Film Review: Only The Dead
There have been many films about the folly and horror of war. Over the last few years these have tended to focus on the rise of daesh and the continuing ‘war on terror’ in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. War reporters need to tread a careful ethical line, balancing the need to document objectively with the …
Film Review: Nina Forever
Largely driven by the popularity of The Walking Dead, zombies have become big business. There’s been a strong take on the genre in cinemas as well. Whilst Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later and Dawn of the Dead (remake) provided popular crowd-pleasers, there’s also been great original twists such as Pride and Prejudice and …
Incoming: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a fresh twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel. A mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century England, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry. Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must …
Incoming: Deadpool
Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts …
Film Review: Meru
There are a wealth of films around the subject of climbing, mostly focussing on the man’s quest to conquer the peaks. Height is often the main driver, with the vast majority centred around the historical struggle to best Mount Everest. However, the tallest are not always the most difficult to climb. Whilst Sagarmāthā is more …
Incoming: Concussion
Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu’s emotional quest puts him …
Incoming: A Bigger Splash
Rock legend Marianne Lane is recuperating on the volcanic island of Pantelleria with her partner Paul when iconoclast record producer and old flame Harry unexpectedly arrives with his daughter Penelope and interrupts their holiday, bringing with him an A-bomb blast of nostalgia from which there can be no rescue. A Bigger Splash is a sensuous …
Film Review: Uzumasa Limelight
As The Artist proved, cinema audiences have a thirst for film nostalgia. The golden days of Hollywood may be long gone but the memories of the great films and film stars continue to prevail within popular culture. The same can be said for Japanese cinema. Whilst the nature of film-making in the Rising Sun may …
Incoming: Janis: Little Girl Blue
Oscar nominated Amy J. Berg (West of Memphis) presents a stunning, insightful portrait of the original “Rock Chick” Janis Joplin, a white girl with a ferocious, soulful voice who broke into the male dominated music scene but grappled with her inner demons and addictions. Produced by Oscar winner Alex Gibney and narrated by Chan Marshall …
Film Review: Sword of the Assassin
When the subject of Asian cinema arises, your thoughts will likely be drawn to the powerhouses of Japan, China, South Korea and Hong Kong. Maybe, even Thailand or Taiwan, but Vietnam is not a country with a rich history in terms of cinematic output. However, whilst most Vietnamese films do not get a release in …