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

My Own Private Idaho: Premium Collection (Blu-ray Review) – Gus Van Sant’s gay classic gets a new release

By 1 Comment

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

My Own Private Idaho is the sort of film that really shouldn’t work. The movie apparently came about when writer/director Gus Van Sant was working on three separate scripts and then decided to merge them all together. The result is a movie that ought to be a mess. The tone and story jump about, some of its pretty random and surreal, and its Shakespearean pretentions are a bit bizarre.

However, it works. These disparate elements and tones come together, helped by an astonishing performance by River Phoenix as young hustler Mike. His character – an outsider living a marginal and disintegrating existence – is a reflection of the film itself. It ultimately becomes an unexpected masterclass of montage – where by placing seemingly disparate things side-by-side and throwing in unexpected imagery (not least the famous falling barn), it creates something unique and pulls you into a character and world in a way few other films have ever managed. [Read more…]

Gus Van Sant & Joaquin Phoenix May Reteam For Biopic Of Cartoonist John Callahan

By Leave a Comment

her-joaquin-phoenixIn the 1990s, Gus Van Sant liked the Phoenix’s, directing River Phoenix in My Own Private Idaho and a few years later Joaquin Phoenix in To Die For. Both were seminal roles for the actors, and since then Van Sant and Joaquin have talked about working together again numerous times, but either their schedules didn’t work out, ot the movie they were working on together fell through.

However, now they’re attempting to come together again, with Variety reporting that they’re set to team on Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, the long-gestating biopic of cartoonist John Callahan. And it really is long-gestating, as various Hollywood figures have been working on adapting Callahan’s autobiography since before My Own Private Idaho was made (Robin Williams was initially attached to play Callahan in the late-80s and early-90s).

The biopic will follow Callahan who was ‘paralyzed in a car accident at age 21, and turned to drawing as a form of therapy. For decades Callahan’s work raised eyebrows for its taboo topics leading to numerous boycotts in his hometown of Portland. His work was published in the New Yorker, Penthouse, and Playboy before his death in 2010.’ John’s work often touched on macabre topics, with a particular interest in physical disability, with his work labelled politically incorrect by many.

It’s not clear when the movie may shoot.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   DIRECTORS:   

When We Rise Trailer – First look at Gus Van Sant & Dustin Lance Black’s epic gay right mini-series

By Leave a Comment

when-we-rise-trailer-slideWow, who thought a gay rights mini-series could get the American alt-right steamed up so quickly. Actually forget that, they’re sitting around waiting to get steamed up and ridiculously outraged by things, while coming up with bizarre conspiracy theories around it, all the time. You just need to take a look through the comments for the trailer for When We Rise to see that those who love to be angry about stuff in racist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic, homophobic and generally aggressive ways (while whining about how white men are the most oppressed people in the history of humanity), are not happy about it. But you know what? Screw ’em.

When We Rise is an eight-part mini-series due to air next February on ABC in the US, which chronicles the rise of the gay-rights movement from the Stonewall riots to the triumphs of recent year – although with the election of Trump, it’s likely to also be a timely reminder of the need to keep fighting. Written by Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black and produced and part-directed by Gus Van Sant, it is perhaps particularly angering the alt-right as it is probably the highest-profile and biggest gay-themed drama US TV has ever produced.

It’s also got a great cast, including Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Denis O’Hare, David Hyde Pierce, Michael K. Williams, Charlie Caver and Ivory Aquino.

Black has commented, “It’s been the honor of my life to research and craft these stories of family, diversity and equality over the past three years. To have collaborators of this caliber sign on to help bring these stories to life is a tremendous vote of confidence, and I hope a testament to the relevancy and necessity of our continued march toward justice for all.”

Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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

The Sea of Trees Trailer – Matthew McConaughey stars in Gus Van Sant’s latest

By Leave a Comment

The-Sea-of-TreesGus Van Sant‘s The Sea of Trees premiered over a year ago at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it got a pretty bad reception, so release plans were put on hold and it’s believed the director retooled the movie somewhat. However, it’s getting a limited US release and will be available to stream on August 26th, and so a trailer has been released.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘In this powerful story of love and redemption, Matthew McConaughey stars as Arthur Brennan, an American professor who travels to Japan in the midst of a personal crisis. As he wanders through a mysterious forest with a dark past, he experiences flashbacks of his fraught but loving relationship with his wife, Joan (Naomi Watts), and meets an enigmatic stranger, Takumi (Ken Watanabe), who is lost and injured.

