DVD Review: Wakefield
Despite living longer than ever before, having access to the best medical science and technological advances allowing us to watch all manner of entertainment in our own livings rooms, as a society we’re rather unhappy. Whilst the socio-economic climate in America and Europe may be more polarised than ever before, many who suffer from mental …
Incoming: Hounds of Love
In the mid 1980’s seventeen year old Vicki Maloney is randomly abducted from a suburban street by a disturbed couple. As she observes the dynamic between her captors she quickly realises she must drive a wedge between them if she is to survive. Inspired by real life crimes, Hounds of Love is a confronting thriller …
Blu-Ray Review: Dreamscape
The 1980s was a strange time for cinema. The Cold War was reaching its endgame and technological advancements were heralding a whole new era of gaming and lifestyle possibilities. It was a fertile environment which allowed science fiction and fantasy cinema to flourish. Dennis Quaid seemed to be synonymous with the former. Innerspace and Enemy …
Blu-Ray Review: Castle Keep
Whilst Sydney Pollack may not have been the most prolific of directors (he only made 20 features), the films he did make were almost always of the highest quality. He won an Oscar for Out of Africa and also received nomination for Tootsie and They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? Other notable works include The Firm, …
Incoming: The Big Sick
Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, The Big Sick tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates …
Incoming: Shot! Psycho-Spiritual Mantra Of Rock
A deep look into the mind of one of rock’s greatest living photographers: Mick Rock. Rock’s work with some of the most accomplished personalities of the past forty years – David Bowie, Queen, Blondie, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop – created many of the images that would come to define them. Presented in his own …
Blu-Ray Review: The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
When it comes to the masters of post-war animation, Ray Harryhausen is a name which immediately springs to mind. However, if you were born on the other side of the Iron Curtain, your first thought might well be Karel Zeman. Branded the ‘Czech Méliès’, he made over 30 shorts and features, influencing the likes of …
Blu-Ray Review: The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T
The name Theodor Geisel probably won’t mean anything to you. However, if I told you his pen name was Dr. Seuss, I can guarantee you’ll at least be aware of his work. He created an array of fantastical and unique characters who are still loved by kids around the world today. His most famous books …
Blu-Ray Review: Stalker (Criterion Collection)
In today’s effect driven film market, most science fiction cinema is reliant on green screens and CGI. However, as films such as Primer and Coherence demonstrate, more cerebral fare can be done well without relying on visual effects. Many consider Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as the greatest sci-fi film ever made. However, a …
Blu-Ray Review: Mickey One
Whilst it’s fair to say that film noir inspired much of the French new wave, the favour was undeniably repaid. Arthur Penn, whose seminal Bonnie and Clyde marked the beginning of a more ambitious/risk-taking era in Hollywood, was an avid devotee of le nouvelle vague. Two years earlier, Penn directed a rather peculiar and surreal …