Callisto is four tales for the price of one in a time travelling epic concerning queer people in different eras. They’re not stand alone stories but are interspersed and entwined with each other. Basically, it’s a poor man’s ‘Cloud Atlas’ but with LGBT people. The first tale is about opera singer Arabella who’s married to another woman and about to be exposed and get herself in some serious trouble. Secondly, Alan Turing is talking to the mother of the boy who was his first love. Thirdly, Tammy is on the trail of a hot porn actress who she’s become infatuated with. Finally, CAL is an A.I. in the future who’s fallen for a human.
They’re a mixed bag of plays which don’t all work as well as they might and there’s something derivative about the whole set-up at times. The scenes about the 17th-century female couple are the strongest and the Alan Turing scenes are cleverly written but lack much drive, floundering in parts. The other two sections fare less well, especially the futuristic part. If the future involves talking in strange mixed up speech whilst wearing bicycle lights shining down your legs and tee-shirt, culottes combos with odd side ties then count me out of it.
The production has merits with strong acting and a wry sense of humour but doesn’t quite fill its potential. Regardless, it’s an engaging evening and worthy of a look.
DADDY’S HOME 2 – The relatively unwanted sequel to the standard 2015 family comedy but STOP PRESS, shock horror this is really good – hell has just frozen over and pigs are landing at Heathrow & Gatwick.
Nutshell – The modern family two fathers one mother is ramped up a notch by the arrival of the stars two hugely different dads in Mel Gibson and John Lithgow and obviously comic mayhem soon follows. Now what makes this so much better than the original is the decision to make it a full on Christmas movie. It is happy, funny, entertaining and hugely engaging only diminished by association with its average predecessor movie which may put of some. As a standalone this is great.
Running Time – 100 minutes; Certificate – 12A.
Tagline – ‘More Daddies, More Problems’
THEGAYUK Factor – The muscle hunk Marky Mark Wahlberg himself just oozes sex appeal and here he plays the hard real man to Ferrell’s weaker boy which is hot. Mel Gibson has the DILF thing down for sure and reeks of someone here who probably bats for both sides but best of all you get everyone’s favourite WWE wrestling sex god John Cena known in true horny fashion as The Marine.
Cast – Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow, John Cena’s ass, John Cena’s bulging packet, John Cena’s huge muscles, John Cena’s massive chest and some women actors too.
Key Player – This is the boys’ film, Wahlberg is Exec Producer and Ferrell is the main Producer and they just do these movies for fun apparently which is infectious as that is what comes out of the screen. Everyone seems to be having a laugh rather than there for the paycheck Cumberbatch, Affleck or Hardy style.
Budget – $69 Million way up on the first film and boy was that a good move with it making its costs back in two days and now sailing way over $100 million and off towards the top 250 grossing films of all time list at a rapid rate of knots.
Best Bit – 1.02 mins; The destruction of a live model nativity scene and post-fight is a real hoot and great set-piece but this movie is much more about small jokes than big slapstick moments. Do people really dress up as nativity statues – that’s a new one on us.
Worst Bit – 0.33 mins; A snowblower goes haywire and destroys a never-ending set of outdoor Christmas lights and then property and vehicles just like the motorbike in the original. Too slapstick and overlong and a bit childish here in a film where the kids are away getting pissed on eggnog and shooting guns.
Little Secret – Mel Gibson plays Mark Wahlberg’s father. although he is only fifteen years older than him cue greying up Gibson’s hair and softening Marky Mark’s but who cares. Originally the two dad’s were going to be Chevy Chase and Robert De Niro which would have been about as successful as a Trump presidency or Prince Harry getting the stag-do he actually wants.
Further Viewing –Daddy’s Home 1, All four of the Meet The Focker‘s canon, The Anchormans , Blades Of Glory, Elf and Mel Gibson’s previous comedic roles in The Lethal Weapons and What Women Want as he has great comedy timing – who knew Mad Max had a budding Robin Williams, Jim Carrey in him all along.
