HOWLIN’ ‘BOUT MY GENERATION

Quietly amassing a compelling and varied CV that already includes turns as James Dean, Spider-Man’s best friend, a slow-witted pot dealer and Harvey Milk’s lover, James Franco now portrays poet Allen Ginsberg in the new feature Howl, about the landmark obscenity trial, which was sparked by the incendiary epic poem that defined both Ginsberg and the Beat movement. With a 6:45 p.m. screening and reception, Howl opens the 11th Kansas City Gay & Lesbian Film + Video Festival at Tivoli Cinemas (4050 Pennsylvania). The weeklong event features the documentaries Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work and Stonewall Uprising, the 2010 Sundance honoree Undertow, and Keith Hartman’s work-in-progress You Should Meet My Son; it closes next Thursday with the Out Here Now Short Film Competition and the romantic comedy Violet Tendencies. Showcase and evening screenings cost $8.50; matinees are $6.50. To download a complete schedule, view film clips or order tickets, see kcgayfilmfest.com.— Brent Shepherd

Fri., June 25; Thu., July 1, 2010