Knight at the Movies Archives
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Reflections on film writing from a queer perspective
In honor of Windy City Times’ first movie/music themed issue, I’m reflecting back on the first column I wrote for WCT three years
ago. It was called “Reinventing the Movies” and focused on the lack of representation of gay characters in mainstream cinema. In
the absence of that GLBT audiences have done what many other underrepresented groups (ethnic and cultural) have when faced with
the standard Hollywood movie: they’ve projected what they wanted to see onto the screen. I’ve done it so often since the movie
habit became ingrained in me that it’s something I take for granted. If I want to imagine myself in someone’s place on the screen,
I do so at will and if I have a sense that a certain character’s sexuality wanders in my direction, my imagination brings him all the
way home. Every gay person I’ve ever talked to about this has acknowledged doing the same thing but it wasn’t until I saw the
documentary The Celluloid Closet, which focuses on gays and lesbians in the first 100 years of movies and is based on the excellent
book by the late Vito Russo, that I heard it so clearly articulated.
I was so taken with this idea and the desire to write about movies from this viewpoint – this emphasis on seeing movies through an
inherent gay sensibility and “reinventing” them to better suit me when necessary – that I realized that this was a way for me to
contribute something to film reviewing. I call it film criticism from a queer perspective and that’s how I’ve written about movies and
will continue to do so. In part because a more accurate and consistent representation of the lives of the GLBT community has yet to
become commonplace in mainstream movies.
“We’re here, we’re queer and we’re in the movies” I wrote in that first column but though there’s a seemingly vast array of direct to
DVD queer titles to satisfy every facet of our endlessly fabu-lush queer selves, our representation in the mainstream market ebbs
and flows. We’ve gone from 2004’s sensitive multi-faceted queer themed features like A Home at the End of the World, Tarnation and
Kinsey to the current wave of comedies that play off gay stereotypes for their laughs – Talladega Nights, Borat, Blades of Glory and the
forthcoming I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. The bulk of these mainstream comedies, surprisingly, have mocked the rigid
stereotypes and while it’s been refreshing to see the conservatives in these movies the butt of the joke because of their outdated
prejudices, these are but tantalizing crumbs. And they pale in comparison to In & Out, the big fat mainstream hit with Kevin Kline as
the queer school teacher – now a distant ten years ago.
The multi-faceted 2004 gay movies paved the way for 2005, the Year of the Gay Movie and the Gay Oscars thanks to Brokeback
Mountain, Capote, and Transamerica. But in 2006 prestigious, high profiled indies like these virtually disappeared. The relatively few
that were made – Imagine Me & You, Kinky Boots, The Night Listener, Infamous, The Quiet, and Running with Scissors among their number
– didn’t connect with audiences as their more high profile forebears did. Unlike the critical hosannas that greeted the 2005 crop of
queer filmed movies the reaction to the 2006 group was distinctly mixed.
The one film that broke into new territory cinematically last year – the sexually adventurous Shortbus – was so far against the grain
of the vice grip on the country by conservatives that its chance of picking up awards and the status that it deserved was about nil.
Not to mention it was written and directed by the queerest filmmaker of them all (and I write that as a compliment), John Cameron
Mitchell. I know, I know, I went all “sticky moon candy” over Shortbus (it was my top film choice for 2006). But after going through
two national elections that hinged on the relentless scaring of unenlightened folks (the voting kind) about the evils of gay people
like myself I was thrilled to watch a movie that once again celebrated the “don’t dream it, be it” sexual liberation of The Rocky Horror
Picture Show from 30 years before.