‘Arthur devotes himself to saving Takumi and returning him home to safety, and the two embark on a spiritual, life-changing journey of friendship, discovery, and healing—one which may ultimately re-connect Arthur with his love for his wife.’ Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: ,   DIRECTORS:   

Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Denis O’Hare and David Hyde Pierce Join When We Rise Gay Rights Miniseries

By Leave a Comment

Whoopi-GoldbergA few weeks ago, the likes of Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths were announced for major role in Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black’s major, 7-part gay rights miniseries, When We Rise. Now some more big names have signed on, with Deadline reporting that Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Denis O’Hare, David Hyde Pierce, Michael K. Williams and Ivory Aquino are set for the show. Williams and Aquino will appear in larger roles, while the others are described as ‘guest stars’.

The show chronicles the personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the US Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the successes of today. The period piece tells the history of the gay rights movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

Guy Pearce will star as LGBT activist Cleve Jones, who joined the gay liberation movement in 1972 and was befriended by pioneer gay rights leader Harvey Milk. Parker will play women’s rights leader Roma Guy, who co-founded the San Francisco Women’s Building, and as a public health commissioner worked with others to bring healthcare access to all San Franciscans. Griffiths will play her wife, social justice activist Diane.

Deadline adds that, ‘Williams will play African American Community Organizer Ken Jones. Aquino is transgender activist Cecilia Chung. Goldberg is Pat Norman, the first openly gay employee of the San Francisco Health Department, O’Donnell plays Del Martin, co-founder of the first Lesbian organization in the country, O’Hare is Jim Foster, openly gay Democratic party organizer, and Pierce will play Dr. Jones, Cleve’s father.’

The series reunites Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black after the Oscar winning success of Milk. Van Sant will also direct the two-hour first episode, both will also produce the other episodes. Shooting is currently underway on the ABC miniseries in Vancouver and San Francisco.

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

Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths & More Will Star In Gay Rights Miniseries When We Rise

By Leave a Comment

guy-pearceA few weeks ago screenwriter Dustin Lance Black was talking about how much he was going to miss fiance Tom Daley while he was away helping make make the planned gay-right mini-series, When We Rise. However, while it seems shooting was imminent, no cast had been announced on the Gus Van Sant directed show.

Now that’s changed, as it’s been announced that the ABC backed even series will feature the likes of Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker, Rachel Griffiths, Austin McKenzie, Emily Skeggs, Jonathan Majors, and Fiona Dourif.

Variety reports that the show, ‘chronicles the personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today. The period piece tells the history of the gay rights movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

Pearce will star as LGBT activist Cleve Jones, who joined the gay liberation movement in 1972 and was befriended by pioneer gay rights leader Harvey Milk. He founded the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and led the National March for Equality in 2009. Parker will play women’s rights leader Roma Guy, who co-founded the San Francisco Women’s Building, and as a public health commissioner worked with others to bring healthcare access to all San Franciscans. Griffiths will play her wife, social justice activist Diane, who joined the Women’s Movement in the 1970s in San Francisco, co-founded the Women’s Building and has worked as an HIV/AIDS nurse and social justice activist at San Francisco General Hospital for 33 years.’

The series reunites Gus Van Sant and Dustin Lance Black after the Oscar winning success of Milk. Van Sant will also direct the two-hour first episode, both will also produce the other seven episodes.

Black comments, “It’s been the honor of my life to research and craft these stories of family, diversity and equality over the past three years. To have collaborators of this caliber sign on to help bring these stories to life is a tremendous vote of confidence, and I hope a testament to the relevancy and necessity of our continued march toward justice for all.”

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

Gay Rights Mini-Series From Gus Van Sant & Dustin Lance Black Gets The Greenlight

By Leave a Comment

dustin-lance-black-gus-van-sant

Sometimes in the world of entertainment things move very fast and other times they take a long time to get moving. It was around two and a half years ago that it was revealed that US TV network ABC was helping to develop a TV mini-series about the gay rights struggle, with Milk duo Dustin Lance Black and Gus Van Sant set to write and produce.

