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

Independence Day 2 Becomes Resurgence & Gets A Few On-Set Pics

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independence-day-resurgence-titleWe always knew they were coming back. After years of saying and Independence Day sequel was coming, it finally coming and now it has an official title, as it’ll be called Independence Day: Resurgence, and it’s promised that ‘the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale’.

Here’s the first synopsis: ‘Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.’

Old and new cast members include Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe and Sela Ward.

Along with the title reveal came a few pics, which you can see below. [Read more…]

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Tom Holland Is The New Spider-man, With Jon Watts Directing Standalone Film

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tom-hollandA few months ago came the major announcement that Spider-man would be joining the Marvel Universe with an appearance in Captain America: Civil War. However despite the fact that movie has been shooting for a while now, no new Spidey was announced to replace the sadly departing Andrew Garfield.

That’s changed now though, as the young man who’s seemed like the frontrunner for several weeks, Tom Holland, has landed the role. Yep, it’s another Brit.

The accompanying press release says that the ‘studios and producers were impressed by Holland’s performances in The Impossible, Wolf Hall, and the upcoming In the Heart of the Sea, and by a series of complex screen tests.’ And unlike either Garfield or Tobey Maguire, he is actually still a teenager.

He will first been seen in the role in Civil War, which opens May 2016, before getting his own standalone movie on July 28th, 2017. Sony also announced who would direct that movie, going with Jon Watts, director of Cop Car, the upcoming thriller that made its debut earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival.

He’s certainly a brave choice but it seems increasingly popular to put superhero movies in the hands of up and comers who have indie cred but little mega-budget Hollywood experience.

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Role/Play Director Rob Williams Seeks Funding For New Gay-Themed Movie, Shared Rooms

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Rob-WilliamsRob Williams has made quite a name for himself in the world of gay-themed cinema with movies such as Three Day Weekend, Make The Yuletide Gay, Role/Play, Out To Kill and The Men Next Door. Now he’s planning to return with Shared Rooms, about the lives of three gay couples during the holiday.

However to get the movie made he needs some cash, so he’s launched an IndieGoGo campaign in the hope of raising $50,000.

The film is ‘a sexy, feel-good romantic comedy that explores the meaning of home and family through three interrelated stories of gay men finding connections during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day:

  • A married couple who take in a teenage relative who was kicked out of his home after his parents discovered he was gay.
  • A pair of roommates forced to share a bed for the week, much to the delight (and horror) of the one harboring a secret crush on the other.
  • Two men looking for a quick hookup who end up finding a much stronger connection.’

It’s certainly a film that might be worth a watch.

As always with this sort of campaign, a range of goodies are on offer to those who pledge cash, including the movie on Blu-ray – which will be the only way to get Shared Rooms in that format. You can find out more over at IndieGoGo and perhaps help out.

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Dragstrip 66: The Frockumentary Is Looking For Your Support

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dragstrip-66-slideYou may never have heard of Dragstrip 66, but co-directors Phil Scanlon and Paul V. want to change that, as they’re hoping to bringing it to a wider audience with their ‘frockumentary’, but to do that they need your help. A crowdfunding drive has been launched for the movie over at Tubestart, were they hope to raise $66,000.

So what’s it all about, well here’s the description from Tubestart: ‘Is it Flip Wilson’s saucy “Geraldine” in the 60’s? Gender-bent 70’s and 80’s singers like Sylvester, Boy George and Jayne County? The famous faces of the 90’s and 2K’s like Ru Paul, Lady Bunny, and the girls from “Ru Paul’s Drag Race”? Or the King & Queen of filth ‘n trash themselves: John Waters and his legendary muse, Divine?

‘At DRAGSTRIP 66 all these influences converged together monthly at a Mexican restaurant in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles that was transformed in to a queer/mixed alternative nightclub event that ran for an unprecendented 20 years from 1993 to 2013.