The phenomenon that greeted Brokeback Mountain almost two years ago can now be seen as an anomaly. Where are the queer
movies to take its place? And where’s the one where the lovers get to live happily ever after? More to the point: where are the
queer movie actors to play queer characters on the screen? Heath Ledger told me that it was plain silliness to think of his taking the
part of closeted gay Ennis Delmar as an act of bravery. “It’s brave to be a firefighter,” he insisted. He’s right but he’s also a
heterosexual and it’s also true that the only A-list film actor to come out has been Rupert Everett. And we all know where that got
him – relegated to supporting parts as the “gay best friend” and starring in indie films (where he has played heterosexual romantic
leads quite convincingly) when he should be right up there with the other box office princes. Ironically, Everett is now back in a major
blockbuster as the villainous Prince Charming in Shrek the Third. Well, his voice is anyway.
So yeah, I’m cranky that we still don’t have a gay leading man in Hollywood (out of the closet that is), that Shortbus wasn’t embraced
the way it should have been, that V for Vendetta didn’t rouse more people but in our narcotized, narcissistic world, nothing seems to
make much of a dent and like political humorist Bill Maher I’m “pissed off that no one’s pissed off.” I’m also irritated that the
quotient of GLBT themed movies this year has fallen below 2006 levels.
That’s nothing new with regard to summer blockbusters and let’s face it we’re not exactly the target audience in this area though
there have been signs that Hollywood is at least acknowledging our presence. How else to explain last year’s gay as a goose X Men:
The Last Stand, Oliver Stone’s satisfying recut of Alexander that ups the gay content (take another look at it), Daniel Craig in Casino
Royale as the first James Bond who not only doesn’t seem concerned about being gay eye candy but actually might invite it? And
let's not forget the recent homoerotic sword and sandal epic 300. Take away the blue screen and those Spartans could easily have
been mistaken for IML contestants and director Zack Snyder acknowledged as much when discussing the film in interviews. So yes,
three years after starting to write about movies from my queer perspective I still have to reinvent in order to satisfy my longing for
representation. But, I am happy to report, I don’t have to reinvent quite so often.
ago. It was called “Reinventing the Movies” and focused on the lack of representation of gay characters in mainstream cinema. In
the absence of that GLBT audiences have done what many other underrepresented groups (ethnic and cultural) have when faced with
the standard Hollywood movie: they’ve projected what they wanted to see onto the screen. I’ve done it so often since the movie
habit became ingrained in me that it’s something I take for granted. If I want to imagine myself in someone’s place on the screen,
I do so at will and if I have a sense that a certain character’s sexuality wanders in my direction, my imagination brings him all the
way home. Every gay person I’ve ever talked to about this has acknowledged doing the same thing but it wasn’t until I saw the
documentary The Celluloid Closet, which focuses on gays and lesbians in the first 100 years of movies and is based on the excellent
book by the late Vito Russo, that I heard it so clearly articulated.
I was so taken with this idea and the desire to write about movies from this viewpoint – this emphasis on seeing movies through an
inherent gay sensibility and “reinventing” them to better suit me when necessary – that I realized that this was a way for me to
contribute something to film reviewing. I call it film criticism from a queer perspective and that’s how I’ve written about movies and
will continue to do so. In part because a more accurate and consistent representation of the lives of the GLBT community has yet to
become commonplace in mainstream movies.
“We’re here, we’re queer and we’re in the movies” I wrote in that first column but though there’s a seemingly vast array of direct to
DVD queer titles to satisfy every facet of our endlessly fabu-lush queer selves, our representation in the mainstream market ebbs
and flows. We’ve gone from 2004’s sensitive multi-faceted queer themed features like A Home at the End of the World, Tarnation and
Kinsey to the current wave of comedies that play off gay stereotypes for their laughs – Talladega Nights, Borat, Blades of Glory and the
forthcoming I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. The bulk of these mainstream comedies, surprisingly, have mocked the rigid
stereotypes and while it’s been refreshing to see the conservatives in these movies the butt of the joke because of their outdated
prejudices, these are but tantalizing crumbs. And they pale in comparison to In & Out, the big fat mainstream hit with Kevin Kline as
the queer school teacher – now a distant ten years ago.
