The Oscars are the ultimate prize of the movie industry but every year the nominees and winners are invariably made up of very worthy films and performances which hardly anybody paid to go see and most films did not even make it too your local Multiplex. (more…)
Category: Entertainment
-
FILM REVIEW | Room
Room | ★★★★★
A mother and her son are trapped in a room and can’t escape in the very dramatic and suspenseful film ‘Room.’
‘Room’ will take your breath away. It’s one of the most talked about films of the year, deservedly so, with performances that are top notch. It’s an adaptation of a novel called ‘Room’ written by Emma Donoghue, who also wrote the script. And what a script it is. Although the film takes place in just a few locations, it feels like it goes far and wide.
It’s a plot that could be ripped from the headlines: a young teenage girl was kidnapped at the age of 17 by a stranger and is held captive in a shed in his backyard with the young son who was born out of an unwanted sexual relationship with him – they call him ‘Old Nick’ (Sean Bridgers). Brie Larson plays Joy, and Jacob Tremblay is her son Jack, and both are superb. They survive in that shed, with grey concrete walls. it’s a room (or as they simply call it ‘room’), where they are held, prisoner.
It’s got a skylight, a kitchen, a toilet next to the bed, a closet where Jack sleeps, a plant, and a mouse that pops out every now and then. And five-year Jack knows of no other life than the life he’s led in the room. He doesn’t really know anything about the world outside room, and he thinks that what he sees on television is make-believe, and not real people acting. When Old Nick pays visits to room for his sexual pleasure with Joy, Jack hides in the closet, and Joy refuses to let Nick touch him, or even to see him. But Joy has an idea that might work to get her son out of the room, and when the idea takes place and works, Jack is suddenly thrust out into the world. If you’ve seen the trailer you know that Jack and his mother have escaped the room, but it’s the five or so minutes when this happens that is the most suspenseful and compelling five minutes of this film, of perhaps any film, you will have seen for years. But Jack has to adjust to the outside world, a world he’s never been exposed to. This includes being exposed to other people, including his grandparents, the divorced Nancy (Joan Allen) and Robert (William H. Macy), and Nancy’s new husband Doug (Matt Gordon). And Joy has to adjust being out of the room as well – it’s an adjustment that’s not an easy one. Told from Jack’s point of view, we see through his very young eyes this brave new world that he knows nothing about, grandparents that he’s meeting for the first time, and more important leaving the room where he had lived all of his short life.
‘Room’ is a story about survival, emotions, and the tight relationship between a mother and her young son. It’s masterfully directed by Lenny Abrahamson who is responsible for holding our attention throughout the entire movie. It’s also credit to the actors who bring this story to life. Told from Jack’s perspective who is in every scene, we see his freedom as a rebirth of sorts, with Joy being his world in and out of the room. Only seven when he was cast, Tremblay captures, and holds us, in his every scene. It’s incredible that a young boy his age has so much range that he displays in the film. He’s simply incredible. It’s a shame that he didn’t receive a BAFTA, Oscar or Golden Globe nomination for this film, it’s the performance of the year. Larson is excellent as Joy. Larson rose to fame in her award-winning performance in 2013’s Short Term 12.
She just deservedly won Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards and is now the front runner for the Best Actress Oscar. But it’s Tremblay who steals the movie. He’s simply just amazing. ‘Room’ has been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar – deservedly so.
-
Gay and Lesbian Critics Announce Film Award Nominations
The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association comprised of over 130 reputable critics and entertainment journalists nationwide, have released its nominees for the best in movies and television of 2015 awards, called the Dorian Awards.
The selections come across 23 categories, from mainstream to LGBTQ-centered film, with titles as varied as Carol, The Big Short, Mad Max: Fury Road, Ex Machina, Mad Men, and Tangerine.
This year, the 1950s-set lesbian romance Carol is in the race for Film of the Year, with its stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara competing for Film Performance of the Year — Actress. Also up for the top film prize: Brooklyn, Mad Max, Spotlight and The Big Short, director Adam McKay’s tragic comedy about Wall Street’s hand in America’s 2008 economic collapse.
