Big Gay Picture Show

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema and more

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema & more

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote Trailer – Terry Gilliam’s passion project is finally on its way

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Terry Gilliam’s quest to get The Man Who Killed Don Quixote made has been so beset by disasters that it spawned a feature-length documentary about it, 2002’s Lost In La Mancha. In case you don’t know the story, after several years of trying to get it off the ground, the movie finally went into production in 2000, with Johnny Depp and Jean Rochefort starring. However very quickly a combination of factors, ranging from Rochefort getting seriously ill to a storm wrecking the sets, meant to the whole thing had to be called off.

Over the years Gilliam has tried on numerous occasions to get it off the ground again, but a range of issues, mainly surrounding financing, means it’s never happened. Until now that is. However, even now the problems haven’t ended as while it’s in the can and pretty much completed, a court case over who owns the rights has been launched, which means it can’t be screened at Cannes as originally planned.

It doesn’t help either that Gilliam angered many with recent tone deaf comments about the #metoo movement, which seemed to blame women for being harassed and sought to excuse men from repercussions.

However, the first trailer for the movie has now arrived. Here’s the synopsis: ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote tells the story of a deluded old man (Jonathan Pryce) who is convinced he is Don Quixote, and who mistakes Toby (Adam Driver), an advertising executive, for his trusty squire, Sancho Panza. The pair embark on a bizarre journey, jumping back and forth in time between the 21st and magical 17th century. Gradually, like the infamous knight himself, Toby becomes consumed by the illusory world and unable to determine his dreams from reality. The tale culminates in a phantasmagorical and emotional finale where Toby takes on the mantle of Don Quixote de la Mancha.’ [Read more…]

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Dark Blood Trailer – River Phoenix’s final film arrives 20 years after he died

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It’s over 20 years since River Phoenix died of a drugs overdose outside the Viper Room in LA. At the time he was shooting the movie Dark Blood, which had to be abandoned in the wake of his death.

At least it was initially, but a few years ago director George Sluizer (Vanishing) picked up the footage again to see whether there was anything he could do with it. That involved completely reworking the story as only about 65% of the movie was ever filmed, as well as trying to explain Phoenix’s absence from chunks of the movie.

The film premiered last year to a mixed response, and should now be getting a release we can all view soon.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Dark Blood tells the story of Boy (River Phoenix) a young widower who retreats to the desert after his wife dies of radiation following nuclear tests near their home. Boy is waiting for the end of the world and carves Katchina dolls that supposedly contain magical powers. Harry (Jonathan Pryce) and Buffy (Judy Davis) travel to the desert on a second honeymoon in an attempt to save their marriage. Their Bentley breaks down in the middle of nowhere and the couple is rescued by Boy. Boy holds them prisoner because of his desire for the woman and his ambition to create a better world with her.’ [Read more…]

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Glee’s Chris Colfer To Play Gay Writer Noel Coward, With Ian McKellen Starring Too

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chris-colferIt’s going to be a gay old time on the set of Noel this summer, with Chris Colfer and Ian McKellen teaming up for a biopic of the legendary Noel Coward. Vanessa Redgrave and Jonathan Pryce will also star, according to Screen Daily.

The film will follow Coward’s early life and inspirations, which led him to become the famously flamboyant raconteur and writer behind plays like Blithe Spirit, Private Lives and Hayfever, scripts such as Brief Encounter and songs like Mad Dogs And Englishmen. He was also an actor, perhaps most famously playing Mr. Bridger in The Italian Job.

Coward was gay, although as with most people of his era (he lived from 1899 to 1973) this was never mentioned while he was alive, although it was obvious and even Noel himself once observed ‘There are still a few old ladies in Worthing who don’t know.’ He also encouraged his secretary to write a frank biography which was to be published after he died.

This will be set before all that, although are no exact details on what period of his life the movie will cover. Colfer takes the role of Coward (let’s hope he’s been practicing his posh English actor, as Noel had a very distinctive voice), but it’s now known who McKellen, Redgrave and Pryce will be.

Martin Sherman wrote the script, who has a good pedigree with gay-themed project, having written Bent. Joe Stephenson (Chicken) will direct.

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Brazil (Blu-ray)

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A masterpiece to some, a source of utter befuddlement to others, Terry Gilliam’s Brazil has been dividing opinions now for over 25 years. Now it reaches Blu-ray, which is certainly a good way to show off the film’s extraordinary production design.

Set in a dystopian mix of the future and the past, Jonathan Pryce plays Sam Lowry, a man trying to live a quiet life as part of a vast bureaucracy, but who has extravagant dreams where he’s a flying, monster-slaying hero. During his waking life though, he’s mainly trying to be efficient and stop his plastic surgery obsessed mother from pushing him around. [Read more…]