The multi-faceted 2004 gay movies paved the way for 2005, the Year of the Gay Movie and the Gay Oscars thanks to Brokeback
Mountain, Capote, and Transamerica. But in 2006 prestigious, high profiled indies like these virtually disappeared. The relatively few
that were made – Imagine Me & You, Kinky Boots, The Night Listener, Infamous, The Quiet, and Running with Scissors among their number
– didn’t connect with audiences as their more high profile forebears did. Unlike the critical hosannas that greeted the 2005 crop of
queer filmed movies the reaction to the 2006 group was distinctly mixed.
The one film that broke into new territory cinematically last year – the sexually adventurous Shortbus – was so far against the grain
of the vice grip on the country by conservatives that its chance of picking up awards and the status that it deserved was about nil.
Not to mention it was written and directed by the queerest filmmaker of them all (and I write that as a compliment), John Cameron
Mitchell. I know, I know, I went all “sticky moon candy” over Shortbus (it was my top film choice for 2006). But after going through
two national elections that hinged on the relentless scaring of unenlightened folks (the voting kind) about the evils of gay people
like myself I was thrilled to watch a movie that once again celebrated the “don’t dream it, be it” sexual liberation of The Rocky Horror
Picture Show from 30 years before.
The phenomenon that greeted Brokeback Mountain almost two years ago can now be seen as an anomaly. Where are the queer
movies to take its place? And where’s the one where the lovers get to live happily ever after? More to the point: where are the
queer movie actors to play queer characters on the screen? Heath Ledger told me that it was plain silliness to think of his taking the
part of closeted gay Ennis Delmar as an act of bravery. “It’s brave to be a firefighter,” he insisted. He’s right but he’s also a
heterosexual and it’s also true that the only A-list film actor to come out has been Rupert Everett. And we all know where that got
him – relegated to supporting parts as the “gay best friend” and starring in indie films (where he has played heterosexual romantic
leads quite convincingly) when he should be right up there with the other box office princes. Ironically, Everett is now back in a major
blockbuster as the villainous Prince Charming in Shrek the Third. Well, his voice is anyway.
So yeah, I’m cranky that we still don’t have a gay leading man in Hollywood (out of the closet that is), that Shortbus wasn’t embraced
the way it should have been, that V for Vendetta didn’t rouse more people but in our narcotized, narcissistic world, nothing seems to
make much of a dent and like political humorist Bill Maher I’m “pissed off that no one’s pissed off.” I’m also irritated that the
quotient of GLBT themed movies this year has fallen below 2006 levels.
That’s nothing new with regard to summer blockbusters and let’s face it we’re not exactly the target audience in this area though
there have been signs that Hollywood is at least acknowledging our presence. How else to explain last year’s gay as a goose X Men:
The Last Stand, Oliver Stone’s satisfying recut of Alexander that ups the gay content (take another look at it), Daniel Craig in Casino
Royale as the first James Bond who not only doesn’t seem concerned about being gay eye candy but actually might invite it? And
let's not forget the recent homoerotic sword and sandal epic 300. Take away the blue screen and those Spartans could easily have
been mistaken for IML contestants and director Zack Snyder acknowledged as much when discussing the film in interviews. So yes,
three years after starting to write about movies from my queer perspective I still have to reinvent in order to satisfy my longing for
representation. But, I am happy to report, I don’t have to reinvent quite so often.
Anniversary Blog, Coming Attractions:
Three Years of Knight at the Movies-2007 Summer Film Preview
5-30-07 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
Three Years of Knight at the Movies-2007 Summer Film Preview
5-30-07 Windy City Times Knight at the Movies Column
By Richard Knight, Jr.
| Coming Attractions: 2007 Summer Film Preview 5-30-07 Windy City Times Special Movie Edition By Richard Knight, Jr. |
AUGUST
The Bourne Ultimatum – Yet another 3peat sequel but it’s the most promising of the summer – this being the Matt
Damon franchise and all. (August 3)
Becoming Jane – Gay friendly actress Anne Hathaway (Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada) stars as a young
Jane Austin in a period romance. Should satisfy the Merchant-Ivory crowd. (August 3)
The Invasion – Another sci-fi alien picture but this one has the advantage of two gay friendly leads: Nicole Kidman
and Daniel Craig. (August 17)
Cut Sleeve Boys – Billed as the first “gay British Chinese movie” this film, written and directed by Ray Yeung,
chairman of Hong Kong’s gay and lesbian film festival, looks to be this summer’s Eating Out 2 or Another Gay Movie.