In news that may spice up award-season chatter, Tom Hardy was nominated for Film Performance of the Year — Actor for his dual role as England’s notorious mobsters the Kray Twins in Legend. Hardy’s fellow nominees include Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant, which happens to costar both actors. As for Director of the Year, nominations for Sean Baker (Tangerine) and George Miller (Mad Max) reflect a breadth as well.
GALECA’s categories run the gamut from Wilde Wit (named for the group’s “patron saint,” Oscar Wilde) to Visually Striking Film to TV Current Affairs Show. In its trademark cheeky Campy Flick and Campy TV Show races, Fifty Shades of Grey and American Horror Story: Hotel respectively lead the charge.
Dorian winners will be announced next Tuesday, January 19. The group’s annual, Hasty Pudding-esque Winners Toast is set for Sunday, March 6, in Los Angeles, and “any nominees or victors who care to join our LA-area members for champagne and pomme frites and fun are most welcome,” said GALECA John Griffiths, GALECA president and Television Critic for Us Weekly.
Past GALECA toasts have drawn Lea DeLaria,Transparent’s Melora Hardin, famed marriage rights activists Jeff Carrillo and Paul Katami, The Comeback’s Robert Michael Morris, indie star Val Lauren, trailblazing actor Wilson Cruz, singer/author Sam Harris and ABC Studios Executive Vice President Patrick Moran.
As for its Timeless Star honor, GALECA has decided to award their humble career-achievement honor to actress Jane Fonda, the veteran star of the film classics Klute, Coming Home, 9 to 5 as well as the past year’s Youth and ongoing Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie. Past Timeless picks include Sir Ian McKellen, George Takei and Fonda’s Grace costar Lily Tomlin.
Here are the nominations for the film categories:
FILM OF THE YEAR
The Big Short / Paramount, Regency
Brooklyn / Fox Searchlight
Carol / The Weinstein Company
Mad Max: Fury Road / Warner Bros., Village Road ShowSpotlight / Open Road, Participant, First Look
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
(Film or Television)
Sean Baker, Tangerine / Magnolia Pictures
Todd Haynes, Carol / The Weinstein Company
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, The Revenant / Fox
Tom McCarthy, Spotlight / Open Road, Participant, First Look
George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road / Warner Bros., Village Road Show
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR — ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Carol / The Weinstein Company
Brie Larson, Room / A24
Rooney Mara, Carol / The Weinstein Company
Charlotte Rampling, 45 Years / Sundance Selects
Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn / Fox Searchlight
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR — ACTOR
Matt Damon, The Martian / Fox
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant / Fox
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs / Universal
Tom Hardy, Legend / Universal, Cross Creek
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl / Focus, Working Title
LGBTQ FILM OF THE YEAR
Carol / The Weinstein Company
The Danish Girl / Focus, Working Title
Freeheld / Summit
Grandma / Sony Pictures Classics
Tangerine / Magnolia Pictures
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
The Assassin / Central Motion Pictures, Well Go USA
Mustang / Cohen Media Group
Phoenix / Sundance Selects
Son of Saul / Sony Pictures Classics
Viva / Magnolia Pictures
SCREENPLAY OF THE YEAR
Emma Donoghue, Room / A24
Phyllis Nagy, Carol / The Weinstein Company
Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, The Big Short / Paramount, Regency
Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy, Spotlight / Open Road, Participant, First Look
Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs / Universal
DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
(theatrical release, TV airing or DVD release)
Amy / A24
Best of Enemies / Magnolia Pictures, Magnet
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief / HBO
Making a Murderer / Netflix
What Happened, Miss Simone? / Netflix
VISUALLY STRIKING FILM OF THE YEAR