‘Co-created by best friends Mr. Dan (aka hostess Gina Lotriman) and DJ Paul V., Dragstrip 66 launched just as Bill Clinton was sworn in, and soon became the communal home to creative revelers seeking to celebrate living again after 12 long years of right-wing politics in the shadow of HIV/AIDS. For two decades, it was the inclusive safe space for ALL people – gay, straight, bi and trans – to feel completely welcomed, celebrated, and encouraged to express themselves without judgement.

‘Monthly themes drew upon movie, TV, camp and pop-culture mashup touchstones – “Florence Of Arabia,” “Queen Acres,” “Victor/Victoria’s Secret,” “Mi Navidad Loca” – inspiring an explosion of spectacular and imaginative patron drag, masquerade, cross-dress, and newly minted personas. From the start, ‘Dress A Mess, Get In For Less!’ meant attendees in any manner of drag or cross-dress got discounted cover admission.

‘DJs Paul V. & Tom Walker played an eclectic mix of alternative, rock ‘n roll, new wave, disco, funk, and edgy electronic dance music. And Gina Lotriman hosted the Midnight Stage Show featuring local, national and international drag queens, all singing live to Gina’s completely rewritten parodies of popular music befitting the evening’s theme.

‘The stage show also featured the “Promenade” where any audience member in drag could take to the stage, be introduced to walk the runway, and bask in the glow – or glowering disapproval – from both the performers and the boisterous audience.

‘Through the years, many celebrities popped in to party with the east side queens: Roseanne Barr, Drew Barrymore, Karen Black, Anderson Cooper, Nina Hagen, L7, Traci Lords, Mink Stole, Scott Thompson, Lea Delaria, Claire Danes, Marilyn Manson, Andy Dick, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jennifer Coolidge, Perry Farrell, Susan Tyrrell, Adam Lambert, Jane Wiedlin, Alan Cumming, Sir Ian McKellan, Ann Magnuson, Heather Graham, Pedro Almodovar and more.

‘Also, many future “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” girls either attended or performed there, including: Raja, Kelly Mantle, Willam, Alaska, Detox, Tammie Brown, Raven, Delta Work and more.

‘DRAGSTRIP 66 was a seminal part of a synergistic movement in the early 90’s that sought out to redefine what LGBT nightlife could offer, with a shared vision soon found at Squeezebox in New York and Trannyshack in San Francisco. “Dragstrip 66: The Frockumentary” will share the story of the now-legendary pansexual club’s enduring impact on its patrons, while inviting viewers to experience the convergence of ’90’s alternative music, queer politics, and a subversive drag ethos that defined Silver Lake and Dragstrip 66’s punk/glam/camp aesthetic.

‘Think John Waters directing the KISS & The Ramones as styled by Bob Mackie and Goodwill!

‘The movie will feature appearances and commentary by the club’s renowned performers and supporters, such as: Mink Stole, Jackie Beat, Sharon Needles, Gender, Sabrah Summers, Kay Sedia, Momma, Mz. Alanna, Chi Chi LaRue, Holly Woodlawn, Varla Jean Merman, Sherry Vine, Joey Arias, Heklina, Kelly Mantle, Miss Coco Peru, Willam and countless patrons sharing their beloved memories of attending the club.

‘We believe we have an important story to share, not only for the LGBTQ community but also for the history of Silver Lake and Los Angeles in the pre-internet, pre-social media age.’

If you think you’d like to watch the documentary, help out over at Tubestart. [Read more…]

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Seashore Trailer – Two young Brazilian men challenge their sexuality on a trip to the coast

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SeaShore-slideSynopsis: ‘Having been good friends for years, Martin and Tomaz now find themselves on the cusp of adulthood. Martin’s father sends his son to southern Brazil, where the family is from, to sort out an inheritance matter. Tomaz accompanies him there.

‘For both of them, the brief excursion to the coastal town becomes a journey into themselves. It’s not just the sea that nearly reaches the doors of the country house which exerts a slow, yet relentless pull on them – the two friends have the same effect on one other.

‘Filipe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon’s richly atmospheric, autobiographically inspired feature debut follows its two main characters on a weekend that will change their relationship forever. Seashore wanders through the borderlands between love and friendship, exploring sexual orientation and personal identity.’