(August 17 and Landmark Century)
Penelope – Christina Ricci, James McAvoy and Catharine O’Hara in a fantasy comedy about a girl cursed with a pig’s
snout for a nose. (August 17)
Halloween – Summer abruptly ends as Hollywood tries to move up the fall season with this Rob Zombie written and
directed remake of the 1978 classic. (August 31)
The handy dandy chart above, inspired by, oh I don't know, should help queer hungry film fans educate themselves before heading
out to their local cinema this summer. Enjoy!
out to their local cinema this summer. Enjoy!
Summer came early this year. Not unlike retailers looking to cash in on the year end shopping bonanza Hollywood studios, just as
eager to stretch their most profitable period as far as possible, released their first blockbuster almost the second April showers
disappeared. Considering this is a summer chock full of third sequels one can hardly blame filmmakers for chomping at the bit and
the annual horse race for box office glory is off to a fine start. Not even Memorial Day and already a trio of winners. We’ve been
entangled in the web of Spiderman 3, once again found ourselves turning green over Shrek the Third and have jumped aboard Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
But Hollywood’s just getting started and there’s a lot of potential box office glory ahead (bad reviews and word of mouth
notwithstanding) and for the blockbuster intolerant, an assortment of indies and largish budgeted movies slotted to counter program
the behemoths also look promising. Sifting through everything could take as long as sitting through Spiderman 3 again so I’ve
created a GLBT Alert level chart (see above) to help in the decision making process.
With those rating guidelines in mind, here’s a week by week list of just some of the tantalizing entrees from this summer’s movie
offerings.
eager to stretch their most profitable period as far as possible, released their first blockbuster almost the second April showers
disappeared. Considering this is a summer chock full of third sequels one can hardly blame filmmakers for chomping at the bit and
the annual horse race for box office glory is off to a fine start. Not even Memorial Day and already a trio of winners. We’ve been
entangled in the web of Spiderman 3, once again found ourselves turning green over Shrek the Third and have jumped aboard Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
But Hollywood’s just getting started and there’s a lot of potential box office glory ahead (bad reviews and word of mouth
notwithstanding) and for the blockbuster intolerant, an assortment of indies and largish budgeted movies slotted to counter program
the behemoths also look promising. Sifting through everything could take as long as sitting through Spiderman 3 again so I’ve
created a GLBT Alert level chart (see above) to help in the decision making process.
With those rating guidelines in mind, here’s a week by week list of just some of the tantalizing entrees from this summer’s movie
offerings.
JUNE
Show Business: The Road to Broadway – Gay pride month kicks off beautifully with this behind the scenes
documentary look at “Wicked,” “Avenue Q,” “Taboo,” and “Caroline or Change.” (June 8 at Chicago's Music Box
Theatre)
Ocean’s 13 – The boys are back for round three and by “boys” we mean Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Cheadle, Casey
Affleck, Scott Caan, and new to the series, Al Pacino. Ellen Barkin (?!) replaces Julia Roberts as the lone female.
