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

Eye In The Sky (DVD Review)

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When people talk about modern warfare, it tends to be in rather black and white terms. It’s either people concerned about collateral damage who tend to ignore the moral quagmire that killing a few innocent people may end up saving many more, or the more gung-ho attitude that ignores the guiltless that get caught up in it. Eye In The Sky attempts to explore the grey areas.

In Nairobi, a British and American task force are tracking some Islamic extremist terrorists, but are mainly doing so from afar, using drones controlled from the US and other tech piloted by a local (Barkhad Abdi) on the ground. They discover that three of their most wanted targets are together in a house. However, plans to capture them quickly change to the need for a possible kill-strike, when they realise there are bomb belts in the house and a suicide attack is imminent. Things get even more complex when a young girl enters the kill zone and they realise a strike is likely to kill her. [Read more…]

Eye In The Sky Trailer – Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman & Aaron Paul deal with the difficulty of drone strikes

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eye-in-the-sky-aaron-paulDirector Gavin Hood dropped a big stinker with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but he had a little more success with 2013’s Ender’s Game. Now he’s getting serious with Eye In The Sky, which takes on the difficulties and drama of the military’s use of unmanned drones.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘EYE IN THE SKY stars Helen Mirren as Colonel Katherine Powell, a UK-based military officer in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya. Through remote surveillance and on-the-ground intel, Powell discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing and the mission escalates from “capture” to “kill.” But as American pilot Steve Watts (Aaron Paul) is about to engage, a nine-year old girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute reaching the highest levels of US and British government over the moral, political, and personal implications of modern warfare.’

The movie premiered to decent reviews at TIFF and will be seen in cinemas next spring. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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Helen Mirren & Aaron Paul Join Colin Firth In Drone Thriller Eye in the Sky

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Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul

A few weeks ago it was announced that Colin Firth had signed on to star in and produce a drone thriller called Eye In The Sky. Now he has some company as it’s been revealed that Helen Mirren and Aaron Paul have signed on too.

The movie is described as a ‘contemporary international thriller set in the shadowy world of remotely piloted “drone” warfare, Mirren will star as Colonel Michelle Madden, a military intelligence officer in command of a top secret drone operation. Paul takes the focal role of American drone pilot Steve Watts.’

Watts is sent in to destroy the safe-house in Nairobi, but he realises that taking it out will also put the life of a nine-year-old-girl at risk. With the volatility of the situation and the possible fallout increasing, Madden passes the mission up the ‘kill chain’ to politicians and lawyers, including the British Foreign secretary (the role it’s believed Firth will take).

Guy Hibbert wrote the script with Ender’s Game’s Gavin Hood set to direct. Production is expected to begin in South Africa on 12th September 2014.

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Colin Firth Looks To Drone Thriller An Eye In The Sky

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colin-firth-2There’s a lot of interest and controversy at the moment over the military’s use of drones (especially now that the machines are starting to sneak into civilian life). It’s not too surprising the film world is also interested in them, and that includes Ender’s Game director Gavin Hood.

He’s set to helm Eye In The Sky, which Deadline reports has Colin Firth attached to star.

The project has been around for a few year but got trapped in development hell. Now it’s found new life, with eOne coming onboard to back the film.

The film follow a London-based military intelligence officer called Colonel Michelle Madden who is tasked with overseeing a secret mission to capture a group of terrorists in Nairobi. However she realises the targets are about to embark on a suicide mission, which shifts the operation from trying to capture the bad guys to killing them.

American drone pilot Steve Watts is sent in to destroy the safe-house, but he realises that taking it out will also put the life of a nine-year-old-girl at risk. With the volatility of the situation and the possible fallout increasing, Madden passes the mission up the ‘kill chain’ to politicians and lawyers, including the British Foreign secretary. Guy Hibbert wrote the script.

Firth comments, “The use of unmanned aircraft in modern warfare and in the so-called ‘War on Terror’ poses critical questions for us all… I’m pleased to be a part of an exploration into such a crucial issue.”

