Spring Movie Preview

Spring is finally here — as are a load of movies to tickle your fancy, from mainstream comedies to indie film festival favorites that are finally at a theater near you.

Blades of Glory — An ice-skating comedy arrived just in time to thaw us out for spring. Will Ferrell (star of last year's surprisingly gay-friendly Talladega Nights) and Jon Heder (best known for Napoleon Dynamite) take us on the adventure of two straight ice skaters teamed up as a couple competing for Olympic gold. In the film's trailer, Ferrell sings along to the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" as he exercises on his treadmill — this alone is reason to check it out. Even better, despite the "gay" set-up, the film avoids the homophobic type of laughs found in last month's Wild Hogs. (March 30)

Race You to the Bottom — In this film, which reflects an almost European cinematic sensibility about sexual ambiguity, Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) explores a romantic relationship with a gay man (Cole Williams). Translation: The concept of the film seems like a cliché. (March 30, limited release)

The Tweakers Project — This documentary explores the impact of crystal meth has had on every corner of the gay community. (April 1, limited release)

Year of the Dog — Mike White, the bisexual writer behind the darkly funny Chuck & Buck (as well as the son of openly gay Rev. Mel White, the creator of Soulforce), writes, produces and directs this drama about a secretary (Molly Shannon) who searches for personal transformation when her dog dies. Year of the Dog is not particularly gay, but anything from Mr. White should be seen. (April 13)

Hot Fuzz — The guys behind the unexpectedly touching Shaun of the Dead are back with a send-up of American action films told with a distinctly British sensibility. While there's nothing explicitly gay about the film, the fact that the central relationship is a "bromance" between police officers Angel (Simon Pegg) and Danny (Nick Frost) is hard to miss. Fuzz brilliantly parodies the homoeroticism of buddy movies such as Point Break and Bad Boys without resorting to easy laughs or gay-panic gags. It also tells a touching story of two straight men coming to understand one another. A stellar supporting cast of British character actors (Billie Whitelaw, Edward Woodward, Bill Nighy, Timothy Dalton) help make this film a bright spot for spring. (April 20, limited release)

Smiley Face – The enfant terrible, director Gregg Araki, returns with a new film that is decidedly different film from his last outing, Mysterious Skin. An actress (Anna Farris) eats a batch of Mary Jane's brownies made by her stoner roommate, and a life-altering journey ensues. The film also features the totally cool Jane Lynch (Best in Show), John Krasinski (The Office) and John Cho (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle). (April 20, limited release)