FEATURED SLIDESHOW Archives - Page 18 of 80

Mommy (Cinema Review)

March 18, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Starring: Anne Dorval, Antoine-Olivier Pilon, Suzanne Clement
Director: Xavier Dolan
Running Time: 133 mins
Certificate: 15
Release Date: March 20th 2015 (UK)

Just when you think you’ve had enough of well-meaning films featuring disabilities and heroic struggles along comes one that completely restores your faith. Queer filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s film is a tour de force, an emotional power-punch that slowly makes its way into your head and then into your heart. It may deal with a lot of clichés but finds a winning way to tell its story.

Anne Dorval is Die, a handsome but tired-looking woman who has lost her husband three years ago and is now stuck with looking after her son Steve (Antoine-Olivier Pilon). He has severe ADHD, a problem when he is such a strapping lad on the brink of discovering sex, and he loves a drink, a smoke and a fight. Die rescues him from an institution where he has apparently started a fire, and she determines to make a new life for them both. But boy, is he a handful, constantly swearing, eyeing up girls and unable to sit still to study. [Read more…]

Tomorrowland Trailer – Plus a poster for Disney’s George Clooney starring sci-fi

March 9, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Disney is betting big this summer of Tomorrowland (or as they now seem to be trying to call it, Tomorrow Land – A World Beyond) as they’re hoping that it won’t just make a load of money at the box office, but could become a franchise and even help spearhead the rejuvenation of the Tomorrowland section of the Disney theme parks.

And we have to admit, it does look kind of cool.

Now a full trailer has arrived so we can get a better look at the George Clooney starrer.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland – A World Beyond,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

‘Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland – A World Beyond” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

‘The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.

“Tomorrowland – A World Beyond” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Brigham Taylor, Jeff Jensen and Bernard Bellew serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland – A World Beyond” comes to UK cinemas May 22nd 2015.’ [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie DIRECTORS: Brad Bird FILMS: Tomorrowland

First Look At Eddie Redmayne As Early Transsexual Lili Elbe In The Danish Girl

February 27, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Eddie Redmayne has just picked up an Oscar and later this year he’s got a new movie that’s just the sort of thing that could land him another nomination, playing the central role in The Danish Girl.

Now the first image of Redmayne in the movie has appeared, showing us him as Lili Erbe, one of the first women to undergo sex-reassignment surgery way back in the early 1930s.

The film is based on David Ebershoff’s book about Danish painter Einar Wegener (Redmayne) and his wife Gerda. In 1931 Einar is thought to have become the first person in the world to have a sex-change operation, when she became Lili. It’s believed the journey started – at least openly – after Gerda asked Einar to stand in for a female subject that Gerda was supposed to paint. The painting became incredibly popular and Lili began to express who she truly was.

To add to the Oscar pedigree, Les Miserables and The King’s Speech helmer Tom Hooper is behind the camera.

Incidentally, it could have been a very different movie as back in 2009 Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One in) was set to direct set to direct a film about Lili, with Nicole Kidman as the early transsexual, and Gwyneth Paltrow as her wife. That fell through though.

There has been some criticism that The Danish Girl has cast a cisgender man in the title role, however it was almost inevitable due to the need to have a well-known actor in the part, and also as it will cover Lili’s life both before and after transition. In an ideal world it would have been good to cast a transsexual actor, but unfortunately we’re not there yet.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Eddie Redmayne DIRECTORS: Tom Hooper FILMS: The Danish Girl

Birdman Takes Best Picture At The Oscars, With Only One Win For Imitation Game

February 23, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

In the last few weeks many thought Boyhood had overtaken Birdman as this year’s Best Picture Oscar frontrunner, but in the end it was the latter that took to the podium at the end of ceremony, with Alejandro González Iñárritu also winning Best Director.

However everything didn’t go to Birdman, as while it took two other prizes, it actually tied for most wins with The Grand Budapest Hotel, which took Best Makeup, Best Production Design, Best Costume and Best Original Score.

On the acting front, while a few months ago many critics had already pretty much given the award to Michael Keaton for Best Actor, it was actually Eddie Redmayne who won for The Theory Of Everything. Julianne Moore won Best Actress for Still Alice, while both supporting acting awards went to the frontrunners, Patricia Arquette for Boyhood and J.K. Simmons for Whiplash.

The ceremony itself was ok, although Neil Patrick Harris struggled after a rousing opening, largely due to weak writing. It’s a shame as NPH himself was good, but he had little to work with in a job that’s thankless at the best of times.