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Harrison Ford & Gavin Hood Defend Ender’s Game Against Author’s Anti-Gay Views

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Enders-Game-Poster1A few months ago there was much talk of a boycott of the movie version of Ender’s Game, due the the fact the author of the book the film is based on, Orson Scott Card, has voiced extremely anti-gay views and been at the front of the fight against gay marriage.

It’s cast a bit of a pall over the marketing of the movie, and often felt slightly like the elephant in the room. The filmmakers have already distanced themselves from Card (the author will have nothing to do with the promotion of the movie), and now director Gavin Hood and star Harrison Ford have once more felt the need to speak out against Card at a promotional event for the movie in London.

Gavin Hood said (via The Guardian), “It’s well known Orson Scott Card and I have different views on the issue of gay marriage and gay rights … It has been a real dilemma for me: I love the book Ender’s Game, it’s all about tolerance and compassion, and understanding the other. When I first read the book I was deeply moved by a story aimed at young people that I could share with my children and access ideas in a way that was exciting for them, and yet allowed us to talk about compassion, tolerance, diplomacy, even.

“The themes of the novel are so important to me – drone warfare, the way games and reality merge in the modern world, the way we hide behind a computer screen, that young people are seduced into war – and I love them from the book. It’s very difficult for me to reconcile that with his clearly contrary views to the ones I hold on the issue of gay rights.

“Should I not have made the film because of his views? I wrestled with that, and you know what? I thought: if I don’t put these ideas out on screen we wouldn’t be having this conversation. We are having this conversation precisely because the themes of the book are at odds with his current ideas. I’m very proud of the film, and I felt strongly that I didn’t want to lose my love of this book because its creator seems to be in a different zone to me on this issue.”

“It’s hard. We love the music of Richard Wagner, but he was a deep antisemite. I love Braveheart, but I don’t like what Mel Gibson has been saying about Jewish people. Art and their creators often diverge. Art is an expression of our higher selves and we who make art don’t always measure up to the art we create.”

Ford added, “This movie doesn’t address any of those issues [gay rights]. It was written 28 years ago; it’s a very impressive act of imagination that he could predict the internet, and that he could predict drone warfare … There is nothing in the film or the book addressing his current dispositions, or prejudices. We care about the positive aspects of the story we are telling.”

You can understand where they’re coming from, but the worry has always been that Card is likely to have a deal where he gets paid bonuses based on how much the movie grosses, so going to see the film could inadvertently fund the author’s anti-gay activities. Some still plan to continue with the boycott, while some have suggested watching the film but doing a kind of offset by donating to pro-gay charities. Others however agree that the film should be divorced from its creator and we should see them as two separate entities.

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Ender’s Game Filmmakers Talk About Gay Boycott At Comic-Con

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Enders-Game-Poster1It probably wasn’t a coincidence that Geeks Out decided to announce their planned boycott of Ender’s Game just a couple of weeks before Comic-Con, as they knew the actors and filmmakers would be gathering in San Diego to try and push the sci-fi film.

Talk of a boycott has certainly managed to shift the focus from the film itself to the controversy surrounding the book’s author. It’s resulted in most of those involved in the film making statements at Comic-Con distancing themselves from the homophobic sentiments of the author Orson Scott Card.

Talking to The Huffington Post, director Gavin Hood said, “We can’t control – like, we have no right to tell him [Card[ what he should or shouldn’t say. I don’t know, Bob and I – we hold the opposite view. I do not agree with Orson Scott Card’s position on gay marriage. But, I love Ender’s Game the book. And that’s something that one has to reconcile in one’s own head. That’s really our position.”

Producer Bob Orci added, “At first, as you’re saying, we were, ‘Yes, this is a difficulty.’ We’ve come to embrace the fact that this actually gets to be a conversation. And we actually get to sit here and say that we support human rights and we support what’s going on in this country right now and that it’s trending in the right direction. And without this conversation, we wouldn’t be able to say that. We wouldn’t be talking about that. And the book is about tolerance and understanding differences and bullying. And, so, it’s actually turned out to be oddly relevant to the book and it turns out that the book itself is the biggest advocate of the position.”

