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

Wes Bentley Is On For Disney’s Pete’s Dragon Remake

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wes-bentleyDisney’s planned remake of Pete’s Dragon is now fast coming together. The likes of Oakes Fegley, Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard and Oona Laurence are already onboard, and now TheWrap reports that Wes Bentley (American Beauty, Hunger Games) has signed on too.

The original 1977 movie was a mix of live-action and animation, about a boy who escapes his horrible adoptive parents and befriends a dragon called Elliott. This time around the dragon with be CGI, and the story will also be rather different (it also won’t be a musical). Here Pete was raised in a forest by the dragon after his parents died in a car accident. He has to take on a group of loggers who are cutting down all of the trees.

Robert Redford is set play a local who tells tall tales involving dragons that no one believes, the equivalent of Mickey Rooney’s Lampie from the original.

It’s not known exactly who Bentley will be, although it is known that the filmmakers have been on the lookout for a mill owner and his greedy brother, so Wes may have scored one of those roles.

David Lowery is directing from a script he co-wrote with Toby Halbrooks. It’s believed the movie will start shooting in the next couple of months.

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Michael Keaton May Head With Tom Hiddleston To Kong: Skull Island

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michael-keatonFollowing his potentially Oscar-winning role in Birdman, Hollywood seems to have suddenly remembered the talent that is Michael Keaton. He’s suddenly become far more in demand than he has been for many years, and that includes the makers of Kong: Skull Island, who are finalising a deal for Keaton to star, according to THR.

Assuming that deal comes together, he will star alongside Tom Hiddleston and J.K. Simmons in the film, which is a prequel to King Kong. Not too much is known about the plot specifics, but the movie will be entirely set on Skull Island, the mysterious place full of dinosaurs and monsters, along with giant apes. The speculation is that it will be about how Kong became the last of the giant gorillas, while also giving an explanation for how outsiders knew about the island and so set sail to later find and capture Kong.

It isn’t known who Keaton will play, although it’s believed the three actors currently cast will be the core of a group who set out to explore the island..

Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer), will direct from a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein. A March 10th, 2017 release date is already pencilled in.

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Reese Witherspoon Will Be Downsizing Alongside Matt Damon

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reese-witherspoon-wild-slideReese Witherspoon has been slightly in the filmic wilderness for the past few years, but coming off her well received performance in Wild she’s circling for a new film from a director beloved by the Academy, as she’s in talking Alexander Payne’s Downsizing, according to Deadline.

It’s her second time round on the project, as she was previously attached way back in 2009, before Payne but the project on the backburner.

The slightly odd sounding film is about a man (Matt Damon) who decides that his life would be much better if he shrunk himself. It’s previously been described as being a social satire.

It’s not 100% clear who Witherspoon will play, although she was previously set to play a woman who met the shrinking man (who at that point was set to be played by Paul Giamatti).

The main sticking point with Witherspoon’s involvement is scheduling, as it’s believed Damon will shoot the new Jason Bourne movie before Downsizing, and so it’s difficult to pin down exactly when it will go in front of the camera at the moment.

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Into The Woods (Cinema Review)

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Ah, Stephen Sondheim, writer of amazing tongue-twisting lyrics, flat tunes and dark themes. That’s been his formula for many a year – the flat tunes aren’t deliberate presumably – and they are all present and correct in this film version of his adult take on fairy tales. Adult is certainly the word here, the underlying theme being human beings’ reluctance to grow up and face the real world, and the terrifying prospect of sex, while superficially there are blindings, stabbings, a prince whose eye wanders, an absent father, and plenty of death.

Throw in a top-notch cast – and James Corden – and you get a polished, great-looking and sounding, entertaining fable. The story itself peaks a little early and there are longeurs in the story of the giant, but overall it’s a successful adaptation of Sondheim’s stage musical. [Read more…]

HBO Comes Onboard For Matt Bomer’s Biopic Of Gay Star Montgomery Clift

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montgomery-clift-matt-bomerFor quite a long time now Matt Bomer has been involved in developing a biopic of gay/bisexual actor Montgomery Clift (we first reported on it back in September 2013), however it’s always been clear that while there many thought it was a good idea – not least because of the resemblance between Bomer & Clift – getting the funding has been tough.

However now HBO, which has had huge success with gay-themed original movies such as Behind The Candelabra and The Normal Heart, has stepped in to help develop the project, according to THR.

Christopher Lovick wrote the initial script, but Love is Strange scribes Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias have recently been asked to come in and work on the screenplay. It’s currently going by the simple title, Monty Clift.

In the late 40s and early 50s, Clift was on the path to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. After The Heiress, Red River, A Place In The Sun, I Confess and From Here To Eternity, he was a true heart-throb with three Oscar nominations to his name. In many people’s opinion he was a talent on a par with James Dean and Marlon Brando – and all that by the age of 24.

However, Clift was also gay (or at least bisexual) at a time when homosexuality was illegal. He never really came to terms with his sexuality. He suffered from severe self-loathing throughout his adult life (as did many gay people back them) and became a severe alcoholic. In 1956, during the filming of Raintree County, he crashed his car while drunk which caused various injuries, including facial lacerations that meant he was never quite as good looking again. While he continued to work, with a prominent facial scar and alcohol quickly ageing him, his roles were limited and his days as a heart-throb were essentially over.

It’s believed the movie will look at much of his complicated life, but will concentrate on his relationship with Elizabeth Taylor, who became one of his closest friends after they starred in A Place In The Sun (it was while driving back from her house that he had his car crash). She was aware of his sexuality but later suggested it was difficult to truly help him, as he was so internally tormented.

The cable network’s involvement in the biopic is good news for Bomer, as back in July – around the time he was getting huge acclaim for his turn in The Normal Heart – he suggested that he thought the perfect home for the biopic would be HBO..

There isn’t a director currently attached, although as Ira Sachs is now co-writing, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ended up helming, even if it is a bit of a departure from the likes of Love Is Strange and Keep The Lights On.

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Everything You Need To Know About Russell T. Davies’ Gay-Themed Cucumber, Banana and Tofu

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Cucumber-Banana-TofuChannel 4 has announced that it’s gay-themed TV triptych from Queer As Folk creator Russell T. Davies will debut starting January 22nd at 9pm (and should hit Logo TV in the US shortly afterwards). They’ve now released their info pack, filled with all sorts of info about the shows, ensuring we’ve got everything we need to know.

So let’s start off with the overview: Sixteen years after Queer As Folk exploded on to the screen, award-winning writer Russell T Davies is back with Cucumber, Banana and Tofu: three new interlinked shows for Channel 4, E4 and online. Cucumber and Banana are two original drama series exploring the passions and pitfalls of 21st century gay life, while Tofu is an online documentary series that explores all facets of contemporary sex culture.

Channel 4’s Cucumber follows 46 year old Henry, played by Vincent Franklin (The Thick of It, Twenty Twelve) and his long-suffering boyfriend Lance, played by Cyril Nri (The Bill). Life for Henry and Lance is comfortable and settled. But after the most disastrous date night in history – involving a death, a threesome, two police cars and Boney M – Henry’s old life shatters, and his new life begins.

While Lance gets to know the mysterious Daniel (James Murray), Henry soon finds himself house-sharing with unexpected companions. The beautiful Freddie (Freddie Fox) and 19 year old Dean (Fisayo Akinade) have only been passing strangers, until now. But when they find themselves under the same roof they need to work out; are they friends or enemies?

And then there’s Henry’s sister, Cleo (Julie Hesmondhalgh) – busy, professional, and a little chaotic. But coping with her three kids is easy compared to helping her brother…

The cast for the eight-part series also includes Con O’Neill, Rufus Hound, Ardal O’Hanlon, Adjoa Andoh, Anjli Mohindra, Ceallach Spellman and Phaldut Sharma.

On E4, Banana is a series of eight witty, heartfelt and unique stand-alone stories covering different aspects of LGBT life. This series, which features exciting and emerging talent from the fields of acting, writing and directing, offers an intriguing and often unexpected peek into the individual lives, loves and losses of a range of diverse characters.

Young lesbian, Scotty (Letitia Wright) pursues an unrequited love; Dean (Fisayo Akinade) has mysterious family secrets and a sexually charged liaison with an enigmatic Geordie Man (Andrew Hayden-Smith; Sian (Georgia Henshaw) struggles to choose between lover Violet (Hannah John-Kamen) and her over-protective mum Vanessa (Lynn Hunter); and Helen (Bethany Black) is besieged by unwanted attention from an ex.

Tofu, meanwhile, extends the experience online. Made by prolific YouTuber, Benjamin Cook, this light-hearted documentary series explores modern sex in all its varied manifestations. Featuring a diverse range of candid chats with members of the public as well the stars of Cucumber and Banana, Tofu highlights the very real issues that are referenced in the fictional shows.

With the same ferocious wit, startling honesty and heartfelt warmth that made Queer As Folk a landmark series, Cucumber, Banana and Tofu will explore the heartbreak and joy of modern sex lives in all their many guises.

Find out more about Banana Cucumber & Tofu:
Click here for more info on the first episodes of Cucumber
Click here for more info on the first episodes of Banana
Click here for more info on Tofu
Introducing the characters of Cucumber and Banana
Cucumber & Banana Image Galleries

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Win Looking – Season 1 On DVD!

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looking-s1-dvd-coverLOOKING: SEASON ONE comes to Blu-ray and DVD on 12th January, 2015, in the UK, courtesy of HBO Home Entertainment. Starring Jonathan Groff (The Normal Heart, TV’s Glee), Frankie J Alvarez  (TV’s Smash), Murray Bartlett (TV’s White Collar), and the UK’s own Russell Tovey (TV’s Being Human, The History Boys), the whole season and individual episodes are also available to own and watch instantly on Amazon Instant Video, blinkbox, Google Play and iTunes.

And we’ve got three copies of LOOKING: SEASON ONE on DVD to give away in this comp!

