THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

To tell this Cinderfella-like story, the movie draws on Busch's two sisters, close friends, creative associates and longtime partner Eric Myers ( who incongruously wrote a wonderful biography of Auntie Mame creator Patrick Dennis a/k/a Edward Tanner ) . Especially funny and charming is his longtime gal pal and fellow performer Julie Halston. After Busch, a native of New Jersey, loses his mother at an early age, he goes to live with his aunt in Manhattan, who encourages him to live out his dreams of becoming a performer and playwright ( although it isn't noted whether she actually advised him that,' [ l ] ife is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death' ) .

Busch's dreams and love of old movies melded in the delirious pastiche/parodies that he wrote and starred in for his then-nascent early '80s theater company, Theater-in-Limbo. Busch and company struck gold with one of them, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and from that benchmark Busch went on to create Psycho Beach Party, Shanghai Moon and numerous other plays. The movie draws on a lot of grainy video footage from these shows, for this section clearly showcases the hilarious brilliance of Busch and his players.

Then came Busch's Broadway smash play, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, the adaptation of the much-troubled Boy George musical Taboo and, finally, movie stardom ( at least, of the indie variety ) with Psycho Beach Party and Die! Mommie! Die! These career highlights are detailed along with personal and professional losses ( as Busch's career rise paralleled that of the AIDS epidemic, that impacted his theater company ) , as well as a terrifying and unexpected health scare. Throughout, Busch is an ingratiating and compelling camera subject who still seems starstruck by his own success, unaware that he has reached a pinnacle on par with that of his beloved Hollywood divas—and is a gay icon that the community will embrace and justifiably tout for decades to come.

Chicagoans will have the opportunity to meet Busch and the documentary's directors, Catania and Ignacio, at an exclusive, one-night-only screening of the film on June 2 at 7 p.m. at Film Row Cinema at Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash. A reception honoring the star and filmmakers immediately follows. The evening is a benefit for Chicago Filmmakers and Reeling, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the annual gay and lesbian film festival, and is being underwritten by local philanthropist Michael Leppen. Tickets are $75. Visit www.reelingfilmfestival.org or call 773-293-1447.

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I just ADORED the previous two X-Men movies; they're gay as a goose and X-Men: The Last Stand is the nelliest drag queen in the trio. Each time I step into the world of these comic book superhero superstars, I get all het up—and isn't that the none-too-subtle message that all the subconscious prick-teasing interplay between the characters is about? Gay subtext aside ( and there's TONS of it ) , it's a fun, fast-paced entry in the summer blockbuster sweepstakes that won't tax your brain before, during or after. Perfect.

The story begins with something about Jean ( Famke Janssen ) returning from the dead with her id unleashed, which turns her into a raving sex maniac. Her first victim is the classically beautiful Scott ( James Marsten ) , Logan/Wolverine's ( Hugh Jackman ) previous competitor for Jean's affections. After leaving only Scott's sunglasses behind, Jean turns her attentions to Wolvy. Every time I first see Logan/Wolverine in the person of Hugh Jackman in these movies, with his side burns and scowl, wearing that wife beater, jeans and leather jacket, I realize that he's the hustler that Charles and Magneto have been subconsciously fighting over from day one. He's a much more enticing bone of contention than that worn-out 'mutant power versus human power' nonsense the two old queens are always bickering about. ( Just for fun, mentally substitute the word 'gay' every time someone says 'mutant' on the screen and 'homosexuality' for 'mutation.' )

Meanwhile, Jean is busy unleashing her incredible powers ( in a plot device very similar to Akasha the vampire queen in Queen of the Damned ) and a pharmaceutical company has developed a 'cure' for mutation. The first one to take the plunge is Warren Worthington III ( Ben Foster ) , the son of the scientist who developed it. But after stripping out of his shirt and flexing his rippling muscles ( proving there is a God ) , WWIII backs down at the last minute and literally spreads his wings and flies out the window. Could there be a bigger gay metaphor than a golden curled lad fleeing from the supposed 'cure' of his mutation to fly the friendly skies out and proud, finding his true self at last?

There's plenty more where that came from—including stylish Storm's ( Halle Berry ) new short haircut ( with the lightning bolt highlights ) ; a battle between the mutant heat miser/snow miser young 'uns for attention and favor; dazzling special effects; and another favorite hallmark of the series—a lot of 'I know you are but what am I' sniping among the mutants. Some will die, some will survive and everybody will look really terrific doing it. I can't wait to see how that young Superman stacks up later this summer—if he's even half as sexed up as this crowd of 'mutant' lookers, he's going to be one hell of a simulated f**k.

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