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

NEWS

All the news from film and the world of the gays

Downsizing Trailer – Matt Damon & Kristen Wiig get small in Alexander Payne’s latest

By Leave a Comment

Sideways and About Schmidt director Alexander Payne has wanted to make Downsizing for a long time. It’s only now he’s managed to, with those who’ve seen it suggesting that this is Payne on a larger scale than we’ve seen before, but still with his idiosyncratic take on things.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Downsizing imagines what might happen if, as a solution to over-population, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and propose a 200-year global transition from big to small. People soon realize how much further money goes in a miniaturized world, and with the promise of a better life, everyman Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to abandon their stressed lives in Omaha in order to get small and move to a new downsized community — a choice that triggers life-changing adventures.’

The movie, which stars Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Christoph Waltz and Jason Sudeikis, is out in the US in December, and should arrive in the UK not long afterwards. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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

The Disaster Artist Trailer – James Franco becomes the director of the ‘worst film ever’

By Leave a Comment

While there have been many movies in the last century that have been held up as the world film ever made. However, the one that’s made the strongest run for that title in the last 20 years is probably Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 movie The Room. Met with bemused derision and anger on its initial release, it fast became a cult sensation with audiences invited to marvel at just how dreadful it was.

It’s a film that’s long fascinated James Franco, who’s now made a movie about The Room’s unique creation, The Disaster Artist. It tells the tale of Wiseau who was more a profound artist in his own mind than reality, who decided to write, direct and star in a semi-autobiographical film. However, what started as a difficult production got progressively worse, as Wiseau’s strange filming methods got increasingly extreme, his money ran out, and not least that Tommy’s acting style was unique to say the least.

The film is out in the UK in December and should arrive in the UK not long afterwards. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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

JJ Abrams Will Return To Write & Direct Star Wars: Episode IX

By Leave a Comment

Seemingly keen not to repeat the troubled productions of Rogue One and the upcoming Han Solo Star Wars movie, Lucasfilm moved last week to part ways with Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow before they got to the point where cameras were rolling. While many were surprised by the news, it’s been suggested that Trevorrow’s tendency to be inflexible about what he wanted to do, frustrated Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy, and so she fired him.

However, it would appear that they already had a replacement in mind, and it’s the man who so successfully relaunched the Star Wars franchise with The Force Awakens – JJ Abrams. He is not set to write and direct Episode IX, allowing him to complete the trilogy that’s suggested will bring the Skywalker saga to a close. It is fitting, as it’s believed the only reason he didn’t helm Episode VIII was because Disney wasn’t willing to delay the release to give him more time to put things together.

Kathleen Kennedy comments, “With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy.”

It does mean though that the May 2019 release date currently set for Episode IX is now looking a little ambitious, The smart bet is that it will be delayed until at least December 2019 and may even arrive a little later. However, with Abrams back behind the wheel many fans will be happy to wait a little longer is it ensures we get something as entertaining as The Force Awakens.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
DIRECTORS: ,   FILMS:   

Benedict Cumberbatch To Star In A Gay-Themed ‘Gypsy Boy’ Fighting Tale

By Leave a Comment

If Benedict Cumberbath was going to star in a movie about fighting, you’d expect it to be of the rather posh, Marquess Of Queenberry boxing type. However, he’s going more working/under class, as Screen Daily reports he’s signed on to star in Gypsy Boy, based on Mikey Walsh’s best-selling memoirs.

The film is ‘set among the Romany Gypsy community and follows the Walsh family, who were known for their considerable prowess in the Gypsy boxing ring. Cumberbatch will play Mikey’s father Frank Walsh, who pressures his son (who is gay) to maintain the family’s bare-knuckle boxing tradition. As he grows into his teens, Mikey is forced to make an agonising decision – to stay and keep fighting and face the shame head on, or escape and never return.’

Cumberbatch comments, “I was immediately drawn to Mikey’s courageous and heart-breaking story. And his father Frank is unlike any character I’ve played before. He’s a complex man torn between tradition and his love for a son struggling to come to terms with an identity that’s completely at odds with Frank and his culture. It’s a tension that threatens to tear everyone in their family and that community apart.”

Walsh has since become a LGBT activist, although as hesuffers from social anxiety disorder he rarely makes public appearances.

Morgan Matthews (X+Y) will direct the film, and he’s currently in the middle of casting the role of Mikey. BBC Films is backing the movie, which will be looking for buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival. The current plan is to shoot Gypsy Boy next summer.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS:   FILMS:   

Thelma Trailer – The lesbian-themed supernatural film is Norway Best Foreign-Language Oscar submission

By Leave a Comment

Every year country’s around the world have to decide which movie to submit as their entry for the Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar, as each nation is only allowed one film to be in competition. Norway has already announced that their entry for this year is Thelma, which has been getting good notices at film festivals, and is due for release in the US in November.

The very brief synopsis simply says, ‘A Norwegian student, Thelma, moves to Oslo where she falls in love. She soon discovers that she has inexplicable powers.’ What that doesn’t mention is that Thelma falls in love with a woman, and that she’s gone to a religious college. As she becomes erotically awakened, she begins to have strange seizures, which may be a sign of something more inexplicable.

