January is also the month when many moviegoers finally find time to take in those talked-about, highly anticipated holiday releases. You already known about a certain sci-fi megaflick called Avatar (I missed the Imax version but friends insist that’s the way to go), Alec Baldwin showing off his tuchis in It’s Complicated and the homoerotic undertone in Sherlock Holmes so here’s another shout-out for Tom Ford’s A Single Man and Lee Daniels’ Precious—two movies that are both challenging, thought-provoking and entertaining.
As you’re putting away all the holiday decorations and finishing up the thank you notes, this is also a good month to explore several of the potential award contenders now out on DVD. The Hurt Locker—with a star-making performance by Jeremy Renner, who played gay serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer in an indie release—is at the top of my list (I think it was 2009’s best film), along with the light-as-a-feather romance 500 Days of Summer with Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who gay audiences remember from his amazing lead performance in Mysterious Skin) ; and Meryl Streep and Amy Adams re-teaming again in the delightful Julie & Julia.
A flurry of LGBT-themed releases is worth adding to the mix as well. I’m strongly recommending Kirby Dick’s documentary Outrage, which focuses on closeted conservative politicians who have repeatedly supported anti-gay legislation. The film is an incendiary experience that isn’t afraid to name names. The DVD includes several deleted scenes, a fascinating after screening Q&A with the filmmaker and gay activists Roger McFarlane, Michaelangelo Signorile and Larry Kramer (still spitting fir thank God), as well as a heartfelt tribute to gay activist McFarlane, who committed suicide shortly after the film premiered. Although GLAAD chose to ignore Outrage in its documentary category (shame on you, GLAAD), it’s a really galvanizing movie and was one of my LGBT top 10 for 2009.
Streamers, basically a filmed version of the critically acclaimed 1975 play by David Rabe, is also worth looking into. The film, from acclaimed director Robert Altman, features strong performances from its six-man cast and will especially appeal to theater devotees. The material focuses on a group of soldiers waiting to be shipped to Viet Nam. Stuck in their barracks with nothing to do and with tensions and fears mounting, their cultural differences come to light. Matthew Modine stars as the rural bumpkin struggling to resolve racist and homophobic views; David Alan Grier is his best friend; and out actor Mitchell Lichtenstein (who later co-starred in The Wedding Banquet) plays the gay urbanite and the son of privilege who reads Sylvia Plath, isn’t embarrassed to wear Japanese klogs in the shower and easily throws off the taunts of the others. Shot in 1983 on a limited budget by the late director Robert Altman, in a time before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the film touches on many of the issues that the policy would bring to the forefront. A new making-of documentary includes Modine and Lichtenstein.
Those with a taste for the offbeat will surely appreciate Flexing with Monty, which is being released by Breaking Glass Pictures, a new distributor of LGBT-themed DVDs. The movie, which began in 1994 and wasn’t completed for 14 years, has to be seen to be believed. It stars the late Trevor Goddard, victim of a heroin-cocaine overdose in 2003, who plays the title character, a self-absorbed narcissist who spends the bulk of his time working out; gazing at his perfect physique in the mirror while having sex with a blow-up doll; fantasizing about his rather strange brother (who keeps a naked midget in a cage) ; and taking calls as a leather escort. Then Sally Kirkland, as a nun with her own agenda, enters the picture and things get really weird. This psychosexual fantasia—perfect midnight-movie fare—is part camp, part turn-on (Goddard struts around naked much of the time) and complete oddity.
Two movies with primarily female casts are also worth adding to the queue. The first, St. Trinian’s, is a wacky Brit comedy starring Rupert Everett (who also executive-produced) in two roles—one in drag as the headmistress of a notorious school for girls (he also executive-produced). It’s a sort of female variation on frat house comedies (especially Animal House) with lots of the tongue-in-cheek insanity seen in the lesbian comedy D.E.B.S. The movie features a raft of expert British comedic actors (including Colin Firth) and a hot soundtrack. The second is Whip It, Drew Barrymore’s unfairly overlooked directorial debut, the gentle coming-of-age comedy about a teenage girl (Ellen Page) who finds herself via the bone crushing sport of roller derby. Both arrive on DVD Jan. 26.
Also out that day is the Michael Jackson documentary This Is It. Speaking of music-themed releases, what self-respecting former high school choir member or thespian won’t want to add Glee: Season 1, Vol. 1—Road to Sectionals to his/her collection? The pilot, the first 13 episodes and a batch of special features of out co-creator-writer-producer Ryan Murphy’s tremendously entertaining show—featuring the delightful Jane Lynch as the butch cheerleading coach, hottie Matthew Morrison in the lead, Chris Colfer as the sweet-voiced gay soprano, et al.—are included in this must have release.
That should be enough to hold you until February’s chill arrives—along with another release eagerly anticipated by show tune queens—Liza at the Palace, the DVD of Minnelli’s Tony-winning 2009 concert on Feb. 2.
Check out my archived reviews at www.windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemovies.com. Readers can leave feedback at the latter Web site.