It was also up to NPH to largely hold the fort for the gays, as while we normally make a strong showing, amongst the nominees it was only The Imitation Game that had any chance of winning. Many had thought that despite eight noms it wouldn’t win anything, but it did manage to pick up Best Adapted Screenplay for Graham Moore. The writer gave what was probably the most moving speech of the evening, saying “I tried to commit suicide at 16 and now I’m standing here. I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. You do. Stay weird. Stay different, and then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage please pass the same message along.”

Oh and if you’re wondering why NPH is in his undies in the pic above, it’s not because the show was going so badly he decided to try stripping, he was re-enacting a scene from Birdman – and looking fine while doing it.

Take a look below for the full list of Oscar winners. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, J.K. Simmons, Patricia Arquette DIRECTORS: Alejandro Gonazalez Inarritu FILMS: Birdman, The Imitation Game, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Full BFI Flare London LGBT Film Festival Programme Revealed

February 18, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

The full programme of the 2015 edition of BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival was released tonight at a public programme launch at BFI Southbank (and lucky old us, we were there). The festival will take place 19th-29th March 2015 at BFI Southbank. BFI Flare is one of the UK’s leading LGBT film event and one of the world’s longest established, with over 50 features, more than one hundred shorts and a wide range of special events, guest appearances, discussions, workshops and more. Tickets go on sale via www.bfi.org.uk/flare on 25th February for BFI members and 2nd March for non members.

As previously announced and Direct from premieres at Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals, the festival opens with the UK Premiere of I AM MICHAEL. A feature directorial debut for Gus Van Sant protégé Justin Kelly, the film stars James Franco and Zachary Quinto in a powerful interrogation of gay identity through the real-life story of Michael Glatze, who went from crusading gay journalist to anti-gay pastor.

As evidence of the strength of documentary work in this year’s Festival, the Closing Night gala will feature the European Premiere of director Malcolm Ingram’s highly topical and rousing OUT TO WIN, charting the experience of LGBT sportspeople working in the highest echelons of professional sport. Featuring contributions from such pioneers as Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, David Kopay, John Amaechi and Jason Collins, Ingram returns to the Festival after previously having screened documentaries SMALL TOWN GAY BAR and CONTINENTAL.

Director David Thorpe delivers the Accenture Gala with the European Premiere of DO I SOUND GAY?, a documentary exploring the provocative idea of whether there is a ‘gay voice’ and featuring humorous, insightful contributions from performers and comedians including Margaret Cho, David Sedaris, George Takei and Dan Savage.

The Centrepiece Screening, the UK Premiere of STORIES OF OUR LIVES, directed by Jim Chu Chu is a drama adapted from real testimonies of LGBT Kenyans (where the film is banned for promoting homosexuality). Fresh from winning a Teddy Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival, this is powerful cinema but also essential viewing for those who are concerned about global human rights.

The festival offers rich cinematic insight into LGBT lives and loves around the world with films from the USA, France, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, Greece and India plus the first LGBT film from Sri Lanka (FRANGIPANI).

Confirmed guests so far include Justin Kelly (I AM MICHAEL), Malcolm Ingram (OUT TO WIN), Jeffrey Schwarz and Tab Hunter (TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL), Mark Christopher (54: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT), Carol Morley (THE FALLING), Colin Rothbart (DRESSED AS A GIRL), Jonny Woo and friends.

The festival’s films are grouped into themed sections as follows (via the BFI): [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:

Darren Criss Will Return To Broadway For Hedwig And The Angry Inch

February 17, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

In what is becoming a bit of a tradition, the new name for the man playing the title role in Hedwig And The Inch has been announced, so we now know that the show’s creator John Cameron Mitchell will be replaced by Glee’s Darren Criss.

It’s not Darren’s first time of Broadway, as while best known for playing Blaine in the musical TV show, he also had a successful run on the Great White Way in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Criss follows Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall and the recent stint from John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig’s title role. It’s an extremely impressive for a show that many initially thought was a bit of a vanity project for Neil Patrick Harris and wouldn’t survive on Broadway after he left it behind.

John Cameron Mitchell was supposed to be leaving in February but he’s now extended his run through April, with Criss taking over for a 12-week run starting April 29th.

Hedwig is the show’s East German title character, who was left with an angry inch after a botched sex change operation that she had in order to get into the US with her American GI lover. Hedwig then started dating young Tommy Gnosis, who left her behind when he took her music and became a rock star – leaving her understandably bitter (but still very funny).

