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

San Andreas Trailer – The Big One is coming (and we don’t just mean Dwayne Johnson)

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san-andreas-slideIt’s surprising that it’s taken this long for Hollywood to make a massive 3D earthquake movie, but 2015 will see one in the form of San Andreas. And by the looks of it, it’s out to prove Roland Emmerich (Day After Tomorrow, 2012) isn’t the only person who can show disaster on a ridiculously epic scale.

The main human stuck in the middle of this tectonic Armageddon is Dwayne Johnson, although the trailer knows the stars of the show here are the building collapsing, the earth shaking and the dams bursting. It’s fair to say that the movie believes that when a huge quake hits LA, the city is completely buggered (although oddly most of the film was shot in Australia).

Here’s the synopsis: ‘After the infamous San Andreas Fault finally gives, triggering a magnitude 9 earthquake in California, a search and rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife make their way together from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save their only daughter.

‘But their treacherous journey north is only the beginning. And when they think the worst may be over…it’s just getting started.

‘The action thriller “San Andreas,” from New Line Cinema and Village Roadshow Pictures, reunites Dwayne Johnson with director Brad Peyton and producer Beau Flynn, following their collaboration on the global hit “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.”’

A May 29th, 2015 release is set. [Read more…]

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The Walk Trailer – Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Robert Zemeckis take on a high wire act

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the-walk-slideIt looks like Joseph Gordon-Levitt enjoyed looking nothing like Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Looper, as it appears he’s at it again with The Walk, where he’s transformed himself into Philippe Petit.

In 1974 the daredevil infamously, and illegally, walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Center, as shown in the acclaimed documentary Man On Wire.

The Walk, directed by Robert Zemeckis, takes a look at this incredible event.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan. Robert Zemeckis, the director of such marvels as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Back to the Future, Polar Express and Flight, again uses cutting edge technology in the service of an emotional, character-driven story. With innovative photorealistic techniques and IMAX 3D wizardry, The Walk is true big-screen cinema, a chance for moviegoers to viscerally experience the feeling of reaching the clouds. The film is a love letter to Paris and New York City in the 1970s, but most of all, to the Towers of the World Trade Center.’

The movie is due out autumn 2015. [Read more…]

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Still Alice Trailer – Julianne Moore is struck with early-onset Alzheimer’s

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It seems likely Julianne Moore will be bidding for award nominations for Still Alice, which is the sort of movie the Academy of others often love, giving an actor the chance to show off their skill while playing a character dealing with serious illness.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking, and inspiring.’

The film is out in New York and LA now and will spread to the rest of the US starting January 16, 2015, while an early March 2015 UK release is set. [Read more…]

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The Last Five Years Trailer – Anna Kendrick & Jeremy Jordan get romantic in the musical tale

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last-five-years-slideA touching story of heartbreak and passion, The Last Five Years, based on the hit off-Broadway musical, stars Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan in this honest and funny portrayal of the highs and lows of a five year relationship.

Told almost entirely through song from a score by Jason Robert Brown, the film, which received its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, is directed and adapted for the screen by Richard LaGravenese and will be released across the UK in Spring 2015.

Filled with the lively energy of New York City’s cultural milieu, the film tells the story of the five-year relationship between rising novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan) and struggling actress Cathy Hyatt (Anna Kendrick). As Jamie’s new novel vaults him to the top of the literary scene, Cathy is still doing summer stock in Ohio, and their diverging levels of success pose pressing and dire challenges to their love. The film tells Cathy’s side of the story in reverse order, starting from the end of their marriage, while Jamie’s version of events begins when the couple first meets. [Read more…]

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Edgar Ramirez Has Joy Alongside Jennifer Lawrence In David O. Russell’s Biopic

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edgar-ramirezAfter a few years flirting on the edges of Hollywood following his acclaimed performance in Carlos, Edgar Ramirez is in talks for a major role in David O. Russell’s joy, according to THR.

He joins Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro in the movie, which is a biopic of Joy Mangano, a struggling Long Island single mom of three who became one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs with her self-wringing Miracle Mop invention. Annie Mumolo wrote the script about a woman who was working three jobs to try and support her family, and had to fight to get her invention recognised, but it eventually became a home shopping sensation, including her becoming one of the Home Shopping Network’s most successful presenters. Robert De Niro will play Joy’s father.

Assuming he signs on Ramirez will play her husband, Tony.

The actor has had small roles in the likes of Wrath Of The Titans, Zero Dark Thirty and The Bourne Ultimatum. However with his upcoming appearance as Bodhi in the remake of Point Break and now Joy, his star could be about the break big.

The film is due to shoot next February and may well be making an Oscar run at the end of 2015.

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Win The Nicholas Brendon Starring Rom-Com Big Gay Love On DVD!

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big-gay-love-dvd-coverThe romantic comedy Big Gay Love is out to buy now on DVD and VoD in the UK from TLA Releasing, and we’ve teamed up with them to give away three copies of the DVD in this competition.

Jonathan Lisecki (Gayby) and Nicholas Brendon (Xander from Buffy) star in this unconventional take on the standard Hollywood rom-com formula, with a socially awkward gay guy in the stock Meg Ryan/Kate Hudson role, and a cult-TV heartthrob cast as his potential soul mate—as they attempt to find Big Gay Love.

A successful but insecure party planner, Bob (Lisecki) desperately searches for love on his own terms in body image obsessed Los Angeles. He has a steady job, plenty of friends, a kooky bewigged mom, and enough money saved up to plunk down for his first house. But he’s not toned or ripped, and he suspects that’s the reason he doesn’t have a dreamy boyfriend with whom to share life’s precious moments and adopt a couple of Lhasa apsos.