Offering an unfiltered look at three friendships in one of America’s most iconic cities, LOOKING: SEASON ONE introduces us to Patrick (Jonathan Groff – The Normal Heart, Glee), a 29-year old video game designer getting back into the dating world in the wake of his ex’s engagement; aspiring artist Agustín (Frankie J Alvarez  – Smash), who is questioning the idea of monogamy as he transitions into domesticity with his boyfriend; and career waiter Dom (Murray Bartlett – White Collar), the oldest member of the group who, at 39, is facing middle age with his romantic and professional dreams still unfulfilled… The trio’s stories intertwine and unspool dramatically as they search for happiness and intimacy in an age of unparalleled choices – and rights – for gay men.

Rounding out the world of LOOKING: SEASON ONE are the UK’s own Russell Tovey (Being Human, The History Boys), starring as Kevin, Patrick’s boss and love interest; Dom’s roommate Doris (Lauren Weedman); Agustín’s boyfriend Frank (O.T. Fagbenle); and Patrick’s co-worker Owen (Andrew Law), as well as the legendary Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise) who stars as Lynn. The final character is San Francisco itself, with its progressive, unpredictable and sexually open culture serving as a backdrop for the group’s lives.

For your chance to win of the three copies of LOOKING: SEASON ONE on DVD that we’ve got to give away, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on January 20th 2015, so get answering and good luck! [Read more…]

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Gay Short Film Showcase: Think Of England – A young hustler looks for his place in the world

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think-of-englandI didn’t initially realise, but the director of Think Of England, Chris Young, was also the cinematographer on our first Showcase movie, The Morning After. Think Of England has a rather more melancholic tone, looking at a young man whose life has gone to places he never expected or wanted.

It was Young’s graduation film from the University Of Hampshire, made as an homage to Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro’s character from ‘Flesh’ (something those who know that movie won’t fail to notice when they watch the short).

Callum Turner plays a young hustler looking for himself amongst the detritus of a broken London in the mid 1980s. Take a look below.

If you know a short film we ought to be posting, tell us by getting in touch via our contact page. And check out more gay short films and web series here. [Read more…]

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Gay-Themed Short Film, We Are Okay Now, About A Teen In Love With His Straight Friend, Seeks Funding

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We-Are-Okay-NowSometimes with Kickstarter campaigns for gay-themed films, the funding targets are so huge it’s clear those behind it are being way too ambitious. It’s nice then to get one that’s almost the other way around, as a group of young Danish filmmakers are seeking just 6,000kr (about £630 or $960) to get their planned short film, We Are Okay Now, made.

It’s also good that once its made, they’re hoping to make it freely available for all to watch.

They say, ‘We are a small group of young film workers seeking to finance a Danish short film titled; “We Are Okay Now” (original title; “Vi er okay nu”). Your funding will primarily contribute to rental of fim equipment as the entire team is working without pay and all resources are focused around ensuring the best quality for the film.

‘The storyline is quite simplistic and involves themes of adolescence, homosexuality, sexual abuse,  friendship and guilt. It revolves around the two best friends Jonnah and Demitri and takes place in the course of a night and the following morning. Jonnah is shown to be in love with Demitri and although the latter is straight and has no romantic interest in his friend, their relationship is very physical and loving. A recent traumatic experience however looms over them and affects the way they behave towards each other.

‘The film is being produced to be publicly available to everyone on social sites such as Youtube and Vimeo as well as to be entered in various film festivals. As of now it is an independent production without a production company.’

If you want to help out and put in a little cash, head over the Kickstarter.

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Pride Director Matthew Warchus Says He ‘Understands’ Why All Gay References Were Removed From The US DVD Cover

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pride-better-slideIn the last few days there’s been a firestorm of protest about the fact that the DVD cover of the US version of the film Pride removed all reference to homosexuality, despite the fact gay visibility is one of the main themes of the movie. What made people most angry wasn’t just that the blurb of the back cover ‘straightwashed’ the plot, but that one of the images had been photoshopped to remove a banner referencing the main group in the movie, ‘Lesbians & Gay Support The Miners’.

Now the film’s director, Matthew Warchus, has stepped forward with his thoughts on the DVD cover. Talking to BBC Radio 5’s Phil Williams, he said that, “Changing the cover is kind of clumsy and a bit foolish, but this is a film that is loved by people of all political persuasions and sexual orientations. I’m just keen for as many people who have yet to see the film to see it.”

He added, “I think someone in the marketing department in the US used their marketing judgement to try to remove any barrier to the widest possible audience. It’s clumsily done but I understand it and it’s a valid instinct.”

He also talked about “the nature of marketing” being “over-simplification [and] reductive”, as well as that he “didn’t want to preach to the converted” and hoped the movie would “find a mainstream audience [and] broaden people’s minds”.

Although we can understand what Warchus is saying, there are ways of appealing to a broad audience without creating a cover that effectively feels like it’s lying (by omission) about the movie, as well as going against its spirit.

While CBS Films owns the distribution rights to the film in the US, it’s believed that when they handed the DVD release to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, they also took control of the DVD cover and that if was them who made the alterations.

Despite the controversy, Pride continued to be extremely well received, winning several awards at the British Independent Film Awards last month, and also scoring a Golden Globe Best Film nomination. (Quotes via PinkNews) [Read more…]

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