But increasingly, studios have also once again begun to notice that there are other avid moviegoers who don’t just fit that particular demographic but are about as far from it as you can get. LGBT audiences, unlike Neely O’Hara (a Valley of the Dolls reference), are still settling for crumbs when it comes to summer blockbusters (although the new X-Men picture is once again gay as a goose in all but name). Nevertheless, there are still pleasures to be had at the cineplex as the summer heat draws nigh (and sometimes, yes, those pleasures do include those big, empty-headed blockbusters).
What follows is a random sampling of what lies ahead. Unless otherwise noted, the opening date listed refers to at least a one-week theatrical run or VOD.
June
Burning Blue—It’s a slick melodrama with a gorgeous cast of TV and theater veterans starring in this gay variation on Top Gun in which two Navy pilots inexplicably fall in love during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” period. June 6
How to Train Your Dragon 2—Ready to “Let It Go” with the Frozen Blu-ray already? If so, try this sequel to the much-loved animated original that once again features Hiccup, Toothless and, if rumors are to be believed, a gay character. And it’s a kid’s movie—gasp! June 13
The Case Against 8—HBO debuts this behind-the-scenes look at the divisive, anti-gay California marriage-equality amendment that has since boomeranged (20 some states and counting) late in the month but, before that, the Music Box is giving Chicago audiences their first look at the film. June 13
Jersey Boys—Clint Eastwood helms the movie version of this mega-popular Broadway jukebox musical that traces the rise of the Four Seasons singing group in the early ’60s. Not a gay one in the bunch but, gosh, are those guys cute (and those harmonies are sublime)! Christopher Walken co-stars. June 20
July
Tammy—Melissa McCarthy is a woman scorned who is hitting the road with her profane, hard-drinking grandma played by Susan Sarandon. Dan Akroyd and indie darling Mark Duplass co-star (and the plot includes a lesbian character, too). July 4
Hercules—Former pro wrestler Dwayne Johnson takes the leading role in this big-budget version of the sword-and-sandal classic. July 25
Jupiter Ascending—Director siblings Lana and Andy Wachowski appear to be back on firmer ground after the mixed reaction to Cloud Atlas (which I really dug). This sci-fi epic—which is about a young woman targeted for assassination by the Queen of the Universe—sounds like a sci-fi Snow White but the trailer sure is dazzling to behold. Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis co-star. July 25
August
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy—Oh boy, another superhero, super-budget, 3-D, headache-inducing sci-fi spectacular about peacekeepers throughout the universe! Okay, okay, uncle—it actually looks like it might be halfway involving. The cast includes Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana. Aug. 1
The Hundred Foot Journey—Helen Mirren stars. Um, did you need to know anything else? Okay, okay, it’s the story of an Indian family who open a restaurant in France—across the street from a fancy gourmet boite run by Mirren. The summer’s Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, this is the one to see with mom. Aug. 8
The Giver—This is based on yet another best-seller and yet another entrant in the sci-fi teen film franchise (think Divergent, Ender’s Game, Hunger Games, etc.). This one focuses on a young heartthrob who learns that the peaceful paradise he thinks is all around him may not be exactly what it seems. Meryl Streep (with long hair and bangs) and Jeff Bridges add acting gravitas to the trailer and certainly increase the curiosity factor. Aug. 15
The Loft—There’s nothing like a little horror picture to scare up some box office in the face of all these action flicks. Five friends (including out actor Wentworth Miller and James Marsden) who share a loft to conduct Fifty Shades of Grey-type interludes fall out when a dead body is discovered and no one will fess up. Aug. 29