“And that’s the beautiful thing,” Hood continued. “Frequently artists create something that is better and more insightful than their own particular point of view on some issue. We have a great piece of art and we have the artist behind that art saying things that seem to be extremely bigoted. But they’re not the book. The book is the book and Orson’s views are his views.”

Orci echoed those sentiments when he got on stage for the film’s actual Comic-Con panel, saying, “The best message of the book is tolerance, compassion, empathy. Rather than shying away from the controversy, we’re happy to embrace it and say we support LGBT rights.” He was given a strong round of applause by the 6,000 people in the room.

Orci and Hood are not the only ones being asked for their views, as 16-year-old Asa Butterfield, who plays the Titular Ender in the movie, said “I agree with rights for everybody… You can’t blame a work for its author.”

Co-star Harrison Ford has also weighed in saying, “No part of the story concerns Mr Card’s theories about society in terms of gay issues or homosexual issues. I think he has a right to his opinions and has also made it clear that it was a battle that he fought and lost and would like to get on with the rest of life.”

As you might have realised, Card was not invited to be part of the panel, and with Ender’s Game studio Lionsgate recently laying out their LGBT-friendly credentials and distancing themselves from Card, it’s safe to say he won’t be part of the publicity for the film at all.

Geeks Out maintains they’re keeping with their boycott plans, as no matter how gay-friendly everyone else involved in the film is, it will make money for Card, which he could then put towards anti-gay causes, such as the extremely homophobic National Organisation For Marriage, which had Card as a board member.

Ultimately though, will the planned boycott effect the film, or is it actually just giving it more publicity and the oxygen of controversy in a crowded marketplace for young adult movies?

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Group Behind Ender’s Game Boycott Call Reject Lionsgate Response

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enders-game-pic2If you’ve been following BGPS for the last week, you’ll know that the gay group Geeks Out is planning a boycott of the upcoming sci-fi film Ender’s Game, due to the homophobic sentiments and work of the author of the book it’s based on, Orson Scott Card.

The boycott call led to responses from Card, who called for tolerance, and the studio behind the film, Lionsgate, who laid out their LGBT-friendly reputation, said the film and Card are completely separate and promised to hold a gay benefit screening of the film.

However Geeks Out has now responded and rejected Lionsgate’s arguments, saying the problem was never with the film itself or the company that made it, it’s due to the fact it could make Card millions of dollars, which he could then use to fight against gay rights.

They say, ‘The simple fact is that Skip Ender’s Game has never been about the content of the novel or the film Ender’s Game. It’s about money. It’s about the money the company has already paid to Card and the potential millions he and the National Organization for Marriage stand to make off of the success of the film—our money.

‘A benefit premiere, indeed any outreach to the LGBT community by Lionsgate, ought to be much appreciated. What’s clear is that whether or not they support his views, Lionsgate is standing by their man and their would-be blockbuster. They made the common, perhaps cynical, calculation that audiences wouldn’t connect Ender’s Game with Card’s very public homophobia—or wouldn’t care. Geeks OUT appreciates that most American families work for every dollar and care deeply about where that money goes and what it supports.

‘Skip Ender’s Game is not a threat; it is a reality. Our pledge adds hundreds of signatures every day from sci-fi fans around the world who would rather stay home than support homophobia. We have only just started and Geeks OUT and its allies are prepared to carry on past November 1. Nothing Card nor Lionsgate has said changes the fact that skipping Ender’s Game is the easiest way to ensure none of your dollars go to Orson Scott Card’s and the National Organization for Marriage’s extreme anti-gay agenda.’

There have also been reports that Card has quietly left the board of the virulently anti-gay National Organization For Marriage. That’s yet to be confirmed, although with Orson last week suggesting they’d lost the gay marriage debate, may turn out to be true.

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Ender’s Game Teaser – Harrison Ford & Asa Butterfield take on the aliens (but should gay people boycott the film?)