Any Good – This won’t win any Awards in the next 3 months of the trophy season but it is just truly great fun and a very happy film with loads of great Christmas music and may even see Band Aid back in the charts for the 5th time. A massive step up from a film that originally just got lucky with a clever release date counterbalancing a Star Wars film two years back. It’s now a winning franchise to follow and one of the biggest and nicest surprises of the year as it should have been a shit cash in but instead, it delivers on every level and some.
The Netflix political drama “House of Cards” got into a lot of trouble after its lead star, Kevin Spacey, was accused of sexual harassment by several individuals, including the show’s crew members. The show was already preparing for its sixth season by the time the scandal broke out, and reports have it that two episodes featuring Spacey was already filmed. (more…)
If you tuned into the BBC’s Apprentice last night, you would have spotted how two contestants treated male models.
Twitter users are not happy with the “inappropriate” way the male models were treated last night during a task on The Apprentice, where the candidates had to choose a model for a front cover of a magazine.
During the task, candidates, Elizabeth McKenna and Michaela Wain called the models to walk one by one and asked if they had abs under their shirts and asked them to reveal them.
The “cringey” scene was criticised by some fans of the show calling the interaction, “sexual harassment” and having “double standards”.
Interesting how this is acceptable and just laughed off. Swap the sexes around here and this would be deemed to be bloody sinister. Sexual harassment? Double standards? ?
This scene was sooo uncomfortable to watch, and I’m glad a lot of other ladies thought so too! It’s not acceptable and shouldn’t have been allowed. So cringeworthy, and not funny in any way. Michaela and Elizabeth should have acted more professionally. ?#TheApprentice
Please PLEASE do something about this. Sexual misbehaviour and misconduct happens to both Women AND Men and I can’t help feeling that if this were happening to a Female model then it would be deemed inappropriate yet this is being deemed humorous.
Elizabeth measuring the male model’s leg is not appropriate. It’s a personal invasion. If it had been a female model, it would have not been in tv. @bbcapprentice@BBC@Lord_Sugar#TheApprentice
THEGAYUK.com’s editor and chief, Jake Hook said, “It was totally unsuitable for Elizabeth to touch the male model or measure his inside leg in the way she did. Both candidates acted inappropriately in the casting and what resulted was an entirely cringey TV moment. As a company who have created dozens of magazine covers, we have never measured a model’s inside leg. It was disappointing to see this being broadcast as a potential insight into how a magazine cover is created. I wonder how Elizabeth and Michaela react if they had been treated in this way”.
The brand new, mini-series of The League Of Gentlemen will be playing this December – and it’s on the BBC, so you won’t need any fancy subscription service or satellite dish to watch it.
The team behind one of Britain’s favourite cult comedies released a series of pictures, much to the delight of its fans, but when will The League Of Gentlemen be on TV?
When is League Of Gentlemen on TV?
The League Of Gentlemen will be appearing on BBC2 over the Christmas period. The dates are: 18th, 19th and 20th of December. All episodes will air at 10.00PM.
Is the Original cast involved with the new series?
The League Of Gentlemen is due to return to the small screen following a decade and a half in waiting. Yes, those grotesque characters are making a comeback for a three-episode special for BBC.
All four of The League of Gentlemen’s original creators – Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Jeremy Dyson, and Reece Shearsmith – will come together for the new specials.
The three part series has been made to commemorate its 20 years of existence. The League was originally a radio production before it was transferred to TV in 1999.
Northern Ballet return with their third new ballet this year, The Little Mermaid. Based on the much loved fairy-tale, the ballet tells the story of Marilla, the little mermaid who dreams of life above the waves, and who falls in love with Prince Adir after she saves him from drowning. But her love is unrequited; as the Prince falls in love with another young woman who he mistakenly believes saved him. Exchanging her tail for legs, and with her voice lost, Marilla sets about trying to win his heart.
David Nixon’s choreography is well conceived, and executed, with a keen eye for detail and a style that lends itself well to the underwater setting. The nuances of the choreography are impressive, with a real fluidity of movement in the underwater setting, reflecting life beneath the ocean and the gentle swaying of the current. Nothing stays still underwater, whether it is the beautifully designed flowing costumes, the mermaids held aloft as they weave and bob across the stage, or the ever-active limbs of the ensemble cast, with the sequential movement of the dancers accurately depicting the ebb and flow of the tide. But perhaps the crowning glory to this is Nixon’s use of the ensemble cast at one entity – the sea – and using these multiple bodies as one to form the ocean into a character in itself.
