Now that fall is here, summer's fluffy blockbusters are gone, making room for movies that aim to take home an Oscar. And even though Brokeback Mountain was snubbed for the golden boy last year, that doesn't mean there's been a decline in queer content this season. Indeed, it seems that our favorite gay cowboys were the harbingers of a tide that, this season, is turning in our favor. From mainstream movies like Dreamgirls, directed by openly gay Bill Condon, to the indie sex flick Shortbus from John Cameron Mitchell, gay folks are all over the silver screen this fall.

September

This Film Is Not Yet Rated — Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick's documentary investigates the MPAA film ratings system and its impact on American culture. What's of interest for us gays? Among the contributors are John Waters and Kimberly Pierce, and the film reveals that the ratings system has been used to censor many films with gay characters or themes, including Mysterious Skin, Boys Don't Cry and But I'm a Cheerleader. A fascinating, but sobering, documentary. (Opened Sept. 1 NY and LA. Wider release during September)

Paper Dolls — Tomer Heymann's documentary reveals a subculture of illegal Filipino immigrants who take care of elderly men in Tel Aviv and put on stage shows as transgender "paper dolls." These are men who find acceptance of their queerness after having fled their families, a concept that's sure to strike a chord in many of us. (Opened Sept. 6 in New York, Sept. 9 in Boston)

The Covenant — In this homoerotic twink fest, five good-looking guys tempt us with their sexy charms, bedazzle us with their magical powers and … oh yeah, one of them happens to be evil. My opinion? Don't go see this movie for the story. I, for one, will be sitting in the third row from the back with shades on, planning my claims of amnesia should my friends ask me where I've been. See you there. (Sept. 8)

Confetti — This British comedy and mockumentary is about three straight couples competing for an all-expenses-paid wedding. Yes, there are two gay wedding planners — what a shock. (Sept. 15)

Jackass: Number Two is coming out for your viewing pleasure. I admit this is not my cup of tea. The promo says, “Yes, Mr. Knoxville and his boys are back doing unthinkably stupid and gross things...and it's totally homoerotic. Not only are the boys half (or totally) naked through much of the film, but memorable stunts involve dildos, semen and beer funnels in unlikely places.” (Sept. 22)

Broken Sky — Gerardo and Jonas are very much in love, but break up after Jonas cheats on Gerardo with a stranger he meets at a disco. Gerardo begins a relationship with Sergio, but he and Jonas are still too much in love to remain apart for long. Mexican director Julián Hernández's feature-length debut has been generating a lot of buzz, but can a drama about the ups and downs of making a gay relationship work be entertaining? Let's find out. (Sept. 29)

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