Gay

CHICAGO – Happy Pride Weekend! To bring us into this proud celebration, HollywoodChicago.com presents three reviews of LGBTQ+ themed films, with audio overviews from Editor/Writer Patrick McDonald, contributor Jon Lennon Espino and guest reviewer/Founder of Cinema Femme, Rebecca Martin Fagerhoim.

CHICAGO – When one of Chicago’s own critic/entertainment reporters is instrumental in achieving a LGBTQ+ celebration during Pride Month, it’s a cause for OUR PRIDE. Jerry Nunn is that achiever, and he will oversee … as Co-Sponsor and Programmer … the Inaugural Critic’s Choice Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television on June 7th, 2024, at the Los Angeles Fairmont Hotel. Besides the creme of presenters and honorees scheduled for the event, it is Jerry who spearheaded the effort to make this celebration happen.

CHICAGO – Happy Pride Month 2024! One of the most beautiful and spirited LGBTQ+ films on the festival circuit last year was “The Mattachine Family,” written by Danny Vallentine and directed by his husband Andy Vallentine. Andy Vallentine talked to HollywoodChicago.com about his film that was partially autobiographical.

CHICAGO – The queer community is everywhere in this spinning world, even Cuba. A new filmmaker, Hansel Porras Garcia, spotlights a story of Cuba in his debut feature film “Febrero” at the Chicago Reeling2023 International LBGTQ+ Film Festival on September 27th, 2023. For details and tickets, click FEBRERO.

CHICAGO – The 41st edition of the REELING International LBGTQ+ Film Festival kicks off on September 21st, 2023, and runs through October 7th. The Opening Night film is “The Mattachine Family” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. For info/tickets click REELING41.

CHICAGO – Ten years ago, an Independent film was released in Chicago, co-written and co-directed by Richard Knight Jr., an entertainment fixture in the Windy City. “Scrooge & Marley” offered a bit more than the previous versions of the familiar “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, it was the first to filter the story through same sex coupling and LGBTQ+ themes. A new staged version of the film, complete with the featured songs, will be presented at Chicago’s Center on Halsted on December 12th, 2022, at 7pm. It’s a FREE event, register for tickets by clicking SCROOGE & MARLEY.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for “The Inspection,” a based-on-his-own-life memoir film by writer/director Elegance Bratton on his experiences in Marine Corps boot camp, in theaters on November 23rd.

CHICAGO – The journey of Elegance Bratton took him from homelessness to the U.S. Marine Corps to to his first film … all based on his life. “The Inspection” is about Ellis (Jeremy Pope). a gay black youth who decides he has one last shot at a chance to get off the streets … if he can survive Marine boot camp.

CHICAGO – The honoring of an institution in the City of Chicago via the documentary “Art and Pep” – the owners of the iconic Sidetrack gay bar in Chicago’s “Boystown” LGBTQ+ neighborhood – was supported by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who walked the Red Carpet at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival on October 14th.

CHICAGO – A legacy in Chicago LGBTQ+ history took center stage at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) on October 13th. “Art and Pep” is a documentary about life partners Art Johnson and Pepe Peña, the proprietors of Sidetrack, the largest gay bar in the Midwest. There will be one more screening on October 16th, click ART/PEP for location/tickets.