Wolfe Video plan to release Seashore in the US this autumn. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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Stand Trailer – A Russian gay couple reels after witnessing a homophobic assault

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seek-slideIt’s perhaps odd that gay-themed films rarely deal directly with homophobic violence, perhaps finding it too painful a topic to turn into ‘entertainment’. However it’s certainly a worthwhile topic for cinema and that’s what Stand does, mixing that with a look at dealing with it in modern Russia, where homophobia is growing and the lives of ga men are getting ever worse.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘After taking a wrong turn in their car, a young gay Russian couple witnesses what they believe is a vicious gay bashing; their quandary over what to do about it propels them—and this suspenseful drama—into ever more dangerous territory. The slow-burning film is highly topical, given the intense worldwide outrage over Russia’s mistreatment of gays and the country’s 2013 federal law prohibiting homosexual “propaganda.”

‘Anton and Vlad make a handsome pair, sharing a loving and natural chemistry in the comfortable privacy of their Moscow apartment. For Anton, the burden of what they may have witnessed outweighs Vlad’s fear of probing too deeply into the incident. Convinced of the police’s indifference—recent events make this a terrifyingly plausible scenario—Anton talks his skeptical lover into launching their own amateur investigation into the hate crime. Their risky search for the truth has unexpected and grim consequences.’

The film is out in the UK and US on DVD in early August. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

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Win The Jim Sturgess Gothic Thriller Stonehearst Asylum On DVD!

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stonehearst-eac-2_1Featuring a stellar British cast including Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, David Thewlis, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Flemyng, Academy Award® Winner Sir Ben Kingsley and two‐time Academy Award® Winner Sir Michael Caine and directed by Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Transsiberian) STONEHEARST ASYLUM is a gothic psychological thriller based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe.

When Edward (Sturgess), a young doctor fresh out of college, arrives at Stonehearst Asylum in search of an apprentice position, he is warmly welcomed by the superintendent, Dr Lamb (Kingsley) and his “staff”, including Finn (Thewlis) and a mesmerising woman by the name of Eliza Graves (Beckinsale).

Edward is intrigued by Lamb’s modern methods until a series of unusual events lead him to make a horrifying discovery, exposing Lamb’s utopia and proving that no-one is who or what they appear to be.

STONEHEARST ASYLUM is out on DVD and Blu-ray on 22nd June 2015.

To be in with a chance of winning the copy of Stonehearst Asylum 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 July 6th, 2015, so get answering and good luck! [Read more…]

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Those People (Frameline Review)

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It’s always good when a film is a pleasant surprise, especially when it’s because the movie knows what you were expecting and then slightly subverts those expectations. It’s something that Those People manages, but not in a showy, arrogant way – just by showing there’s more to its subject and different ways to look at things than you might initially expect.

Charlie (Jonathan Gordon) is young man from a well-off New York family who’s in college studying to be an artist. His best friend, Sebastian (Jason Ralph), is from an even more elite background, but he has a few problems, due to the fact his father has just been locked up for serious white collar fraud. However, that hasn’t stopped Sebastian being spoiled, entitled and difficult – but even so Charlie cannot help but love him. [Read more…]

Stonehearst Asylum (Blu-ray Review)

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There’s certainly a great cast of British and Irish actors brought together for Stonehearst Asylum – virtually everyone in it you’ll recognise from something – so it’s a bit of a shame that they’ve gathered in service of a movie isn’t bad, but which never really takes off.

It’s 1899 and Young doctor Edward Newgate (Jim Sturgess) arrives at the remote and isolated Stonehearst Asylum, a place where Europe’s finest families hide their relative who have issues that they feel mean they aren’t suitable for polite society. Newgate wishes to study the methods of the head of the institution, Silas Lamb (Ben Kingsley), who is apparently trying to create a utopian mental health facility, where instead of the harsh, tortuous methods of the past, the patients are treated with dignity and as much normality as possible. [Read more…]

Magic Mike XXL: Matt Bomer Sings Plus Some Hot New Pics From The Film

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magic-mike-xxl-slideI think I officially hate Matt Bomer: great face, dreamy blue eyes, sculpted body, good at acting, cute husband, adorable kids, and now it turns out he’s good at singing voice too. It’s sickening and shouldn’t be allowed, especially as he’s making all the rest of us gays look really bad in comparison!