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

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:

Mudbound Trailer – Pariah director Dee Rees returns with an American South tale

By Leave a Comment

After winning the Iris Prize LGBT Short film award for Pariah and then getting the opportunity to turn it into a much praised feature-film, Dee Rees certainly became a director to look out for. Since then she’s directed a TV movie biopic of singer Bessie Smith (starring Queen Latifah), and a couple of episodes of the TV mini-series, When We Rise. Now she’s back with Mudbound, based on Hillary Jordan’s 2008 novel, set in the racially divided Deep South during World War II.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Set in the rural American South during World War II, Dee Rees’ Mudbound is an epic story of two families pitted against one another by a ruthless social hierarchy, yet bound together by the shared farmland of the Mississippi Delta.

‘Mudbound follows the McAllan family, newly transplanted from the quiet civility of Memphis and unprepared for the harsh demands of farming. Despite the grandiose dreams of Henry (Jason Clarke), his wife Laura (Carey Mulligan) struggles to keep the faith in her husband’s losing venture. Meanwhile, Hap and Florence Jackson (Rob Morgan, Mary J. Blige) — sharecroppers who have worked the land for generations — struggle bravely to build a small dream of their own despite the rigidly enforced social barriers they face.

‘The war upends both families’ plans as their returning loved ones, Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) and Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell), forge a fast but uneasy friendship that challenges the brutal realities of the Jim Crow South in which they live.’

Mudbound will launch on Netflix and in select cinemas on Friday, November 17th. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
DIRECTORS:   FILMS:   

The Square Trailer – Take a look at this year’s controversial Palme d’Or winner

By Leave a Comment

When The Square debuted at Cannes, some lauded it as a satirical masterpiece, while others felt the movie was a heavy-handed mess. However, the movie went on to win the Palm d’Or, a controversial decision as many felt it should have gone to Robin Campillo’s French AIDS-crisis movie, 120 Beats Per Minute.

While the decision surprised many, the overall reaction has been largely positive. Now the trailer for the film has been released ahead of its October US release (with a UK date set for March 2018).

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Christian is the respected curator of a contemporary art museum, a divorced but devoted father of two who drives an electric car and supports good causes. His next show is “The Square”, an installation which invites passersby to altruism, reminding them of their role as responsible fellow human beings. But sometimes, it is difficult to live up to your own ideals: Christian’s foolish response to the theft of his phone drags him into shameful situations. Meanwhile, the museum’s PR agency has created an unexpected campaign for ”The Square”. The response is overblown and sends Christian, as well as the museum, into an existential crisis.’ [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:

Billy Magnussen Joins Disney’s Live-Action Aladdin As Will Smith Posts The First Photo From The Set

By Leave a Comment

Disney’s live-action take on Aladdin is kicking off with Will Smith posting the first picture from the set of the movie, alongside Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Jasmine) and Marwan Kenzari (Jafar). Filminh has begun at Longcross Studios outside London, with Guy Ritchie directing.

We also know the movie is going to have a few differences from the animated classic, not least that Bridge Of Spies and Broadway star Billy Magnussen has signed up for the movie. He’ll be playing a brand new character called Prince Anders, who’s described as ‘a suitor from Skanland and potential husband for Princess Jasmine’. Also in the movie are Navid Negahban (Homeland) as the Sultan, the ruler of Agrabah who is eager to find a proper husband for his daughter, Jasmine; Nasim Pedrad (Saturday Night Live) as Dalia, Princess Jasmine’s hand maiden and confidante; and Numan Acar (Homeland) as Hakim, Jafar’s right-hand man and head of the palace guards.

No release date has been officially set, although many expect it to arrive in early 2019.

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

Will Thor: Ragnarok Have The First Gay Character In A Marvel Movie?

By Leave a Comment

There’s a chance – and it’s just a chance at the moment – that after many people complaining that Marvel’s cinematic universe has been exclusively straight, we may be getting the first openly LGBT Marvel film character in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok. It’s just speculation at the moment, but the recent trailer, which featured he chracter Korg, makes it a distinct possibility.

The movie is partly inspired by the Planet Hulk series of comics, with the big green one taken from Earth and ending up doing battle with the also imprisoned Thor on the planet in Sakaar. In the mid-2000s comics, it was revealed that Hiroim and Korg, part of a group of intergalactic warriors called the Warbound, are in a same sex relationship.

While Korg will be in the movie, it’s not known at the moment whether his sexuality will be acknowledged in any way, or whether Hiroim will also feature (we’re presuming they won’t make him straight). Either way, the best we can expect is something very brief, but hopefully it’ll be a step in the right direction.

And while we’re talking Thor: Ragnarok, take a look at a new set of character posters below. [Read more…]

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

The Current War Trailer – Benedict Cumberbatch’s Thomas Edison wants electrical supremacy!

By Leave a Comment

The Current War has been doing the round in Hollywood for over five years, but it’s only now that it’s gone in front of the camera. The first trailer for the film has now been release, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the legendary Thomas Edison.

The movie takes place in the late-1880s and revolves around power titans Edison and George Westinghouse’s as they battle over who will control the supply of electricity in the US. Edison championed direct current (DC) for electric power distribution over Westinghouse’s alternating current (AC), which was backed by several European companies and Westinghouse Electric. It became an increasingly vicious public battle as each side tried to destroy confidence in the other.

Michael Shannon plays Westinghouse, with Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Matthew Macfadyen, Tuppence Middleton, and Nicholas Hoult as Nikola Tesla. [Read more…]

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