(June 8)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer – The hit franchise returns as do the tight outfits and yes, Chris Evans sans
shirt. (June 13)
La Vie En Rose – A biopic of the “little sparrow” – singer Edith Piaf, the French Judy Garland who was rumored to have
dallied with the ladies here and there. (June 13)
Nancy Drew – The teenage detective returns to the screen 60 years after her last foray but Nancy’s best girlfriend,
the “mannish” George appears to have been feminized. (June 13)
Evan Almighty – Steve Carell who played gay in Little Miss Sunshine now becomes a modern day Noah when
commanded to build an ark by Morgan Freeman as God. (June 20)
A Mighty Heart – Queer friendly actors Angelina Jolie and Dan Futterman (Boyfriend of TV’s Will and screenwriter of
Capote) in Marianne Pearl’s true account of the kidnapping and murder of her husband, Wall Street journalist Daniel
Pearl in the Middle East. (June 20)
1408 – John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson in a film based on a Stephen King creeper. The number refers to a
hotel room where a lot of really bad stuff has happened. (June 20)
Klimt – Biography of avant garde painter starring John Malkovich gets its first Chicago run at the Gene Siskel Film
Center. (June 20)
Live Free Or Die Hard – Yipee kay yay motherfrs! John McClane/Bruce Willis is back for a fourth go round. (June 20)
Evening – Meryl Streep-Vanessa Redgrave-Toni Collette-Natasha Richardson-Claire Danes-eye candy Patrick Wilson-
rumored bi-sexual Hugh Dancy and Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer – all enacting a romantic 1950s era drama
adapted for the screen by queer novelist Michael “The Hours” Cunningham and Susan Minot from her novel. Literary
queens get ready – this is your movie. (June 29)
Sicko – Michael Moore returns with an already controversial documentary on the health care industry is a must see
for the serious minded. (June 29)
| QUEER ALERT LEVEL |
JULY
Transformers – Cutie pie Shia LaBeouf is the de facto star but really it’s the warring alien robots and SFX that will
carry the day here. It’s Independence Day x12 – a Michael Bay picture, naturally. (July 4th)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Now that we know what’s under Daniel Radcliffe’s Hogwarts uniform
thanks to those nudie “Equus” photos on the web the desire to return for round four of the continued adventures of
Mr. Potter and his pals is ever more urgent. (July 13)
Hairspray – The musical movie version of the original John Waters comedy arrives with John Travolta (in drag in the
Bruce Vilanch/Divine part), Michelle Pfeiffer, and Queen Latifah heading what looks to be a triumph or camp fodder
for years to come. (July 20)
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry – Brooklyn firefighters Adam Sandler and Kevin James pretend to be a gay
couple in order to qualify for domestic partnership benefits. The premise elicits a lot of opportunities for “don’t touch
me fag” jokes but our “politically correct” environment, the trailer (and early buzz) seem to promise sensitive
handling – and a lot of laughs. (July 20)
Chicago Outdoor Film Festival – The line-up this year for this year’s Grant Park movie fest seems to have been
programmed by and for gay audiences. Madeline Kahn! Barbara Stanwyck! Rock Hudson! Cary Grant! Paul
Newman! Robert Redford! Tony Curtis! Burt Lancaster! Julie Andrews!
Jul. 17: Young Frankenstein
Jul. 24: Double Indemnity
Jul. 31: Written on the Wind
Aug. 7: The Awful Truth
Aug. 14: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Aug. 21: Sweet Smell of Success
Aug. 28: The Sound of Music
The Simpsons Movie – Homer, Marge, Lisa and Maggie finally arrive on the big screen and the homo friendly series
looks to be another winner. (July 27)
Smiley Face – Queer filmmaker Greg Araki returns with an offbeat sunny comedy about…pot brownies that stars
Scary Movie’s Ana Farris and out lesbian Jane Lynch. (July 27)
| CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE KATM 2007 DVD SUMMER PREVIEW |
| RATINGS KEY SEVERE Mega Gay, don’t think twice, order tickets online and head to the nearest theatre HIGH Homo Central, GLBT activities and characters prominent or film hotly anticipated by queer audiences ELEVATED Queer Friendly, GLBT plot points or characters or mucho opportunities to ogle male or female eye candy GUARDED Gay Lite, minimal GLBT material or characters though actors or filmmakers are gay or gay friendly LOW ZZZZZZZZ, No apparent GLBT content or characters and no straight performers or situations worth fantasizing about – in other words, no queer content to speak of |