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 Gunman (Blu-ray Review)

By Leave a Comment

Starring: , , , ,
Director:
Running Time:
Certificate:
Release Date:

Until recently the prospect of Sean Penn starring in a movie meant that while the film was likely to be a little bit tedious, he would be extremely good in it and the movie would be worth a watch. However, with Gangster Squad, Walter Mitty and The Gunman, he seems to be trying his hand at more standard fare.

Unfortunately though, all the Gunman offers is more of what we’ve seen 1,000 times before. In fact, I almost wonder if in the pact actors make with Hollywood, it includes a clause that makes it compulsory for them to star in at least one movie about an assassin having an existential crisis. [Read more…]

The Gunman International Trailer – Sean Penn is an assassin in trouble

By Leave a Comment

gunman-uk-posterSean Penn is known for being picky and a bit idiosyncratic with his movie roles, generally avoiding typical Hollywood fare, but there’s no doubt The Gunman doesn’t sound like anything particularly unusual. Let’s hope the great cast – which includes Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance – can raise it above the generic.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘In THE GUNMAN, directed by Pierre Morel, Sean Penn stars as a former Special Forces soldier and military contractor suffering from PTSD. He tries to reconnect with his long time love, but first must go on the run from London to Barcelona and across Europe in order to clear his name.’

The suggestion of PTSD may explain what attract Penn, allowing him to stretch his acting muscles more than most assassin tales.

The Gunman hits UK cinemas on 20th March. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

The Gunman Trailer – Sean Penn turns assassin but gets targeted himself

By Leave a Comment

gunman-sean-pennThe Gunman certainly has a great cast, led by Sean Penn alongside Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance. Indeed getting such a cast of luminaries together is surprising as the plot makes it sound like pretty standard stuff – hopefully the film itself will offer something more.

Pierre Morel (Taken) directs based on the novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Deadly professional assassin Martin Terrier returns to Paris after his latest job determined to get out of the game. Ten years ago he made a promise to return to his childhood sweetheart in the south of France. But circumstances put Martin’s attempted retirement on hold: a key target is flying in to Paris, and there is only one man fit for the task of eliminating him. As Martin flees southwards, desperate to return to the crushing mediocrity of life in a backwater town, he finds his former employers will stop at nothing to regain his services for one last job. Bursting with Gallic irony and visceral brutality, The Gunman (originally published in English as The Prone Gunman) is a shocking and sardonic masterpiece from the late, great master of the French crime novel, J-P Manchette.’

A February 20th UK release is set, and it’ll arrive in the US March 30th. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Cinema)

By Leave a Comment

Starring: , , , ,
Director:
Running Time:
Certificate:
Release Date:

There’s one thing to be said of Ben Stiller’s reimagining of famous daydreamer Mitty – he certainly captures the mood of the times. Mitty works at Life magazine, which is going digital, and most of the staff are being laid off. The ‘digital takeover’ is being handled by Ted (a gloriously oily Adam Scott) and there are many scenes of upset worker carrying brown boxes containing their meagre possessions out of the building, security guard in tow. [Read more…]

First Look At Sean Penn Looking Dirty & Armed In The Gunman

By Leave a Comment

sean-penn-The-Gunman
Sean Penn may have only just started shooting The Gunman recently, but the first image from the movie has already been released, via USA Today, showing Penn looking a bit stressed, dirty and, as the title suggests, holding a gun.

The Gunman is based on a novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette. It follows an international operative, Jim Terrier (Penn), who is betrayed by his handlers and goes on the run. Penn tells USA Today, “Calling it an ‘action film’ is kind of like calling Meryl Streep a sexy blonde chick. She is. But that really doesn’t tell the story of what she is at all.”

He adds, “I don’t separate this in my mind from anything else I have done. It’s a very human story that deals with the same things exploited in action films, like warfare.”