Hopefully we’ll get to see Criss in the glittery makeup and Platinum wig soon.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:

EE BAFTAs Red Carpet Arrivals Gallery – From Henry Cavill to James McAvoy & more

February 9, 2015 By Tim Isaac 2 Comments

We were lucky enough to be on the EE BAFTAs red carpet, just next to the photographers’ area, which allowed us to get a good view of the arrivals and take a few candid shots of the celebs.

In fact it was an oddly entertaining place to stand, because everyone wants their photo taken and there are so many famous faces that they have to form a queue – it’s the movie star version of waiting in line at the checkout.

It meant that we were able to snap the likes of Henry Cavill and Rosamund Pike before they went full glare in front of a thousand lenses, when they were simply waiting for their turn.

We also managed to grab shots of many of the stars of Pride, including George MacKay, Freddie Fox, Andrew Scott, Imelda Staunton, and director Matthew Warchus. Also on hand to give things a bit of an LGBT flavour was Benedict Cumberbatch, who was nominated for playing gay mathematician Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

There were a few oddities, not least that the most screaming and general hubbub didn’t come for a movie star at all, but was reserved for the arrival of David Beckham.

And I’m also very pleased to have managed to make my own Marvel/DC crossover by capturing The Hulk and Superman in the same shot (aka Mark Ruffalo and Henry Cavill).

Take a look at some of our pics from the BAFTA red carpet below: [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:

Magic Mike XXL Trailer – Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer & co. are back and as sexy as ever

February 4, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Forget Fifty Shades Of Grey, as for many people the sexy film event of 2015 is Magic Mike XXL. Last night we posted a suggestive poster and now comes the trailer, which ups the ante right from the beginning, where Channing Tatum can’t even do metalwork without making it looking ridiculously sexual (to the point it almost looks silly).

He’s not the only one, as the likes of Matt Bomer, Adam Rodriguez and Joe Manganiello can’t do anything without making it look like they’re virtually dry humping you through the screen.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘”Magic Mike” stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias are reuniting for the hotly anticipated sequel “Magic Mike XXL”. Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, will be Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” franchise), Donald Glover (“Community”), Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”).

‘The new film will be directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs (“Behind the Candelabra”), who served as a producer on “Magic Mike,” as well as numerous features in a long-running collaboration with Steven Soderbergh. “Magic Mike XXL” also reunites “Magic Mike” producers Nick Wechsler, Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, with a screenplay by Carolin. Steven Soderbergh, who directed the first film, will executive produce.

‘Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, “Magic Mike XXL” finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.’

It’s due out in the US on July 1st and in UK cinemas July 31st. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Channing Tatum, Adam Rodriguezm Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello DIRECTORS: Gregory Jacobs FILMS: Magic Mike XXL

Channing Tatum Wants You To Look At His Crotch In The First Magic Mike XXL Poster

February 3, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

Channing Tatum and the other stripper boys are back this summer with Magic Mike XXL, and now the first poster is here, inviting us to take a long, hard look at Tatum’s crotch, which offers all the information.

We’ve also now got the best synopsis yet, for what Tatum has described as being a road trip movie. Here it is: ‘“Magic Mike” stars Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias are reuniting for the hotly anticipated sequel “Magic Mike XXL”. Joining the returning cast, in brand new roles, will be Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games” franchise), Donald Glover (“Community”), Amber Heard (“The Rum Diary”), Andie MacDowell (“Footloose”), Jada Pinkett Smith (“Gotham”) and Michael Strahan (“Live with Kelly and Michael”).

Hopefully the arrival of a poster means a trailer is on its way. It’s due in UK cinemas July 31st.

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Channing Tatum FILMS: Magic Mike XXL

Fantastic Four Trailer – First look Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell in the superhero reboot

January 27, 2015 By Tim Isaac Leave a Comment

The lack of a trailer or other marketing for Fox’s reboot of Fantastic Four has resulted in a lot of rumours, from reports that the movie is a disaster that needs massive reshoots to issues with the special effects meaning there was no footage to show.

However now the first trailer is here, and it seems very keen to show that this film will have a very different feel to the ones starring Jessica Alba and Chris Evans. It’s certainly darker and bigger in scale, even if the promo is still keen to keep a bit of mystery around exactly what the characters will look like in their hero guise.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.’

The film is due out in August. [Read more…]

CHECK OUT THESE RELATED ARCHIVES:
ACTORS: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell DIRECTORS: Josh Trank FILMS: Fantastic Four