The Trip (TLA Releasing)—A well-intentioned, but predictable, journey through contemporary gay life that unfolds like a well-worn road map, The Trip is redeemed by the endearing performances of the two male leads, Steve Braun (Tommy) and Larry Sullivan (Alan), who give these characters more depth than was provided by the script. Even though the movie veers off in a Gregg Araki-like direction towards the end, you can’t help but root for both of these men. Tommy, a young gay-rights activist, and Alan, a naive young Republican who is researching a book on the ‘homosexual lifestyle through the ages,’ meet in 1973. Peter (Ray Baker), an older, closeted, but well-connected gay man, who is interested in Alan, offers to help him find a publisher. Alan’s life takes an unexpected turn as he begins a romantic relationship with Tommy, and he soon wants to forget about the book. Fast forward to 1977, when Anita Bryant is leading her anti-gay crusade and Alan’s publisher anonymously publishes the long-shelved manuscript, The Straight Truth. Peter, who is jealous of Tommy and Alan’s relationship, sabotages the couple by anonymously alerting the media to Alan’s connection to the book. Tommy leaves Alan, leading Alan to seek comfort in Peter’s arms. Fast forward, again, to 1984. Alan, who is making amends to the gay community as an activist, is living with the still-closeted Peter and Tommy, who has AIDS, is living in Mexico. Beverly (Sirena Irwin), Alan’s ex-girlfriend, who has become a successful fitness guru, teams up with Alan’s mother Mary (Jill St. John) to convince him to see Tommy before Tommy dies, and the road trip begins. (B-)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (MGM)—Part powder puff, part powder keg, and still perky in pink, Harvard Law School graduate Elle Woods becomes disillusioned with the law firm where she is working when they don’t share her sentiments about cosmetics testing on animals. After losing her job, and determining that the cost of beauty is too high, she packs up her portable pooch Bruiser, the one living creature that has always been there for her, and temporarily leaves fiancé Emmett (Luke Wilson) and ‘wedding of the century’ plans behind to pursue her cause on Capitol Hill. There, as a legislative aide for Massachusetts Rep. Rudd (Sally Field), she comes in contact with reluctant staffers, one of whom calls her ‘Capitol Barbie,’ while another declares that ‘she’s so shiny.’ With the help of learned doorman Sid (Bob Newhart), whom Elle calls the most useful man she has met in Washington, she learns to differentiate Washington politics from the warm fuzzies and sorority kissing booths of her own experience and soon settles in to make a difference for dogs and humankind. As satisfying and nutritious as a Pink Hostess Snoball, Legally Blonde 2 serves up another helping of Elle’s sorority sisters and Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge), her own personal Eliza Doolittle, and introduces us to fellow Delta Nu Libby Hauser (Dana Ivey), and a gay Rottweiler love interest for Bruiser. Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, the openly gay man at the helm of Kissing Jessica Stein, this sequel turns the gay factor up a few notches for 90 minutes of mindless entertainment, resulting in a predictably happy ending. (B-)
Swimming Pool (Focus) – Openly gay French filmmaker Francois Ozon’s latest film stars Charlotte Rampling, Charles Dance and Ludivine Sagnier.
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Limited runs and special events:
@ Butler Field/Grant Park, Lake Shore Drive and Monroe: Chicago Outdoor Film Festival -It Happened One Night – Jul. 15; A Night At The Opera – Jul. 22; On The Town – Jul. 29; In The Heat of The Night – Aug. 5; Only Angels Have Wings – Aug.12; Pillow Talk – Aug. 19; Rear Window – Aug. 26
@ Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State, 312/846-2600: Bonhoeffer – Martin Doblmeier’s acclaimed documentary about the late Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, resistance fighter and opponents of Nazism and anti-Semitism. – Jul. 9 &10Horns And Halos – Celebrity biographer and science-fiction writer J. H. (James) Hatfield set out to write a ‘horns and halos’ biography of George W. Bush and got much more than he bargained for. Recalled in 1999, shortly after it was first published by St. Martin’s Press, Hatfield’s contentious book Fortunate Son, which revealed scandalous information about its subject, and featured questionable sources, received a second chance from ‘left of center, punk rock’ publishing house Soft Skull Press in 2001. By that time, the damage to Hatfield had already been done. Lawsuits and newspaper stories about his felonious past began to take its toll, resulting in Hatfield’s suicide in July of that year, leaving behind his wife and young daughter. In addition to Hatfield, Horns And Halos also profiles publisher/musician/janitor Sander Hicks, founder of Soft Skull Press and his political crusade. This controversial and fascinating documentary was co-directed by Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley. Jul. 11-17Films by the late, gay director Pier Paolo Pasolini: The Decameron (Il Decameron) – Jul. 9; The Canterbury Tales (I Racconti Di Canterbury) – Jul. 12, 14, 16; Arabian Nights (Il Fiore Delle Mille E Una Notte) – Jul.18 and 21; Salo, Or The 120 Days Of Sodom (Salo O Le 120 Giornate Di Sodoma) Jul. 25-31
Special benefit screening of Sam Green and Bill Siegel’s documentary The Weather Underground for the 10th Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival. Co-Director Bill Siegel will be present for Q&A following the screening. – Jul. 20
@ Music Box Theater, 3733 N Southport, 773/871-6604: What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? – Jul. 19 & 20 (late show); Auntie Mame – Aug. 30 & 31 (late show)
@ Navy Pier IMAX Theatre, 312/595-5MAX (5629): The Matrix Reloaded: The IMAX Experience (opens Jul. 11)
On TV
Sundance Channel (www. Sundancechannel. Com for complete schedule):
E Minha Cara (That’s My Face)—Gay African-American filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris captures his personal journey of identity and spirituality on film in this cinematic journey of self-discovery. Harris, who grew up in the Bronx, got his love of photography and making movies from his grandfather, a man who had a dream of going to Africa, the ‘mythic homeland.’ As a child, Harris lived briefly in Tanzania with his mother, while she worked in Africa, and then returned to the U.S. in 1976. As an adult, on a ‘one-way track to medical school,’ Harris took a detour and went to Brazil, to ‘find what he was looking for,’ which, among other things, included the ‘African face of Brazil.’ (B) – Jul. 11, 16, 28
Also – American Fabulous – Jul. 18; Fire – Jul. 10; Herr Schmidt and Herr Friedrich – Jul. 10, 13, 18, 21, 29; Princesa – Jul. 9; The Rainbow – Jul. 16, 29