(honoring a production of stunning beauty, from art direction to cinematography)
Carol / The Weinstein Company
The Danish Girl / Focus, Working Title
Mad Max: Fury Road / Warner Bros., Village Road Show
The Martian / Fox
The Revenant / Fox
UNSUNG FILM OF THE YEAR
The Diary of a Teenage Girl / Sony Pictures Classics
Ex Machina / A24
Grandma / Sony Pictures Classics
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl / Fox Searchlight
Tangerine (Magnolia)
CAMPY FLICK OF THE YEAR
The Boy Next Door
Fifty Shades of Grey
Magic Mike XXL
Jupiter Ascending
Stonewall
“WE’RE WILDE ABOUT YOU!” RISING STAR AWARD
Rami Malek
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez
Mya Taylor
Jacob Tremblay
Alicia Vikander
WILDE WIT OF THE YEAR
(honoring a performer, writer or commentator whose observations both challenge and amuse)
Billy Eichner
Rachel Maddow
Tig Notaro
John Oliver
Amy Schumer
WILDE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(honoring a truly groundbreaking force in the fields of film, theater and/or television)
Andrew Haigh
Todd Haynes
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Tig Notaro
Amy Schumer
TIMELESS STAR
(to an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit)
Jane Fonda
by Tim Baros
-
Ofcom Receives 200 Complaints After Megan Brands Tiffany A “Ghetto” C**T
Ofcom has received over 200 complaints after Celebrity Big Brother’s Megan McKenna’s foul rant in last night’s episode.
This season of CBB is keeping the regulator Ofcom busy with complaints about Channel 5’s flagship show. First hundreds of complaints poured in over Winston McKenzie’s homophobic remarks and now Megan McKenna’s foul-mouthed tirade has sparked fury amongst Big Brother fans.
In the argument 23-year-old reality star dropped “C bombs” about the openly gay actor John Partridge, calling him a “lying sh*t” and “a two-faced little c*nt!” before launching into a filthy tirade about fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard.
In her outrageous monologue to Big Brother she branded Tiffany a “ghetto c**t” during her outburst.
Megan’s meltdown in the house meant that producers had to separate her from the main house and call in security to calm the Ex On The Beach star down
Ofcom has confirmed that it has received hundreds of complaints regarding her use of language.
-
David Bowie Makes Vevo History
The late legendary David Bowie has made history on video platform Vevo.
David Bowie’s catalogue drew 51M views on January 11th, the most views for any artist in one day in Vevo history. The previous record holder for same day views was Adele, whose catalogue garnered 36M views when “Hello” premiered on October 23, 2015.Vevo has over 60 videos spanning multiple decades of David Bowie’s career with early hits including “Space Oddity” and “The Jean Genie,” all the way to his most recent releases “Lazarus” and “Blackstar.” Bowie’s catalogue saw a 5198% increase in views on January 11th over the average of the prior 7 days, with “Lazarus” being the most-watched video with 11.1M views. -
14 Things Gay Men Did That Prove They Are Years Ahead Of Their Time
Gay men are known for being early adopters of everything from tech to culture to fashion.
Here are fourteen things you know you found before your straight friends. Some of these we can be proud of, some are better best forgotten.
1) Electric Blue lighting…
There was a time in the late 90s / early noughties when gay bars were lit almost exclusively (not really) by electric blue lighting. It was like a gay calling card. Moths to a flame. Hardly a bar in the UK didn’t have their logo or name backlit with that midnight colour.
-
THEATRE REVIEW | An Inspector Calls – Sheffield Theatres & National Tour
As the wealthy Birling family celebrate their daughters engagement, their evening is interrupted by Inspector Goole who arrives unannounced to investigate the events which lead to the suicide of a young working class girl. ★★★ (more…)
-
Judge Rinder Blasts “Homophobic” Landlord After Wanting Lesbian To Replace Bed
A “homophobic” landlord has felt the wrath of Judge Rinder after he demanded that an ex-tenant, who happens to be a lesbian, should pay for a new bed.