Bomer is set to show off his singing skills in Magic Mike XXL, and a preview of his version of the song Heaven has been released in a clip that you can watch below.

Alongside that is a selection of new images of Bomer, Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Adam Rodriguez and the rest of the Magic Mike male stripping crew.

Here’s the film’s synopsis: ‘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 out in cinemas July 3rd. [Read more…]

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Crush Of The Day: Zac Efron Is Bulging In All The Right Places In A Wrestling Singlet

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zac-enfron-singlet-slideLast week Chris Pratt said in an interview that he was happy for people to objectify him, as it helps to at least slightly balance the books following decades/centuries where the objectification of women has been the order of the day. However he is far from the first male actor who has put his body out there as something for people to ogle, and for the last few years nobody has done as much service to that goal as Zac Efron.

Whether it’s running around in tighty-whities in The Paperboy, stripping shirtless at an awards ceremony or taking his top off in pretty much every post-High School Musical movie he’s made, Zac has been been selfless in pursuit of ensuring that people drool whenever they see him.

Now though it appears he’s trying to up the game, as he’s realised that while the world loves his torso and face, not enough people have been paying attention to his genitals.

Actually, it’s probably nothing like that, but these shots of Zac (alongside Adam Devine) in a wrestling singlet certain draw your eye in a particular direction.

Now I just need to convince him to replace his own hand with mine in the pic below, and things would be perfect. Incidentally Zac was wearing the get-up on the set of Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, so it certainly suggests that will be one that’ll be worth watching. [Read more…]

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Sony Hack Reveals Peter Parker/Spider-man Will Never Be Gay Or Black On Film

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spiderman-andrew-garfieldThere were an awful lot of files to sift through when the data from the hack of Sony Pictures was released, and so it continues to make new headlines, with one of the latest being a memo uncovered by Gawker, which says that the Peter Parker version of Spider-man (and almost certainly anyone else in the Spider suit) on screen will never be gay.

The memo very explicitly states that on screen Parker is ‘Caucasian and heterosexual’. Should Sony wish to put someone else in the suit (as Marvel has over the years) that character must not be ‘A homosexual (unless Marvel has portayed that alter ego as a homosexual)’.

The strictures are the ones that Marvel laid down as part of their licensing deal with Sony, which gives the movie studio a decent amount of latitude with what they do with the characters from the franchise, but within certain constraints, including over the character’s sexuality.

While it is somewhat understandable that they would say Peter Parked should be portrayed as straight – after all he’d had decades of heterosexuality in the comic books – the fact that there are only very narrow parameters for when someone in the Spidey suit could be gay seems over the top. It should be noted that while Sony’s Spider-man rights deal happened back in the 1990s and was based on earlier deals with other studios, it appears this particular memo only dates back to a new licensing deal that was signed in 2011 and so isn’t a hangover from any earlier, less tolerant age.

The tone of the memo certainly makes it sound as if whoever wrote it feels associating Spider-man with homosexuality will risk his legacy, especially as it’s put amongst a list that includes drugs, swearing, underage sex and smoking (although it is odd that while he can’t sell drugs, it doesn’t say he can’t take illegal narcotics, so perhaps Peter Parker is a secret heroin addict). It’s also odd that Marvel was so proscriptive at a time when on the page it was opening up some of its most famous characters/costumes to different races and sexualities, while also bringing in new LGBT superheroes.

Spider-man actor Andrew Garfield certainly doesn’t agree with the memo, having previously said, “What if MJ is a dude? Why can’t we discover that Peter is exploring his sexuality? It’s hardly even groundbreaking! So why can’t he be gay? Why can’t he be into boys?”

However it looks like it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Take a look at the Sony/Marvel memo below and then decide whether they need to get with the program and lighten up over whether a guy in a spandex suit can like boys. [Read more…]

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