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

Uncle Howard Trailer – Looking at how a gay man’s legacy was hidden in William Burroughs’ bunker

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uncle-howard-slideHoward Brookner is one of those people who definitely left us too soon. In the late-70s and 80s he had his pulse on the point where the avant garde met the mainstream, essentially becoming William Burrough’s official biopgrapher/videographer, and hanging around everyone from Andy Warhol to Madonna. He was in post-production on his first feature when he died of AIDS in the late 1980s.

However his legacy and the full rediscovery of the life he led wasn’t revealed until 2012, when the archive of film that he shot and other things he created was brought to light after being hidden away in Burrough’s bunker for three decades. Now a documentary has been made about Brookner by his nephew, which is premiering at Sundance.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘UNCLE HOWARD is an intertwining tale of past and present. New York filmmaker Howard Brookner died of AIDS in 1989, while making his breakthrough Hollywood movie. His body of work, which captured the late 70s and early 80s cultural revolution, was buried in William S. Burroughs’ bunker for 30 years. Now in a personal journey, his nephew Aaron unearths Howard’s filmmaking legacy and the memory of everything he was.’

After you watch the trailer it’s deifficult not to be wowed by the life Brookner led, and also be left wondering what he might have done had he not been taken away so soon.

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Legend (Blu-ray Review)

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There are quite a few people who don’t like the glamorisation (almost fetishisation) or The Krays and London’s East End gangsters of the 1960s, feeling these were nasty, vicious men and should be treated as such. If they were hoping this new biopic of the Kray twins would burst their legend, the title should have given them a hint that it wouldn’t (although it does also suggest the film knows it’s helping cement a fantasy of their lives).

Tom Hardy plays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, with the movie picking up after the twins have already started making their name as gangsters, running nightclubs and operating an expanding protection racket. The film follows their continuing rise and fall, framed by Reggie’s romance and marriage to Frances O’Shea (Emily Browning). While their growing notoriety and the edge of glamour ensures they have the sort of high connections that gives them a certain amount of protection – and perhaps a sense of invulnerability – it also makes them bigger targets for those who would like to bring them down. [Read more…]

Bad Bromance (The D-Train) (DVD Review)

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When Bad Bromance (under its original title, The D-Train) first debuted at film festivals, it was met with surprise largely for a single scene, which it appears no one watching was expecting. Indeed, it is perhaps the playing down of that scene that’s contributed to the film making little impact.

Jack Black plays Dan, who’s living a dead-end life in the same town he grew up in. He has no real friends – people actively avoid hanging out with him – and very little to get excited about. He is however the chair of the 20th Anniversary High School reunion committee, but he’s having difficulty getting anyone to attend.

Then he hits on an idea – talking Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) into coming. Oliver left the town behind for LA and now stars in a national TV commercial. Dan is convinced getting him to attend would ensure plenty of others would also turn up. To put his plan into action, Dan concocts a fake business trip to Los Angeles to woo Oliver. [Read more…]

Win The Airplane Terror of The Carrier On DVD!

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The_Carrier_DVDBuckle up for an outbreak of terror at 30,000 feet as The Carrier comes to DVD 25th January!

To celebrate, we have a copy to giveaway.

With civilisation on the brink of extinction, there’s only one way to ensure survival and that’s kill or be killed. Take to the skies in a stolen 747 where cabin fever becomes reality, fuel runs low and tempers flare. Everyone is a potential threat, isolation is key but there’s no escape at 30,000 feet…

The Carrier is an expert blend of suspense, horror and drama playing out in a welcome addition to the outbreak genre.

Order today: http://bit.ly/The-Carrier

To be in with a chance of winning the copy of The Carrier 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 February 7th, 2016, so get answering and good luck.

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Win WWE Survivor Series 2015 On Blu-ray!

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survivor-series-2015-eac_1To celebrate the release of Survivor Series 2015 – on DVD & Blu-ray 25th January 2016 – we have a copy on Blu-ray to giveaway!

As one of the “Big Four” PPVs, Survivor Series is always must-see, but this year’s is the most dramatic and prestigious in the event’s history.

Fans will be gripped by the conclusion of Roman Reigns’ yearlong quest to win the World Heavyweight Champion – and the event’s shock conclusion is already one of the most talked-about moments of 2015!

Available to order today:http://amzn.to/1S3RBYQ

To be in with a chance of winning the copy of Survivor Series 2015 on Blu-ray that we’ve got to give away, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on February 7th, 2016, so get answering and good luck.

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Keanu Red-Band Trailer – Rescuing a kitten gets complicated for Key & Peele

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keanu-key-and-peeleYou wouldn’t think getting back your lost kitten would be that difficult, but it gets extrememly complicated for Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, as you can see in the red-band trailer for their new movie, Keanu, below.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, a.k.a. the hugely popular U.S. comedy duo Key & Peele, star as Clarence and Rell, two cousins who live in the city but are far from streetwise.  When Rell’s beloved kitten, Keanu, is catnapped, the hopelessly straight-laced pair must impersonate ruthless killers in order to infiltrate a street gang and retrieve the purloined feline.  But the incredibly adorable kitten becomes so coveted that the fight over his custody creates a gang war, forcing our two unwitting heroes to take the law into their own hands.’

Although the trailer makes it look like it’ll be a typical, if potentially pretty funny comedy, there’ll be plenty hoping that it can also offer the same sort of pithy insight as their TV show, the eponymous Key & Peele, often managed. It’ll be in cinemas later this year.

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It’s Big Meets Little In A New Poster For Spielberg’s The BFG

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bfg-teaser-poster

A few weeks ago we got our first teaser look at Spielberg’s new movie version of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, The BFG. Now that’s been joined by a poster, featuring the legs of the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) and his unlikely friend Sophie (Ruby Barnhill).

Here’s the synopsis: ‘The talents of two of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. “The BFG” is the exciting tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.  “I think it was kind of genius of Roald Dahl to be able to empower the children. It was very, very brave of him to introduce that combination of darkness and light,’ and being able to do scary, but also be redemptive at the same time and teach a lesson, an enduring lesson, to everyone, it was a wonderful thing for Dahl to have done, and it was one of the things that attracted me to want to direct this Dahl book,” says Spielberg.

‘Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, “The BFG” (Big Friendly Giant) was published in 1982 and has been enchanting readers of all ages ever since.  Dahl’s books, which also include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Matilda” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” are currently available in 58 languages and have sold over 200 million copies worldwide. Originally created as a bedtime story, “The BFG” was Dahl’s own favorite of all his stories. “It was very important for us to be loyal to the language,” says Spielberg, “and the great writer Melissa Mathison, who also wrote ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,’ wrote “The BFG.”

It’ll be in cinemas in July.

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Jim Henson’s Labyrinth Is Getting A Film Reboot

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labyrinth

Over the years The Jim Henson Company has talked about many ideas for what it might do with its properties (for example the long-gestating Fraggle Rock movie), but nothing has materialised. Now they’re hoping to revisit Labyrinth, the 1986 movie starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

According to THR, Guardians of the Galaxy co-writer Nicole Perlman has been brought on-board to handle the script. However, it’s not 100% clear what sort of movie they’re planning, such as whether it will be a straight remake, a reimagining, reboot or sequel.

The original followed a teenage girl who, fed up with have to babysit her baby brother, wishes he was taken away by the goblins, little suspecting that this is just what will happen. She must them go into a fantasy land and enter the labyrinth, having only 12 hours to get her brother back.

While it was judged a failure on its first release, the movie has since gained cult status, and there’s certainly plenty of scope for another visit to the world of Jareth the Goblin King – although as it’s a role that so brilliantly fitted David Bowie, it’ll be strange to see someone else take the role.

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The BBC’s Trans-Themed Sitcom Boy Meets Girl Will Get A Second Series

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boy-meets-girl-tv-slide

Last year the BBC aired Boy Meets Girl, its first ever sitcom to revolve around a transgender character, as played by the excellent trans actress, Rebecca Root. It’s take them a while, but now the Beeb has officially announced that the show will be getting a second series, which will starting filming in Manchester next month.

Boy Meets Girl centres on Leo and Judy, who start to date, causing surprise amongst those who know them due to the age gap – he’s in his mid-20s and she’s turning 40. Judy is also transgender, which Leo seems to have few problems with, but that doesn’t mean everyone else will feel the same.

As we pointed out in our review, the first season was almost a primer in many of the issues that trans people face, from abuse on the street to having to deal with other people’s lack of comprehension and understanding. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for Leo and Judy as they chart the next steps in their relationship.

The BBC’s Shane Allen comments, “This series demonstrates comedy’s unique ability to bring insight, warmth and understanding to challenging subjects, and encapsulates the three bedrocks of the BBC’s duty to inform, educate and entertain… Expect lots more out and out bawdy comedy alongside some very tender and touching moments in this very modern take on a rom-com.”

The second series should air on the BBC later this year.

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Suicide Squad Trailer – Can a truly villainous bunch of comic book baddies become the heroes?

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suicide-squad-poster1-slideSuicide Squad is definitely one of the more intriguing films of the year, especially as it brings together a bunch of villains from the DC Comics universe and will try to make them the (anti)heroes. While we’ve had a few pics and a first look promo, now we have out best look yet thanks to a great new trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘An all-star roster of actors has joined new action adventure Suicide Squad, bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” “Focus”) as Deadshot; Joel Kinnaman (“Run All Night”, “Robocop”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Focus,” upcoming the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.

‘Ayer is also writing the script for Suicide Squad, which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”).  Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.’

The film is based around that a group of captured villains are given a chance at redemption as long as they team up and take on a mission that none of them are expected to survive. The film will be in cinemas in August, but you can take a look at the trailer and a new poster below.

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Kevin Spacey Joins Rebel in the Rye Opposite Nicholas Hoult as J.D. Salinger

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Kevin-Spacey

Last September it was revealed that Nicholas Hoult had signed on to star in a biopic of writer J.D. Salinger called Rebel In The Eye. Now he’s got some company, as Variety reports that Kevin Spacey will co-star.

It’s previously been promised that the film ‘takes us on a journey into the life and mind of the legendary and secretive author and tells the story of the birth of The Catcher in the Rye. As the author who captivated a generation, JD Salinger soared to the heights of the literary world but left it all behind for a life of seclusion. Through his rebellious youth, the bloody front lines of World War 2, enduring great love and terrible loss, a life of rejection to the pages of The New Yorker, and the PTSD-fueled writer’s block which led to a spiritual awakening.’

Spacey meanwhile will be Whit Burnett, a professor at Columbia and editor of Story Magazine, who becomes Salinger’s mentor and challenges him to become a better writer.

Danny Strong (who co-created Empire and wrote the scripts for the likes of Hunger Games: Mockingjay and The Butler) will write and direct the movie. It’s believed the movie will shoot some time fairly soon.

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Jennifer Lawrence Will Be Fidel Castro’s Lover In Marita

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jennifer-lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence is planning to fall in love with Fidel Castro, but thankfully only in a movie, as Variety reports that she’s signed on to play the title role in Marita, for Sony Pictures. No director is currently attached.

The German-born Marita Lorenz ‘was incarcerated at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during World War II. After she had an affair at the age of 19 with Castro, she was approached by the CIA to kill the Cuban leader. Lorenz later testified before Congress in the JFK investigations, claiming that she was witness to a conspiracy between the CIA, Cuban operatives and Lee Harvey Oswald to murder the president, and even spied for the FBI on UN diplomats who lived in her building.’

Sony has purchased the rights to her life, and also bought a pitch from Eric Warren Singer. The whole thing certainly moves up a notch with Lawrence attached, who has a bit of a magic touch when it comes to films like this. It’s not clear when it will shoot.

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