The original score, which has been composed by Sally Beamish, flits between the primarily light and playful to the romantic and finally to the dramatic, feeling cinematic and engaging. The costumes work very well, with long flowing skirts that accentuate the gesticulation and mobility of the cast. Joseph Taylor was engaging and charismatic as Prince Adair, whilst Abigail Prudames enchanted as the titular character and the delicate movements of the cast as a whole was technically well executed.
The ballet itself appears deceptively simple. The demarcation between land and sea seems to be little more than a lighting change, and two large concave structures are used to good effect to set each location; thrusting the narrative to the forefront and portraying that with ease and clarity. The narrative is decidedly darker than the familiar saccharine Disney version, adhering more closely to the source material, but is all the better for it. What the audience is left with is a production which requires very little thought as a viewer, allowing you to simply be able to be swept away by the music and movement on stage.
The Little Mermaid is at Leeds Grand Theatre until 17th December 2017, before moving on to Edinburgh, Milton Keynes and Leicester in the New Year. In 2018, Northern Ballet will be touring with a Mixed Programme, Jayne Eyre, The Three Musketeers and The Nutcracker. Visit Northern Ballet’s Website for details.
The picture reveals some of the programmes’ favourite characters have returned, including, Tubbs and Edward, Pauline and Mickey.
When is League Of Gentlemen on TV?
The League Of Gentlemen will be appearing on BBC2 over the Christmas period. The dates are: 18th, 19th and 20th of December. All episodes will air at 10.00PM.
Is the Original cast involved with the new series?
The League Of Gentlemen are due to return to the small screen following a decade and a half in waiting. Yes, those grotesque characters are making a comeback for a three-episode special for BBC.
All four of The League of Gentlemen’s original creators – Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Jeremy Dyson, and Reece Shearsmith – will come together for the new specials.
The 3 part series has been made to commemorate its 20 years of existence. The League was originally a radio production before it was transferred to TV in 1999.
There’s something unmistakable about British movies – and there’s something truly magical about British gay movies. Here’s our favorites from the 80s, 90s and right up to date
These movies were voted on by the readership of THEGAYUK.com
10) Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
The story of the controversial British playwright, Joe Orton. Joe is played by Gary Oldman. The film chronicles Orton’s rise to fame and fortune, particularly with the success of his play, What The Butler Saw.
The story of Oscar Wilde one of the world’s most famous queer men. Wilde is played by national treasure, Stephen Fry. The film plots Wilde’s life, from his marriage and fatherhood right through to his affairs with rent boys and his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas.
Five stories are interlinked in this film by Kevin Elyot and Adrian Shergold. It centres on the life and experiences of gay men during a 36-hour period in the Clapham area of London.
7) Bent (1998)
The tragic and heartbreaking story of gay men under the imprisonment of the Nazis in World War 2. Based on a play written by Sean Mathias in 1979. It stars Clive Owen and Ian McKellen.
This Merchant-Ivory adaptation of E.M. Forster’s Edwardian novel gave Hugh Grant his first major role. Cambridge undergraduate Clive Durham (Hugh Grant) is thrown into confusion about his sexuality when he experiences strong feelings for fellow student Maurice Hall (James Wilby). Both men attempt to suppress the ‘love that dare not speak its name’, but the arrival of a handsome gamekeeper (Rupert Graves) forces Maurice to submit to his natural impulses.
Set within the Asian community in London, My Beautiful Launderette is an unusual love story concerned with identity and entrepreneurial spirit during the Thatcher years. Omar (Gordon Warnecke) takes over the running of his wheeler-dealer Uncle’s launderette with the intention of turning it into a glittering palace of commercial success. When he employs childhood friend and ex-National Front member Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis) they become lovers as well as working partners. However, complications soon ensure as the anger of Johnny’s deserted gang begins to build and Omar is forced to face increasingly difficult family issues. Written by Hanif Kureishi and skilfully directed by Stephen Frears, My Beautiful Launderette tackles the difficult issues of racism, bigotry, violence and politics in early 80’s Britain and still manages to be compassionate, humorous and hugely entertaining.
