The Chicago holiday movie season is in full swing with an embarrassing amount of cinematic riches to choose from, this also being awards season. Fans of LGBT films can look forward to seeing many of this year's festival entries—including a batch that debuted last month during Reeling—to find their way to Video on Demand or in home release as we move into 2014.
Here's a quick rundown of some of these and a few other notable films ( and a few queer-themed TV shows ) to tide you over during the long winter freeze ahead. Unless otherwise noted, the opening date listed refers to at least a one week theatrical run.
January
Jason and the Argonauts—This 1963 effort from special-effects expert and director Ray Harryhausen is generally acknowledged to be his best film, a retelling of the ancient Greek myth. And aside from being a fun action fantasy filled with memorable creatures, memorably scored by Bernard Herrmann, it's also filled with a nice assortment of male beefcake. Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Gene Siskel Film Center ( 164 N. State St. )
Chozen—Following the enduring success of their tongue-in-cheek animated series Archer, the network is debuting this new animated comedy about a gay white rapper fresh out of prison on their new FXX channel. Several indie film vets provide the voices, including Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress, Michael Penna, Nick Swardson and Kathryn Hahn. January 13
Four—Wendell Pierce co-stars and produced this offbeat relationship drama with queer themes and characters that played the fest circuit and had a theatrical run here last fall. The film is available for download now and is on DVD Jan. 14.
The Happy Sad—Out director Rodney Evans follows up this acclaimed debut Brother to Brother at long last with this sexy romantic drama. It's screening at the Music Box Wed., Dec. 18, with Chicago Fire star Charlie Barnett in attendance and will be available for download Jan. 14.
Sole Survivor—Lesbian director Ky Dickens follows her acclaimed LGBT-themed Fish out of Water documentary with this thought-provoking look at four lone survivors of horrific plane crashes, members of what Dickens has insightfully termed "the loneliness club in the world." Expected theatrical release in January ( Chicago dates TBA ) followed by CNN broadcast
G.B.F.—Mean Girls meets Clueless meets Heathers in this delightful gay twist on those beloved high school teen flicks. A big LGBT festival hit ( and Reeling's opening night selection ), this audience friendly comedy stars a raft of young Hollywood up and comers and vets like Megan Mullally and Natasha Lyonne. Jan. 17 ( VOD with DVD release to follow )
Looking—HBO's eagerly anticipated gay-themed TV series finally arrives. Indie film star Jonathan Groff stars in what looks to be a West Coast queer version of Sex and the City. The pilot was shot by out director Andrew Haigh, who helmed the tremendous 2011 gay-themed indie Weekend. Jan. 19
I, Frankenstein—Aaron Eckhart has bulked up considerably to play Frankenstein's creature in this latest attempt to reboot the classic Universal horror monster series, this time given a modern update and of course, based on a graphic novel. Jan. 24
February
Pit Stop—Yen Tan's slow-moving but effecting romantic drama about two lonely, middle aged gay men in a small Texas town looking for love won acting awards for its two leads during its festival run and arrives on DVD Feb. 4.
Hawaii—Sexual attraction runs rampant when two men—former childhood friends who meet again as adults—slowly discover their attraction for one another over the course of a long, sultry summer in the Argentine countryside. Yet another gay film fest fave, this one arrives on DVD Feb. 4.
Reaching for the Moon—The sensual, tragic romance of poet Elizabeth Bishop ( played by Miranda Otto from the Lord of the Rings trilogy ) and her Brazilian lover is one of the best lesbian movies I've ever seen. Set in the 1950s in the upper strata of society in Rio, this lusty, lush biopic will also have its share of theatrical bookings in early 2014 ( though I don't yet see Chicago on the list ). Regardless, the film will be available on DVD Feb. 14.
Stranger by the Lake—Winner of the queer Palme d'Or, this French thriller, unabashedly explicit, focuses on a gay cruising spot near a secluded lake. Franck falls hard for Michel but after witnessing Michel commit a horrendous crime, his passion only increases. The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., brings this queer and straight festival fave to Chicago Feb. 21.
March
300: Rise of an Empire—A sequel to the computer-generated uber-violent sword and sandal hunkfest 300, this looks to up the homoerotic undercurrent about tenfold. March 7
Grace of Monaco—Naomi Watts' portrayal of the late Princess Diana was a flop on all counts but perhaps Nicole Kidman, playing another princess, the Oscar-winning movie star Grace Kelly, will have better luck in this biopic that was original slated for a holiday release. March 14
Films to watch for—HBO's eagerly awaited adaptation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, directed by Ryan Murphy and featuring an all-star cast; Michael Urie ( Ugly Betty ) and Randy Harrison ( Queer As Folk ) as a gay couple in the screwball comedy Such Good Friends; and John Lithgow and Alfred Molina in Love Is Strange, the latest gay-themed drama from Keep the Lights On writer-director Ira Sachs