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I’ve been slightly torn whether I should post the trailer for Ender’s Game. There have already been calls for a boycott of the movie, due to the fact it’s based on a book by noted homophobe Orson Scott Card.

The author has previously said he believes gay sex should be banned (although he’s more recently suggested he no longer wants to see it criminalised), that same sex marriage is wrong, and has linked child abuse and homosexuality. He also sits on board of directors of the National Organization for Marriage, one of the leading anti-equal marriage lobbies, and one that’s been particularly unpleasant in its rhetoric.

Others have suggested we should see the film as a separate entity, and not bring Card’s politics into it. After all, many involved have pledged their support for gay marriage, such as actor Harrison Ford.

While I’m still not sure whether we should be supporting the film or not, I’ve decided I would post the teaser, and you can make up your own mind.

Harrison Ford plays Colonel Hyram Graff, who oversees a military facility where gifted youngsters are trained to prevent an imminent alien attack. Abigail Breslin is playing Valentine Wiggin, the older sister to the titular trainee Ender (Hugo star Asa Butterfield), while Hailee Steinfeld is set to be Ender’s ally, Petra Arkanian. Aramis Knight, Moises Arias, Jimmy Pinchak, Suraj Partha, Conor Carroll, and Khylin Rhambo also star.

The film will hit cinemas on October 25th.

Do you think we should boycott the film? Let us know in the comments below?

Enders-Game-Poster1

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Harrison Ford & Asa Butterfield Face Off In First Ender’s Game Pic

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The first image from the young adult adaptation Ender’s Game has arrived, showing Harrison Ford facing off against Asa Butterfield in a rather clinical military environment, with the tension apparently caused by blocked emails from home. The film is based on Orson Scott Card’s popular 1985 novel. It’s due in cinemas next November.

Harrison Ford plays Colonel Hyram Graff, who oversees a military facility where gifted youngsters are trained to prevent an imminent alien attack. Abigail Breslin is playing Valentine Wiggin, the older sister to the titular trainee Ender (Hugo star Asa Butterfield), while Hailee Steinfeld is set to be Ender’s ally, Petra Arkanian. Aramis Knight, Moises Arias, Jimmy Pinchak, Suraj Partha, Conor Carroll, and Khylin Rhambo also star.

Director Gavin Hood comments, “The relationship between [Harrison] and Asa was very close, but he didn’t overly befriend him off the set. He helped Asa by allowing that slight sense of intimidation to be there.

“The kids have to attend school for at least three hours of class every day, plus do homework, so you can only shoot with someone like Asa for five hours of your day. There was no time for fooling about or not knowing your lines or being unprepared. Asa being prepared meant that we could focus on the scenes, and these are complicated scenes for a young actor.”

There has been talk of whether there should be a gay boycott of the movie, due to the fact Orson Scott Card is avowedly anti-gay, and has said he believes gay sex should be banned, that same sex marriage is wrong, and has linked child abuse and homosexuality. Whether any sort of organised protest of the film will happen is yet to be seen.

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Ben Kingsley Set To Play Ender’s Game

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The cast of Ender’s Game is coming together, with Hugo’s Asa Butterfield already onboard to play the title role, True Grit’s Hailee Steinfeld in talks to star as young warrior Petra and Harrison Ford eyed as Colonel Hyrum Graff. Now THR reports that Ben Kingsley has been cast in the movie as well.

Ender’s Game is based on the award-winning sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card, which revolves around a government program where gifted children are trained to prevent an imminent alien attack. They square off in a game described as a mix Quiddich and Star Wars’ light saber duels. Butterfield will play Ender, who emerges as a brilliant strategist and may be Earth’s best hope to defeat the alien scourge. Kingsley will play Mazer Rackham, a war hero who’s long been thought dead.

Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is set to direct Ender’s Game from his own adapted screenplay. It isn’t known when production may begin on, although Summit Entertainment has already set a March, 2013 release date.

General movie news courtesy of Movie Muser

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