Now the eight-part show is finally moving forward, with THR reporting that ABC has given the series the greenlight, with Good Will Hunting and My Own Private Idaho’s Van Sant directing at least the first two-hour episode (as well as executive producing). The series, called When We Rise, is certainly ambitious, as it ‘chronicles the personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today.’

There’s not too much further info about exactly what era(s) the show will cover or the characters it will feature. However, When We Rise is now heading towards production, and is expected to debut towards the end of next year.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
DIRECTORS: ,   FILMS:   

Gus Van Sant Takes On Manga Adaptation Death Note

By Leave a Comment

gus-van-santAlthough The Tracking Board has been rather hit and miss with its scoops, it’s reporting that Gus Van Sant has signed up to direct an adaptation of the Japanese manga Death Note. Back in 2011 Shane Black was set to helm, but he left quite a while ago and since then the movie version has been on the backburner.

However it does appear Van Sant will be working from a script by Black, Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry.

The project is based on the manga series written by Tsugumi Ôba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, which revolves around a college student named Light who finds a mysterious notebook that has the unique power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. When the student uses his newfound power to rid the streets of criminals, he is pursued by an FBI criminologist.

The manga series, which has sold over 38 million copies worldwide, has spawned a number of films and TV shows in Japan. It’s certainly a premise with some possibilities, and while it’s something rather different from what we’ve come to expect from Van Sant – who’s best known for the likes of Milk and Good Will Hunting – he could turn it into something interesting.

At the moment there’s no news on when the film might shoot.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
DIRECTORS:   

James Franco May Play Man Who Went From LGBT Rights Fighter To Ex-Gay Activist

By Leave a Comment

james-franco-600pxJames Franco is turning his back on the gays! Well, no, he isn’t, but he may be playing a character who does. The NY Post reports that Franco is teaming with director Gus Van Sant to make a movie about the controversial Michael Glatze.

Glatze started out as a young gay man who was passionate about helping LGBT youth, including marching in gay rights rallies and urging young people to celebrate their non-traditional sexualities. He also launched the magazine Young Gay America after working at XY, becoming a leading voice in the gay rights fight.

However in 2004 he had a health scare involving a possible heart defect, which caused him to turn to conservative Christianity. Shortly afterwards he completely renounced everything he had previously stood for and said that he was now ‘ex-gay’.

In 2007 he wrote in a WorldNetDaily article that, “Homosexuality, delivered to young minds, is by its very nature pornographic.” Shortly afterwards he revealed that he was “repulsed to think about homosexuality” and that he was “going to do what I can to fight it.”

He has been rather changeable though (as if he’s still searching for something), briefly becoming a Mormon as well as occasionally seeming to slightly soften his stance by talking about bisexuality and fluid sexuality. He’s currently married to a woman and perhaps most surprisingly of all, despite this entire journey he’s still only 38.

The movie will be made on a budget of $3.5 million, with the hope of shooting in New York in July. It’ll be interesting to see which way Van Sant takes it, as while gay himself he is known for having a bit of a counterculture penchant, leaving some to wonder if he will use Glatze’s story to pick apart gay assimilation. More like though it will be more the tale of a man’s tragic fall. Either way, as Glatze hasn’t (yet) decided gays are ok after all, it’s unlikely to have a happy ending.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   DIRECTORS:   

Matthew McConaughey Up For Gus Van Sant’s Sea of Trees

By Leave a Comment

Matthew McConaughey in Magic Mike

Matthew McConaughey

The rebirth of Matthew McConaughey continues. He recently scored his first Oscar nomination, and now he’s signed up for another role that will let his show off his acting chops. He’s set for Gus Van Sant’s drama Sea of Trees, alongside Ken Watanabe, according to TheWrap.

The film is set in the ‘Suicide Forest’ near Mount Fuji in Japan, following an American man (McConaughey) who heads their in order to take his own life. However his plan is interrupted by a Japanese man (Watanabe) who is trying to make his way out of the forest after having second thoughts about his own suicide. They go on a journey of reflection and survival.

Gus Van Sant is directing, working from a script by Chris Sparling (Buried) which landed on the 2013 Black List.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   DIRECTORS: