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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

GLAAD Calls For LGBT Progress In Hollywood After Only Two Widely Released Films Are Nominated In Their Latest Awards

February 5, 2017 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

With the success of Moonlight, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s been an okay year for LGBT movies. However, it’s the first time in several years that only one movie with significant LGBT content has been nominated at the Oscars. That’s underlined by the fact that when GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) released the nominees for their annual awards earlier this week, only two movie were nominated for ‘Outstanding Film – Wide Release’ -(Moonlight and Star Trek Beyond).

And considering Star Trek Beyond’s gay content was pretty much blink and you’ll miss it, it shows just how few LGBT characters and issues were in Hollywood-backed and/or widely distributed films last year. That compares to last year, when Carol (which won), The Danish Girl, Dope, Freeheld and Grandma all competed for the award.

GLAAD did find plenty of good films for its ‘Outstanding Film – Limited Release’ shortlist (The Handmaiden, Naz & Maalik, Other People, Spa Night, Those People), but none of those movies had studio backing and had very limited exposure in cinemas. (GLAAD uses their own formula for Wide and Limited release, taking into account ‘number of screens played, budget, and visibility’).

“At a time when progress is at a critical juncture, it is imperative that Hollywood tell more LGBTQ stories that reflect the community’s rich diversity — and build understanding that brings all communities closer together,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. She adds, “This year’s nominees have created images and storylines that challenge misconceptions and broaden understanding, accelerating acceptance and equality for LGBTQ people across the globe.”

Last year GLAAD essentially sent Hollywood a ‘must do better’ notice with their latest Studio Responsibility index, which covered 2015 releases, and on this evidence, they’ll be doing the same for their next one.

Take a look at the full list of GLAAD Media Awards nominees below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
FILMS: Moonlight, Star Trek Beyond  

Turns Out John Cho Had Misgivings About Gay Sulu Too

July 20, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

star-trek-beyond-john-cho-hikaru-suluWhat was supposed to be a progressive moment for blockbuster cinema got a little more complicated after it turned out George Takei wasn’t overly impressed with Sulu becoming gay in the rebooted franchise. While Takei later clarified that he was delighted there was a gay character would just have preferred it not to be Sulu, it turns out he’s not the only one who was uncertain, as John Cho was too, who plays the new version of the character.

Talking to avclub he says, “I was concerned for a few reasons. I was concerned that George wouldn’t like it, and it turned out to be true. But I was actually concerned that he wouldn’t like it for a different reason. I thought that George would object because he’s a gay actor who was playing straight. I know that was difficult, that he couldn’t come out and that he had crafted a straight character. Then, now, because he’s an activist and he’s out of the closet—clearly, this is an homage a little bit to him—[I worried] he would object to us taking that from his life and say, “Hey, I was a gay actor who created a straight character, and now you’re making him gay because I’ve come out of the closet?,” that we were just seeing him for his sexual orientation. So I thought that would be where he would object. It turns out not to be his objection. But that’s what I was worried about.”

He also had a couple of other worries, adding, “Asian men have been basically eunuchs in American cinema and television, and I thought maybe it would be seen as a continuation of that”.

Cho also wondered if it might accidentally send the wrong message, as, “I was concerned that because this is the same genetic Sulu—although we’re in an alternate timeline—that we would be inadvertently implying that sexual orientation was a choice.”

However, he ultimately thinks it’s a very good thing. “We’re executing [Star Trek creator Gene] Roddenberry’s intent, I think: infinite diversity in infinite combinations. It’s very much a part of the ethos of Star Trek. I have to say, all things considered, it’s working great, and I’m proud of it,’ he says.

There is something we won’t be see though, which is a kiss between Sulu and his husband, as it’s been cut. Cho told Vulture, “It wasn’t like a make-out session. We’re at the airport with our daughter. It was a welcome-home kiss. I’m actually proud of that scene, because it was pretty tough. We’re two straight guys and had to get to a very loving, intimate place. It was hard to do on the fly. We had to open up. It came off well, in my view.”

Surprisingly, Sulu’s husband is played by the film’s co-screenwriter, Doug Jung, as, “We were in Vancouver first and we finished up the production in Dubai and that scene was in Dubai and I was like, ‘Hey, so who’d you get?’ They were like, ‘We can’t find anybody! Doug may have to play him!’ It started out as a joke. I was like, ‘Haha.’ And then at some point they were not joking. We definitely had trouble finding East Asians first off, and then actors willing to play gay. We had a guy and then his parents really objected. Basically, we couldn’t find an Asian actor willing to play gay in Dubai is my understanding.”

However, it was important to Cho that Sulu had an Asian husband, but perhaps not for the reasons you might think. He says, “Basically it was a little Valentine to the gay Asian friends that I grew up with. This may be presumptuous, but I always felt the Asian gay men that I knew had much heavier cultural-shame issues. This is probably more so for my generation than for yours, but I felt like those guys didn’t date Asian men because of that cultural shame. So I wanted it to seem really normal in the future. I thought that would be the most normal thing, that there was zero shame in the future. I don’t know if that hit or not, but it was something that I felt in my gut and asked for that.”

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: John Cho, George Takei  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

Final Star Trek Beyond Trailer – Get ready to boldly go once more

July 19, 2016 By Tim Isaac 1 Comment

star-trek-beyondBefore it even started filming, some had decided that the fact Fast & Furious helmer Justin Lin was directing Star Trek Beyond meant it was going to be a disaster. However, the early buzz is that they should have had a lot more faith, with many suggesting this it the best of the rebooted Star Trek bunch.

With only a few days until release, a final trailer has been released to ensure our appetites are suitably whetted.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘”Star Trek Beyond,” the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew.  In “Beyond,” the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.’

The film will be in cinemas on Friday. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Idris Elba, Anton Yelchin  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

A Korean Star Trek Beyond Ad May Have Given A First Look A Sulu’s Husband & Daughter

July 13, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

star-trek-beyond-sulu-husband-slideWhile it hasn’t been confirmed, eagle-eyed viewers have suggested a Korean ad for the new Star Trek movie, may have given us our first, very brief look at Sulu’s husband and daughter. Actor John Cho recently confirmed his character would have a same sex partner and child – even if it didn’t please original Sulu actor George Takei – but this may be the first time we’ve seen them.

It does make sense though, as the news of Sulu’s family arrangements was accompanied by the news they were back on Earth while the Starfleet crew member headed off into the stars. The brief look in the advert suggests Sulu’s hubby and daughter are in trouble back home, presumably caused by events the Enterprise is engaged in.

You can take a look at the advert below. The movie itself will be in cinemas on July 22nd. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: John Cho  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

George Takei Thinks Gay Sulu Is ‘Unfortunate’, But Simon Pegg & Zachary Quinto Disagree

July 9, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

george-takei-to-be-takeiWhen it was revealed a couple of days ago that it would be shown in Star Trek Beyond that Mr. Sulu has a same sex partner and daughter, it was assumed that George Takei would be pleased with what seemed to be a nod to him. However, it turns out it’s almost the opposite, as talking to THR, he says he thinks the decision is ‘really unfortunate’.

He explains his opposition by saying, “I’m delighted that there’s a gay character. Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of Gene’s [Roddenberry] creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate.”

While Sulu was never given a proper love interest in either the TV series or films, he was shown to have a daughter. It appears the makers of the new film felt this meant that Sulu’s sexuality was open to be explored, but Takei disagrees, and that the character is completely straight.

During a conversation with John Cho (who plays Sulu in the new movies), when it was first decided that the character would be gay, Takei said to him,  “‘Be imaginative and create a character who has a history of being gay, rather than Sulu, who had been straight all this time, suddenly being revealed as being closeted.'”

However, technically what the film is doing isn’t saying that he was closeted, as presumably the other crew members know Sulu has a male partner, but it just hasn’t been mentioned – and the events of the current movies are taking place in a alternate universe to previous Trek incarnations. Takei also seems frustrated that he felt they were going to listen to him, but more recently it’s turned out they weren’t.

However, others feel very differently, not least Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty and co-wrote the Star Trek Beyond screenplay, and whose idea idea it’s believed it was to show Sulu as gay. He released a statement to THR reading, ‘I have huge love and respect for George Takei, his heart, courage and humor are an inspiration. However, with regards to his thoughts on our Sulu, I must respectfully disagree with him.

‘He’s right, it is unfortunate, it’s unfortunate that the screen version of the most inclusive, tolerant universe in science fiction hasn’t featured an LGBT character until now. We could have introduced a new gay character, but he or she would have been primarily defined by their sexuality, seen as the ‘gay character’, rather than simply for who they are, and isn’t that tokenism? I like this idea because it suggests that in a hypothetical multiverse, across an infinite matrix of alternate realities, we are all LGBT somewhere. Whatever dimension we inhabit, we all just want to be loved by those we love (and I love George Takei). I can’t speak for every reality but that must surely true of this one. Live long and prosper.’

Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock, also disagrees with Takei and pushes the idea that different things are possible in this alternate universe, saying, “I was disappointed by the fact that George was disappointed. Any member of the LGBT community that takes issue with the normalized and positive portrayal of members of our community in Hollywood and in mainstream blockbuster cinema…I get it that he has had his own personal journey and has his own personal relationship with this character but, you know, as we established in the first ‘Star Trek’ film in 2009, we’ve created an alternate universe, and my hope is that eventually George can be strengthened by the enormously positive response from especially young people who are heartened by and inspired by this really tasteful and beautiful portrayal of something that I think is gaining acceptance and inclusion in our societies across the world, and should be.”

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: John Cho, George Takei, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

John Cho’s Sulu Will Be Star Trek’s First Major Gay Character In New Movie

July 7, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

star-trek-beyond-john-cho-hikaru-suluBack in 2014, there was a bit of a furore over the fact that, despite being held up since its 1968 inception as a beacon of progressive values on things like race, Star Trek had never had an on-screen openly LGBT character (although some had appeared in books). At the time, then director of the third rebooted Star Trek movie, Roberto Orci, said he was open to the idea of being more inclusive in the film, but after that we heard nothing.

Well, the director may have changed since them (to Justin Lin), but the film is indeed getting a gay character, and it’s one of the main crew members – John Cho’s Mr. Sulu. The actor revealed the news in a chat to Australia’s Herald Sun, telling them that it’s revealed in the movie that the Helmsman of the USS Enterprise, Hikaru Sulu, has a husband back home on earth, as well as a daughter they raise together.

Cho added, “I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicise one’s personal orientations.”

Choosing Sulu to have a hubby is, of course, a nod to George Takei, who played the role in the original series and movies, and then came out as gay in 2005. He’s since become a one of the most high profile voices for LGBT rights. It’s certainly taken Star Trek a long time to have a gay character, but it’s finally happened and the nod to Takei is a nice touch too.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: John Cho  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

Another New Star Trek Beyond Trailer Arrives

June 27, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

star-trek-beyond-slideThe rebooted Star Trek has had plenty of success at the cinema, but one thing it’s been lacking is a five-year mission to seek out strange new worlds. However, now it seems it’s getting one, although as you would expect, as the crew of the USS Enterprise head off to strange new worlds, things don’t go smoothly.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘”Star Trek Beyond,” the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew.  In “Beyond,” the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.’

The film will be in UK cinemas on July 22nd. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Idris Elba  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

New Star Trek Beyond Trailer – Chris Pine & co. head for strange new worlds & into action

May 21, 2016 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Star-Trek-Beyond-Teaser-posterThe first trailer for Star Trek Beyond came in for quite a bit of criticism, not least for being very action-heavy and not Star Trek-y enough for some tastes. However, with the second trailer it seems Paramount feels the best approach is to double down on the action and suggestions of lots of epic special-effects. That said, they have added a few more character moments and suggestions this fits into a larger sci-fi universe.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘“Star Trek Beyond,” the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In “Beyond,” the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.’

The movie will be in cinemas July 22nd. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Idris Elba  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

Star Trek Beyond Trailer – Chris Pine & co. return & are finally boldy going to strange new worlds

December 14, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

star-trek-beyond-trailer-slide1Although the first two rebooted Star Trek movies were a lot of fun, one thing they lacked was boldly going to explore strange new worlds and new civilisations. However, with Star Trek Beyond it’s been suggest the Enterprise will finally be embarking on their five year mission.

However, while JJ Abrams may not be directing (he is producing though), it appears they’re sticking with the secrecy that surrounded the earlier movie but telling us nothing about the plot and producing a first trailer which is pretty cool, but doesn’t tell us much about the plot.

You won’t be surprised to hear though that aliens are involved, one of them played by Idris Elba.

It also appears that new director Justin Lin is bringing a nicely retro feel, with the whole thing being oddly reminiscent of the 60s TV show, which makes sense if its taking place at the same time, even if it’s an alternate timeline. Of course it’s all a lot more high tech, but it’s still got a nice throwback feeling. You can take a look at the trailer below, and look forward to the film arriving in cinemas next July.

[Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Idris Elba  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  

Idris Elba Is In Talks To Be Star Trek 3’s Main Villain

March 25, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

idris-elbaWe haven’t heard a huge amount about it for a while, but Paramount is still busily putting together Star Trek 3, and now it looks like it’s really moving forward as Idris Elba is in early talks to play the movie’s main villain, according to Variety.

Taking a lesson from JJ Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness there’s little info on what the role may be, although Variety does say ‘Early rumors suggest that Klingons would be the main villains in this movie, as they have not had a full presence in previous installments, but sources would not confirm if that was the case.’

The current plan is that the movie will start shooting in June with the likes of Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Simon Pegg returning to for a third Starfleet outing. Justin Lin will director with a July 8th, 2016 release date set.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Idris Elba  DIRECTORS: Justin Lin  FILMS: Star Trek Beyond  
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