy Boy: Mar. 25; Late Breaking News – Documentary by openly gay filmmaker Jon Martin Knoll 'explores the little known world of television stringers.' – Mar. 26 – Apr. 1; Wrigley Field: Beyond The Ivy – Mar. 26 – 30; Maestro - Josell Ramos's documentary about 'the roots of the underground dance/music culture, centered in New York from 1960s through the 1980s' features footage of and interviews with Francis Grasso, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles, David Mancuso and others, as well as location shots of clubs such as Paradise Garage, The Loft and The Gallery. – Mar. 28, 29, 31 and Apr. 1
— Leather Archives and Museum, 6418 N. Greenview, (773) 761-9200: Dominatrix Waitrix – Edith Edit's 'sci-fi musical queer sex romp.' – Apr. 9 & 10
In theaters:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Focus Features) – A substantial improvement over Human Nature, the previous collaboration by director Michel Gondry and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the most memorable movie about memory erasure ever made. Those who prefer their storytelling to be of a linear nature would be better off seeing something less audacious or stimulating than this spellbinding film. Joel (Jim Carrey) is genuinely hurt and distraught when he finds out that Clementine (Kate Winslet), his carefree girlfriend with a dark side, has had a procedure to erase him and their relationship from her memory. At wit's end, he decides to also have the procedure. After meeting with Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), he begins the necessary course of action, which involves gathering up the material things that symbolize the relationship and removing them from his residence. Decisive about going forward with the procedure, Joel puts his memory in the hands of technicians Stan (Mark Ruffalo) and Patrick (Elijah Wood). To complicate matters, Joel has a change of heart well into the process and wants to bring it to a stop. Unfortunately, due to his unconscious state, he is unable to communicate his wishes. Both funny and scary, the series of events that follow, including the revelation of Patrick's obsession with Clementine, as well as Dr. Mierzwiak's extra-marital affair, are the kinds of twists we have come to expect from the mind of Charlie Kaufman. It is to director Gondry's credit that he is able to bring them so naturally to the screen. (A-)
Yossi & Jagger - Directed by Eytan Fox, Yossi & Jagger sensitively tells the uncommon story of company commander Yossi (Ohad Knoller) and Lior (Yehuda Levi) two Israeli soldiers who conduct a clandestine romance in the macho environment of the Israeli army. Lior, who is nicknamed Jagger because he is like a 'rock star,' is told by one male soldier that he is 'pretty as a girl,' and is also the object of the affections of a female soldier named Yaeli (Aya Steinovitz). Yossi and Lior's interactions are intimate one moment and concealed the next, leading Lior to declare that he no longer wants to be in the closet and is prepared to come out to his family and introduce them to Yossi. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes before Lior has the opportunity. At turns erotic and frightening, Yossi & Jagger is a touching and well-acted movie. (B+)
Jersey Girl (Miramax) - Not to be confused with the 1992 Jami Gertz/Dylan McDermott flick of the same name, this unexpectedly touching movie is a vast improvement over other recent high-profile Ben Affleck (Gigli) and Kevin Smith (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) vehicles. High-maintenance workaholic music industry publicist Ollie (Affleck) is devastated following the death of his cherished young wife Gertrude (Jennifer Lopez) during childbirth. He is so distraught that he snaps during a press conference, defaming both the gathered members of the media and client Will Smith. Jobless, with an infant daughter to raise, Ollie leaves his beloved Manhattan home and moves in with his widowed father Bart (George Carlin) in the New Jersey home in which he was raised. Seven years later, Ollie is working as a street sweeper alongside his father and Gertie (Raquel Castro, who is like a miniature version of Jennifer Lopez) is enrolled in school. Ollie has turned out to be a decent father, but he still dreams of returning to his old line of work and living in Manhattan. Therein lies the conflict, as Gertie loves living with her grandfather and going to school in suburban New Jersey. Matters are further complicated when Ollie meets and is pursued by Maya (Liv Tyler), a video store clerk. Smith does a good job of dramatizing the scenario, and then lightening it with little comic flourishes. This is, however, a dramatic comedy, and Smith and the entire cast are surprisingly adept at rising to the challenge. (B)
Spartan (Warner Brothers) – David Mamet's latest film is full of the plot twists and surprises that have made his previous efforts, such as Heist, The Spanish Prisoner and House of Games, so engaging. Secret service agent Scott (Val Kilmer) joins the search for Laura (Kristen Bell), the abducted President's daughter and uncovers something even more heinous. The agent assigned to her was taken off post so that he could accompany the president while he went 'catting around.' While the rest of the country is embroiled in the cover up, Scott takes his own path, and is soon a target himself. (B)
Taking Lives (Warner Brothers) – Bisexual icon Angelina Jolie plays tough, but quirky FBI agent Ileana Scott who is summoned north of the border to Montreal to apply her unusual investigative skills to the search for a ruthless Canadian serial killer. While there she must deal with serial killer's fidgety mother (Gena Rowlands), grief from chauvinistic Detective Paquette (the always smoldering Olivier Martinez) and her unexpected attraction to artist and gallery owner Costa (Ethan Hawke), who witnessed one of the killer's attacks. Of course, nothing is as it seems, and after the identity of the serial killer is revealed, the movie leads viewers off in another direction, only to have Scott and her nemesis share a violent reunion. Director D.J. Caruso appears to have set out to make movie that is a combination of Silence of The Lambs and Seven, but his reach exceeds his grasp. (C)
On TV:
here! Pay-Per-View – showing in March: Luster, Coming Out Party, Happy Birthday
PBS (check local listings for time) - In The Life: 'The TV newsmagazine of record on gay and lesbian America explores bullying, gay/straight student clubs, and the murder of a lesbian teen' in an episode titled 'The Latest Trend.' – Mar. 29