When being gay was still taboo in Britain, coming out as gay was a minefield, especially when you’re a teenager. Directed by Simon Shore and based on a play by Patrick Wilde.
A one-night stand that becomes something more – an unconventional love story between two young men trying to make sense of their lives. Available from AMAZON | iTunes
2) Pride (2014)
One of the best blockbuster films to come out of Britain. Pride is the true story of a group Gay and Lesbian activists standing in solidarity and raising money for coalminers during the 1984 miners’ strike. With an all-out celebrity cast, Pride won many awards including a BAFTA and a Cannes Film Festival Award.
★★★★ | The Hundred and One Dalmatians, Birmingham Rep
tail-waggingly brilliant.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians, a childhood favourite, presented by the Birmingham Rep, had fun, laughs and tasty treats of darkness. The puppets, designed by Jimmy Grime, were a show-stealer. The way in which they moved and looked was so real – you had to blink to realise they were not real.
A very commendable performance for all the artists who held/manoeuvred the animals. The dogs looked bizarrely realistic, with the heads at the right scale of the real species – most realistic was the Afghan Hound. The puppetry/dog handlers were incredibly agile, mixed with exquisite acting and singing really enhanced the narrative. Oliver Wellington (Pongo) was particularly impressive with his dextrous movement and voice. The way he showed the jovial and clumsy nature of Pongo was a good connect to pet owners in the audience, receiving many laughs. Equally, Emma Thornett (Missis) did very well with the emotional scenes with the movement adding superbly to the drama. The astute projection of the dog’s feelings by Emma onto Missis was incredibly captivating. You could hear the emotion in the artist’s voice and felt naturally compassioned while watching the puppet.
The second duo who really entertained were the Badduns: Jasper (Lewis Griffin) and Saul (Luke Murphy). The two men hired to do the deed with the puppies were hilarious and really lifted the show. The actors’ mastery of comedic timing, audience interaction, and versatility of movement raised the level of brilliance. Lewis, in particular, gave every bit of himself with Jasper, leaving no stone unturned in making the kids and adults laugh.
Cruella De Vil (Gloria Onitiri) was excellent and as cruel and devilish as I had hoped. I am sure Glenn Close would have really enjoyed her performance too. Her appearance was perfectly fitting to the role; her voice was harrowing and malevolent, creating darkness so subliminally. My favourite moment of the whole show was when Cruella sang ‘Skin It’ and hitting the last note with such deep and menacing tones really was a goosebumpy moment.
Mr and Mrs Dearly played by Morgan Philpott and Nadi Kemp-Sayfi respectively were great too. Morgan showed good variety with playing the Sheepdog. I think the puppets drowned them out a little though, and sometimes the puppet actors speaking for the dogs, mixed with Mr and Mrs Dearly talking, created a distraction and was not always sure who was talking, or where to look.
This show has to be watched, and though there were heavy Christmas overtones, it is a classic I would watch all year around.
Fans of Star Trek: Discovery are on hold! So when does it return to Netflix?
In a usual move for Netflix, Star Trek: Discovery has been released weekly rather than in one upload, allowing binge watching- as fans of the streaming service have come to expect.
This is mainly because the series is shown in the US on a traditional TV station CBS – which chooses to run the series weekly, meaning fans across the globe have to wait until each show is shown in the US first.
CBS is the owner of Star Trek rights for television series, while Paramount film studios own the rights to make the movies.
The new series of Star Trek has won a new legion of fans from the gay community after the representation of a couple in the series. The first major representation in Star Trek’s history.
This means the latest ST series won’t be returning to our streaming devices until the new year because CBS has decided to create a “mid-season finale”. Allowing for Christmas scheduling.
The second part of the season won’t be available until January 2018. So fans have to wait a little longer for the following 8 episodes. In total, the series has 13 episodes.
Netflix’s HouseofCards Season 6 will begin production in 2018 without its star. As The Wrap reports, alleged abuser Kevin Spacey will no longer be involved with the show, and the sixth and final season, totalling only eight episodes, will follow Robin Wright as President Claire Underwood. (more…)
