Fall Preview: Much to look forward to in fall film releases

Of course every movie interests some LGBT film fans, so you’ll find us at the latest installments of “Resident Evil” (Sept. 10), “Saw” (Oct. 22), “Harry Potter” (Nov. 19) and “The Chronicles of Narnia” (Dec. 10).

Here are others you may want to watch for, including some films with LGBT characters, and some star sightings of people we like.

Keep in mind that some dates are in flux and even the firm ones could change.

September

Mao’s Last Dancer,” opening this weekend, features great dancing by Chi Cao as defecting ballerino Li Cunxin, but Bruce Greenwood’s gay character is embarrassingly retro, with no life outside his work.

All about Evil,” Sept. 4: Who doesn’t love a one-night stand? Mink Stole and San Francisco drag diva and filmmaker Peaches Christ will appear in person at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas at midnight Sept. 4 for a concert and costume party around the showing of this campy horror comedy starring Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson and Stole.

You Again,” Sept. 17: Girls get mean in a high school comedy that features grown-ups Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristen Chenoweth, Cloris Leachman and everyone’s favorite prom queen, Betty White.

October

Out on Film, Oct. 1-7: You’ll be reading and hearing lots more about Atlanta’s gayest movie week of the year.

Howl,” opening TBD after 10/5 premiere in Out on Film: James Franco plays queer again (after “Milk” and “James Dean”) as gay poet Allen Ginsberg, who made “Howl” a four-letter word with his epic poem. The film, focusing on his 1957 obscenity trial, was made by Oscar-winning gay documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” Oct. 8: Keir Gilchrist, the gay son on “United States of Tara,” plays a teen who finds (male) friendship and (female) love in a mental institution.

Jackass 3D,” Oct. 15: From the sublime to the ridiculous, as Johnny Knoxville and company return with another collection of stunts you shouldn’t try at home. Of course they’re not queer or anything, but these guys do things to each other I wouldn’t do to another man!

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest,” Oct. 29: Noomi Rapace is bisexual Lisbeth Salander again in the conclusion of the “Millennium Trilogy.” Then we can wait for David Fincher’s American remakes.

November

Burlesque,” Nov. 24: It may turn out to be this generation’s “Showgirls,” but who can resist Cher as the grande dame of a club where small town girl Christina Aguilera wants to move from waitress to performer? Stanley Tucci plays the gay stage manager and Alan Cumming the “gender-bending host.” (“Cabaret” much?)

Love and Other Drugs,” Nov. 24: With Heath Ledger out of the way, Jake Gyllenhaal romances Anne Hathaway for real this time. He plays a Viagra salesman.

December

I Love You, Phillip Morris,” Dec. 3: It starts as a prison romance for Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor but continues when they get out. When Carrey goes back in he has to break out to be with the man he loves. The comedy, by the writers of “Bad Santa,” has changed release dates several times, so keep your fingers crossed.

The Tourist,” Dec. 3: There may be death in Venice (not the Thomas Mann kind) in this thriller, but you can bet they won’t kill off expensive (but worth it!) stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

The Fighter,” Dec. 10: Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale play brothers.

Black Swan,” Dec. 17: Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis make out in the trailer for this drama with a ballet background, but it may just be a fantasy scene as they’re actually rivals for the leading role.

The Tempest,” December or January: Director Julie Taymor gets revenge on Shakespeare for his all-male productions by giving a sex change to one of his greatest characters. Prospero becomes Prospera and is played by the divine Helen Mirren. Alan Cumming is in it too.

 

Top photo: Jim Carrey plays a gay conman in ‘I Love You, Phillip Morris,’ which is finally scheduled for release Dec. 3 after several delays. (Publicity photo)