The film also stars Jasmine Trinca as Terrier’s love interest, Javier Bardem as her husband, Idris Elba as a mysterious operative, Ray Winstone as Penn’s mentor, and Mark Rylance as one of his enemies. It’s currently filming in Europe with Pierre Morel directing.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Ray Winstone Up To Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elba In The Gunman

By Leave a Comment

ray-winstoneOn Friday we reported that Idris Elba is in talks to join Sean Penn and Javier Bardem in the thriller The Gunman. Now another Brit may sign up, as Deadline reports that Ray Winstone is likely to be part of the cast, as is Italian actress Jasmine Trinca.

The Gunman is based on a novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette. It follows an international operative (Penn) who is betrayed by his handlers and goes on the run. Winstone is set to play one of those handlers, who’s been Penn’s mentor up to that point. It isn’t known who Trinca will play.

No specifics have been released about Bardem’s role, although it’s presumed he’ll be the villain. Elba meanwhile is up to play a mysterious operative called Dupont, although it’s not clear if he’s working with or against Penn.

Pierre Morel (Taken) is set to direct from a script by Pete Travis. Shooting is slated to begin in Barcelona and other European locations later this month.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Idris Elba In Talks To Join Sean Penn & Javier Bardem In The Gunman

By Leave a Comment

Idris-ElbaJust a few days ago, Javier Bardem signed up to star alongside Sean Penn in The Gunman (previously known as Prone Gunman). Now they may have some more company, as THR reports that Idris Elba is in talks to join them.

The Gunman is based on a novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette. It follows an international operative (Penn) who is betrayed by his handlers and goes on the run. No specifics have been released about Bardem’s role, although it’s presumed he’ll be the villain. Elba meanwhile is up to play a mysterious operative called Dupont, although it’s not clear if he’s working with or against Penn.

Pierre Morel (Taken) is set to direct from a script by Pete Travis. Shooting is slated to begin in Barcelona and other European locations later this month.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Director Pierre Morel Takes On Sean Penn Thriller Prone Gunman

By Leave a Comment

pierre-morelSean Penn isn’t normally thought of an action star, but it looks like he’s giving it a go and getting Taken helmer Pierre Morel to help him, as THR reports Morel is now in talks to take on the film Prone Gunman.

News of Penn’s involvement in the movie first stirred late last year. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Jean-Patrick Manchette and has Penn set to star as a hired gun called Martin Terrier, who is trying to retire from his profession. After his failed attempt to leave his chosen life, he ends up in a brutal cat-and-mouse chase across Europe. Manchette’s book has been described as existentialist, as much a look at the human condition as an action film – which is probably what Penn likes.

The hope is to get the movie up and running pretty quickly. If Morel does sign on, the hope of to shoot the movie this spring in Eastern Europe.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

Sean Penn Going Assassin For The Prone Gunman

By Leave a Comment

Sean Penn isn’t an actor who we normally thing of when it comes to action movies, but it seems he wants to try one out, as THR reports that he has joined a planned adaptation of Jean-Patrick Manchette’s action novel The Prone Gunman.

The book is about a hired gun called Martin Terrier, who is trying to retire from his profession (why are assassins always trying to retire in movies?). After his failed attempt to leave his chosen life, he ends up in a brutal cat-and-mouse chase across Europe. Manchette’s book has been described as existentialist, as much a look at the human condition as an action film – which is probably what Penn likes.

Peter Travis is set to write the script, although it’s not known whne it might shoot.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   

Five Gangster Squad Character Posters Emerge

By Leave a Comment

With a new poster and trailer out this week, the hype campaign for Gangster Squad has continued with the release of five characters posters for the movie, which you can see above and below. We have a suspicion they may have been hanging around for a while, as they still have the old September release date on them, before it was shifted back to January, so they could film a new ending that wouldn’t remind people of the Dark Knight Rises shootings in Colorado. They’re new to use though, and pretty cool, so enjoy!

And if you want to know more about the film, check out the latest trailer here.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: , , , ,   DIRECTORS:   FILMS: