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

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (DVD Review) – An intimate look at the enigmatic icon

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Enigmatic is an overused word, but it’s one that seems to fit Grace Jones. She’s been famous since the 1970s, but quite what and who she is has always been elusive. She’s a model and a singer, she’s been a Bond girl and co-starred in Conan The Barbarian. Her shows could be viewed as Avant Garde performance art or as a use of striking visuals to cover for middling music. Just visually she is iconic – both an archetype of Amazonian warrior femininity (with the most astonishingly long legs), and yet completely androgynous.

Jones is also impressively ageless, looking pretty much the same now as she did in the 1980s.

She’s someone who seems like we view her through a veil and who isn’t quite on the same planet as the rest of us. To some she is a series of moments – singing while hula-hooping outside Buckingham Palace at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert, infamously slapping guest show host Russell Harty in the 1980s, or base-jumping off the Eiffel Tower in A View To A Kill. [Read more…]

Moonlight Director Barry Jenkins Reveals The Oscars Speech He Never Gave

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Last year the Oscars suffered just about the biggest mix-up it was even possible for it to suffer when the wrong Best Picture winner was read out. The result was that when it was finally revealed that the gay-themed Moonlight was the real winner, in the confusion the makers of the movie didn’t get to give the speeches they’d planned and say what they wanted to.

The Academy gave director Barry Jenkins and the film’s producers the chance to receive their Best Picture award properly at this year’s ceremony, they declined as it couldn’t recapture the moment they had lost. However, at SXSW Jenkins has revealed what he would have said.

He starts with a shout-out to Tarell McCraney, whose wrote the play the movie was based on. Here’s the speech, as reprinted by Deadline, “Tarell and I are Chiron. We are that boy. And when you watch Moonlight, you don’t assume a boy who grew up how and where we did would grow up and make a piece of art that wins an Academy Award — certainly don’t think he would grow up to win Best Picture. I’ve said that a lot and what I’ve had to admit is that I placed those limitations on myself. I denied myself that dream — not you, not anyone else — me. And so, to anyone watching this who sees themselves in us, let this be a symbol, a reflection that leads you to love yourself. Because doing so may be the difference between dreaming at all and somehow, through the Academy’s grace, realizing dreams you never allowed yourself to have.”

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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Trailer – Jude Law’s young Dumbledore joins Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander

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As with Harry Potter, it seems that after a comparatively simple first instalment the world of Fantastic Beast is going to grow and become far more complex with its second instalment (there are five films planned in total). It will also be more directly linked to the Potter adventures with the inttroduction of Jude Law’s young Dumbledore, and an exploration of his battle with the evil Grindelwald which we heard about in Rowling’s book, but were given few details about.

Those links are underlined in the first trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which opens at Hogwarts while Law was just a teacher. Take a look at the trailer and poster for the movie below.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

‘In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

‘The film features an ensemble cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp. The cast also includes, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.’

The film will be in cinemas on November 16th. [Read more…]

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Madonna Is Turning Director Again With Ballerina Drama Taking Flight

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Madonna and the world of film haven’t exactly had an easy relationship. While she seems to love cinema, she’s been derided for her acting (particularly for 2002’s Swept Away, directed by then hubby Guy Ritchie) and as a director (her royal drama W.E. has a 13% rating on RottenTomatoes). However, she doesn’t give up and to be fair she’s shown more promise as a director than an actress.

Now she’s planning to get back behind the camera for Taking Flight, according to Variety.  The film will be based on Michaela and Elaine DePrince’s memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. As the title suggests it’s about Michaela, who was orphaned in her native Sierra Leone, but was brought to the US and adopted. She fell in love with dance and is now a professional ballerina for the Dutch National Ballet. DePrince was also seen in Beyonce’s Lemonade video.

Madonna comments, “Michaela’s journey resonated with me deeply as both an artist and an activist who understands adversity. We have a unique opportunity to shed light on Sierra Leone and let Michaela be the voice for all the orphaned children she grew up beside. I am honored to bring her story to life.”

It’s not known when we might get to see the film.

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Ian McKellen Will Be The Good Liar Alongside Helen Mirren

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Ian McKellen has had a long and successful professional relationship with director Bill Condon, which has include Gods and Monsters (for which McKellen received his first Oscar nomination) and the more recent Mr. Holmes. The duo are now planning to get back together for an adaptation of Nicholas Searle’s novel, The Good Liar. Helen Mirren is also onboard as the other main lead, according to Deadline.

Searle’s novel is about, ‘career con artist Roy Courtnay (McKellen), who can hardly believe his luck when he meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish (Mirren) online. As Betty opens her home and life to him, Roy is surprised to find himself caring about her, turning what should be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most treacherous tightrope walk of his life.’

Jeffrey Hatcher wrote the script for the movie, which should shoot later this year. There’s no news on when it might arrive in cinemas.

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Win The Wrestling Action Of Royal Rumble 2018 On Blu-ray!

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To celebrate the Blu-ray and DVD release of Royal Rumble 2018 (available to buy from 19th March 2018) – we are giving away a Blu-ray to one lucky winner!

Welcome to WWE’s most anticipated match of the year, the 30-competitor over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble! And for the first time ever, there’s both a men’s and women’s Royal Rumble Match, with the winner of each earning a championship shot at WrestleMania. There’s also a three-way battle of behemoths as Universal Champion Brock Lesnar faces Kane and Braun Strowman, and AJ Styles defends the WWE Championship against both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a two-on-one Handicap Match. Plus, much more!

It’s not just a night for making history – it’s a night for incredible, jaw-dropping action too!

AJ Styles battles the odds against the “Yep Movement” of KO and Sami Zayn as only AJ Styles can – with a PHENOMENAL performance! Meanwhile, it’s Beast vs Demon vs Monster as Lesnar, Kane, and Strowman clash for the Universal Championship – a match that is pure carnage from start to finish, with tables, chairs, and bodies broken along the way!