Enter Andy (Brendon), a successful chef/restaurateur who he meets at a catered party for Bob’s quirky gal pal. Their romance blossoms, but Bob’s insecurities run amok when their relationship gets physical. In an attempt to fit in with his vapid gym-rat friends (who provide loads of unrelenting comic relief), Bob makes an appointment with the plastic surgeon to become “perfect” and finally fit in.

For your chance to win one of the three copies of Big Gay Love 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 December 21st 2014, so get answering and good luck! [Read more…]

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Gay-Themed Pride Wins Big At The British Independent Film Awards

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andrew-scott-bifa-prideBrit flick Pride certainly had a good night at the British Independent Film Awards, where it picked up Best British Independent Film, while Andrew Scott and Imelda Staunton won Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively.

Pride follows the true story of a group of gay men and lesbians who comes together during the 1980s miners’ strike to raise funds to support those who Margaret Thatcher’s government is trying to put out of work. However they discover that most miners don’t want to be associated with lesbians and gays, until they contact a small Welsh village who agree to take their money. While the villagers are unsure about this new association, an unexpected bond begins to grow between the small-town miners and the big city gays.

The Imitation Game, about gay mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing, was up for four awards, but despite some saying it’s likely to score Oscar noms, it walked away with nothing at the BIFAs. However Benedict Cumberbatch did pick up the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK.

Also missing out was Hong Khaou’s Lilting, which stars Ben Whishaw as a man trying to looking after his dead boyfriend’s Chinese mother, despite the fact she doesn’t speak English, dislikes him and didn’t know her son was gay. It was up for Best Debut Director, Best Actress for Cheng Pei Pei, and Best Achievement In Production, but sadly lost out.

Other major winners include Yann  Demange,  who picked up  Best Director for ’71, while Gugu Mbatha-Raw  won Best  Actress for Belle and Brendan Gleeson got Best Actor for Calvary. You can find more about the BIFA winners and nominees of the award’s website.

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Win The Gay-Themed The Third One On DVD!

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third-one-dvd-coverWe certainly enjoyed The Third One when we caught it at the Iris Prize Festival (you can check out our review here), and now it’s hitting DVD in the UK on December 8th, 2014, courtesy of TLA Releasing. We’ve teamed up with them to give away three copies in this competition!

After meeting in a chat room, Fede arrives at a downtown building to have an intimate encounter with a gay couple older than him. As the night unfolds. Fede has an intense and telling experience. The next morning finds him different, as if suddenly he had found a new possible way to love.

For your chance to win one of the three copies of In Their Room 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 December 20th 2014, so get answering and good luck! [Read more…]

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In Their Room: San Francisco/Berlin/London (DVD Review)

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Travis Mathews certainly hasn’t had a traditional film career. He started out with the semi-documentary art project In Their Room, which led to him teaming up with a gay porn company for the short film I Want Your Love. That short was then made into a feature-length movie, which led to Travis’ highest-profile project yet, his collaboration with James Franco, Interior Leather Bar.

However it was the first In Their Room project that brought him to the film world’s attention. It started as a series of separate five-to-ten minute films, each going into the bedroom of a different gay man, where they discuss their lives and desires, and most particularly their sexual thoughts. The shorts became known for their sexual frankness, with some including masturbation and many featuring at least a little nudity. However what impressed most was the surprising intimacy and seeming honesty that Mathews managed to capture about gay men’s lives. [Read more…]

Out To Kill (US DVD Review)

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I have to admit that for about 20-minutes I didn’t hold out any hope for Out To Kill. It starts out following Justin (singer/songwriter/actor Tom Goss), who lives in an apartment complex full of gay people and believes he’s just about the best thing that’s ever happened to the planet. He’s the type of guy who thinks looking good is all that matters, treats nearly everyone else with disdain, and just about everything he says is a sexual come-on.

It appears he’s going to be the lead character – and an intensely annoying one he’d be as well. Therefore it almost comes as a relief when he’s found dead in the communal swimming pool (that sounds like I’m being nasty, but if you watch the movie you’ll know what I mean). The police are quick to blame the death on a drug overdose, but Justin’s friend, Gene (Rob Moretti), thinks it was murder. He hires new resident and private eye Jim (Scott Sell) to investigate. [Read more…]

The Dark Place (US DVD Review)

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It’s certainly been noticeable in the past year or two that an increasing amount of gay-themed thrillers have been released. Some have been good, some have been dreadful and now we have The Dark Place, which sits somewhere in the middle.

Keegan Dark (Blaise Embry) is a young man who’s long been estranged from his family, but agrees to go with his boyfriend Wil (Timo Descamps) to see his mother at her vineyard. His first shock is that when he arrives he discovers that his mom, Celeste (Shannon Day), has a new husband, Adrian (Andy Copeland), and as a result Keegan suddenly has a stepbrother, Jake (Sean Paul Lockhart). [Read more…]

Big Gay Love (DVD Review)

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What would Willow think? Xander from Buffy has gone gay (he likes to call himself Nicholas Brendon, but he’ll always be Xander to me, whether he likes it or not).

Here he’s teamed with Jonathan Lisecki, who’s best known as the writer, director and co-star of Gayby. Lisecki takes on the lead role of party planner Bob, who’s looking for his big gay love, especially as everyone he knows seems to be in a relationship. However his insecurities make things difficult, so that he initially can’t see why hunky chef Andy (Brendan) would be interested in him, and even after they start dating he seems sure the fact he’s a bit overweight will inevitably ruin things. [Read more…]