A landlord has felt the cold stare of Judge Rinder after making a complaint that a lesbian ex-tenant should have to fork £399 out for a new bed because he was unsure what she had done in it.
When Judge Rinder asked why he was entitled to a new bed, he said, in front of a stunned court room,“When i found out that she is what she is, I wanted to change the bed. I don’t know what’s been happening on the bed.”
He also said he couldn’t understand why she was a lesbian, when there were plenty of men like him around…Judge Rinder, who was married by Benedict Cumberbatch to his husband in 2014, is now celebrating his fourth series on ITV. -
Was Channel 5 Right To Show Angie Bowies Reaction To David’s Death?
Fans of Celebrity Big Brother have taken to Twitter to blast Channel 5 for showing what appeared to be Angie Bowie’s first reaction to the news of her ex’s death.
During tonight’s show Channel 5 will show Angie’s reactions to David Bowie’s death. Although they are keen to stress that the LGBT advocate was told by her own representatives, off camera, before returning to the house and the diary room.
Angie Bowie was married to the legendary singer from 1970 to 1980. David Bowie died yesterday at the age of 69, just two days after his birthday and the release of his final album Blackstar.
After being told about David’s death Angie returned to the house and to the diary room where Big Brother asked Angie how she felt.
She replied, “I’m fine. I think I’ll feel better if I cry, but I can’t cry at the moment. I haven’t seen him in so many years, I can’t make a big drama out of it; I just feel like an era has ended with his passing. I’m so very sad.”Angie then starts to cry, and Big Brother tells her to take her time, as there is no rush to go back into the house.
Big Brother then called John and David to the diary room, to offer Angie some support.
In the diary room, both John and David are shocked by the news that Angie has told them, and they offer their support. She remarks, “The Stardust is gone.”
John then asked her if she wants to keep this news private. Angie said that she would.
Angie confirmed to Big Brother that she was happy to go back into the house, and John and David advised her to say she’s just feeling unwell.
John and David accompanied Angie back into the living area.
CBB continues tonight on Channel 5 from 9PM
-
Angie Bowie To Remain In Big Brother
Angie Bowie has decided to stay in the Celebrity Big Brother house after hearing of her former husband’s death.
LGBT advocate Angie Bowie has decided to stay inside Big Brother’s house after hearing of her former husband’s death. David Bowie died today after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Angie and David were married from 1970 until 1980 and had one son together, the film director Duncan Jones.
Angie Bowie was told about the singer’s passing off camera.
A spokesperson for Channel 5 said,
“Following the very sad news of David Bowie’s death, we can now confirm that Angie Bowie has been informed off camera by her representatives. She has taken the decision to continue in the programme.
“The decision to remain in the house is entirely her choice, and she has been given the option to leave at any time if she changes her mind. Appropriate support will be available to Angie at any time if needed.”
Contestants in Big Brother are not allowed access to the outside world once they are inside the house.
Whilst in the house Angie had admitted that she had not seen David in 40 years and in an interview with The Guardian in 2010 said she had not spoken to their son, Duncan, in 5 years, adding,
‘I think reconciliation is unlikely. He is nearly 40, and if he didn’t bother to find me till now it’s a bit late. There is nothing to say.”
After Angie and David’s divorce it was David who had custody of Duncan.
-
Angie Bowie Still Unaware Of Bowie’s Death
LGBT advocate Angie Bowie, who is currently starring in Celebrity Big Brother, is apparently still unaware of her former husband’s death.
Angie Bowie has yet to be told about her former husband’s (David Bowie) death. The pair were married between 1970 and 1980.
A spokesperson for Channel 5 said:
“Following the very sad news of David Bowie’s death this morning, we can confirm that Angie Bowie will be informed off camera today.”
David Bowie passed away today (11th January 2016) just days after his 69th birthday and the release of his latest album Blackstar.
Their son, Duncan Jones, confirm the death of his legendary father via Twitter.
TheGAYUK reached out to Channel 5 for comment.