Meanwhile, the men’s Royal Rumble lives up to its reputation as the year’s most anticipated match-up, delivering surprises and huge showdowns. It’s dramatic, nerve-shredding stuff as the few final competitors battle for a shot at WrestleMania glory!

And the women’s Royal Rumble – the first match of its kind in WWE history – is every bit as sensational. Female superstars from different generations come together to change the course of WWE, proving that the WWE Women’s Evolution has stepped up to enter its next groundbreaking phase!

And if that’s not enough, the show ends with a shock debut from one of the most exciting female athletes in the world. The WWE women’s division will never be the same again!

For your chance to win Royal Rumble 2018 on Blu-ray, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on March 25th, 2018, so get answering and good luck. [Read more…]

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The Florida Project (DVD Review) – A young girl lives a precarious existence next to the Magic Kingdom

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Director Sean Baker had a significant success with Tangerine, which followed two transgender sex workers as one of them looks for the man who broke her heart. With The Florida Project he stays with people living a precarious existence, this time in the shadow of Disney World in Orlando.

The movie is largely set at a budget hotel managed by Bobby (Willem Dafoe), where six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) lives with her young mother Halley (Bria Vinaite). It’s an insecure, day-to-day existence where there’s no security and where they must move out for a while once a month, as they’re not permitted to officially become residents. [Read more…]

Paddington 2 (Blu-ray Review) – Ben Whishaw’s bear is back and he’s heading to prison!

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Before the first Paddington movie, a lot of people were convinced Michael Bond’s classic character couldn’t work as a live-action film. Not only was it a major success, but the sequel was even better received, with Paddington 2 becoming the first film ever to get more than 190 ‘Fresh’ reviews on RottenTomatoes, without a single negative notice. That doesn’t mean it’s the best film ever made, but it does mean it’s one that’s very difficult not to be charmed by.

Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is happily living in London with the Brown family. He wants to get his beloved Aunt Lucy a special 90th Birthday present, and sets his sights on a unique pop-up book. Just when he’s nearly got enough cash, the book is stolen and the police think the small bear is the one who took it. As a result, Paddington ends up in prison, at the mercy of a scary brute known as Knuckles (Brendan Gleeson). [Read more…]

Only The Brave (Blu-ray Review) – Hotshot firefighters risk it all

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Eric Marsh (Josh Brolin) of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department is an expert at fighting forest fires, but he and his team have to take a backseat when ‘hotshot’ Type 1 front line firefighters, even if they don’t know as much as he does. He plans to become the head of the first municipal firefighting team to achieve Type 1 status.

Marsh’s Granite Mountain Hotshots are amongst the best there is. However, they also have their own issues to deal with, such as Eric’s dedication to fighting fires interfering with his marriage to Amanda (Jennifer Connelly). There’s also Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), a young wastrel who uses drugs, sleeps around and has been in trouble with the law – but with an accidental child on the way, he decides it’s time to shape up and join the team. [Read more…]

Win The Acclaimed, Oscar-Winning Call Me By Your Name On Blu-ray!

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Call Me By Your Name is one of the highest profile and most acclaimed gay-themed movies since Brokeback Mountain, and one of the few to make the crossover to mainstream success. That includes winning an Oscar, with veteran filmmaker James Ivory (Maurice, Remains Of The Day) picking up Best Adapted Screenplay for his take on Andre Aciman’s novel.

The film is out on Blu-ray & DVD in the UK now, and we’ve got three Blu-ray copies to give away!

It’s the summer of 1983 in Italy, and Elio (Timotheé Chalamet), a precocious 17-year-old, spends his days in his family’s villa transcribing and playing classical music, reading and flirting with his friend Marzia. One day, Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charming American scholar, arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio’s father, an eminent professor. Elio and Oliver discover the heady beauty of awakening desire over the course of a summer that will alter their lives forever.

Read our 4.5 out of 5 review here

For your chance to win Call Me By Your Name on Blu-ray, answer the question below and fill in your details, then press submit! The competition closes on March 22nd, 2018, so get answering and good luck. [Read more…]

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120 BPM (Beats Per Minute) UK Trailer – Get a taste of the acclaimed tribute to HIV/AIDS activism

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Robin Campillo’s movie has gained a lot of buzz since its Cannes debut. At the festival the movie won the Queer Palm for the best LGBT movie, the prestigious Fipresci award for the best film at the festival from the International Federation of Film Critics, and second biggest award at the fest, the Grand Prix. It was then chosen as France’s Oscar contender for the Besti Foreign Language Film Academy Award.

Most recently it picked up six gongs at France’s top film awards, the Cesars, including Best Film, Best Original Screenplay for the movie’s writer/director, Robin Campillo, and Best New Actor for Nahuel Perez Biscayart.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘A beautiful, stirring call to action about the AIDS epidemic of the 80s and early 90s, it follows a new romance within a chapter of ACT-UP Paris, the activist group going to battle for those stricken with HIV/AIDS taking on major Pharma companies and the lacklustre government response with bold, invasive protests – embracing their mission with literal life or death urgency. Amid rallies, protests, fierce debates and ecstatic dance parties, the newcomer Nathan falls in love with Sean, the group’s radical firebrand, and their passion sparks against the shadow of mortality as the activists fight for a breakthrough.’

The movie will be released in UK cinemas April 6th. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]

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The Grinch Trailer – Dr. Seuss’s classic tale is getting the animated treatment

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Synopsis: ‘For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heart warming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

‘Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbours in Who-ville when he runs out of food.

‘Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

‘Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who-a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer-plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheming threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?

‘In Cinemas November 9th 2018’ [Read more…]

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